Page 51 of Healing Creek
Eve took her seat and the men followed her lead, settling in around the large wooden table. “We have good intelligence about the location of the research lab where she’s working—”
“But we have a more pressing problem,” Max finished.
Eve focused her gaze on Samantha. “One I believe you’ll be interested in.”
Max continued, “We recently received a report that House Bonita has started a new attempt at natural breeding. This time with Cirrillian females, taken captive on Haverlee.”
Samantha clutched at Mercury’s arm. “Stars, no.”
Mercury reached for his mate, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. “I’m sure your mother is fine. She’s not of breeding age.”
Samantha leaned into him. “I know but—”
“Forced breeding is a terrible fate for any female,” Mercury supplied.
“Or any Arena Dog,” said Eve. “We have also learned that Sabre has been given to the program by House Owens as punishment for aiding in your escape.”
“We have to help them.” Samantha’s knuckles whitened where she gripped the arms of her chair.
Mercury nodded. “We must free all Arena Dogs. As long as our people are held as slaves the atrocities will continue.”
Eve clutched her hands together where they rested on the table. “I’ve pled our case at the Alliance Court of the People, but politics is a slow beast and the more I argue for Arena Dog freedom, the more suspicious my mother becomes and the more danger for all the resistance agents I helped to place on Roma.”
“We have forty-two freed souls here to care for,” said Zachary. “We help those we can.”
Mercury pushed to his feet and slammed a fist on the table. “It’s not enough.”
All of the Arena Dogs were on their feet and growling. The masculine energy was overwhelming. Somehow amidst it all, Grace’s attention shifted to Samantha. One hand still clung to the arm of her chair in a white-knuckle grip but the other clutched protectively over her abdomen. Her face was pale and tendrils of damp hair clung to the outer ring of her face.
Grace stood as calmly as she could muster and lifted her voice to something not a shout. She put a hand to her head and winced. “Please. Your growling is bringing on a headache. Samantha…” She stepped back from the table and reached an arm out to Samantha where she sat a few seats down. “Will you get some fresh air with me.” The instant her name was spoken, Samantha’s hands had disappeared below the table and a tight grin appeared on her face.
Unfortunately, both their attempts to keep things low key were wasted. The minute her name was spoken, both Mercury and Lo shifted their focus to her, and neither was fooled. Mercury had her in his arms and he was striding toward the door. He stopped when he reached it, waiting as if it would open of its own accord. He met Maximus’s gaze over his shoulder. “This conversation is not over.” He spoke through clenched teeth and by the time the words were done Lo had the door open wide.
Mercury’s back disappeared down the corridor. Lo nodded at Grace. “Come, she’ll want you with her.”
She moved instantly, quick to follow. Zachary popped up from his seat, but she and Lo ignored his insistence that he’d be needed. She was aware of the door slamming and opening again behind them, then the sound of light footfalls jogging to catch up and pass them to take the lead. It was Saturn. “This way.”
He led them down a level and to a well-equipped medical center. Grace spotted the signs of ongoing research immediately. About halfway there Samantha had started protesting the cossetting. It was a relief for Grace, who didn’t want to think she might have missed something serious when she’d checked the expectant mother. If Samantha was complaining, the pain must be easing. It was unlikely to be something critical, but still a scan would be smart.
Mercury settled her on a comfy, oversized med-bed. She looked small lying there, but her color was returning.
Lo moved to the other side of the bed to take one of Samantha’s hands. Zachary had finally caught up with them and took up a position at the head of the bed, pulling a scanner down from the overhead unit.
Grace stood beside Mercury holding Samantha’s gaze, projecting calm confidence.
“Everything is fine,” Samantha affirmed.
Grace smiled and said softly, “How long is Cerrillian gestation?”
“Ten months,” Zachary supplied. “She’s pregnant.” It wasn’t a question, so it was clear that their secret was no secret at all.
Grace sighed. “With the alien surrogates, Arena Dog gestation was about six months. We can’t be certain in this situation, but you can likely expect accelerated development. Your body is probably just having a hard time keeping up.” When Samantha’s smile faded, Grace added, “That doesn’t mean there’s anything to be worried about.” She restrained her urge to touch Samantha for reassurance. She didn’t want to interfere with the scan and Samantha’s hands were already occupied by Mercury and Lo. “I’m sorry I didn’t think of it before. I should have warned you.”
“I do remember you urging me to take care of myself. I should have brought food and water with me.”
Mercury chuffed in the back of his throat. “I should have insisted they bring you something when we arrived. Forgive me,Courra.”
The medic didn’t seem concerned with what he was seeing in the scan and everyone was looking much more relaxed now. Grace took the moment to step back from the med-bed.
