Page 12 of Taming the Alien Outlaw (Brides of the Bohnari #2)

Janik

Dragging myself away from Olivia takes more effort than I suspect it should.

I’m drawn to her and she is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen, but that doesn’t explain why it’s so difficult to leave her side.

Or how it is that she managed to keep the destructive thoughts from taking over.

In their stead had only been an urge to fuck and mate.

All my life I have worried I would turn out like the king.

That I, too, would become a ravenous beast and violate someone, male or female, since the latter are so few.

Which means—other than my mother—there is no one I can seek advice from or discuss with this all-consuming need I have for Olivia.

None of the rebels are mated. It’s one of the reasons they stand behind me.

I have sworn that every male will be given as much kanet powder as they need.

I have also sworn to open our planet to other species who would be compatible to create young.

Of course, with the arrival of the humans there’s been whispers throughout camp of desertion. Which means, I need to act before then.

I hadn’t been truthful with Olivia. We do have raids planned. Several of them, in fact. All timed to happen simultaneously and in several different places. They are meant to cripple trade between Preska and two major cities. And the only way to repair the damage is by giving into our—my—demands.

All around me, preparations fully ensue.

I can feel our success nearly at completion.

Hence, this final meeting, where I also plan to get answers.

I locate Covak. He’s young and still only experiencing the beginning stages of the mating fever, so it hasn’t hit him as hard as it has some of the older males.

“I will be in a meeting most of the day and the female is alone inside my dwelling. Can you find a data pad for her to use for reading, but disable the communication capability before giving it to her, please? Also, if she wishes to walk around camp, she may, but she is never to be left alone and will need to be watched carefully. Understood?”

“Yes, sir. I’ll keep an eye on her.”

“Thank you.”

I walk into the small building we use for strategy sessions, although calling it a building is being generous. It’s nothing more than four walls and a door with a round table set up in the middle and six chairs surrounding it. Five of those seats are already filled, including one with my mother.

“I apologize for being late. There was something that needed my attention.”

My mother scoffs. “What is more important than this meeting?”

How can she ask that? From the looks of the others, they also wish to know. The mating fever attack was the worst I’ve had to date. I could have killed someone. Since there doesn’t appear to be any way to hide what happened, I answer.

“I’m sure you’re all aware by now I was struck with the mating fever earlier this morning.

Luckily, the human female was with me and she was able to guide me back to my dwelling without incident.

” I glance at each person seated at the table to try and gauge their reactions.

They vary from worry to fear. “I recovered quickly but remained in my home for as long as possible to ensure no residual effects lingered. However, this is only proof that we need to move forward with our plan. Before it strikes anyone else and we’ve run out of kanet powder to help them. ”

None of them need to know my supply is gone.

“How did you recover?” Orvak asks. He’s been my mother’s confidante and advisor since our days living in Noleska. “Your supply of kanet powder is just as diminished as everyone else’s. Unless you are keeping some for yourself?”

It takes all my effort not to jump from my seat and bear down on him. I rise slowly and lean onto my fists on the table top, my gaze zeroing in on him.

“You dare accuse me of stealing from the others, when it is I who have been the only one willing to stand up to the corruption of Prince Alik? It is I who has been forced to give mercy to our brothers when their mating fever burned out of control, because no one else was kind enough to do it? When I’m the one who has—time and time again—put myself at risk for the betterment of others?

What have you actually done but sit here and makes plans, yet do nothing to actually set them in motion? ”

I glare at each and every one of them and can feel the rage inside me threatening to flare to life. My mother must sense my volatile emotions, because she clears her throat.

“Orvak meant no offense, Janik. He is merely expressing concern that this task you have set for yourself may be taking its toll on all of us.”

This “task”—as she says—has been at her encouragement.

My entire life it has been drilled into my head that I am the rightful heir to the crown of Bohna.

That Alik is the interloper who cares only about profits and power and not about the people.

I run my fingers through my hair to try and ease some of my tension, but it doesn’t help.

“Soon, we won’t need to worry about it. Alik will answer our demands and we’ll all get what we want.” I glance around the table again. “Speaking of things we want…I’d like some answers to a few questions.”

My mother cocks her head. “What sort of questions?”

“Have any of you heard that the prince has sent several requests to arrange a meeting with me?”

I watch closely for any tells, but everyone in the room appears surprised by the news.

“Who told you such a thing?” My mother asks.

“Were any of you also aware that during the explosion of the mines on the evening the queen held the welcome banquet for the human brides, someone was , in fact, killed? Yet, when I brought it up a short time later, I was told it was a lie the prince made up in order to make us look like murderers.” I ignore her question.

Orvak sputters. “Where are you hearing these fabrications?”

“It doesn’t matter.”

Someone pounds on the door. My annoyance builds. Whoever it is knows not to interrupt us. I yank open the offending barrier and glare at the person on the other side.

“What?” I gnash my teeth, but at the sight of Covak, my stomach lurches.

“I’m sorry, sir, but the female…”

“What happened?” Heated embers flare to life in my chest.

“I went to take her a data pad like you asked, but when I knocked, she didn’t answer. Bannik was able to let me in and…she’s gone. I’ve searched the entire camp and no one has seen her.”

“You’re sure?”

“Yes.”

Without hesitation, I push past him and race to my dwelling, slamming the door open upon my arrival.

The food trays are on the counter and both plates are bare.

Olivia’s scent still lingers in the air.

The bedroom is as equally empty as the rest of the house.

Same with the hygiene room where the stunning Bohnari dress she’d been wearing when I took her remains folded on the counter.

Which means wherever she went, I don’t believe it was planned.

If she tried to make her way back to Preska, any number of dangers await her.

She could get lost farther within the depths of the rainforest or come across one of the many predators that roam it.

I grab the dress. Outside, I call for Mak.

My mother approaches, her stride brisk and her face twisted in anger.

“Did I not tell you this female would be a distraction?”

I’m not in the right headspace to deal with her at the moment.

My control is hanging on by a thread and I worry any small thing is going to set it off.

I call for Mak again, but she doesn’t come, which isn’t normal.

Yes, she’s independent and doesn’t consider me her master, but she still listens when I beckon her.

Which means, she’s beyond hearing distance.

“Janik, cease ignoring me.” My mother grabs my arm and for the first time in my life, I push her against the wall of my home and bare my teeth in her face.

“Do not touch me.” Realization at what I’ve done strikes, and I release her just as quickly, stumbling backwards. “I beg your forgiveness.”

The fear I’ve never before seen in her gaze doesn’t fade, and she pushes the hair off her face with a trembling hand. “You’re losing control.”

I am. Except when I was with Olivia. She was able to calm the beast inside. “I’ll fix this.”

Her pitying gaze is almost more than I can stand. “It may be too late.”

Refusing to accept that, I pivot and make my way out of the camp toward Preska.

I don’t know if that’s where Olivia went, but something tells me my missing phinnek is with her.

That at least eases some of my concern. Mak will make sure no harm comes to her.

On silent feet, I race toward the city, slowing only when I get close.

I divert my path and head toward the small section of crumbling wall hidden within a grouping of bushes behind a narrow building.

I discovered the entry point nearly six moon cycles ago and have used it to smuggle various items out of Preska as well as myself into the city.

It isn’t until I’ve skirted my way around several buildings that I realize I still hold Olivia’s dress, and I forgot the cloak I normally wear to conceal my identity.

There is a small cadre of Jintiri priests who live within the city, which is who I stole the cloak from.

While my horns add some height to me, it’s easy enough to blend in so long as no one looks too closely.

Since I can’t worry about that now, I make sure to remain within the shadows offered by the towering buildings and the vast number of trees that fill Preska.

I avoid the area of the city where the guard’s barracks are located and instead, head for the dormitory where the females reside.

As always there are two guards stationed at the entrance and one on each corner of the large block where the building is located.

I locate a copse of trees that offer me a view of the entrance and settle in to wait.

If Olivia made it to Preska, the first place she’ll be directed to go is the palace to speak with both the prince and the commander, perhaps also the queen.

What will she tell them? There were no secrets she could have learned in the short time she was in our camp.

Except the fact I’d been struck hard with mating fever this morning and only she’d been able to rein in the monster that dwells inside.

The sun moves slowly across the sky and with it my worry grows when she doesn’t appear.

What if I’m wrong and she is still lost within the rainforest?

Or what if she met with danger and lies injured somewhere waiting for help to arrive?

Scenarios run through my mind, each one worse than the next until my breaths come faster and my skin itches with an uncontrollable need to scratch it.

I’m holding on by a tether until the breeze shifts and with it comes the familiar fragrance of Olivia.

The burning flames flicking within my veins heat slightly at the scent of her.

I straighten from my hiding spot and search her out.

Moments later, I breathe easier because there she is, still wearing my clothes. At her side is Mak.