by Ciara Lake
“Yes, your lover”—he shook his finger at Val—“is the next in line after his father to rule Xihirah. He did not tell you because he’s been dishonest with you. He was only bent on using you for his pleasure. He has taken advantage of my child like a common prostitute.” Her father’s hands fisted, and his face was red. “This will be made right at whatever cost. I will not have my child disgraced in this way. Bringing a child into this universe with this shame.”
“Kade is next in line,” Val corrected, looking at her father with daggers in his eyes. However, his voice was calmed. “It did not come up in our conversations. It was not important what my rank in society is, just who I am as an individual.” Val shrugged, ignoring her father, talking directly to Zalora. “What does it matter who my father is? Or if I am going to rule Xihirah or not. None of it matters.”
“It doesn’t matter.” She looked down. “I’m not going to force you to marry me.” She shook her head. “Don’t worry.”
“You aren’t forcing me to do anything. No one forces me to do anything I don’t want to do. I want to marry you or join with you, as we say. You’re my mate. You’re mine. I told you you were mine. You did not protest. You agreed. Do you not recall?” He stared at her. His eyes were exceptional bright amber. His voice slightly elevated. The emotions which passed over his face made her heart sink to her stomach. It was clear. He thought she was rejecting him. She was not going to allow the hurtful feelings to take root. She loved him. Her heart pounded from her own emotion.
“Val.” She threw her arms around his neck, kissing his face.
“Unhand him, daughter,” her father huffed. The Xihirian soldiers relaxed. Kade’s eyes mellowed. “Look at you. You act like a whore.” Her father pointed. “You are a shame to me.” Despite her father’s words, Val relaxed. Kade stepped back. “You behave shamefully in front of others. You are not the princess I raised.” Her father shook his head in anger. “You can’t keep your hands off your lover even in front of me?” Still they ignored him as they continued their conversation.
“I want you, too. I’m mad at you, but I want you, too.” She kissed his cheek again.
“Mad at me?” Val looked confused. Her father cleared his throat.
“You.” King Zimbali shook his fist. “Unhand my daughter, immediately. You cannot touch her until you are married to her. Do you understand me?” Her father stomped his foot. “My daughter will not be treated as slut in public even though she has behaved as one.”
“Excuse me, King Zimbali, Zalora is not a slut nor has she ever behaved as one.” Val enunciated each word. His eyes blazed brighter, and his teeth elongated fully, making him look fierce. His voice deepened to nearly unrecognizable. She was almost afraid of him. The beast was about to make an appearance. There was a look of amazement then concern on the other Xihirians’ faces. Evidently, they were not used to Val’s temper being uncontrolled. Her father stepped back, alarm on his face. “Do not,” Val growled as he stepped toward her father. “I repeat, do not call my mate, who is the princess of our people, a slut or a whore. Do not disrespect her in any way.”
The other Xihirians moved closer to Val as if surrounding him. Kade looked worried and again bumped Val’s shoulder. Her father’s temper cooled. Val looked to Kade, and Kade’s eyes blazed. They both seemed to communicate silently to each other.
“I want to speak with your father now,” King Zambali asserted in a softer voice. Fear raced off him. He pushed too hard. He knew it from the emotions she could feel from him.
“You’ve humiliated my mate in front of others by your untimely announcement. This announcement should have been joyful. But first this should have been done privately. Dr. Triller has violated Zalora’s privacy. Some things are inherently personal.” He glared at Triller. “There’s no shame in what we’ve shared, not to us. You’ve hurt Zalora.” Val growled again. Her father backed up further, almost into his wife. Indecision passed over his face. However, he did not hold his tongue.
“You will marry Zalora within this day. You will make her child legitimate.” Her father’s face reddened with rage again although he’d subdued his temper. It was clear he was fearful of Val and the others. This was not his world. Zalora could feel her father’s emotions swamping her. She wanted to gag from the weight of them. With every effort, she pushed the impulse down. But it did not stop the heated emotions coursing through her. Her father was confused, upset, hurt, and more. She felt his sliver of guilt.
One of the other Xihirian officers interjected. “Their child is legitimate in our culture. They’re mates. Joining or marriage ceremonies are merely celebrations of what already exist. Val has taken Zalora as his. It isn’t reversible, at least not to us. Zalora has acknowledged she is his.” The officer nodded toward her. “We recognized it immediately by their scent. It’s our way.” The group of Xihirians stepped closer to her father. “I’m Thyson, Val’s uncle. I vouch for this being the truth, King Zimbali. We do not, nor does Val, dishonor Princess Zalora. We honor her. She is a mate to one of our princes, and she carries one of ours.” As Thyson was speaking, Val had turned his attention to Zalora. He walked closer to her.
“Mad at me?” He cocked his head as he curiously watched her. “For what?” She noted he was back to his confident self with her. Masculine, in charge, she liked him and wanted him. He knew it.
“Yes, we’ll discuss why in private, mate.” Zalora emphasized his proclaimed status. She gave him some of her princess attitude. Val grinned. His dazzling smile made her feel faint. Or was it her mind was swimming from these events. In fact, this whole situation was surreal. She could not believe her father’s attitude. His words had hurt her beyond anything she could imagine. She knew he was strict, but this was ridiculous. She was ashamed of him.
“As you wish.” Val winked at her. He turned to her father, his facial expression drastically changing. “King Zimbali.” His tone was more neutral. “If you come with me, I will allow you to speak with my parents. They’ll want to speak with you as well. This is an important occasion for my family. It is not to be taken lightly or made into something foul. This is beautiful, what is between Zalora and I.”
“Allow me to speak to your parents? You’d better, you scoundrel,” her father huffed. “I demand to do as I ask and now.”
“Very well, King Zambali, I will take you to Val’s office.” Thyson stepped forward in between the other two men. “I’ll initiate contact with my brother Kael.” He nodded toward Val. “Take a minute with Zalora.” Thyson looked toward her and smiled. “And I believe Kade and Jerrian may want a word with you, too.”
“Yes, Thyson, thank you.” Val nodded.
“Come with me, King Zambali. We’ll contact Xihirah. Be at ease. No disrespect is intended.” Thyson’s tone was soothing as a consummate negotiator. Thyson lead the king away. When the door closed, Kade turned to speak to Val.
“Val, control your beast. You’re becoming me.” Kade smiled. His eyes still looked animalistic. “One of me is enough. You know I have your back. I’m ready to do battle for you any day. But this is your mate’s father.” Kade lightly touched Val’s arm. “Thyson is always soothing in our heated moments. He’s good. I have to give more credit in the future. He has guts.”
“Yes, Val, you’re worrying me. Hi, I’m Jerrian.” Another tall, handsome Xihirian approached them. He waved to Zalora. “His cousin.” He pointed to Val. “I’m not as temperamental as either of them. I’m like Thyson, not an Alpha Prime. I’m a negotiator, too. Let me tell you it does take guts to stand in the way of these two.”
“Nice to meet you.” She smiled although she was sick inside by all that had happened. “You all look very much alike.”
“You met Kade already.” Jerrian pointed.
“Yes.” Zalora blushed.
“She saw me nude.” Kade winked.
“Shut up, Kade.” Val elbowed him. “She’s not used to us.”
“Thyson’s my sister’s mate,” Kade explained.
&n
bsp; “Zalora, I’m sorry,” Val interrupted Kade. “I typically have excellent control over my emotions, but as of late…”
“Since you met me?”
“Yes.” He grinned. “I have lost some of my control. It’s not your fault.” He reached for her hand. He brought it to his lips, kissing it.
“We get emotional about our mates, our family,” Kade added.
“I try hard to maintain my control because if not…” Val shook his head.
“Exactly why Val’s typically so disciplined. The last time he lost control, he scared Kalinda’s friends off. They ran screaming from our palace. It took months for our sweet Kalinda to forgive him. She’s one of my older sisters.” Kade grinned. “Since then, Val’s renowned for his disciplined attitude. Kalinda made him suffer for his temper, for a long time.” Kade laughed into his hand. “Because underneath Val’s controlled façade, he can be a monster.” He wiggled his eyebrows. “At least he was when we were younger, until he got all mature on me.” Kade wiggled his eyebrows again. “He’s the biggest, baddest of us all.” Kade patted Val on his back. “Used to kick my ass when he got all fired up.”
“Don’t scare her.” Val growled low in his throat. “I’m not as bad as you describe.”
“Not anymore. Now you’re always in control yourself, at least in the last eleven years or so.” Kade looked at her seriously. “I’m the bad boy now. Anyway, Val would never hurt you, ever. He wouldn’t hurt anyone of us. You have to understand the Alpha. We protect ours. But we do have tempers and don’t like be disobeyed.” Kade smiled. “Trust me, we never harm ours. So, sister-niece, go with Tantia, go rest. We’ll talk with his father and yours. All will be well.”
“I want to participate in these talks. You will not dismiss me just like that.” Zalora waved her hand, glaring at them. The three men looked at her in surprise. “Everyone’s walking all over me, and I won’t allow it. I may not be a Xihirian Alpha Prime, but I’m not to be pushed aside. I’m already dismayed at how my father treated me. I will not be dismissed.”
“Okay.” Kade nodded. “She’s feisty. Exactly what you deserve.” Kade hit Val on his back, hard enough to make a big noise. “I like you Zalora.” He winked. “Kara and Kalinda are going to be so excited about this.” He laughed more. “His sisters, too. This is great. Wow, a woman who can take down Val in his easy grace and underlying alpha-ness.”
“Shut up, Kade.” Val bared his teeth again. Kade made a face, showing his sharp teeth, but he had a smile on his face. “Okay, come with us.” Val took her hand as he headed for the door. “Tantia, you come, too. I’m sorry about Kade.” He looked down at her. “He’s fine.” She squeezed his hand. “He loves you. It’s nice to have such a caring friend or relative.”
“Come. Let’s go. We’re going to my office.” They walked a good distance in silence. Zalora was very interested in spending more time looking over this marvelous ship. When they arrived at his office, the door slid open. The communication screen took up an entire wall. On the other side of the room was a huge window looking out into space. Val’s office had a large desk in the center. Everyone was waiting for his parents to appear on the screen.
“Hello, Val, what’s happening?” a lovely woman spoke to him.
“Hello, Mother.” Val nodded. She was lovely and young for a mother of a thirty-two-year-old man. Plus, she was noticeably pregnant.
“It is so good to see you, Val. I have been so worried.”
“Everything’s fine, Mother. Don’t worry. I have survived well. Where’s Father?”
“He’s coming. You do look healthy.” She smiled. “I was unable to sleep due to my worry. I’m so happy to see you healthy. Don’t do anything like that again while I live.”
“Mother, I’m a soldier.”
“I know.”
“I’m fine, Mother. How’s the baby?” Val’s mother patted her rounded tummy, and her smile brightened. “Good, keeping me up at night, too.” She laughed. “But I’m used to it.”
“Where’s Admoncor Braeden? I don’t have time for this small talk,” Zane Zambali interrupted rudely. His impatience was heavy in the room. The others in the room seemed to inhale sharply.
“He’s on his way.” Saleeya nodded toward Zalora’s father, and her smile remained on her face. “It’s nice to meet you, King Zambali.” Her voice was very diplomatic. Zane cooled a bit at Val’s mother’s soothing words, which redirected the tone of the room. She had much experience in soothing beasts. Zane was a beast of another kind.
“Mother, I want you to meet my mate, Zalora Braeden.” Val moved Zalora closer to the screen. “This glorious woman is mine.” Val grinned.
“Her name isn’t Braeden yet. Do not get ahead of yourself, boy.” Her father pointed his finger at Val. “You show some respect, young man. Show my family some respect.”
Saleeya’s face lit up with happiness at what Val called her. Again, she seemed to try to ignore her father. “Mother, meet Zalora. She is King Zambali’s daughter, my mate.” Val continued motioning to Zalora. “Her father wants to speak to my father, actually the both of you, regarding us marrying or joining. He has some concerns…”
“I can speak for myself.” Zane walked closer to the large screen. Val was standing in front of it as he spoke to his mother. Kade was just behind him, again asserting some control over Val to ensure there wasn’t an incident which would be regretted. Kade winked at her.
“Oh this is wonderful.” Saleeya smiled, clapping her hands together. “Here’s your father.” Saleeya’s arms reached out to his father as he entered the picture, and she affectionately kissed him on his face.
“Val, I hear you’ve mated? Congratulations. I look forward to meeting our new daughter in person. She is lovely.” He nodded toward Zalora.
* * * *
“Yes, he’s mated with her.” Spittle flew out of Zane’s mouth. “He’s been with my daughter without marriage. He’s defiled her without marriage.” Her father walked up behind Zalora, pointing at Val. “He’s dishonored her virtue, making her no better than a whore. She’s pregnant without marriage. A disgrace to our world and me. I demand your son marry Zalora, this very day.” Zalora moved closer to Val. He could feel she was shaky. She trembled. Kade blocked her father from reaching her. “I wanted to inform you immediately of this outrageous, unacceptable situation.” Her father walked closer to the communication screen. “You sent your son to save my daughter. In turn, he defiles her, planting his seed without my permission. I am very disappointed. He has damaged my daughter in despicable way.” Val could tell by the expression, which crossed his father’s face, he’d leashed his temper before he responded. Intuitively, his mother touched his father’s arm, always an indicator of her latent control she possessed. Val, too, leashed his temper as well, for Zalora’s sake. He looked at her, smiling.
“Val, you’ve mated with Zalora. This is evidenced by her pregnancy as I hear you’ve planted your seed in her womb.”
“Yes, Father.” Val nodded. “She is mine.” He took her hand. Zalora blushed red.
“Zalora’s pregnancy is evidence your son has taken advantage of her.” Her father fisted his hands, lifting them up toward the screen.
“No, it shows they are mates. Wolftons can only impregnate our mates. A mate is as a wife. Son, are you wishing to participate in a ceremony of marriage or joining this day?”
“Yes, Father, I am. If it is Zalora’s wish.”
“Very well. King Zimbali, Thyson will marry them, if Zalora agrees to it this day. Thyson’s a captain.”
“No, that is not acceptable,” her father’s voice thundered. Zalora jumped from his outburst. She accidentally stepped on Val’s foot. “Only a priest of Tallusia will marry them. I will not be fooled by your trickery.” Her father stomped his foot in protest.
“So be it.” Kael nodded. “As you wish, unless Val or Zalora disagrees. I assure you, King Zambali, no one here wishes to trick you.”
“No, Father, I don’t object.” Val gri
tted his teeth. Zalora remained silent. “Zalora, is all of this agreeable with you?” Val looked to her. He had been holding her hand the entire time. His other hand clasped his desk. If he clasped it much harder, it would surely break off in his hand.
“Yes.” She nodded.
“Very well, your joining will occur in this room in four hours, time enough to better prepare.”
“In this room?” her father roared.
“Yes.” Kael nodded. “Have a Tallusian priest brought here. Tell us where to find one. In this room, our family can attend via this communicator. If you cannot wait for this to be done properly, we at least wish to participate in my Alpha Prime son’s ceremony. He is my oldest son. Is that not acceptable, King Zambali?” His father’s tone had an edge to it.
“Wait for it to be properly done?” Her father waved his arms as if crazed. “Perhaps your son could have waited to have sex with my daughter after he married her? That would have been properly done.”
“Father, please, haven’t you said enough to humiliate me?” Zalora glared at him. Val clenched his teeth, his entire body tensed at her reaction. She squeezed his hand. “I’m sorry. It’s okay.” She leaned close to him.
* * * *
“Sorry! You shouldn’t be sorry.” Val’s eyes were wild as he looked at her. “You’re absolutely right. I demand you apologize to my mate.” Val turned to look at her father. She could feel her father’s reciprocal rage. Since they entered this room, Zane lost some of his fear of Val.
“No, Val, please, don’t.” She touched his arm. “It’s okay. He’s my father.”
“Fine, if you wish.” Val relaxed under her touch.
“Yes, very well. I will return with Colletta in four hours for this to be done. You can find a priest in one of the Med-Vac camps for sure.” Her father turned to leave the room. “Daughter, I do not know you any longer. You have disappointed me so very much. When this is done, you will fully be his.” Zane waved his hand as to cast her aside. Zalora wept, and silent tears rolled down her face. “Regardless of the end result here, you have brought shame to my house. That is not acceptable.” Zalora cried more, weeping uncontrollably. She bowed her head to try to minimize what others saw. King Zambali rushed from the room, pulling Colletta behind. The heavily pregnant woman nearly lost her balance. Colletta looked back at Zalora, tears in her eyes. She mouthed “I love you,” then waved.
