Page 4 of Ruarc
KALLEN
Fighting what feels like constant tears, I fall against the wall just outside the quarters I share with him.
The sudden weakness in my legs takes me by surprise, and I barely catch myself before I hit my head.
For just a moment, it felt like something was trying to keep me inside that room with Ruarc, but it must have been another effect of being held captive for so long.
All my life, I hoped that one rising I would find my mate.
The one male who would love me more than all others, but in all those dreams, it never occurred to me that he would not want me.
Pushing off the wall I straighten the wrap I made for myself out of some scrap fabric Falon brought me before walking down the corridor and into the dining hall to meet the others.
Entering the room, it appears all are already gathered, and I quickly grab the closest open seat.
Ruarc walks in last, and I know everyone can see the snarl on his face when he looks around, especially when he realizes he must sit next to me.
Humiliated, I put my head down, ashamed, and heartbroken all at the same time.
It is one thing to treat me like I am dirt under his feet when we are alone, but to do it in front of everyone else is beyond embarrassing and dishonorable.
Slavic is slumped in his seat, and you can tell his thoughts are heavy, but Ruby is leaning into his side, offering him what comfort she can as he brings all of us up to speed.
When he realizes that we are here and all eyes are on him, he sits up straight, his features hardening even further since he takes the position of being the oldest and Captain seriously.
“Brothers, for the ones of you that were not there … there was nothing. The settlement is exactly where Kallen said it would be, but there is no trace of any life, and it appears to have been abandoned for quite some time. Possibly even rotations. Kallen, do you have any idea how long you were held captive by the Velgriddix?”
“I really do not know, Slavic. It was hard to keep track of time on that vile ship in the constant darkness.
The last thing I truly remember is one moment Shanakh, Ashga, and I were all working in the fields, planting the last of the seeds harvested from the previous growing season.
The next Velgriddix were on the ground, and we were surrounded so quickly that it was a blur.
They marched through the fields, throwing some out of the way, only to grab others.
It was almost as if they were looking for someone specific.
Most ran into the forest, and I was just getting ready to step through the wood line myself when I heard a scream behind me.
Looking back, I was horrified when I saw one of the younglings in a Velgriddix’s grasp.
Without thinking of the consequences, I grabbed a branch lying on the ground and ran toward it.
Between my momentum and the fact that they did not expect us to fight back, it dropped the little one. I remember yelling, Run !
Distracted, the next thing I knew something pierced my side, and I was falling to the ground.
I could hear others screaming, but I could not help as everything slowly started to fade away after that.
Now and then, I would wake up randomly, but I have no idea how long I was in and out.
When I finally awakened, I was so hungry I was dry heaving.
I vaguely remember Ashga rubbing my back before an odd smell surrounded us once again.
It took several times for this to happen before I realized they were gassing us so they could move us to different locations.
The three of us were all in the same cell together at first, but they did not keep us together for long. It seemed like every time I woke up I was in another place. The last time it happened, I ended up in that bug nest, and I never saw any of the other females again.”
Ruarc’s condescending laugh has all of us looking his way and of course, he has a sneer on his face as usual when it comes to me. “How do you expect us to believe anything you are saying, Kallen? It seems to me that all you have done is lead us on a fool’s errand!”
Chaos breaks out as Slavic, Einar, Bikar, and Falon jump to their feet with outraged roars, talking over the top of each other in their anger.
“YOU … DARE?!”
A chilling silence falls across the entire room at Murgul’s broken roar.
Menacingly gaining his feet, he stalks across the room until he is looming over Ruarc, his tail whipping back and forth behind him, similar to an angry feline, and those deadly-looking claws have slipped from the ends of his fingers.
“ A mate … is a… gift…! Rebuking her … with your… delusional rantings… is nothing short… of lunacy! Get. Your. Head. OUT. OF. YOUR. FRACKIN. ARSE!!”
I am not sure who is shocked the most. All of us stand or sit there stunned by his outburst, for this is the first time I have ever heard him speak.
Murgul towers over Ruarc, a low rumble coming out of him, and I can see he is fighting against himself when suddenly Gwendolyn walks cautiously in between them.
Pushing her slight frame against his, her hands stroke his chest until he looks down at her.
The moment their eyes connect, a beautiful smile breaks out on her face.
Murgul instantly calms as she pushes him back slowly.
She glances back at Ruarc, and I must press my lips together to keep from laughing when she clearly puts him in his place.
“Ruarc, I think it would be for the best if you kept your mouth shut for the rest of the meeting. Murgul is beyond angry with you right now, and if you say anything else insulting to Kallen, he is going to hurt you. A lot. Honestly, if you say anything disparaging about her within earshot of him from this point on, he’s going to fuck you up. His words, not mine.”
Snickering across from me causes me to glance that way, only to see Ruby and Rowan sitting side by side with their hands over their mouths, desperately trying not to laugh at the sight of delicate Gwen putting my giant, rough Ruk mate in his place.
Especially when Gwen turns toward Slavic, “You were saying?”
“Uhhh … yes. If everyone could return to their seats, let us try this again. Since we do not know exactly how long Kallen has been gone from Deapra, we have no idea what has happened to the rest of the Ruks. What we do know is that there were no others found alive on the Velgriddix ship, so we will simply have to assume the worst and pray that the Gods of Ruk took their tortured spirits to a better place. I have decided that our next step forward is going to be a prolonged scouting mission on the planet’s surface to see if we can find any trace of mam, our sister, or any other survivors.
Kallen, if you have more information or any ideas that might help us, I would appreciate it, no matter how small. ”
Bikar’s voice interrupts me before I can say anything else.
“Kallen, I have a question that I think we should have been asking from the beginning. There are no ships in orbit, but we know you all were able to escape Viri 9 on a cargo hauler that was docked next to the Zenith. Where did that ship go?”
“I thought you all knew that already. We crashed on Deapra. None of us were pilots, but one of the men just happened to know where the autopilot setting was, and that is what launched us into space. I did not know that at the time, did not care honestly, as simply being off Viri 9 and out of the hands of the Aynar was worth taking our chances. Apparently, the cargo ship got too close to Deapra, and its gravitational pull did the rest. Unfortunately, we lost several more upon impact. The only reason your mam and I made it was because we were both in the back of the ship in medical, and a security bubble activated when we started spinning out of control. After that, none of us would have survived if it were not for her; she took control even when she could not speak. She has been the one pushing us forward ever since. Now that I think about it, she was acting strangely right before the Velgriddix attack. Her normal smile was missing, and every rising, she kept sending scouts out. I thought at the time it was to see about other planting fields, but maybe she was looking for another location altogether.”
Slavic nods before glancing over at Ruarc and then to Einar. “Thank you, Kallen. However, it seems that the more you tell us, the more questions arise. Ruarc, Einar, and I will lead a scouting mission planetside. Bikar, Murgul, Falon, and all the females will stay on the Zenith.”
Ruby jumps to her feet, a hand on one hip and the tip of her finger on the other hand poking into his broad, gray chest while Rowan turns to glare up at Einar.
“Slavic, if you think you’re leaving me up here without you for any length of time, then you are sadly mistaken, mister.”
“Ruby, it is not safe on Deapra. We will not even be able to communicate if things get bad. Bikar informed me when we got back on the Zenith that there is some component in the atmosphere that is interfering with our comm systems.”
Wincing in sympathy, we all wait for Ruby’s response because her face is rapidly turning the same color as her vibrant hair.
“Even more reason for us not to be separated, Slavic! What if something happened to you?! There would be no way for you to call for help!”
Slavic gathers Ruby up in his massive arms and cuddles her close before attempting to soothe her worries.
“Bikar has ways to track our movements and our vital signs without the use of our comms. The risk is minimal Ruby, this I promise you. I would not jeopardize our bond so soon after finding you if I were not absolutely certain about this.”
Ruby’s whole body deflates, sagging against Slavic.
“My Starshine, I do not want to leave you, but we must do our due diligence to find our mam and little sister. Bikar, Murgul, and Falon are instrumental in keeping the Zenith operational. That is why they are staying aboard. Between the three of them, there is no being that can infiltrate this ship.”
Ruby’s face is scrunched up in irritation as she snaps back, “Gah! I hate it when you make sense and have a well-thought-out plan!”
Chuckling, he peers down at her with warmth. “This I know.”
Einar interjects at this point. “Now that we have that cleared up, when should we expect to leave for this scouting mission?”
Slavic rubs a large hand across his bald head. “If there are any clues left, the sooner we get down there, the quicker we can find them. I want you and Ruarc ready to depart directly after the fast-breaking meal on the next rising.”
Rowan lets out a whimper and curls deeper into Einar’s side. “It is okay, little Starshine. I will be back before you can miss me.”
She reaches up, cupping his jaw in one hand, smiling at him tenderly. “Not possible. I already miss you and you haven’t even left yet.”
Tears form in my eyes as I stand here, witnessing the love and blatantly open affection of the mated pairs around me.
Even though I yearn for tenderness and love myself, I know Ruarc will never grant me that, so I move away from him on my own so that no one will notice his aversion.
“Since you males need to leave so soon, there is no time to waste. Preparations need to be made for your trip.” Standing, I hurry to the door to leave before anyone can see the tears flowing down my cheeks.
Swiping at the salty lines, I start making plans of my own.