by Olivia Black
Gogrek was in a panic when he returned. The male rushed into the room and immediately pulled Dennis into his arms. They held each other, unable to even talk. But they didn’t need to speak. Words seemed unnecessary under the circumstances.
Time passed like an eternity. Over the next several hours, Dennis alternated between feeling completely numb and totally terrified. Was Enion okay? Was he scared? Was he in danger?
Dennis kept his eyes on Gogrek. The male paced around the room like a caged animal desperately looking for an exit.
“Please, go,” Dennis told Gogrek. “Join in the search.”
Gogrek walked over to Dennis and grasped his hand. “I won’t let you down, pet. I’ll find our son.”
“I know,” Dennis said without hesitation.
Without another word, Gogrek marched out of the room. Part of Dennis wanted his mates by his side, but he knew that they needed to search for their young. It was impossible for the warriors to sit still when one of their own was in danger.
“I don’t understand why anyone would take our baby,” Dennis said. He knew he kept repeating the same statement, but it was true. He didn’t understand. It made no sense to him.
“There are a lot of males that are desperate to have children,” Hokr said.
“You think someone took him because they wanted a child?”
“It’s a possibility.”
“Then they won’t hurt him, right?”
“I don’t believe anyone would hurt an innocent child.”
“On Earth…” Dennis started to voice all of his fears, but Hokr interrupted him.
“This is Noglion,” Hokr reminded him. “This is a different world than you are used to. Trust me.”
Dennis nodded. He wouldn’t allow his mind to conjure up all the horrible things that might happen to his child. Dennis needed to stay strong. Enion was counting on him.
Chapter Nineteen
Ragnon scented the air as he ran, searching for any sign of Enion. He panted heavily, completely exhausted, but Ragnon refused to stop. Instead, he pushed himself harder, running faster.
“Ragnon!” Bheilf shouted.
Glancing over his shoulder, Ragnon slowed his pace. He was so caught up in his own head that he’d forgotten that his father was following him. Ragnon stopped. He spun around and faced his father. With his hands on his hips, Ragnon took deep breaths, trying to calm his rapidly beating heart.
“This is my fault,” he said.
Bheilf reached out and placed a hand on Ragnon’s shoulder in a comforting gesture. “No, this is not your fault, and it’s not Gogrek’s or Dennis’s either.”
“I should’ve been there with Dennis and Enion.” If only he’d stayed at the hospital, none of this would’ve happened.
“You thought Enion was safe.”
Ragnon pinched his lips together and glanced away. He couldn’t look at his father when his emotions were this close to the surface. If he wasn’t careful, Ragnon knew that he would break down and cry. He couldn’t be weak, not when his family depended on him.
“Look around, son. The whole planet is in an uproar. Everyone is searching for Enion. Trust me, we will find him.”
Ragnon took a deep breath, gathering his strength. He needed to think with a calm head. He had to be logical. Whoever had taken Enion wouldn’t get far. The whole planet of Noglion was on alert.
“I don’t know why anyone would take Enion,” Ragnon said.
This wasn’t something a Noglion would do. There were rules, and there were consequences. Hurting a child or mate in any way were among the worst sins a Noglion could commit. The punishment for such a crime was death.
“Hokr told me that there was an incident the day he went shopping with Dennis.”
“What sort of incident?”
“There was a human that confronted Dennis at one of the shopping stalls in the marketplace.”
“Why?”
“It seems that he was jealous that Dennis was pregnant.”
“So, you think that a human mate might have taken Enion?”
“I don’t know,” he said. “But it’s a place for us to start.”
Ragnon nodded. It was a small thread of hope that he could hold on to. Perhaps, it would point them in the right direction and they would find Enion.
“The king sent his warriors out to search for Enion,” Rhad told said as he joined them. “They’re going door-to-door, searching every household.”
“Do you think Gogrek asked the king for help?” Ragnon asked.
“Anything is possible, son.”
“Come with me,” Rhad said.
“Where are we going?” Ragnon questioned.
“I think I may know who took Enion.”
“Lead the way,” Bheilf said.
Without another word, Ragnon followed the doctor. Along the way, Ragnon sent up a silent prayer, asking the gods for help and begging them to keep Enion safe. They went down a series of twists and turns and ended up in a newer housing community. Rhad stopped in front of a solid metal door. He pressed his hand against the digital reader, and the door slid open. Ragnon stepped inside the dwelling.
When Ragnon saw Enion in the arms of a stranger, he hissed furiously. Ragnon was willing to do anything in order to get his son back. He would injure, maim, and kill to protect his family. But before Ragnon could say a word or issue a threat, Rhad moved past him. The doctor went right up to the human.
“Give me the baby,” Rhad demanded.
The human’s brows furrowed, as if he were confused. “Why?”
“He’s not yours.”
“You promised me,” he accused, tightening his hold on Enion.
That was when Enion started crying. The high-pitched screech filled the living quarters, echoing off the walls.
“I’m working very hard to find answers, Sammy. I want to get rid of the infertility problems that are plaguing Noglion. You know that more than anyone else.”
“You didn’t pick me.”
“I couldn’t pick you. I couldn’t show any favoritism. But now, the results are coming back, and the other humans are getting pregnant. I’ll be able to acquire more of the inoculations from Glecerus. You’ll finally be able to have a baby of your own.”
“Rhad, what’s going on?” Ragnon interrupted.
Rhad sighed heavily. The male turned and faced Ragnon. He looked defeated. Ragnon knew that expression. He’d worn it once or twice himself.
“This is Sammy, my mate.”
Instantly, Ragnon relaxed his stance. He took a few small steps, moving closer to the pair.
“Hello, Sammy. My name is Ragnon Vemm, and the baby you’re holding is my son, Enion. His human father, Dennis, is at the medical facility, waiting for him to be returned. Right now, he’s really worried about Enion.”
“I wouldn’t hurt a baby.”
“Of course not,” Ragnon said, shaking his head. “I don’t think you would do anything to hurt Enion. But it’s time for his feeding, and Enion can’t be away from Dennis for too much longer.”
Sammy looked down at Enion. He stared at the baby as if he were the greatest treasure on Noglion. For a moment, Ragnon’s heart softened toward the human. He felt bad for the young man. It was a shame he was unable to conceive.
After a long, drawn-out moment, Sammy handed Enion to him.
“Thank you, Sammy.”
Ragnon brought the small bundle close, gentle cradling Enion in his arms. He was so happy that Enion was safe that his knees threatened to give out. Slightly shaken, Ragnon turned away from Rhad and Sammy, leaving the mates to deal with the fallout.
“Dennis is going to be so happy to see you, little one,” Ragnon murmured to his son.
Ragnon looked at his father, and Bheilf smiled. He looked as relieved as Ragnon felt. Side by side, Ragnon walked with his father back to medical. Along the way, a lot of Noglions came up to greet them and check on Enion. It showed Ragnon how much his brethren actually cared, and it made him believe in th
e kindness of others.
“Ragnon!” Gogrek shouted, running toward them. “Thank the gods you found him.”
His brother stared at Enion. The male looked as if he were going to cry. Ragnon knew exactly what his brother was feeling. He held out Enion, and Gogrek took their son. Gogrek kissed the baby’s forehead and cheeks and held him against his chest.
“Dennis is probably waiting for us,” Gogrek said.
“Does he know that we found Enion?”
“I’m not sure if Dennis knows yet. I heard an announcement, and I came to find you. I wanted to make sure it was true.”
“Let’s go to the hospital.”
Ragnon didn’t want to keep Dennis waiting any longer. Their mate needed to know that their son was whole and healthy. Together, the three of them started walking.
“What happened, Ragnon? Where did you find him?”
Ragnon recounted the story, telling Gogrek everything. When Ragnon was done, Gogrek shook his head, as if he didn’t know what to say. Ragnon wasn’t really surprised. If a Noglion had taken Enion, they would demand the male be severely punished. But Sammy was human. He was Rhad’s mate.
“I think we should let the justice system decide Sammy’s fate,” Gogrek said.
Ragnon nodded in agreement. It seemed like the best option.
* * * *
“They found Enion,” a doctor said as he ran into Dennis’s room. “They’re bringing him back to medical right now.”
Dennis started crying and shaking. The relief was so overwhelming that he could barely contain all the emotions rushing through his system. “They found my baby.”
Hokr wrapped his arms around Dennis, hugging him. “I knew they would find him.”
Dennis had to admit that he hadn’t had any of Hokr’s confidence. Over the last couple of hours, Dennis had been in hell, waiting for news about his son. Dennis lifted his head when Ragnon strode into the room, followed by Bheilf and Gogrek. As soon as he saw Gogrek holding Enion, he held out both of his arms, eager to hold his son.
Gogrek didn’t hesitate for a second. The male walked straight to Dennis and placed Enion in his arms. Dennis closed his eyes and sent up a silent prayer to the gods. Ragnon and Gogrek surrounded Dennis, wrapping their arms around him. With his family together, Dennis felt safe. Once again, everything was right in the world.
THE END
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