Bearfoot and Pregnant(13)
Talen’s fury grew with every second he looked at his brother. He took a deep breath and turned to Karel. “Where is Alyx now?”
“The ceremony to welcome the children will be starting soon. After that, he would speak with you.”
Talen nodded and faced Paxten again. “You are lucky you are still alive to say anything to Alyx. He could have torn you apart for daring to order him around.” He curled his hands into fists. “I won’t allow you to insult Alyx, his mate, and their children using the Arctos clan as cover.”
Paxten’s brows drew down into an angry frown. “So what are you going to do?”
“For now, you’ll stay here, locked in until I speak to Alyx and we decide a punishment that fits your crime.”
Paxten snorted in disdain. “You can’t keep me here.”
Karel laughed drily. “We can and we will.” He met Paxten’s glare with his own. “Attempt to leave and you will have the king himself to deal with, along with the rest of his army. I don’t think you want that.”
Talen left the room with Karel by his side. He watched Karel give instructions for the guards to ensure the young bear stayed put.
“I don’t know what to do with him. He is testing the last of the patience I have,” Talen told Karel on their way to the welcoming ceremony. “Do you have siblings?”
Karel shook his head. “No. I’m an only child, but my mate is carrying multiples, it’s why she’s home today. She wasn’t feeling up to being surrounded by people.”
“Congratulations,” he said. “And lucky you for not having a pain in the ass brother trying to destroy the clan your family kept whole for generations.”
“No offense, but your brother seems to need his head bashed in.”
He agreed with Karel. And if Paxten didn’t change his ways, he would find Talen being the one to kick his ass.
* * *
Talen watched the ceremony where all attendees welcomed the babies into the kingdom from the back of the massive ballroom that opened up to the garden. He walked down a corridor, searching for Cassie’s scent in the crowd. He caught her on the other side, leaning against a brick wall. She gulped a glass of wine and handed the empty glass to someone passing by who gave her a newly filled one.
She wasn’t speaking to anyone, just watching Bella hold one of the boys, Karel hold the other, and Alyx hold Avery. There was a definite look of longing in her face.
Knowing she wanted children brought out a primitive desire to see her full with his child. How had he ignored the calling to mate and breed for so long? His bear pushed at his skin and wanted out. He had no idea that meeting the woman he knew was the one for him would create such a stir in the animal.
He needed to spend some time with Cassie and claim her. Tonight, she’d be his.
TEN
Cassie headed to the room she’d been assigned by Gerri. According to Bella, it had the prettiest view and she’d love it come morning.
“Cassie?” Gerri called out behind her.
Cassie stopped and turned, watching Gerri in her pretty dress approach her, a curious look on her face.
“I was just going to bed,” Cassie told her. Why did her voice sound so thick? She knew they were going home the following evening so she wanted to be prepared for the space travel thingy that made her stomach shoot up her throat.
“I’m sorry we can’t stay longer,” Gerri said, strolling beside her. “I promised you it would be a short trip.”
She nodded. “It’s okay. This place is beautiful but I need to get back to putting your files in order and you have people who want you to find them mates.”
Gerri laughed. “I know.”
“Hey, that guy,” she started but couldn’t remember the name of the big alien warrior that had the sexy green eyes.
“Vander?”
“Yes!” She turned to face Gerri with excitement. “He lives on a warrior planet?”
Gerri nodded. “Yes. They’re neighbors, but they came to pay their respects to Alyx’s daughter. Alyx’s father was friends with Vander’s father and they’ve kept up the communication between both leaders.”
“That’s great. Did I hear someone right? They have issues with other planets?”
Gerri sighed as they walked up a flight of stairs. “Yes. You heard right. Not every planet out there is as nice as this one. And even this one has shields in place for protection.”
“Shields? Wow. I thought this place was so quiet and everyone was nice.”
Gerri tossed a blond lock of hair behind her ear. “Aurora is a great place to live, but this galaxy is far from perfect. There are those that want to enslave others.”