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Chapter Twenty-Eight

LACIE

Calling out for Kiki , I stand there a little longer, expecting to see him headed my way, but when he doesn’t come, I hesitate to get on the dropship.

Looking down at my comm unit, I realize I still have a few minutes before we have to head back, so I decide to run over to MeK’s shuttle to see if he’s seen him.

I’m just walking up to the ship when the ramp starts to open, and before I can brace myself, I’m on my back with Kiki sitting on my chest, sniffing me all over.

“ Ugh , you little hellion, you’re lucky I think you’re so damn cute.

” I squeak when out of nowhere, strong arms lift me and Kiki up in the air.

The next thing I know, we’re both being carried up the ramp.

“ Are you alright, Lacie ? Did you re-injure your wrist?”

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

“ You need medical attention!”

“ No , I don’t. You can put me down now. I just came to see if you had seen our shared pet when I was ambushed. Now that I know he’s here with you, I need to get back to the dropship.”

MeK slowly sets me down, and I have to make myself step away from him.

‘ Damn , why is this so hard?’ Turning away, I bend down to scratch Kiki’s chin.

“ You be good tonight, and I’ll see you in the morning.

” I’ve not made it two steps before he starts whining.

Looking back, he’s laid down with his head between his paws like he’s just lost his best friend.

Sighing , I walk back only for his tail to start wagging like he’s a puppy.

“ Little one, I can’t take you with me. MeK will play with you later when he gets done, and I’ll be back before you know it. ”

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

His words have me looking up at him, and for once, I see in-between the lines. MeK is simply relaying his own dependence on his mother. “ But he was alright here with you most of the day.”

“ He has napped most of the rising. At his age, he will sleep more than he is awake.”

Torn , I’m just about to call the Commander and ask him if I can bring him with me if only just for this evening when I hear an odd rumble coming closer. “ MeK , what is that?” Kiki gets in front of me, growling as the sound gets louder.

“ That’s a shuttle.” He rushes down the ramp only for me to hear, “ FRACK .”

That can only mean one thing or one person, and I’m not hanging around this time. Picking Kiki up, I head for the ramp, only to stop in my tracks when her eyes find mine. “ Dammit ! ”

“ Mother , what are you doing here again?”

“ I have sent you this contract three times with no response. Commed multiple times only to be told you were busy or on an emergency. The truth of the matter is you were playing with your new pet, simply ignoring your responsibilities.”

As much as I would love to tell that woman what I think of her, I’ve already heard enough, and it’s not my place to get in between them.

It’s his mother. MeK must have seen me walking behind him because he reaches out to stop me.

I don’t know who’s more shocked, his mother or me, when he pulls me into his side, his massive arm wrapping around my waist. Kiki wiggles out of my arms only to sit on my feet.

“ Mother , that is enough. Give me the holo pad with the contract on it and I will take care of that issue immediately so that all are clear on my intentions and plans moving forward.”

My heart plummets when I realize he’s going to accept another woman while holding me.

With a clear smirk on her face, his mother walks closer with a shit-eating grin on her face.

I try to move away to escape this hell once again, but MeK’s large arm holds me tightly.

He only releases me enough to take the pad in one hand while his fingers glide over the screen with the other.

‘ Why do I keep putting myself into these situations?’

“ You know son, I understand why you were so hesitant to finish this. Your pet is quite exotic, and if this makes it any easier, we will find a place to keep her, discreetly of course, until you are done playing with it.”

“ I plan on keeping her slightly closer, mother. Here is your contract.”

Tears pool in my eyes as they talk about me like I’m not even here, and I feel the crack in my heart that was starting to heal. The one that told me to forgive him is starting to break apart.

He hands the holo pad back to her, and she’s all smiles until she glances down. “ What is this?” she snarls out. Her beautiful persona crumbles, revealing the true evil she tries to hide from everyone.

“ That is an erased document, mother. There will be no contact and no arranged companion contracts for me ever.

The Lord of Light granted me a blessing that I did not deserve, and I almost lost her because I put my worth above all others, as you have taught me to.

Because I was a coward, I allowed your words to poison the foundation of what should have been one of the happiest times in my life.

I found my true mate, the one person in this entire universe made just for me, and like an idiot, I ran from the signs, and the Gods almost took her back simply because of my neglect.

“ MeK , she is a mistake and you know this. You are throwing your career and your worth away for a primitive piece of tail!”

“ ENOUGH !” MeK roars out, and I swear the ground around us shakes. Kiki bares his teeth, growling as he knows something’s wrong.

“ You will not ever speak ill of Lacie , your one and only son’s mate ever again.

Because of your prejudice and hate, I have allowed your words to mold me into an object.

I have never been more than a tool you were using to improve your own standing.

From the moment you won that lottery, all you could see is what you could gain from my birth.

The sad part mother, is that even as an adult, I saw what you were doing and still loved you anyway. Can you say the same to me?”

Her solid black eyes glare at me filled with hatred, like all of her bad decisions were my fault.

“ I knew something like this would happen when you left our perfect world to work with your father. He has manipulated your mind, but I will not allow you to destroy yourself, so now, this is enough of your rebellion. I have heard your words and your concern, but it is apparent that the emotions you have been subjected to here have taken their toll. Once you are home in a calmer environment, things will return to normal, and we can then talk about your future.”

“ Mother , can you even hear yourself?”

“ I am not the one confused here MeK , you are.”

“ Listen to my words, mother because I will not repeat them. Perhaps over the rotations, you have forgotten a crucial aspect of my being. I AM THE SON OF DAR ! I will never hide who I am or who I love ever again for you or any other. My runes and this mark show the entire universe how blessed I am. I thank the Lord of Light that my father’s essence was stronger than yours or I would have been cursed with the same lonely fate you have lived all your life. ”

“ If you stay here, I will disown you.”

“ That is your choice, mother.”

Before MeK can say another word, it’s like the air suddenly changes around us, and all I can feel is his wrath before he even walks around the shuttle.

“ Madra , what is the meaning of this?”

“ I have come to retrieve my son DaR , but it seems you and this primitive race have brainwashed him. Now , he is a creature I no longer recognize.”

“ No , my son has finally cut his ties with your poisonous reign, Madra . You are to leave this planet and never return. If I even see your ship in the atmosphere again, I will give the orders for you to be shot down. The only reason I am giving you the option to leave is because of MeK’s love for you, even though the Lord of Light knows you do not deserve it.

If you make me your enemy, you will not enjoy the consequences! ”

“ DaR , I was just leaving, and you do not have to worry about me returning. I have nothing here. No son of mine would throw his life and career away so frivolously.”

By this time, I can’t stop the tears as I imagine the pain MeK must be feeling right now. I may hate the woman, but he didn’t do anything to deserve this, especially since you can’t pick your parents.

She throws the holo pad on the ground right before stomping up to the ramp of her own ship.

Within seconds, the ship lifts off the ground, rising through the atmosphere.

MeK doesn’t move, and neither does the Commander or Kiki until it can no longer be seen.

I’m so deep in thought that the Commander’s voice startles me.

“ ANDI , I need to know how that ship has gotten past you twice.”

“ You and I both, Commander DaR .”

“ Father , I may have that answer. I created a cloaking device that no ship or sensor can see. What I am not sure of is how my mother got hold of that information without my knowledge.”

“ Can you stop her from our location from being able to steal or take any of the work you are currently working on?”

“ Yes , but some of my older files are only backed up in my main workshop, and she knows exactly where and how to retrieve them. I am not sure how to obtain them without going there myself.”

“ Is it possible for SCOUT to infiltrate the area?”

“ I do not know why not.”

“ Well then, we need to get him involved. Lacie , I gave the order for the dropships to depart when that ship landed unauthorized. Briar only agreed to leave when I told her you would be staying with me and Kira . And you are welcome to stay with us if you don’t want to remain here.”

My emotions are all over the place; did he just do what I think he did? MeK has held on to me this entire time, and because I’m so distracted by replaying what just happened, when he kisses my forehead, I actually jerk. I see his eyes darken automatically, as if he’s scared he has overstepped.

“ Lacie , as much as I hate to go, I need to see what I can salvage of my life’s work, and time is not on my side.

I would love for you and Kiki to stay with me, just so that I would know that you are near.

I promise I will not push you for more than you are willing to give, ever … or never if that is the case.”

The Commander stands with his arms crossed, watching us both with those bright yellow eyes of his, and I’m literally arguing with myself in my own head. ‘ Do I stay or leave?’

Kiki’s whining makes the decision for me. “ I’ll stay tonight, but I make no promises past that.”

The smile that graces MeK’s face captures my full attention, and I don’t even hear the Commander walk off.

“ Come on, I’ll get you two settled before I get started.”