Meredith's Pride [Galactic Nuptials 3] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour ManLove) (9 page)

“No, you should stay here with us. If we all stay here the other pride will get bored and leave. Or, maybe Arridia will send people to drive them away. You’ll be safer here with me.”

“That’s not possible, Mer. An alpha does not run and hide from his enemies. I’m the alpha now, and I’m going to handle things in a way that would have made my brother proud.” Delsin moved toward the mouth of the cave. “Do as Etu ordered. Stay in this cave until we come for you.”

Mer let his tears fall as he watched them leave, covering the mouth of the cave with brush.

* * * *

Delsin slunk lower, his body blending with the heavy forest. He needed to get to the landing site to see what they were up against. He could hear the faint sound of voices, so he knew he was getting close.
There it is. Etu, can you hear me?

Yes, brother. I’m here. Where are you?

Just outside their ship. There are eight men that I can see. Hold on, someone else is getting off the ship.
He waited quietly, downwind, for the unknown man to make an appearance. His heartbeat quickened when he recognized the man strutting down the ramp.

Well? Who is it, brother?

None other than the big man himself. Honaw came with his men. Do you know what this means, Etu? We can end this here, today, if we take him out. We could go home, back to Linnaeus.

“You’re crazy. Don’t be a fool. If Chayton couldn’t take him down what makes you think we can?

Just be on your guard. I’ll take care of everything.
Delsin watched as five of the Mkata pride fanned out, each of them taking a different direction toward the house they’d been staying in. It was good he’d had his men spread out to cover a larger area.
They’re making their move. Etu, Honaw’s chief guard, Tokala, is coming your way. He’s sent his two best men toward the house. Let Knoton know to take Dichali and Hakan can take on Sani. Pass the word they should try and engage them as far away from the shuttle as possible. He’s leaving guards here, and you don’t want them coming to help their pride mates.

What are you going to do, Delsin?

Honaw is coming my way, along with his enforcer, Lonato. Everyone stay back. They’re mine.
Delsin shielded his thoughts from his brother and moved farther into the jungle. He knew the perfect place to take on the alpha.

Delsin stripped in preparation of shifting. He crouched, listening to the crunch of the leaves as Honaw and Lonato moved closer. Centering his thoughts, he prepared for battle. He watched as they came into the clearing.

Honaw lifted his head and sniffed. “You might as well come out, Delsin. I can smell your fear from here.” He smirked. “Come out and I’ll make your death quick instead of long and painful as I did your alpha.”

Delsin growled, and stepped into the clearing. He motioned Honaw forward. “Bring it on. I’m formally challenging you, Honaw. You’re going down.”

Honaw threw back his head and laughed. “I’m happy to accept your challenge, Delsin. But according to pack law, you must first best my enforcer before you can call me out.”

Lonato grinned and stepped in front of Honaw. “I’m ready anytime you are.”

“So be it.” Delsin called the blue light and felt his bones reshaping, the magic filling his body as he changed into his lion. It only took a few seconds to be standing in his feline form. He glanced over at Lonato and saw a massive, orange-and-gray lion. The two stared into each other’s eyes for a moment, and then they pounced. They met in the middle of the clearing, claws extended, incisors down. Delsin was a little faster and rolled the large lion under his body, and then roared when he felt claws open his sides, blood gushing.

He tightened his hold on the enforcer and dug in his claws. His jaws snapped, nipping skin everywhere he could reach. Lonato growled, trying to throw him off his body, but Delsin hung on, maneuvering his fangs toward his opponent’s throat. He dropped his shield to search for his brother.
Etu, I’m about to take Lonato down and then take on Honaw. I know I can win.

I’ve taken out the enemy that came this way. I will come and help you with the alpha.

No! Go and assist Hakan and Knoton. When they have eliminated their threat, the three of you take the ship. I’ll handle this on my own.
He put his shields back up as he closed his jaws over the trachea of his enemy, biting down and ripping out his throat. He turned to shift and reissue his challenge and was knocked to the ground when the alpha jumped him from behind, landing on his back. It was the act of a coward and a shameful way to start a challenge.

Delsin was weak from loss of blood. Shifting would have healed his wounds and allowed him to start the new challenge fresh. If he tried to shift now, he’d be killed. He surged forward, tangling with the massive alpha lion. It was a short battle. For a few brief moments they fought, claws and teeth leaving impressions on each other. Then Honaw clawed his chest deeply, leaving him a bloody heap on the ground.

Honaw held Delsin down, his jaws around the lion’s throat. He gazed into his eyes and spoke into his mind, chuffing when Delsin’s eyes widened.
You did not know that a true alpha can put his thoughts in any lion, not just his own pride. I’m not going to kill you outright, boy. You’re not a true alpha and can’t force a shift when you’re this wounded. I’m going to leave you to bleed to death. I know the cubs are here, and I’m going to find them and bring them before you so I can kill them in front of you, and then your failure as an alpha will be complete.
Growling, he turned and moved away.

Brother, can you hear me?
Delsin tried to send a message to Etu, but he was so weak he didn’t think it would get through. He lay there, bleeding, watching Honaw move off down the trail toward the caves. He knew the alpha wouldn’t hesitate to kill Mer to get his hands on the cubs.
Oh, Meredith! I wish I’d mated you for real. I should have told you how I really feel.
Slowly his eyes closed.

Mer couldn’t stop his trembling as he watched the cubs sleeping.
It must have been one hell of a hypnotic suggestion to keep them knocked out this long.
He glanced toward the front of the cave.
I wish to hell I knew what was going on. Maybe I can just take a peek outside and see if I can see any of the guys.
He blew out the torch and moved toward the entrance.

He stopped when he heard a strange noise. He opened his mouth to ask who’s there and then froze, pressing himself against the cold, wet stone, his gaze searching the darkness. His stomach clenched at the unmistakable scratch of paws passing over dead leaves and a snout snuffling the air, rooting for a foreign scent.
Hell, they’re probably looking for me.
Not sure if the animal was friend or foe, he crept backward slowly, soundlessly.

A loud chuffing sound was followed by a bright blue light flaring. Mer decided it was better to see his enemy coming, so he quickly lit a torch and moved away from the cavern where the babies slept.

A tall, handsome naked man appeared at the cave’s entrance. He raked Mer’s body with a disdainful glance and laughed. “You’re a damn human. They’ve trusted their cubs to a human.”

Mer felt relief when the stranger ignored him, moving deeper into the cave away from the cavern where the babies slept.
I guess he knows I’m not much of a threat.

Lifting his head, the stranger inhaled deeply. “They’re not here.” He whirled and pinned Mer with an angry glare. “Where are they, human?”

Thank God. He can’t smell them. I’ve got to get him out of here before the little darlings wake.
Mer took a deep breath. “They’ve been secured near the shuttle for safety. I guess their uncle figured they’d be close if he needed to leave here quickly.”
If I can get him to take me to the shuttle, maybe Delsin will have time to find me.

The naked man moved closer, sniffing the air around Mer. “You smell of their leader. Are you his mate?” When Mer didn’t answer, he laughed. “The stench of your fear is great, human. It’s all the answer I need. I think I’ll just take you with me and then offer an exchange. The Chaarta male can have his mate if he brings me the children of my enemy.”

“Why do you want those babies so much?”

The stranger’s eyes flashed red, and Mer had to cover his ears when he roared. “Those cubs should have been mine. Preyta was my mate, and I’ll raise her children as if they were born in my home.”

“Not if I can help it.” Mer turned to run and saw a bright blue light from the corner of his eyes. Before he could move, a huge weight knocked him to the ground. A sharp pain shot through his head when it came in contact with a rock, and then everything went black.

* * * *

Delsin groaned and tried to open his eyes. He’d waited until Honaw had disappeared into the forest before shifting into his human body. Honaw was wrong. Delsin was a true alpha. Shifting had saved his life, but it had taken time to regain his strength. The pain burning in his chest and throat was bad, but he could sense the bleeding had stopped. He looked up into the eyes of his brother and felt fear as the sounds of his heartbeat roared in his ears. Etu was clearly in pain. “What is it?” His voice was gravely, barely recognizable.

Etu sobbed. “I’m sorry for my weakness, my Alpha.”

“Stop stalling, Etu.” Delsin scowled and tried to sit up. “We’re brothers first. Tell me what has happened. Did you and the others kill Honaw?”

“No, Alpha.”

“The cubs?”

“They’re safe, Delsin. Knoton and Hakan are watching over them.”

“Why is Mer not with them? Was he hurt?”

Etu lowered his head until his chin rested on his chest. His breath came in ragged pants. “He’s gone, Delsin.”

Delsin managed to get to his feet. “What do you mean, he’s gone?”

“Honaw took him.”

Delsin threw back his head and roared. Immediately he heard the babies begin to cry. “Why would he take a human?”

“He sent a message that he would return the Chaarta alpha his mate when you deliver him the children of Preyta.”

Again Delsin roared. His beast was furious and demanding to be let out to search for their mate. “Did he say where to bring the cubs?”

Etu’s mouth dropped open. “He said to bring them to Linneaus.” He moved closer and put his hand on Delsin’s arm. “What can we do, brother?”

Delsin took a deep breath. “We’re going to Linnaeus and getting our mate.”

* * * *

Mer opened his eyes and blinked several times, unwilling to believe what he was seeing. It looked like he was in some kind of dingy jail cell. The bed creaked as he sat up, the thin mattress sagging in the middle like the sludgy bilge of a rotten ship. How many others had claimed this spot before him, staring at the same chipped paint that he did now?

The last thing he remembered was that asshole jumping on him and slamming him to the ground.
I wonder where Delsin and Etu are. God, I hope the babies are safe.
He looked around and wrinkled his nose. The cell walls and floor were made from stone. He walked over, wrapping his fingers around the cold steel bars. His face felt swollen, and he raised his hand and let his fingers probe a wound on his forehead.

There were torches in iron sconces scattering shadows across the floor. The sound of weeping came from the narrow passages off to the right, breaking the silence of his prison. The place reeked of smoke and decay. He paced across the hard floor, sweat dripping down his face.

The sound of an iron door shuddering open had him huddling in the corner, drawing his legs up tight to his body. Shaking, he closed his eyes and touched a dry spot on the wall, moving his finger in slow, soft strokes. In his mind he saw Delsin and Etu. He held on to the image of their smiling faces until he could no longer ignore the approaching heavy footsteps of his captors.

A strange catlike man appeared at the cell door. He looked at Mer and smirked, then opened the door, the click of the lock loud in the small room. “Let’s go.”

Mer hesitated. “What do you want from me?”

The stranger pulled him out and pushed him toward a dark hall. Mer shuddered as he walked down the long passage, the sound of weeping getting louder with each step. There were other cells with prisoners huddled against the bars or hiding in the corners, pleading or weeping.

Their footsteps echoed down the walkway until he reached an open door. Mer was pushed through, barely able to stay on his feet. The guard closed the door, the sound of the lock engaging sending feelings of dread through his body.

Mer looked around, his mouth dropping open. There were chains fixed to the walls, the coppery scent of blood in the air. He crossed his arms across his chest and whispered. “Please, guys. Come get me.” He turned when the door opened, and the man from the cave walked in, a wicked grin on his face.

“I’m sorry about this, human, but I’ve got to do something to get your mate here. We haven’t been introduced. I’m Honaw, alpha of the Mkata pride.” He grabbed Mer and pulled him toward the wall, his feet dragging on the hard floor.

“Stop, please. Why are you doing this?”