by KD Jones
“That’s bullshit! MarIK risked his own life to save your men and StrykER. He warned you and gave you information to help. He doesn’t deserve this treatment.”
“We agree, but he still needs to face judgment for his crimes of betrayal,” Commander TylOR said.
“You know what, you speak of honor but you have none!” Sharon was furious. MarIK tried to reach for her hand to calm her but she stood up and began pacing back and forth. “The Katierans and Kiljorns sent me on this damn mission knowing that I would probably die. Where’s the honor in that?” All the males looked uncomfortable at the way she questioned their male egos, but Sharon wasn’t done. “I took the mission despite the risk and asked nothing from you. Well, I’m asking — no — demanding, that my mate be absolved of any charges. If you don’t, we’ll see how the rest of the women from Earth feel when they find out how my life meant nothing to you.”
“She is right,” a voice said from the viewing screen on the side wall. She turned in surprise and felt flustered to find the three prime leaders, RendEL, KadEN, and LarIS, appearing on split screens.
RendEL was the one speaking. “The Katieran council has already spoken and ruled that all the rebels, once interrogated, will be banned from returning to Katiera. They can choose to help relocate the Morinians or choose to live on a remote lunar post.”
Sharon looked at MarIK, worried about how the inability to return home would affect him. He showed no emotion — but that was his typical demeanor in front of others.
“I accept the judgment,” MarIK told them.
KadEN spoke next. “Because you risked yourself to save one of my people, and Sharon risked her life to help us on this mission, I offer you both a place here on Kiljor.”
Sharon narrowed her eyes at the leaders, frustrated that she couldn’t get them to absolve MarIK completely. “We’ll discuss it and let you know.”
The leaders didn’t seem bothered by her directness; if anything, they seemed amused. The communications ended and she turned around to glare at Commander BrAX. “MarIK and his team should not have to be kept in the holding cells any longer. They have earned the right to be treated with more respect.”
Commander BrAX raised an eyebrow but he nodded his agreement before stating it. “I will have them taken to quarters as soon as their interrogation is over.”
She looked at MarIK. “I’ll wait for you in our quarters.”
MarIK stood and kissed her briefly before she left. She didn’t hear what the males said as the door closed behind her.
“That is one formidable female,” Commander BrAX commented.
“She is, and she is all mine,” MarIK said with pride.
Epilogue
Sharon laughed at seeing MarIK trying to hold onto the squirming tiny puppy. The pup was from a litter of puppies of golden retrievers that Prima Lindsey had gotten from Prime Leader RendEL. RendEL’s mate was pregnant, emotional, and missing the dogs from Earth. RendEL ordered that his warriors bring some of the dogs from Earth with the next transport of females.
When the dogs started breeding, the prime family quickly began to give the puppies out to anyone they could. Prime Leader KadEN and Prima Lindsey ended up receiving two of the small gold-brown furry things, a boy and a girl. Sharon held the calm and endearing female puppy while MarIK struggled with the very lively boy puppy.
“What is wrong with this creature? He won’t sit still at all.”
She giggled along with KadEN and Lindsey’s little girl. “Big strong warrior brought to his knees by a tiny little pup.”
He glared at her but there wasn’t any real heat in the stare — just a promise that he would tease her back later. Shivers ran up and down her spine at the naughty images of what his payback might be. MarIK gently placed the puppy down on the ground as he stood up.
“Take a walk with me?” He lowered his hand and there was no way she would refuse. She placed her hand in his and glanced at Lindsey and KadEN, who had knowing looks on their faces.
“We’ll see you all later.”
Hand in hand, they walked down to the shore of the river that ran into the Kiljorn seaside, where Prime Leader KadEN had a vacation home. The sun was setting and it created gold and red hues in the horizon. “So beautiful.”
MarIK took her in his arms and looked down into her face. “You are so beautiful, my Sharon.”
She smiled, “You say that even when I look like crap.”
“You never look like...crap.”
She laid her head on his chest and breathed his scent in. “Lindsey said that we could have our mating ceremony here if we want.”
“Is that what you wish for?”
“Yes, I think this would be the perfect place.”
“Then it will be as you wish it.”
“No regrets?” she asked, worried that he would miss living on his home world of Katiera.
“None. I have you and that is all I will ever need. My life is full and happy.”
She bit her bottom lip. “You may have a little more than you expected.”
“What do you mean?”
She turned to face him. “I think I’m…I mean, I am…pregnant...breeding.”
“You are? It’s only been a few months since we returned to Kiljor.” He pulled away to look down at her.
She nodded her head. “I went to the medic wing before we came here to the beach house. They confirmed it. I have been trying to find the right time to tell you.”
He looked off into the distance and she was afraid this pregnancy was going to be too much too fast for their relationship. “Are you okay with this?”
The look in his eyes when he looked back at her filled her heart with so much joy. He cupped her face in his large hands. “I have never been happier, my love. Thank you for giving me this gift.”
Tears trailed down her cheeks as she smiled up at him. “I love you, MarIK.”
“By the stars, I love you, my Sharon. Mate of my heart.”
She couldn’t believe she had finally found the one for her after all the time she spent searching for him. Her future was bright and she would hold onto him with both hands and never let go.
*****
On the Colonial Planet
Jazzi Bardo and his sister got off the shuttle on the Colonial planet. He had volunteered to come and help with the protection of the Morinians. He wanted to see them for himself, to see if they were really different from the Morins who had attacked his people. He didn’t want his sister to come but he had agreed, hoping it would put distance between her and the Katieran warrior who had been showing too much interest in his young sibling. He was supposed to meet a representative who would take them up into the jungles where these Morinians were hiding.
“Where is this representative? He is late.”
“Brother, take it easy.”
“I can’t abide a warrior who is too late to do his job.”
“It’s a good thing I’m not a warrior then,” a female voice said from behind him.
Jazzi turned and felt like he had been punched in the gut. The small female who faced him had on the flowing pale robes of a priestess and bore the face of a goddess. “Who are you?”
“The very late representative, Priestess HonORa. Who are you?”
Hers — he was hers. She just didn’t know it yet.
About the Author
KD Jones has published over thirty books in five different series. She has been a huge fan of both romance novels and science fiction novels since she was sixteen years old. Her favorite television shows growing up were Star Trek and Doctor Who. When not writing, she can usually be found curled up on the couch with a good book, working on her hobby of photography, or spending time with her family. As a single working mom, she wants to show her son that anyone can follow their dreams no matter how old they are and where they are in life. Dreams can come true if you work hard and believe in yourself.
KD Jones Book Series, Book List
Katieran Prime Series
Katieran Prime (Book1)
Prime Commander (Book 2)
Prime Medic (Book 3)
Kiljorn Prime (Book 4)
Prime Deliverance (Book 5)
Prime Salvation (Book 6)
Colonial Prime (Book 7)
Katieran Prime Celebration (Book 7.5)
Kiljorn Commander (Book 8)
Katieran Prime Miracle (Book 9)
Colonial Commander (Book 10)
Infiltration (Book 11)
Reckoning (Book 12)
Galactic Cage Fighter Series
Rage (Book 1)
Talon (Book 2)
Taurus (Book 3)
Zara (Book 4)
Hammer (Book 5)
Zen (Book 6)
Torch (Book 7)
Maxim (Book 8)
Ronin (Book 9)
Nigel (Book 10)
Dom (Book 11)
Phoenix (Book 12)
Earth Evolution Series
Desolation (Book 1)
Resistance (Book 2)
Atonement (Book 3)
Awakening (Book 4)
Defiance (Book 5)
Strange Lake Falls Series
Strange Lake Falls Vampire (Book 1)
Strange Lake Falls Werewolf (Book 2)
Strange Lake Falls Vampire Mistress (Book 3)
Strange Lake Falls Panther (Book 4)
Strange Lake Falls Gypsy Wolf (Book 5)
Strange Lake Falls Forbidden Wolf (Book 6)
Inter-Galactic Bounty Hunter Series
Inter-Galactic Bounty Hunter (Book 1)
Tempting Bounty (Book 2)
Rising Bounty (Book 3)
Polar Bear Express Series
Her Big Bad Polar Bear (Book 1)
Bad News Polar Bear (Book 2)
Leaving Triad Series
Leaving Triad (LT Book 1)
Patrolling The Stars (LT Book 2)
Fighting The Stars (LT Book 3)
