Alien Beast's Warrior Bride - Juno Wells Page 0,15

each other in that regard. I enjoy being first because it feeds my need for control, but my friend is more status oriented. He wishes to be respected and well thought of among other warriors. Being older and more settled, I care very little about appearances.

Halfway to the holding bay, we are approached by Queen Chantel. “Are you going to interrogate the one you caught?”

Kryos answers in my stead, provoking my ire. “Yes. We have been called to action. If you will excuse us, we must make haste.”

Stepping closer wearing the dagger Korak gifted her with, her expression turns stubborn. “I want to watch.”

Kryos speaks again. “Why would you wish to watch us beat answers from a mutant Sonarian? It’s hardly a fit sight for a queen’s eyes.”

“I want to see with my own eyes and hear with my own ears what the beast has to say.”

Reaching out, I wrap the former commander’s arm through mine as I have seen other warriors do. “Come. If your dame permits it, you may see your fill of the Sonarian.”

Though Kryos’ wings flutter in dissent, I begin moving forward with this queen my scion wishes to make his own. Truth be told, I would deny her nothing she asked of me. I murmur quietly, “Queens command and warriors obey. That is the natural order of things among our people.”

The beautiful young queen gazes up at me with a tiny almost smile playing about her lips. “It’s one of the things I like best about your clade, Borak. You don’t make me beg for what I want.”

Patting her smaller hand with mine, I try not to let my wings lock up too tight behind me. “I like that you and your dame assert your rights as queens. Strength should be honored, not spurned.”

Korak has been tasked with standing guard over the mutant. The moment Queen Chantel sets eyes upon him, she slips from my grasp and moves to his side. Her dame’s eyes narrow on me but she says nothing. My scion is suddenly no longer guarding the Sonarian. Instead, his attention is focused squarely upon the queen at his side. Sighing, I make a note to speak with him about this situation at my earliest convenience.

Useless Interrogation

Juliet

Borak and Kryos clamor into the interrogation room. For some reason my daughter is with them, looking as fearless as ever. She’s always been too curious for her own good, this daughter of mine. I secretly admire her indomitable spirit. Chantel definitely gets that from me.

Fighting back a smile, I watch the elite ten ring themselves around the perimeter of the room, standing guard like gigantic statues. It’s their way, and I’ve gotten used to it over the last few months. Pern has been replaced with another warrior. I don’t recall his name, because things have been pretty hectic and I spend most of my time with Borak, Kryos and Mathadar.

When everyone is in place, Mathadar reaches down and presses a hypo spray to the mutant’s neck. His fur is no longer a matted mess, but he’s far from healthy. He twitches for a moment or two and then his huge body springs to life. Hackles come up even as his hind legs lower so that he’s crouching.

Though still dazed, the creature produces a surly growl from the back of his throat. “Come no closer. Food should not move.” He paws at the metal flooring in a way that makes me think he’s trying to get enough purchase to stabilize himself.

Mathadar backs away slightly, pocketing the hypo spray. “We are not food and I think you know this already.”

“I do not like furless beings,” his growly voice replies. “You are not to be trusted.” He shakes his head as if trying to chase away brain fog. I’ve been there a few times myself so I well know the feeling. Everyone gives him a minute to get oriented. It’s difficult to imagine what he’s been through or how he survived it. Being captured and tortured by the enemy has always been my most deep seated fear.

“Calm yourself. We mean you no harm.” Mathadar’s rough voice isn’t particularly calming, so it does not have the desired effect of soothing the beast.

“Why have horned beings taken me from my world? My head feels strange and I can’t see properly.” Becoming exponentially more agitated, his speech slurs. “I have no wish to be among the furless. Where are the others of my kind?”

Mathadar’s head tilts to the side slightly. “How many