Meredith's Pride [Galactic Nuptials 3] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour ManLove) (10 page)

Honaw deftly attached an iron manacle around his ankle. “I’ll be back in a minute. Don’t go away, human.” He left the room laughing heartily.

Frantically, Mer ran his fingers along cracks in the stone wall looking for weaknesses. He pulled at the chains where they’d been welded to the wall. The chain attached to his ankle cuff slithered across the floor behind him like a demented snake.

Honaw returned, carrying a long, black whip. It coiled around his arm and seemed to be alive. “Try to relax, human. This won’t take long.”

Mer swallowed hard. “What are you gonna do?”

“Your pain will bring your mate running.”

Mer’s legs trembled, his hands twisting together. “Are you crazy?”

“The mind bond with your mate will let him feel your pain and draw him here. The same way you feel his pain and emotions.”

Shit, I’m in trouble.
Mer knew then the lions had not really mated with him. He’d never felt any emotions or thoughts from them. “Don’t do this, please. It won’t work.”

“It has to.” Honaw drew back his arm and let the coiled leather fly.

It cut a fiery trail across Mer’s back, and he screamed. Before he could catch his breath, the devil rope tore another path across his back. His world became a hazy realm of pain as he lost count of the strokes. He was unprepared to feel hands close around his arms. He flinched in pain and struggled against the guard lifting him to his feet.

“Don’t worry, human.” Honaw held the door open for the guard. “That will bring the alpha running.”

The guard dragged Mer back to his cell. He could taste blood where he’d bitten his lip as the metal bars rattled closed behind him. His eyes grew used to the dim light of his new home as the tears fell freely down his face. When the blood trickled slowly down his back, a strange feeling swelled in his chest as he lost all hope. “Where are you?” he whispered.

* * * *

Delsin stood at the shuttle’s viewport, his body rigid, his hands clamped so tightly to the back of a chair his knuckles were white. He’d longed for the day they could return to Linnaeus, but this wasn’t the homecoming he’d dreamed of. Avenging Chayton’s death was important, but nothing was as important as saving their mate. “Stay strong, Mer. I’m coming for you.” He heard footsteps and turned his gaze toward the door.

“My Alpha!” Knoton bowed his head as he walked into the observation room.

Delsin raised a brow. “So formal. We’ve been friends since we were small cubs. Nothing will ever change that.”

Knoton sighed. “Sorry, Delsin. The situation seemed to call for formal.”

“What’s up?”

“Sensors show all life signs to be in the Mhatara.”

Delsin took a shuffling step back, his mouth falling open. “Are you sure? I thought for sure Honaw would take over our settlement in the mountains.” The Mhatara was a vast swampland.

“There’s no mistake. They’re going to have the advantage now. It’ll be like fighting in their own back yard.”

“Very well. Get us as close as you can. There’s no point in trying to hide. He knows we’re coming.” It would be a lot harder to get Mer out now. “Did you receive a communiqué from Zintssar?”

“Affirmative. He says the cubs are fine. His mates are handling things. He wanted to know if he should send some of his father’s men from Arrida.”

“I don’t want to involve others in our dispute. As long as I know the cubs are safe, I can handle everything else.”

Knoton grinned. “Yes, I figured you would say that. He’s going to stay on Khera for a day or two and then take everyone back to Kilara. Nobody will be able to trace them there.”

Delsin growled softly. “Then let’s land and take back what’s ours.”

“Get strapped in. We’ll be on the ground in just a few minutes.”

After their smooth landing, Delsin walked down the ramp and felt a feeling of satisfaction flowing through him at the sight of his birth planet. Tall trees formed a canopy that blocked out much of the sun while the dense undergrowth was ripe with lush foliage. There were very few flowers but shiny leaves of all shapes, sizes, and shades of green blanketed the terrain. Twisting ropes of vines wound down the rock cliffs, springing from the crevices.

Etu touched his shoulder. “Listen, Brother. The forest is welcoming us home.”

Delsin could hear birds calling, their wings fluttering in the heat. Being so close to the Mhatara, the air was stuffy and warm. The decay and algae warred with the scent of animal musk. The thick, stagnant air was heavy on his tongue.

“What’s the plan?” asked Etu.

“Let’s fan out.” Delsin looked at each of his men. “Be mindful of the natural enemies here as well as the Mkata pride. Watch your steps. Don’t hesitate to kill anyone you find. The only pride members left on Linnaeus are our enemies. But watch for our mate and ensure his safety at all costs.” He picked up a long stick and started off toward the thick vegetation as his pride mates went in opposite directions. Etu gave a final wave as the curling mist swallowed him up.

Before each step, Delsin probed the water with his walking stick. The murky water kept everything, both dangerous and benign, from view. A sudden burst of bubbles could mean a submerged log settling or the rancid breath of a beast on the hunt. He slogged through the mud, not knowing which was worse, the tension in his neck from listening to every drip and scrape or the foul air that clung to every inch of his skin and filled his mouth with the taste of death. He thought of Meredith and sighed. “Hold on, mate. Be strong. I’m coming.”

* * * *

Mer paced back and forth, stopping to yank on the iron doors with each pass. “Come on, guys. Where the hell are you? I risk my life to save your cubs, and this is the thanks I get. And if Señor Psycho is right, you didn’t even bother to truly mate me. You can’t even feel any of my pain.”

He looked toward the darkened hallway when he heard footsteps. When Honaw stepped into the light, Mer scurried to the back of the cell, cowering in a corner. “Haven’t you figured out yet that it won’t work to keep hurting me? They don’t feel my pain.”

“But they do, puny human. Even now, your mates make their way through the Mhatara to be by your side.” The click of the lock was loud as Honaw opened the cell door. He motioned for Mer to come out. “Come. We must prepare a special greeting.”

“Delsin and Etu are here?” Mer bit his lip. “What’s Mhatara?”

Honaw moved into the small cell and grabbed Mer’s arm. “The Mhatara is our natural protection.” He chuckled. “It may even kill your mates before I can.”

Mer began to struggle. “No, I won’t let you use me to hurt them.”

Honaw laughed and pulled him from the cell. “You can’t stop me. Soon the Chaarta pride will cease to exist, and Preyta’s cubs will be mine. I will take a mate, and we will raise them together.”

Not if I have anything to say about it.
Mer stopped struggling and allowed Honaw to lead him down several corridors until they reached a large room. It made him think of a king’s royal chambers complete with a throne. Honaw pushed him into a chair just as one of his guards rushed into the room.

“Alpha.” The man panted breathlessly. “It has begun.”

Honaw grinned. “Excellent. Go and make sure the alpha can find his way here. If he makes it to the palace, he’s mine.” The guard bowed low and dashed off. Honaw ignored Mer and began pulling weapons from a closet in the room, arranging them on a small table.

Mer’s eyes grew wide as he watched the enemy alpha. Honaw lined up several knives on the table beside his throne, strapped some type of gun to his hip, and pulled out a long, wickedly curved sword. Mer had to bite back a laugh.
Does the thought of messing with my guys scare you that much?

Honaw moved to the window. “Come, human. You might get to see your mate one final time.”

* * * *

Dusk stained the glistening foliage with shadow and murk. As nightfall descended, the sounds of the jungle began to ebb, and new sounds emerged. Footfalls and the rumbling growls of predators walking their hunting grounds filled the air.

Delsin heard a strange noise. “Etu?” He peered between the thick, vine-choked trunks and the reaching leaves for signs of his brother. As soon as he heard a splash, he vaulted onto the nearest tree. Slimy bark provided a challenge for the treads on his boots, but he managed to make it to a creaky lower branch. He didn’t want to shift to his lion until he reached the compound. Shifting took a great deal of energy and he wanted to save his strength for the coming battle. Slowly he scanned the mist that clung to the surface of the water, watching as a slight trench disturbed the almost solid mass. Something was moving in the water, gently displacing the white curtain above it.

Sweat dripped down Delsin’s back and along the sides of his body. He preferred a cat-to-cat fight instead of these games. Tired of waiting, he dropped to the ground, the mud sucking against his boots. His heartbeat fluttered at every sound and splash. Then, he heard a hissing animal cry followed by growls. The sound of paws hitting the ground had him calling the magical light. A feeling of peace washed over him as his bones reformed, his mane growing long, his claws extending. He was ready when the first of Honaw’s lions burst through the brush.

* * * *

Honaw threw back his head and laughed. “Your pride is losing, human. Soon all of Linnaeus will be mine.” He beckoned Mer closer. “Don’t you want to watch? They’re reaching the clearing now.”

Honaw turned his attention back to the scene outside the window, and Mer cautiously moved closer to the table where the knives glistened in the waning light. There were several sharp blades.
If I could just get my hands on one of the knives, Señor Psycho might not notice.

“Come, human. I insist you watch.”

When Honaw didn’t turn around, Mer grabbed the blade on the end and held it down in the folds of his tattered pants. Taking a deep breath, he moved toward the window.

* * * *

Etu silently moved toward the Mkata’s palace. He’d already put down two of Honaw’s guards.
I just wish I knew how the others are doing.
He could mind speak to his brother, but he didn’t want to distract him at a crucial time. He took comfort in being able to feel his brother’s life force inside his mind. He’d know if Delsin had been killed.

He pressed lower to the ground and crept through the brush, stopping when two different scents filled his nostrils. Two of Honaw’s pride were near. As he broke through the clearing, he spotted a large gray lion, his heavy mane matted and tangled. Etu glanced toward the palace and spotted Honaw and Mer in a window.
Thank the Goddess he’s still alive.
He dropped his shields to send his thoughts to Delsin.
Brother, I’ve found our mate. He’s in an upper palace room with Honaw.

Etu could feel his brother’s joy through their link.
Is he unharmed, Etu?

I can see no injuries from where I am, and he’s standing unassisted behind Honaw. I must go. I have a battle to win.
Etu turned his attention to his appointment, closing down his mental link.

The big lion snarled and moved closer. Etu crouched, letting out a tremendous roar, showing his impressive teeth. A growl behind him had him tensing. From the corner of his eye, he saw another lion. Obviously a youngster, the tawny lion prowled toward him from the left while big gray headed toward him from the right. He could hear his father’s voice in his head.
Son, take down the lesser challenge fast and give all your strength to the real challenge.

Etu hated to end the life of what was essentially a cub, but he knew he had no choice. The tawny lion was impatient and clearly untrained. He pivoted on his haunches and then leapt. With a twist of his head, Etu struck, his teeth sinking deep into the unprotected neck. A burst of blood bathed his tongue, hot and coppery sweet. The cub’s agonized yelp was cut off, his windpipe crushed. The mortally wounded lion stumbled and went down.

Etu had turned his attention to the larger lion when he was violently thrown to the ground, the impact driving the breath from his body with a loud whoosh. Stunned, he wheezed in a much-needed gulp of air. Sharp teeth pierced the meat of his shoulder, penetrating so deep they scraped bone. He bucked backward, dislodging the overconfident lion. A rumbling growl issued from the depths of Etu’s chest, followed quickly by a vicious baring of teeth and a rough, threatening snarl. Big Gray roared and whirled, teeth snapping impotently on thin air as Etu spun out of his reach.

Etu’s jaws closed on his flank, his pelt of fur offering little protection against the sharp teeth that tore into his flesh. A savage battle erupted with raking claws and tearing teeth as they both went down in a tangle of flailing limbs and snapping jaws. It was over quickly. Etu had him penned beneath his powerful body, his jaws clamped around his neck. He viciously tore out his throat and ran toward the house.

* * * *

Honaw cursed venomously and pulled out a gun.

The shadows were dark enough outside that Mer could not see clearly what had happened.

“Not this time, Alpha. You’re not going to win. Those cubs will be mine.” He glanced at Mer. “Seems your mates are more powerful than I thought. One of them made it through the Mhatara, but he won’t make it to you.” Raising his arm, he took aim out the window.