Page 32 of Brute's Mate

The powerful climax steals my breath and all rational thought. I cry out and undulate my center as Brute continues the precise rubs. As I gasp in the aftermath of the final pulsing jolt of bliss, he withdraws his digit from my bottom hole, then pats my sore cheeks.

“Stand up when you feel ready,” he says, “and I will help you get dressed. I’ll carry you back to your quarters, and we’ll see one another tomorrow.”

Chapter18

JENNY

I stand nextto my mother as we stare at the info screen in our quarters. An announcement about the rebel group known as The Saviors was just made, and the names of all known members of the group responsible for the ill-fated attack on the Darrvasons are scrolling on the screen. The two hundred human males who were killed within minutes of boarding theHaxxalappear first, and I brace myself as I watch the names scroll by in alphabetical order.

Mom gasps when we glimpse a familiar name—Benny Andrews. He was a fellow teacher, and I’m just as shocked as she is. I would’ve never suspected the quiet man was involved with a rebel group. Not only was he involved, but he’d boarded theHaxxalarmed with plans to kill any Darrvasons he encountered.

From what Brute has told me during our nightly interludes in the alcove, I know the two hundred human men were armed with blasters, and the rebels had expected to find the Darrvasons sick and near death because of a virus they’d tried to deploy. He’d told me about a woman named Sheila injecting her mate, a male known as Paddax, with a fast-acting virus. Fortunately, Paddax didn’t die, and no one else was sickened because the Darrvasons were able to quickly develop a vaccine to counter the virus.

Relief fills me when I think about the vaccine. Because Brute himself had to get it since he was exposed to Paddax in the aftermath of Sheila’s attack. He’d told me the entire story a few days ago, but he wouldn’t reveal the names of any of The Saviors no matter how many times I asked.

I hold my breath as the names continue scrolling by, praying I won’t see any of my friends from Leona’s Speakeasy. I’m so filled with guilt over the rebellious songs I used to perform in the illegal bar because what if I inadvertently inspired someone to join The Saviors? The thought of being even partially responsible for anyone’s death makes me sick to my stomach.

Will there ever be peace on theJansonna? I can’t help but worry things will only get worse. I’m certain there are still plenty of people on the worldship who are against the alliance, particularly those who might soon lose a daughter or sister to the Darrvasons.

Nathan Gonlaz.

Mom and I gasp in unison and exchange a horrified look.

Ellie’s former fiancé. He’s dead. Apparently, he was one of the two hundred men who boarded theHaxxalonly to find themselves quickly slaughtered by the aliens.

Did Ellie know about his involvement with The Saviors? Worry clutches me. I really hope not. If she had prior knowledge of the attack and Admiral Tornn finds out… I shudder to imagine how he might react. I glance at the video comm, wishing my sister would call. The video comm system has been down for longer than anticipated.

Mom wipes away a tear. She’d liked Nathan and was excited about Ellie’s upcoming wedding. I’d liked him too, and I’m shocked that he was involved in a rebel plot.

“This is crazy,” Mom says as a few more names we recognize appear on the screen. No one we were particularly close to, just acquaintances. A few fathers of the children in the class we teach.

The final name sends a chill down my spine.

Harris Zimmerman. Leona’s father.

I swallow hard and pray she wasn’t involved. If I see her name on the next list that’s about to be shown—the seventy remaining members of The Saviors who’d stayed behind on theJansonnaduring the attack—it’s going to break my heart. According to Brute, those seventy rebels are currently in the brig. The trials are supposed to begin next week, and I have no doubt a rash of executions will follow.

At some point as the names scroll by, I fall to my knees. I recognize too many of them. A large number are regular patrons at Leona’s Speakeasy. I sob bursts from my throat, and Mom’s suddenly beside me on the floor, hugging me to her side as she murmurs words of comfort.

It’s a strange turn of events for her to be comforting me. I’m usually the one who knows what to say and how to diffuse a situation. And I feel guilty that I can’t be strong for my mother right now.

To my eternal relief, Angelo is safe. I don’t glimpse his name on the list.

But to my great sorrow, Leona’s name appears last, and the sight of it guts me. I cover my face and cry, and when Mom tries to question me, I can’t give her an honest answer. I’ve never told her about Leona’s Speakeasy. She has no clue that I used to frequent the place to sing my heart out and then get tipsy, or even drunk, on beer and stronger spirits.

She doesn’t know the illegal bar has been a refuge for me. Ellie has no clue either. I’ve kept it a secret from them both.

I’ve missed going to Leona’s Speakeasy, but I haven’t had a chance to return since the night Brute caught me. How long ago was that? A week and a half? So much has happened since then. So many people have died.

“I didn’t realize you were close with so many members of The Saviors,” Mom says with an edge of concern in her voice. “Sweetheart, you aren’t involved, are you? I know you used to talk to Nathan a lot and—”

“I’m not involved with The Saviors, Mom. I promise. I-I had no idea Nathan was part of a rebel plot either. I’d never heard of the group until Brute told me about them. He wouldn’t reveal any of the names to me though. He said I had to wait until it was finalized just in case there were any new additions.” But now I know Brute had other reasons for not revealing the list to me—he likely recognized some of the seventy rebels as patrons from Leona’s Speakeasy. Six names on the list, Leona included, were present the night he’d followed me to the bar.

The doorbell reverberates, and Mom jumps to her feet. “I’ll tell whoever it is to go away.”

I drag myself to the viewscreen and stare at theHaxxal.

Please let Ellie be okay.

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