Ardal gave her a slight bow of the head. “It is a pleasure to have another woman amongst us. My wife, Fiona, will be delighted to meet you.”
“Thank you.”
Hester clasped Eogan’s hand and a surge of pride raced through him. She was claiming him as her mate in front of his fellow warriors. It was truly an honor to have such a woman beside him. She was courageous and intelligent. Her curiosity and determination to find the truth, had led her across the world. If she hadn’t followed her intuition, he would never have found her. He was indeed a lucky man.
“I hear you have a compound where it is safe to stay.”
Ardal nodded. “Until we have dealt with the Albireons, all Hunters and their mates must be on guard. Darrogh and his mate, Tamsin, are staying in London with a full team because the work they are doing here is vital for the fight against the Albireons.
Someone cleared their throat behind them.
Eogan motioned Hank Davis forward. “This is Hank. He was a former soldier with the Albirsion Corporation. When he saw what was happening to abductees, he escaped and formed the Human Resistance Force. His team helped me kill the Albireons in Incirlik.”
“A very brave man.” Ardal’s voice held approval. “You wish to coordinate with us in defeating the Albireons?”
“It makes sense that we should work together.” Hank crossed his arms. “I have people all over the world who are waiting for me to give the command to attack. They believe that there is hope to rid the Earth of this scourge.”
“They have been on this planet for over seventy years. It will not be easy.”
“What other option do we have?” Hank’s voice was filled with scorn. “Are you afraid?”
“A Hunter has no fear.” Ardal’s eyes narrowed.
The other Hunters crossed their arms.
Eogan took a step closer to Ardal.
“We are not your enemy,” Eogan said in a firm tone.
Silence followed his words.
Hank glanced between the two men. “I have offended you. I apologize.”
“We have been fighting Albireons long before they came to this planet. Many of my brothers have experienced pain and torture at their hands.” Ardal relaxed his stance. “We have taken steps to defeat them.”
“We are in control of their finances.” Darrogh who had been standing beside Tamsin Creighton, spoke. “In a few months, Savis should be able to unlock all of their computer systems and destroy them from within.”
“We still require fighters on the ground. We need to hunt and abolish them where they are hiding.” Ardal glanced at Hank. “Are your people prepared to do whatever it takes?”
“It is our only choice.” Hank grimaced. “We can’t allow them to continue living on Earth.”
“There can be no second guessing our methods.” Ardal’s voice was stern. “The extent of the Albireon infiltration on this planet requires quick and decisive action.”
“Understood.”
“Then we will join forces with you.” Ardal held his hand out to Hank.
Eogan’s tension eased as he watched the men shake hands. The pact was sealed. With Hunters and humans working together there was a good chance they would be able to defeat the Albireon threat. This was the opportunity he’d been waiting for since his capture, to destroy those that had imprisoned him. He had been lied to and kept away from his fellow Hunters. He could not forget that. There was no honor in the Albireons’ actions, only greed.
“It would be best to hit the major bases at the same time. I am familiar with Pine Gap and I know of several facilities in the United States,” Eogan said.
“I was stationed at Dulce Base. It was what I saw there that convinced me the aliens had to be obliterated from our planet.” Hank Davis’s voice held a note of anger. “I have people in the H.R.F. who have been in all the various underground bases throughout the world. They will give us the intelligence we need to attack.”
“Good.” Ardal nodded. “We will devise a plan to coordinate our efforts.”
“We have enough funds from our years as hired mercenaries to launch a full scale war.” Catal’s voice was rueful. “That should be enough to outfit us.”
“I will contribute as well.” Everyone turned when Tamsin Creighton spoke. “I do have a very large trust fund. My father will probably help too.”
“This is more than I could ever have hoped for.” Hank rubbed a hand over his face. “With this much help and resources we should be able to take the planet back and make certain the Albireons no longer threaten humans.”
“The attacks have to be a surprise and multi-pronged,” Ardal said. “With the proper timing we can storm all their defenses at the same time.”
“So it is decided that we attack the Albireons as one.” Eogan’s voice was low with determination. “It will be good to see them crushed.”
Ardal nodded. “You will be in control of the European and Australian forces. I will deal with the North and South American threats. We will work together on the rest of the bases.”
Eogan felt purpose surge through him. He was clan Rioge and bred to be in command. Training and genetics had made them leaders. Eogan had spent over thirty years in isolation, but he could not hide his breeding. He was born to lead, and that was what he would be doing now.
Ardal turned to Darrogh. “We need to discuss this further. Is there a place to sit and plan?”
Darrogh grinned. “This house has many such places. I prefer the kitchen.”
“Good. We could also use a meal.”
Tamsin jumped up. “You must be starved. Let me get some breakfast ready.”
“I’ll help.” Hester released Eogan’s hand and followed Tamsin from the room.
Grace and Partlan also went to the kitchen, along with Darrogh and Ardal. Hank was quick to follow.
Eogan moved to go when a hand on his shoulder stopped him. He turned to see Catal.
“It’s good that you have found a mate.” Catal’s voice was warm. “I mistrusted what I was feeling when I found my mate, Selena, and that cost me eight years of regret. I’m glad you were able to recognize what was happening to you.”
“I had the benefit of meeting Partlan and Grace. Still, it was a shock. I had just removed my implants so I couldn’t be certain if it was real.”
“You sacrificed your life so that I could be free. There is no way that I can repay you. It would be an honor if you would let me join your team in this battle.”
Eogan was humbled by Catal’s words and loyalty.
“The honor is mine.” Eogan and Catal started for the kitchen. “It is no sacrifice to rescue a fellow brother. Together, we will fight those who have done harm to us and this planet.”
As they walked into the kitchen, Eogan saw Hester putting plates on the table and he went to help. When he’d been told that all the other children who had crashed with him were dead he’d been consumed with desolation and loneliness. Over the years, his isolation had robbed him of the sense of purpose that being a Hunter gave him. He had thought it was a long-lost memory.
Today he remembered.
He was part of a brotherhood of warriors once again.
True happiness came from finding his mate, Hester. Last night in her arms he’d touched paradise. Her acceptance and love completed him. She was the most important person in his life and the thought of losing her was unbearable. He would fight to destroy the Albireons and make the world safe for her.
All his years of imprisonment faded as he considered the life ahead of him with Hester. The future held hope and love. He had purpose and a place with his fellow Hunters. He was no longer dead to them or forgotten.
He was finally home.
THE END
Thank You
Thank you for reading aHunter4Gotten. I hope you enjoyed Eogan and Hester’s journey.
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Author’s Note
Gobekli Tepe was first discovered in 1963 by an American archaeological team. At that time, it was labeled a Neolithic site and considered not to have any real importance. It wasn’t until the German archaeologist, Klaus Schmidt, began excavations in 1994 that the true significance of the site became apparent. It is located seven miles northeast of Sanliurfa, Turkey, and consists of several layers of occupation, with the oldest dating from approximately 9,600 BCE.
Less than 5% of the area has been uncovered. What has been found are stone circles of large T-shaped pillars with elaborate carvings of animals and stylized symbolic beings. There is evidence of ritual usage, but as of yet, nothing to suggest that people occupied the structures. That is why it is said to be the world’s oldest temple.
Its existence is changing our understanding of pre-history man and their capabilities. It appears that man did not need a sedentary life-style of farming to build temples. Hunter-gatherers were building also, and this site suggests that settlements may have occurred after the temples were built.
Another interesting fact about Gobekli Tepe is that the whole area was deliberately covered up. Who would do this and why would it have been necessary?
Other questions are raised about the purpose and use of this site.
Why were predators depicted on the stone pillars?
What was the area used for… ritual or communal living?
Why build in circles?
Geophysical surveys suggest that there are still at least twenty more circles buried at the site, so that means the shape of a circle had significance. Considering the large number of later-dated stone circles built around the world, this significance carried over to other cultures and civilizations.
Some alternative history followers have suggested that because of the age of this site, and its location, that it is the original Garden of Eden mentioned in the Bible. The area would have been filled with forests and wildlife at the time it was built, so it might have seemed to be a paradise.
There is no doubt that the site is fascinating, and the artistry used on the pillars superb. If hunter-gatherers were responsible for building these structures, their talent and skills have been underestimated. It took knowledge of building permanent structures that could survive centuries to construct these monoliths, and to carve and sculpt such beauty with stone and bone tools is truly magnificent.
Unfortunately, we will never be able to discover the true reason or necessity for creating such an elaborate site. No written documentation has been left so we are left to conjectures that encompass the mundane and the fantastic. This speculation is what fascinates me. Why do you think so many stone circles were built? What was their purpose and meaning?
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About the Author
Cynthia Clement is an award winning and bestselling author who began writing stories in her teens, but it wasn’t until her forties that she became serious about writing. She believes in second chances, exploring new ideas, and bringing the impossible to life. Her novels, whether contemporary, historical, or science fiction, all focus on love, honor, and intrigue.
She lives in Canada with her husband of thirty-two years, her teenaged son, and Norman, their dachshund. She has an eclectic range of interests including paranormal phenomena, ghost hunting, quilting, reading, gardening, and great conversation.
Her first book, The Seduction of Sarah, was a finalist in the HOLT Medallion Best First Book Category. Her book, aHunter4Rescue, has placed first in the 2014 International Digital Awards in the Paranormal Category and received third place in the 2014 ACRA Heart of Excellence Reader's Choice Award, Paranormal Romance Category
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