MINE! [New World Book 8] (16 page)

“Huck, that’s the sweetest thing any man has ever said to me.”

“I’m a warrior.”

“I can’t see in the dark, warrior. Is anyone around?”

“No. The hive has been tucked in. I can’t see the Tonan vessel overhead or feel any threat. My shield has been monitoring everything.”

“It’s so beautiful out here. It’s been so long since I saw stars in the sky that weren’t surrounded by meteors, or blocked by volcanic ash. They look like the stars I would see on Earth. Before everything went to hell.”

The wistfulness in her tone bothered Huck. “Are you sad to be here?”

“No. The past is gone. This is our present. The stars are presents. The little one inside of me is a gift. More than a week ago, I wandered onto a shuttle and ate chocolate for the first time in years. If you hadn’t taken me hostage, I’d be trapped on that godforsaken planet and not myself. The others would have no peace. The idea is scary as hell.”

Huck realized she was right. He had saved her. The idea of his bond mate suffering for eternity made his heart flip.

“Is that why you agreed to bond mate?” Huck asked.

“I was alone. But not trapped. When you gave me a choice I knew I wanted to choose you. You are life. You have been all along.”

Becky cupped his jaw. Huck dipped his head to meet her lips in a soft kiss. A slight breeze ruffled his hair; the scent of rain was in the air. A tilt of his head and he could hear the foliage dance not too far from them. The Castians controlled where and when and how much rain would fall. The deluge was often rough.

“It’s going to pour soon,” he warned her.

She smiled. “Really? Real rain? Not grey rain or polluted rain or acid rain?”

“Real rain.”

Becky gripped his neck and pulled him lower to claim his lips as the first spatters fell.

* * * *

The relief Becky had felt when Huck came into view was twice as sweet with no warriors following him. Waiting for Cobra’s decision drove her crazy. Now here he was. It would seem more waiting was in store, but it didn’t matter. Wherever Huck went she would go. If Cobra wouldn’t accept Huck, there was no hope for any child she carried. Her father meant the world to her; there was no way she would take an opportunity away from him, or Huck. For a half-evil Tonan, there was integrity within the warrior. Losing him would be Cobra’s loss, not hers.

Huck gripped her to him and dragged her toward a flower struggling with the rain saturating everything. Huck flipped the flower over and tugged it half under a bush where it stuck, to shield them. She fell to her knees tugging him down and wrapped her hand around the back of his neck drawing him close for a kiss. His body was slippery and cool.

Becky wasn’t certain he would come back. Now that he had, she realized there was so much more to what they had or could have. Huck slipped her shirt off over her head and massaged her bared breasts. Becky kissed his shoulders, his rock hard chest, going lower. Since conceiving, he no longer grew huge; he no longer needed to create a piece of his shield. The idea made her wonder.

“Huck?”

“Hmm?”

“The baby shield protects me and your son. When he reaches a certain age, the shield will only protect him?”

“Yes.”

“Why doesn’t a warrior simply give a female part of his shield?”

“We give a female a baby shield, but it wears off. We grow too big in must. Even if I bit you, your mouth, though noisy at times, wouldn’t accommodate my size.”

Becky punched him. “I’m not noisy.”

“You were headed somewhere before you rudely interrupted yourself.”

Huck flipped her onto her back and straddled her shoulders. With her hands pinned he guided his hard cock into her mouth. Becky figured he had a point. He was big enough without expanding. She thought it was a shame it had to be this way. Females were so vulnerable.

“I can feel your emotions.” Huck groaned and rocked in a careful way. “A female can be shielded up to the age of twenty-one by any Tonan or Castian and healed. It makes them receptive to mating. I can shield you when we mate. Females should always be ours to protect, little ass kicker.”

Becky didn’t think so, but the satin feel of him riding her mouth was too pleasant to argue. He released her hands and she gripped him, working his hardness until he was moving too fast for her to catch her breath. The second her worry intensified he pulled from her, moved lower and impaled her.

“You have the power to send me flying,” Huck said.

“I did before,” she drawled as she gasped.

Huck flipped them over and Becky lay pressed against him. He thumped into her, and she writhed; her face tilted until her neck arched. She caught a glimpse of her long hair behind, touching his thighs. As she came, she screeched when the flower above gave way and water drenched her, saturating her in less than a second. Becky gasped, mouth wide while Huck grinned up at her.

“You knew that was going to happen,” Becky squealed.

“Well duh. I’m evil remember?”

Becky punched him in the guts. Huck laughed. He had them both off the ground while shielded and he raced for their home. At least Becky hoped with all her heart it would be theirs.

* * * *

Becky stood holding the Zargonnii baby. He was heavy for his age and huge. Beautiful green eyes shone brightly at her and a warm glow bathed her face. His mother, Zabbie was smiling at her. The boy was incredible to look at. Half human, half Zargonnii with thick flowing ebony hair to his waist and four horizontal lines of white fur across his arms. He would be a powerhouse one day.

At a slight movement, her one hand pressed against her belly. She could envision her son with his hands splayed against the inside of her belly peeking out her belly button. Zell, the Zargonnii baby laughed, and she was surprised to see a mouthful of human teeth.

“I bet those made breastfeeding interesting,” Becky said.

Zell suddenly disappeared and Becky gasped and spun in a tight circle. Zabbie rolled her eyes.

“No doubt he went to find Ryker. I swear those two are attached at the hip,” Zabbie said.

“They are,” came a call.

Jinx strode in, Zell on one hip. Ryker on the other. Zabbie sighed and took her son. “Where were you?” Zabbie asked Jinx.

“Leah wanted to talk to Cobra. Five kids can be wearing at times. She needed a break. She said she’d be here later.”

“Cobra is meeting with Huck. Their last meeting was quick,” Becky said.

Zabbie placed Zell on the ground who was soon joined by Ryker. Becky watched both children as toys their mothers brought floated between them. The two little males were oddly silent, but Becky could see their eyes meet, their heads nod. Becky went to replicate tea and all three women sat talking.

“Taz said he met Huck,” Jinx said.

“I know,” Becky said.

Zabbie looked uncomfortable. “Can I ask a question that is none of my business?”

“You want to know why I haven’t mated Huck,” Becky said and at a small nod from Zabbie and Jinx, Becky explained. “I told Huck I will mate him. He wants to make certain he’s accepted.”

“But if he mates you, he would be accepted,” Jinx said.

“He’s afraid if he mates me and is kicked out, his son and I would be forced to travel the galaxy with him alone. If he goes, I’m going with him. If Cobra can’t accept Huck, I would be afraid all my life my son would be kicked out, too.”

“Oh no. You need to tell Cobra,” Zabbie said.

“I think maybe Cobra was the one who gave him the idea; I mean about Huck giving us up. But because of Cobra, all three of us may have to leave. I’m sorry if I sound harsh, but I’m worried,” Becky said and couldn’t keep the anger from her tone. “I’m so tired of space shuttles and living in fear. I’ve lost so much, so has Huck.”

“Uh oh,” Jinx said.

“What?” Becky asked.

“If you’re pissed with Cobra he might sense it on Huck.”

“I think Huck knows I’m angry. I can’t help it.”

A toy went crashing into Becky’s cup spilling her tea. All eyes went to the two boys staring at her. Zell was scowling, he took Ryker’s hand. All three women watched as the boys approached Becky. Becky had a moment’s concern.

“If they can tell I’m angry with Cobra, what will my shield do if they’re pissed?”

“Neither would ever hurt you,” Jinx said. She went to stand in front of the boys.

“My belly feels weird,” Becky said. “They wouldn’t hurt my baby because he’s Tonan would they?”

“I don’t think so,” Jinx dropped to the ground to put her hand on her sons shoulder. “Ryker adores Taz, so does our daughter. He and Roam are warrior mates, though.”

Zabbie went to Zell. She ran her fingers down his arm. Zell lifted his hand to place on Becky’s tummy then looked up, so did Ryker.

“Jinx?” Zabbie said. “Tonans can sense each other right?”

“I think Taz mentioned they could.”

Zabbie gazed at Becky. “Zell can sense your little one who is relaying a message.”

“What?” Becky was stunned.

“We need to find Cobra,” Zabbie said. “Something is going on, something the boys are feeling.”

“Do you think the Tonans are back?” Jinx said.

“Maybe,” Zabbie said.

As the women left with their sons, Becky placed a hand to her belly. Her son wasn’t evil, but he was connected to evil like his father. A boon or a curse, she had no idea.

The Zargonnii was huge. Huck was told Cobra would see him soon; in the meantime, a few vessels hovered overhead with the arrival of allies. Titus, leader of the southern Zargonnii, was one of the allies. Numerous Zargonnii and Castians came and went in the meeting hall Huck had been taken to. He was informed Titus’s son, Zell, and his mate, Zabbie had gone to visit Becky with Jinx, Roam’s mate and their son.

Huck knew why, just in case Cobra had him killed, Becky would establish friends and her transition would be smoother. The thought irked him.
Becky is mine.
No other could have her. The idea was infuriating. Mate, don’t mate. He wanted her and his son safe. Alone in a shuttle wasn’t safe. Everything depended on this meeting.

“What the hell is taking Cobra so long?” Huck grouched.

“His mate needed to see him,” Titus said.

Huck wanted to growl, he hated the Zargonnii language.
They sound like monkey-dogs.
Huck lifted his hand to cover his mouth as he chuckled with his shield’s indignation.
Furry bitches.
Huck coughed over his laugh. His shield was in a mood.
White gorilla wolves
. Huck groaned, knowing it was his shield’s attempt to keep his mind occupied.

“You wiggle like a child,” Titus said on a growl.

You smell like a child’s butt.

Huck cleared his throat. “I’m anxious.”

“I would be, too, if I were you,” Titus said. “Any enemy of Cobra’s is an enemy to me and my warriors.”

“If I were looking to make enemies, I wouldn’t be here.”

“Why are you here?”

Huck was about to snarl at him when he realized if he was accepted, he would have to do some accepting, too.

“I started out wanting to be on the winning team. Now I want my son and bond mate to be happy and safe. That’s all I want.”

Titus looked surprised and then smiled. “You speak the truth, well done. I think you just won three quarters of your battle.”

“It’s the last home stretch that concerns me.”

Titus smacked him on the back. “Since my son and yours are no doubt bonding, Cobra may have no choice.”

“What the heck does that mean? I hear your son is powerful but how strong can a baby be?”

Titus laughed. “You have no idea.”

* * * *

The room was quiet, darkened. Cobra was sitting alone, it was apparent he was in deep thought.

“Where’s Huck?”

Cobra looked up startled when Leah asked her question.

“I’ve been thinking,” Cobra replied. “I know what he says he believes, but he’s a half breed Tonan. I’ve spent time talking to Taz and I’m sorry, Leah but Taz’s hesitance at accepting Huck makes my decision that much harder. Taz’s mentor Krish was pure evil. Taz has told me what Krish was like.”

“Huck isn’t pure evil. If he was, he never would have given his baby a piece of his shield.”

“You have no idea how dangerous letting in a viper could be to us all. He could be here to infiltrate our ranks. His female won’t mate him, which speaks volumes. I have sent word to Rask, my son will send Doss here. Maybe a half-Castian half-Tonan hybrid like Doss can help me make heads or tails of this situation.”

“Maybe Becky wants to get to know Huck first. Not all female humans drop helplessly into an alien’s arms prior to popular belief. And you and I have had our hard knocks.”

Cobra grimaced. “I love you, Leah. But I am leader. I have so many responsibilities.”

Leah became angry.

“Cobra, you spent so much time being a father to all your warriors; it’s time you were a father to your children. Your warriors are grown men. They need a leader not a daddy. But your children need a father. Be their father. I’ve been understanding, I’ve been hurt and angry, and yet I know why you do the things that you do. I love you for who you are. Your character has no limits. But I do. It’s time for us, your family.”

“A Tonan warrior in our midst is dangerous.”

“Our life is dangerous. How do you know having Huck here couldn’t be the edge you need? What if what he says is true, and you now have insight into the way an evil Tonan thinks without the evil involved. All I’m asking is you give him the benefit of the doubt. And while you do, make sure you do it as a leader, not daddy to your warriors. Who are, by the way, daddies themselves.”

Cobra exhaled loudly. “I’ll talk to Huck and make certain a sentry is near until we can be sure of his intentions. In the meantime, stay away from him.”

Leah wrapped her arms around him. “I have a baby shield. Your son is hungry, I can tell. I can also tell you there are three little girls at home who would like to spend some time with you. Your oldest son and warrior mate would like some one-on-one training with you.”

Cobra pulled her close. A knock on the door sounded and Huck was followed in by eight warriors. Leah smiled at the huge warrior. He was a handsome one for sure. She was about to welcome him, when a dark hole opened and surrounded her and Cobra. Leah screamed as the warriors raced toward her and Cobra. Everything went black…