“When is she leaving?”
“Not for another month or two. The main focus is on transporting all the women back here to Arenia. Once that’s accomplished, Riley will go back with a team to harvest plant life. Riley found a couple of zoologists and an exotic game veterinarian who will see what’s viable as far as breeding with the animals here on Arenia. They all will accompany Riley back to Earth with their own teams as well.”
She was truly happy for Riley. “That’s so cool. For her, it’s like the Olympics . . . She’s been training for this her whole life,” she said with a chuckle.
Jessie smiled at the small joke. “Sloane, I think I have good news for you.”
Cocking her head to the side, she asked, “Why is that?”
“We have our first triad union who would like to adopt a boy.”
Shocked, she didn’t know what to say. She was happy because she knew this was what these boys needed, but on the other hand, she’d become close to each and every one of them. It was too soon. “Who are they? Are they nice people? We can’t separate brothers. They can’t . . .”
Jessie held her hands out to slow her progress, trying to calm her rapid-fire concerns. “You need to relax. When you were in stasis, you missed a lot of the trip and first weeks here on Arenia. I’ve sparred with her, and she was the first Earth woman in the choosing. Her name is Dawn, and she’s already pregnant with her mate’s child. She knows what it’s like to be cast out and she wants to make a difference in someone’s life just like someone did for her.”
Sloane couldn’t help but swipe at the tear rolling down her cheek. “What about her husbands? What do they think about it? Jessie, these children may look strong, but they’re so fragile underneath. They just couldn’t make it through another heartbreak.”
“I know, Sloane. She wouldn’t have suggested it if her bonded weren’t on board with it.” Sighing, Jessie continued, “I know you’re looking out for these boys, but adoption was the end goal here, right?”
She looked down at her hands in her lap, not able to make eye contact with either Marie or Jessie, when she finally admitted, “I love them all. Every single one of those boys. The older boys are comfortable enough to converse with me and engage in interesting debates and conversations. The younger boys just need a mother figure in their lives to give them love and attention. I try to provide that to each of them.” Letting out a sob, she continued, “Jessie, I-I-I don’t know if I can let them go. In this short amount of time, somehow, they became my children.”
Jessie rose from her chair, then got down on her knees in front of her. Jessie encased Sloane’s hands in hers and brought them up to her lips. She kissed both of her hands. “Sloane?” Looking up into Sloane’s eyes, Jessie said, “You’re one of the strongest women I know. You’ve had to deal with a horrible childhood and your failing health all on your own. You’ve done a fine job carrying the burden all on your own and are still the sweetest, biggest-hearted female someone could have the pleasure of knowing. You’ve brought joy into these children’s lives in such a short time. You let them know they’re not trash to be thrown away, but strong Arenian males who got a crappy hand dealt to them. Let them move on to another loving Earth female who can also give them the continued love they deserve, outside of these walls.”
“You’re right. I know you’re right. Logically, I know Moloky is trying to persuade the queen and kings to let him be a chef at the palace and bring his brothers with him. My heart, on the other hand, tells me they’re mine, you know?”
Marie finally interjected. “I know it’s not the same thing, so please don’t take it that way, but my aunt is what you would call a crazy cat lady. She started out taking in a couple of strays here and there. You know . . . just to help? Somewhere along the way, the cats became her entire world. She struggled to pay her electricity bill because she had to feed all the cats she kept.” Marie shrugged her shoulders. “Long story short, one day, the authorities called my mother because my Aunt Bee had a nervous breakdown and needed to be put under a twenty-four-hour psychological observation. Apparently it was because animal control confiscated over a hundred cats from her nine-hundred square foot home. She just loved those cats. She could never accept that someone could love them just as much or even more than she did. What she didn’t realize is that the cats were suffering. They never got the love and attention they deserved because she was stretched too thin.” Marie gave them a half-hearted smile. “I guess what I’m trying to say is, just because someone else’s love is different from yours, doesn’t make it wrong, it just makes it different.”
Chapter 15
When the tears finally subsided, they all emerged from the room to be met with Looch, Leigh, Gade, Aryn, Lian, and Lyon standing in a semi-circle encasing the doorway, worry etching all their faces. Looch spoke for the group of men. “Are you all well? Your emotions are strong in the air. You’re all sad. What’s wrong?”
Since Jessie was the first one in line at the door, she walked up to her husbands and kissed each one of them on the lips. “We’re fine. We just needed to have a heart-to-heart talk. It’s a woman thing you guys wouldn’t understand.”
As Jessie started to lead her husbands down the hall, Sloane asked Lian and Lyon, “How did it go? Is Moloky done letting everyone taste his food?”
Lian looked at Lyon first, then to her. With a small frown on his face, he said, “Moloky would like to see you.”
Lian’s facial features prompted panic of her own and she briskly walked past the two men and down the hall to the kitchen, leaving Jessie, Marie, Looch, and Leigh behind.
She bust through the kitchen door to find Cloray’s hand on Moloky’s shoulder, speaking in low, soothing tones. When Moloky heard the door open, his once-bowed head popped up to meet her gaze. She couldn’t help but run forward and enfold him in a hug. “It’s all right, sweetheart. No matter what it is, we’ll figure it out together. I’m here for you, okay?”
Moloky returned her embrace and whispered, “I did it.”
She pulled back to look into his eyes. “You did what, Moloky?”
A huge smile worked its way across his face, “I’m officially a palace chef.”
She looked around the room to the other men for confirmation and they all nodded. They all had a too-quick smile, which alerted her that there was more to the story. “Then why is everyone so somber?” she asked.
She could see the sorrow etched across his face as he tried to give her a lopsided grin. “Because my brothers and I are leaving with the queen in an hour. She felt it was better I get started in my training as soon as possible.”
Sloane’s concern immediately dissipated to be replaced with heartbreak, but she plastered a smile on her face. “You sweet boy. You’re worried about me.” Taking in a shaky breath, she continued, “I’m not going to lie. I’ll miss you, Zee, and Dea, but your accomplishments are more important than my own selfishness.”
She kissed him on the forehead, then moved to Zee and Dea, repeating the kisses. “I’m so proud of not just Moloky, but also you two. It takes a lot of courage to take a different path than the one laid out for you.”
As quietly as possible, Lyon announced, “It’s time, Sloane. They need to pack their belongings and be ready to leave on the transport.”
With her heart heavy, she nodded. “Go . . . you can’t keep the queen and kings waiting.”
The boys again hugged her, then left the kitchen to pack their things. Once she knew they’d indeed left the room, her head fell to her chest. She could feel the men’s stares bore into her back. She figured Cloray couldn’t handle her sorrow, because he quickly excused himself, leaving her with Lian and Lyon.
“Tell us what to do to make this better,” Lyon whispered.
She turned to face the two men. Their eyes reflected her own anguish and the bittersweet situation. Taking a leap of faith, she whimpered, “Hold me.” She advanced into their waiting arms.
With Lian to her front and Lyon behind h
er, Lian mumbled by her left temple, “Just as you’re here for the children, Lyon and I are here for you. You did a brave and selfless act here today. Moloky and his brothers will never forget what you’ve done for them. For the first time, their wellbeing came before a female’s. You truly are their mother in all ways that matter.”
She sobbed. “It just hurts, you know?”
Lyon kissed the right side of her head. “Of course, it hurts. These children are an extension of you, from the moment you came into their lives.”
She smiled and turned her head to give first Lyon, then Lian, a chaste kiss on the lips. “Thank you, and I don’t mean for this . . . but for everything you two have done for me. Leaving the palace, saving my life—twice—and going against your mother. Cloray explained that’s unheard of. It’s a story for another time, but I didn’t get along with my parents and it’s second nature to disappoint them. I hope I didn’t permanently damage your relationship with them?”
Lian beamed a smile at her and chuckled. “Of course not. We are her only offspring. She’ll forgive us.”
Feeling a little bit better, she jumped off into the deep end and asked the question that was on her mind. “Do you want children?”
She could feel Lian and Lyon pick their heads up to look at one another over the top of her head, then back down to her. “Of course, we want children. Who wouldn’t want to share your warm heart with a child? You’re a natural mother.”
Her heart sank for the second time today. “I see.”
Lian turned her head toward him so he could look her straight in the eyes. “Your eyes are open, but you’re blind. Does it look like there’s a shortage of children on this planet? These boys, as you would call them, are close to our hearts just as much as they are to yours. Our legacy is not dependent on children coming from our loins, but by the lives we can enrich.”
Her heart soared to the heavens above. Smiling, she kissed them again and whispered, “I love you.”
It apparently was their turn to be surprised, because they asked in unison, “Really?”
Chapter 16
Gade, Aryn, and Marie’s goodbyes were quick, but Looch and Leigh let the children know they’d be following up on their training progress. Jessie informed the boys they’d have one visitor for sure this week, but there may be more visitors in the future. She explained that Earth women, along with their bonded mates, might be coming to spend time with them and get to know them. Although the children looked perplexed as to why, they all nodded in agreement and excitement.
The queen and kings were next to say their goodbyes. They stood at the end of the transport’s platform, Zee in front of King Raiden, with his hands on Zee’s shoulders, and King Taavi stood with Dea in the same pose on the opposite side of Queen Maya. Queen Maya stood with Moloky to the side of her. She was grasping his shoulder as she spoke. “As you probably know, Moloky will be in training at the palace as a chef. He will create delectable food for us and others. He learned his basic skills here at this facility and we thank Cloray for his unwavering support to you all.”
The boys started to clap and cheer for Cloray. Sloane could tell he was thankful but embarrassed by the praise. When the cheers died down, King Taavi spoke up. “Dea and Zee will be coming to the palace as well. Dea has made his interest in gardening known to me. He will be an apprentice with the royal gardeners.”
With a smile, King Raiden continued, “Zee has shown his interest in becoming a warrior and will start his training with our son, Prince Looch, then join the ranks when he becomes age of majority.
The children clapped and cheered again, in celebration of Moloky, Zee, and Dea’s fortune. Moloky turned his attention to her. “My brothers and I will never forget what you’ve done for us. You truly are our mother.” Zee and Dea nodded in agreement. “The Goddess picked you to look after us. You never once refused the call. You embraced the task and took care of us with your whole heart. I love you, Mother.”
Sloane walked up to Moloky and gathered him in a hug. Zee and Dea came into the fold and both whispered, “I love you. We’ll miss you.”
“I love you, too. I’ll miss you as well, but I hope you’ll come and visit me when you can.”
Dea looked up at her and smiled. “Of course, Mother.”
She ruffled their hair and sent them on their way with the queen and kings. The queen turned around to wink at her, letting her know things would be fine as she nodded back in acceptance.
As the transport took off, Sloane turned around to find all the boys staring at her. She swiped feverishly as tears coursed down her cheeks. “It’s okay. These are happy tears. I’m happy for Moloky, Zee, and Dea, but will miss them terribly.”
The younger boys walked up to her and hugged her legs and waist, murmuring their “sorrys’” and “it’s all rights” to her. The older boys were next, smiling at her and thanking her for staying or for letting Moloky and his brothers go. They all gave her quick hugs and moved inside.
The rest of the evening was as usual. Due to the emotional turmoil of the day, she was physically drained. She could barely keep her eyes open at dinner. Lian and Lyon asked her to go to bed and said they’d be up when the children were down for the night.
As tired as she was, she didn’t argue. She went to their room, stripped down, and put on a tank top and pajama bottoms. She then slipped between the sheets and fell fast asleep.
An unfamiliar sound woke her from her slumber. At first, she thought it was the men coming to bed, but she realized they were fast asleep in their bunks. As she looked for the source of the noise, Sloane realized the door to their bedroom was wide open. The noise wasn’t exactly a growl, nor was it a purr, but one thing was for sure: something was on her bed stalking its way up her blanket-covered body.
In the dark, it was hard to make out the shape of it, but surmised the creature was the size of a medium dog. It was slowly creeping its way up her body. Although its weight was substantial, it wasn’t crushing her. Fluorescent green, glowing eyes locked with hers.
Fearing the worst, she was frozen in place. The creature stepped off her chest and proceeded to curl up in the crook of her hip. With it still facing her as it laid down, it closed its glowing green eyes.
She moved her hand to move the creature, but the thing opened its eyes to assess her movements. Sloane halted and loudly whispered, “Lian? Lyon? Help!” Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Lyon stir first, then Lian. “Help,” she whispered again.
They both were on full alert as they bolted up from their beds. At the commotion, the creature let out a low snarl. Lyon spoke in a calming, placating voice. “Remain calm. It’s a kaythal. Remember we talked about kaythals? It won’t hurt you if you’re pliant. Do not scream or make sudden movements. Lian and I will quietly move our beds to yours. Our scent will mask yours. The kaythal will most likely leave to find another place to nap.”
“What do you mean most likely? Can’t you pick it up and put it outside or something?” she panicked.
As the men slowly moved their beds to meet the side of hers, encasing her, Lyon whispered, “don’t argue.”
As the men sidled up to her on the huge makeshift bed and lay with her for several minutes, the kaythal didn’t move an inch. She finally whispered, “What now?”
Lian slowly got out of bed and made his way over to a lamp in the corner of the room. He clicked the lamp on. The soft light filtering across the room temporarily blinded her, but after blinking several times, her eyes quickly adjusted. She snuck a peek at the monster resting next to her. To her utter surprise, the monster wasn’t a monster at all, but a cat. Well it wasn’t exactly a cat, but a big cat; like bobcat big.
She looked to Lyon, who was still beside her, then to Lian, who was once again making his way toward the bed and crawling in next to her.
“It’s a cat,” she huffed in disbelief.
Lian and Lyon had the sense to look a little embarrassed. Lian spoke for the both of them, “Kaythals can be very dan
gerous when provoked.”
“So can I!” she hissed. “You said they were like man-eaters or something.”
Lyon clarified, “No. You asked if they had sharp claws and teeth, and they do. See?” He motioned down to the kaythal’s padded paws, where the sharp claws were protruding. “You assumed they’d attack us, and I’m sure if cornered they’d lash out and attack for survival, but otherwise, they’re only deadly for the prey they stalk.”
She warily picked up her hand again and started to pet the kaythal. At first it growled, not sure what she was going to do, but when she continued to stroke the animal’s green calico fur, it started to purr its contentment. It finally yawned as it started to get more comfortable with her caresses. She noticed that when it did yawn, its teeth were like the serrated part of a knife and almost four inches long.
Lian apparently scented her apprehension because he whispered in her ear, “Don’t be afraid. He likes you.”
She continued to pet the animal. As it relaxed and looked to fall asleep, she continued to run her fingers through its fur. “I wasn’t allowed to have any pets as a child.”
Curious, Lyon asked the question, “Why?”
“I guess I can’t say I didn’t ever have a pet. I was about ten years old when my parents bought me a horse. It’s a big four-legged animal you could ride. Since we lived in an expensive penthouse apartment in Seattle, we had to board it at an equestrian ranch just north of the city. Our chauffeur would take me almost every day for riding and jumping lessons.”
She continued to stroke the kaythal, finding some comfort in its presence. “I loved that horse. Although my parents paid to have someone take care of her, I would always stay after to brush and feed her. After a year of riding, my instructor was really pleased with my riding ability and encouraged me to compete in a jumping competition. I begged my parents to let me compete. They finally relented and allowed me to enter.”
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