A Forgotten Kitten (Sea-anan Saga Book 2)

by Kong, Jessica A

  Miko’s expression showed he was genuinely surprised to hear this.

  “She was a virgin?” asked Uma.

  “Areo has waited patiently all these years for her truelove to return and stake his claim, which I have. She is my wife. My soulmate.”

  Miko sighed and shook his head. “Cat, she is not your soulmate. For her to be so, that would entail—”

  “I know what it entails. I’m no fool.”

  “Show him, Sev,” Jugar calmly spoke from his seat on the sofa.

  “Show him what?” asked Theo, glancing first at Jugar and then Sev.

  With determined movements, Sev removed his black shirt. Pulling his long hair to one side, he turned around and proudly displayed two clusters of scars on his upper back.

  Their responses were the same—complete shock and denial.

  Miko shook his head. “No. That cannot be. She is not an Oceanan. How can she experience the need to brand a male her own?”

  “Lance Blaisdale and Rick and Carol Ann McCall were not Oceanans, yet they were still the soulmates of Concheetah, Leonora, and Challen,” stated Jugar from the sofa. “Areo is a half-blood, so she stood a pretty good chance of feeling the need. And apparently she did.”

  “That is not the point!” snapped Miko.

  Sev put his shirt back on. “What is the point, Miko?” He eyed the feline carefully, not trusting his next move.

  Miko gestured for Angel to come forward. With him, Angel brought a very large, old-looking book.

  “Do you recognize this book, Sev? This is the ancient royal law book.” Miko turned to a page marked by a red ribbon.

  Sev remained quiet.

  “Similar to a personal log, your forefathers kept detailed records on events that occurred during their rein that eventually led to the creation of the laws we have today. My grandsires were radicals and made me memorize a passage when I was a kitten. I sectioned off the part for you to read. I think it will explain without a doubt why the law states that no Oceanan should ever take an alien as a permanent mate. Why you must return to your rightful place as our king and forget about that alien half-breed.” Miko handed Sev the royal book.

  Sev snarled as he snatched the book from Miko’s claws. He started to read. Slowly, he felt the life drain from his body through the soles of his feet. He felt as if he were living a nightmare and prayed for someone to end his torment. Unable to meet anyone’s eyes, he rushed over to Jugar and handed him the book with the highlighted passages.

  Jugar was also a shade paler once he finished reading. “But this was so many generations ago,” he argued. “Certainly, after everything that’s happened, our race has matured. We are now living on a planet with foreign neighbors. If it weren’t for these aliens, we would have never survived on Oceanica.”

  Jugar had seen the looks shared by Sev and Areo. They were the same heartfelt glances that Challen had shared with his soulmate. Jugar feared that with Sev’s history, if he were forced to leave Areo, the same final outcome would occur. He did not want to lose another loved one to the downsides of love.

  “Our race has matured, Jugar, but that does not change what nearly happened so long ago. What will happen again if word of this,”—Theo pointed to Sev—“gets out.”

  Sev had his back turned to everyone. His focus seemed to be on the floor.

  “We here swear on our honor that we will never disclose the one who has placed those scars on your back, Sire. You now understand why you must end this relationship before word of it leaks out.” Angel retrieved the royal law book. “The future queen will naturally have to be told, but she too will be sworn to secrecy.”

  Jugar stood from his seat. “But Areo is his soulmate. You can’t separate a male from his intended female—the one born to share his soul. That is unnatural. Unfair.”

  “And an uprising is natural and fair?” asked Uma.

  “Jugar, you read the passages. If he remains with this half-breed, the citizens of Oceana will rebel and start an uprising,” Angel interjected. “Oceana will be no more. On any planet! Our race and our way of life will cease to exist. Is that what you want?”

  “Of course not! Don’t insult me. I’m as loyal to the feline race as you are. But surely Oceanans today are not like their superstitious ancestors were. Not after making so many alien friends. They might be open-minded enough to accept a half-blooded feline as their queen. At least give them a chance.”

  “To do so would mean to disclose Sev’s soulscars,” continued Angel. “What will happen if they refuse to accept her? What do you think our citizens will do? Are you willing to risk our existence for a half-breed?”

  Jugar spoke. “Challen saved my life when I was a cub. I grew up idolizing him. My parents never had another litter. In my eyes, Challen was my brother. The McCalls are my family. I love them all dearly. They are Seacats, Angel, pure and true, all the way down to their core. Great Onssa! They built an empire using the Code of Oceana as its foundation. That has to mean something!”

  “I am sorry, Jugar.” Miko walked over to where Sev stood. “I am sorry, Sev. But we cannot risk starting a revolution over a female.” He held out the Sword of Power and Sev’s insignia for Sev to take. “I believe these belong to you, Lord of the Seacats.”

  “Miko, you are asking Sev to choose between the female he loves and his own race. I beseech you, don’t do this. I am certain that if we try, we can find another solution to this problem. Don’t force him to do what his soul doesn’t want to.”

  “This is the only way, and you know it. Sev has to choose. He is aware of what will happen to the Oceanan race if he proceeds down this path. Just like his forefather, Sev, too, will make the right choice.”

  Through bleary eyes, a throbbing head, and a horror felt straight to his core, Sev watched his trembling hands retake possession of his sword and insignia while his heart and soul shouted in protest.

  “All hail the Lord of the Seacats. Long live Sev, the King of Oceanica,” said the Seacats in unison.

  From a distance, Sev numbly watched everyone salute and bow. He saw Jugar also pay his respects. Sev could not restrain the impulse any longer. He hurried out of the room.

  Later that evening, Mike found Sev staring out a corridor window into space. “Man, you look like hell. What’s wrong? Don’t tell me Areo stopped talking to you again, even after the meeting.”

  Mike was in better spirits since the arrival of more clan members. He was once again full of hope for the future. Sev remained in a trancelike state, unaware that someone was beside him.

  “Sev?” After the third try, Mike placed his hand on Sev’s shoulder and gently shook it. “Sev, what’s wrong?”

  “Mike,” Sev croaked. “I have to…” His eyes closed. His features crumbled as if he was in agony.

  Mike sobered immediately. “Has something happened that I don’t know about? Has something happened to Areo?”

  “My kitten…”

  Mike saw tears creep down Sev’s cheeks. Sev gripped the window’s edge to keep from collapsing to the ground. “OK, you’re coming with me.”

  Mike discreetly escorted Sev to his chambers. Once he had Sev situated on the small sofa, he poured Sev a drink. He handed Sev the glass of red liquid.

  “What’s this?

  “Aanari wine. Drink it. It’ll relax you.”

  “You Seacats have kept up with Oceanan traditions, I see.” Sev drank the wine, barely tasting its full, rich body.

  Mike sat beside the tortured-looking cat. “We may have never been acknowledged as Oceanans, but in our hearts we have always felt as pure as you.”

  Sev lowered the glass from his lips and swallowed. “I know.”

  “So tell me, what has you so distraught?”

  Sev explained all that Miko had revealed to him.

  Mike’s gaze turned a stormy gray. He took several gulps of wine to control his anger. “They think this will happen again.”

  Sev nodded.

  “Blast it all! It doesn’t se
em like it’s going to end. No matter what we do, no matter how many times we try to prove ourselves, we will never be good enough for those blast-it purebreds. Damn it all!”

  Mike paused in his ranting and studied Sev. The cat sat beside him, sulking. Sev had already drunk ten glasses of wine. Luckily, a person could not get drunk on Aanari wine, only extremely mellow.

  “I see you’ve made your choice.”

  Sev looked at him.

  “You have my father’s sword strapped to your waist, plus you’re wearing your old insignia. That tells me Areo got the short end of the stick.”

  Sev shook his head. “No. I need the Sword of Power if I’m to protect Areo, and I’m more comfortable with this sword than with the one you gave me.” His eyes closed briefly. “The insignia is so no one questions my authority. I can’t walk around claiming to be the king and not wear an insignia.”

  “I see.” Mike had his doubts. Still, he saw that Sev suffered. His heart went out to the big cat. “Does Areo know yet?”

  Again, Sev’s eyes closed. He responded with a negative shake of his head and a large gulp of wine.

  Mike squeezed his shoulders. “I’m sure there’s something we can do. I mean, it can’t end like this.”

  Sev placed the empty glass down and massaged his temples. “Mike, please tell me you have something we felines can take for a migraine.”

  “Sure. I’ll get it for you.”

  Mike entered his bedroom and headed for the bathroom. Returning with a bottle of pills, he paused at the doorway to his bedroom. It was there he saw Sev in a different light. He really does love her. There has to be a way they can remain together. If Areo has to leave him…Mike could not go on. The memory of his mother entered his mind. I don’t think my family can survive that a second time.

  Sev groaned into his hands. He rocked back and forth in his seat. He could not understand how life could be so cruel and unfair. Thoughts and distorted images popped in and out of his mind. He felt as if his grip on sanity was slipping. Jumping out of his seat suddenly, he cried, “I have to go!”

  “Sev!” shouted Mike. “Wait!” By the time he made it to the front door, Sev was gone. “Blast it! Bloody hell!”

  After taking medication for a splitting headache, Areo lay in bed with a cold compress on her forehead. She had cried so much that she could no longer breathe through her nose, see through her eyes, or move her head. Her mind was on the precious moments she had shared with her dream lover. It pained her to know that she would have to return to thinking of Sev as such—just a dream.

  She heard a gasp. Areo opened her eyes as much as their swollenness would allow. She found Sev scanning her features. He took hold of her chin to move her face sideways for a better view of her swollen, bruised cheek. She saw how quickly hatred could flare up in those copper orbs.

  “Who did this?” he said through clenched teeth. “Tell me, so I can kill him.”

  “That’s not important.” She traced his cheek. “What is important is that you’re here and you’re safe. I love you. No matter what they demand, or what happens between us, I will always be your wife. My heart will forever be branded yours. Our souls will be intertwined forever, never to be separated. No matter how many lifetimes we revisit, we will always be as one.”

  “You know?”

  “Miko told me.”

  “Miko.” Sev’s face turned sideways. “I hate that cat,” he sneered.

  Areo scanned his beautiful body. “I’m happy to see that you’ve made the right choice, Sire. Happy to see the rightful king back on the throne.”

  “I haven’t made my choice.”

  “Yes, you have. There’s no other choice to be made. I tried to tell you that from the beginning, but you never listened.”

  Sev’s eyes took on a wild shine. “I will never listen! Not when they’re telling me to leave you!” His fingers gingerly touched her bruised cheek. “I love you.” Tears fell from two sets of eyes. Sev licked hers away. “I worship you,” he murmured against her mouth.

  Their kiss was a gateway to another realm—a realm where their love was not prohibited. Discarding their clothes, Sev smothered his petite wife with searing kisses and flaming touches. Each touch, each kiss was meant to remind and convince the other to whom they belonged. Each desperately wanted to make certain the other would never forget them. Every time their bodies came together their urgency increased, as did their tempo.

  “Sev.” Areo moaned, arching her back. “Sev.” Her beautiful features expressed intense love and ecstasy at his touch.

  Something within Sev snapped. No. This can’t be the end. This can’t be our last time together! I won’t allow it!

  “I won’t allow it!” Sev pulled out and flipped an unsuspecting Areo onto her belly. He parted her thighs, grabbed her hips, and thrust forward—deeply and devastatingly. “I won’t let them take you from me. I won’t relinquish you!”

  Sev started to stimulate Areo’s spine, alternating between drawing sensual patterns with his fingers and firmly massaging with his palm. He passionately bit, licked, and sucked every inch of her nape. His insatiable mouth inched down to her tailbone and then back up again. Over and over, he made Areo squirm with delight.

  “Stop it, Sev. Stop! You don’t know what you’re doing.”

  “I know exactly what I’m doing. You’re my wife. You’re my soulmate!” Sev clamped his teeth down on the back of her neck. His tongue danced across the tiny hairs underneath his wide-open mouth.

  “But the law…oh God…the Seacats.” Areo buried her face in her pillow, smothering her groans of pleasure.

  Sev knew exactly when her eyes lit up. Areo fully arched her back and raised her scarred bottom in a pleading gesture, which made Sev roar. His own eyes ignited. He wanted Areo to beg for more.

  Sev wrapped Areo’s hair around his left hand and pulled it aside. His teeth clamped harder on her nape, securing her in place. Pulling her hips up with his right arm, he massaged her swollen nub and increased his ramming speed. Soon Areo was begging for a lot more as Sev happily pushed her over that sparkling edge, following close behind.

  Early the next morning, Areo sat at the small kitchenette table sipping a mug of coffee. She wanted to embrace the idea that Sev was her husband and damn anyone who said the contrary, but the entire Oceanan race was riding on him being on the throne with a pureblood as his wife. She could never be one.

  Sev’s rebellious nature may have gotten them into further trouble. There was no stopping him. He had refused not to ejaculate from behind. Sev foolishly believed that if he impregnated Areo, the others would have to concede to her remaining with him for the sake of their kitten. The idea had embedded itself in his head. Sev had taken her repeatedly. Each time, he had made certain Areo was properly stimulated and his liquid seed securely planted from behind.

  He knew the Oceanan race had only one form of birth control—their natural reproductive system. The only problem was, Areo was also part human, and humans had no built-in contraceptive. Since she had never been with a man, Areo had no clue which way her body would respond, if at all.

  Areo stared at the mug and sighed. She had tried to tell Sev his plan would never work. The child would be an alien like her. The Oceanans would feel no pity. As usual, Sev refused to listen. When he thought Areo was asleep, he lovingly caressed her womb and vehemently prayed to Onssa for his seed to take hold. It nearly made Areo burst into tears.

  Just thinking of it again placed a lump in her throat. “Oh Sev, I love you so much. What am I going to do with you?” She heard a small beep and depressed the button on her wristguard. “Areo here.”

  “Princess, Captain Rider. I’ve received some urgent news. We need to speak. Please come to my office.”

  “I’m on my way.” Areo clicked off. She snatched her robe from the sofa and rushed out the doors. Upon entering the captain’s office, she asked, “Rider, what’s wrong?” Then she stopped dead in her tracks.

  Rider was standing in front o
f his desk, speaking to a tall man dressed in Ranger clothes. The man was pale and wore his long, light-brown hair pulled back in a ponytail. At hearing her, both men turned to look at her.

  Areo’s eyes opened wide. “Sparky!” She ran into her older brother’s embrace.

  “Princess, you don’t know how good it is to see you,” spoke Bob into her hair. “I was so upset when I heard that you were killed by Daehog. Let me look at you.” His soft brown eyes scanned her from top to bottom. “As beautiful as ever. No,” he corrected, touching the tip of her nose. “More beautiful than ever.”

  His handsome smile warmed Areo’s aching heart. She did not see there was a fourth person in the room, sitting on the small sofa.

  “I agree,” said a familiar voice from behind Bob.

  Areo looked behind her brother and saw a hooded being standing up. He removed his hood. A pair of pale-blue eyes that sparkled underneath the room’s lighting met hers. They made her heart flutter.

  “Spike!” Johnny opened his arms. Areo ran to him and held her brother tight. “Oh, you guys. Always the sweet talkers.” She stared into Johnny’s beautiful eyes. “Why was I summoned like this? You could have gone to my chambers.”

  “We’re not here on free time, sweetheart. We came as soon as we heard Mathew and the others had arrived on Sea Base Five. We need their help. Finding out that you were here was more than a pleasant surprise,” Bob explained.

  “What’s wrong? How can I help?”

  Johnny gently squeezed her waist. “We received an urgent signal from one of our secret underground emergency shelters on Laaren.”

  “I thought we were cut off from everyone,” said Areo.

  “We are,” replied Johnny. “But the Seacats there decided to take a chance and get a message to us.”

  “Seacats?” Areo gripped Johnny’s shirt. “Any members from our family?”

  “Yes, but I’m afraid what they said wasn’t good,” answered Bob. “Our stashed supply of food, water, and first aid is almost depleted. If they don’t get relief soon, they will all die.”

  Johnny added, “They are rationing what’s left. But the situation is critical. They’ve held out for as long as they can. They’ve risked their signal being traced because several of the little ones have already died. They couldn’t stand back and watch more perish without trying something drastic.”