by Ava Ryant
“I am going back to the med center.” She stated when they finished but...her body refused to move. The mere suggestion of leaving Ryhs, abhorrent. Her body rebelled against the very notion. Shit.
“You will not leave, Mate!” Ryhs roared at her, his voice demanding and fury rose ever brighter in her, despite Anabel’s calming touch.
“Don’t speak to me in that tone, Alien!” Alexa said, her voice hard.
“Let’s all just calm down.” Anabel beseeched them, her voice leery, eyes wide. She would be feeling everyone's chaotic emotions in the room. Her Empathy was strong and she was exerting energy to keep things from escalating but it was not enough to alleviate their ire all together. Alexa’s especially.
“I will not. You speak of ending our Mating. That is not going to happen.” He said in that same tone of voice and Alexa snapped. He was such an asshole. She couldn’t stand the thought of being Mates with such a jerk. Since she could not force herself to move any farther than the ten feet she was from him now and go to the Med Center alone, she would take him with her. Alexa gave him a rage-filled smile and lifted him up with a wave of her hand. He squawked abruptly at finding himself floating in the air and Alexa gave him an evil laugh, reminiscent of all evil villains she had ever seen in the movies. She was so losing her mind.
Alexa carried the raging, fighting Ryhs back through the dock and the colony. Justine, Anabel, the Ambassador and the Laren Healer following behind. Security staff were giving her wide-eyed looks of shock as she passed them by. She ignored them. Justine was issuing orders through her comm bracelet, about the incoming Laren and about prepping the Med Center. Alexa ignore it all. Her rage biting into her with such fierceness she was surprised she hadn’t exploded with it.
Gerome and the rest of the medical staff met them at the Med Center entrance. He was out of his bio suit and giving her a look of incredulity.
“Please, tell me you did not just...kidnap that Laren and bring him here?”
“I had no choice. I can’t be...separated from him right now and I want you to fix this…fix me.” She said tensely, almost begging. Alexa knew she must look like a wild, desperate, half-crazed woman right now because Gerome was staring at her with wide-eyed caution before finally nodding with obvious trepidation.
“Go to clean room 7. Please, don’t destroy this one.” He said as he began to converse with the others. She nodded and took Ryhs and herself to the clean room.
“I...I can’t believe you just...did that.” Ryhs said in a shocked voice, as she set him down opposite her. Then he started ranting at her in the beautiful lilting Laren language, his arms flaring around, his voice angry. She didn’t understand a word he said but he looked magnificent as his Metallics flared bright with rage and she fought back the urge to grab him and...what was wrong with her? Why was she thinking he looked...magnificent? She really was going insane!
“I can’t believe you initiated a Mating link...bond...thing with me!” Alexa yelled defensively, hands clenched tightly into a fist as anger spiked inside her. She was absolutely furious with him and this whole situation.
“I didn’t!” He bit out and she lifted up her wrists and showed him her silver and blue Metallics, proving him wrong. So there. He took a deep breath, it was obvious he was trying to calm himself. Good luck, she hadn’t been able to calm her temper, why should he. He looked at her wrists his eyes were now a stunning shade of swirling amber and ivory - they were freaking gorgeous - as he scowled at her.
“I didn’t know that would happen. I had no...idea that your kind would be….compatible. It’s frankly shocking, clearly your kind are inferior mongrels.” He gritted out, his voice insulting.
Alexa stared at him and wondered what would happen if she killed him. She took a deep breath before turning her back and facing the comm wall. It would probably be best if she ignored him. He would live longer.
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Ryhs glared at his Spark. How dare she bring him here, carrying him around like...like...a wayward youngling. He had never been treated thusly. She was an obstinate, ornery female. He prayed to the Fates that the humans could break the Mating. He did not want to be stuck with one such as her. It would be impossible. He ignored the panicked dread that spread in him at the thought, pushing it down. No, no he wanted this mating to end. Right?
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Alexa took several calming breaths, letting her thoughts clear and worry pierced her. Now that her mind had returned from the crazy hiatus it had been on, Alexa realized the chaos she had created in her wake. She needed to know what was going on with the Colony. She used her comm bracelet to contact Justine.
“Justine, go to a vis screen and contact me.” She instructed impatiently. The wall she was facing once white, now displayed a headshot of Justine.
“Report.” Alexa said anxiously and Justine shot to attention, standing alert.
“The colony is on lockdown. No one but the Council, the medical staff and security know about what...happened. I’ve issued a blackout on the intel. Everyone has been following protocol and there have been no incidents...besides yours.” She finished, her tone even. Alexa winced and nodded. At least the colony was following procedure. That was good.
“What about Ryker?” She asked. He was technically second-in-command but the last she saw him he was still beast and she had to drop him in a containment cell before going into quarantine, hours ago. Justine winced and a worried look came over her.
“He’s still beast. The Techno’s have had to strengthen the force field three times, he keeps bashing against it. I’m afraid he’s going to seriously hurt himself. Even Anabel can’t get through to him.” She said concerned and Alexa was too. Under normal circumstances Ryker would have shifted back to human after she had taken control of him but...the situation was complicated.
Ryker and she were close, as close as brother and sister. He had lost...so much during the invasion, as had she and Anabel. Anabel being an Empath had noticed how close to the edge he’d been and in her persistent and stubborn way she refused to leave him alone. She had pestered him again and again, never letting his grief and anger consume him. It had taken months of dogged persistence to break through. Four years later, Alexa knew he thought of them as family. His sisters. Shifters were seriously protective of the people they cared about. Seeing her collapse at the meeting, with the Laren seemingly responsible, would have set his beast off and into a insuppressible rage. She was not surprised that he hadn’t calmed down yet.
“Let me see.”
Justine opened a second vis screen on the wall where she saw Ryker’s terrifying beast form ramming the invisible force fields, making them ping with a shot of electric blue on contact again and again. It was hard to tell because his beast-form was matte black but it looked like he had blood on him.
“Send my vis to him. I want to speak with him.” Alexa said, praying this would work. Technically she hadn’t been cleared to leave medical and she was already facing serious consequences for her actions. Leaving again would only cause further trouble. She would if she had to but hoped this would work.
Her screen appeared inside Ryker’s cell. His large reptilian head turned and she stared at him. She kept her body perfectly still, even though his beast-form was sending chills down her back, though she was two floors and half a sector away. Alexa couldn’t afford to look weak. Ryker’s beast wouldn’t respond to weakness.
“Shift. Back. NOW.” Alexa commanded, pushing every ounce of authority she had into her voice.
They stared at each other in a silent battle of wills. His unblinking black serpentine eyes making her hindbrain scream in warning but she forced herself to maintain eye contact. His beast was unwilling to give in, unwilling to give up control to the human-side. They stared each other down in tense silence. She refused to back down. Ryker had never challenged her before, his beast regarded her as kin. His human-side respected her position in the hierarchy, at least in public. In private he
often treated her like a little sister, teasing and tormenting her like only a brother could. Ryker had told her that once the beast accepted someone as their own it would go feral trying to protect them. A feral Ryker in beast-form was a serious danger to the colony.
“Shift. Back. Do not make me come down there. You will not like the consequences.” She bit out forcefully, her voice low with threat. His beast stared for a moment more before shuddering and Alexa watched as Ryker’s bones snapped and morphed, his human form reappearing, naked, kneeling on the ground, panting in exertion.
“Dress and get to Medical.” She said and the vis closed. Thank god, that worked. Alexa looked to Justine, who looked just as relieved.
“You have Command. Contact Earth and inform them of what’s happened.” She said and Justine looked apprehensive. Justine was technically third-in-command but Ryker was on the edge right now, Justine would have to assume overall authority for the time being. They would need to work together to keep hold of the Colony.
“Justine. Ryker needs to keep the Shifters in check.” She said, giving her a fierce look so she understood how serious this was. Once things got out about what happened the Shifters would be in turmoil. Spontaneous shifts would happen and fights would break out unless Ryker controlled them. Ryker’s beast was terrifying, even to other Shifters, he could hold them in line. No one had ever challenged Ryker in the arena and she knew that he ruled the Shifters with an iron fist, ensuring that the rules were obeyed. He was the “beta” of the pack and not afraid to throw down if necessary. Justine nodded as a look of determination came over her.
“I won’t fail you, Chancellor.”
Alexa looked over to Ryhs who was staring at her, a surprised expression on his face. She rolled her eyes and turned away again.
Chapter 8
“You might as well go home.” Gerome said coming in hours later. She and Ryhs had been locked up in clean room 7 all that time; undergoing multiple body scans, having their blood and tissues taken many times as Gerome and the Laren healer, Simin, came and went. Gerome was working with the Laren Healer since this was a Laren...issue and the Laren were a very advanced race. It was hard for her to admit but they were considered one of the most advanced in the Coalition. Their technological achievements were far superior to the Praesidio’s.
Meanwhile, things between Alexa and Ryhs had not gotten any better. She ignored him the best she could and he scowled at her as he paced around. They spoke only when necessary and it always resulted in a fight. She was still seething over what he’d done and he was furious over being carried to the Med Center.
“We can’t make you comfortable here, you’re not contagious and It could take awhile to tell you something certain about a treatment. We are analyzing your tests now and I am going over all the Laren scientific data their Healer has released to me but it will take time.”
“How long?” She asked anxiously and Gerome grimaced.
“Days at least.” He admitted reluctantly and she had the feeling he really meant, weeks or...god...months. What was she going to do?
Alexa didn’t think she had that kind of time. Already there was a draw to Ryhs. Her body was flushed and she could admit - at least to herself - she felt aroused in his presence. She had a feeling it would only get worse. Not good.
“Surely there is something else you can try. Anything.” She asked desperately. Gerome frowned at her and shook his head adamantly.
“I will not try anything until after analyzing the results of your testing. A slight miscalculation could be...it would not be good.” He said firmly and Alexa nodded reluctantly.
The door pinged and she looked up to see Ryker stomping inside menacingly. He glared at Ryhs holding out a silver comm bracelet.
“This will allow him access to level 2 restricted areas. He is not to leave your presence when he goes into a restricted area. There is a radius of twenty feet from your comm bracelet, if he does leave that radius an alarm will sound and he will be detained.” He bit out angrily, throwing it at Ryhs before turning and stomping out again. She sighed looking at Gerome’s grimacing face.
“Justine had to force him to give over the bracelet when I told them to release you to your quarters.”
“I see.” Alexa said and he too left. Leaving her alone with Ryhs.
“I...you…” She took a deep breath before continuing “you can stay with me at my apartment for the time being.” They needed to try and make the best of the situation. They were stuck with each other for now.
“That is for you. It’ll allow you around the colony as long as we are together.” She said pointing to the comm bracelet he had caught from Ryker.
“I heard.” He said dryly taking the device and staring at it before snapping it on his wrist.
“It is an inferior design but it will serve it’s purpose I suppose.” He said and she glared at him. So much for being polite.
“Let’s go.” Alexa bit out and turned abruptly. They walked silently through the colony until they reached the housing district. She navigated them through the hallways, passing people
who stared at them as they walked by, until they finally reached her door. They entered the apartment and stood in the living room staring at each other awkwardly.
“So.” She said stiffly.
Alexa had no idea what to talk about with Ryhs. All of this was so uncomfortable and she was resentful and angry of the whole situation. She was striving to be civil but it was difficult. Everything they had diligently planned for the Laren delegation that day was cancelled and the colony was in turmoil. So far this visit wasn’t going as well as she hoped.
“Why don’t I show you your room.” Alexa said, giving him a forced smile.
“We are mates. We share a room.” He said arrogantly waving away her words and she bit her tongue as annoyance flashed through her.
“We will not be sharing a room.”
He glared at her. His eyes swirling inky black and bright copper. His Metallics flashed brightly for a moment displaying his agitation before fading. She smirked at him, crossing her arms over her chest.
“The mating call will only get worse the longer we refuse to join. It is obvious your inferior Healer cannot find a cure. There is no cure. We should complete the bond and adapt to our circumstances.” He said arrogantly, looking her up and down, his gaze penetrating and more than a little suggestive. A wave of heat flashed through her but Alexa steeled herself against it. She would not let the stupid mating call dictate her actions. She. Would. Not.
“Right this way.” Alexa gritted out, ignoring his words, and went down the hallway towards the guest suite. She opened the door to reveal the elegant bedroom. It was a large space with an attached en suite, decorated in ivory and pistachio green with a king size bed and small seating area that looked out onto the gardens. It was contemporary and refined, perfect for guests. Ryhs looked around and scoffed.
“This will do.” He said pompously. Alexa bit back an angry reply and nodded, turning quickly and practically ran out of the room.
She went to her bedroom, shut the door and sagged against it. After being cooped up for hours in a clean room with a tiny bathroom that she had to share with Ryhs and his haughty attitude she was dying for a nice, long, hot bath. Especially after the day she had. Alexa went into her luxurious, decadent bathroom en-suite - she really loved her bathroom - and started to fill her jet tub, dumping a bunch of Epsom salts into it. Stripping and stepping into the swirling water, sinking down, letting out a sigh. Her stress evaporated but her mind still pondered. Alexa reluctantly thought back to those...visions. She had not let herself dwell on them before but now, now, she couldn’t help but think of them. They had been so real. Like a very vivid memory, only, it was the future she was supposedly seeing. She didn’t know how that worked, hadn’t wanted to learn more about it, but it boggled the mind. Was the future set? Were these visions changeable?
The first vision of her and Ryhs dancing...that had been...unexpected. Ro
mantic. She could remember feeling happy and adored. Alexa had felt things for Ryhs. Things that seemed impossible right now. Then the second vision...my god. That one was unbelievable. It thrilled and scared her all at once. She had never thought about kids. Having babies. Having babies with Ryhs. What a thought that was. Not to mention she was apparently going to be pregnant for eighteen freaking months - not something she was looking forward to. But, the thought of having a baby was also...appealing. After losing both her parents, most of her extended family and her two best friends during the invasion, the thought of having a child was daunting. Terrifying, and yet a part of her yearned for it.
She had Anabel and Ryker but...sometimes she felt so disconnected. Like she had compartmentalized the life she had before and the one she had now. Alexa didn’t like to think about her past life - it hurt too much - instead she focused on the present with an eye to the future. If she could believe these...visions...well her future looked...sorta...kinda...nice. Maybe.
Well except for that last one. The Kraith. How she hated them. Just the thought of that last vision made her insides clench with hostility and violent rage. They had been attacking someplace, a street in a place she didn’t recognize. It had looked like another planet, not Earth and certainly not the colony. The sky had been a pretty lilac color filled with foamy opal clouds and there had been three moons above. The buildings had looked similar to ancient greco-roman architecture but more modern and all in a beautiful alabaster stone. It all looked very different and quite lovely. Had she been on another planet? Which one? How far in the future was that vision taking place? And had they managed to stop the Kraith? She didn’t know and that frustrated her. She didn’t know really anything about these visions. How accurate were they?
