Page 28 of Hunted

“Clearly controlling you physically is not a problem.” There was no arrogance in Jobek’s tone, just a statement of fact. “However, an ongoing power struggle is not what we want in a permanent relationship. The purpose for this courtship is to help you determine if we are worthy mates. How can we assist you with this decision? What do you need to become more comfortable with us?”

The fact that he was asking surprised and pleased her. This was the first time her opinions had been taken into consideration. “Can you please remove the trainer so I can sit up?”

“It is your first night with us, so I will grant you this one mercy.” He moved to the side of the bed and carefully removed the trainer.

She groaned as the motion momentarily stretched her opening and then again when the tip slipped free. “Thank you.”

He wiped away the lubricant with a tissue then went into the bathroom to recycle everything and wash his hands. When he returned, Ansley and Tandor had slipped beneath the bedding and were sitting side by side, backs propped on pillows against the wall. Jobek sat facing them, one leg bent in front of him, the other resting on the floor. “We honestly want to earn your trust. Do you have any suggestions for how we can do that?”

“Here is everything I know about you. You’re a controller who grew up on Torret but does not consider himself Torretian. You currently work as a bounty hunter and Tandor’s brother is the commander of your ship. Oh, yeah, there’s also someone named Cylex. I think he’s your boss and he is married to a conduit.”

Jobek offered her a rare smile. “It sounds as if you would like to know more about us.”

“I would like that very much.” Heat broke out on her cheeks as his dark gaze stared into hers. “Tandor called you brother. Are you blood relatives, or was it just a show of familiarity?”

“We are not blood relatives, but it is more than simple familiarity. It might make more sense just to take you through the basic facts.”

She nodded so Jobek began the tale.

“My grandmother was a Torretian slave. Her master used her as a breeder, which is not uncommon in certain sectors of the planet. She gave him four children, three sons and a daughter. He accepted the three sons as payment for her freedom then set her free with the daughter.”

He spoke so casually, as if breeding slaves and bartering children went on every day. She had to keep reminding herself that he was speaking of an alien planet. All she knew about their culture or social practices were the traditions pertaining to power triads. “I’m thrilled that he finally set her free, but to rob her of three of her children seems incredibly cruel.”

His gaze moved over her face, assessing her reactions to the events. “Most breeders are used until they can no longer produce children and then they are sold as laborers. His treatment of her was considered generous for the time.”

The final phrase gave her hope. “Please tell me that sort of thing has been outlawed.”

“It has been against the law for centuries, but that doesn’t keep it from happening.”

She nodded. The same was true on Earth. Nearly every country on the planet had outlawed slavery, yet people were bought and sold every day. “Was your mother the daughter you mentioned?”

“Yes. Her name is Napeth and she met and fell in love with a young man named Colenor when she was barely sixteen. My grandmother finally saved enough money to buy passage for herself and Napeth back to Torret. Napeth was crushed and did everything she could to avoid the trip, but she was only sixteen so it was not her decision to make. Colenor was a few years older, an adult by Altorian standards.”

“He went with them?” Ansley asked cautiously. The tragic story had just taken a romantic turn and she hoped the new course would continue.

“He joined the Torretian military so that he could be near her.”

“But wasn’t he Altorian?” Ansley asked, confused by the contradiction.

“He was. However, the planets were not yet at war. It was unusual for foreigners to join the militaries of other worlds, but it was not unprecedented. Anyway, the couple bonded days after Napeth turned eighteen and no longer needed her mother’s permission.”

All this talk of desperate young lovers reopened old wounds. She’d always longed for someone to share her life. Someone who would love and support her. She wanted stability and children, a place she could call her own. “Did they ever make up, your mom and grandmother?”

“Briefly, before my grandmother died.”

“I’m sorry it took so long. The conflict must have been hard on everyone.”

One of Jobek’s shoulders lifted in a subtle shrug. “I’m sure it was, but I was too young to remember.”

His brittle tone hinted at pain, yet it was obvious that he didn’t want to talk about it. “Please, continue with the story.”

He paused and took a deep breath, likely organizing his thoughts. “Napeth became pregnant a few months after they bonded. The pregnancy was not planned but it was welcomed. Colenor knew that the only way he would be able to provide for his mate and their child was to reenlist in the military. I was born a short time later, but my father died in battle three weeks after my first birthday.”

She gasped softly, hand flying to her mouth. “Oh, my God.” So much for the romantic turn to his tragic story. She lowered her hand and tried to relax her expression. He was volunteering the information, but he didn’t need to relive the trauma of those early years. “You never knew him?”

“I did not know my father and barely knew my mother or grandmother. By the time I turned six, they had all died. That’s when Tandor’s parents became my guardians.”

“I’m glad there was someone there to take care of you, but I’m very sorry that you lost so many of the people you loved.”

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