Page 10 of Havik: Warlord Brides
Welcomed?
His father’s arrogance disgusted him.
“Vanessa was not—” Again, he nearly stepped into the male’s trap. “I cannot remain here,” Havik said.
“No.” Kaos slotted the casing back on the blaster. It hummed to life, soft lights flashing as it powered up. “I went through too much work orchestrating events for you to run away now. You are my only son. You will take another mate—a suitable female—and give me strong grandsons.”
“What trouble? Deceiving my mate into thinking I rejected her? Deceiving me about her death? Taking away the only thing that has ever belonged to me?” Havik’s voice rose as he spoke, until he shouted the last words.
Kaos regarded him with a cool expression. “Terrans are unsuitable as a species. Have you ever wondered why there are so few Terran mates in the clan? Did the runt tell you that?”
He had not, but Havik said nothing.
Just as well, Kaos’ question was rhetorical as he continued to speak. “The males are given the choice to reject the female or leave the clan.”
“That is no choice at all.” When Havik learned of his match, he immediately felt possessive of the female, sight unseen. He could not imagine a male willingly giving up his mate when faced with such an ultimatum. “How many good warriors have you driven away?”
“Such judgment in your tone when you’re young enough to still be tripping over your tail.” Kaos shook his head and made a sympathetic clicking noise, but Havik sensed the insincerity.
His warlord—his father—was mocking him.
Havik growled with frustration. The blaster lay on the table between them. Kaos lifted one brow, curious to see what Havik would do.
“How many?”
“Enough. One warrior is much like another,” Kaos said, giving a dismissive wave of one hand. “Those who could not be replaced were allowed to keep their inferior mates.” Kaos gave Havik an appraising look. “And you.”
Havik huffed. “Stars forbid you imply that your son is irreplaceable.”
“I did you a service. That Terran was weak. Her sons would not be strong enough to thrive.”
“My sons,” Havik said quietly.
“You will not pollute our clan with inferior genes. Bad enough that your mother was weak and died birthing you, but I shouldn’t be surprised. You were always soft and slow, like her. I did everything for you, Havik. I should have left you out in the desert when you were an infant, but instead, I found you a new mother. Silly female. I told her not to coddle you.”
Havik reached for the blaster, his fingers gripping the handle tight. With his thumb, he ratcheted up the power to the maximum setting and the weapon hummed. His stepmother was not a perfect being, but she had been kind and caring to him as a child when his father had only ever been distant.
He leveled the weapon at Kaos.
The older male’s eyes sparked with amusement. “Will you pull the trigger? I wonder. I used to think you would be the warlord after me. Now can be your moment.”
Such vile words. Kaos had only contempt and bitterness for his son. Why should Havik show the male any respect? This bitter old male stole his mate and dishonored him in the eyes of the clan. His only family—the ones who cared for him—had been the clan, and now they regarded him with disdain.
He should end Kaos now. No one would mourn the male. Everyone would thank him if they knew what he did.
Havik gnashed his teeth, growling in frustration.
The blaster jerked to one side and fired, a bolt of light scorching the air and leaving a hole in the wall just over Kaos’ shoulder. The scent of burnt ozone filled the air.
Kaos turned on his stool to admire the smoldering hole, then twisted back with a smirk on his face.
Havik powered down the blaster and stuck it in the waistband of his trousers. “I did not spare you out of affection. You have never been a father to me, and I see you now for the traitorous warlord that you are. If I ended you, the clan would not follow me. They believe I have no honor.”
Kaos titled his head to one side. He had never considered the warrior before him as a threat, that much was obvious from his disdain and cruel words, but now he perhaps saw an opponent for the first time. “You made it easy to believe.”
“You lie. You twist words. One day you will be seen for the sand viper that you are, and someone will challenge you.”
“But not you.”
