Sarah sighed and took a seat on one of the uncomfortable chairs. She already knew there was no way she was choosing T’nasky, but perhaps she could help him. “Why don’t you tell me more about this female?”
By the time T’hadar reappeared at the door, Sarah had convinced T’nasky to apply for another assignment on Arkona Prime and to seek out his female. She only hoped that the female would be as receptive to him as he seemed to think.
“Your time is up.” T’hadar darted a glance between them.
“Very well.” T’nasky stood, then turned to Sarah and bowed.
“Thank you, S’rah. I wish you every happiness.”
“And I wish you the same.”
He gave a quick nod, then strode eagerly out of the room, leaving Sarah feeling rather like a mother bird watching her chick leave the nest.
“You are not accepting him?” T’hadar asked.
“Let’s just say we are not accepting each other.”
“That is good. I have considered—”
“Where is the female?” A harsh new voice interrupted.
Before T’hadar could respond, a warrior strode into the room. Even for a Yehrin, he was huge, his arms so bulky with muscle that she wondered how he could move them. “Ah, there you are. You may leave, Officer.”
“I—” T’hadar cast an almost pleading glance at her, then nodded. “Yes, sir.” He headed for the door, but turned back long enough to add, “We will be outside.”
The new warrior ignored him; his attention focused on Sarah as the door closed.
“I am Commander T’drell.” He ran his eyes slowly over her body and Sarah had to fight not to flinch. Unlike T’nasky, his gaze was definitely lustful, and she felt queasy.
“You are acceptable. Remove your clothing.”
She blinked, not entirely sure she heard him correctly. “Excuse me?”
“I said remove your clothing. There is no reason to delay now that I have accepted you.” His hands went to his collar and with a grunt, he released a catch and his shirt fluttered to the floor.
“Wait a minute!” She jumped out of her chair and scrambled away from him. “Didn’t they tell you that I was going to decide?”
“Why would you not choose me?” He frowned, horns lowering. “I am a commander in the Yehrin fleet. I have an impeccable lineage and great success in battle.”
Even though he had thankfully stopped undressing, she kept a cautious distance between them. “That’s nice, but if I’m going to spend a month with someone, I want to get to know them a little first.”
“What is there to know?” He shrugged and to her horror, he started to release the wide utility belt that all of the warriors wore. “You are a female and not displeasing to the eye. I am a male with a ready cock.”
The belt went flying and he ran a hand over his crotch, squeezing an obvious erection. She edged away, trying to get closer to the door. “Please, stop. I’m not ready for this.”
He huffed impatiently. “You don’t have to play foolish female games with me. Now remove your clothing. My cock grows demanding and so do I.”
He took another step towards her and she lunged for the door, desperately searching for the release. “T’hadar!”
T’drell grabbed her arm, just as the door finally opened and T’hadar and T’bukka came rushing into the room.
“Release her at once, Commander.” T’hadar growled.
“Who do you think you are, Officer?” T’drell scowled at the younger warrior. “You do not interrupt a breeding contract.”
“The breeding contract is not yet in place. Have you consented, S’rah?”
“No,” she cried, trying to wrench her arm out of T’drell’s grip.
“You are not permitted to force her,” T’bukka said, his hand going to one of the weapons on his belt.
“Force?” The jerk actually looked shocked, but he finally released her. “I would never force a female. This is mere female modesty. Although I did expect more from an older female. It’s not as if she’s never been bred before.”
“Only by my choice,” she snapped. “And you are not my choice.”
“If you think you can do better, I assure you that you are mistaken,” he growled. “I will have no hesitation in passing the word that you are an unfit breeder.” He paused meaningfully, but when she did not respond, he sneered at her. “I should have insisted on a younger female.”
Unwilling to give him the satisfaction of a response, she watched silently as he pulled on his shirt and belt and stalked out of the room, offended dignity in every line.
“What an asshole,” she muttered as soon as he left, then winced when she heard a growl from the corridor. She had forgotten that the Yehrin had exceptional hearing. To her relief, he didn’t reappear.
“Are you well, S’rah?” T’hadar asked anxiously.
“Yes, I’m fine.” Despite her words, her voice trembled. “He just wouldn’t listen to me.”
“It is no excuse, but I do not think he intended to force you.”
“I believe you. I saw how shocked he was when you asked him. But if you hadn’t been here…” She shuddered. “Would he have stopped?”
The two exchanged a worried glance.
“I hope so,” T’bukka said eventually.
“I’m not looking forward to meeting the third candidate,” she said grimly. Maybe she had been too quick to send T’nasky on his way. Maybe a younger warrior would be more likely to listen to her.
“About that…” T’hadar said, and she sighed.
“What now?”
“Commander T’drell is not without influence. If he spreads the word that you are unfit…”
“I thought the Yehrin were desperate for females,” she said before she considered her words. Both T’hadar and T’bukka drew back.
“Why did you think that?” T’bukka said harshly.
Oops. Her friend Rachel had passed the information to her in confidence, to explain why the breeding contracts were so important. The Yehrin had tampered with their DNA many generations ago and they now suffered from a low birthrate and an overwhelming tendency to produce male children. If they could not find compatible females, their race would eventually die out, but that fact was a closely guarded secret. She understood their desperation only too well.
“Because you’ve been here for a year without women,” she said quickly. To her relief, they seemed to accept the answer.
“But you still think that no one will want to enter into a contract with me?” she continued.
Another exchange of looks.
“No, there will be candidates,” T’hadar said.
“But they are more likely to be ones who have missed female… companionship rather than ones who are looking for a mate,” T’bukka added.
Reading between the lines, she suspected that meant they would only be interested in sex. Great. Any chance of finding the kind of relationship her friends had found seemed more and more unlikely. The pang in her heart made her recognize that a part of her had been hoping for the same outcome. Think about the baby. Her main reason for doing this was the hope of having a child and she would just have to focus on that.
“Fine,” she said. “How long will it take to find the next candidate?”
“I will inquire,” T’bukka said, and started tapping rapidly with his claws on the wrist device that all of the warriors wore.
T’hadar stepped a little closer. “S’rah, we were interrupted before. I have been considering. I know that I am only an officer and I have little to offer, but I would be most honored if you would consider entering a breeding contract with me.”
“Is that permitted?” she asked slowly, not quite sure how she felt about his offer.
“No,” T’bukka said.
“Yes,” T’hadar said, glaring at the other officer. “It is not usual, perhaps, but it is not forbidden.”
T’bukka frowned but didn’t contradict him.
Sarah studied T’hadar. He had been
nothing but kind and thoughtful so far, and she did feel a certain amount of attraction towards him. Not the type of heat that T’gana had once inspired, but maybe that was for the best. Her relationship with her husband had been built on friendship and trust and it had worked very well. Maybe she was never destined to find passion.
She looked up at the striking pale blue eyes watching her so anxiously. Yes, this could work.
“Thank you, T’hadar. I think perhaps I would like to enter into a breeding contract with—”
“With me,” a deep voice growled.
Chapter Three
T’gana watched in dismay as his female turned white and swayed on her feet. Was he so changed? So terrifying? The officer next to her started to reach for her, but T’gana growled and shoved him aside, drawing S’rah gently into his arms.
“T’gana?” she whispered. For a moment her strange, beautiful blue eyes sparkled with joy and he felt the connection flare between them, but then her eyes clouded over, and she tried to push him away. Her efforts were, of course, completely ineffectual but she was steady on her feet and he would not hold her if she was unwilling. He reluctantly let his hands drop.
“Who are you?” the young officer standing next to her demanded.
Before he could respond, the other officer spoke. “You are Sub Commander T’gana, are you not? I am Officer T’bukka. I was stationed under you on Gorganos.”
T’gana forced his attention away from S’rah long enough to acknowledge the other officer. “Yes, I remember you.”
“This is Officer T’hadar,” T’bukka said, before turning to the younger male.
“Sub Commander T’gana has been on Klendat Five.”
Even the name triggered a barrage of unwanted memories and he clenched his fists, trying to remain in control.
T’hadar’s eyes widened before he bowed his head respectfully. “I apologize, Sub Commander. I did not know.”
T’gana looked away, uncomfortable with the younger officer’s adulation, while he focused on the deep, calming breaths the medic had recommended.
“If the three of you have quite finished with your conversation, I would like to return to the waiting area.” A low furious voice interrupted, and he realized they had been speaking Yehrin. He immediately focused on S’rah. She looked pale and tired; her curves no longer as lush as he remembered.
“You have not been taking care of yourself, my—” He stopped abruptly. He no longer had the right to claim her as he had once hoped.
“Why should you care?” she hissed. “You left me.”
“I had no choice.”
“There’s always a choice.” Her eyes blazed with anger. “Now, I’m going back to the waiting room.”
T’bukka cleared his throat. “Sub Commander T’gana, S’rah is here to choose a candidate for the breeding contract.”
“I am aware. It is why I have returned.” Despite the advice of his medics, as soon as he could walk to a transport ship, he had headed back to her. And, still, he had almost been too late.
“Oh really? You think you’re just going to waltz in here after I haven’t heard from you in six months and expect me to choose you?”
“I do not wish to dance with you. I wish to enter a breeding contract with you.” His head was starting to spin, but he had to get the words out. “I…I know I can no longer expect more, but, S’rah, I want this time with you.”
A sharp noise sounded behind him. Every muscle went rigid. He tried to crouch and spin, but his wounded leg gave out, sending a bolt of agony from his ankle to his hip. The pain on top of the stress of his journey and the knowledge of how close he was to losing S’rah was too much. Black spots started to dance in front of his vision, and he made a grab for the wall, determined not to fall on her.
“Please, S’rah,” he managed to say, and then the world went black.
Sarah watched in horror as T’gana crumpled against the wall. Instinctively, she tried to reach for him, but T’bukka and T’hadar were there before her, catching his big body and holding it upright between them.
“Put him on the bed,” she said quickly. They exchanged a brief glance but followed her orders. “What’s wrong with him?”
They looked at each other again.
“Would you two stop doing that? Just tell me what’s wrong.”
“He was stationed on Klendat Five,” T’bukka said slowly.
“Okay. What does that mean?”
“It is the site of a great and glorious battle between the Yehrin and the—” T’hadar broke off when T’bukka kicked him.
“Battle?” she repeated, her lips numb. “He was in a battle?”
“Yes,” T'bukka said reluctantly. “I believe he was wounded.”
“Wounded?” She felt like an idiot, repeating his words, but her brain was still trying to process the idea that he had been hurt. He had always seemed so big and strong. She had thought she would never have to worry about him getting sick or injured. Looking at the big figure lying so still on the bed brought back memories of those horrible days after the accident when her husband had lingered, even though they had known there was no hope.
Forcing them aside, she bent over him. She had been too shocked by his presence to really look at him before, but now she saw how gaunt his face had become and the way his muscles were clearly delineated beneath his skin. He had tattoos down his arms that had not been there before either, but she was too busy running anxious hands down his body to pay much attention.
“His leg! His leg is wet. I think he’s bleeding. You have to call a doctor.”
“S’rah, wait.” T’bukka’s voice interrupted her frantic search for other wounds. He had stepped up next to the bed and he checked the leg as well. “It is not life-threatening.”
“I don’t care. If he’s bleeding, he needs medical attention. Call a doctor—a medic.”
“Are you sure you want me to do that?”
“Why not?” she asked impatiently.
“This room is designated for breeders. They will remove him to a medical facility.”
“That’s fine. He needs to be in a hospital.”
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw they were looking at each other again. Since she hadn’t found any more indications that T’gana was bleeding, she looked away from him long enough to glare at the two officers.
“Now what?”
“You would not be able to accompany him,” T’hadar said gently. “And if he is still recovering from his wounds, he is not eligible for a breeding contract.”
Oh. She still wasn’t sure she was ready to enter into a contract with him after he had left her without a word, but how could she leave him alone when he was so obviously injured?
“However, if you had already accepted him before his injuries flared up, the contract would still be in place,” T’bukka added. “We could serve as witnesses to the agreement.”
“We don’t have an agreement.” Despite the protest, her eyes went back to the still figure on the bed.
“We heard him ask you,” T’hadar said. “You have only to accept.”
“I thought you wanted me to enter a contract with you.”
“I do—I mean, I did.” Blue eyes sorrowful, he looked from her to the silent figure on the bed. “But it is obvious that there is more between the two of you than just a breeding contract.”
“That’s what I thought once,” she said bitterly, but it was hard to be angry when her heart ached at the knowledge that he was wounded.
“The contract is only for thirty days,” T’bukka reminded her. “Why not take that time and see if you can resolve your differences?”
“Why are you so concerned about it?”
“He is a great warrior and I was proud to serve with him. The conditions on Klendat Five are… difficult. Sub Commander T’gana behaved with great honor. He deserves a chance at happiness.”
Sarah’s mind whirled, a confused mixture of anger and pain, but the one thought that kept surfacing was tha
t he was wounded and needed her help. She couldn’t abandon him now. She took a deep breath.
“Very well. I accept the contract.”
T’bukka gave a relieved sigh. “Good. It is duly noted. Now I will call for a medic.”
“No,” a hoarse voice growled. “No medic.”
“T’gana, you’re awake.” Despite everything, relief filled Sarah. “And what do you mean, no medic? You’re injured.”
“It is not life threatening,” he said, and she bit back a growl of her own. Apparently, anything less than a fatal wound didn’t count for the Yehrin.
“You should still have a medic look at it.”
“I have had enough of medics for a lifetime,” he said, and to her horror, he lurched upright and attempted to swing his feet over the side of the bed.
“Dammit, you’re bleeding. Lie back down.”
“The wound should be closed again,” T’bukka agreed.
T’gana’s face had paled with the effort, and he gave a reluctant nod. “Fine. If S’rah insists, you may close it. S’rah, you will wait outside with…” He looked at T’hadar and she heard him growl before he looked back at her. “You will wait in the sanitary facility.”
“I will do no such thing.”
He shrugged. “Then we will return to my—” He stopped abruptly. “I forgot. I came here straight from the transport. I have not yet arranged for quarters.”
“Why not stay here?” T’bukka suggested. “The breeding cabins have been set aside for the next thirty days.”
Sarah actually stomped her foot. “How can you be talking about cabins when he’s bleeding?” T’gana opened his mouth, but she beat him to it. “And if you say it’s not life-threatening one more time, I will make sure that it is!”
A muffled snort came from T’hadar and for the first time, a smile crossed T’gana’s face. “Such a fierce female. I will allow T'bukka to tend to me, but please, S’rah, it is not a fit sight for a female.”
“Females are tougher than you think,” she muttered, but she turned to T’bukka. “Do you know how to help him?”
“I have combat medical training,” he assured her.
Alien Breeder Page 2
