Laying Claim to the Soul (15 page)

“Tabatha, Melody, this is my younger brother, Lucas. Well, we call him Lucas. You wouldn’t be able to pronounce his name, just as you probably wouldn’t be able to pronounce my birth name.” Her father nudged the man. “He’s also ruler of our planet and Therbelenth’s father. Come sit and tell us what has been going on. All of it.” Trace pulled both Tabby and Melody into the living room, introducing everyone. Even though they introduced Hoyt and Chax, they were kind of left out of the talking which didn’t seem to bother either of them.

What else Tabby noticed was the hostility between Nicor and Therbelenth. Each one stood against a wall glaring at each other. Tabby looked over at Nicor and his gaze met hers. “You okay?” she mouthed and he nodded, giving her a half smile.

“So tell us what has been happening? You carry my grandchildren and I will not allow them or you to be hurt,” Trace stated looking up, just as Wol-itelm entered the room with a man she had never seen.

“There is no need to get hostile. We will make sure this threat is taken care of, Trace of Celestial Sands,” the stranger said.

Tabatha didn’t know who this man was, but talking down to someone was not a way to make them feel happy. “And who are you?” Tabby stood, glaring at Wol-itelm. “
You bring someone here who would treat my father as a child? Good way to calm things, not!”
she sent to her mate.

The man in question laughed. “Oh Wol-itelm you have a lively one, that is for sure. I can see she has her father’s protectiveness buried deep in her. Yes, a perfect match. You may call me Hilario Scott. You see, I’m one of the 
Zeasters.”

She crossed her arms and gave the man one of her really stern looks. “And what is a Zeaster? Am I supposed to be impressed? I mean no offense, but you come in my home and spout off.” Gasps sounded off around her.

Wol-itelm appeared in front of her as did Chax. “She meant no disrespect. As you can see, humans have no idea who your kind are. Please forgive her.” Wol-itelm bowed his head. The room was deathly silent.

“Move Wol-itelm.” She tried to shove him to the side but he wouldn’t budge so Tabby stepped around him, between him and Chax. “I’m sorry if I offended you, but I just met my father today and you walk in here and talk down to him, well I didn’t want him to disappear like my Mom did,” she said looking down at the ground. “Now I think I’m going to go find something to stick in my big mouth that won’t make me sick, since I seem to offend everyone,” she grumbled and tried to move, but couldn’t move her legs.

Tabby looked up at the man and froze. His eyes had a kaleidoscope of colors running through them and the power coming off of him warmed her skin even from across the room. That was when Tabby realized she really did have a big mouth. First she had confronted the devil himself last month and now this man or god whatever he was. Yep, she was fried donkey dunk.

Chapter Eighteen

Wol-itelm stood frozen where he was when all he wanted to do was pull his little kitten into his arms. She was right though with her thoughts, they would have to work on keeping her mouth filled when powerful beings were around.

Trace stepped forward and snarled. “You’ve scared my daughter and her sister enough. You have my attention now, let them go,” he challenged.

Hilario threw his head back and roared with laughter, releasing them. At once Wol-itelm’s arms went around Tabby as her legs gave out. Shane rushed to Melody’s side just as she started to fall.

“Same temper as always my friend and I apologize to you and yours, but your daughter must learn to curb that mouth of hers. You are lucky I’m here and not Manner, my brother, yes?” he questioned and Trace nodded as he did too.

“Both of them will begin their classes tonight,” Wol-itelm informed Hilario. Yes, he’d lucked out that Hilario had answered the summons and not his brother. “I’ll be right back, with your permission?”

He waved his hand and moved to speak with her father. Wol-itelm glanced down and found Tabby looking up at him with tears in her eyes. “I’m sorry,” she whispered.

Without saying a word he moved through the house to their room and sat on the bed with her still in his arms. “Take your pants off Tabby and lay yourself over my knees,” he said, releasing her but not saying anymore.

Chax and Hoyt both moved into the room, closing the door behind them, watching. She stood looking at them, then at him before lowering her pants down and stepping out of them. “I’m sorry,” she repeated, her gaze dropped down as she lay over his lap.

“We know you are scared and that you don’t know what is going on, but that was uncalled for, even coming from you.” Wol-itelm brought his hand down on her butt cheek, once, twice. “You don’t realize how lucky you are that you are still alive. Think before you speak again, little pet.” Four more smacks to each butt cheek, enough force to sting and make her butt hurt, but not bruise.

He lifted her up and set her in front of him and pointed to the ground. At once she dropped down to her knees, flinching when her ass made contact with her heels. Tears ran down her face, but she said nothing.

“Starting tonight you and Melody will have lessons about the world out there. No one knows for sure how many planets or solar systems are there, The Zeasters are not even close to being the strongest among the different species, but they do try to keep everyone from killing each other. Just think of it this way — with one thought they could destroy a planet and all that lives on it, as well as create one.” Tonight the two of you will learn about the Zeasters and the language of your father’s people. I will, of course, quiz you tomorrow. You and Melody will be exposed to many other life forms out there. It’s your job not to open your mouth and insult our guests, understood?” he asked, fisting his hand in her hair and pulling her head back to stare up at him.

“Do you know how crazy we were when you disappeared? Then to almost be taken away from us again? Go apologize to your other mates.” He released her hair and moved out of the room.

With his stomach still in his throat, Wol-itelm made his way into the living room. Therbelenth stepped to his side. “I must say…”

Wol-itelm held up his hand. “She is naive and now knows what her mouth can do. Their lessons will start tonight. One day soon you will find out how hard it is to love someone and not throttle them in the same second,” he grumbled.

“It will never happen and you know why, but I am happy. My family has you to guide her, so she is lucky,” Therbelenth said before slipping away, going to stand beside his father. Both Chax and Hoyt came into the room and stood next to him.

“She didn’t come out?” Wol-itelm asked and Chax shook his head.

“Said she needed some time to pull herself together. I think she just wanted to be alone.” Chax nodded to the meeting taking place. “How is it going?”

“I won’t know till they are done talking. One thing I do know, those two standing there are very powerful. I didn’t realize who Tabby’s father really was until Hilario informed me of the importance of the albino to the species of Celestial Sands. We will have to watch our little pet very closely and it might be wise to start feeling out your men on who would join you at our new home, because with her temper and transformation yet to come…” Wol-itelm shook his head. “It could get ugly.”

“I already started. My parents and grandparents will be coming too. Two of my brothers and one sister are coming as well. They’ll each speak with their packs and go from there. What about your brothers?” Hoyt asked Chax.

“With my brothers, who knows. Being up here is all new to them. I do know something isn’t right with your friend and Nicor. Do you know if they know each other? My brother won’t tell me shit. Any idea’s on her brother or where Timble and Lilith went to? I don’t like the fact that my mother is running around. She was a problem when I was a child, but I’m afraid she has gotten worse.”

The door to the bedroom opened and Tabby came out. “Your parents are here,” she said, moving around them and through the throws of her family to the door. Tabby had put on dress, her hair was pulled back and she was barefoot.

Just seeing her cute little feet had his cock stirring. “Is it just me or is she throwing off some serious hormonal juice, because right now my cock is ready to burst.” Hoyt snarled and followed Tabby to the door.

“It figures that all of our family would come early,” Wol-itelm nodded to the back door where Furfur was letting in Bael, Chax’s father, and Apollyon when his folks appeared behind them.

“Well this is going to get interesting, that’s for sure,” Chax and as he made their way to the dining room and greeted their parents, when each of them turned hearing Tabby’s laugh as she guided Hoyt’s grandmother and mother into the room.

“As you can see we’re having a party again, but this is just family, so I’ve been told,” Tabby said as Melody came in carrying a tray of finger sandwiches while Shane brought in drinks.

“I must say I’m impressed, son. She will give you many fine children, but why are half of the royal family of the Sands doing here?” his father asked, but he sucked in a breath watching as Tabby went towards her father, standing behind him, as he spoke with Hilario.

She just stood there with her head down, waiting till Trace glanced back at her. “Tabby, we are speaking. What can I do for you?”

“Sorry to interrupt, but I wanted to know if you two would stay and if the rest of your family would stay for dinner. It would give you two more time to speak and to relax?” she asked not looking up at all.

Hilario stepped forward. “Look at me, Tabatha,” he order the whole room grew quiet once more as all eyes turned on her.

With her lip quivering she looked up, tears were in her eyes again. “I didn’t mean anything, I swear. I just wanted to welcome you into my home.” Her words were filled with tears.

“Hush, you are fine and you did well,” Hilario glanced around the room. “I would be honored to take a meal with you. It’s been a long time since anyone has invited me, thank you.” He looked at her father. “You have a beautiful daughter and I will personally see to that she is safe.” His fingers reached up and touched a spot on her upper neck.

She cried out and grabbed her neck. “What did I do?” Tabby looked so lost and hurt he started to step forward, but his father shook his head and nodded towards them.

“Tabby is now protected. Anyone who dare touches her in threat will be killed.” Hilario reached up and moved Tabby’s fingers away. “She is one of the few who carry our mark and I wouldn’t give it this quickly, but I have a feeling she is going to be very useful to us later on.” Sure enough, on her neck was the 
Zeasters’
mark.

Like the old day’s on Earth when an envelope or official letter was sealed with a wax marking, Tabby now sported a mark which was something like that but this mark moved in colors.

Wol-itelm had seen only two of these marks given in his life and it was a great honor to have one. As if sensing this, Tabby made him the proudest man ever as she knelt down in front of Hilario, thanking him.

Hilario turned his gaze to him. “You are lucky I like you or your woman would be mine. Maybe I’ll lay claim to the daughter she is carrying, who knows? Maybe someday I’ll be lucky enough to have one as beautiful as she. Get up Tabby, and go meet your other family members.” Hilario leaned over and kissed her cheek when he helped her up.

“You have done well, little one,” her father said, kissing the side of her head. “And I’m sure my family would love to stay and have dinner with us, Right?” Trace turned to look over his shoulder and Hilario laughed.

“Still the same threatening manner as always, Trace.” Hilario stated watching as Trace’s brother Lucas, the king, laughed.

“We’ll stay. I still want to know who these peons are that have taken so much from my niece since it’s obvious I’m not getting a chance at Erole.” Lucas glanced at Tabby. “Sweetie, we would be honored to eat with you. But don’t you go and do too much since you are carrying those little ones.” Both he and his brother glanced toward Wol-itelm and Chax.

He laughed. “She’s already been warned,” Wol-itelm pulled her away from Hilario and made his way back to his folks and Chax’s. “I swear Tabby, you are bound and determined to give me heart failure,” he grumbled.

Chapter Nineteen

Tabby curled up close to Wol-itelm, needing his strength and wanting this day to be over, but knowing it wasn’t going to be any time soon. She nodded to Apollyon feeling a little uncomfortable at his grin.

“Afternoon Tabby. I see you still have trouble with your mouth,” he teased, putting him on her shit list again. She was about to say something when Wol-itelm slapped her ass hard, making her jump.

“Don’t even open it. And you, don’t tease our woman. Tabby, this is my father and mother, Whitehowl and Ivyflame. You already know Apollyon. Next to him is Chax’s father, Bael.”

Before she could say a word, Wol-itelm’s mother engulfed her in a hug. “Welcome to the family. I’ve been waiting and waiting for my son to find a woman, almost giving up he’d find one to give him a challenge and you, my dear, will do perfectly. I can’t wait to be a grandmother to your little ones.” The woman teared up and her husband pulled her back into his arms. “It’s been hard having only one child, but now I’ll have you too. I hope you don’t mind if come by and take you different places. You should see the worlds out there.”

His father moaned as did Wol-itelm. “Woman enough. You know she can’t be going around the galaxy shopping and such. Jeez, you want to start a war?” Wol-itelm’s father leaned over and kissed her cheek. “My wife is right, you are perfect for my son and I finally get the daughter I’ve wanted to spoil.” He held out his hand and a box appeared in it. “This is for you. It was my mother’s and now yours. You can give it to your daughter when she is older.”

Tabby took the box and opened it. The strange live necklace was beautiful. “Touch the first stone and the colors will match your aura at the time,” Ivyflame said encouraging her. With a gentle finger, Tabby touched the first stone and watched the stones turn a purple red color.