Glendar (The Mating Games Book 3) (2 page)

Chapter 2

The Wait

Glendar had never considered himself impatient before. Life had flowed and he had floated along with it, what choice did any of them have? He was the third of ten sons and he didn’t have the responsibilities of Razar and never before had he felt the expectations that he personally had put on Travlr on himself, again until now. Stevr the fifth son had just called him and he had looked so excited. He’d met one of the females that would be in the hunt and was infatuated.

“I can hardly wait until your mating and Maxar’s is out of the way to claim my own mate if she is half as lovely and sweet as the one I just met.” Stevr smiled joyfully as he spoke.

Their father had put Stevr in charge of the program that found and negotiated for mates for their kind. It was an incredible task to be charged with. Stevr would even be trading for his own mate eventually although he wouldn’t meet her until she arrived. Razar was the only one who wouldn’t have Stevr to thank for his female. Glendar just wanted his mate and he didn’t mind thanking anyone that helped bring that about. Two more days and the ship would land. One of the fifty females on it would be his life mate. Fated by the goddess herself, all he had to do was hunt her down and catch her before the time was up.

Today he would spend at work, tomorrow he would prepare and go to the temple to be cleansed for his hunt. His heart sped up at the thought of joining with the female of his dreams. He planned to keep to himself because he didn’t want to talk about his upcoming task. Racing mind and throbbing forehead, he just wanted to be by himself to imagine what his female might be like. Sending up silent prayers that he would claim her in time, which was his most fervent desire. Failure was not an option, success must be achieved at any cost.

It was a relief when the day was finished. Glendar’s job was hard and the hours long. He was in charge of the Oison weed as soon as it was harvested. The processing, sales, and delivery all fell under his purview and since he had begun the job, he had put in long hours and worked hard to make the industry a success. His assistants were good and soon he would find out how good because he intended to take time off to claim and get to know his mate. Nothing would interfere with him catching and convincing her to be his. It was every Mazlans dream and many were getting their dreams answered. Some were multi-matings but most were one on one. His brother Travlr had considered sharing a mate but changed his mind before he hunted for one. Glendar knew he could never share his heart in that way.

He stood at the rail on the catwalk above the area where the Oison weed was washed and dried before it was made into the famous Oison weed cigars loved throughout the galaxy. Glendar was heading home and it soothed him to see the work going smoothly and everything under control since he wouldn’t be back for a while. Tomorrow he would prepare, the next day he would hunt, and the days following that he would woo and claim his special one. A smile stretched over his face as warmth filled him. Mazlans wanted nothing as much as they desired their mate.

A happy tune whistled out of his lips and he almost skipped as he headed out the door. This much happiness was unheard of but it would only increase when he was face to face with the love of his life.  Heading home, he arrived in minutes because he was living at the house he’d started at the same time Travlr had started his. He’d hired Tammie his new sister through mating to finish it and things were getting done now. Just a couple more weeks and it would be complete. The girl did great work and he couldn’t wait. Once he got home, he entered the house going right into the incomplete kitchen.

A slow cooker was full of some kind of stew and it smelled great. It made him want to kiss Tammie or Razar, whoever had fixed the food for him. Glendar was an average cook. He had a couple meals he did well and the other food tasted like sawdust. That was an earth saying that meant it was dry and flavorless. He enjoyed Tammie’s and Lista’s way of expressing themselves. They had become the best of friends and he hoped his mate would fit right in. It would make things so much easier.

He tried to think about what she might look like but even in his dreams she was just a shadowy figure. It was frustrating, but maybe it was better this way. If he imagined a female completely different it might make him feel odd when he met his one. Both Razar and Travlr had admitted they couldn’t imagine exactly what their mates looked like either but they had been blown away when they first saw them. Glendar knew he would be too. She would have many questions and he would have some too. Once he claimed her they would have forever to get to know each other.

Reaching into the only cabinet on the wall at this point, he pulled out a bowl. Eating quickly, he cleaned up afterward and got ready for bed. Tossing and turning for a while he thought about all the things he had to do tomorrow. Once he finally fell asleep, he slept solidly for six hours before waking.

Now it was morning and he would go to the temple. He made it there in half an hour and was greeted at the door. “Wellness and health to you, Glendar.” Judls said as he rushed around the counter to lead him to a room where he would undress.

Judsl was a devotee to the temple. He was a few years younger than Judsl and had already been a devotee while they were all imprisoned. The warden had allowed a small group to take care of the religious needs of them all. The young priest would probably apply to mate soon because it wasn’t restricted by their religious requirements. He left Glendar alone to bare himself and to begin the cleansing that began every important part of their life.

Glendar got naked and put on the robe before meeting Judsl in the hallway. He now could see that Judsl had left to get another male ready to cleanse. Since Judsl was busy he went ahead and found an empty bath and got started. He moved along from bath to bath with the practice of a lifetime. Once done with the row of different colored baths, he showered to remove any lingering minerals. Now he stood before another priest and was sprayed with a liquid. He walked through a room thick with smoke that made him cough and gasp until Judsl appeared and motioned him out.

He smiled at him and slapped him hard on the back. “You’re ready my friend. Happy hunting.” Judsl led me to the door and hurried me out. A line was forming of males that had waited until the most common time to cleanse. Glendar was relieved he was done and prayed the gods and goddesses would bless him.

The rest of the day was spent double checking all his supplies and making a quick run over the expected route. Once that was done, he had time on his hands and nothing to do. He headed over to Razar’s because it was where Travlr and his mate went more often than not.

Once he arrived, he pounded on the door which was answered right away. “Hello, Lista.” He said as he grabbed her and hugged her hard. Razar growled but Glendar just laughed.

“Well don’t just stand there.” Razar grumbled as he motioned him in.

Just as he expected Travlt and Tammie were sitting on the couch. He dropped into a chair and looked around expectantly. “What are all of you doing tonight?” Glendar asked.

“We were just talking about Lista’s mother and young brothers. Razar sent for them and they were ready to come. None of us know why they aren’t here yet.” Tammie explained and it was clear she had sympathy for Lista. It was also clear Lista was concerned about her family.

“What will you do?” Glendar asked as he turned to look at Razar who was in the kitchen cooking. They had an open floor plan that made it possible to see their guests from most places in the kitchen.

“I need to find out what the delay is. Lista’s mom wasn’t listed as one of the females that had to stay. As far as we know, the father of the boys is not an important individual and he has no interest in the boys. The whole matter is a mystery.” Razar explained with a shrug of his shoulders. It was a very human habit he had developed.

“How is your business going Tammie?” Glendar changed the subject because Lista seemed to be worried. Razar sent him a look of appreciation. He couldn’t stand his female to be upset especially now that she was showing a bump with their first offspring.

“I’m getting more work than I can keep up with. Grab a mate that can help me out.” Tammie said laughing.

“Sorry, Sister. We have no choice the goddess selects for us.”

“It’ll be alright.” Tammie said trying to reassure him he would do well in the hunt.

“It will be as it should be.”

They talked until Razar had food ready and then they fell over it. By the time they were finished, it was time for him to leave. His family wished him well and he did feel better. Nothing but grabbing his bride would make him feel right at this point. Rushing home, he didn’t shower remembering it wasn’t allowed. Stripping, he went to bed with his mind only on his mate. When he woke in the morning, it was still on his fated one.

Choking down some cereal for breakfast, he dressed and left the house. It was a relief to finally be on his way. His soul felt a call to find its other half and nothing would hold him back. He arrived with many other males ready to answer the call all of them had felt for a long time. He could see Horlar up ahead of him. The male was a distant cousin of some kind. The horn blown to start the hunt was placed firmly against his lips and he heard the strong sound echo all around them. The time had come to begin the chase.

Glendar saw several males grab the females that had decided not to run. More had run than not and searching through those that had stayed behind he quickly saw his female wasn’t among them. A smile stretched across his lips. It was true he might regret it later, but he loved a female with spirit. Taking a deep breath, he scented her and headed the way she had left. Looking at her footprints, he could see she had taken off at a steady pace but she had not run. It was smart to pace herself.

He paced himself too but at a slightly faster pace. Glendar intended to catch her sooner rather than later. The first water stop loomed in front of him half an hour later. From what he could see, he was gaining slowly but surely. Taking a drink, he also filled his bottle and then he continued on. Her speed hadn’t slacked and he was impressed. His brothers had both gotten strong females and it looked like he would have one too.

After traveling several hours, he had cut her lead in half. The sun was slowly setting and she would have to decide whether to settle in for the night or continue on. It was his hope she would settle in and he would catch her before she woke. It didn’t look like she was going to do that. A wolf howled in the distance and he wondered if Razar had loosed his pet beast or if the creature had kindred nearby. A similar animal represented his family’s house and he had no fear of them, not for himself anyway. What would happen to his mate if she ran into one alone was anyone’s guess. Glendar’s speed picked up and he gained more ground every hour.

A puddle of water was on his path and he wondered if she had spilled it. He wouldn’t know until he caught up with her. The mountains were getting closer in the distance and he remembered exploring them after Travlr’s mate hunt. Several of the caves had been sealed off to prevent potential mates from being harmed by the wild animals and carnivores vines that lived inside. They had been lucky no mates had been hurt on the first two mating hunts. There was much about the planet they didn’t know but since they shifted into beasts many called demons, the danger wasn’t to them.

It was true Glendar could change form and catch his female in less than half the time, but he wouldn’t do that. He didn’t mind the challenge and it would be wrong to overwhelm her with his beast. Besides, there was a chance she would refuse him if she was to see what he could be before she got to know him. He was a nice enough guy and he felt certain they would bond. At that point, his mate would accept his other side. It’s not like there weren’t benefits to their mates. Their life was extended and their health improved. Offspring came in six months and were stronger and tougher.

She will accept me
. He had to think positively or he would despair. Glendar stopped and breathed in deep. Yes, her scent was strong and it warmed his body. Desire ripped through him and he could only hope she’d feel the same. A Mazlan rejected by his one was a horrifying thing to be around. Such a male had no hope of happiness and his heart was surrounded by ice. Anger consumed him and he lashed out at everyone including those he loved. It often was so bad he had to be put down. It was not a thought he would keep in his mind. That was something males only thought of when there was no choice. If and only if there fated love rejected them for good.

Chapter 3

The Chase

Bernie heard the howl and hoped it was the
friendly
wolves they spoke about on the vid of Oison. Her luck was mixed because she couldn’t claim it was all bad since she had escaped her pa. Right now she was feeling pretty good because she had her back pack filled with far better food than she ever ate back home. She was wearing clean and serviceable clothes and her shoes were sturdy and new. Life was good right now, much better than she was used to. Taking her pack off, she took a break eating her fill in five minutes flat. That included the time to drink until she was no longer thirsty and take her sneakers off to check her feet and rub them a minute.

Ready to move on, Bernie moved on following the trail as the night flowers bloomed all around her. At home flowers bloomed all through the day, but here in the desert it was at night. The heat during the day was too taxing on them and if they bloomed they would dry up. At night the heavy perfume scented the air and she loved it. If she wasn’t being chased, she would pick some flowers and soak them in oil or alcohol to make some cologne like she had at home. It was amateur hour but it was all she ever had.

Maybe she should have watched her step instead of the flowers because she tripped on something and slid into a ditch. It was sheer luck that she was able to crawl out, but she could have broken a leg. Bernie was much more careful after that. If she knew the male chasing her was a good guy, she would have just sat down and waited on him. It would be hard to make her life harsher than her pa had, but he had never abused them and that was something she never wanted to face.