Cali & Drake (The Alliance Book 1)

by Stormy McKnight

  “I’ve got to find a way to get rid of the threat her mother holds over her. Cali thinks a return to Cestori is the answer, but I’m not so sure. There is also the fact that Cali has associated being in space as being free. I don’t know how to change that perception. She might balk at the idea of staying on Titus. How close are we to the additional spacecraft we commissioned?”

  “I see where you might be heading with that question. You’ll be happy to know the men of the clan Takari have been busy. I think Tae’s father had something to do with the rush on additional ships. The more spacecraft we put out searching for all of you, the sooner he’d find his son. As it stands, in the twelve months you’ve been offworld, we have two scout craft finished and another warship almost ready. The scout ships have the speed of The Maxon, but not the armament.”

  “The scout ships are similar to The Reliant then,” Drake rubbed his chin thoughtfully.

  “Let me know what you need.” His father insisted. “I’ll work with the Council to arrange it.”

  “Drake,” His mother returned through a set of doors at the side of the room. “Bella and Horace have tracked you down. I left Cali to play with them.”

  “You left Cali alone with them?!” Drake jumped to his feet and rushed toward the doors. “She must be terrified.”

  “She’s fine.” His mother argued, but he was already out the doors. “Honestly Drake…”

  Walking quickly along the paths he wondered where Cali was. When he heard a loud shriek he started running toward the giant ebon tree. There was a pair of benches set under the shade his mother loved, and he was sure that is where Cali would be.

  Turning a bend in the walkway he saw his pets, and Cali at once. They had her pinned on the ground, and Drake’s heart skipped a few beats in worry. Were his pets attacking her? Putting his fingers into his mouth, he blew out a sharp whistle.

  The canine’s ears picked up and they spotted him instantly. Drake braced himself for the impact he knew was coming. Horace reached him first, and the male put his paws on his shoulders and Drake almost lost his balance. With hot dog breath in his face, he didn’t see when Bella added her weight to brush against his knees. Patting Horace, he gently pushed the dog off, and then gave both pets a generous rubbing. Their tails were moving furiously in excitement and Drake had to admit he felt the same. It had been a long time and seeing his pets reminded him how much he missed them.

  “They’re very nice,” Cali called to him from where she’d pulled herself onto the bench. There were leaves in her hair, and her dress was askew. As he watched she righted the material and smoothed her hands down her legs.

  “I’m glad you like them.” Drake patted each head one last time and ordered, “Home.” Both pets took off at a run to obey him. Nobody would harm the pets as they worked their way through Renari to his property. Pets were well trained and if one was roaming the streets it was for a good reason.

  Drake took a seat close to Cali on the bench. “My father thinks we haven’t talked enough about what we expect from our partnership.” He purposefully chose a word she would understand.

  “Your mother as well,” Cali smiled at him and his heart, and another body part swelled.

  “I think it’s time that we communicate exactly what we want from each other. Is there anything you feel we haven’t discussed?”

  “I know being a chosen mate is like a life-partnership on Cestori. So, my first question is, when do we do the bonding ceremony?”

  Drake stifled a groan and took Cali’s hand. “There is no ceremony per se on Titus. When a male claims a mate, if the female doesn’t protest, they are considered bonded.”

  “Ohh.” Cali’s soft exclamation made his arousal jump. Drake forced himself to stop thinking of sex and concentrate. This was important to their future happiness.

  “Do we have to submit our DNA to your Science Sectorate for offspring consideration then?” Cali blushed and Drake realized he was losing the battle with is libido. Turning to look at the tree blossoms to distract himself he thought of her question.

  “No, we don’t have a system like that. Any couple engaging in a sexual relationship run the chance of an offspring. We don’t regulate our reproduction like that. It’s hoped and highly encouraged to use birth control methods if not in a mated relationship. It isn’t something we police.”

  “Really?” Cali was looking at him with complete astonishment. “Then how do your offspring get made?”

  “Made?” Drake was confused now.

  “Yes, if the Science Sectorate doesn’t manage your DNA, how do your babies get made? What facility regulates their development?”

  “We don’t have a facility that makes them.” Drake finally understood what Cali was talking about. “They are developed the old fashioned way. The mother carries the young in her body.” He elaborated when Cali didn’t seem to get what he was saying.

  “Inside her?” Cali choked out, “Are you being serious?”

  “Yes.” Drake bit the inside of his mouth to keep from laughing. It was obvious that Cali was highly scandalized by the very idea of a woman being pregnant. He was beginning to understand what had driven his parents’ concerns. Cali came from a highly logical, technical world. It seemed he wouldn’t need to make an appointment with the medical unit anytime soon. As a young man, he hadn’t been exactly monkish in his pursuits, and not wanting to have children with anyone but his chosen mate, he’d had a simple procedure done to ensure there would be no such offspring. It was easily reversible and he had considered having it done on The Maxon. He was glad he hadn’t now. Cali had a right to decide when they became parents as much as he did.

  “Is there a chance I would be…”

  “Pregnant?” Drake filled in the word for her.

  “Yes, pregnant.” Cali jumped on the word like one of his pets on a bone. “Birth control is supplied in the food on The Reliant, but with your special abilities is it possible your body would over-ride any birth control with me?”

  Drake couldn’t stand the uncertainty in Cali’s face. Drawing to hold her on his lap he assured her, “No, Cali. There is no chance of you being pregnant. I had a procedure done in my early adulthood that prevents any pregnancies. We won’t have any offspring until you are ready, I promise.” He rubbed circles on her back and Cali melted into his chest.

  “Good,” She sighed, “not that the idea isn’t…intriguing. I’m just not ready to be a mother.”

  “It’s okay.” Drake kissed the top of her head. “There are things we need to settle first. For one thing, we need to find a way to eliminate the threat your mother holds over you. I’m not sure that returning to Cestori is the answer, but if that is what you want, it’s what we’ll do.”

  “What other option is there?” Cali pulled her head up and Drake was distracted when she placed a kiss against his chin. His body responded instantly.

  “We could send a diplomatic envoy to speak with her,” Drake felt a tremor go through him when Cali wrapped her arms around his sides. “We could take The Maxon, beam her on board and try to reason with her.” When Cali laughed a little, the action rubbed her breasts into his chest and his painfully throbbing arousal pulsed harder. “I have it, we take The Maxon and instead of beaming her on board, we just beam her into space.”

  Cali broke into peals of laughter and it was too much. His body demanded that they get to a private spot so he could hold her. Preferably naked.

  “We couldn’t do that.” She began to argue against that course of action, but Drake was already thinking of where he could take Cali. There was a nice gazebo on the edge of his parent’s property he might make it to.

  Jumping up with Cali in his arms, she let out a soft sigh and then her fingers were running through the hair at his neck.

  “It’s been forever since you held me,” She spoke against his chest and her soft lips rubbed against his shirt, the feeling seeped into his skin, and Drake ran to the gazebo faster than he had run to anything in his entire life.


  Chapter Twenty-Five

  “Have you thought about where you want to live?”

  Cali was sitting on Drake’s lap, his chest a cushion for her cheek. The question came as a surprise since she thought Drake was asleep. His eyes were closed, and his face relaxed. He appeared even more handsome to her, if possible, during moments like this.

  “Where to live?” Cali murmured absently. “I hadn’t thought of it, I really don’t want to live on Cestori, but I wouldn’t mind visiting every so often. There are some lovely beaches that I think you would really like.” She trailed her fingers lazily along his sides and hips. “I was trained to captain a spaceship, and I had hoped to make a living by traveling to different worlds. Though, I’m not sure how long it would appeal to me since I only did it for less than the one year.”

  “There are two scout ships ready for testing that Tae’s clan the Takari have built. Would you be interested in captaining one of those?”

  “I’m not sure,” Cali sat up straight so she could see Drake’s face. “What about you?” She wasn’t going to make a decision without gauging what he wanted. “What do you want from our partnership?”

  “I only want for you to be happy,” Drake sat forward and pulled her closer. “The landscape of our world is changing with the alliance the Council is forming with Atheon. Cestori will have a role to play in our future as well, I don’t see a way around it. All of that aside, I can live anywhere, as long as I have you.”

  “What about your training?” Cali hadn’t told him she knew he was his father’s heir. “Won’t traveling all over the Buffer Zone and beyond keep you from learning skills that will help when you take over for your father?”

  “No.” Drake began nibbling along her neck. “I have followed my father to Council meetings since I was a child. I know all the nuances of the clans and how they interact. When my father feels the time is right for him to retire, I’ll have no doubts about taking over. An education in our closest neighbors, Cestori and Atheon, would serve my people better.”

  Cali felt the gooseflesh rise on her arms. Drakes lips really were a delicious distraction. “I want you to get what you need out of our partnership.”

  Drake paused in his kisses, “I am getting what I need from our partnership. As we learn more about each other and change with time, our needs will change as well. You won’t always be the same, Cali. Traveling in space might lose its appeal, or being here on Titus might be too restrictive. I want you to be open with me. That’s all I ask.”

  “I can do that Drake, but a relationship isn’t all about my needs. It can’t be. You have a say in what will make you happy.”

  “I’ll be open with you about what I need to be happy. I’m sure that we’ll find mutual contentment with each other as long as we remain honest.”

  “Honest.” Cali murmured the word thoughtfully. Was it that simple?

  “Ahem.”

  Cali hadn’t heard Varian approaching and hurried to make sure she was covered at his casual appearance.

  “I hate to break up this special moment, but I honestly need you to come to the main house for dinner. Or rather, mother would like it.” The teasing in his tone told her that he had heard at least part of their conversation.

  Drake glared at his brother, “We’ll be there in a moment.”

  His brother nodded and meandered slowly away, whistling softly.

  Cali moved off his lap and waited for him at the entrance to the gazebo he had run them too. When all she could see was trees behind them, and rolling grass in front of them she turned to him in confusion.

  “How far did you run?”

  “This gazebo is on the edge of my parent’s property. We are only about one mile from the main house.”

  “One mile? You ran that in seconds,” Cali was astonished.

  “I was in a hurry.” Drake teased with a small laugh. His lips moving against her neck in a gentle caress.

  “Yes.” Cali laughed at the tickling sensation, “Well, that’s still impressive. To run that far, that fast, and carrying me.”

  Drake laughed harder, “Cali, you can’t think that little jog was impressive. I am capable of much more.”

  Cali shuddered at the thought. She knew from Drake’s tone that it wasn’t an empty boast. He was just telling her the truth.

  “Yes, you’re manly and virile.” His brother yelled from where he was standing on the grounds. “I’m sure Cali is suitably impressed.”

  “I’ll kill him.” Drake groaned, tucking his head against her shoulder. “We better get back. I don’t want anyone else to come looking for us.” Picking her up into his arms he jumped down from the gazebo, ignoring the stairs, “Hold on.”

  Cali looked around as the grounds flashed past them. All she could see was a blur of colors and then he stopped at a set of doors to his parents’ home. It hadn’t taken longer than a few seconds.

  “Drake!”

  Cali turned to see a set of men standing there. They were both tall like Drake, had the same square chin, blue eyes, black hair and chiseled good looks.

  “Nallan! Lathan.” Drake set her down and moved to embrace his brothers. “You two haven’t changed a bit.”

  “I’ve matured much better than Lathan.”

  “Lies, I’m obviously much more seasoned than you.” The other brother protested.

  “Two of you,” Cali breathed. She had never in her life seen a set of two people looking exactly the same. She knew it wasn’t a cloning glitch, they didn’t do that here. These two were naturally made this way.

  “Father said you have a chosen mate.” The brothers moved toward her, “Is this her?”

  “Yes, this is Cali.” Drake’s voice rang with pride and she held herself taller at his obvious happiness at having her for his mate.

  “She’s so small.” One of the brothers, Nallan she thought, teased as he circled her. “Nevir was this size as a child.”

  “Maybe I’m not small,” Cali teased back softly, not sure if that was acceptable. “Perhaps you’re just freakishly tall.”

  With a snort of laughter, Lathan pushed in front of her, took her hand and kissed her fingers. “Well said, I’ve always argued that he’s a freakish brute.”

  “Since you look exactly like me, what does that make you?” Nallan forced Lathan out of the way. Taking her hand from Lathan’s as he was swept out of the way, and kissed her too.

  “I don’t know how many times I’ve got to say it…”

  “Enough,” Drake interrupted the banter. “We’re holding up dinner.”

  So saying he pushed both men out of the way, tucked her arm into his and swept her past his brothers.

  “Damn, Drake, we were just getting to know your mate. No need to be rude.”

  “Get your own!” Drake bit out smoothly and Cali looked over her shoulder at the men they were leaving behind. Their mouths were gaped open like fish out of the water.

  Varian had followed her and Drake, laughing at his brother’s faces. Nallan recovered first. “What clan did you say she was from?”

  “I didn’t say she was from a clan of Titus.”

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  “She’s not from Titus?” Nallan eyed her with confused interest, his brow was furrowed. Lathan had the identical look on his face and Cali barely held onto her laughter.

  “Atheon then.” Lathan snapped his fingers like he’d figured it out. “One of their ships found you.”

  “Didn’t you talk with father at all?”

  “We were in a hurry to speak with Drake. Father only told us it was true that he was back, we didn’t get any details.” Nallan defended himself.

  “You should’ve let father explain.”

  “What should I have explained?”

  Cali was so focused on the banter between the brothers, she hadn’t realized they had entered the main room. The dining table had been cleared off and cleaned. Its sparkling sheen was reflecting the light from above, as well as from different sized candles
scattered on the surface. Drake maneuvered her to a chair, pulled it out for her and waited for her to sit down. Once she was settled he helped her push closer, his fingers brushing against her shoulders. Since the food had already been placed on the table, everyone started passing different items around.

  “Nallan and Lathan need to be brought up to speed.” Varian sat next to her. Across from her were Nallan, Lathan, and Nevir. Drake’s parents sat at opposite ends, at the heads of the table.

  “Give them the short version, if you don’t mind.” Essdey requested.

  “Drake stasis pod was found by the spaceship The Reliant. Cali was the captain of the craft and Drake has claimed her as his chosen mate.” Virrel wrapped it up for the two younger men.

  “Is that all?” Nallan didn’t look convinced that there wasn’t more to the story.

  “I don’t recognize the name of the ship,” Lathan added. “Where does it hail from?”

  “Cestori,” Drake told them. “Cali is short for Calinae Edal.”

  “Obviously not the crazy one.” Nallan laughed.

  “What we were told isn’t entirely true.” Essdey eyed her sons, “Cali is Aicen Edal’s daughter.”

  “Ohh.” Both men looked back at her with wide eyes.

  Cali had taken a plate full of food and started picking at the items.

  “Cali was told in her Academy classes that we are a planet of barbarians. With no technology, art, or culture. So there is a lot of misinformation out there about all of us. Cestori, Atheon, and Titus. We’re going to have our hands full getting everyone current on each other.”

  “I’m glad I only have to deal with mining trianium,” Nallan smiled and dug into this food.

  “Agreed.” Lathan started eating as well. “Interstellar diplomacy sounds like a bit much for me too.”

  “I’m glad I’m studying diplomacy at school.” Nevir looked at her with a warm smile, “I think we’re going to need it with relations between Atheon and now Cestori in the balance.”

  “Yes.” Virrel agreed with his daughter. “Further changes are sure to come. How much is yet to be seen.”