by KD Jones
Once everyone was gone, Ren answered Cassie’s questions. “Upon my request, our Legal Advisor hired detectives to find the father. Kyd was notified a few weeks ago of the identity of the male. He was, also, informed that the EWG chose Mr. McCormick as one of the representatives to come to Katiera per the trade agreement. The transport ship is already on route for Katiera.”
“A few weeks ago? When is the transport ship due to arrive?” Cassie asked turning an alarming shade of white.
“Next week.” Ren responded.
“Next week? As in the same week of our mating ceremony?” Cassie asked for clarification.
“Yes.” Ren answered.
Cassie just stared at him. Then, she started to cry.
Oh Kitana. Not tears. He could take yelling, a beating, even the silent treatment. But tears? Oh Goddess help him. He couldn’t handle Cassie crying.
He moved to sit on the bed and took her in his arms. “Please don’t cry my mate. There is nothing to worry about. I will take care of everything.”
She sniffled and pulled back slightly to look at him accusingly, “You’ll take care of everything? Like keeping me in the dark about the EWG members coming here? About Scott coming?”
Ren stiffened at the mention of the other male. “Do you still have love for this male?”
Cassie wiped the tears from her face. Was that it? Was he jealous of Scott? And, did she still love Scott? She paused to think about her feelings. The silence ate at Ren. “I thought I had loved him. But now, I look back and can see that I just wanted a family more than Scott himself. So … no I don’t feel any love for him.”
Ren sighed with relief. But, Cassie wasn’t done talking yet.
“You’re not off the hook yet … mate. The EWG coming here is a big threat to you, me, and the babies. You kept that from me.” She accused him.
Ren nodded in acknowledgement of the extent of his subterfuge. “I only wanted to protect you and … to keep you with me. I will never keep anything from you again.” Ren looked deeply into her eyes so that she would see his sincerity.
Cassie knew he spoke the truth. He hid things from her to protect her and the babies. How could she stay mad at him for that? “Okay.”
She forgave him! And then something else finally caught his attention. He smiled a sexy smile at her, “You called me mate.” It was the first time she had done so.
Cassie blushed and nodded her head. “Yes. You are my mate, but that doesn’t give you leave to keep things …” Cassie was cut off by a very firm insistent male mouth covering hers.
Ren kissed Cassie with all the longing and hope that was deep inside of him. Mate. She finally recognized him as her mate. He needed her … right now. He started to unhook the clasps of her clothing.
Cassie stilled his very proficient hands, “We can’t. Not here. Everyone is waiting on the other side of that door.”
Ren growled from frustration which caused Cassie to giggle. He stopped trying to take her clothes off, but he wasn’t going to give up completely. He lifted her up into his strong arms and carried her to the door. He slid it open with one hand and walked through. She was right. Everyone was still standing there waiting for them.
He addressed Kyd first, “Commander KydEL, make sure that troublesome female is kept under lock and key. I want her on the next available transport back to Earth.” Kyd nodded with no protest.
“TarAK, you will return to your previous position as a personal guard to Cassie. If the Earth representatives try to approach her at any time when I am not present, you are to inform me.” Ren gave him a look that promised retribution if he did anything less than protect Cassie with his life.
TarAK nodded and responded, “Yes Prime Leader.”
Cassie wiggled in his arms. “I don’t need a guard.” Which Ren ignored.
Ren looked at Dr. Morris who had been engaging in a staring match with his brother Syd … interesting. “Is Cassie cleared to leave the Medic Wing?”
Kat was finally able to break eye contact with that annoying man. “Yes of course. But if she experiences any pain in her abdomen, even a tiny bit, she needs to contact me or another medic immediately.”
He gave a firm look at Cassie and she caved, “Fine, I’ll call if I feel anything stronger than a twitch. Satisfied?” She asked Ren sarcastically.
Ren gave her a devilish look, “Not yet, but I will be shortly.” He told her loud enough to make the males in the room laugh and the females blush. He turned back to the small group and informed them that he and Cassie would be unavailable for the next couple of hours. Ren turned and left the Medic Wing with Cassie still in his arms heading back to their suite.
The next few days Ren did everything he could to make it up to Cassie for his keeping things from her. He, also, wanted to give her every reason to not leave him in the event that the human male tried to win her back. She reassured him that she was over Scott, but, sometimes he would find her looking out the window in deep thought and worried that she might be thinking of the other male.
Ren discussed everything with Cassie, making sure that she felt a part of all that he did from day to day with his council responsibilities to planning their mating ceremony. They had decided to wait to have the ceremony until the members of the EWG arrived and could attend as a way to smooth over any political feathers that get ruffled.
Cassie spent the days prior to the mating ceremony doing a lot of soul searching. She told Ren the truth when she said that she no longer loved Scott. Now wondered if she had ever loved him at all. Every day her feelings for Ren grew stronger. She was falling in love with him. But, how did he feel about her? Was he falling in love with her too?
Today Cassie was getting her final fitting for her wedding dress. It was a mixture of both Katieran and Earth styles. The designer, a human female named Laura Candle, had found a way to take the best of both worlds and make them into a combined, single, beautiful dress.
It was the same green color of the waters of Katiera. Looked similar to a Grecian toga that had a single strap that went from one side to the other, hooking around her neck. Katiera didn’t have pearls, but, they did have these lovely, little, yellow stones that sparkled in the sunlight. The designer and a few of the Katieran women hand sewed the stones into stunning patterns on the dress.
Ren’s ceremonial outfit was formal military attire in Dark Hunter Green with gold hooks. Of course, he would look good in anything he wore. The best part about Cassie’s dress was the way the designer created it to drape down in long sweeping waves and covered most of Cassie’s rather large stomach.
It occurred to Cassie that she was never alone anymore. Either Ren was with her or she would be accompanied by Ren’s mother, cousin, Kat, or sometimes Jaxon. And then there was TarAK, always guarding her. She worried that he might still have feelings for her. She liked him a great deal and hoped that he would find a mate of his own. She had thought about setting up Kat or Jaxon with TarAK, but neither one seemed interested.
The night before the transport ship was to arrive with the EWG members, Ren seemed to become even more attentive. He fed her food by hand. He washed her in the shower and gently dried her body with the towel. He had her lay back on the bed and massaged every inch of her. And when he made love to her, it was slow and gentle bringing tears to her eyes. Afterwards, he held her in his large, warm, strong arms. She had never felt more safe or loved in all her life.
Ren woke with a very uncomfortable hard on. He felt a small soft hand stroking him making his sex even harder. He opened his eyes and looked down to find Cassie kneeling by his hips staring back at him.
“Good morning Ren.” Cassie said in a soft, sexy voice.
“Good morning mate.” He answered with a strained voice.
Cassie kept her eyes on his while she leaned down and took his large member into her mouth. She pulled back releasing him to blow cool air on the bulbous head, causing a rumbling growl to come from him. She returned her mouth and took his shaft as far down her t
hroat as she could. She sucked on him with strong suction while using her tongue to stroke his shaft.
“I’m … going … to … come!” Ren yelled out as his cum shot down Cassie’s throat. She kept her mouth on him sucking every delicious drop. When she pulled away releasing his member with a pop, she sat back and gave him a sexy look full of pride that she had pleased him.
He reached for her intending to put her on the bed so that he could pleasure her. But, Cassie pulled away shaking her head from side to side. “Nuhuh. We don’t have time for that. We both have to wash and dress and then go get ready for that transport ship.”
Ren groaned and covered his eyes with his arm. “I don’t want to.”
Cassie laughed at the full pout of his lower lip. The man was just too damn cute! “Later … we can do more later. Come on, I’ll share my shower with you.” Cassie didn’t wait for him. She got up from the bed completely naked and walked into the bathing room.
Ren sighed. This was going to be a really long day. He smiled remembering how Cassie woke him with her mouth on his cock. At least he had a great start to it.
Chapter 10
The dreaded day arrived. The transport ship with the EWG members was expected just before the Midday Meal. Accommodations had been arranged to house the EWG in a completely different building. If Ren had his way, he would have put McCormick on the far side of the outer lunas. The Katieran Council wouldn’t like that too much.
Ren kept close to Cassie as they made their way to Morning Meal. TarAK was following at a respectable five paces back. As much as the other male irritated Ren with the occasional worshipful looks he gave Cassie when she wasn’t looking, TarAK seemed to accept Cassie’s choice. He took on his role as Cassie’s guard without any problems.. Ren felt better knowing that TarAK would be there to protect Cassie in the event that Ren couldn’t be.
It was agreed that Cassie would not be present when Ren and the Katieran High Council greet the EWG members. The EWG would be given suites in the neighboring building and allowed to get settled into their rooms. In the morning they would be taken on a brief tour of the Prime city.
After Midday Meal, the EWG representatives would meet formally with the Katieran High Council. The official paperwork for Cassie’s political asylum had been filed with the EWG over a month ago by Lindsey Carreli. A copy would be available in case the EWG members made an issue out of it.
Ren planned to only mention Cassie as his mate. He would go on to announce his and Cassie’s upcoming mating ceremony, which would take place in two days. The EWG representatives will be allowed to attend the ceremony if they chose to. Ren hoped to minimize the contact Cassie might have with any of the EWG, especially with the McCormick male.
Cassie hated it. She had to stay in her and Ren’s suite until the EWG members were taken to the other building. Though the suite was luxurious, it began to feel like a prison. She had tried to leave twice now and each time TarAK blocked her from going past the door. She called him a few choice names and slammed the door in his face.
She tried calling Jaxon on the comm link, but, was only able to leave a voice message. Kat came to check on her twice. Unfortunately the doctor was called away for some kind of medical emergency. Ren’s mother and cousin were busy doing the hostess job since she was ordered to stay away. She was going a bit stir crazy.
She looked at the clock and realized that right about that moment, Ren was meeting Scott for the first time. How would Ren react to the other man? Would he be able to remain calm? Would he lose it and beat the shit of out of him? Some part of her hoped he would.
Ren stood there on the landing field with his brothers on either side of him. His mother and female cousin stood behind them. He watched the EWG representatives unload from the shuttles. He wondered which male was Scott McCormick. Another human caught his attention. A long legged, beautifully shaped female with light golden brown hair came walking towards him.
“Miss Carreli, welcome to Katiera.” Ren reached out to clasp her small hand in his in the human way of greeting.
“Prime Leader. It is good to be here. You have a beautiful home world.” Lindsey clasped Ren’s larger hand. Her stomach fluttered a little. It did so whenever she was near him. He released her hand too soon. For a moment, she had forgotten that he would be a mated man in just a few days.
Ren introduced her to those around them. “You remember Commander KydEL?”
She accepted Kyd’s outstretched hand, also observing the human way of greeting, “How could I forget. Have you had any more confrontations with Captain Malone?”
Both Ren and the Katieran man on the other side of him let out a burst of laughter. Lindsey gave the Commander a knowing smile and said, “By that reaction, I take it that you have.” She thought it was adorable that the big strong Commander would blush.
Ren introduced her to the other man standing by his side. “This is my younger brother Chief Medic and Scientist, Prime SydEL.”
She admired the younger Prime’s good looks. He had dark hair like his two brothers, but it was much longer, reaching midway down his back. His eyes with the golden pupils were cat like. “It is a pleasure to meet you Prime SydEL.”
She was then introduced to the lovely Katieran women who moved to stand beside the men. Ren’s mother, Prima SandELa, and cousin, Prima AriELa. She wondered to herself if all Katierans were just as beautiful as Ren and his family. Looking around at the Katierans present, she would have to say yes.
It was her turn to make the introductions. She moved to the side as an older Earth male with silver hair and a young 8 year old girl with brown hair in a ponytail approached. “Prime Leader RendEL, I would like you to meet my father, Leo Carreli, and my little sister, Lisa.”
Ren smiled warmly as he shook the Earth male’s hand. “It is an honor to meet you. Your daughter has been a true asset to my people.” He gave the little girl a large smile as he greeted her too.
“Thank you Prime Leader RendEL for allowing us to come with Lindsey.” The older Earth male said.
The little girl looked at Ren curiously and asked, “Are you really a prince?”
Lindsey groaned, “Lisa!”
Ren laughed, “That's okay.” He assured Lindsey before he turned back to the little girl and answered her question. “I am told that ‘prime’ for Katiera would be the same as ‘prince’ on Earth. So … yes I guess that I am.”
“Cool.” The little girl smiled at him and then looked at Kyd and Syd. “Are they princes too?”
Both men smiled warmly at the little girl. Ren answered, “Yes they are. And this is my cousin Prima AriELa and my mother Prima SandELa. Primas are what you would call ‘princesses’.”
The little girl’s eyes got huge as she stared at AriELa and SandELa in awe. “A princess. Wow!”
Prima SandELa greeted the little girl with a big smile. “It is a pleasure to meet you.” She smiled and blushed as she nodded at the older Earth male, Mr. Carreli. “I will take you and your daughter Lisa to your suite so that you can settle in. My niece, AriELa will bring Miss Carreli to the suite after the introductions with the EWG have been made.”
The Earth male stood up taller and puffed out his chest. “We would appreciate that.”
Lindsey hugged her family and promised to see them in a few hours. She turned back to the Prime Leader and his brothers. “What do you need me to do for you?”
“We’ll do the introductions first, and then, I will have the liaisons take them directly to their accommodations.” Ren told her.
Lindsey nodded her understanding. She turned to look at the twenty EWG representatives. Twelve women and eight men. She motioned for them to approach.
Ren’s strong male voice addressed the group. “Women and Gentlemen of the Earth World Government, welcome to Katiera. As most of you know, I am Prime Leader RendEL. I hope that you enjoyed your trip on board the transport ship. We have assigned liaisons who will assist you while you are here. Your liaisons will be showing you to your accom
modations so that you may rest. Midday Meal is in about an hour and a half. Your liaison will show you around the building that you will be staying in. Evening Meal will be served later this evening. Tomorrow, after the Morning Meal, your liaisons will take you on a more extended tour of the Prime City of Katiera. We will meet tomorrow after Midday Meal for a formal debrief. Again, I welcome you to Katiera.”
Ren was turning to leave when an Earth male in his fifties with a balding head approached him. “Excuse me Prime Leader RendEL. May I have a moment with you?”
Lindsey introduced the Earth male. “Prime Leader, this is Senator John Rowe.”
Ren looked at his brothers who both looked uncomfortable. “Rowe?” He asked.
The Senator reached out a hand to shake Ren’s. “Prime Leader. A pleasure to finally meet you. I was hoping that I might see my daughter. She came here a month ago.”
“Senator Rowe, it is a pleasure to meet you. If you will go with your liaison, I will see what we can do to reunite you with your daughter.” He gave the Senator a reassuring smile.
As soon as the man left, Lindsey turned to Ren and his brothers and asked, “Is there something I should know about?”
Ren allowed Kyd to fill Lindsey in on the whole Erica Rowe situation. Ren was preoccupied. He saw a younger, human male with blond hair walking with the EWG representatives.
“Lindsey. Is that the male, Scott McCormick?” Ren asked her.
Lindsey looked at the man Ren was pointing at. “Yes. That’s him. Pretty on the outside, but on the inside … full of shit.”
Cassie was hungry. She wanted to go down for the Midday Meal but TarAK told her to stay inside and he would have food sent up for her. She was getting sick of being told what she could and could not do.
She was so surly that she remained on the couch when the buzzer for the suite went off. Cassie decided to let TarAK handle it since he wanted to be in charge. Cassie heard the cart of food being wheeled in but did not look in that direction until …
