Untamable Lover (Worlds of Lemuria: Earth Colony Book 2) (30 page)

“Tell me of your sister. She wasn’t mine, but from what your mother says, she’s your best friend.”

Her chest clenched at the painful memory, and a new round of tears flowed from her eyes. “Sidea, she’s gone. I miss her so much.” 

“I’m so sorry, Aramie.” He pressed his forehead against hers. His unique scent infiltrated her senses, relaxing her. They stayed that way for several long seconds. Then, he pulled away and cradled her face in his palms. “I wish there was some way I could make it up to you…all the years I wasn’t around.”

 “I have so many questions.” She stared into his eyes, searching for what, she wasn’t sure.

He took her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. “Come, let’s sit for a few minutes, get to know one another.” 

She nodded. They sat on the edge of one of the larger rocks in the area, and she told him about her past and about her new mate Demir. As he told his tale, the timbre of his deep voice soothed her and she listened…

*****

Demir was late and he clenched his jaw as he raced through the forest. Gaetan had detained him longer than expected, insisting on one more test. Demir’s shoulder was fine, mended, but he couldn’t say no to the old haelen. Even Gaetan had somehow weaseled his way into the friend category.
My, how I’ve changed.
He shook his head. Hopefully, Aramie was still at their meeting place. His chest tightened, and a sense of urgency raced through his mind.

As Demir approached, an unfamiliar Panthera scent brought him to a halt. His hackles rose. A deep voice rumbled between the trees, distant enough Demir couldn’t make out the words. Aramie’s scent blended in with the stranger’s and the fact they were so close sent a spike of adrenaline into his bloodstream. He fisted his hand and changed into his panther. 

He closed the distance, racing over the ground, leaping downed tree branches, and pummeling the soil with his claws. His recklessness announced his approach to the couple, but he didn’t care. Aramie was with another male…

He skidded to a stop, mere feet away from the male and Aramie sitting on the log. He knew without a doubt they were kin. Not sure what he’d expected, but a family resemblance wasn’t it.

Aramie stood at his arrival and held out her hands. “Demir, it’s okay. He’s my father.”

Father?
She’d told him about her mother, how she and Sidea had been abandoned by the female, but she’d never talked about either of their fathers. He changed into his human form.

The male stood. Tall and muscular, he was an alpha, one that wouldn’t bow down to another. He glanced at Demir and took a step forward. 

Demir growled, the threat clear.

Aramie placed her hand on Demir’s arm, calming him. “Please, Demir. I don’t think he means any harm.”

Demir locked gazes with her, studying her, assessing her state of mind. Was she in danger? Was she worried? She seemed relaxed, in control. The tension in his shoulders eased.

“Don’t be too hard on him, daughter. He’s an alpha male protecting what’s his. I can’t blame him.” Aramie’s father peered at Demir. “I’m Aramond, and I’m not here to challenge you.”

But you won’t submit either, will you?
Aramond was a rogue alpha, one that fought the war on his own terms. Demir respected his decision, he’d have done the same under other circumstances. He nodded in a sign of mutual respect.

Aramie wrapped her hand in the crook of Aramond’s elbow. “Father, will you stay with us, join our Pride?” With a quick move, she pulled away from her father’s grasp and looked at Demir. “That is, if my mate and Pride leader agrees.”

Aramond spoke before Demir could answer. “Daughter, I’m an alpha male, a Pride of one. Things wouldn’t…work out for me here. I’m sorry.” The tension in his voice left no room for discussion.

Her lip quivered, but when she spoke, her words were firm, determined. “Will I ever see you again?”

“I’ll be around. We’ll cross paths again, I’m sure.” In a quick move, he pulled Aramie into an embrace and kissed her on the forehead. Before she could say anything further, he transformed into his panther and disappeared into the forest. 

Aramie’s soft hitches made Demir’s chest ache. He wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her against him. He stroked her soft hair, comforting her as best he could. Leaning down, he murmured into her ear. “I’m glad you got to meet him.”

“Me, too. He’s different from what I imagined, but he’s my
father
. You have no idea what that means to me to be able to say that.” She pulled back and lifted her chin. Though there were tears in her eyes, a soft smile curved her lip. “You know, you still owe me a run. Bet you can’t catch me this time.” 

Endorphins rushed to his head, his love for his mate filling him with joy. Tough and resilient, she challenged him at every turn—and was perfect for him. “You’re on. You better get moving…”

Chapter Fifty-Two

“Jax, please give us some privacy.” Noeh twirled his ring on his finger. The familiar movement helped ease the tension in his shoulders, but only for a moment.

“Of course, of course. As you wish, Your Majesty.” Jax bowed as he backed toward the large double doors. His bottom rammed into one of the wooden sentinels that guarded the entrance to Noeh’s Throne room. 

Jax glanced up, his face turning a scarlet shade of red. “I’m so sorry, Your Majesty.” He continued to bow profusely as he closed the doors behind him.

Gaetan is laughing.
Melissa’s thoughts invaded his mind. Her soft words were like a gentle caress. His chest clenched at his beautiful female. He was thankful she was here. Yesterday, his one weakness had finally beaten him, won the war as he knew it would. The deafening silence was eerily peaceful. 

The last sound he’d heard—Anlon’s laughter.

Noeh turned to face his haelen. The old male wiped his eyes, as if he hadn’t seen anything so funny in a long time. Maybe he hadn’t.

“Well, well, so Ram is finally dead. Hard to believe.” Gaetan shook his head.

Melissa interpreted the words for Noeh. She filtered out some of the trivial stuff, but he’d been working on reading lips. That got easier every night.

“That’s what Demir said.” Noeh ran his hand through his hair. “But Jakar still lives.”

“As you well know, there’s always another one to fill the shoes.” Gaetan sat down on one of the cushioned chairs. He winced and rubbed his knee. “That’s not what worries you though, is it?”

Noeh exhaled. “This war has gone on for thousands of years, neither side gaining much of an advantage. Time is running short.”

“I’m all for ending this war.” The lines around Gaetan’s eyes made him appear old.

“Not,” Noeh caught Gaetan’s gaze, “unless we win.”

“We have to win. I won’t consider the alternative.” Melissa cradled Anlon in her arms. 

The babe had grown considerably over the past few weeks. No longer an infant, he was on the verge of crawling. His fast metabolism even had Gaetan baffled. Noeh shook his head. Melissa was right. The Lemurians must win this war. 

What would happen to them if they lost? The humans would be enslaved and forced to ship water back to Lemuria. As for Noeh and their kind? Their souls would return to the character board on Lemuria and remain there in a state of hibernation until the next war on another planet. A chill ran over Noeh’s arms.

Gaetan and Melissa both looked at the door.
 

Someone knocked.
Melissa’s smooth voice clued him in. So far, they’d been able to keep his deafness a secret. Outside of the two of them, Gaetan and Saar were the only others that knew. 

“Enter!” he shouted.

Speaking of Saar, his Commander of Arms rushed into the room. His shoulders moved up and down in synch with his ragged breaths. “Noeh, Mauree…she’s missing. I wanted to tell you in person, so as not to raise an alarm.” 

Gaetan lowered his head.  

Noeh glanced at his queen.
What did he say?

As her shock wore off, she interpreted for him.

A rock formed in his gut. He narrowed his gaze on Saar. “How can she be missing?” 

“Someone let her out. I found her lock on the ground, the door open.” Saar raised his shoulders, palms outstretched.

“Who would do such a thing?” Noeh paced the room. Thoughts of Mauree roaming the Keep sent a sharp jolt of fear into him. He turned and looked at Melissa and Anlon.
She’ll come for you.
 

No you don’t. You’re not locking me up, again.
Melissa placed her free hand, the one not holding Anlon, on her hip.

His chest clenched, but the determination in Melissa’s eyes eased some of the tension.
Don’t worry, I learned my lesson.

Gaetan rose from his chair. “Does Tanen know about this? She’s his responsibility.” 

“That’s the other piece of news. No one can find him either. I have to assume he’s the one that let her out.” Saar shook his head. “Two of my warriors, Revin and Quoron followed their scent down the hallway into the bowels of the Keep. We’ll find them.”

“I trust you will.” Noeh nodded at his friend. If anyone could find them, Saar would be the one.

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Books in the
Worlds of Lemuria: Earth Colony
series:

Novels

 - Untouchable Lover - book #1 -
Available now -
here

 - Untamable Lover - book #2 

 - Unimaginable Lover - book #3 - Coming Fall 2016

Novellas

 - Unforgettable Lover - prequel -
Available now -
here

Short Stories

 - Come to Me: A
Love in a Bottle
Short Story #1 -
Available now -
here

 - Be with Me: A
Love in a Bottle
Short Story #2 -
Available now  -
here

 - Catch Me: A
Love in a Bottle
Short Story #3 - Coming June 17
^th
, 2016

Turn the page for a sneak peek at
Unimaginable Lover…

Book 3 in the
Worlds of Lemuria: Earth Colony
novels…

Unimaginable Lover

A
Worlds of Lemuria: Earth Colony
novel - book #3 

Coming Fall 2016!

A reluctant warrior…

With his pride and honor on the line, Lemurian Council Leader Tanen takes on a solo mission to bring a traitor to justice. Mortally wounded during the hunt, he’s rescued by an enchanting female who nurses him back to health. Despite the passion that burns between them, she’s human…and therefore, forbidden. Distraction is the last thing he needs while on the trail of a dangerous criminal. 

An unsuspecting human…

Broken promises and ruined love hardened Sheri’s heart, or so she thought, until she finds an injured and extraordinarily sexy man on her property. Pulled into a world she never imagined, she is torn between the lessons she learned from her rough past and the need to seek solace in Tanen’s arms. If only she can trust him, and herself, to let go of her fear.

Pre-order available soon
here

Glossary

Arotaars:
People from the planet Arotin. Held as slaves on Lemuria. They have blue hair that sparks with electricity when they are emotional.  

Chilopods:
Multi-legged centipede-like insects that live on Lemuria.

Craya:
An expletive.

Dren:
Short for “chil
dren
.” Originally human adults, but were transformed into Dren through a Panthera’s bite. During the “turning,” all Dren receive a unique, special power. Dren must drink blood at least once a week from the opposite sex or they become weak and lose their powers.