Page 78 of Right Next Door
Her cheeks heated, but she kept her head held high. “My opinions are hardly relevant. We’re talking about the kreecharma. You were saying about True Match?”
That obvious, hard rebuttal could easily be considered rude. More than a few of the gathered seniors cut her harsh glances for speaking to someone so important that way, but she could swear she heard the little combot chuckling as, obediently, the High Imperium turned back to the projector.
“I believe that Kree is standing on the precipice of a great societal change. One only equaled by the original change that brought your people here. That change wasn’t one the Coalition was privileged enough to witness, as it was before your joining. Now, however, you have allies, and it is my intention to make sure that your people have all the support and guidance they need, no matter what direction they decide to take their future.
“On one side, we have Senior Boktare and his stance as a traditionalist. You believe that True Match should be used to make sure that no kreecharma ever mates again. After all, if you know who your mate is, you can make sure to always stay away from them.”
“That is only what is right,” Boktare said, head held high. “I never want to subject another female to what my Fia had to go through.”
Misty must have had that look on her face again, because Boktare lowered his gaze and caught her eyes before continuing.
“I know you may think it hypocritical for me to say so, as a happily mated male. But the pain that brought us here is one I would do anything to spare my Fia. I do not say this because I want my people to suffer because I despise mating. I say this because we love our mates so much, we never want to subject them to our rut again.”
“It wasn’t even that bad,” Jeanie said, suddenly interjecting, her face drawn in irritation.
“With all due respect, female,” Boktare said to her carefully, “you are human. Humans are notoriously overly sexual. Just because you enjoyed the full force of your mate’s rut, does not mean that a properly raised kreecharma female would.”
Misty’s hackles immediately raised at that. It felt too much like he’d said, ‘yes, you liked it, but you’re also a whore so of course you’d like it’. Giving him the benefit of the doubt, she didn't think he meant anything malicious, but she also couldn’t think of any other way to take it.
“Now, now,” the Imperium said calmly. “Let’s not bring humanity’s sensuality into this. The point is that Senior Boktare comes from a place of good intentions. So, too, does Char Tsok. He argues that knowing your mate means you can control the time of mating. And since it could now be done safely, it is time to return to mating how your people used to. A model that Vigo and his mate have proven is perfectly possible by their own family.”
The projector changed again. This time, it was a family portrait. One of Vigo, Jeanie, and their two baby kreecharma. They had fur that was red with a brown cast, absolutely beautiful. They appeared, for all intents and purposes, to be full kreecharma. They were both in their father’s arms, clinging to his neck, asJeanie smiled at the three of them with such a look of joy, it made Misty’s chest twist with envious longing.
That could be them one day, she thought. Her and Tsok.
Wait…
How come he’d never brought up mating her?
They were practically dating now. They spent most of their time in her manor, they slept each night in her bed. But he’d never once brought up the idea of taking off his nasal filter and scenting her so that they could actuallybemated.
Originally, that hadn’t bothered her, because she didn't like him anyway. And when they started getting along, it just hadn’t occurred to her to wonder about.
But now, seeing him between the two larger, mated males – Boktare and Vigo – she had no choice but to think.
Why hadn’t he offered to scent her?
“The Char is a progressive, open minded individual,” Boktare was saying with all the courtesy of a consummate politician. “But what he suggests is simply too careless.”
“It is what’s best for our people,” Tsok countered. “The concept of family is broken among our species. We can reclaim that. We can reclaim our full selves, without fear or shame.”
“There is nothing wrong with our culture. This is who we are.”
“Artificial insemination has much higher rates of spontaneous abortion compared to natural conception. Kit centers have a tendency to be overworked, underpaid, with sporadic, unreliable oversight for those in the poorer areas. Our people cannot breathe fresh air because of our fear, and when a mating happens, it isalwaysa violent disruption usually caused by an accident. As you yourself demonstrated, Senior Boktare. Controlling mating, rather than rejecting it, could fix all of that.”
The respected senior narrowed his eyes at the reminder of his own accidental mating. Both males were glaring at each other around the High Imperium. Both were completely secure in their argument. Neither willing to be moved.
“Your excellency,” someone else further down the table leaned forward. “Are you here to tell us your opinion on this matter?”
“Oh, no,” the Imperium said immediately. “It is not my place to give my opinion one way or the other. I simply want to be here to witness it, to provide guidance. And maybe to move this argument forward, since it appears you are at a stalemate. Char Tsok, if I may, what would it take to get you to change your mind about mating?”
Tsok frowned. Misty stared at him, curious about what he would say.
“Having brought my mate here, I think I have proven how easy it can be to maintain close proximity to her without losing control.”
Misty frowned. Thinking of all those times he did lose control. Where his eyes glowed. Where he pounced on her and fucked her so fast, she could barely breathe much less move. It wasn’t a rut, but it felt reminiscent of one. Like he was dancing right there on the edge of losing control totally, despite what he claimed.
“That wasn’t what I asked.” The Imperium said, interrupting his thoughts. “What would it take for you to admit you are wrong and that Senior Boktare was right?”
