Caging the Bengal Tiger

by Trinity Blacio

Dee's cry drew Talhrn forward, but he couldn't see her. "I want to hold my woman," he screamed.

  His scream made Lacey black out again, only to awaken with Isaac, Anthony and Dan standing over her staring at her. Isaac had tears running down his cheeks, as did Anthony and Dan. "My meru. I never thought I would see your beautiful eyes again," Isaac leaned down and kissed her lips softly. "How are you feeling? Do you hurt anywhere?" he turned and yelled. "Lark, she's awake!"

  "Calm down. I need to know what happened. Is Dee okay? Sally, Maya?" She tried to get up, but was pushed back down.

  "You will not move from that bed till I am sure you 100%,” Isaac actually snarled, but what had her shocked was her surroundings. "Where are we? We're not at the hospital, are we?"

  "No, the ones that created us brought us all here. They wanted to make sure no other females would be affected. We've been here about a week. We've had to feed you by your vein, Lacey. After Talhrn had found you four days ago, all of us have waited for you to wake up. King Hunter guaranteed us that you would wake unharmed, but we will make sure first. You are the first to wake," Isaac stated and turned again, ready to yell when Lark came into the room.

  "There is no need to yell. I heard you." He smiled at her ran some kind of machine over her body after pushing his brother out of the way. "You'll need to make sure she feeds, her eggs are fine." He stepped back, but Lacey grabbed onto his arm growling.

  "What did you say? Eggs? I didn't agree on having more than one child," she snarled at Isaac. "What the hell did you do?"

  His brother laughed and patted her hand. "Easy Lacey, Isaac had nothing to do with how many eggs you are carrying. I'm afraid that it happens every so often. You will be fine. I'm sure the four of you will be able to handle three little ones."

  "Oh my god! That's it. You three are buying a truck load of condoms from now on." She laid back down staring up at the ceiling. "This cannot be happening. Maybe it was that King. We need to go hunt him down and demand to know why?"

  "I think she might need to stay in bed a little while longer," Isaac said, looking at Lars. "Honey, the King didn't put the eggs in you, you're as fertile as they come. From what the King told Talhrn, we will be organizing all of your kind. We will bring them back Lacey, your people. It is our job to find them and give them hope." Isaac sat down beside her, taking her hand in his.

  "Are you really upset with having our children?" he asked, brushing her hair back away from her face.

  She sighed, bringing his hand up to her mouth and kissing it. "You know I'm not, but it does scare the crap out of Isaac. I know nothing of raising children. Hell, I was still a child when I was on my own. What do I know on raising them."

  "For that reason you will be the best mother," Lark said from the end of the bed looking up from his machine at her. "Even mothers that have had a loving background can have trouble Lacey, but you won't be alone. You have three men here that went crazy worrying about you and I know for a fact, Sally believed you could handle her children, otherwise she wouldn't have left them with you like she did."

  "Is that why you left your family?" Lacey asked, knowing he was speaking from experience.

  "No, he left because I sent him away," their father said coming into the room. "Don't you think it's time for us to discuss what happened so long ago?" he asked Lark, who glared at his father.

  "What is there to discuss? You believed what was said by the other man over your son. You didn't care that I had proof of his son destroying the port just that I was there. If you will excuse me, Lacey, I'll go check on your friends and let them know you are doing fine." Lark turned to leave, but Isaac placed his hand on his shoulder, stopping him.

  "It's time to let go of the past, little brother, and come back to the family. We need you, as you can see. Koti might be gone, but all of those who fought next to him are out there. Causing what kind of trouble, we don't know," Isaac stood and waited.

  "I will stay with you on Earth, but I will never go back to our planet. You know once branded a trouble maker, I'll always have to be looking over my shoulder and I won't have that with my meru with me now." With that he left the room, leaving his father standing there.

  "Maybe it's for the best he doesn't come back. His abilities would do Earth good," Isaac's father turned his gaze to her and she glared at him.

  "You even try to enter my head and I'll rip you apart, old man. I don't care who you are, I've had enough of people messing with me lately," Lacey growled, and knew the tiger was close to the surface as the fur rippled under the skin.

  "Don't, Lacey. You need to preserve your strength. Father, please leaves for now. When we get back to Earth, we'll set up a night for the family to come for dinner. I know Anthony was planning on cooking up a storm for it."

  His father nodded, but still looked at her. "I learned my lesson last time, daughter. I will not intrude on your thoughts. I know my son can handle you," he said leaving before Lacey could rip into him.

  "Handle me! Your father just said you could handle me! Why that old fart. I'll show him who handles who at dinner. Anthony, I think you're going to have to let me cook that night," she snarled and they all laughed.

  "NO!" they shouted together.

  ***

  His scream of outrage filled the stadium as Isaac was chained to the post next to Anthony. The Tetraheroes had demanded that Lacey be made an example of, that it was a privilege to have a warriors egg inside her and jokes about it would not be tolerated by anyone. On the throne, Talhrn paced back and forth as Dee and Maya both were restrained as they watched Lacey being brought in and chained up in the middle of the arena.

  "If you do this, we'll never be back here again," Isaac screamed. "She gave her life to protect your women, yet you treat her as she if she were nothing to you."

  That's when he saw Dan as four warriors carried a bloody mess into the room and chained him next to the two of them. Isaac knew he was unconscious, Of the three of them, Dan wouldn't hesitate to step in front of those who would take his mate.

  On the post, Lacey's eyes met his. "I love you," she mouthed, before bowing her head and closing her eyes.

  "The order has been given from the Tetraheroes. Our women cannot be allowed to run over us. They must be taught that each life is precious, especially theirs. Without them we are nothing, but empty machines. Our three hearts are theirs to command, but not to be abused by careless words. Isaac Featherstone, your woman carelessly sprouted about eating your young once they were born." Gasps and hisses filled the arena. "Take this lesson well, Princess Lacey. This cannot happen ever, ten strokes have been ordered," Talhrn pronounced and the audience roared with their approval, what used to be his family approved.

  All eyes turned to the man that would be delivering the strokes of the whip, his father. "With smooth steady strides, his father didn't even look at him. He bowed to Talhrn before turning to let the whip crack near Lacey's head. She flinched once, but refused to open her eyes, but Dan did.

  He turned his head and looked at him. "I'll never come here again, and either will Lacey. Your family is not welcome in our home," he spit angry all he could do was nod.

  "They won't be. After this, there will be only us," he said and looked at the general Akaos who stood near Maya, but didn't touch her, while she screamed and pleaded with him, but his brother didn't budge. His gaze turned to his, and all he could see was cold ice. Yes, he had lost his family.

  The strike of the whip rang out and Lacey gasped, but did not yell out. Isaac knew the Tetraheroes were also holding back the cat inside her. She wasn't allowed to shift and Ina had been sent home as soon as they had been transported here two days ago. He still couldn't believe his people could be so cold, but ever since the disappearance of Dee, their queen, things had changed and it seemed the easiest person to take it out on was Lacey.

  Lark and Sally waited at their home on Earth for them. The other women were furious and hurt when they found out what was going to happen. Talhrn had waited till he knew Lacey
was healed before informing Lark what was going to take place. That after her punishment they would be sent back to Earth where they were to find as many of Lacey's kind as they could, but right now he didn't know what was going to happen when they got back to the compound.

  "Ten. It is done," his father said throwing the whip to the ground and walking away. Warriors stepped up to unstrap Lacey, but he had enough and broke his bonds daring anyone to say a word. "Get away from her," he ordered, unhooking Anthony. "Take Dan back to the compound. Lark is waiting for us. I'll be there in a minute with Lacey." Isaac moved up the steps, staring at the marks on her back.

  "Wish they were yours master," she whispered.

  "No, Lacey, I'll never take a whip to you. We'll find another way to help you, baby, but let’s get you home." He yanked the straps holding her wrist.

  "It's not my home anymore, Isaac. We need to find our own place," she hissed, wrapping her arms around his neck.

  "I know we'll find someplace, I promise." Isaac turned to leave, but Talhrn was there in front of them.

  "I couldn't stop it, Isaac. It had to happen." He looked at Lacey. "I'm sorry, Princess Lacey, but words are serious to our kind. We don't tease or threaten, we just do. I hope you will come back to visit your friends when you are healed, because Dee will not be leaving this world again."

  Lacey lifted her head and glared at him. "I will not be back." She didn't say anymore, didn't even look up to where Dee and Maybe cried for her. "Take me back to Earth Isaac, where I belong."

  Not waiting another minute, Isaac transported them to her room, where Dan was already on the bed being taken care of by Isaac’s brother. As soon as they appeared, Lark looked up. "Put her next to Dan."

  Nodding, Isaac laid her down and looked around the room while Lark worked on Lacey. "We need to find other quarters. This will not do. Dan, you know the area. When you are up to it, we'll discuss what I want, but first we'll speak with the other women and see what they want to do." He turned when their door banged open and the women filled into Lacey's quarters with Betsy and Sally taking the lead.

  "We were already talking, wherever you want to settle is fine with us. We know we are to be mated to the warriors, but none of us will go back to that world. This is our world and we'll stay here. It's meant to be," Abby said. lifting her chin. "I'm just sorry Dee and Maya must suffer the most from this split."

  "I wish I would have been there," Betsy said with venom in her eyes. "Keep your father away from me, because I will not promise not to attack him," she said, but Isaac knew every one of these women now resented their king and Akaos.

  "I have done all I can. She'll heal in the next day, same with Dan," Lark said coming up to him. "I'm just sorry you had to see our father like this. I'd hoped he had changed, but it looks like he hasn't." His brother put away his equipment and medicine.

  "Does Mother know he's like this? I just can't see her putting up with it and Akaos...I just can't understand it," Isaac said, going to Lacey's side, staring down at her. "But it doesn't matter, does it? We're making our own lives, and it seems yours and mine will be down here. So be it. Have you found your second weru?" He looked at his brother, who shook his head. "I know he's close, but no. I've explained to Sally what it means and Cavan has gone to retrieve our things. It will take time, but we'll make this world a better place, but you know they’ll be back butting into our lives."

  "Yes, but this time there will be no control. Here we are in charge and I am going to make sure Talhrn knows this. He might rule our old world, but not here. Lacey will be the queen she is meant to be to her people and we will be her kings. No one will touch her again." His voice rose and the floor shook when he felt Lacey's hand on his leg.

  "Easy there, my Orak. I'm here and not going anywhere. Abby, why don't we all talk tomorrow, but I do think it’s best we leave here and begin anew. Remember the last place we found Koti at?"

  Abby nodded and smiled. "You were pissed and about to go off by yourself, if I'm not mistaken, but asshole found you." Abby sat down on the floor next to them as did the other women.

  Leaning down, he kissed her cheek. "I'm going to step over..." his words stopped when Lacey shook her head.

  "No, I want you to hear this. This place I'm talking about, there are about 40 homes all abandoned and surrounded by woods. I believe it was called Harper Woods and it would be perfect for us, Isaac. There is even a small school on the property, along with a training gym..." she said and he laughed.

  "I'll have Anthony and Dan start looking at it tomorrow, but rest now and visit with your sisters." He looked over to see Dan trying to get up. "What do you think you're doing?" Isaac came around to the other side of the bed going to put him back into bed when he stopped.

  "I need a shower and some alone time," he muttered and pushed away from him, limping.

  Hearing the bed creak, he spun around to see Lacey sitting up in bed. "He feels guilty for not stopping them from taking me. I tried to tell him there was nothing that he could have done, but he didn't believe that. Dan feels he not only failed me, but you. Help me up, I'll go to him." She held up her hand and he shook his head.

  "No, you lie back down and relax. I'll deal with Dan. I mean it, Lacey rest. It's been a long week. All of you need to relax. Watch some TV. I'm sure Anthony could whip up some food for the women?" He looked at Anthony and he nodded.

  "No problem," he walked up to the door with Anthony. "Do you want some help with Dan?" he asked before leaving.

  "No, this time I think Dan needs to realize that even though we are built to protect, we can't stop everything, even though I wish we could." Isaac turned, heading towards the bathroom.

  "Are you really going to be able to cut your family out of our lives?" Anthony asked.

  "I have no choice Anthony. My father and Akaos have stepped over that line, including our king." Isaac pushed into the bathroom, closing the door behind him, leaning on the door.

  In the shower, Dan had his hands on the wall, his head hanging low. "Isaac, I need to be alone." He turned his head to stare at him.

  "No you need me as I need you." He stripped out of his clothes and stepped in behind him. "You didn't fail us, Dan. If anything, you did more than we did. We didn't even get in one good punch. Do you think your family would mind adopting a few of us," he tried to tease, but failed. Shaking his head. "I've never been more disappointed of my family in my life. I've always looked up to Akaos even though I am older. He was the general taking my father's place, someone who would always be there for you, but now I don't know what to expect."

  Yanking him into his arms, Dan held him tight, the hot water rolling off of them. Sex was not even thought of, just comfort. "My mother and father would welcome all of us, you know this. Maybe this is for the better." Dan lifted his head and smiled at him.

  "What are you laughing about?" Isaac asked.

  "Think about it, Talhrn has given my family the approval. They approved us being here, when Talhrn had already declared all females should not be allowed off their world." He shrugged. "He's gone back on his word. Maybe he needed to make an excuse to allow us back here. Don't get me wrong, Talhrn is an ass and there is no reason for him doing what they did as far as I'm concern."

  Dan's words hit him like a ton of bricks. Talhrn had planned this. He'd known Lacey would start trouble on their world with her mouth and aggression.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Lifting her head, Lacey stared down at Isaac. When he had stepped into the shower with Dan she thought for sure they would comfort each other, but when Isaac had punched a hole through the ceramic wall, she knew his anger had hit an all-time high. Her sisters left quickly and quietly, but not before Abby had helped her out of the bed.

  It had taken her, climbing up his body and hugging him tightly to finally calm him down. He hadn't said a word, but just stared into her eyes as he carried her to bed. Drying off, the four of them ate, she fed, and they all fell asleep touching and holding each other.

&n
bsp; Oh, Lacey knew Isaac had finally figured out what had happened. Their King Talhrn didn't want her on their world. She was outspoken and had a way of causing trouble. Yep, this had been Talhrn's way of making sure she wouldn't come back, but what hurt the most was that Dee and Maya had gone along with it.

  Sure when it came down to the actual punishment, both women had a fit, but they couldn't go back. They had known for days that Talhrn didn't want her there. When she had asked Dee about those women, she'd seen Talhrn stiffen and Dee glaring at him, but not saying anything.

  "We'll be better off here, Lady Cat," Isaac said running his hand over her healed skin. "I'm just sorry you had to suffer, but we're all starting anew. Now come, let's go have the coffee you promised me," they climbed off the bed and left Dan and Anthony sleeping.

  The sound of the coffee pot starting had her smiling. Yes, Anthony had even set the coffee for them. Lifting her up, Isaac sat her on the counter and stepped in between her legs.

  "I'm sorry your friends hurt you." Isaac brushed her hair back and she smiled.

  "They needed to move on, as do I. I think Maya knew this day would come, but it still hurts, and she'll always be my friend as will Dee, but we have our own paths to go and you know they'll be around, just not all the time. Now hush and make love to Isaac. I need you inside me, holding me. Never let me go, Isaac because if I lost you three...I wouldn't survive." She placed her hands on his face and covered his mouth as he pulled her forward and slid his cock into her.

  The counter was perfect for their height, but once he was inside her, he pulled her off it and pushed her up against the wall. His thrusts were hard and powerful. Isaac broke their kiss. "Never again will you leave us like that," he declared, never missing a beat. "Lift one of your breasts for me, Lacey. While I suck on it, you play with the other. I want that nipple hard," Isaac ordered and at once she obeyed.

  "That's my cat," he said, before he sucked her nipple into his mouth.