Page 58 of Owned

“Well, I know there are ways to predict which sex is more likely but…”

“You are Altorian, not human,” he reminded with a smile. “Such things are easily controlled on Altor.”

He was right. For a few moments she’d been back on Earth, living her human life. “It’s hard to override twenty-five years of misinformation. I know the truth now, but it’s still hard to forget.”

“Don’t try to forget. Just allow yourself to evolve,” Kern suggested. “Your years on Earth were instrumental in shaping your personality. It is not right and wrong. It is simply then and now.”

She smiled at him. “I didn’t realize you were so philosophical.”

“Only when it comes to other people’s lives. With my own I turn sullen and melancholy.”

“At least you’re honest,” Cylex teased.

She loved to see her mates harassing each other. They’d been best friends once, and she hoped they could get there again. “Well,” she digressed. “If the baby’s sex can be predetermined, I’d probably stop with one of each.”

Kern shook his head. “Two of each, at least. I’ve always dreamed of a large family.”

The wistfulness in his tone was understandable. Both Kern and Cylex had been outsiders most of their lives. They longed to be accepted, to belong, and to create those feelings in others. She had found out that her sisters were really her cousins, and the woman who raised her was her aunt, not her mother, but they were still family members. She had never felt abandoned or alone—until she met her biological parents.

She shook away the past and focused again on the future. “I’m sure Flora and Cara can help give me some perspective on all of this. They’ve just been through the process of redefining themselves.”

“It’s a good idea,” Cylex agreed, “but remember that we will support you in any way we can. We want you to be happy.”

When they docked a short time later, Flora, Cara, and their mates were waiting to greet them. Raina dashed across the arrival zone and the cousins embraced. They laughed and cried, then hugged some more.

“This was supposed to be how my homecoming went,” Cara pointed out with a tearful smile. “But someone didn’t bother to show up.”

“I was a little tied up at the time,” Raina joined in, thrilled to be back with her cousins.

“We were so worried about you,” Flora admitted. She pushed Raina to arm’s length, looked her over carefully then hugged her again. “If they forced you to bond with them, the link can be severed. It takes time for a soul bond to solidify.” She whispered the information into Raina’s ear, not wanting her mates to hear.

Raina eased back and looked into Flora’s eyes. “I asked them to claim me. This was not forced on me in any way. I told you that I had a crush on Cylex. Well, it’s more than a crush now, a lot more.”

“And the other one?” Flora glanced at Kern, her dislike obvious.

“I love him too,” Raina stressed. She should have realized that her cousins would resent Kern. He had kidnapped her after all. “It’s a long story, and I’ll tell you everything. But we need to get settled in right now.”

“Sorry.” Flora stepped back. “Neither of us has a mission right now. We’ll hang around as long as we can. We really want to catch up.”

“So do I. Give me until tomorrow morning and I’ll spend the day with you.”

Like all newly formed triads, Raina and her mates were issued an apartment. It was much nicer than the compact studio she’d been assigned before. Her mentor left a short message asking Raina to contact her as soon as she was ready to resume training. Cylex checked in with Zevon and Kern let his grandmother know that he had arrived, then the triad spent the rest of the evening with each other. Once their normal schedules resumed, quiet evenings like this would become precious.

The following morning, Raina arranged to meet her cousins in one of the small dining rooms. It wasn’t a restaurant per se, more like an automated cafeteria with semi-private seating. The cousins made their selections from the matter synthesizer then carried them to the table Raina had reserved for their use. Raina had chosen an Altorian dish calledisoral. It had the texture of oatmeal, but had a bright berry flavor that Raina loved.

“I always liked Cylex,” Cara began without preamble. “He’s not much of a talker, but he seemed kind, in that fierce warrior way.”

That made Raina smile. “You just described half the males on this outpost.”

“Zevon sent Laidon and Cylex to rescue you, but you returned soul bonded with your kidnapper and Cylex,” Flora summarized. “We’re both dying to find out how that happened.”

Raina settled in and explained the entire story. She left very little out. Flora had been claimed by her mates long before she knew them well. And like Raina, Cara’s bonding had been triggered by her awakening powers. Nothing Raina could have told them would have been shocking to Flora or Cara. Raina found the fact comforting.

“We spent the past few weeks on Altor, in a secluded cabin that used to belong to Cylex’s grandfather. It was peaceful and romantic, but it wasn’t reality,” Raina concluded. “My training was interrupted, so I’m back. I’m just not sure what to do once Nadis decides that she’s taught me all she can.”

Flora looked confused. “There is not much to decide. Zevon assigns the missions and we do whatever needs to be done to achieve our objectives.”

Raina shook her head. “Both of your mates are soldiers. In fact, Draven is good friends with Zevon. It was natural for you to plug into that sort of life. I have no desire to be a soldier. I want to find a constructive, nonviolent way of using my power.”

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