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Authors: Emma Paul

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BOOK: Kaden's Breeder
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Decimated because of her? The Grub wanted her they would be willing to go to war over her? It was insane, too much to consider and there was no time to consider it. Her heart thumped frantically inside her chest

What if what the Mantra was telling was true? If Kaden denied the Council's order to return her back to earth, and it did cause a war with the Grub. The Council would be forced to declare war bringing not only Yor but also the surrounding inhabited worlds would be caught in the middle

It is the Galactic Governing Councils responsibility to maintain the peace between its member planets. If treaties were broken it would be catastrophic on a Galactic scale. No that seemed so extreme, but what did she really know about the governing politics of this Council

Back on earth she struggled to understand her government's own version of politics. So far everything she has been through has been way off the earthling idea of normal. She was a stranger and knew nothing about what was normal to these beings. Hopelessness unraveled her resolve and confidence

She had to believe what the Mantra told her was true; there was no other choice that she could see. “Kaden...” she whispered his name and it stung her lips as her body went limp. He would not die because of her

Her heart breaking she wept for the sudden loss of her soul. She would somehow manage to raise their child on earth even if she had to live the rest of her life as a hermit. She would do it. The impossibility of raising a Dreg child overwhelmed her even more; she would give her dying breath to keep their son or daughter safe though

Carina turned to the Mantra leader. She no longer had the energy to even speak.

"Take me home. No, take me back to earth...” her voice was low barely audible, but she knew that he had heard her

Both creatures turned and left her. And she lay there staring blankly at the silver ceiling feeling her heart slowly shatter into a million pieces.

[Back to Table of Contents]

CHAPTER TWENTY ONE

The Councils decision to remain neutral with Yor's conflict with the Grub did not come as a surprise to Kaden. Nal sat opposite him in the pilot's seat of his royal space cruiser. He hadn't said two words to Nal since he left the Council's grievance hall, where he had stated his case to all the representatives

The vote was split by sixty-to-forty in his favor, which should have prompted the Council to give Yor all the help it needed, however, they decided it was a “domestic” issue and the Governing Council should not interfere. It left Yor to its own defenses against the Grub

However it also gave the Dreg Government right to decide the fate of any Breeder, or other being brought to Yor for integration into their society. It was a small battle won, if not his desired result. The Grub would be a powerful enemy if the conflict ended in war

However, as a warrior, his confidence in the ability to defend his home was absolute. There was a reason why the Dregs were the only ones out of the four Yor clan species that survived. They had endured too much to bow down to anyone

Nal looked at Kaden from the corner of his eye. “You are deep in thought my friend. I believe the judgment was well received."

Kaden smiled and nodded his agreement. “I know and I am thankful for your help, but I do not want to put you in the middle of my battles."

Nal regarded him for a minute. “Elvin has a very similar history as Yor. I feel that our warrior races understand each other a lot better than many of the other races represented in the Three Galaxies."

Narrowing his eyes at Kaden he considered the Dreg's demeanor. “I believe there is more bothering you then the Grubs threat to Yor. You and I both know that with your technology, defeating the Grub would not be impossible. So what is really bothering you."

He raised an eyebrow at Kaden, waiting for an answer.

Kaden rolled his eyes, “You truly are like an old woman with your intuitions."

He folded his arms across his broad chest, giving Nal a teasing smirk. “But you are correct as usual,” he sighed, “It is Carina I'm thinking about. Not that that is anything new. But I need to know that she truly wants to stay on Yor. I need it to be her decision. Her happiness is more important to me than any favorable decision or none at all."

"I see.” Nal paused a moment then turned to Kaden, “You would take her back to her home planet?"

Kaden stared out into space and nodded solemnly, “I would if that was what would make her happy."

Yor came into view and Nal entered the coordinates to set the shuttle down in the landing fields near the main Commune.

Kiana burst into tears and threw her arms around Kaden the minute she saw him. Kaden almost fell back as she slammed into him and began sobbing hysterically against his chest. He looked at Corbin who turned his head to the side, a noticeable tick started in his jaw. Kaden plucked Kiana off him and held her away at arm's length.

"Kiana what are you doing?"

His voice came out stern making her snap her head up, looking him in the face. “I'm sorry Dar Kaden, but I tried to stop her ... I..."

"You tried to stop who?” Kaden somehow knew he wasn't going to like where this was headed.

"Dara Carina...” she looked up at him innocently, the tears streaking her face. “She tricked me, I was searching for little Anu in the jungle, because we though he had gotten lost. Dara Carina came with me. I went to get her and she was packing some things in a basket. I told her what had happened and begged her to help me. She didn't want to. I had to plead with her to help me!"

Kaden listened intently; his heart began to beat faster at the description Kiana was giving him. It was so unlike Carina to refuse someone in need, he was beginning to have his doubts. Kiana was not very trust worthy yet her tears were real. “Go on what happened when the two of you went into the jungle?"

Kiana took a deep breath, giving Kaden the most sympathy riddled look he had ever seen. “She led me to a small clearing. Then, she pushed me to the ground and yelled out to someone hiding in the trees. That was when a Mantra came out with a Trellian soldier and she left with them."

She bowed her head down looking truly stricken by what she had to tell him. “I am so sorry Dar Kaden.” She whispered as she threw her arms around him again trying to hug him close

Kaden pushed her away and turned towards Corbin. “Is this true?” Corbin looked at Kiana a moment before he stepped forward and braided his Dregs behind his back as he started to answer him. “No! It is not!"

Every one turned to see Jarrow with an extremely determined Alura standing at his side. Jarrow stepped aside and let Alura walk past him to stand in front of Kaden. “Kiana is lying!"

A loud gasp came from the gathering crowd that had come to the pavilion to welcome Kaden home. Most had heard Kiana's version of things

Alura stepped forward, shoving a very stunned Kiana aside, “Carina had never planned to escape you Kaden. I know this for a fact."

Alura made it a point to eye all the spectators as she spoke the last sentence. Kiana stepped past Kaden and eyed Alura. All her previous tears and sympathy for Kaden's misfortune were now gone

She narrowed her eyes on the older woman. “How to do you know old woman!” She walked once around Alura, looking her up and down. “Carina never once stated that she was happy on Yor or that she was going to remain, even when you told her about the Dreg's technology that could be used to take her back to her planet."

Another gasp from the crowd rose, but Alura remained focused on Kiana

"Mother is this true?” Kaden broke her concentration

Alura stroked Kaden's cheek lovingly, “Yes my heart it is, but Carina also did not tell me that she wanted to leave when I told her. In fact she seemed quite upset with the news, as if it gave her more pain then relief to know she could go home at any time."

Turning her attention back to Kiana, “I will tell you how I would know, whore.” Alura took a step forward forcing Kiana to stumble back. “Carina had just found out she was pregnant with Kaden's child. She was shocked at the news, but completely happy with it."

She then turned to Kaden, “Her reaction was not the reaction of a woman who was planning on leaving the man she loves."

Jarrow came forward to stand next to Alura. “Kaden, Kiana has been causing all the indignities Carina suffered through from the first moment she set foot on Yor."

Corbin finally spoke, his anger at the accusations being tossed at his Breeder evident, “What proof do you have Jarrow."

Jarrow placed a hand on Corbin's shoulder the way a father would console a son, “Corbin, I am sorry, but you know as well as I do that what I say is true. You're Breeder has done nothing but shame you since you captured her last spring at the mating hunt."

The big man's eyes flashed warningly at Jarrow. His resolve was breaking, but in the end he knew that Jarrow was right. Turning to look at Kiana he walked to her and took hold of her shoulders forcing her to tilt her head up to look at him.

"Tell them Kiana. Tell them that what they say is not true. You did not do anything to harm Dara Carina."

Kiana looked away from him her face was twisted with disgust.

"Tell them!” Corbin's angry command made her jump, and for the first time since she has known him, fear registered on her face in his presence. Corbin had never raised his voice and she took him for a weak-minded fool.

But he had had enough of her infidelities. His grip on her shoulders tightened and she cringed from the pain he was causing. Abruptly, he let go and turned away from her

"You are pathetic Corbin."

Kiana spit on his back as he began to walk away, “That's it coward walk away."

She taunted him. Her demeanor changed completely as she focused on Corbin's retreating back, “Do you know why I fucked all those other warriors? Do you? Because I couldn't stand the thought of you touching me! I hate you Corbin. You should have never forced me into participating in the Mating Hunt. One more year and I would have had Kaden, but no you couldn't keep your hands off me and your cock out of my quim."

She continued to ridicule Corbin who had come to a complete stop and bowed his head down in defeat. “Bastard! Do you know I flushed my body every time I knew I was pregnant with your seed! I couldn't stand to breed any creature sired by you!"

Silence fell over the crowd at Kiana's proclamation. Corbin slowly turned around. His eyes were filled with rage, regret. He clenched his fists at his side. Kiana turned a pale green, when he slowly walked towards her

She stumbled back, placing her hand to her neck. Her chest heaved up and down as utter terror consumed her whole body. Never had anyone seen Corbin this angry. He was going to kill her

Kaden stepped in front of her and Corbin, placing his hand to the larger man's chest to hold him back. “Corbin no Breeder will be harmed that is law.” Corbin never took his eyes off Kiana. “She is no Breeder."

His voice was low and his tone was deadly. “I absolve her status; send her to the barracks to be used by whoever wants her. Then she will be sent to Jenis five to labor for the rest of her life."

Without another word Corbin turned and walked away from the pavilion and a very shocked Kiana.

"Surely you can't consider that Dar Kaden. Even I would never survive the Jenis labor prisons. Please Kaden have mercy!” this time her hysterics were real as she groveled at Kaden's feet

He stood over her, unemotional and completely without pity, “Tell me Kiana where is Carina, what have you done with her?"

[Back to Table of Contents]

CHAPTER TWENTY TWO

Carina stared out the small round porthole window into the vastness of space. She should be elated that she was finally going home, but all she felt was sorrow. Home was where people loved and cared for her. Home was where she was needed, felt needed, wanted. Home was with Kaden

Every time his name popped into her head, a lump formed in her throat and her chest tightened. Her eyes were so swollen from the tears she had already cried that she could no longer stand the brightness of the room. Emotional pain like she had never experience before clenched tightly around her heart

This was what it meant to have a broken heart. How she wished she had never had found out. “Kaden...” her whisper seemed to echo in the empty cell she was in. The Mantra had left her a while ago, telling her that once they were through the wormhole into her galaxy, they would place her in a stasis pod meant for interstellar travel through time vortexes.

It meant that the Mantra would literally be able to travel light years in a matter of minutes. Yeah whatever, she could care less, all she wanted was to go back to Yor and to Kaden. But if she did, it would only cause his death. No matter how painful this was for her, knowing that she was the reason Kaden forfeited his life was simply unimaginable.

The panel to her right opened and the Mantra Commander motioned for her to follow him. Her legs felt like rubber and her body shook as she stood up. Despite the fact that they had given her a silver space suit that fit like a second skin, she could still feel the cold penetrate her body right to her bones. As he led her down the corridor Carina barely acknowledge the fact that the walls and floor of the Mantra ship had changed.

She kept her head down staring at her feet as she walked defeated behind the Mantra Commander. Had she been paying attention, she would have noticed that the Commander led her to a room filled with thick vines holding several mucus filled pouches about the size of a beehive

The room had one podium with gauges in the center, and a large stone and webbed nest directly in front of it. The nest sat up higher than the rest of the room. They stopped suddenly and Carina finally looked up.

She gasped. All around her vines and webbing criss-crossed throughout the room. It looked like she had just stepped into the belly of a giant bug. The webbing looked a lot like the same stuff that had shot out of the creature she encountered in the Yor jungle.

It was wet and looked more organic then metallic. In fact the whole room did not have what one would consider solid walls. Texturally it reminded her of bowels. And it seemed to expand and retract like a breathing animal

BOOK: Kaden's Breeder
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