by SJ Sanders
Sara’s face tightened as she saw Ita arrive with her family. This was the first full moon gathering they were permitted to return and Sara was less than excited about it. Determined to keep the peace, she tried to ignore Ita’s presence.
Instead, she leaned back against Vidok crouched behind her, enjoying the feel of his fingers playing with her hair. She had her mate, a nice warm sunbeam, and sleeping babies. Her world was just right.
Her eyelids just began to drift down for a pleasant nap when a shadow cast over her, and Vidok vibrated with a silent growl. Frowning, Sara peered up and saw Ita standing over her, staring down at the babies in their baskets.
Sara ground her teeth together as Ita completely ignored her and smiled at Vidok. “Congratulations are in order Vidok,” she purred. “You have certainly sired two fine younglings. But then I was always certain that your seed would be potent.”
Vidok frowned at her, “Twins run in Sara’s family. It is thanks to her that I have been able to sire these younglings. But we thank you for your well wishes all the same.”
Ita flicked a barely concealed look of disdain at her, before turning her full warm regard to Vidok. “Any female whose young are sired by you is quite fortunate,” she husked out.
Macy scowled beside her, giving Sara some comfort. No one was fooled by Ita’s presence, and Macy was letting her disapproval be known in clearest terms in full BFF mode. The vindictive part of her wished that Vidok would make the female go away and leave them alone, but she also knew that he really couldn’t. He was the warrior-priest for the tribe. She had been punished and now he must treat her as respectfully as everyone else. He might vibrate with concealed anger, but he could not show it.
Ita directed another sneer at Sara before moving away to rejoin her family. Sara breathed a sigh of relief. At least that uncomfortable moment was over.
“What the hell,” Macy leaned toward her. “She has some nerve. First gathering she is back and she comes over to hit on him.”
Torok looked confused, “Macy, she did not strike him.”
Macy looked at her mate with exasperation, “Sweetie, more slang. It means she was making her interest known--very known. She is acting like a total ho...uh a female with no morals.”
Torok nodded grimly at Vidok, “Watch yourself with that one, Vidok. She was spoiled by her family. Her every whim indulged in. I don’t think she will give up so easily.”
Vidok let out a short, quiet growl, and then waved the observation away. “She just enjoys making drama. Ignore her ulukska. She knows my body will not recognize hers, and she can’t draw my ulukskinon. She had her chance, and lost. There is nothing she more can do.”
Sara frowned worriedly at the determined female. She wasn’t so sure about that. If there was any way to get around the ulukskinon, she had a feeling that Ita would find it. She couldn’t imagine what reason she had for expressing any interest in their babies. That seemed like very peculiar behavior for the rival female. Strange.
Vidok licked her shoulder and then pressed a kiss onto it. “Do not let Ita ruin your enjoyment of the gathering my love. She is less than nothing.”
Sara leaned into her mate, smiling. When he was right, he was right. If she spent the rest of the gathering fussing and worrying about Ita, then the bitch would have won some small victory over her. Resolutely, she pushed the female from her mind and enjoyed the good-natured bartering around her.
Sara almost wished that she had been feeling up to carving over the last month, so that she could have some things to bring for trade. She smiled, noting that A’Jular had returned this month. She almost missed the scary male over the last month.
He saw them, his lips stretching into a wicked sharp grin. A’Jular lifted his hand in greeting as he headed towards them. As he pulled up in front of Sara, he beamed down at all three babies clustered together.
“I arrived in time to see the first of the younglings!” he exclaimed happily. “Tiny fuzzy little things,” he observed with a chuckle. He pulled out his comm. “Would you mind if I record their likenesses? I know that the Council is interested, and my brothers may or may not have asked me to before I left.”
Vidok and Torok both smiled and nodded happily, pleased at the appreciation of their younglings from the other male. Not that they would have had quite that reaction if it were an unmated VaDorok male. They had barely repressed territorial snarls when the curious males of the tribe had come over earlier.
It still made Sara uncomfortable that they viewed other unmated VaDorok males as potential threats. It seemed like a very odd relationship for them to have. For their part, none of the unmated males took offense, but smile cheerfully before they left. So it worked for them. But seeing how A’Jular was of another species, their instincts didn’t seem to be quite so roused into protecting their families from being stolen by the male.
“So, any luck on scouting the lay of that territory?” Sara grinned at the male.
A’Jular tucked his comm back into the pocket of his tunic and released a long-suffering sigh. “Would you believe Earth authorities found me when I tried to land and evicted me from the premises until next lunar cycle. How is a male supposed to find his mate if they are not going to cooperate? They complained to Edokora and I was recalled.”
Sara chuckled, “Yeah I didn’t think it was going to be as easy as you assumed. We usually have a pretty good grasp of our localized air traffic.”
A’Jular scowled at her. “That would have been a fine thing to know ahead of time female.”
Sara shrugged, “I assume they didn’t rough you up too bad.”
He grinned displaying his impressive fangs, “Oh they were too scared to even touch me. I think one pissed himself actually. I just had twenty assault weapons pointed at my ship while they complained to the Council. I will have to come up with a different strategy.”
“Well, better luck next time,” she said. “What about that Mating Index thingy?”
He snorted disdainfully, “That doesn’t work for any species who need contact to find their mate, as I am sure you know.”
“Yeah, Vidok mentioned that when we were talking of trying to find a way to attract more mates for the VaDorok.” she grumbled..
A’Jular offered a small smile, “If it makes you feel any better, species like ours are actually in the minority. Most species will benefit it from a click and select method to quickly secure mates.”
“Well there is that,” she agreed thoughtfully. “Just swipe right.”
All the males gave her a confused look. Macy giggled.
***
As much fun as the gathering was--and the naming ceremony made a very special memory--Sara was glad when they finally returned to the comfort of their home. They enjoyed several peaceful days in the warmth of their den before supplies began to run down low enough that she knew that there was no way her mate could further put off hunting again. Truthfully, he should have gone out days ago, but every time she brought it up he would change the subject.
Vidok was loathe to leave them and go hunting, uncomfortable leaving his family, to his mind, exposed and vulnerable. It took some doing but she managed to talk him into going out the short distance to check the traps at very least. To get him to agree she had to assure him repeatedly that she wouldn’t go anywhere. She wouldn’t let in any males she did not know. She would stay in the den and keep the door latched. After much grumbling, Vidok finally left, his bitriate lance in hand.
Sara looked down at her little ones staring wide eyed up at her from their baskets. “Well it looks like it just you and me kiddos,”she chirped.
Is it my imagination or are they looking at me dubiously?
“Daddy is out, but you and mommy are going to have a good afternoon together and a nice long nap.”
VaAbora’s face began to screw up. Followed by her usually mild-tempered brother VaUdol.
Fuck. Me.
Two hours of nursing, coddling, and rocking fussy babies and they were final
ly asleep. Sara intellectually knew twins were hard work, but she had it easy the last few days. Now she knew twins were hard work. Cloth diapers and swaddling to change, bellies to keep full. She was tired and her nipples were starting to hurt. Sara rubbed a breast absently as she wondered how mothers ever managed to keep up with this brand of craziness.
Sara stretched out on the seat in the living area, eager to catch a few winks while the babies slept. In the back of her mind she wondered if she had barred the door behind Vidok when he left as he told her to. She was too tired to get up and check. She didn’t think she could even will her arm to raise. Her luck, if she got up one of the twins would hear her and wake up. Fuck that. What was the likelihood of someone trying to come in anyway? It would be fine while she napped a bit. She would check the door when she regained her energy. No harm, no foul.
She jolted awake some time later when she was yanked up off the seat. Alarm raced through her as she blindly went into fight mode, her arms and legs thrashing wildly. Nearby a baby began to mewl pitifully. Sara struggled even harder. She had to get to her babies. She made impact a few times, but knew it wasn’t hard enough to do any damage. Enough to piss off her captor though if the snarl was anything to go by.
She startled when she was yanked around the meet a fierce amber gaze. Merlor stared down at her, snarling threateningly. Sara looked around in panic, to see if she had any weapons within reaching distance as he prowled towards the door. She paused in disbelief when she saw Ita by the door. In her arms the bitch was holding a crying VaAbora. VaUdol was still asleep in the basket at her feet. Sara scrambled, desperate to get out of Merlor’s arms. Ita smirked smugly at her.
“And this, is where your good fortune ends,” Ita stated with a satisfied curl of her lips. “My cousin here was able to borrow a comm device from the Eastern tribe and we have made arrangements for you.”
“Ita,” Merlor growled. “I still don’t see why I cannot keep her.”
“We have been over this,” she spat. “Grandfather said that the only way to disrupt a mating-bond is to get rid of her. Either kill her or get her off the planet, far away from Vidok. Although he is unlikely to mate again, his body, after time, should become receptive to pleasure partnering. He will be aggrieved to have lost his mate, and with two younglings to care for too. And there I will be, a helpful, caring hand to comfort him and shower love on his young.” She bared her teeth at Sara, gloating.
“Of course, Sara,” she said, “it would have been far easier to just kill you. More enjoyable in fact. But then I recalled that there was a certain Agraak male who really wanted to get you back, and would reward me handsomely for it. So we will be reuniting you when we selling you to him instead.”
Merlor made an irritated noise but otherwise didn’t comment. Sara could see that he didn’t agree with his cousin. He wanted Sara for himself too much. But he wasn’t going to fight with her over it.
Ita narrowed her eyes at Merlor,“Keep your mind on task and don’t do anything stupid Merlor. Don’t you dare ruin this for me. You need to leave now so that you can be at the meeting place on time. I will stay here with the younglings.”
“Vidok will never believe you had nothing to do with this,” Sara hissed, drawing desperately at straws.
Ita laughed. “He will suspect nothing. I will run to him, tears running down my face, holding his younglings. I will make a very convincing performance. I will tell him that I had dropped by with an offering of apology to the temple and saw the door of the den wide open.” she nodded towards the small basket of offerings.
“Ah Sara, it was very foolish of you to not latch the door. It is a lucky thing for us that you did not. It saved us a lot of trouble and from having to come up with a potentially less believable story. The gods are clearly on our side in this matter. All Vidok will see is that you forgot--the door was not forced open after all--and another stole you away.”
Sara’s heart fell. Ita was right. There was nothing that would look even remotely suspicious. Nothing to draw attention to Ita as the culprit.
“And after a time, my dear little Sara, Vidok will forget all about you. After all, it is just instinct that keeps you together. How can one of us really care for one of you. After his instinct calms, Vidok won’t think of you again,” Ita observed calmly.
Sorrow dug sharp claws into Sara’s heart. Could Ita be right? With her gone will Vidok not even try to find her, and never even suspect that nasty bitch? Ita laughed openly at her as she wept in Merlor’s tight hold. The male wrapped Sara in a heavy fur and, with a regretful frown, hoisted her up against his chest as he swept her out the door. Tears streamed down her face as she cried against the soft fuzz of her kidnapper’s chest as she continued to struggle.
***
Vidok loped back to his den in cheerful mood, his spirits high. His hunt was good, and he had a warm curvy mate to greet him when he arrived. He couldn’t wait to see her. He hoped she was waiting by the den door watching for him so that she would come running out the moment she saw him. He could imagine the enthusiasm of her kiss.
He grinned as his den coming into view. But then his easy smile slipped, something was wrong. As he loped closer he clearly saw that the door was wide open. He frowned. He told Sara to stay inside. Why was the door open?
His pace sped up, concerned for his mate, but faltered slightly when he saw Ita come barreling through the door holding his younglings. Anger flushed instinctively through his veins. What was she doing here? And holding his offspring! He snarled threateningly as she rushed up to him. Her locks in disarray as if she had been in a frenzy, her eyes wide and teary.
Ita pulled up, wide-eyed in fear in face of his anger. As Vidok drew to a halt, she collapsed on her knees in front of him, staring up at him with beseeching eyes. “Vidok, thank the gods you have finally returned! I can’t find Sara anywhere!” she cried miserably.
“What are you doing here Ita, and why are you holding my younglings?!” he snarled at the cringing female.
“Please don’t be mad. I came to the temple with offerings to amend to the gods for the way I have been acting, for I am truly ashamed my past behavior, but I heard the younglings crying. When it did not stop, I was curious and went to see if Sara needed any help--being a new mother and all-- and to apologize to her myself. But I couldn’t find her! Your door was open and the little ones were abandoned, crying in their swaddling baskets!”
“She wouldn’t have left them,” Vidok grit out, his eyes sweeping over the area surrounding the den.
Ita nodded her head in vehement agreement. “Indeed not! No mother would willingly abandon their offspring. Not even an offworlder with strange ways would do so. But offworlders don’t know our ways, it is possible she accidentally left the door unlatched and was caught unaware.”
He tugged a horn in frustration. He couldn’t take his anger out on the female. She had seen the error of her ways and had come to atone to the gods. He owed gratitude to her. He did not like Ita, but he was grateful to her for doing him the small kindness of caring for his younglings.
“Thank you Ita. I am not sure what would have happened to my younglings if you hadn’t come by and stayed to care for them,” he croaked out hoarsely.
Ita tilted her head in a modest show of gratitude. “No thanks needed Vidok. I couldn’t leave these sweet little ones unprotected.”
Vidok’s managed a small smile but his heart lurched. He knew that he had cautioned Sara about putting the latch down on the door, but he also knew how tired she had been and how easy it would have been for her to be taken. On closer inspection of the door, he could see clearly that it had not been forced open in any way.
He grieved knowing that if a male from a rival tribe had found her and stolen her, there was little chance of getting her back again.
Ita placed a hand on his shoulder.“ I know I acted badly, I hope you will forgive me. You know I have always admired you,” she stared up at him earnestly. He had to admit she had always been very cl
ear and open about her admiration.
“Vidok, why don’t go you search for her. Take some of the other warriors out and see what you can find. Have Nadar find a nursing vadak so that there will be milk for them. I will care for the younglings while you are gone.”
He frowned. She made sense, and he was fortunate she was willing to remain with them while he hunted. “Thank you Ita. You have my gratitude. I am sorry that my mating with Sara made you feel unhappy, but I am sure if Sara were here she would express her thanks as well.”
Ita bowed her head demurely. “I am keeping her in my thoughts Vidok.” A small smile curved her lips.
Without delaying other than to nuzzle his younglings, and give a thankful smile to Ita, Vidok grabbed the necessary supplies for his journey. If he was lucky maybe he would catch the rogue before they left the north territory.
At his quickest lope Vidok made excellent time arriving at Borax’s den. Caught by surprise to see him, Borax rushed out with a concerned frown.
“Vidok I didn’t expect to see you so soon again! I was certain you would spend the next month sequestered in your den with your family,” Borax shouted out as he rushed up to greet him.
He drew up short as he noted the state Vidok was in. Vidok breathed heavily, his lungs working to catch his breath, as he filled the chief in on what had occurred. Borax’s frown deepened.
“Are you sure that Ita was being entirely truthful, Vidok? That Sara was truly stolen away?” he asked.
Vidok nodded. “Yes. I was suspicious myself at first, but I saw the basket of offerings she brought, and examined the door myself. It had not been forced open. Sara would not have opened the door to Ita. You know how Sara feels about her. So I can see no reason to suspect that Ita was not telling the truth. Honestly, she looked quite upset. She even offered to watch my younglings so I could search for Sara.”
Borax pursed his lips and nodded. Nadar, who had come up beside him didn’t look as convinced. “I do not like it Borax,” she hissed. “Vidok you are a fool if you trust that female. Just days ago she looked at your mate as if she was nothing beneath her feet, and was openly lusting after you. Her invitation was clear to anyone with eyes.”
