Initiation (Xylon Warriors 1) (32 page)
“He said,
I’m going to fix it so the bitch won’t ever be able to breed
. He had to know Alexa had already gone through the Initiation. She couldn’t be Branded otherwise.”
They all looked at each other in stunned silence.
“What’s it mean?” Alexa asked.
Another long moment passed before Braden answered. “Marid must have found a way around the first step of the Initiation Rite. A way to sterilize our protected women.”
Alexa bit her bottom lip. She slid her hand into his.
He squeezed her fingers, looking deep into her eyes. His love for Alexa, and hers for him, had opened his heart. Not only to her, but also to all the Xylon people. Their safety was his responsibility now. And he didn’t take that lightly. He looked over at Xylon’s ranking Healer. “What can you do, Leila?”
She paced, obviously gathering her thoughts, then she stopped in front of him. “We can’t strengthen what we’re already using. The only hope is to neutralize whatever they’re using to get around our protection. I’ll need a sample of the compound, so I can break it down.”
“And how are we supposed to get that?” Erik raked his fingers through his hair.
“There’s only one way,” Kam answered without hesitation. “We go in. To Marid. And steal it.”
“And neutralize Daegal while we’re there,” Braden added. “I’ll take it to the Council for a vote.” He turned to gaze into Alexa’s eyes. He raised his hand to caress her cheek, then slid his fingers around to the back of her neck, needing to feel his mark on her. “This isn’t going to deter us. We’re going to build a long and loving life together, Alexa. I give you my promise.”
Her eyes softened, and she squeezed his hand. “I know. I trust you. And I love you.”
“I love you, too, sweetheart.” He leaned in to kiss her tenderly.
The others materialized out of the room, leaving them in privacy.
Alexa slid her arms around him and melted into his embrace. Nothing had ever felt as good to him as her soft touch. Braden intended to keep this woman, his one true love, safe and close to his heart forever.
About the Author
Ruth D. Kerce got hooked on writing in the fifth grade when she won a short story contest—a romance, of course. And she’s been writing romance ever since.
She writes several subgenres of romance—historical, contemporary and futuristic. Her books are available online in many internet bookstores. Her short stories and articles are available on several websites. She has won or placed in writing contests and hopes to continue to write exciting tales for years to come.
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Also by
Ruth D. Kerce
Xylon Warriors 2: His Carnal Need
Xylon Warriors 3: Flames of Arousal
Xylon Warriors 4: Ecstasy Bound
Print books by Ruth D. Kerce
Bedtime, Playtime
anthology
Diamond Studs
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Finely Aged
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Good Girl Seeks Bad Rider
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Winter Studs
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Xylon Warriors 2: His Carnal Need
Xylon Warriors 3: Flames of Arousal
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