Page 27 of Taming the Alien Outlaw
“I’m fine.”
“Quinn has been nearly inconsolable since you were taken. She will be relieved to know you are back safely. I’ll comm her as soon as we finish meeting with Alik.”
My heart aches at the thought of what my absence has done to her. My best friend has dealt with far too much loss in her life already.
“Thank you.”
The stares that accompany us would normally be amusing, but I’m not feeling particularly amused. With Mak at my side, I wonder what exactly I’m going to tell Alik.
Chapter 12
Janik
Dragging myself away from Olivia takes more effort than I suspect it should. I’m drawn to her and she is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen, but that doesn’t explain why it’s so difficult to leave her side. Or how it is that she managed to keep the destructive thoughts from taking over. In their stead had only been an urge to fuck and mate. All my life I have worried I would turn out like the king. That I, too, would become a ravenous beast and violate someone, male or female, since the latter are so few.
Which means—other than my mother—there is no one I can seek advice from or discuss with this all-consuming need I have for Olivia. None of the rebels are mated. It’s one of the reasons they stand behind me. I have sworn that every male will be given as much kanet powder as they need. I have also sworn to open our planet to other species who would be compatible to create young.
Of course, with the arrival of the humans there’s been whispers throughout camp of desertion. Which means, I need to act before then.
I hadn’t been truthful with Olivia. Wedohave raids planned. Several of them, in fact. All timed to happen simultaneously and in several different places. They are meant to cripple trade between Preska and two major cities. And the only way to repair the damage is by giving into our—my—demands.
All around me, preparations fully ensue. I can feel our success nearly at completion. Hence, this final meeting, where I also plan to get answers. I locate Covak. He’s young and still only experiencing the beginning stages of the mating fever, so it hasn’t hit him as hard as it has some of the older males.
“I will be in a meeting most of the day and the female is alone inside my dwelling. Can you find a data pad for her to use for reading, but disable the communication capability before giving it to her, please? Also, if she wishes to walk around camp, she may, but she is never to be left alone and will need to be watched carefully. Understood?”
“Yes, sir. I’ll keep an eye on her.”
“Thank you.”
I walk into the small building we use for strategy sessions, although calling it a building is being generous. It’s nothing more than four walls and a door with a round table set up in the middle and six chairs surrounding it. Five of those seats are already filled, including one with my mother.
“I apologize for being late. There was something that needed my attention.”
My mother scoffs. “What is more important than this meeting?”
How can she ask that? From the looks of the others, they also wish to know. The mating fever attack was the worst I’ve had to date. I could have killed someone. Since there doesn’t appear to be any way to hide what happened, I answer.
“I’m sure you’re all aware by now I was struck with the mating fever earlier this morning. Luckily, the human female was with me and she was able to guide me back to my dwelling without incident.” I glance at each person seated at the table to try and gauge their reactions. They vary from worry to fear. “I recovered quickly but remained in my home for as long as possible to ensure no residual effects lingered. However, this is only proof that we need to move forward with our plan. Before it strikes anyone else and we’ve run out of kanet powder to help them.”
None of them need to know my supply is gone.
“How did you recover?” Orvak asks. He’s been my mother’s confidante and advisor since our days living in Noleska. “Your supply of kanet powder is just as diminished as everyone else’s. Unless you are keeping some for yourself?”
It takes all my effort not to jump from my seat and bear down on him. I rise slowly and lean onto my fists on the table top, my gaze zeroing in on him.
“You dare accuse me of stealing from the others, when it is I who have been the only one willing to stand up to the corruption of Prince Alik? It is I who has been forced to give mercy to our brothers when their mating fever burned out of control, because no one else was kind enough to do it? When I’m the one who has—time and time again—put myself at risk for the bettermentof others? What have you actually done but sit here and makes plans, yet do nothing to actually set them in motion?”
I glare at each and every one of them and can feel the rage inside me threatening to flare to life. My mother must sense my volatile emotions, because she clears her throat.
“Orvak meant no offense, Janik. He is merely expressing concern that this task you have set for yourself may be taking its toll on all of us.”
This “task”—as she says—has been at her encouragement. My entire life it has been drilled into my head thatIam the rightful heir to the crown of Bohna. That Alik is the interloper who cares only about profits and power and not about the people. I run my fingers through my hair to try and ease some of my tension, but it doesn’t help.
“Soon, we won’t need to worry about it. Alik will answer our demands and we’ll all get what we want.” I glance around the table again. “Speaking of things we want…I’d like some answers to a few questions.”
My mother cocks her head. “What sort of questions?”
“Have any of you heard that the prince has sent several requests to arrange a meeting with me?”
