Hunter's Claim: The Alliance Book 1 (21 page)

“He is hungry,” Hunter commented as Jesse
transferred Lyon to her other breast. “He will grow to be
strong.”

“Just like his father and grandfather?”
Jesse laughed, looking tenderly down as Lyon curled his tiny hand
into a fist. “He is incredible.”

Hunter pressed a kiss to the side of Jesse’s
neck. “Just as incredible as his mother.”

“How are things going back on Earth?” Jesse
asked hesitantly.

Hunter stilled for a moment before releasing
a sigh. “As well as can be expected. Your people are a very
stubborn species. There are pockets of resistance scattered around
your planet. Between the Alliance, the Trivator warriors still
there and your planet’s ruling governments most have been brought
under control. My older brother Razor has been appointed to the
council to oversee our troops that remain.”

“Humans have been fighting each other for
thousands of years,” Jesse reflected. “If the Alliance can
accomplish getting them to stop in less time, more power to
them.”

“Jesse?”

Jesse glanced up as Jordan came down the
steps leading from the lower library. She gently pulled Lyon who
was just playing by now away from her breast and handed him to
Hunter while she button
ed
her top. She
stood up at the same time as Hunter did, Lyon against his
shoulder.

Jordan smiled when Lyon’s loud burp filled
the air. Her eyes moved back to Jesse’s as she bit her lip. She
held a tablet in her hand.

“What is it, Jordan?” Jesse asked in concern
when she saw that Jordan was pale and trembling slightly. “Are you
alright?”

“Yes, no, I don’t know,” Jordan said
hoarsely as she looked down at her hands for a moment before
looking back up. “I…”

“What is it, Jordan?” Jesse asked again.
“Whatever it is we can solve it together. I promise.”

Jordan’s eyes moved to Hunter. “It’s
Dagger,” she whispered.

“What about Dagger?” Hunter asked.

“He’s alive,” Jordan said. “He’s alive and I
think I know where he is.”

“Jordan,” Hunter said in concern. “He is
dead. They found his body.”

Jordan shook her head. “No, they found two
bodies that were never identified. They just assumed it was Dagger
and Edge but a DNA test was never done to prove it was them. I’ve
gone over all the records and reports again and again. I think at
least Dagger and maybe Edge got away before their transport
exploded.”

“What makes you think Dagger is alive?”
Hunter asked.

“I’ve been running scans with Dagger’s name
and the word Trivator as a filter. I’ve gotten several hits but I
finally found an image with him in it from one of the illegal fight
stations,” Jordan said holding up the tablet in her hand. “It’s
Dagger. I know it is. Hunter, please. He’s alive. I just know
it!”

Hunter handed Lyon to Jesse and took the
tablet Jordan was holding out. His face paled when he saw the
grainy image. He would know the features of the male in the center
of the fight ring anywhere.

“Hunter?” Jesse asked quietly.

Hunter looked at her before turning his gaze
back to Jordan. His mouth tightened into a hard line. He glanced
back down at the tablet once again.

“I need every bit of information you have,
Jordan,” Hunter bit out in a low, dangerous tone. “When was this
taken?”

“Yesterday,” Jordan said. “I’ll give it to
you but on one condition. I go with whoever goes after him.”

“Jordan,” Jesse whispered in shock.

“Impossible,” Hunter snarled. “It would be
too dangerous.”

“I found him once,” Jordan insisted as she
reached for the tablet. “If he disappears, I’ll find him again. I
won’t lose him.”

“We do not leave any of our men behind,”
Hunter reminded Jordan. “We will bring him home.”

“You almost did,” she whispered back. “You
all believed it was them but never proved it.”

“Hunter?” Jesse said, holding Lyon against
her.

“I will see what I can do, Jordan,” Hunter
replied grimly. “Whether that means you go, I cannot
guarantee.”

“Just… try,” Jordan begged. “I’ll transfer
everything to your console in your office.”

Jesse and Hunter watched as Jordan turned
and ran back into the house. Jesse turned to look at Hunter in
concern. She was afraid for him as well. If it was dangerous he
could re-injure his back.

Hunter turned, sensing Jesse’s fear and
smiled tenderly down at her. He shook his head and pulled her and
Lyon close to his body, breathing in their calming scent. He could
not go even if he wanted. His duties here were too important. He
had many people depending on him now.

“I will contact Dagger’s older brother,
Trig,” Hunter murmured. “He works to bring down such places. He
will want to know about this.”

“Thank God!” Jesse said, curling up against
Hunter’s side. “What about Jordan’s desire to go?”

“She is family,” Hunter said. “It is my
right to deny that she go due to the danger. She will be upset but
she will accept that she must follow my decision.”

“I agree with it being too dangerous, but I
think it best if we both sit down and explain why it is best she
not go. I think she might be more receptive if she hears both of
our reasons and understands why we feel this way. I hope it really
is Dagger and his brother can bring him home safely,” Jesse said
before sighing as Lyon began to bounce. “I think Lyon is ready for
his afternoon swim. I’ll take him while you go contact Dagger’s
brother.”

“You are an amazing female,” Hunter said,
brushing her hair from her cheek and bending to rub his nose along
her cheek. “Has anyone ever told you that before?”

“Maybe once or twice,” Jesse laughed as she
brushed a kiss across his lips. “Now, go do what you have to do
before I make you remind me just how amazing I can be.”

Hunter watched as Jesse walked down the path
to the area set aside for swimming. Their son bounced in her arms
in excitement when he recognized the direction Jesse was taking
him. Small arms waved in delight and their laughter filled the
air.

Hunter smiled as he turned to head back into
the house. Now, it was time to find his surrogate brother and bring
him home. He thought of Jordan and her tenacious resolve to find
Dagger and Taylor’s determination to make Saber live again. All the
females in his family continued to amaze him.

His family was small and unusual but it was
his. He was slowly learning how to handle three strong-willed alien
women and now he had a small son added to the mix. He glanced at
the tattoos circling his wrists and couldn’t help but think that he
had made the best decision of his life when he made a rash promise
to an alien female and claimed her as his.

He turned when he heard a squeal followed by
laughter. From the top step he could see Jesse standing in the
shallow pool of water. She was holding Lyon who was splashing her
when he kicked his feet. Warmth and pride flooded him at the sight
of their happiness. His fear of not being able to make his
Amate
happy melted away as love filled his heart.

To Be Continued:… Razor’s Traitorous
Heart

Susan Smith has always
been a romantic and a dreamer. An avid writer, she has spent years
writing, although it has usually been technical papers for college.
Now, she spends her evenings and weekends writing and her nights
dreaming up new stories. An affirmed “geek,” she spends her days
working on computers and other peripherals. She enjoys camping and
traveling when she is not out on a date with her favorite romantic
guy. Fans can reach her at
[email protected]
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Additional Books:

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Ambushing Ariel
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For the Love of Tia
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Cornering Carmen
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Paul’s Pursuit
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Choosing Riley
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Ha’ven’s Song
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Hunter’s Claim
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Lily’s Cowboys
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Touching Rune
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Indiana Wild
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River’s Run
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Star’s Storm
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Jo’s Journey
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Hannah’s Warrior
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