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“Hey, chick,Iwas about to send the cavalry out to get ya whenIsaw you walking with the big guy.”

“Youshould not be so hard on him,Briar.”

I’mnot the only one shocked whenIhearBuKsay those words to her. “Andwhy not, ifImay ask?”

“MeKwas not raised like the rest of us.Hisplanet frowns upon any outward emotion.Hisvisible runes made it difficult for him as a youngling as they projected his every thought if you knew how to read them.Ihad been with father for several rotations whenMeKarrived.Henever joined us—no games, no play-fighting, nothing.Hekept to himself until his mother requested his return.Ido not believeIhave ever seen him smile or even interact in any other way.Hisjob and inventions are his one outlet, the only way he feels like others can hear his silent screams of captivity.Iknow he has done something to upset youMistressLacie, andIam not condoning his actions, but if you were programmed to talk, speak, and act a certain way, it takes time to break those bonds, and that only happens when you realize it is wrong.

MeKwas raised to grant his mother’s every wish.Shedrilled into him how important his status was and who he had to be from the time he was old enough to understand her words.Hewas programmed, andIam sure he is struggling with the emotions bombarding him as he does not know how to show them.Ifhe chooses a different path than the one she has set for him, he will lose everything.Orthat is what she has made him believe.Whathe has forgotten is that he has two parental units, and his fatheris a stronger force than his mother could ever be.Personally,Iam thankful my mother never put me in a position like that.”

Briarlooks puzzled as we all stare at the area whereMeKwas earlier. “SoBuK, what you’re saying is thatRudolphdidn’t get to play in any reindeer games?Hmm, well, that does explain a few things, and possibly more if my best friend would tell me what occurred between the two of them that has broken her heart.”

“Ilived it once,Briar.Irefuse to do it again.Enoughabout tall and snarly.Whatare you two working on?”

“I’mgetting ready to wash down the kitchen area whileBuKandEthanbring in the furniture that was just delivered.You’vegot to come see some of this cool stuff and the layout is amazing.Ithink my house is around number thirty on the list, and to be honest,I’mglad because by that time,Iwill have seen every other option, soI’llknow exactly whatIwant in mine.”

Stilllooking out over the area whereIworked side by side withMeK, the words pour out of me. “Iwant to be closer to the water soIcan hear the waves at night and a big ass porch.Otherthan that,Icould care less.”Justas my thoughts drift back to whatBuKwas telling me, my little black fur ball comes running at me, andBriaractually squeaks before jumping up inBuK’sarms.Laughingat the look on her face,Ireach down and pick up the little ball of energy. “Briar, let me introduce you toKiki.Hesaved my life, and apparently, he’s adopted me.”

Shesquirms out ofBuK’sarms, but he just stands there with a huge smile on his face. “See, this is one of those thingsIneeded-to-know!Shit, damn, hell,Lace!”

Shakingmy head at her antics,Ikiss his nose before setting him down. “Gofind your spare baby.Ihave work to do, and you can’tcome inside.”Hedoes that adorable tilt of the head thing before trotting off the wayMeKhad gone.

Briarpoints at me and thenKiki, “Didthat damn thing just understand you?”

BuKbends over, picking up a small box that was beside me. “Suet’sare extremely loyal and smart.Hehas clearly imprinted on you,MistressLacieand this will make him a good protector.”

“BuK, in all the time we’ve been working together,I’venever heard you put this many sentences together at once.Don’tthink for one moment now that you have shown this side of yourself toLacethatIam going to allow you to clam up now.”

“Ihad no reason to talk … you do it enough for the both of us, myBriar.”

“Oooo, you’re in trouble now,Mister.Getyour pink ass to work.”

Briarwinks at me before waving me into the house.Quickly,Igrab a rag with my good hand and get to work wiping down the insides of the cabinets.It’snot that anything is particularly dirty, as everything has that new smell, butIthink it’s in our nature to clean before we settle into any place.

Therest of the day passes quickly, andI’velaughed so much that my jaws hurt from listening toBriarandBuKplay-argue.Walkingout of the now clean and furnished dwelling,Ilook around forKiki, expecting him to run out of the woods to pounce on me at any time, but there’s no sign of him.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

LACIE

Callingout forKiki,Istand there a little longer, expecting to see him headed my way, but when he doesn’t come,Ihesitate to get on the dropship.Lookingdown at my comm unit,IrealizeIstill have a few minutes before we have to head back, soIdecide to run over toMeK’sshuttle to see if he’s seen him.

I’mjust walking up to the ship when the ramp starts to open, and beforeIcan brace myself,I’mon my back withKikisitting on my chest, sniffing me all over. “Ugh, you little hellion, you’re luckyIthink you’re so damn cute.”Isqueak when out of nowhere, strong arms lift me andKikiup in the air.Thenext thingIknow, we’re both being carried up the ramp.

“Areyou alright,Lacie?Didyou re-injure your wrist?”

“I’mfine, but that’s going to leave a bruise on my tail end.”

“Youneed medical attention!”

“No,Idon’t.Youcan put me down now.Ijust came to see if you had seen our shared pet whenIwas ambushed.NowthatIknow he’s here with you,Ineed to get back to the dropship.”

MeKslowly sets me down, andIhave to make myself step away from him. ‘Damn, why is this so hard?’Turningaway,Ibend down to scratchKiki’schin. “Yoube good tonight, andI’llsee you in the morning.”I’venot made it two steps before he starts whining.Lookingback, he’s laid down with his head between his paws like he’s just lost his best friend.Sighing,Iwalk back only for his tail to start wagging like he’s a puppy. “Littleone,Ican’t take you with me.MeKwill play with you later when he gets done, andI’llbe back before you know it.”

“Youare welcome to stay,Lacie.Itis just that he is still a kit so he feels like he needs you so much.”

Hiswords have me looking up at him, and for once,Isee in-between the lines.MeKis simply relaying his own dependence on his mother. “Buthe was alright here with you most of the day.”

“Hehas napped most of the rising.Athis age, he will sleep more than he is awake.”