In the Roar

by Milly Taiden

  “There is something we are missing. I am going to cut my trip short and come back. It will take me about an hour to wrap things here and I will be there.”

  “Bella is coming to visit my mother and Liv. She should be here within the hour, as a matter of fact.” Karel frowned. “I know she was well guarded at the castle, but I feel better having her here anyway.”

  For the first time since Karel had contacted Alyx, he saw a smile on his king’s face. “That is perfect, I can see my mate, check on your mother, and we can discuss all that’s happened.”

  Karel nodded and disconnected the call. In the space of just over a week, he was told his mother was dying, found his mate, learned his mother was going to live, and discovered his mate was threatened. It didn’t make sense. He couldn’t come up with one reason for any of this to happen. Taking out his mother served no purpose he could see. What had Tiana hoped to gain?

  Karel stood and searched for his mate. He needed to reassure himself she and his mother were okay. Things were spiraling out of control and he wasn’t sure how to stop them. He walked into his mother's room and stopped. “Aayi, look at you.” Karel couldn’t believe his eyes, she was walking around the room in slow circles on her own.

  “She said she was tired of laying down and needed a change. Next thing I know, she is throwing her legs over the side of the bed and standing.” Liv could barely talk through her joyous laughter.

  Karel gave his mother a hug. “I knew you were a fighter, you taught me to be one, after all. Now you will definitely live to see my cubs grow and have some of their own.”

  Keliana whacked him on the arm. “Cheeky buggar, aren’t you.” She did another circle before stopping in front of Liv. “We have company coming shortly. I think it’s time I got dressed in some real clothes and met her in the living room like a guest should be met. What do you think, my dear?”

  Liv looked to Karel for approval before she answered. When he nodded in agreement, she turned back to Keliana. “I think that’s a wonderful idea. What can I do to help?”

  Karel smiled and stepped out of the room. His life was looking up. His two favorite women adored each other and him. A knock at the door startled him out of his thoughts. With a smile, he opened the door and greeted his friend. “You are looking rather…” He looked Bella up and down and smiled when he saw the warning in her eyes. “Beautiful. Come in and have a seat. The ladies will be joining you shortly. My mother has decided she felt up to visiting in the living room, and is--as she put it—dressing in ‘some real clothes.’”

  Bella smiled and smacked him in the chest with the back of her hand. “I know you well enough to know that wasn’t what you were going to say. Don’t even try to lie to me.” She reached out and grabbed his hands with both of hers. “I can’t tell you how happy I am to hear your mother is making a full recovery. I know how much she means to you.”

  Karel squeezed her hands in return and gave a short nod. He couldn’t even begin to explain how grateful he was to know she would live.

  TWENTY-EIGHT

  Liv walked out with Keliana leaning on her arm for support. While feeling much better, she was still weak and as stubborn as anyone Liv had ever met. She was determined to sit and visit like proper company deserved, no matter how tired it made her.

  “Keliana, you look fantastic,” Bella said as she gave her a hug. “I have been so worried.”

  Keliana sat on the couch and smiled up at Bella. “No need to worry about me. You have cubs and a mate to worry about now.”

  Bella smiled and embraced Liv. “It’s wonderful to see you again. I can’t wait to catch up and hear how my growly security head is taking care of you,” she said with a wink. All three women laughed when they heard Karel growl and storm out of the room.

  They spent the next half hour talking and laughing. It wasn’t long before Keliana was done in and needed to rest again. Liv walked her back to her room and helped her get situated back in bed. When she was leaving, Keliana’s soft voice stopped her. “I love you, child.”

  Her throat closed and her heart filled with joy. She glanced over her shoulder and smiled. “I love you too, Aayi.”

  Liv finally had a mother she could love, and one that loved her for who she was. Liv never expected to find that, let alone have to travel light years away for it.

  “Are you okay?” Bella questioned as Liv reentered the living room.

  “Oh, yes. Sorry. Just lost in thought for a moment. Would you care to take a walk with me. We can talk and you can tell me everything you know about Karel that I can use to torment him later.”

  The two women strolled outside and basked in the rays of the two suns. “It turned out to be a wonderful day. I thought for sure with the storm being so bad we would be stuck inside until tomorrow.”

  “We got lucky, this was a short one. They aren’t always like that. To be honest though, there are more days like this, with the suns shining, and the soft breeze blowing that even a rainy day can’t discourage you. If that makes sense.” Bella laughed ruefully.

  “I know what you mean.” Liv sighed and looked around at the beautiful trees. She didn’t think she would ever get tired of looking at the different shades of purple.

  Bella squirmed. “I don’t mean to pry, but I am dying to know. You and Karel? How are things? Is it official, are you mated?”

  Liv laughed at the barrage of questions from Bella.

  “It’s okay. I don’t mind at all. Something tells me we are going to be great friends. Yes, we are mated. He is unlike anyone I have ever met before. I think I was in love the moment I saw him. It took my head a little bit longer to catch up. It’s not often you meet a man you can laugh with, be stupid and have fun with, and that body. Whoo baby, smoking. And after he shifted, I was sure there was a puddle of drool on the ground.” Liv blushed when she realized what she had said. “Sorry, I tend to get a little carried away when I think of ….. um…. certain things.”

  “I have to admit, I know what you mean. These shifter men look better than any movie star I’ve ever seen. Don’t let them know, but damn they could give the gods a run for their money in the looks department.” Bella smiled and rubbed her protruding belly. “They are a fertile lot, too. It won’t be long before you are in the same boat as me. Our cubs can grow up together.”

  Liv smiled and nodded. The thought of having cubs scared her a bit, if she was honest. Karel would make a fantastic father, she knew it deep down. He was too loving not to be amazing. Now if they could figure out the threat, they could get started on those babies.

  “What has you frowning? I know we just met, but I hope you know you can talk to me.” Bella worried her bottom lip while she waited for Liv’s response.

  “Now who is worried?” Both women laughed and looped their arms together like old friends. “After we spoke to you this morning, I went into the garden and a woman showed up and threatened me.” Liv explained the details, what little she had, and then they walked in silence, both lost in their thoughts, trying to make sense of things.

  “I haven’t been here long, so I don’t know what I could have done to mess up this woman's plan. I don’t even know who she was.” Bella grabbed her arm and squeezed gently. Liv cocked her head and listened closer.

  “Do you hear that?” Liv asked in alarm.

  “I think we better go back. Those don’t sound like friendly growls to me,” Bella said as she grabbed Liv’s arm and headed toward the cabin.

  They managed to get a few feet when two women ran out of the forest.

  “Nadeeya!” Bella gasped. She curled a hand protectively over her belly. “What are you doing here?”

  “I’m finally getting rid of you,” Nadeeya, the blonde who threatened Liv earlier, spat. Her problem was obviously with Bella.

  Liv stood in front of Bella, placing herself between her new friend and the woman threatening her. “I don’t think so.”

  Nadeeya snarled, “You think you can stop me? You weak, little, human.”
<
br />   Tiana took a step forward. She didn’t say anything, but her shifting features spoke volumes.

  “Got any good ideas?” Bella whispered. “I left my transporter in the house with my shawl.”

  Yeah, no. They were fucked.

  They watched the blonde shift into a huge lioness. She roared and lowered to an attack position. Meanwhile, Tiana shifted into a bear. A fucking bear! Oh hell no. They had two huge animals looking to make them kibbles and bits. Shit didn’t get any more real than that.

  Tiana roared, stomping the ground on all fours next to the lioness. Another set of growls sounded. Liv glanced over her shoulder and tugged Bella out of the way as a massive lion and jaguar next to him leapt toward the lioness and bear.

  “We need to move,” she yelled at Bella and pulled her to the safety of trees on their left. “I’m guessing the big lion is your husband?”

  “Oh, yeah,” Bella rushed out, trying to catch her breath. “And he’s pissed.”

  “Well, it’s not every day some chick tries to kill his wife and their unborn baby.”

  Bella snorted. “You’d be surprised how often it’s happened.”

  TWENTY-NINE

  The huge lion took down the bear in one fell swoop. He roared, clawing the bear’s face and moving so quickly out of her reach, she didn’t get a chance to grab him. The bear’s sharp claws swiped at the lion, but he roared again and bit down on the paw trying to tear into him.

  The jaguar leapt for the lioness. Though she was big, he was bigger. The two cats went head to head. The jaguar snarled, digging into the side of the lioness. She tried to sprint away, but he dug his razor claws into her hind quarters and pulled, ripping ribbons of flesh off her hide.

  The bear reared up on two legs and gave a loud roar, swiping at the lion. He shoved her back, slamming her to a tree and sending her stumbling.

  “You’re right. He’s pissed,” Liv said. “Aren’t you worried he’ll get hurt?”

  Bella turned to her with a grin. “Nope. Alyx is the biggest, strongest lion on this planet. And Karel is the same for the jaguars. That’s why he is the head of security.” The jaguar slashed another set of cuts on the lioness’s side and Bella nodded. “Those two female idiots don’t know who they’re up against.”

  “So the men won’t be hurt?” Liv asked, her stomach in her throat. The lion dug his claws in the bear’s chest.

  “Are you kidding? Those women will be lucky if Alyx and Karel stop before they kill them. And with all that’s happened with Nadeeya and Alyx, I’m not sure he will stop, even if she’s dead.”

  Another round of wounds and the lioness was red from bleeding. The jaguar’s paws were bloodied and he appeared to have minor cuts. Not the lioness. She was weakening. She tried to fight him off, but he was faster and stronger.

  The lioness and bear stopped fighting almost at the same time. For a second, Liv thought the lion and jaguar would continue tearing into the women, but they stopped. Alyx and Karel shifted. Both bloodied and angry.

  Nadeeya and Tiana shifted as well, but the women groaned and curled into balls. Alyx marched over to Nadeeya, grabbed her by a torn bicep and hauled her to her feet. Karel did the same with Tiana, unconcerned over her crying from the painful wounds Alyx inflicted.

  “I can’t kill you,” Alyx growled at Nadeeya. “I want to, but you know the rules. So I have something better in mind.” He turned to glare at Tiana. “Both of you.”

  Liv frowned, watching the scene unfolding before her. “What are they doing?”

  Bella gasped. “Oh, shit. They’d told me about this. When someone does something heinous and so bad they don’t want them in Aurora anymore, they banish them.”

  Alyx dragged a wounded Nadeeya while Karel pulled Tiana toward the cabin.

  “Where are they being banished to?” she asked. They followed the others at a safe distance in case things got out of hand again. The last thing Liv wanted was for one of the women to get free and go for Bella. She knew the men could handle them, but she didn’t want to take chances with Bella’s baby.

  “To a primitive planet,” Bella whispered and her eyes opened wide. “A scary one.”

  When they got to the cabin, Karel went to the porch and picked up something, handing it to Alyx. It was a transporter.

  “What are you doing?” Nadeeya screeched, finally sounding scared.

  “You two have given us enough grief.” He pressed buttons and a big oval opened like the one on earth. “I hereby banish you from Nova Aurora.”

  Nadeeya clung to Alyx, her eyes wild. “You can’t do this. I don’t want to go!”

  Karel tossed Tiana through the opening, her screaming swallowed as she went through.

  “I don’t care what you want,” Alyx told her. “Now you’ll live with the other outcasts from society.”

  He peeled her off him and shoved her into the opening, effectively cutting off her cries.

  “What planet?” Liv wondered. “Where?”

  “It’s a hunting galaxy. Filled with barren wastelands and animals we never even heard of. Super dangerous,” Bella replied. “They’ll be some dinosaur’s midday snack.”

  Wow. “Sounds like they’re going to have to work hard to stay alive.”

  “Well, now they won’t have time to plot killing me,” Bella said.

  “There’s always a bright side to everything.” Liv grinned.

  THIRTY

  Liv and Bella went in to check on Keliana, while Karel and Alyx washed the blood off. Liv peeked in Keliana’s room to see her wide awake and sitting up in bed. “Don’t sneak around, get in here and visit with me. I want to know what all that fuss was I just heard outside.” Liv smiled and pulled Bella in with her. They sat on either side of Keliana on the bed.

  Bella smiled and gave Keliana a hug. “You are looking better every time I see you.”

  “I feel almost back to normal already. Got to love these shifter genes. Liv here has provided me with all the protein I can eat, and I am pretty sure the poison is out of my system completely. I would even venture to say by dinnertime, I will be ready to eat at the table with the rest of you.”

  “Did you eat everything? I can get you something if you’re hungry,” Liv offered as she stood and headed toward the door.

  “No, I am fine. Your mate took care of me before he and Alyx went looking for you two.” Keliana peered from one to the other. “Where are those boys anyway? I want to hear what is going on.”

  “We’re here, Aayi. I figured you would be going crazy for answers by now,” Karel called out as he and Alyx entered the room with big grins on their faces.

  Keliana huffed and narrowed her eyes at Karel. “You aren’t sassing me, are you? You aren’t too old to be taken to task, you know.”

  Karel blushed and shot a look at the others who were trying not to smile. “Aayi,” Karel pleaded, “you live to torture me, don’t you.”

  “Someone explain what just happened.” Keliana looked from face to face waiting. “No one, really? Was it that bad?”

  Liv cleared her throat. “Aayi, I think it’s more that we are still piecing it together.”

  “You know what they say, two heads are better than one. Or I guess in our case five heads.”

  “This morning after I left you, I went for a walk in the garden. I didn’t know at the time who she was, but a blond lady threatened me for ruining her plan. A few minutes ago the same lady came out of the forest and attacked us. She wasn’t alone. Tiana was with her.”

  Bella took over the story. “The blonde is Alyx’s cousin Nadeeya. She has tried multiple times to get rid of me, so she can have Alyx for herself. After the last time, we sent her to her brother for him to watch over her. It would seem we were too lenient.”

  “Alyx and I subdued the women and Alyx banished them,” Karel piped in with the last of the story. “They went too far this time.”

  Keliana sat back and thought for a few minutes. “One thing I don’t understand. How did Tiana fit into all this and
why was she poisoning me?”

  Liv said, “When I was talking to Tiana, I mentioned that Karel told me she worked in the castle. I asked if she was one of your assistants, Bella. She became extremely angry at my question and said she wasn’t good enough to work with you. That she attended the king’s cousin. She was very bitter. I remember being surprised because you were so sweet.”

  Alyx cut in. “If I may, I have an idea as to why. Karel and I have been talking and we think it was an elaborate plan to get to Bella. With her advanced pregnancy, I assigned Karel to stay by her side. This made it impossible for Nadeeya to attack again.” Alyx rubbed a hand down his face. “When you suddenly got sick, we believed it was just your time,” he added. “We didn’t stop to think you’d gotten sick once she’d come here to visit with you.

  “Nadeeya recruited Tiana to poison you to make Karel rush to your side, Keliana. Everyone knows how loyal jaguars are to their mothers. It would seem she set it up to happen at the time I would be away at the summit meeting with the bears. Bella still had protection, but it wasn’t people Bella knew well, therefore they stayed back a bit and gave her more space.” Alyx paused to let that sink in and Karel carried on.

  “When Tiana dropped the bottle she must have assumed you would become curious and look for it. She must have reported this to Nadeeya, who in a rage, came to warn you off.” Karel locked eyes with Bella. “My only question is how they got Aayi sick to begin with. Was it your idea to send the treats with the books?”

  Bella gasped. “I was in the library picking books about earth for Keliana to read. Tiana happened to walk in, or at least I assumed it was by accident. Knowing everything now, I have to assume they were listening in on my conversations and knew what I was doing. Tiana offered to deliver the books. She also mentioned she had been by the kitchens and there were some delicious pastries fresh from the oven and maybe she could wrap a few as a nice surprise and perhaps make some tea.” Bella turned to Keliana. “I am so sorry, it was my fault.”