Hunting Their Mate

by Stone, Piper

  “I think someone needs another spanking.”

  She lifted her head, frowning. Her eyes narrowed after studying mine. “What’s wrong?”

  “Who says anything is wrong?”

  “While you’re a man of few words, you wear your emotions on your sleeve.”

  “Hmm... I’ll have to work on that.”

  As she sat up, the sheet fell, exposing her rosy nipples and damn if my mouth didn’t water. She crossed her legs, taking my hand into hers. “Seriously. Did something happen?”

  “No. Just worried about the next few days.”

  “I know, but there’s more. Isn’t there?”

  “Nothing for you to worry about.”

  “Why did you start working with the Cenzans?” she asked in a casual manner. She rubbed the tip of her finger aimlessly back and forth across my arm.

  The tickling sensations were calming. “I was a man on a mission and along the way I got into a fight with a group of Cenzans. Believe it or not, it was at a bar very similar to the one from the other night.”

  She chuckled, her eyes flashing amusement. “I can believe that. Big, powerful, tattooed dude wearing sidearms would probably cause a stir anywhere.”

  I gave her a hard look then couldn’t help but smile. “I had too many drinks and a fight broke out. Unfortunately, I picked that fight with the wrong Cenzan soldier. But he wasn’t just any soldier. He was one of Shandar’s lieutenants. I found myself transported to the dungeons that still exist on the various warships. I knew I’d been left there to rot. Shandar had other ideas. A fight to the death.”

  “Gladiator style,” she mused.

  “Yes. The difference was, he allowed me to live. I swore my allegiance to him after helping on a mission, one in which I was forced to come face to face with my ultimate nemesis.”

  “Logan Hicks.”

  “It’s funny how karma had a way of righting wrongs, or at least forcing you to face your demons.” I took a deep breath, fighting to keep the nastiness of the past out of my mind.

  She looked away, taking several deep breaths. “Your wife was killed. Wasn’t she?”

  While she certainly hadn’t intended on stabbing me in the heart, the fact was she had. I found myself recoiling, ready to leave the room rather than facing the question.

  She grabbed my arm with surprising force, yanking me toward the bed. “Don’t you get it? I care about you. I actually give a damn. You’re the kind of man I could fall in love with.”

  Just as soon as she’d said the words, her eyes opened wide.

  Snickering, I closed my eyes. “That’s all right, sweetheart. No woman could ever fall in love with a brute like me. Besides, you’re simply required to follow my rules and those of your other two mates.”

  She punched me hard, knocking the breath out of me.

  “Listen here, buster. I’m not used to following anyone’s rules. You should know that by now. You act like I’m nothing more than property and that’s the kind of crap I refuse to tolerate. I’ll be your mate, your lover, and do as I’m told the majority of the time, but I’m no one’s property. And I certainly won’t bother trying to be your friend. Friends share fears and sorrows, worries and joys. You can’t do any of that, you cold. Heartless. Fuck.” She softened her hold, no doubt hoping I’d answer, giving her some form of rebuttal.

  Tensing, I took several deep breaths, glaring into her eyes.

  And doing my usual. Remaining quiet. There was nothing to say. I didn’t want her to love me and I certain as shit didn’t want to fall in love with her.

  Or anyone.

  Ever again.

  Kristina hissed, jerking away and onto her feet. “You bastard.” With a snap of her wrist, she managed to slap me hard across the face.

  The force was damn powerful, knocking my head back a few inches.

  She waited, moving from foot to foot and waiting for my reaction.

  Exhaling, I cupped my jaw, rubbing as I moved it back and forth.

  “You really are a bastard. Jesus Christ.” A disgusted look on her face, she started to turn around.

  “Not so fast, sweetheart.” I was off the bed in a flash, catching her wrist and yanking her down onto the bed. I fell on top of her, keeping the weight of my body pressed against hers.

  “Get off me, you fucker. Get the hell off! I knew I shouldn’t have bothered. I knew it. You’re such an asshole. You’re such a beast. What in the hell is wrong with me? Why did I bother? Why? I hate you. I. Hate. You.” Her words were said with such vehemence that she had to stop, taking several deep breaths even as she continued to struggle.

  “You’re finished?”

  Snarling, she wiggled, undulating her hips. There was no way she was getting out of my grasp. Not now.

  Not ever.

  “I asked you a question and you will finish. Are you finished?” I made certain the dominating tone in my voice reverberated all across her pensive face.

  “Yes.”

  “Yes?”

  Her expression moved from surprise to utter arrogance. “Oh, no.”

  “Then you’re not leaving this house. I’ll chain you to the bed.” I was only half joking. I needed her support more than I dared to admit, especially to myself. In truth, I needed everything from her.

  She held her breath, still glaring at me with such hatred in her eyes.

  “Let’s try this again. Are you finished?”

  “Yes. Sir.”

  “Better.”

  “You’re still an asshole.”

  I threw back my head, snarling to the very heavens above and for some insane reason, I spouted off a portion of the horror I’d experienced. “You don’t understand what I’ve been through. If you did, you might think differently.”

  “Then help me. Tell me. Share with me. I’m not your enemy. I told you about my family, the horrible loss. I don’t tell anyone about that. I couldn’t. I didn’t trust them enough. I just fell apart after they were killed, the rage buried so deep within and consuming every inch of me. I hate myself for it, for believing in lies and innuendos instead of following the truth. I knew better. My father taught me better. He alluded to the fact that we would never be safe, but even then, I wanted to believe it was because of the Creepers, not because of humans who wanted my father killed. If only he’d told me everything then maybe I could have saved them. Maybe I wouldn’t be riddled with guilt that’s killing me. Don’t you get it?”

  “What happened wasn’t your fault,” I said quietly, my blood pressure increasing.

  “That doesn’t make it any better. Guilt has a funny way of controlling everything within you, no matter the consequences.” Kristina shuddered. “My baby sister was just eight years old. Eight. She didn’t deserve to die.”

  “And you didn’t kill her. The true monsters did.”

  The tension was thick, both our hearts aching.

  “Please talk to me. Let me be the friend you need. Please.”

  The words shattered every last resolve. “I was in the Marines and I gave a damn, until I found out what they’d really been doing. At first, we were keeping the peace, making certain that everyone followed the rules, played nice with the aliens. I was taken away from my wife on a special assignment that I thought I could be proud of. Then I was getting the fuck out, but I never got the chance.”

  “What happened?”

  The anger drained from my body, sadness rushing into my mind. I let her go, easing to the edge of the bed. I couldn’t dare look into her eyes. “Then everything changed, including our orders. When I learned that we were supposed to kill anyone, human or Cenzan who opposed the alliance on sight, I was incensed and started asking questions. It got worse from there, the list of required murders increasing. Entire towns were wiped out by our military forces, groups of people who were totally innocent.”

  “Are you saying you were responsible for killing my family?” Her voice cracked.

  I turned to look at her, shaking my head. “No. As soon as I was asked
to be a part of mass murder, I said I had a medical emergency and left. I have no knowledge of your village or what happened. But I assure you, the military has been ordered to take out any faction that goes against the government. Making it look like Cenzan soldiers murdered these humans is just another brilliant maneuver.”

  “Fight against each other. Hate the aliens.”

  “Exactly.”

  “They hunted you down. Didn’t they?” she asked, crawling closer.

  I dropped my gaze, my heart racing. “Not at first. I was cagey when I left but I couldn’t get in contact with my wife. I was frantic to get to her.”

  “Oh, my God.”

  “She was fine. Everything was normal, but I moved us to a secure location far removed from anyone. We changed names and lived in peace for a full three months. I honestly thought they bought my excuse, even as lame as it was. I’d been the good soldier up to that point. I let my guard down and...”

  A wash of ugly visions flashed in front of my eyes. I couldn’t get enough air, my chest heaving as the images peppered into my mind, sucking away at my very soul.

  “Baby, where are you?” The house seemed so quiet, far too quiet. I knew she wasn’t supposed to go anywhere. “Allison?” A terrible feeling washed over me the moment an odd smell wafted into my nostrils. Dropping the few groceries I’d purchased, I raced through the house.

  The bedroom door was closed. It was never closed.

  My entire body shook as I approached, pulling the gun I still carried at all times into my hands. Then I opened the door.

  “Allison! No!”

  I hadn’t realized I’d actually relived the moment in words.

  “Oh, my God.” Kristina wrapped her arms around me, holding me as I took another series of deep breaths.

  “She’d been killed, the word ‘traitor’ written on the wall in her blood. That was the very moment I died inside, becoming the Killer you know me to be instead of Lieutenant Drake Michaelson. That man no longer exists and never will. I vowed to hunt down the people responsible.” I turned my head so she could see the blackness that I knew swirled in my eyes even as tears spilled from hers. “And I did just that. I am nothing but a Killer.”

  “I... Jesus. The Marines?”

  “Yes. The murder happened only minutes before I arrived home. I was able to track the bastard, almost killing him but he got away, leaving in a specialized combat vehicle.” One only used for very special operatives.

  “I’m so sorry, Killer. I don’t know what to say. Did you ever find the person responsible?”

  “Not yet. Trust me. I will.” The words were clipped, the bitterness remaining. “He had to be from my unit in order to figure out where I might have gone.”

  “Guilt. We’re two broken souls. I just wish I had more to say to comfort you,” she whispered, angst in her voice.

  I eased up from the bed, walking toward the door. “There is no way of fixing this or any kind of comfort that will work. You know that better than anyone. I will not leave this Earth until I’ve found the person responsible. The vengeance will be mine and mine alone.” I clenched my fist. “The bastard not only killed my wife, but my family, the little baby growing inside of her. My son.” Unable to handle anything else, I walked out of the room. When I left, I heard her sobbing, the sound breaking what was left of my heart.

  She was right after all. I was a cold. Heartless. Bastard.

  I wasn’t surprised she didn’t try to follow me. She did know me better perhaps than I knew myself. Time and space were the only thing that had been able to heal me.

  I found Zacon and Talyn with Khrelan in the kitchen, the look on the visiting Cenzan’s face grim. “Are there issues?”

  Khrelan glanced in my direction, giving me a nod. “Shandar checked with the various commanders at various colonies throughout the United States. There have been more attacks from marauders than usual, although small scale in number.”

  “Humans sent to get a reaction,” Zacon interjected.

  “Yes, in order to have every Cenzan on edge, ready and eager to pull the trigger if given a reason,” I added.

  Khrelan fiddled with the drink in his hand. I could tell how bothered he was by the fact he hadn’t taken a single taste. When he continued, he eased his glass onto the counter, a look of revulsion on his face. “From the intelligence the commanders secured, as well as Shandar talking to his political allies, there is more of a confirmed rumor that a war is about to begin. Very underground but people are afraid. In addition,” he said, taking a deep breath before continuing, “several other human villages were annihilated, all under the guise of a Cenzan attack and all housing previous political and scientific leaders.”

  “And let me guess, all with a distaste for Jonas and his regime.” I spit out the words with more hatred than normal.

  Talyn narrowed his eyes when he gazed at me. “Are you all right, brother?”

  “I’m perfectly fine. We need to finish our operation as commanded by King Drateq.” There was a formality in my voice, the only way I could settle my rage.

  Khrelan walked closer. “Shandar can initiate a course of action, but only if necessary.”

  I knew where this was going. “Hunting.”

  Chuckling, Khrelan nodded. “You are very wise, my friend.”

  “There will be no need to hunt down this Jonas person if he wins your American election. He will gloat just like the other humans I’ve seen,” Zacon hissed, glancing from one to the other.

  “Not necessarily.” I grabbed Khrelan’s drink, pounding down every drop. When I slammed the tumbler on the counter, all three Cenzans took a step back. “The beauty of continued modernism. He can be anywhere in the world and pretend to be in Washington DC. He can also determine that he’s going to make a new kingdom wherever he damn well pleases. I wouldn’t put anything past the man.”

  “This is true enough,” Talyn said under his breath. “Then hunting we will go.”

  “First, we hunt Damen.” I held up my finger. This one was very personal, maybe too much so. “He is responsible for the attack on at least one colony and my guess is he’s planning on doing more damage. Killing more innocent lives.”

  Khrelan shifted closer, his eyes spinning in color. He was worried about his real reason for coming. “You are a valued member of our people, Killer, and not because you saved Shandar’s life or have taken a mate, but because of your skill and respect for our people. King Drateq wants you by his side through this.”

  “What the hell are you trying to tell me, Khrelan?”

  “What I’m telling you is that you have one day to try and find Damen. While I understand your anger and frustration, your skills are best served in another manner. Damen is a beast, a monster in his own right, but he’s merely an insignificant portion of what we’re all facing, humans included. He will find our wrath one way or the other.”

  I wanted to lash out at Khrelan but he was simply the messenger. I’d lived a wretched lifetime of following one man’s rules. I wasn’t interested in doing it again; however, now wasn’t the time to betray the people who’d given me back my life and brought Kristina into my world, if only for a little while. “One day is all I need.”

  Khrelan seemed relieved, finally taking a deep breath. “You finished my drink. Are you going to offer another?”

  I genuinely liked Khrelan, the Cenzan who could have been my brother. I gave them all a fake smile just to keep the peace. “Of course, but you’ll have to excuse me, I have work to do in finding Damen. Time is obviously of the essence.” I hesitated then poured myself a drink. Hell, it was almost three o’clock in the morning, but time would need to be my friend.

  I wasn’t just itching to find this man, now I had a deadline. And I fucking hated deadlines.

  I moved into the office, glaring at the telescan, my nerves frazzled. I had no issue helping in the hunt of Jonas Bradford, but I would finish business that I should have handled long ago. If the man was working with the military, then
I had the distinct feeling I knew under whose command.

  I heard a noise and bristled, expecting Khrelan and perhaps chastisement. When Talyn walked into the room, a cautious look on his face, I had the distinct feeling I knew why. “You overheard.”

  He nodded, closing the door behind him. “Listening in on your conversation with Kristina wasn’t my intent, but nevertheless...” He allowed the words to linger. “I hope you’re not angry.”

  “I’m enraged about several aspects of my life, but not the fact you heard my story.” I took a gulp of my drink, realizing immediately that I didn’t need any concept of fog inside my head. I already had enough to last a lifetime.

  “What happened to you was more horrible than I could ever imagine. I lost my mother years ago, but my father is living in Colony 57 somewhere in Colorado. He very much enjoys the mountains.” He smiled and walked closer. “Kristina cares about you tremendously. You have to know that.”

  “And I care about her.”

  “Well, it didn’t seem that way when you stormed out of the room.”

  Bristling, I held my tongue, finally exhaling. “She doesn’t deserve my shit.”

  “We all have baggage, some worse than others.” He inched closer, running his fingers along the edge of the desk. “Imagine my surprise when the king selected me as a mate. The honor is significant for someone like me.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  He looked down, chuckling after a few seconds. When he lifted his head, he seemed resigned. “I’m sterile.”

  I thought about the ramifications of what he was saying. I’d learned several aspects regarding their cultures during the last few months, some I couldn’t agree with. For Cenzan men, being sterile precluded them from being allowed to join in the Act of Drakan at minimum. In earlier times, they were often put to death. “Interesting.”

  “What Shandar did for me, allowing me the chance at happiness is something I can only repay with my loyalty and my life. I’ve always wanted children. This is...” Talyn had a faraway look then smiled. “What I have as a situation means little to what you’ve had to endure.”

  “Facing whatever demons we have inside is difficult no matter the circumstances.” I wasn’t certain if I was trying to remind myself of that more than Talyn. “And what issue could Zacon have?”