Soul of Desire

Chapter Eleven

It was official, Nix was my mate. I walked with more confidence than I had before. After the display of the claiming no one dared try to take my mates position through me ever again. I may be a small Therros, but I made up for my lack of height in unmatched ferocity. Jeg walked out of the infirmary as I passed.

“Luca!” He laughed bumping claws with me.

“Jeg, how’re things? Are you alright?” I asked. He nodded, his grin falling off his face.

“I am looking for a mate. I thought I would find Cleo here. She has not come into the infirmary yet.” He admitted softly. I made a noise in the back of my throat.

“Anyone in particular?” I asked casually. I began walking toward the dining room. Jeg shrugged.

“There are no greys left.” He said sadly. I squeezed his arm.

“You could bite a human. Worked for me and several others.” I said thoughtfully. Jeg stopped walking, he turned to look down at me.

“I didn’t think of that. We have a whole lot of humans on the ship now. I have a pet. Her name is Candy.” He admitted. I looked around.

“Where is she?” Jeg bowed his head.

“In her quarters. The Captain ordered some of us to take pets, to protect the humans from the small faction of Therros who have no qualms killing them.” He said.

“Have you considered asking her to be your mate?” I enquired. Jeg frowned. He shook his head.

“No. She is lovely though, Luca. I would take her as my mate if she agreed to be bitten. The thought of having a Grey mate is overwhelming. I suppose I should ask her.” Jeg replied scratching the back of one ear. I stopped walking to look up at my friend.

“Well lead on then. There is no time like the present.” I said motioning for the grey to lead the way. Jeg grinned, showing small sharp pointed teeth.

We arrived on deck four, the door swished open and Jeg walked in. The human named Candy was sitting on the floor in a meditation pose. Jeg cleared his throat. She looked up and smiled when she saw him.

“Hello Jeg.” Her voice was husky. She stood up. Candy was several inches taller than me and sported an incredible figure. Her only flaw, was the burn scar covering one side of her face and neck. Candy’s smile lit up her face. Jeg bowed his head.

“Candy this is Luca; she is Captain Kane’s mate,” Jeg said stepping aside so the woman could see me.

“I remember; you were the female who ripped out Grogill’s heart.” She replied holding out her hand. I shook it gently.

“Nice to meet you. I would like to talk to you about something. Jeg, my favourite grey. Would you excuse us?” I said.

“I am the only grey.” He laughed.

“Hence why you are my favourite.” I teased. The huge Therros winked, nodded once and left us alone. Candy motioned for me to sit with her at the small table to one side of her quarters.

“What can I do for you, mistress?” Candy asked hesitantly. I smiled.

“It’s Jeg, he wants a mate,” I said.

“Yes, he said as much earlier. I would need to find another master. Therros females would have a problem with their male having a slave like me.” Candy replied. She frowned and looked down, embarrassed.

“Would you be willing to fill the role of mate to Jeg?” I asked. Candy shook her head.

“It can’t be done mistress. I am a human and he is a Therros. Our union would be frowned upon and any children we had would be shunned.” I shook my head at her words.

“I used to be human,” I admitted watching the woman’s reaction. Her mouth opened and closed though no sound emerged.

“That’s why I am so small compared to the rest of the Therros. If Jeg were to bite you, you would become a Therros. A grey. The last pair of your kind. Do you see where I am going with this?” Candy nodded.

“You want me to become Therros and mate Jeg.” She said softly.

“Yes.” I murmured.

“Can I think about it?” She asked. I shook my head.

“There is nothing to think about Candy. As a human, you are merely currency. As a Therros female you are revered. Especially as the last female of a species.” I explained. Candy nodded.

“Alright, if I get to stay with Jeg I will be happy. He is an incredible male. In the short time, I have known him, he has shown me gentlemen do still exist and even though I am human, I am not worthless.” She said. I stood up and opened the door. Jeg was pacing in the hallway.

“Jeg, bite that female and send Cleo a message. If there is any fall out tell her I was present, and I will catch her up later.” I said. Jeg nodded and walked into Candy’s quarters. The door closed behind him and I walked back towards the dining room and my dinner.

Nix was sitting down surrounded by papers when I entered. I smiled and waved to several Therros I knew. I stepped up behind the huge panther and wrapped my arms around his neck.

“Hello kitten.” He murmured kissing the back of my claw. The room falling silent around me.

“Did I just commit a huge fopar?” I whispered into his ear. Nix pat my arm.

“No, they are unused to seeing me be affectionate. I think it freaks them out a little bit. For me, it’s hilarious.” He replied with a small smile. I relaxed and slipped into the chair beside him.

“What are you doing?” I asked looking down at the scattered paperwork. Nix gathered them up and piled them back into the folder. He pushed it away and turned to me.

“It’s nothing, just Callite reports.” He said lifting my claw and kissing the back again.

“Have you eaten?” I stood up and walked over to the buffet when he shook his head. I gathered two plates and crossed back to the table when they were filled.

“Thank you.” Nix murmured looking at me strangely. I slid onto my chair, setting out my cutlery.

“What’s wrong?” I asked quietly.

“I have never had dinner with a female before.” He answered simply. I looked up at him.

“What about Haze?” Nix shook his head.

“No, look around you. The females only eat with the females. Eating with the opposite s*x is classed as intimacy and therefore only reserved for mated couples.” Nix explained. We ate in silence for a few minutes before I spoke.

“Speaking of mated couples. Several humans want to be changed into Therros.” I said quietly. Nix sat back in his chair, placing his napkin on the table. He watched me thoughtfully.

“That is your department kitten.” He said finally. I nodded placing my knife and fork on my empty plate. Nix stood up, he held a claw out to me. I grasped it, Nix pulled me under his arm. He nodded at several Therros as we walked out into the hallway.

“Jeg came to me, his human pet is going to go through the change.” I murmured. Nix nodded.

“How many humans were captive?”

“Two hundred. Not all want to be converted. They wish to be returned home. I told Cleo I would talk to you. The only way to do this is to approach the council, right?” I asked looking up into the face of the male I loved.

“That’s right. The humans wishing to be converted must be mated before the council gets here.” Nix replied.

“When is that?” I asked. We stood in Nix’s office. He sat on the edge of his desk with a sigh.

“Next week.” He admitted roughly.

“What are they going to say about the changes and the news I am now a Therros?”

“They are going to be furious Kitten,” Nix said. I stepped between his knees, my claws on his chest.

“What do we do about it?” I asked softly. He wrapped his arms around me, pulling me close.

“I don’t know yet.” He leaned in to kiss me. An idea rocketed into my mind and I pulled away before he could touch me.

“Where is Vent?” I asked. Startled, Nix frowned.

“Destroyed. Only it’s moon Dragoon exists. A day’s travel from our point, why?” He growled.

“What is the moon like?” I stepped back and began to pace. Nix moved to his chair. He tapped several keys on the desk in front of him. A screen lit up on one wall, showing a large beautiful planet.

“Dragoon is much like Earth? Our ancestors inhabited Vent because of the minerals in the soil, there are not as many on Dragoon. What are you thinking?” Nix demanded. I spun to face him.

“Do the Therros like being in space?”

“Not really, we have adapted out of necessity.”

“What if the Therros went to Dragoon. It would take time to rebuild the Therros civilization-.” I began.

“No. It wouldn’t, our technology is far more advanced than Earth. We are limited in our use here on the ship. On a planet, we can construct towns in hours and cities in a matter of weeks. Commerce is what takes time.” Nix boasted proudly. I smirked.

“Impressive,” I said with a small laugh. Nix crossed his thick arms over his chest.

“You want off the ship?” He asked. I shrugged.

“It’s not that. We picked up one hundred Therros and two hundred humans captured by the Zeg and Sumi. This ship may be able to house everyone, but it is going to get cramped, tempers are going to flare.” Nix looked thoughtful once more. I glanced at the clock and cursed.

“I am late for my shift again. I’ll see you later.” I said turning. I was suddenly grabbed from behind. My mate’s arms trapping me against his hard body.

“You did not wait for leave.” He whispered, his claws shaping my stomach and hips.

“Nix.” I sighed turning in his embrace. He leaned back frowning at the expression on my face.

“What is it Kitten?”

“I don’t know. I feel weird that’s all.” I said. I stood up on my toes and pressed my mouth to his.

“Permission to leave. Captain, oh Captain, my Captain.” I murmured against his lips.

“Granted.” He replied with a grin. I stepped out of his arms and out the door, his laugh following me into the hallway.

I was sitting in the control room with a cup of coffee and a stack of schematics in front of me. I rubbed the back of my neck and took another mouthful of coffee. The door to my left opened and Cleo walked in with Hart. I gave the couple a small salute with my cup and returned to reading.

“Luca, your shift ended two hours ago,” Hart said.

“I know. My spine fused to the chair, the hour before that.” I groaned standing up, I stretched. Cleo eyed me closely.

“Luca, are you alright?” She asked crossing the floor. She cupped my chin and peered into my eyes.

“I’m fine, just tired. I have been hunched over these plans for most of the night. I feel a bit off. I don’t know. Maybe it because I am not sleeping well. I am having the weirdest dreams.” I admitted, rolling the plans up again. Hart put them back in the cupboard.

“I am off to bed. Goodnight.” I called over my shoulder. I waved to several males including Brag on my way back to deck twelve. I stepped into Nix’s office. It was dark and quiet. I moved through to our quarters on silent feet. Nix was asleep when I entered. I stripped off and stepped into the shower. I stayed there for a while, washing my hair. I stepped on to the drying grate, the warm air felt nice on my fur. I crawled into bed beside my mate. He opened his eyes to stare at me. No trace of sleep remained, he was fully awake.

“Sorry I am late. I got caught up with schematics. I missed you.” I murmured. Nix pulled me closer.

“I missed you too Kitten. Go to sleep, you’re exhausted.” He said kissing my head. I curled up against his side and fell asleep.

I woke to fear. I sat up in bed breathing hard, the fur around my face was wet with perspiration.

“Did you just have a nightmare?” Nix asked groggily beside me. One large paw rubbed my back. I nodded drawing up my knees. I put my head on them, hugging my legs. Nix sat up, he switched on the lamp by his side of the bed.

“What was it?” he asked gently. I shuddered.

“I killed you.” I murmured tears tracked down my face. Nix smiled a cheeky grin.

“Think you could take me, do you kitten?” He chuckled, teasing me. I smiled a faint grin.

“You’re hilarious,” I replied. He tipped me towards him, pulling me into his lap. I wrapped my arms around his neck and breathed into his jet-black fur.

“It felt so real,” I whispered. He rocked me gently.

“You are my mate, kitten. If you were going to hurt me, I would smell the intent on you. It was a nightmare, nothing more.” He murmured.  I breathed out on a sigh and closed my eyes. Nixim held me for a while longer before positioning me beside him once more. He lay down returning to sleep.

Cleo knocked on the door to our quarters promptly at seven in the evening. Nix opened the door.

“Cleo.” He greeted bowing his head. The female mated to his uncle smiled.

“Is Luca ready?” She asked. Nix ushered her into the room.

“She is not here yet. Luca has been working herself ragged.” He replied motioning for the leopard to sit. Cleo made herself comfortable at the table. Nix made her a cup of tea and placed it in front of her.

“Has she said anything to you?” Nix demanded suddenly. Cleo shook her head.

“No captain. I am afraid not. Hart is worried though. Unlike other mated males, he does speak to me, sir. There have been several accidents down in engineering. Each one has placed Luca in very dangerous situations. Thankfully the Galactic counsel put off their trip. Two weeks ago, she was forced to climb down the wall with nothing but her claws. Hart, Reggie and Brag could only watch and pray she did not fall to her death. Last night was the worst by far. Luca was with Hart, Reggie and Brag in the decontamination room, they were fixing the interior control panel and replacing the lighting switches when the doors closed, and the locks engaged. The room began to fill with CO2. The males managed to break down the door. If Luca had been in there alone she would have died within minutes. Hart has Reggie and Brag glued to her side for the last two weeks. I do not know if Luca realises what is going on or not.”

“She has been having nightmares,” Nix admitted.

“About what?”

“She said she killed me.” He snarled stalking around the room.

“Kill you how?” Cleo demanded standing up to her full height. Nix shrugged running a hand through his hair.

“I don’t know Cleo; she will not divulge it, but I do know it wakes her from a dead sleep. She screamed last night.” Nix admitted grimly. The bell on the door rang interrupting their conversation. Nix opened the door to find Brag standing on the doorstep. Blood dripped from a steady gash on his yellow jaw.

“Captain Kane, there has been an accident. Luca is injured. She is in the infirmary.” He said stepping aside. Nixim Kane dived out the door. He ran through the hallways, he launched himself over the side of the staircase leading to the eleventh floor and the infirmary. Several Therros dived out of the path of their livid captain as he barrelled down on them. The doors slid open onto the bright sterile compartment.

“Captain Kane!” He turned glowing amber eyes on the Doctor crossing the floor towards him.

“Luca has a head wound and is unconscious, but she and the child will recover in no time. I would like for her to stay here in the infirmary for a while. Just to keep an eye on her. I want to rule out any much more substantial injuries. We cannot take chances with a head injury.” He reported. Nixim staggered. He grabbed the doctor pulling the male in close.

“Did you just say, child?” He growled softly. Doctor Leek nodded.

“Ah, yes Captain. I did.” He whispered terrified. Two strong black claws grabbed him, helping him into a chair.

“What is it, lad? Is Luca alright?” Hart demanded lifting his nephews face up to see his eyes.

“Luca is going to recover Hart.” Doctor Leek answered for his shocked Captain. Cleo knelt at Kane’s knee.

“Nixim, what is it?” She murmured clasping his claw with her spotted one.

“Luca is pregnant.” He whispered so softly the female had to strain to hear. She made a surprised noise in the back of her throat, that brought the Captains head up. She caught his gaze, a brilliant smile lit up her face. She cupped his cheeks.

“You are having young. Nixim! Your child will be the first one born since the m******e. The next generation of Panther. You are to be a father. Congratulations!” Cleo cried softly, kissing his cheeks. Nix leaned back in the chair, the shock clouding his mind receded and a smile crossed his face.

“Why didn’t she tell me?” He asked turning to look in my direction.

“She probably didn’t know lad. However, she did say she has been feeling weird. Perhaps this is the reason.” Hart replied. Nix climbed to his feet steady once more. He helped Cleo up.

“Thank you, Cleo.” He murmured. She smiled and hugged her mate. They watched as Kane walked over and sat down beside his sleeping female.