Prime Obsession (28 page)

* * * *

The sunny breakfast room—while it looked peaceful and a delightful place to begin the day—now held a grim council of war. Wulf’s father sat at the head of the table. His wife Lorinda, a statuesque brunette with peridot-colored eyes sat next to him; her beautiful face was a calm mask, but the energy pouring off her told a more turbulent story. Lorinda was coldly furious. And she wasn’t the only one throwing off angry vibes at the table. Ilar, Huw, Iolyn and her Uncle Tor were also ready to explode.

“Good morning, everyone,” Mel said as Wulf led her to a seat next to his mother.

Lorinda turned and examined her carefully. “Are you okay, child?” Mel smiled at her mother-in-law. “I’m fine. Just some flying glass.” Lorinda frowned and glanced up at her son. “Wulf?”

“She’s fine, Mother.” Wulf sat in the chair next to Mel. “If she weren’t, she’d be upstairs, resting, with me standing guard.”

Mel turned her head and glared at her mate. “You and what army?” She pinched his thigh under the table. Turning back to the table at large, she asked, “So, what’s happened since the sniper attack?”

“My sister’s houseman stated that we must be mistaken. No sniper fire had come from Beria’s home,” Ilar stated in a monotone. “If there had been such activity, he would’ve reported the same to the Home Guard.”

“The Home Guard?” Mel asked, looking at Wulf.

“Similar to your policemen on Earth,” he replied. “Each city on Cejuru Prime has a Home Guard to police the local citizenry.”

“Got it.” She looked around the table. “With all the negative energy in the room, I’m guessing that none of you believe Aunt Beria’s servant’s story.” Her Uncle Tor spat out a particularly vile swear word in Prime that cast aspersions on Beria’s origins.

“Tor Maren!” Lorinda said, ice dripping from every syllable. “That kind of language does not belong at the table in my house. I understand your anger; your niece, my son’s precious bond mate, could have been killed. I share this anger, but only low minds resort to profanities.”

“Remind me to clean my language up around your mother.”
Wulf’s chuckle trickled through their mind link.
“She swears also. She just likes to
pull Maren’s chain. They practically grew up together. Their mothers were related by
marriage.”

“Lorinda, my apologies,” Tor said, the gracious diplomat side of him coming to the fore. “But I will probably say a lot worse before this damnable mess is complete.”

“Mother, you might as well take a blanket apology from all of us,” Huw said. “This is one of those times when profanity is going to fly.” Wulf’s mother nodded once. “I understand—but there are ladies present, and gentlemen should be aware.”

Huw snorted back a laugh.

“Is something funny, son?” his mother looked down her very aristocratic nose at her youngest son.

“Melina swears like a soldier, mother,” he said. “And she is very much a lady—and present.”

“Watch it, Huw,” Wulf snarled. “Or my lady will kick your butt around the gym later this afternoon.”

“Well, maybe not today,” Ilar broke in with a chuckle that lightened his serious mien, “but I would like to see that—later. Tor and my sons have told me how well you fight, Melina.”

Melina shot him a grin.

“Why not today, father?” Iolyn asked.

Ilar swept the table with a grim look. “After my call to Beria and Luka’s home about this morning’s attempt to kill Melina, I got a call from Beria inviting all of us to a party this afternoon to welcome Wulf’s
gemate
to the family.”

“How convenient,” muttered Mel. “They are pushing the first meeting on us. Are we going?”

“Father!” Wulf snarled. “It’s too risky. We do not control the environment. I will not expose—”

Mel placed her fingers over Wulf’s lips. “No, I think we interrupted the council of war when we came down to breakfast. Your father and my uncle have a plan—and that is why your mother is so upset.”

“Exactly, daughter.” Ilar smiled at her. “See, Lorinda? She can read the emotional energy in the room. I know that she and Wulf communicate mind-to-mind. The legends weren’t all fable and fantasy, but Beria and Luka won’t know that. This is an advantage for our side.”

“She can still be killed, husband,” snapped Lorinda.

Mel let out a small sigh. She was really getting tired of reminding people that she was a soldier long before she was Wulf’s mate.

“Lorinda … uh, Mother…” Wulf’s mother beamed at her use of the more familiar address “…I’m a soldier. Who better to walk into an obvious trap? This Beria and her husband can’t be aware we suspect them. Why would they? They expect to be believed about the sniper—and in point of fact, anyone could have sneaked onto their property and shot at us.”

“Melina,
lubha
, you are forgetting one thing,” Wulf interrupted. “Ensign Regin Twitter, one of the men who tried to attack you, is the husband of Beria and Luka’s daughter Mara. They have to know we’ve arrested Regin for treason and attempted murder. I’m not sure the welcome mat is being unrolled in good faith.”

“Oh … didn’t Regin say his wife had nothing to do with this?” Mel asked, her forehead wrinkling as she tried to recall everything Regin had said and done.

“Yeah, he did,” Iolyn confirmed. “He was emphatic about it—but that doesn’t mean Aunt Beria isn’t in it up to her fat neck.”

“Ioyln!” Ilar said in a harsh tone. “It has yet to be proved that my sister is guilty of anything other than being mated to that pompous ass Luka. And if I recall, neither Beria nor Luka approved of Mara’s early bonding to Regin.”

Ilar turned to Melina. “Luka was always in trouble as a youth. I think my sister and her husband wished he’d gotten killed before he bonded fully with their daughter.
Diew
knows she would’ve been better off. Regin is and always has been a loser—and just the sort who would take up a cause such as the purist rebels are espousing.”

“Early bonding?” Mel asked. “Like my bonding with Wulf?”

“No. More traditional—and much later. He got her pregnant when Mara was thirteen standard years,” muttered Wulf under his breath. “We usually like to wait to bond-mark until the female is eighteen standard years.”

“Mara and Regin are
gemat-gemate
, yes?” Mel asked, puzzled that Mara’s parents could disapprove of the genetic bonding all Prime couples seemed to be subjected to, although she could understand about a teen pregnancy being frowned upon.

“Yes,
lubha,
” Wulf said, “but some parents still do not approve of the bond mate.

Just because biology selects out the couple, does not mean the couple will fully bond.

Luka and Beria would rather have their daughter die single and a virgin than be bonded badly. This is another reason why we need to enlarge the bonding pool and seek the most compatible females from the other humanoid races in the galaxy.” Mel glanced around the table. Each and every person there nodded solemnly at what Wulf had just revealed.

“Okay … and we are telling me this now?” She turned and glared at Wulf. “Why are we fully bonded then? I was not a happy camper in the beginning, remember?”

“Because you are an adult as am I, and not a juvenile delinquent such as Regin nor a mere teenager such as Mara when the bond was completed.” Wulf leaned over and whispered against her lips. “And you loved me from the moment you met me, if you would only admit it to yourself. Just as you love me now. Our bond is true and strong.

Regin and Mara’s was not perfect.”

“Okay. Fine. You made your point,” she said.

Wulf’s look of satisfaction at her admission flared through his eyes right before he kissed her lips. As he pulled away to sit back in his seat, she grabbed his face and pulled him back for one more deep kiss. When she pulled away, he winked.

She grinned at him, then turned to others who had silently and happily observed the exchange between the two. “So? We’re going to the party, right, Father?”

“Yes, Daughter,” Ilar said, a huge grin on his face. “We are definitely going to the party, and we will take all precautions.”

“I’m taking my weapons,” she said. “No compromising on that issue.”

“Agreed,” Ilar said. “And Huw and Iolyn as family members may take a date. I suggest some female members of the Gold Squadron might be appropriate. Of course, they will be fully armed also.”

“I concur, Father,” Mel said. She eyed her brothers by marriage and smiled, a wicked little twist of her lips that had the two frowning at her. “I have the perfect female crew members in mind. Nadia Petrovich, the
Galanti
science officer—” she threw a narrow-eyed glare at Huw’s groan “—and Dr. Lia Morgan, the medical officer on the
Leonidas
.

They are both strong and well-trained—and are used to my command.”

“Can they get to the surface within the next two hours, Daughter?” Ilar asked.

“Not a problem. How are we to dress for this soiree?”

“It’s a poolside party,” Lorinda said. “Swimsuits with coverups are the usual.”

“We aren’t swimming, Mother,” Wulf said. “No way to hide the weapons. I want the women to have at least a knife and sidearm with them.”

“Then a pants outfit or a long dress would do, wouldn’t you say, Mother?” Mel asked.

“Either would be fine.” Lorinda’s face was still a calm mask, but underneath her anger and fear upset Mel.

“
Wulf? Your mother is scared to death with anger on top of it. Will she be able to
handle confrontation?”

“My mother raised three sons. She can handle anything. I’ll make sure Father knows
she is extra-emotional, though.”

“Wulf. Melina. Are you two talking to each other?” Lorinda touched Mel’s arm, her fingers shaky and cold.

“Yes, Mother,” Mel replied, covering Wulf’s mother’s hand with her own warmer one. “I am concerned about you. This will be very difficult for you, I think.” Lorinda smiled, a smile of such warmth that Mel could not believe that the same woman was about to explode from within. “You’re reading my nerves, yes?” Mel nodded. “I can handle Beria and Luka and anything they dish out. I’ve hated that woman for years, but I would swear she doesn’t know it. I won’t reveal anything—well, I won’t unless Beria is caught out in her lies. Then I just might hit the bitch.”

“Lorinda! Language!” Tor said, a grin breaking out on his face. “There are ladies and gentlemen present.”

“Stuff it, Tor.” Lorinda followed her sentence up by throwing her napkin at the man and hitting him in the middle of his face.

The table erupted into laughter. After which, they settled down and planned how to make Beria and Luka betray their part in the rebellion.

Later that day, Beria Caradoc-Nabann’s Home

Mel held onto Wulf’s arm as they entered the home of his Aunt Beria and her husband Luka Nabann. The house was more of a showplace than a home. The large entryway was twice the size of the one at Wulf’s family home and was decorated with so much gold trim and carved pillars and molding that Mel wondered just who Beria and Luka were trying to convince of their importance and wealth—those who visited or themselves?

Wulf leaned over and whispered against her ear. “Tacky and overdone, right?” She grinned and nodded, saying nothing since their hosts were approaching.

Wulf patted her hand as she squeezed his arm. “They don’t bite,” he whispered, taking the opportunity to nuzzle her neck. At the narrowed glance from his aunt, Wulf added, “Well, at least, not much.”

Mel choked off the laugh that threatened to burst from her throat.

Beria Caradoc-Nabann was the female version of her brother Ilar. Tall, dark-haired, golden-eyed, and regal-looking. On Ilar it looked good; on Beria, it looked hard—and cold. Luka Nabann was shorter than his wife, with prematurely gray hair and eyes the color of rotten acorn squash. His thin lips were pursed so tightly Mel was surprised the skin on his face did not crack.

“Welcome to our home,” Beria said with all the warmth of an iceberg.

And like an iceberg, Mel was sure that the dangerous aspects of Beria’s personality were mostly hidden beneath the sharp and frozen exterior she presented to the world. The woman hated them all, to a man and woman. Even though she didn’t know who Nadia and Lia were, Beria’s frigid glare cut through them like a cold laser.

As for Luka, he radiated no emotions; either he was a total sociopath—or being married to Beria had long ago killed them all.

Mel was pretty darn sure she knew who was the dominant in this sick twosome.

“Beria,” Ilar leaned forward and air-kissed his sister’s pale cheek. “You look fabulous, as always.”

And she did, if one liked mannequins with every hair and article of clothing perfectly situated. Beria gave new meaning to the term control freak.

“Are you reading what
I’m
reading,
lubha
?”

“Yes. She hates our guts and would kill us in an instant if she felt she could get away
with it.”

Mel turned into Wulf’s large body and leaned her head against his chest, keeping her eyes on Beria and Luka as they were introduced to the others first.
“Why haven’t you
ever read her hatred for your family before? It is so strong.”

“Our bond makes it easier. Father and Mother still have no clue. Huw and Iolyn are
getting it somewhat because they are reading us—and that is mainly because they know
our body language.”

Ilar turned to Wulf and Mel and waved them forward. “And here is Wulf’s lovely
gemate.
. She is Tor Maren’s niece, Captain Melina Dmitros-Caradoc.” Ilar used her Terran family’s surname in honor of them finding and raising her. All Prime females took their father’s surname with them to their bonding and added it to their
gemat’s.

Beria inclined her head, her demeanor haughty and distant. Luka checked her out from head to toe, then zeroed in on her chest. So, Luka was a breast man? The bastard had the audacity to lick his lips as he leered at her. He reminded her of a reptile tasting the air before striking its prey.

She knew she should’ve worn something less low cut, but Wulf had picked the outfit and she’d worn it to please him.

Luka’s lascivious glances had Wulf stiffening at her side. His low growl reverberated through his body to hers, raising the hairs on the back of her neck. She nudged him.

“Stop that. That’s the growl that makes my teeth hurt.”

“If Luka continues to stare at your breasts, I’ll punch him in the face. I always hated
his nose. It’s too pointy. Looks like a desert weasel.”

“More of a pseudo-lizard. The tongue, I mean. I think you are correct about the
nose, definitely a desert weasel.”

Wulf’s mental laughter had her smiling, and his anger left as swiftly as it had arisen.

“You are so right, my love. He does have the look of an Erian or an Antaren, doesn’t
he? A perfect match for my cold-blooded bitch of an aunt.”

“So, this is Wulf’s
gemate
.” Beria’s narrowed glance swept over her as if she were some lowly servant. Her gaze however skipped over Mel’s cleavage and stopped at her hips. “Let’s see the marking. I don’t believe it. The Lost Ones are gone from us forever.” Wulf’s aunt glared at him. “Why would you try to foist some Terran female off on our people? Is keeping power in your line so important that you would sink to such base depths?”

“The motive, Wulf? It’s just as I—Wulf? Stop that growling. Now you have the rest
of the males in your family doing it.”
Mel rubbed a hand over her forehead in an attempt to assuage the throbbing pain the Caradoc males’ growling caused.

The four males’ growls were so strong that the windows in the entryway vibrated and two jars sitting on decorative pillars fell to the floor with a crash. Even Beria’s husband had an expression of shock on his face at his wife’s words.

“Stop with the macho-growling-crap, dammit.” Mel stepped forward and turned to glare at the Caradoc men. “That makes my bones ache.” Lorinda, Nadia and Lia smiled at Mel. She shot them a grin before she turned and skewered Beria who’d backed away from her brother and nephews. Obviously, they’d never turned the Prime-males’-growl-of-death on her before. Mel bet Luka had been so emasculated after his marriage to Beria that he’d never subjected his dominant wife to a showing of Prime alpha-male protectiveness, either.

“Aunt Beria,” Mel said, a mocking smile on her lips. “I’m not sure why you’d call my
gemat
a liar—but I don’t like it. And unlike most women of your acquaintance, I do not need a man to protect or defend me or to defend those who belong to me. Wulf belongs to me. Don’t insult him again.”

Beria’s mouth open and shut like a fish gasping for air. Before she could say something, Mel continued, “Since you don’t believe I am a
gemate
, I’m willing, for the sake of peace in the family, to show you.”

“No, Melina, you do not—” Wulf said as he stepped closer to her side.

She held her hand up, cutting him off. “Yes, I believe that I
do
need to show her. As do you, my love.” Mel turned to Wulf and unbuttoned his shirt and lay it open to demonstrate his marking. “Don’t move, darling.”

She brushed a kiss across the
gemat
symbol and it glowed in response to her touch.

Luka gasped and cast a scared glance at his wife. Interesting response.

Mel kept her eyes on her hosts as she carefully peeled down the lounging pants that went with her top, exposing her
gemate
symbol. It glowed and swirled in response to the stimulation of Wulf’s. Wulf traced a gentle finger across the marking. Both markings’

colors grew in intensity.

Wulf pulled her to him, placing a gentle kiss on her forehead. “My
gemate lubha
.” Mel nuzzled his bare chest. “My darling
gemat
.” She shuddered and wished they could leave so she and Wulf could hide in their suite of rooms and finish what her show-and-tell act had started.

“Satisfied, sister?” Ilar’s tones could have frozen helium3, if that were possible.

“Please note, the markings are identical in all respects; color, design, size and responsiveness—and, note also, that it only took a mere brushing of the markings to stimulate the bonding response.”

“A full and complete bonding,” muttered Luka. “I’ve never seen one so strong.” His nervous gaze sought his wife’s, but Beria merely glared at Wulf and Mel as if they were the root of all her problems in the world. And maybe they were.

Visibly collecting herself, Beria swallowed. Her face rearranged itself into the calm, cool facade of a consummate hostess. “I am sorry. I can see I was wrong. Welcome to the family, Melina. Welcome home to Cejuru Prime.” Her lips formed a mocking facsimile of a smile. “Best wishes to you, my nephew, on your bonding. May your union be blessed with many sons.”

And if that sentiment didn’t get stuck in the old bat’s craw nothing would.

Wulf inclined his head. “Thank you, Aunt.” He gathered Mel even closer, his hand stroking her back. “
Lubha,
do you wish to remain after being so insulted by my father’s sister?”

The tension in the entry hall came from Beria. She didn’t want them to leave.

“Wulf? Why did she insult us when she wants us to stay?”

“Not sure.”

“There is a trap. I can sense it. She has a sort of sick excitement underlying her
other emotions.”

“I hate you risking yourself this way,
lubha
.”

“Maybe it is you who is at risk,
gemat?
”
Wulf’s growl tickled her mind.
“That’s the growl I love. It makes me hot.”

“Just wait until I get you alone in our bed.”

“It’s always later with you, Wulf”
His male snort vibrated down her spine.

“We can stay, Wulf,” Mel finally answered after the waves of agony off Beria had made an impression even on Ilar and Lorinda, who both frowned at their hostess with distaste.

“It is understandable that my discovery seems improbable. I’m sure your Aunt won’t be the only person to question my turning up at this time in the Prime’s history.” Beria heaved a sigh of relief and inclined her head. “You are too kind, Melina.” She gestured behind her to some doors leading to an outdoor room. “Please, we have finger foods and drinks on the terrace. And there are swim outfits in the pool house if you wish to take a dip. Please make yourselves at home. Dinner will be ready in about an hour.” Ilar, with Lorinda by his side, led the way to the veranda. Huw and Nadia and Iolyn and Lia followed them. Mel, with her hand on Wulf’s arm, brought up the rear.

Wulf leaned down and spoke in a low, harsh tone, “You are not to go anywhere without someone with you. If my dear aunt has planned something, I’d rather she single me out. Also, do not eat or drink anything until Beria or Luka drink it first.”

“If you didn’t want to stay and play this out, then why didn’t you say so!” she hissed back.

Wulf stopped and turned her into his arms, then leaned down for a quick kiss.

Anyone looking would think he was following through on the stimulation of their markings. As his lips took hers, he rasped, “It hit me that I could lose you.” As his tongue thrust deeply into her mouth, she answered on their mind-link. “
You
won’t lose me. And I won’t lose you. We’ll play this out and trap them if they try
something. Our crews surround this property. No one will leave here without someone
following.”

Wulf stroked her back, taking gentle nibbles of her lips.
“You’re correct, Melina
love. But something could always go wrong. Humor me. Stay with one of us and don’t eat
or drink unless we can show the food is safe.”

“Fine.”
She stroked his chest, then his tightly clenched jaw. “
I promise.”
He pulled away and smiled at her, stroking a gentle finger along her cheek . “I love you, Melina.”

“Ditto, Wulf.” She hugged him one last time before joining his brothers and their dates.