Page 37 of Alien Daddies
“Do you think she will beg us to claim her as our life mate soon?” Kameel asked as came to stand behind Torin.
“Very soon. I sense it. Aras senses it too. She almost broke down and begged us while we had her out on the terrace, when Zane wouldn’t let her orgasm with him.”
Both males chuckled. She had peered over her shoulder with wide eyes, her mouth hanging open in shock, when Zane had made this announcement, clearly not happy he was using her body for his pleasure while denying her a release of her own.
Yes, Torin was certain she would beg them to claim her as their life mate soon. Tomorrow, perhaps. Her heart had softened toward them, this he could sense quite well. She not only craved them but held true affection for them. If she didn’t beg them tomorrow, he hoped it was before their weeklong leave was up—a six-day break given as thanks for their trip to Earth. Of course, they wouldn’t leave her unsupervised once they had to return to warrior training. One of them would remain behind each day to keep an eye on her, per the judge’s orders.
Even if the judge hadn’t decreed she remain under the supervision of at least one of them at a time, they still would have treated her as if they were already mated and followed the custom ofproshema, the Khanndoran philosophy of always protecting one’s mate and offspring.Proshemadictated at least one male in azoshinof brothers remain with their mate and their young offspring at all times.
“Has she eaten yet?” Kameel asked. “I had hoped she would join us for the evening meal.”
“Some of the Kreccians came upstairs to meet her a while ago and brought a tray with fruit and sweetcakes,” he answered, referring to the servants they employed. “She ate almost all of it and then fell fast asleep after I changed her into a nightdress.”
“She’s perfect. To think she was on Earth all along. It is a shame she did not cross our path sooner, though I suppose if we’d met her on Earth we would have had a difficult time convincing her to travel to Khanndora with us.”
Torin backed into the hallway and the door slid shut. “She needs her sleep. Come, let us confer in the dining room. We have been absent from Khanndora for far too long. The Kreccians have done a fine job keeping up our house, but we must discuss fortifying our security now that we have our female. We must also work out a schedule as we keep withproshema.”
They ventured to the dining room where a feast awaited them. The Kreccians had prepared the meal in the kitchen homemade, rather than use one of the Norran replicators, to welcome hiszoshinhome. Torin and hiszoshinwould bestow the servants with gifts to thank them for their loyal service. The Kreccians’ planet was overcrowded and like Earth used bots for service jobs and a growing population of them were now making their homes on Khanndora. They were a hardworking and trustworthy race and were the only alien race whose people were permitted to apply for permanent residency on his home planet.
Torin joined his brothers at the table and they sampled the delectable food that had been prepared, along withshezanwine made from the grapes that grew in the vineyards surrounding Hegg. It had been six months since Torin and his brothers had enjoyed such a splendid meal and he also wished Kenna could join them, but he couldn’t bring himself to rouse her after witnessing her fatigue. She’d barely been able to stand up as the Kreccians had introduced themselves.
As his brothers discussed security measures and working schedules, as well as the proper gifts to bestow on the servants, Torin anticipated returning to Kenna’s room and checking on her one last time before going to bed.
He recalled the dreamy smile she’d worn as he helped get her ready for bed and pleasure washed through him. When he’d first met her, she had been frightened and worried, but now she was hopeful and contented. She’d gone too long without a male guardian to care for her, too long without a tender touch or a comforting word. He hoped as the days passed and she remained in their household, the hurts from her past would heal further and she would recall her tragic times on Earth less and less.
Her father and the brother she’d mentioned were the worst sort of scoundrels, in Torin’s opinion, and if he ever met either man by chance he knew without a doubt he would exact vengeance. His hands curled into fists and he tensed at the prospect of a physical fight with the men who should have been caring for and treasuring a girl as sweet as Kenna.
“I ran a diagnostic,” Aras said, “and discovered the security system around the perimeter of the house is still functioning at acceptable levels. However, there have been reports ofonmianbears moving into this mountain range. Though they are small creatures, they might pose a threat to a female or a child. I recommend we alter the security system to detect smaller mammals than the current settings.”
“Agreed.” Torin paused as he considered his next statement, but it needed to be said. No matter what, they had to make sure Kenna never escaped. Legally, she was their prisoner for a year, and the law aside, heflixxingnever planned to lose her. “We should also alter the system to alert us if Kenna ventures more than one land unit from the house.”
“Agreed,” his brothers all said in unison.
Once business was taken care of and the meal completed, Torin ascended the stairs, eager to check on his little girl. His heart overflowed with warmth at the prospect of seeing her again, watching her sleep, and perhaps crawling into bed next to her. Just to hold her.
The door opened upon his approach and he entered, his gaze seeking out the bed. He frowned to find it empty, the covers torn off.
“Kenna?” His concern rising, he dashed to the bathroom and peered inside.
Empty. So was the closet.
He stared at the open window with a sense of rising worry.
Several pairs of heavy footsteps sounded behind him, his brothers all running into the room. They must have sensed his deep upset. He looked at Aras.
“You sensed her emotions better than any of us,” Torin said. “Did you sense any misgivings in her recently? Any sign she might have been planning to run away?”
Aras’ fists clenched and he bounded for the window, peering out into the night. He closed his eyes as a look of concentration settled over him. Unless she was still nearby, Torin doubted Aras would be able to sense any of Kenna’s emotions or thoughts, but he would not stop his younger brother from trying. The surrounding forest that covered the mountain was vast. Night had fallen, the three moons resting high in the sky. Nocturnal beasts were about, seeking their prey. A lone human female would not last long in the night forest without protection.
Torin cursed himself for not closing the window. She couldn’t have left through the front door, as it had been locked. She must have scaled down the large stones from her second-floor window. But what could compel her to do such a thing? He moved to stand beside Aras and peered into the night, listening for any sounds of trouble or any signs that she might still be nearby.
“She’s scared,” Aras said, touching his forehead. “She’s also angry. Very, very angry.”
“Any idea which direction she headed in?” Kameel asked.
A scream in the distance, in the direction of the Chesnan River, soon answered their question. Torin and his brothers acted quickly. Aras and Kameel raced to the rooftop to take the aircraft out during the search, as they would follow and illuminate the rapid ground pursuit of Torin, Zane, Nagen, and Vilad.
Tree branches pelted Torin’s face as he sprinted through the forest at full speed, his brothers close behind him. After another scream sounded, Torin emitted a fierce growl that shook the tree leaves, in hopes that it would scare off whatever beast was bothering her. Their little girl was in danger and they had to save her. If anything happened to her… he couldn’t complete the thought. He had no idea what had prompted her to leave their house, but he didn’t care about her motivations in this moment as much as he cared about her safety. Once they got her back, they would work to remedy what had frightened her into running.
