Her Mate’s Secret Baby(31)

The chain remained my personal torment and pleasure, my one true connection to the man I’d loved and lost.

With infinite patience, and a strong desire not to have my nipples yanked on like that again, I finally got the wet, drool-covered medallion from his chubby little fingers.

“You are in trouble, mister.” I shoved the gold back under my shirt and quickly tucked in the front, so his wandering hands could not find it again. “Come on, love. Let’s go get something to eat.”

I lifted him into my arms and made my way down the stairs, my son nestled snuggly under my chin.





Chapter Ten

Roark, Outpost Nine, Northern Continent



After twelve hours in the ReGen pod, I was, per the scanners, ninety-two percent well. I had some bruising, some cuts that were pink, newly healed flesh. I wasn’t perfect, as I would be if I had remained in the pod the recommended time. But I didn’t have time to heal fully. I needed to know what happened to Natalie. If she really was dead, I needed to know. I couldn’t rest until I knew the truth. How could I relax when she might be on Trion somewhere, lost, hurt, alone. The Drovers could have her now, torturing her as they had me. Tormenting her. Causing her pain.

I had to find her. And if I found a body, I would not rest until the DNA test confirmed the remains belonged to my mate.

I’d given her my word, my promise to come for her, to protect her, and I would honor that vow to my dying breath.

“You must give up. Let go,” my mother said, coming into my tent. I sat behind my desk, staring at the search grids for Outpost Two, reading reports of the attack. Outpost Nine was bigger than Two, the small desert outpost where, even now, my mate’s body might be lying in the sand. There was no chance of an attack here. The tent community surrounding Outpost Nine had turned into a city within the desert. When High Councilor Tark was matched to his mate, she’d transported here.

I never imagined the danger Natalie would face simply transporting to the smaller, less-secure outpost. There had not been a direct Drover attack in years. Still, I should have known better, thought of all the consequences, the dangers. She was my mate and her safety should have been my highest priority. Not my convenience.

I never should have risked her. I should have waited until my return to Xalia, where a thousand men would have protected her night and day in the palace. I’d been impatient and eager. My lack of self-discipline had cost me everything.

And here my mother stood, with a frown on her face and a list of replacement females, insisting I now choose a mate from the capital. My mother was ready for me to move on. Ten days, and I was to forget the only woman I’d ever allowed into my heart.

I didn’t turn to face my mother as I responded, afraid she would see my rage. She was my mother and I would offer her nothing but respect. But I was not a boy to be led around by my ear. I was a Councilor. I would not be forced to do anything. When my mother refused to listen, I made the only argument I knew would sway her. “Would you give up Father so easily? Your one true match?”

“That’s different, son.”

“No. It’s not. You were his bride, Mother. Matched through the same system that gave my Natalie to me. She was my match. Perfect for me in so many ways. I claimed her. That very first night.”

“It was only one night, Roark. Surely, if you would spend one night with—”

“No.” Give up Natalie? Never. “There is no confirmation that she’s dead.”

“They found her dress.”

“It’s not enough. I can’t give up so easily.” I rose from my desk and came to stand before her. “I gave her my heart, Mother. Give me some time to heal.”

My mother was quiet long enough to think she would not respond. “No. I would not be able to give up your father. I am sorry. I did not realize what she meant to you. I only saw her for a brief moment and she was not even awake. It is easy to dismiss her very existence, although I see now how much you long for her.”

“I admit, I was skeptical, but the match…it was perfect. I want—”

My father ducked into the tent then, his eyes wide, his face full of… something I couldn’t determine.

“Commander Loris is here. There’s been a ping on your medallion. It’s been activated.” He was breathing hard, as if he had just run a great distance. I knew differently and it could only mean he was excited.

I straightened, renewed strength in my limbs, although I hadn’t even realized I’d been weighted down with frustration, longing and despair. “What?”

Crossing the room, I joined my father, my mind spinning with questions. Possibilities. Hope.