Chapter 14: Hard Choices
Disclaimer: I do not own Alien/Predator series or any characters and may not follow all customs and cultures found in Alien/Predator movies.
WARNING: Rated MA for intense and graphic sexual content. Viewer discretion is advised. Read at your own risk!
[A month later . . .]
[Raith's POV]
Raith walks through the hall with determination, dead set on finding the person he needed to speak with. Bustling through, he finally makes it to a door that leads to a room isolated from others. And for good reason. Raith doesn't even bother to knock on the door and opens it by pressing the override code into it. Sure enough, the door clicks open and swings slowly, making his impatience grew more. He doesn't even wait until he had full access and pushes himself through the crack. The loud sound of the door slamming the side of the wall from the force alerted the occupant inside the room. Raith could hear scuffling from around the corner and sure enough, it was Walter who revealed himself, looking surprised at the interruption.
"Raith. What brings you here?"
Walter called out with a mix of shock and surprise in his voice but made himself sound as if he was giving out a warm greeting. It only ticked Raith off and before anyone could react, Raith stomps over to him, gripping the edge of Walter's shirt on his chest and slams him high on the wall. He heard him gasp out in somewhat pain as Raith expected it since the echo of the metal wall reverberated across the room. Walter grips onto his hands to break free but it was no use. He was going to get answers, whether Walter wants to cooperate or not.
"Raith! What the fuck are you doing?!"
"I want to know what is your progress."
He sees Walter look at him with confusion. "What are you talking about?"
"Don't play dumb with me. I know you can speak our tongue well but I guess that is expected coming from a synthetic."
He felt Walter's skin tense while his eyes widened in surprise. He answers him in the Yautja language. "How did you . . .?"
Raith tightens his mandibles together and growls as his face gets closer to his. "I have my ways but it's not the main reason I'm here."
A pause of silence runs between as Raith studies Walter's features to observe if he knew the reason but no better than the oomans he has encountered, Walter doesn't answer and remains dumbfounded. A facade is what he thinks. Raith wasn't going to fall for that.
"It's been a month since Ana had the attack. What have you found?"
He grips Walter even harder, earning another groan of pain from him. Some part of him relished in this . . . reminded him of the old times he's been on ooman hunts. The way they tried to beg for their life after they attacked him . . . figuring that they can't win . . . it frustrated him in the past but he couldn't help but think about it now with Walter in his grip. He presses Walter into the wall harder and growls, slowly speaking to make sure he got the message.
"What. Have. You. Found?"
Walter scrambles to give an answer. "I'm doing the best that I can. It's not easy when the chip is inside a live person's head and you have to research without killing them."
"Do you think Ana wants to go through this again? She's suffering and all you're doing is taking your time!"
Raith couldn't hold in his anger for much longer. This fake ooman was driving his patience down the hellhole. He couldn't bear to see Ana suffer like she did a while back and the thought that any moment the chip could go off without warning and cause her more pain . . . It brought an unbearable pain to his chest every day he thought about it. He pulls Walter away from the wall only to slam him even harder than the last time. He then heard a sound of breaking metal coming from Walter himself, giving him the indication that he can't go too far with his punishment. If the ooman breaks, then who can help Ana? He loosens his grip but doesn't let him go. Instead, he leans his face so close that his breath hit Walter's face and bounced back to him.
"I ask again . . . what have you found?"
Raith leered into his eyes, making sure he showed that he was dead serious. Eventually, Walter closes his eyes for a few seconds before looking back at him.
"I think that there's another master control that's linked to the chip in Ana's head but I'm having a hard time isolating its location. But from the range that the device needs to have an effect, it must be close."
This time, Walter closes his eyes again, tightening from the pain most likely. Despite only getting a fraction of what he wanted, Raith had to take what he can for now. In an instant, he lets go of Walter, letting him drop on the floor and hitting the ground hard. He turns around to head out of the room and get away from all the tension but stops halfway to turn his head to the side and glare at Walter.
"You better make sure she stays alive. Or else you'll regret it."
Walter speaks between breaths. "You really love her, don't you?"
Rath doesn't answer as he turns his face forward and starts to move his foot forward until it stops upon hearing Walter speak. "Hold on."
Raith had no idea what he listened to a filthy ooman like him but a small thought nagged at him to answer. Sighing, he turns fully around and watches Walter stand back up and get his bearing slowly. Once that was done, Raith saw that Walter was focusing hard on . . . as if he remembered something.
"I recognize you from somewhere."
Somehow, that sent a chill down Raith's spine for some reason or another. But as he heard those words, he could faintly remember a piece of his past that began to haunt him like before . . . just when he thought he had them under control.
Kill them all! Don't let them escape!
You promised that we wouldn't be followed!
Good luck in surviving this.
Raith growls and closes his eyes tightly when a headache pierces into a point on the side of his head. He brings his hand over and digs his claws into it . . . the only thing he knew that would work in the many times he's dealt with this. After a minute or two, the pain subsides and he shakes his head, letting his dreadlocks slap against his shoulder armor. He blinks his eyes and turns to glare at Walter.
"We'll talk later . . . And with results for your sake."
As quickly as he could, Raith rushed out of the room at a fast pace. He needed to vent his anger out before anyone else gets hurt and before he reaches his room. Luckily, his anger dissipates from walking so fast that by the time he makes it to his door, his muscles ached with exhaustion. He opens the door and closes it shut before anyone had the chance to disrupt him. Once in the room, he stops in the middle of it, looking at Ana's small form lying on his bed, sleeping peacefully.
After the attack Ana went through, Raith requested for her to stay in his room where it was closest to the healers if anything were to happen but also for his sanity's sake. He feels at ease knowing she was nearby but the worry of the unknown was still there. He walks gently across to avoid waking her up and sits carefully on the edge. He watches her chest rise and fall with her breathing and at that moment, she looked so beautiful. Raith lowers himself down while balancing on one hand and leans over her, noting how peaceful she looked despite everything. He leans even closer until he gently presses his forehead on the side of hers, purring from the contact. He stiffens when he felt Ana wiggle in her spot but relaxes when she stops, still sleeping as before. The times that they spent together were memorable and he tried to focus on the good ones instead of the bad. For his sake and hers.
At that moment, he vows to make sure Ana would survive this and protect her along with her friends she trusts. But the conversation with Walter earlier comes crashing back.
I recognize you . . .
Raith shakes his head and moves to lay beside her, wrapping one arm around her waist and pressing his body to her as he lets himself drift into sleep in which he hopes to not have any nightmares of his past.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[Maria's POV]
Over a month, Maria has been keeping tabs on Ana, almost as dedicated as Raith but every time she comes in to inspect Ana, her friend would always tell her not to worry. It almost sounded like a plea, tugging on her heartstrings but it felt better when Ana promised to tell her if anything came up and that Raith would watch her. She had to thank Raith properly when she had the chance. Not just for looking out for Ana but saving them when they broke out from Weyland. She felt like she owed it to him.
Speaking of which, Maria hasn't heard from Weyland since that time. She assumed that he would call her non-stop since she carried the device with her at all times but nothing. Her anxiety would get the best of her, even during intimate times with Za'taan. Normally, she would hide her emotions very well from him but the recent one wasn't a lucky day for her. Maria remained silent after they had mated and Za'taan noticed it all too well.
"Maria. Something's wrong with you."
She opens her eyes and sees Za'taan leaning over her with one arm supporting him, looking worn with worry about her. She twists her naked body until she lays on her stomach and resting her chin on her crisscrossed arms.
"I'm fine. Really."
"No, you're not. You're acting differently."
"In what way?"
Maria wanted to dismiss the conversation altogether, fearing that he would ask about her strange behavior. The urge to tell him about Weyland's plan to him was nerve-wracking but that small reminder of the threat to her friend's life kept her in line. However, she knew it was best to let him speak and it would help her to know what he's thinking.
"You're not as cheery as before. It's like you're not getting any rest or something's bothering you."
She sighs and moves to hide her face in the pillow. "I'm only worried about Ana. After the attack, it hasn't been the same."
"It's not just that."
That piqued her interest but not sure whether to be more curious or nervous. She raises her face back up to him. "What do you mean?"
Za'taan shuffles until he places his head down on the pillow next to her, clicking a bit with his mandibles as he scoots closer until their faces were inches apart. Maria felt a little self-conscious about this, worried that he was seeing through her. When his face comes closer and his red eyes squint in concentration, she froze in her spot and her mind goes blank, not knowing what to do.
"What?"
"You seem very tired and yet you've been sleeping a lot. Not to mention you're gaining some weight on you."
Maria's mouth opens wide as if she couldn't believe what he said just now. Out of reflex, she lifts her arm from under the fur blankets and swings at him, slapping over his cheek enough that he had to recoil from it. Za'taan grunts and moves his head back, rubbing it to ease the pain. He looks back in confusion.
"What was that?"
"Don't call me fat!"
Although she tried to act serious, a stifled smile broke through and eventually lead to a small giggle. Za'taan stops rubbing his chin and bends his inner mouth and mandibles into a smirk, which only made her giggle even harder.
"Really? All that training with you this past month and you only gain fat. Eating too much lately?"
Maria wanted to protest but he did have a point. She had noticed her appetite grew immensely that she almost ate as much as a female Yautja three times her size. Not to mention that she would eat something that her old self wouldn't dare try in a million years. But her stomach prevailed and before she knew it, all of her meals and more were gone within an hour or so. Even with learning hunting skills with Za'taan in case she needed to protect herself when he's not around, it did little to help her change.
She tilts her head down and brings it back up. "It might be the stress of it all. Probably need something to keep me occupied."
Maria definitely needs something to ease her mind but what can she do? Her answer was brought up right away as Za'taan's arm slips underneath her, pulling her over until she was straddling him. She looked down on him in surprise as he places each hand on her hips. His red eyes began to glow once more and Maria knew what he was suggesting as he smirked at her.
"I know one way to keep you 'occupied' at the moment. Plus, you'll get your exercise to lose some of the fat on you."
All of a sudden, Maria felt his hips pushed up into her, forcing his erected cock to rub close to her core and down her inner thigh. Instinctually, she closes her eyes and lets out a huge gasp followed by a moan, slapping her hands down on his hardened chest. When Za'taan stops moving, she looks back at him and chuckles while replicating his signature smirk.
"You'll regret saying that."
Before he could ask, Maria lifts her hips up and quickly grabs his cock from underneath, squeezing hard enough to earn a pleasurable growl from Za'taan. Even after holding it in her hands several times before, his cock felt so solid that it couldn't have belonged to any living creature nor could see possibly believed it could fit in her at all. But in the end, it was well worth it. Without further adieu, Maria moved a little before pushing down and letting his cock slip between her folds and deep into her core. The sudden howl from Za'taan almost made her cum from his reaction. It was so satisfying but she wasn't going to give him the benefit just yet.
"You . . . were . . . saying?"
She had to speak between her labored breaths but it worked like a charm. Za'taan's eyes glowed with powerful desire as his hands tightened their grip, almost cutting his claws into her skin. Maria did her best to not let him overtake her. She wanted to make sure that she kept her word. She moves her hands over his and presses them down on the sides of his head. He could easily push back with little effort but to her surprise, he doesn't. She smirks and lowers her face close to his.
"Well?"
They stared at each other for a few moments. Za'taan smiles and moves his mouth closer to hers. "I don't know . . ."
And then, their mouths press against each other roughly. Soon, their tongues battled for dominance and the heat began to rise between them, almost threatening to burn them. Out of pure instinct, Maria beings grinding her hips against him and enjoying the wonderful feeling of tightness that came from his cock, spreading her core to the max. They both moan into each other, whine in ecstasy and edging her to move faster as she pulls her mouth away to get much-needed air but instead lets out a delicious moan. Both of their breathing became labored and Maria could swear that she felt his heart pumping like a drumbeat underneath his hands and into hers. Before long, Maria felt the familiar feeling of her orgasm coming but she wanted to keep going until he came first. She started to doubt her stamina as she kept going further until she noticed a small gleam in his burning red eyes, signaling her that he was ready.
"Maria. I can't . . . hold it much longer."
She chuckled at how Za'taan sounded like he was begging her to stop. It gave her the boost to move faster, noticing how the change of pace caused her to feel like his cock was growing thicker with each passing second. Finally, Za'taan couldn't hold it in any longer as he closes his eyes tightly, throwing his head back and ripping his hands away to move them back onto her hips. The warmth of his seed fills her core and that is all she needed to let herself go as well. She screams to the ceiling and claws at his chest until both of their orgasms finish. Her muscles twitch uncontrollably for a few moments, feeling the loss of control over her body but it was a delicious feeling. When her body finally relaxes, Maria slumps down and onto Za'taan. The warmth from his smooth, marble skin over hers brings relief as she tries to catch her breath and hearing Za'taan do the same.
When all is set and done, Maria uses the remainder of her strength to lift her head and rested her chin at the base of his neck, smiling up when his eyes meet her gaze.
"Now . . . What was it you saying?"
In response, Za'taan smiles gently and moves his hand to cup her cheek. "Honestly . . . I can't remember."
She chuckles. "Good."
Maria puts her head down and gives a small peck on his chest before resting her head on him and closing her eyes. It was a great distraction to get her mind off of things . . . even if it was for a while.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
After getting cleaned up and dressed, Maria heads out after receiving an invitation to talk to Du'rout privately from one of the guards after mating. Za'taan tried to convince her to decline, noting that his father only wanted to cause trouble for her. She could see that it bothered him quite a lot but she told him to not worry about it. Secretly, she was curious to know what important matter Du'rout wanted to discuss with her. It seemed strange that he didn't want Za'taan to come along. Either way, she made her decision.
Passing through the same dull hallways to which she started to get real tiresome in maneuvering around this maze of room, Maria finally made it to the meeting room that she remembered. She stops in front of the door but pauses, unsure of how to alert whoever was in there. After a few seconds, she takes a leap forward and knocks on the door hard. If only she knew that it was much harder than she thought, she wouldn't have knocked on the door the way she did. Her knuckles radiated with a painful sensation, shaking it off to dull it. She stops when the door opens and a Yautja guard walks through.
He stares at her with an unknown expression that she couldn't pin but it sent shivers down her spine. She had a funny feeling that he wanted to intimidate her but remained unmoved. The guard backs off, tilting his head in curiosity before clicking at her. Again, she didn't understand and stayed silent with a confused look but then the guard turns around and walks back into the room. He turns his head and nods, giving her the signal to follow inside. She takes a deep breath as she steps forward with the door closing behind her.
The meeting room was as Maria remembered except with much fewer Yautjas in one area to which she was glad. She didn't like all the stares and glares in her direction but as she looks up to see Du'rout in his throne, she started having second doubts.
As they approached, she could see something was bothering Du'rout. His head was lowered with his hand rubbing every part of it. It was obvious to her that he seemed stressed about something so she hoped he wasn't in a bad mood. She rather not deal with an angry Yautja. Their footsteps echo in the nearly empty room so Du'rout heard them coming, lifting his face to see Maria was here. The guard stops in front of Du'rout, almost causing Maria to bump into his back. Du'rout raises his hand in a gesture to the guard to leave them. The guard bows before moving around Maria and exiting, leaving just her and the Clan leader all alone.
"So you came. I thought Za'taan would convince you otherwise."
Maria shrugs. "He tried but I promised to meet with you. And I keep my word."
She heard Du'rout chuckle lightly and then he stands up from his throne and walks the steps down until he was at the same level as her. She remained as calm as possible as Du'rout closed in on her. Despite seeing what Yautjas are capable of and used to them trying to intimidate her and failing, Du'rout was different. It might be that he's Clan Leader so his posture and demeanor were almost silently telling her to behave or suffer the consequences. The urge to step back was strong but Maria forced herself to stand where she is until Du'rout stops in front of her, looking down with curiosity.
"You're a strange ooman with a mysterious power. I wonder how Za'taan has taken a liking to you."
She doesn't answer, not knowing what to say that wouldn't make him mad despite the temptation to say it out loud . . . and it wasn't very nice even to ooman standards. He comes closer to her, taking only a step or two before stopping.
"So you know why I called you here?"
"Yes."
Du'rout hums, moving his lower mandibles inward while his upper ones twitched but not out of frustration but rather intrigue as Maria could only describe it.
"I'll skip the formalities and get straight to the point. It's about you and Za'taan."
That sent a bit of alarm in Maria's head but wasn't all too surprised, thinking that Za'taan's father didn't like that his son was intimate with her. Anger began to grow like a small lit flame that threatened to burst if more fuel was added but Maria couldn't afford to fight him. He was bigger and more experience as her instincts told her. She takes a deep breath to cool it down.
"What about it?"
"I can see that you're both love each other deeply. I mean . . . after taking him back three years ago, he wouldn't stop talking about how he needed to return for you."
Upon hearing that, Maria couldn't help but smile in awe, knowing that Za'taan wanted to find her after healing from his injuries and such. It removed all doubt in her whether he wanted to come back for her or not despite everything.
"But . . . I worry about your relationship in the future."
The joy disappeared as quickly as it came as curiosity took over. "Worried?"
Du'rout nods. "I fear that it might bring danger to both of you . . . now that it's out in the open for everyone to see. Especially after the Maigu Clan showed up to the feast and saw you. There might be some who would use you as an advantage over Za'taan."
Maria's words began to stutter in her throat. Advantage over Za'taan? But for what purpose? It didn't make sense to her but then again, she didn't have all the details about the strain between the Uhri and Maigu Clans. Wanting to learn more, she nods in response as a front to get Du'rout talking more and he did so without hesitation.
"Has Za'taan told you of what happened to his half-brother?"
"Vahrouh."
She said it very quickly, not wanting to repeat his name ever again. It sent a bitter taste through her mouth anyway so she did her best over the years to forget him. However, Du'rout brought it up again and the horrible memories of death and destruction started to flood her mind to which she pushed it away as best as she could. She looks back at Du'rout as he nods with intrigue.
"So you know then. I should assume that you know what happened before he and Za'taan came to your planet? About the succession?"
Maria nods. "Of course. He said that his 'half-brother' was to succeed you as next Clan Leader but after seeing his bloodlust, Za'taan challenged him and won. The rest . . . I don't want to repeat."
Du'rout bows his head. "I understand."
He starts walking back and forth in front of her with his hands behind his back, looking like he was contemplating what he was going to say next with his cape dragging across the floor. It drove Maria crazy with the wait but she reminded herself not to push it out of line. Eventually, he stops halfway and glances back at her.
"But what you don't know . . . after the event, not many clans took Za'taan's succession very well. Considering what happened when he was only a pup, along with the incident involving the Maigu clan . . . not many felt he was the right candidate to lead our clan."
Maria had to pause for a moment to absorb what Du'rout said. What incident? All she knew was that something happened to Za'taan's mother and that he felt guilty and ashamed for not protecting her. That small fragments of memory still haunt her to this day. Seeing Za'taan angry due to the hurt, it was almost frightening to see him like that.
"What incident?"
When she asked, Du'rout closes his eyes and sighs, clearly showing frustration to something. "It's a long story so I'll only tell you the basics. One of our scouts found information that one of our own was plotting to overthrow me and place another as Clan Leader. I ordered all to locate and capture the traitor alive but . . ."
Du'rout pauses when his voice got a little rough, threatening to turn into a growl. Maria, however, was trying to process everything she had heard. Overthrow Du'rout and place another as Leader? She couldn't comprehend someone trying to pull a stunt like that. She began to realize that the more she found out about things, the more complicated the situation got. She snapped out of her thoughts when she heard Du'rout grunt to clear his throat.
"But, the Maigu Clan had other ideas, believing that they should destroy anyone involved without question. Something that I didn't approve of. They went in anyway and finished them off but of course, consequences soon followed."
Again, Du'rout pauses but instead, he begins to growl low and it sent Maria's mind on edge, which was already scrambled. "When it was done, the traitor was dead but one of the hunters killed one of their own by 'accident' or so they said."
Maria tightens her eyebrows in confusion. "Accident?"
"Yes. It was Za'taan's mother and current mate at the time . . ."
Upon hearing that, Maria gasped slightly when she found out the terrible truth. Za'taan's mother killed by her own clan? Out of an accident? This was getting more messed up for her to follow but she stayed attentive as Du'rout continued.
"After that, I ordered the Yautja who committed the act to be sentenced to death. He was dealt with but the damage was done. I found out later that Za'taan was with her at that time and witness her death. Despite being a pup, we had to interrogate him for information but got nothing. Ever since Za'taan's become cold-hearted while a strain between our clans grew. The Maigu couldn't be punished since they took care of the traitor but it did little to help us find answers as to why the traitor did what they did."
Du'rout stops and looks towards Maria but she kept her head down, shocked by what she had found out. However, it all made sense to her now. The bitterness she saw at the feast . . . Za'taan's anger towards them . . . and the unbearable pain he showed back on Earth when he talked about his mother . . . everything was coming together. She whipped her mouth when she felt a drop of saliva falling from the corner of her mouth, making her glance at Du'rout once more.
"Why are you telling me this?"
True . . . Maria didn't quite understand the purpose of him telling any of this to a lowly ooman. It wasn't exactly her right to know so he must have some reason. Sure enough, Du'rout explained but it was something she didn't quite expect.
"I tell you this because I fear of the past repeating itself. Since you are ooman and are a mate to Za'taan, someone out there might use you to make Za'taan weak enough to overthrow or even destroy."
Maria tries to open her mouth to speak but again, nothing comes out. Her words were stuck in her throat. She closes his mouth shut and glances to the floor, trying to figure out what to do. She didn't want for Za'taan to get hurt because of her. Maria had already lost so many people she loved and to think that someone wanted to kill Za'taan . . . it sent a painful feeling in her chest.
Du'rout comes closer until he leans his head close to her and whispers. "So I want to ask you. Will you do what it takes to protect him?"
"I . . ."
She tried to answer his question. In her mind, she wanted to protect him. Za'taan is very precious to her and Maria would do whatever it takes but at the same time, some part of her feared that the way to do that might require to do something painful. She dared not to go that far unless she got more answers.
But all of a sudden, her eyes began to feel heavy and her eyelids began to droop closed. Soon, the rest of her body began to weaken like she ran a marathon for several hours and not stop to take a break. She looks back at Du'rout but her vision became blurry and the next thing she knew . . . everything went dark.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[Za'taan's POV]
Every Yautja in the hallway scurried out of the way as Za'taan stomps around in anger. An hour ago, he was training in his room until he got a call that something happened to Maria and he was summoned to the healers. He knew better than to let Maria speak to his father in private. The only thing he could think of is that Maria must have gotten hurt if she had to be taken in a hurry. He was going to get a word to Du'rout and it wasn't going to be a pleasant one.
Za'taan makes it to the door of the healers, surprised that Raith, Ana, Walter were waiting outside. This was most unusual . . . He makes eye contact with Ana and the small female ooman comes racing to him with a concerned look.
"Za'taan! You're here."
"What has happened to Maria?"
Ana stutter as Raith comes to her side, wrapping one arm around her shoulder while glancing at Za'taan. "We don't know. They called for you only. We were lucky to find out and came."
As Za'taan as asking for more information, the door to the healers open and a single Yautja comes through.
"My lord Za'taan. Please come in."
There was no need for the healer to ask permission. He was going to get inside no matter what. Disregarding the Yautja that greeted him, Za'taan pushes him out of the way and runs inside. He knows that they would treat Maria in the separate room like they did with Ana so he sprinted with all of his might until he slammed into the door, almost taking it off the wall. He stops abruptly when he sees his father standing next to Maria who was lying unconscious on the table with another healer on the other side. He looks over Maria's body and sees no visible injuries. It gave him a little relief but he was determined to get a word out. Growling, he stomps towards Du'rout and without warning, grabs his father by the shoulder and glares harshly.
"What have you done to her!?"
Despite giving a threatening tone, Du'rout raises his hands as if he wasn't the reason Maria was in here. "I did nothing to harm her if that's what you're thinking. She merely fainted during our conversation. Nothing more."
"Bullshit! You did something! I know it!"
"He didn't do anything."
Another voice calls from behind, forcing Za'taan to turn around and see that it was the healer that he pushed out of the way earlier, holding a panel that they use to analyze data from their patients. The healer seemed calm and collected, indicating to Za'taan that it wasn't completely serious. Coming to that conclusion, Za'taan glares at his father one more time before releasing him. He takes a couple of calm breaths before addressing the healer.
"What have you found?"
The healers bow his head. "We found no physical injuries on her. She merely fainted but we weren't sure what caused it?"
"Weren't sure?"
The healer nods, checking back on the panel in his hands. "We took a blood sample just in case and we found something that might be connected to her symptoms. And it's quite interesting."
Za'taan waits as the healer scrolls through the panel once more until he stops moving his hand, finding the very thing he needed. The silence between was killing Za'taan from the inside. He needed to know what was wrong with Maria but what he heard next came as a shock as the healer looks into Za'taan's eyes.
"She's with pup."
Right at that moment, everyone in the room froze and inside Za'taan's mind, everything broke into a million pieces. Maria . . . is . . . pregnant? Za'taan's eyes widened in shock and his breath hitched in his throat as he couldn't believe that the love of his life was carried his pup inside of her.
The world around him went in slow motion and a warm feeling began to grow in his chest, thinking about his and Maria's future ahead. But at the same time, a dreaded feeling soon followed and he wondered if there was a reason for it.
Hi Readers!
What a surprise bomb at the end. Maria is pregnant!? With Za'taan's child!? It is a very happy moment for both of them but of course, I warned that there will be tragedy coming but in what form? I mean . . . you have Du'rout telling Maria is she will do what it takes to save Za'taan. Not to mention that Weyland is still lurking in the shadows, waiting for the right moment to strike on this happy occasion and the horrible story of the Maigu and Uhri clan. And did I forget about what happened to Za'taan's mother?
Wow . . . So much mystery to solve but what will happen next? Will Maria be happy to know she's pregnant? Will anyone else be joyous about this or feel threatened by the new being growing inside Maria?
Find out when Chapter 15 comes next week (Saturday)!
P.S. Appreciation to Anonymous-E, Maria, Guest, and NeverNeverLady for the wonderful reviews on Metamorphosis. Things will get spicy as well but it's slower paced than Endurance but a lot more secrets along with Nexus.
Also, for Anonymous-E, I got your notes on the request story and it will help a lot. And I decided to use the title "Respect" for the story. I tried to think of everything else but somehow, that title sticks in my brain so I'm taking a leap of faith and choosing that. I hope you love it but let me know if you decide something else.
Thank you and enjoy! :)))))