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Chapter Eighteen

MEK

I hear a squeak from Lacie , but my focus is instantly consumed by mother and her powerful presence.

“ MeK , my beloved son, I am glad that we are able to confirm how vigorous your sex drive is, but I do not believe Melanna needs to see any more proof. We will give you a few moments to make yourself presentable and await you in your quarters.”

My mind is in a fog and I feel torn. Pulling away and out of Lacie , I do not even allow myself to look at her.

I am ashamed of my actions toward her and the repercussions this will cause with my mother.

Pulling up my pants, I hurry over to grab one of my discarded shirts from a chair and quickly tuck it into my pants.

Running my hands through my hair, I take a deep breath, only to hear,

“ MeK , is that your mother?”

I turn my eyes to Lacie’s small form. She has scratches and bite marks all over her …

naked body. I can smell my release mingling with hers, and I am disgusted by what I have done, taking her like an animal against the wall.

It takes me a moment to realize she isn’t getting dressed because she has nothing to put on.

Rummaging through a couple of drawers in my lab, I know I have an extra jumpsuit in here somewhere.

Even though it will be too large on her, at least she will be fully covered.

Ripping it out of the package, I throw it at her as I walk down the hall toward mother.

Stopping to gather my thoughts before walking in, I say, “ Mother , this is unexpected.”

“ Yes , that was very apparent. However , you would not come to me, so you forced my hand.” Her eyes drift past me, and I know what … who she is looking at. She raises an eyebrow at me, and I know she is expecting some sort of explanation or introduction.

“ The human was just leaving.”

“ Seems like no matter the species, there are always the immoral ones hoping to better their status in this world.”

Lacie doesn’t make a sound, but it is her intake of breath that feels like a knife slicing through me.

I know not what I expected her to do, but I am relieved when I perceive her small steps turning away.

Moments later, the ramp opens and I hear my father say her name, but then in two steps, his massive frame fills the room.

“ Madra , who gave you permission to land or even come to this sector?”

“ DaR , if my son is here, I have every right to be too. It took some digging to figure out where you were hiding him, but thankfully I had a tracker installed on the Ingenuity just for occasions such as this.”

“ How did you get passed ANDI ?”

“ I did not see any other ships as we approached, so I cannot answer that. Now , if you do not mind, I have come here to talk to my son, and then we will be on our way.”

Father is so angry he is practically vibrating. “ Madra , this colony is classified as are its inhabitants. If either of you speaks a word about how you found this place, you will not like the outcome. I want all flight logs erased, and a gag order issued for your crew as well.”

“ Yes Commander , I understand that your pets need to be protected. Neither Melanna nor I have any further interest in this little endeavor of yours.”

I actually place myself between father and mother after her words as I fear he will retaliate. We all know there is no one more important to my father than Kira , and my mother’s direct insult to her species will not be received well.

“ I want all of you off this planet, NOW !” he snarls out. “ MeK , if this is the path you have chosen, I release you from your duties, and we will continue on without your assistance.”

He shakes his head in disappointment when I do not answer him immediately, but my mind is blank.

I feel like I am living a nightmare I never dreamed of, and all I keep doing is making one fatal mistake after another.

In all my years, I have never disobeyed my mother or done anything but fulfill her wishes.

Moments ago, I was experiencing a connection so intense it consumed me. Now , I am being forced to pick sides.

My heart aches when I think of Lacie , so I push that away to deal with later.

I knew the moment I took her in my arms that one taste would be all I could allow myself, and this job was always going to be temporary from the beginning.

However , my responsibilities to my planet and my mother are not.

“ I will monitor the delivery of the remaining dwellings from the Ingenuity as stated in my contract, and then I will return to MeKurem , father.”

“ Is that all you have to say to me … or anyone else?”

I cannot look him in the eyes as I know in my heart who he is referring to. “ Yes .” So distracted with what has occurred, I do not even hear him walk off and it’s mother’s cold hands that bring me back.

“ My dearest son, now that you are free from this primitive world and we are alone, let me properly introduce you to Melanna , granddaughter of Elder Malik and sole heir to the planet Abbion .”

She curtsies, her gaze lingering on my body as if I were a prized cut of meat.

Raising her hand, I take it in mine, bending over to kiss her knuckles as is expected of my kind.

However , the contact of her hand within mine causes immediate and intense pain to radiate across my palm, and I must bite the inside of my jaw to keep from reacting as my lips start to sting.

“ Your mother speaks highly of you MeK , and after what I witnessed this rising, I understand why. You and I will make some beautiful younglings together. I hope we can come to an understanding quickly.”

“ The pleasure is all mine, my Lady .”

Forcing myself not to shake her hand away, I take a moment to truly look at her.

She is tall like Mother , so thin that she resembles a stick wearing a long, elegant gown.

The jewels embedded in her dark skin could pay for every dwelling needed on this planet, yet she wears them frivolously as her face is outlined in their wealth.

Long black hair lays in delicate braids all the way down her back, jewels and gold threads woven throughout.

She has been perfectly prepared to be presented to me and her skin glows vibrantly, but I can see her devious mind looking at all she can gain from our union.

Tired of the fight, I look over at mother.

“ She is agreeable, and it is time. Proceed with the contract and once you have it complete, send it to my ship, and I will review it. Once all is agreed upon, I will return to MeKurem for the ceremony after this order is delivered. If you two would like to head back to your shuttle, I need to prepare for my own departure. We do not need to anger Father any further.”

“ Wonderful ! You have always been the best son a mother could ever ask for. Melanna and I both understood that you had responsibilities here before we arrived, so we will wait for you on MeKurem . I expect your arrival in the next few risings.”