CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

 

 

- Bren

Brock stands and starts to pace in the small area in front of Attticus and me as I answer her question. “It’s hard to say what is going through her head but this is just the way it is. We don’t have any choice in what is going on and really, no one actually gets killed. Banishment is usually a three to five-year sentence, either in space serving on a ship identical to this one or on a planet somewhere, learning a trade. We really are a very civilized society.” I don’t want her to get the wrong idea. I’ve been trying to convince her that she is going to enjoy living with me and this entire conversation isn’t helping.

“That was Chevepak.” Brock stops his pacing right in front of us. His voice is grave. “Your brother Matthias has been sent into isolation.”

“For what?” Bren’s arms tighten in agitation as Brock lowers himself across from us, folding his too big frame into the chair.

“Nobody knows why. My guess is that this is all about you right now. Her way of controlling you. Everyone is aware you could just disappear—not go back. There are places that you could disappear to. It wouldn’t be easy, but it has happened. You haven’t considered that at all?” Brock seems surprised that Bren hasn’t considered it.

“Yes,” Atticus adds, “I’m a bit surprised we haven’t discussed it yet either but I’m assuming this has more to do with your brother than anything else.”

“Yes, of course. He hasn’t handled his family joining well. The only positive outcome was he could continue his studies in what he wants but he hates just about everything else.” Brock nods but Atticus just considers me with his arms crossed. If there is anyone that I can confide in, it is them. “Don’t repeat this, but Matthias considers his family joining as a kind of slavery.” My voice drops lower although if anyone is listening we are already caught. Everything we are saying can be considered treason in some way. “I never really agreed until I met Hannah. She expresses her views on the control of her life in the same way that Matthias has. Because I care so much for her, I have to agree. But my brother is family and I told him when he was younger I wouldn’t abandon him. I can’t. I have to go back and deal with this. I can’t let her make his life miserable because of me. Somehow, I have to show that this was out of my hands.”

Hannah’s face is darkening as I speak and I feel her agitation through our bond. At first, I think it’s because she feels empathy for me and my brother, but she cuts in as soon as I finish. “Please tell me you don’t view this as another form of slavery too. I mean, I’m scared about the position we are in but I do want to get to know you. I don’t want you to feel trapped with me either.”

All of us laugh. I just can’t help it. My mate is frustrated and hops up to go into the prep area, filling a glass with water. “I don’t know what’s so funny. I don’t think any of this is humorous!” I watch her throat flex and markings dance with her agitation as she drinks.

“You just don’t understand how much this is going to change things. You are a miracle to me. And if human women are compatible with our males, you will be a miracle to our world. I’m blessed.”

Slamming the glass down, she looks at me seriously. “I’m really confused. I just feel like a burden. This is messing up your life and your brother’s life. Aren’t you worried?”

I can’t be away from her. There is a pull between us that keeps drawing me back. Springing up, I pull her hair from her neck and inhale her scent. She is mine and perfect for me. She shivers and her nipples harden. I wish we were alone so I could pinch and suck on them, making her call out my name over and over. “I’ve never had anything that was mine alone. We grow up in large families with many brothers. Our sisters are separated from us at a young age and we go to different schools. We’re groomed to be perfect house mates and know that we will always share. But you…you are mine.”

She doesn’t say anything. Instead, she turns in my arms to press her lips to mine softly. Startled, I enjoy the plush feeling of them pressing on mine. Wrapping her arms around me, she lets me pull her close and up into my arms. “I’m sorry.” She sounds like she is crying which makes no sense.

I tug her to the bed by Atticus, so I can gaze at her. “For what?”

Her eyes are tearing up and she looks from me to Atticus. “I’m sorry that you all were raised that way. That’s so sad.”

Atticus shrugs. “Maybe, but it’s what we know. I never thought too much about it. But I am pretty jealous of Bren right now.”

Brock gives us all a hard look. “I am too. It was never something that I considered before but it seems like a miracle all right.”

“Yes, even with the negative side effects. At this point, they are going to be minor compared to what you get.” Atticus looks at me and Hannah with envy. I feel sorry for them and wish there was something that I could do.

Hannah furrows her brow, making her nose scrunch up adorably. “What other negatives are we talking about?”

Atticus looks at me as though asking permission but I just ignore him as he continues. “Well, we don’t know everything, but it sounds like we get very territorial and aggressive. This all has to do with protecting your mate and physically, we get bigger.”

Hannah shakes her head slowly. “Yeah, that sounds like Bren although I wouldn’t know if he’s bigger. You have always seemed really big to me.” Her wink lets me know that she is talking about my cock which at the mention of him starts to harden under her butt. My concern for my brother fades as my hormones kick into overdrive. Hannah’s scent increases and sweetens and both Atticus and Brock stand to leave.

“I’ll stay in touch with your brother through Chevepak.” The door slides open and they both step into the hall.

“That would be good. He was supposed to be looking into the old records for me. I don’t know how much help he will be now.” My chest aches when I think about him, set aside and with limited interactions.

“Don’t give up yet. I’ll keep you updated.” Brock smiles tightly. The door shuts behind them as they move away. I just want to sink into Hannah and let the rest of the world fade away. I need her. Her arms holding me, her warmth around me and the comfort and closeness inside her depths.