Page 12 of Guardians
CHAPTER 8
F reshly showered and ready to face the day, Lexie emerged from the bedroom the following morning. Certain areas of her body were stiff and tender, but it helped her remember all the things she’d learned the night before. She needed to stop expecting the hybrids to think and behave like humans. They were an entirely different species, and their society was unlike anything found on Earth. The environment was harsh, and the hybrids were ruled by instincts humans didn’t understand. An inflexible power structure was needed to survive on Rydaria.
She’d also learned a lot about herself over the past few days. She’d adapted to the idea of sharing her life with three males with surprising ease. Because they were already a tightknit unit, it felt natural for her to be shared among them. Her introduction to their kinks also surprised her. Not only was she aroused by helplessness, but she could find pleasure in pain. And finally, the most unexpected discovery of all, she liked anal sex. A dreamy smile spread across her lips. Maybe it was more accurate to say that she was a lot more sexually adventurous than she ever imagined. She seemed to like anything her mates did to her.
“I hope we put that smile on your face,” Malik said as he handed her a steaming mug of Rydarian coffee.
“You did, but I shouldn’t admit it or you’ll have me in restraints every night.” She slipped onto one of the dining chairs and wrapped both hands around the mug. No one had lit a fire this morning so the room was chilly.
Malik chuckled. “Diego might put you in restraints, but Kane and I prefer your submission to be voluntary.”
She blushed, remembering the way she’d voluntarily offered her ass to Diego while Kane and Malik took turns in her mouth. “Anyway.” The prompting was more for her wandering mind than for him. “Where are Kane and Diego?”
“Diego is with the Shadows. Kane’s up at the lodge. Kane was hoping to return before you woke up, so I don’t think the meeting is going well.”
“Is there anything we can do?” She cringed as she remembered the reason for her punishment. “I guess I did more than enough last night.”
Malik shook his head, his gaze warm and filled with compassion. “It was not your place to confront Zion, but I think that’s exactly what he needs. No one dares to cross him. Very few even disagree with anything he says. He needs someone, preferable a feisty female, to point out his mistakes and argue with his opinions.”
“Is he interested in a mate?” He’d seemed nothing but hostile toward any female, at least any human female.
“It’s complicated. He was a captive longer than anyone else and he tried to claim one of the hybrid females, but she chose someone else. Needless to say, he’s hesitant to try again.”
She just nodded. She didn’t like Zion, so it was hard to root for him, especially when there were so few females to go around.
Luckily, Kane saved her from an awkward conversation. Gusts of wind and snow whipped through the cabin before he could wrestle the door closed. “This is stay at home and drink hot chocolate weather,” he muttered.
“You have hot chocolate?” she cried and both men laughed.
“We can’t help you there,” Kane admitted. “But it does sound damn good right about now.” Kane slipped out of his coat and hung it on a peg by the door, then joined them at the table.
Malik went to the kitchen and got another mug. After filling it with Rydarian coffee, Malik slid it across the table to Kane. “Was anything decided, or will the council need to reconvene?”
“No, everything was decided.” He sighed and paused for a long sip of coffee. “I understand the decisions, even agree with most of them.” He looked at Lexie before he finished, “But this is going to piss you off.”
“How badly?” She wasn’t sure she wanted to hear this.
He shrugged. “Because of the weather and the trauma of witnessing the wolf attack, Zion has extended his hospitality for one month. All their needs will be met, and they can move freely between the buildings in the two cabin clusters. If they need to leave the clusters for any reason, they must be escorted by one of the guards.”
“Guards?” she objected. “Zion posted guards around the females?”
“I posted guards around the females for their protection,” Kane corrected. “There are over a thousand males in this village. The vast majority have not touched a female in over three years.”
She was doing it again, forgetting that this wasn’t Earth. Hell, even with human males that sort of ratio would put the females in danger. “You’re right. The guards were a good idea. What happens when the month is over?” He’d warned her that this was going to make her angry, so she braced emotionally for what he was about to say.
“A structure is being built beyond the walls of the village. It’s within sight of the guard towers so we can easily defend it if there is danger of any kind. However, there will not be running water or electricity. Field rations and firewood will be provided, but no fresh food. This will reestablish the structure of the alliance without endangering the females. To be honest with you, it’s more of a compromise than I expected.”
“It’s a step up from flimsy tents and protein bars,” she said with a sigh. “But it’s going to feel like a prison sentence after a month in cabins like this.”
“That’s the point,” Kane admitted. “The wolf attack robbed us of our leverage. Our only hope of convincing stubborn human females to mate with us is getting that leverage back.”
“Or you could try getting to know the females, charming and connecting with them?” Lexie suggested.
“That might work for someone like Malik,” Kane countered. “Can you imagine Diego trying to ‘charm’ a female?”
He was right. The only reason she looked beyond Diego’s gruff exterior was because they were already mates. Even Malik was more aggressive than any of the humans she’d dated. Their dominance had intimidated her in the beginning. Now she found their strength and confidence comforting.
“Can I explain this to them?” Lexie asked. “I think it will come better from me.”
“We agree. That’s why I’m here. Zion is officially asking for your assistance in dealing with the potential mates.”
His formality made her smile. The advisory council might want her involved, but Zion didn’t like her any more than she liked him. It was highly doubtful that he’d officially requested that she do anything. “Who else knows about the deadline?”
“Just members of the council and Zion. Why?”
“I’d like to wait a week or so before I tell them,” she decided. “They need some time to heal.”
Kane nodded as he pushed back from the table. “It’s a good idea. I’ll make sure no one says anything.”
“Thank you.” She stood up as well and walked around the table. “Are you going back to work?”
“Only one of us can shirk our responsibilities for the entire day.” Kane glared playfully at Malik, then pulled Lexie into his arms. “I’ll be home for dinner. Promise.” He kissed her, his lips moving with lingering tenderness. “Be good.”
“I’ll try.” She turned back to Malik as Kane left the cabin. “Are you really off for the entire day?”
He shook his head. “I just wanted to make sure you had a good breakfast. Then I’ve got to take off too.”
“I’d love the company, but fruit and toast are more than enough.”
He insisted on frying an egg to round out her meal, then joined her at the table.
She picked up her fork, but her first bite didn’t make it to her mouth. “Can we start working our way through my questions now, or do you need to go?”
“I have tasks awaiting me, but none have specific deadlines.”
“Why didn’t you guys tell me you could shapeshift before you claimed me?” She tried to keep the anger out of her voice, but failed. “That’s kind of a big deal.”
“Nothing about our courtship transpired the way we intended. You had so much to deal with already. We didn’t think it was important.”
She scoffed, pushing back from the table so she could cross her legs. “It’s not incidental. You can shift into animals .”
“You knew we have unusual abilities brought about by scientific experimentation.” Now he sounded irritated. His eyes gleamed dangerously. “How many times do I need to say it? We are no longer human.”
She paused and released a sigh. He was right. There were all sorts of rumors about their abilities. She just felt blindsided by the way she’d found out. “Can all the hybrids shapeshift?”
“All the birds can. Eighty percent of the cats, and seventy percent of the wolves,” he told her. “Different people have different levels of control, however. With some it’s an on or off switch. With others they can control every aspect of the shift. Kane is like that. So is Zion. They can both determine which animal characteristic they wish to manifest.”
“All three of your faces changed during the attack. Was that intentional or some sort of emotional response?”
“Humans have flight or fight. We just know fight.”
She nodded. The entire subject was surreal. If she hadn’t seen it for herself, she’s not sure she would have believed it was possible. “Kane and Zion both have positions of authority. Is that in part because of their ability to control their shift?”
“It’s a skill like any other. They both have impressive control, but they are also born leaders.”
She nodded again. She’d likely have more questions as her mind absorbed the reality, but she was ready to move on to a different subject. “If I ask you a question, do you promise to answer honestly?”
His brows drew together and hurt darkened his hazel eyes. “Why is that even a concern? I’ve never lied to you.”
“Something Kane said when he explained what happened to him during his captivity has been bugging me ever since. I don’t want to ask him because the memories clearly torture him. Will you please tell me the truth?”
“If I know the answer, I’ll tell you honestly.”
She encouraged him with a smile, but tension banded her belly. “How were the breeders able to impregnate human females? I’m a scientist. I know that shouldn’t be possible.”
“Kane would never harm you,” Malik insisted passionately.
Trepidation washed over her in a chilling wave. Malik had just confirmed her deepest fear. “What is he able to do? What did he do to those women on the Nuevo outpost?”
Malik sighed, looking intensely uncomfortable. “The breeders were controlled through drugs and torture. They were slaves, helpless to prevent?—”
“I don’t blame him,” she assured. “I just need to understand.”
Malik went to the kitchen and refilled his mug before he finally told her the entire story. “Breeders are equipped with self-replicating nanobots. They can be expelled during sex without the female knowing. The nanobots then go to work making changes, targeted mutations that create interspecies compatibility. It isn’t always successful, but it is always necessary.”
“Then Kane could, at some time in the future, make it possible for me to carry his baby?” She thought she’d find the idea more upsetting. Instead, she felt warm and hopeful.
“Is that something you would want?” His tone was cautious, as if he was afraid of her response.
“I want a family,” she admitted without hesitation. “But I’m thinking years from now, not months.”
Malik smiled. “I think we can work with that. And in the spirit of full disclosure, if you went through the transformation, you would be able to carry children for any of your mates, not just Kane.”
Malik departed a short time later, leaving Lexie alone with her thoughts. She straightened up and did the dishes while she mulled over what Malik had revealed. The possibility of children made the future more interesting. But Rydaria was such a harsh environment. Was it responsible to expose children to such a dangerous world?
Restless and filled with speculation, Lexie decided to go check on Tara and Bianca. Lexie pulled on her boots and was wiggling into her coat when someone knocked on the door. Thinking it was Tara, Lexie twisted around and pulled the door open. “I was just about to…”
“Do I get to fill in the blank?” the tall, lanky hybrid male asked with a flirtatious smile. His long dark hair was streaked with gold, and he had the strangest eyes she’d ever seen. The irises were bright orange and the pupils seemed oversized. This wasn’t a feline hybrid. If she had to guess, she’d say raptor. She knew they existed, but she’d never met one before.
Shaking away her momentary distraction, she asked, “Can I help you?”
“I need to speak with Diego.” The stranger’s voice was deep and his gaze began to assess her.
“He’s not here right now. Can I give him a message?”
“My brother said Diego had claimed a mate.” He sounded amazed. “I wasn’t sure I believed him.”
“And you are?” He seemed harmless, but there was no way she would let him in the cabin. She zipped up her coat and stepped out onto the porch.
“Forgive my rudeness. I was not expecting a female to open the door.” He dipped his head. “I am Raphael. My brother, Gabriel, and I head the raptor convocation.”
“Convocation?” It was such an unusual word. “As in a group of eagles?”
His regal head dipped, and his orange eyes shimmered in the sunlight. “Raptor village if you prefer, but we like the accuracy of convocation.”
“It’s nice to meet you. I’m Lexie, and as your brother said, Diego is one of my mates.”
“You’re shivering,” he noted. “Should we step inside?”
Trepidation tingled down her spine. He hadn’t said anything out of line, but she didn’t know him, and her trust supply had been obliterated by the wolves last night. “I’m fine. Why did you need to speak with Diego?”
“He told Gabriel about the alliance and Gabriel was less than enthused. I wanted Diego to know that my brother does not speak for the entire village. There are many among us who are very interested in claiming a mate.”
“You need to speak to Zion about this.”
Raphael’s eyes narrowed to gleaming slits. “That would not be wise. Diego is our liaison for good reason. I will speak with him.”
“As I said, he’s not here, but I’ll let him know that you were looking for him.”
His gaze swept over her body for a millisecond, then he smiled. “How many of the females have already been claimed by cats?”
Unsure if he was friend or foe, she took an automatic step backward. “You need to talk to Diego.”
“You do not need to fear me. If I have my way, we will soon be allies.” He nodded to her again, then moved off the porch. “Until we meet again.”
Lexie watched in stupefied wonder as a strange rippling wave passed over Raphael’s body. It was as if the fabric of space distorted and reformed. His human shape was swept away, transforming him into an oversized eagle. He spread his massive wings, flapped a few times, and then propelled himself up into the clear blue sky.
He hadn’t even undressed. He just manifested wings and flew away.
“Did that just happen?” Tara said from the edge of the porch. “Please, tell me you just saw some guy turn into a giant bird.”
Lexie laughed and looked at her friend. “We better get used to watching people shift. According to Malik, almost all the hybrids can shapeshift.”
Lexie and Tara spent most of the day with the other human females. They comforted the ones who needed reassurance and answered everyone’s questions. No one seemed too upset about being confined to the cabin clusters. Lexie suspected that would change once boredom set in.
By the time Lexie returned to her cabin, she was more than ready for her conversation with Diego. She was intensely curious about the raptors. Why did Raphael hate Zion and why had Diego been chosen as their go-between?
Diego didn’t make it home in time for dinner, but he strolled into the cabin shortly after that. “Sorry I’m late.” The phrase made him chuckle. “Wow, that made me sound like an old married man.”
Lexie waited until he hung up his coat and poured himself a drink before she broached the issue of what she’d seen that morning.
Diego walked over and sat down on the sofa, extending his legs in front of him. “Did everything go okay with the potential mates? Are they settling in at the new dormitories?”
“They’re still dealing with the emotional aftermath, but that’s to be expected,” she told him.
“What about you?” Diego patted the seat next to him. “You witnessed it all too.”
She sat down beside him. He wrapped his arm around her, and she snuggled into the warmth of his side. “I’m trying to stay too busy to think about it.”
“It’s not a bad strategy. Put a little distance between yourself and the horror before you try to deal with what happened last night. But don’t avoid what you’re feeling for more than a few days. Burying emotions that strong makes them more damaging.”
“Voice of experience?”
His look confirmed her conclusion. He didn’t need words.
Unable to suppress her curiosity any longer, she said, “I had a visitor today, or actually you did.”
He looked down at her, concern narrowing his dark eyes. “What sort of visitor? Were you here alone?”
“Raphael stopped by to speak with you, but you’d already left.”
“Raphael came here?” Kane abandoned the dishes he’d been drying and moved into the living room. “What did he want?”
Not to be left out, Malik followed suit. Soon all three of her mates were looking at her expectantly. She focused on Diego. “Raphael wanted you to know that Gabriel’s reaction to the alliance was not reflective of the rest of the raptors.”
“Gabriel admitted as much, but I’m shocked that Raphael flew down here and?—”
“You knew he can fly?” Lexie cut in.
“They were created with eagle DNA,” Diego reminded. “Surely, that can’t surprise you.”
“Knowing someone can shapeshift and watching it happen are two different things.” She shook her head. “All of this is going to take some getting used to. Raphael refused to speak with Zion. What’s the story there?”
“Very old, very bitter disagreement,” Kane said. “I don’t think that wound will ever heal. It’s better just to keep them apart.”
“Well, Raphael wants to know about the alliance, so someone needs to speak with him.”
“I’ll hike up there tomorrow,” Diego decided.
“Why you?” she asked lightly. “I thought diplomacy was Kane’s area of expertise.”
Diego tensed, then sighed. “The raptor brothers were held in the same lab as I was.”
“I see.” She knew better than to delve any deeper.
“Do anything you can to bring them along,” Kane advised. “The raptors would be valuable allies, especially if it comes to war.”
If it came to war? After what the wolves did, weren’t they already at war? Lexie kept the questions to herself. The atmosphere was peaceful and relaxed, and she didn’t want to do anything to jeopardize the evening. There were situations that required discussion and others that weren’t worth the argument. She’d learned that lesson quite well the night before.
The next two weeks passed quickly as Lexie and her mates found a comfortable routine that accommodated the needs of all four participants. At least one of her mates had breakfast with her every morning and all three did their best to be there for the evening meal. After dinner, they’d snuggle together on the sofa and read, play immersive games, or watch entertainment vids on the holo-projector. And then it was off to bed. Some nights she slept alone with one of her mates. Other nights they all piled into Malik’s bed. She secretly liked it best when they were all together, but the relationship was new, so spending time alone with each was also important.
Lexie spent her days with Tara and the other human females. At the end of the first week everyone still seemed too damaged for ultimatums, so Lexie decided not to tell them about the deadline. The second week was better. As the horror of the wolf attack gradually began to fade, Lexie tried to explain the social dynamics of the village and what would be expected of them as mates. It didn’t take her long to realize that their arguments didn’t stem from a lack of understanding, just a refusal to accept what they’d been told.
They were warm, protected, and well fed. Why should any of them seriously consider becoming a mate? She hated to admit it, but the council was right. Without a serious motivation these females would never volunteer.
“Can I have everyone’s attention, please,” Lexie called out. Her voice echoed through the dormitory. A few people close to her quieted down, but most just ignored her. They had become much too comfortable in this situation.
Tara whistled, the shrill sound demanding attention. “Shut the hell up! Lexie has an important announcement.”
Finally, the noise level in the dormitory dropped to a manageable drone. “You’re all familiar with the terms of the alliance. Well, those terms have not changed. Zion allowed you to rest here and recover from the physical and emotional trauma of the wolf attack.”
“Why do I sense a ‘but’?” Kelly, one of Lexie’s former tent mates, asked.
“ But his generosity has limits,” Lexie warned. “You will be allowed another two weeks in the designated cabin clusters. After that you must enter an official courtship with one of the coalitions or leave the village.”
“He’s throwing us out?” Kelly stared at Lexie with wide disbelieving eyes.
“He is reinstating the alliance,” Lexie stressed. “For those who choose to leave, a temporary shelter has been erected beyond the village walls. It’s within sight of the guard towers so they’ll respond to any danger. But the shelter is simply that. It has no running water or electricity. They’ll provide packaged food and firewood, but that is all.”
Tara took up where Lexie left off. “You were given a reprieve, a break because of the massacre. Their needs haven’t changed and neither have ours. If we want to belong to this village, to enjoy the comfort and security available here, we must play by their rules.”
“But the alliance will turn us all into whores,” a sour-faced brunette across the room objected.
Lexie didn’t know her name, but her attitude was insulting. “They want mates, not whores. I’m in a committed relationship with three hybrid males. No one else touches me. No one would dare. I volunteered because Bianca desperately needed medicine, but I do not regret my choice. In fact, I’m happier now than I’ve been in… maybe ever.”
“She’s brainwashed,” the brunette called out. “Who could be happy in a group marriage?”
“If the alternative is being cold, hungry, and shitting in the forest, I’ll screw as many as they want me to,” someone else joined in. “I’m not going back to that misery.”
The entire room broke out in overlapping conversations. The din grew louder and louder as everyone’s emotions built.
“You don’t need to decide right now,” Lexie reminded, momentarily quieting the room. “You each have two weeks to think it over. Decide what makes the most sense to you.”
“How can we enter a ‘courtship’ if the men aren’t allowed to come near us?” Kelly used finger quotes around the old-fashioned word. “Even the guards have been ordered not to talk to us.”
“That’s a valid point. Let me see if I can organize some sort of social event, maybe a series of them. How many of you would attend if I can make it happen?” About half of the women raised their hands. The other half shook their heads or grumbled various refusals. She hoped that the yeses would increase after they had a few days to think about what they’d be giving up, but this was a damn good start.
Lexie was gathering her things and preparing to depart when Emma, Sophie, and Peyton walked up to her. They were the three who had worked their way through college as escorts. Lexie had almost forgotten about their offer. “Hey,” she greeted.
“Did you mention our idea to the village leaders?” Emma’s tone had an accusatory edge to it.
“Actually, I did. Zion gave preliminary approval, but he wants to work out specific procedures before they assign you a cabin.”
Emma’s expression softened and her lips curved into a relieved smile. “I thought you blew us off.”
Lexie shook her head as she pulled on her coat. “I’m sorry I didn’t mention it before. The attack put a lot of things on hold. I’ll ask Kane to set up a meeting and I’ll let you know when it is.”
“That would be great.” Emma gave Lexie a quick hug and then Lexie and Tara left the dormitory.
“That went better than I expected,” Tara said as they walked back to their cabins.
“I agree. Do you have any ideas for social events? I’m not a big fan of parties.”
“I don’t think it has to be complicated. It will have to be up at the lodge. It’s the only building I know of that’s big enough for this sort of thing. We could bring the interested females and Zion can decide which of his men to invite.”
“Yeah, it can’t be an open invitation, or we’ll have fifteen hundred males trying to cram themselves into that one room.”
“Fifteen hundred?” Tara sounded incredulous. “Are there really that many cats?”
“One of the reports I read said that fifteen hundred and seventy feline hybrids were transported to Rydaria. I don’t know how many of them are still alive, but I know it’s well over a thousand.”
“And there are only three hundred of us.” Tara shook her head and shivered. “And we’re not even considering the wolves and raptors. No wonder we need protection. Even with group marriages, hundreds of the hybrids will still be without mates.”
It was a sobering thought, one that Lexie couldn’t shake all evening.
“Did you finally tell the other females about the deadline?” Kane wanted to know. “You’ve been unusually quiet all evening.”
“I did, and they took it a lot better than I expected them to. And before I forget, the three females who want to set up the brothel are ready to talk details with Zion. Can you please set up a meeting for them?”
“Of course.” Kane’s gaze narrowed speculatively. “Is that what’s bothering you?”
“No. It’s clearly not a choice I would make, but I think it’s a good idea.”
“Then what’s the matter?” Malik asked. “Kane’s right. You’re sulking.”
Lexie was lying on the sofa with her head in Malik’s lap. Diego sat on the floor with his back pressed against the sofa near her hips. Kane was sitting in the armchair facing her. “I finally thought about the numbers. Even if every female agrees to become a mate, we’re not solving the problem. We need to get off this planet or bring more females here.”
Kane smiled, his pale-blue gaze warm and caressing. “We’re working on it, but it’s not an easy problem to solve. The bastards back on Earth did a good job of stranding us here.”
“If the remaining females are willing to take on eight males each, every hybrid on this planet can have a mate,” Diego offered cheerfully.
Lexie lightly slapped the back of his head. “Talking them into three has been hard enough. They would never agree to that.”
He turned around and folded his long legs in front of him, all playfulness was gone. “Gabriel and I are trying to piece together a long-distance communications system from the ships and shuttles that were left behind. Everything was sabotaged before the final crew left, but Gabriel is a brilliant engineer. If anyone can design a system from scraps, it’s him.”
“I’m glad you’re working on it, but I want to make the situation better, not worse.”
“Won’t a brothel help with that?” Kane asked.
“Hopefully, but there are only three of them.” Lexie shook her head. “Like everything else, that’s just not enough.”
“We all understand that there are not enough women, but how does that make things worse?” Malik asked as he continued to stroke her hair.
“When only a handful of males had mates, everyone was equally miserable. Now almost a third will have mates while the other two thirds will not. This creates a lot more opportunity for comparisons and jealousy. Both can be incredibly destructive.”
“Hybrids are territorial by nature,” Diego insisted. “We will protect our mates.”
“Oh, I know you’ll try, but the wolves are sneaky and brutal. Didn’t they get their hands on one of the hybrid females not that long ago?”
Diego growled dangerously, coming up out of his chair. “Every wolf who touched Akari will pay for it with his life. Plans are in the works even as we speak to make that happen.”
Rather than debating the probability of another wolf attack, she moved on to another subject. “The wolves aren’t the only danger. If a male is sharing his female with his coalition already, why not offer her to his friends or a superior that he’s trying to impress?”
Diego shook his head, disapproval flashing in his eyes. “That would never happen. We all understand what a privilege it is to have a mate. Besides, the other members of his coalition would prevent such a travesty.”
“I hope you’re right, but I’ve heard about women on Earth who were pimped out by their husbands, or even family members. And the ratio there is one to one.”
“The penalty for abusing a female in any way on Rydaria is death,” Kane stressed as he paced in front of the fire. “If any coalition is not taking care of their female, they will lose their lives.”
She wasn’t sure how she felt about that. Preventing domestic abuse needed to be a priority, but death seemed excessive. “I haven’t lived here long enough to judge the validity of your laws, so I’ll focus on the task I was given. Half of the females agreed to stay, or at least explore the possibility of staying. That can only happen if they’re being courted by a coalition. How can they choose which coalition they want to be courted by if they have no interaction with any of the males?”
“Actually, this came up during the planning session this morning,” Kane told her. “We spent the rest of the morning discussing options.”
“Did you work out a solution?”
Kane calmed down enough to return to his seat, but he still looked agitated. “The lodge can accommodate about a hundred and fifty, but it’s tight. If thirty females agree to attend, Zion will choose thirty coalitions. One hundred and twenty people should be able to move about freely and not feel crowded.”
“Will Zion hand pick the coalitions?”
Kane shook his head. “After hours of discussion, we all agreed that random selection is the only fair way to choose who will attend.”
“We can do the same thing with the women,” Lexie decided. “But one gathering per month won’t work. We only have two weeks before Zion’s deadline.”
“I’m aware,” Kane assured her. “We’ll have the gatherings nightly until all of the females who intend to stay have selected a coalition.”
On the surface that sounded great, but Lexie knew some of the females would take advantage of the system. “This sounds cruel, but we need to stick to the deadline. I know of several women who will pretend to be interested just to stay inside the village. They’ll string the males along, but never select a coalition.”
Kane’s brow arched and his lips twisted into a faint smirk. “They can try, but most of the males in this village would not put up with such antics.”
“The females would find themselves bent over a lap with their bare ass spanked bright red,” Diego predicted.
Lexie smiled as she shook her head. “Is that how every female is welcomed into this village?” Heat rolled through her body as she remembered her first spanking. Her nipples tingled and her pussy flooded with moisture. She’d never been so humiliated in her life and yet she’d never come so hard or needed to be fucked so badly. It was all very confusing.
Diego inhaled suddenly and leaned closer to the couch. “Are you having naughty thoughts, pet?”
She tried to roll away from him, but he rocked to his knees and grasped her hips, pinning her against the cushions. Malik caught her wrists and drew her arms above her head.
“What made you wet?” Diego teased as he deftly freed the buttons on the front of her flannel shirt. With her head on Malik’s lap, her back was arched, thrusting out her breasts provocatively. He tugged down the cups of her bra, revealing her hardened nipples to his gaze and his fingers. “Did you like being spanked in front of the other guardians?”
“No,” she cried. “I was terrified that they’d do more than watch.”
“Never,” he insisted as he teased her nipples into even harder peaks. “You are our mate. Even if we fucked you every night in the lodge, the others know damn well that they dare not touch you.”
The possessive menace in Diego’s tone thrilled her more than she cared to admit.
Kane moved to the foot of the couch and unzipped her jeans. Then he tugged them off and spread her thighs. “You’ve soaked through your panties.”
She wasn’t surprised. All they had to do was look at her with desire in their eyes and she grew wet and ready for their cocks. “I want you, all three of you.”
“Soon,” Kane promised as he drew her panties off and covered her needy pussy with his mouth.
Elias stared down at the sleeping human with a strange mixture of admiration and disgust. Two weeks. The frail old man had gone two fucking weeks without breaking. His thin body was covered with bruises and lacerations where Armando’s whip had bitten into Babcock’s flesh. And still the human refused to cooperate.
“Wake up,” Elias growled.
Babcock’s lids fluttered open then drifted shut and he let out a throaty groan.
“If you ever want out of this cell, open your fucking eyes.”
With obvious effort, Babcock forced his eyes open. They were bloodshot and blurry, but he was obviously awake.
“Why in Creation’s name are you being so stubborn?” Elias demanded. Babcock just glared up at him, not bothering to sit up. “You cannot escape. Even if you did, where would you go? Your camp is a pile of rubble, and the cats hate you even more than I do.”
“There’s a flaw in your strategy.” His voice was hoarse, likely from screaming.
“Is that so?” Elias crossed his arms over his chest and glared at his nemesis. “Do tell. Where did I go wrong?”
“As soon as I cooperate, you will end my life. You said as much the day we met. The only way I can stay alive is to be irrationally stubborn.”
Well, damn. The piece of shit was right. By taunting him with his fate, Elias had unraveled Babcock’s motivation. “So, make yourself indispensable. You’re the genius. Offer me something that will convince me to keep you alive.”
Babcock propped himself up on his arm so he could look at Elias directly, but he didn’t speak.
“Just spit it out,” Elias snapped. “If I get the scanners back from those worthless cats, can you locate the nanobots or not? There must be something we can do.”
For a long tense moment Babcock stared into space, then he dragged his gaze back to Elias. “Forget about the scanners. The nanobots aren’t the only way to transform a female.”
Elias narrowed his eyes. Chances were pretty damn good that Babcock was making this up to save his ass, but Elias was curious enough to delve deeper. “Meaning?”
“Offspring were critical to our success, so we tried a variety of methods to achieve the goal. The nanobots worked best with the cats, so their team focused on that method. Your team, however, found a different method much more successful.”
“And that method was?”
Babcock heaved his body up off the cot, sitting on the edge with his feet resting on the floor. His limbs shook and the color faded from his face. “My memory is more accurate when my stomach is full and I have a comfortable bed to sleep in. What little food I’ve been given has been disgusting. I expect everything about my existence to improve immediately.”
Elias growled, lips pulling back from his teeth. He despised this creature for good reason, but he also needed him badly. “Come with me.” He’d feed the bastard and assign him a room. Babcock needed to rebuild his strength. But his information better be nothing short of illuminating or he’d be right back in that cell.