Wow, your in luck I had time to edit another chapter. Things get interesting in this one, but i don't want to to give away to much. Enjoy!

Surprises

My eyes slowly open. I glance around the room slowly. My mind is confused from the medication I have been given. Slowly, I remember what happen. 'How did I get here' I wonder. One of my hands feels odd. My ring guard is missing and an IV is in its place. I look around the room again noticing Michael curled in a ball sleeping in a chair. I smile. He is so devoted to me. I click my tongue waking him up. He stretches then notices that I am awake. He comes over to my side taking my hand in his smiling. "You saved me." I say.

"I didn't do that much, you would have done the same for me." he says humbly

"How long have I been out?"

"About ten hours, but you were sleeping for most of that. Can I see your wound?" he says. I nod. He helps me sit up I feel a tinge of pain. He lifts up the thin shirt coving me.

"What does it look like?" I ask curious.

"Like a big scab. But the doctor told me it was more like a burn. You got lucky it just missed your spinal cord." He says putting my shirt back.

"How long do I have to stay here?" I ask hoping not that long.

"I don't know. I didn't ask."

"How are you feeling?" I ask concerned.

"Tired, very tired." He sighs.

"Have you feed?" I ask worried.

"No, I wanted to stay with you. Don't worry, I will be fine. Just concentrate on getting well." He says lifting my chin to look at him. He purrs softly to calm me. I slide over in the small bed motioning for him to sit down. He sits. I place my head on his chest feeling safe with him there. In a few minutes a doctor walks in. He cocks his head interested at the way he finds us. Michael gets off the bed but stands by my side. The doctor comes over to me telling me to sit up. He processed to examine my wound much as Michael did except he presses certain areas asking if they hurt.

Finally he stops and says, "It is healing well. You got lucky. A couple more millimeters and you would have lost the use of your legs." He turns to go.

"Wait, doctor, when can I leave?"

"If you promise to rest and not exert yourself for a few days you can go now." He says smiling.

"I won't do anything to stressful." I promise.

"Very well," he says coming back over to me. He removes the IV saying, "I would bring you your clothes my queen, but I'm afraid there's not much left."

"I understand." I say smiling happy that I can leave.

The doctor looks at Michael coyly saying," You watch her and make sure she doesn't do anything she's not suppose to." Michael nods. "Oh and no love-making for a few days." he adds making us blush. Michael lifts me into his arms. I rest my head on his shoulder as he carries me back to the ship.

Once back in my quarters, I quickly slip out of my white shirt and plants and into a soft gown. Michael helps me into the bed then lays next to me his chest bare since he will be sleeping as well. He pulls me close to him. A soft finger strokes the features of my face. I smile closing my eyes from his relaxing touch. Vespvia jumps onto the bed and lays on my pillow placing her head on mine purring. I drift of to sleep.

With in a few days I am back to normal thanks to the wraith's regenerative powers. Michael has been wonderful during this time. He is always doing something for me or assisting me in some form or another. I made a very good chose in a mate. unfortunately, the council. meeting was interrupted and has now been rescheduled. As a result, the week I had planned to spend with Michael off world will no longer happen. Both of us are upset at this, but duty always comes first.

Michael and I are walking back to the council room. Michael insisted on coming as a guard of sorts. I hope this meeting will continue as planed with no rude interruptions that involve pain. The organic doors open to reveal the queens and their mates all standing around chattering excitedly. I can't understand it. The chatter dies down except for a few giggles from the younger ones. My friend, Shayla comes up to me saying, "Glad to see you are well."

"Yes," I say preoccupied, "What's going on?"

She smiles deviously and says, "We all thought about it, and, decided you have been working for five years strait with no time for yourself. We are sorry our behavior has been so trying. Anyways, we thought you and Michael could use a break. Two weeks anywhere you want to go, we will take over your duties. But today we will celebrate you finally finding a mate." I stare at her in shock. I never expected this.

Finally I embrace her saying, "Thank you so much, all of you. This means so much."

"We're glad to hear it." Says Kelata leading me somewhere. The others follow offering there congratulations. I glance back and notice Michael disappearing into a group of males. Though we do not have a marriage celebration like most human cultures, when a female picks her life mate it is a time of joy and celebration. Offend, the mates are separated and celebrate with a group of their friends. Then are brought together where the male pledges himself to the female. Finally the marks of commitment are placed on the right shoulder of each.

Finally the throng of queens around me parts and one brings me a beautiful dress. It is a deep blue embroidered with crystals. It flows beautifully not like the formal white one I am wearing. I quickly change in a small room. I feel like I am in a soft river of fabric. It flows over my body fitting my curves perfectly. As I step out the others cheer and laugh. I am lead over to a soft chair where I sit comfortably. The other queens sit around me chatting quietly.

"We are going to make you look so beautiful." One of the older ones says to me beginning to brush my hair. The two queens closest to me are chatting about there mates.

"I love it when he holds me in his arms and just looks at me allowing me in his mind." One says.

"That's alright," the other answers, "I like the way his hair falls on top of me when we make love. Guess you can't experience that, Matia."

"No, I suppose not. But I like Michael's hair the way it is. Tell me does it hurt, when you make love?" I ask

"A little bit the first time." Says one of them, "because you're still a virgin, but not that much. It most feels good. Are you looking forward to tonight?"

"Yes, very much." I answer smiling.

"I remember my first night with my mate. We went to this beautiful planet with all these waterfalls. It was just beautiful. He had built us a special place. The next morning he went a caught me a human from the other side of the planet. Isn't that romantic? I liked it so much that I had my first child there." Says one.

"That's nothing," the other brags, "My mate took me to a forest with all these flowers. He had made a special place for us and filled it with these violets. Then he surprised me with a baby kitten. I love cats, but I loved him so much more after that. What is Michael going to do for you?"

"I don't know. I don't really care. I just want to spend time with him." I answer.

"That's the important thing," says one of the militants walking up. It is surprising how a celebration can cause such changes, before she would have never talked to us. "My mate and I always spend one week out of the year on a planet, but I can't remember all the planets we have been to. But I do remember him taking his time just to be with me." The other queens get up quickly with out another word to get something to drink. Well I guess celebrations can't solve everything. Three others walk up. They are younger, closer to my age. One doesn't have a mate yet herself.

"What symbol are you going to get?" one asks me.

"I drew one. If you hand me my bag I'll show you." I answer. She hands me my bag and I take out my sketch book. The symbol is that for eternity but within my own design.

"That's so romantic." Says one, "Creating your own symbol. Here is mine." She slides the strap of her dress away revealing two dragon figurines with there tales entwined.

"This is mine." Says the other showing the symbol for eternity.

"I have to find a mate first." Laughs the last one.

"It is a very important decision. You are wise to take your time." I tell her. She smiles and nods her head thankful for the advice.

"Are going to get the facial markings too?" asks one. Facial markings among males are a sign of identity and status, among females they mean a myriad of things. Some think they detour dangerous males while arousing and attracting your mate.

"I don't know. Maybe." I answer. I already have markings from the top of my breast down to my naval. I received these from mother as a sign of my family and as a means of attracting a mate. The theory is that males will want to find out what markings you conceal and therefore be attracted to you. A female wraith has two proposes; one to rule her people, I have already fulfilled, the other to reproduce, I will hope fulfill in the next few years.

"Are you looking forward to having children?" asks a female holding a tiny infant. She still has the small bulge in her abdomen showing her motherhood.

"Oh yes," I say smiling, "I want to have lots of children. In fact, would you mind if I hold your child?"

"No, I was going to ask you to bless her." Says the mother handing me the baby girl. A female child is rare and is adored. The tiny girl opens her bright eyes. She stares at me and frowns as if to say, "You're not my mother." I smile at her. I can easily imagine this is my baby. I take out my crystal brushing it against the infant's hand. She grabs it happily.

"May you be forever safe. May your path be one of joy and happiness. May your rule see bright days of plenty. Walk in the path of rightness my child." I say the blessing kissing the baby's forehead. The baby giggles as if knowing what has happened. I retrieve my amulet from her fingers and hand her back to her mother.

"Thank you my queen." Says the mother bowing. Next, Shayla comes up to me caring a small present.

"I have a present for you, although I think Michael will enjoy it more." She laughs handing me the present. I open it. It is a small very revealing sleeping gown.

I laugh, "Yes, I think he will enjoy it. Thank you I need one of these."

"I'm glad you like it. I'm sure Michael will. My mate does." She says to me. "Now come with me." she says taking my hand. She leads me to a small room with a large mirror and chair. "Now sit." She orders gaily pointing to the chair. I follow her command, but now my back is to the mirror. "I am going to make you look so beautiful." She says taking out some make-up things. She quickly sets to work. I do not wear a lot of make-up like some of my sisters including Shayla. I do enjoy the feeling of being pampered though. Finally she finishes and turns me around to the on looking others. They all smile and nod there heads. Then she turns me towards the mirror. I look at the image in shock. I look so beautiful, but younger than I have in a long time. I look like an adolescent just coming into adulthood. My hair is put up in a crystal clip leaving a few strands out which now loosely curled by my face. The rest swirls down my back in crimson curls. "Now the finally pieces." Says Shayla. Placing a sapphire necklace around my neck and matching dangle earrings. I lift my hand to finger the cold gems. "Oh I almost forgot." She laughs grabbing my hand quickly removing my ring guard. I'm about to object when she slips a sapphire studded sliver one on instead. I wiggle my fingers not use to the soft leather inside as apposed to the rough chitin. Wraith do not exchange rings like many humans traditions because of the necessary ring guard worn at all times. "What do you think of yourself?" She asks.

"I feel so beautiful. I feel like I could conquer the galaxy." I say smiling. The queens cheer happily and congratulate one another on their work. "Thank you all so much. This means so much." I say so thankful for them. Normally your mother would assist you when the time came to mate, but I had no mother.

"Now don't cry you're mess yourself up." Says one of them producing a laugh from all of us. "Let's go show Michael, the boys should be done with him by now." Said the others leading me to meet my mate.

Michael

As we walk into the room, I tense remembering Matia lying on the floor injured. I failed her! She was injured and I could not stop it. Suddenly, something seems wrong. I resist the urge to jump in front of Matia and protect her. I listen as one of the queens talks with Matia. I don't trust any of them, and why are there males here? Then I realize what the queen is saying. A celebration! I relax. The last celebration I was in was when one of Telya's people was coming of age. I'm glad; now Matia can have a much need break and enjoy herself with her friends. But what about me? I have no friends. I watch quietly as Matia is lead away. I feel a pat on my shoulder and glance back to notice a male standing beside me. He is high ranking, I notice. "Welcome brother," he says, "My name is Lantanus, my mate is the beautiful brunette in the white dress, if you touch her you die." He laughs heartily. "Come with us and enjoy yourself while the females prepare your mate." He leads me into a room where there are many other males all laugh and joking with one another.

"So you won our queen's affections." Says one, who is dressed as a solder, " I thought no one would win her, such a wild thing, but beautiful, brother you got a hot female let me tell you. I wish mine had hair like that. Her's is flat and white. When you enjoy her tonight be sure and run your fingers through her hair. I bet it is soft. You should put her on top since yours got chopped off." He laughs batting at my short hair.

"Matia finds it very attractive," I brag, "Maybe you should try it. It might spice up the love life a little." The others around me laugh.

"What's your name?" ask one offering a glass of champagne.

"Michael." I answer quickly. I don't really like the name unless Matia says it. She has a way of pronouncing it that makes it sound strong, different from the human pronunciation.

"Mich-ael," he answers slow testing the name. "Where do you work?"

"I'm a scientist. Currently I'm working with genetics to prefect a ground solider I recently created." I answer proud of myself. He stares at me obviously not understanding.

"But you're a scientist right? I mean that's what you said?" he asks again

"Yes, I'm a scientist." I answer somewhat annoyed. I hate military men.

"Oh great," he growls to another male," Here you are, Thalus, fifty pieces of silver, you win."

"Thank you," says Thalus pocking the money. "A scientist, hey," he says to me, "I knew a scientist would get her. I myself am a scientist as well as Shayla's mate. She is one of the most beautiful females. Perfect body you know has just the right form to hold. She is friends with your mate, Matia I believe. Pretty thing, I feel sorry for her. You must be a physicist, or something like that."

"Geneticist currently, but I do work in physics. Why do you ask?" I question.

"Because I tried to woo her before I met my Shayla. She would have none of it, saying I wasn't intelligent enough. I'm a biologist, and just because I can't explain the mysterious universe does not mean I'm not intelligent." He pouts. A male's ego can be very easily injured. "Anyways," he continues, "Are you looking forward to tonight?"

"Yes, I am." I say smiling picturing Matia sleeping in my arms.

"Your first time, or have you mated a female before?" he asks.

I think the question is too personal, but answer anyways, "No, my second but the first female want information out of me more than mating with me."

"Don't you hate it when they do that? Just because we like their attention doesn't mean they can use us anytime they want. Anyways, I heard you have no family. So I and my brothers here decided to help you out a little, come with me." he says leading me somewhere. I notice the others following. Finally he shows me a handsome dark brown outfit.

"I believe your mate will like you in this." Thalus smiles at me. I finger the leather. I slip off my own clothing in a small room and put on the leather plants, shirt and long trench coat. It feels good to be wearing real wraith leather after improvising for so long. I examine myself in the mirror. I look handsome even with my short hair and darker skin. I think Matia will like it. I step out and the others nod their heads approvingly. I'm glad I get to dress up for Matia.

I glance over at a small table where several males are preparing the items used for marking. I tried to remember why this ritual was done. I glanced around at the other males. All of them had facial markings usually by their left eye. Finally I remembered that these were a mark of status and showed your devotion to your mate. But what should I get? I remember that Matia's name means, chosen one. The symbol for chosen is fire and one is one of something. So I will have flames around my eye. I sit in the chair provided and tell them what I want. The others nod approvingly. I clinch my eyes shut as the needle pierces my skin. I want to jump back but instead sit still as though nothing has happen. It is important to remain still as a test to my manhood and right to mate Matia. Finally, after what seems like and eternity they are done. I open my eyes slowly and look at myself in the mirror. The blue flames swirl around my eye giving me a stronger wilder look. I smile. I look more wraith than I have in a long time. I reach up and feel them. The skin is hot to the touch and riddled with small bumps but that will soon subside. Different males come up and congratulate me. Others laugh and point to my hair. I do not like this but I retain my cool knowing that they will soon be silenced. I talk with Thalus about his work in biology hoping that it may help with my own work when a haughty, younger male comes up and cuffs the back of my head. I turn and growl threateningly at him.

He merely laughs and says, "Michael, you are too bold. I know you. You were on my ship when you were human." He drags the word human out and glares at me.

"Not true!" I hiss, knowing full well that he is right. He laughs at me mocking me further.

"Our queen made a pour choice in a mate. Your not worthy of her." He taunts. I can't stand it any more. My may tease me, but Matia, never and live. I growl throwing a well aimed punch at his face. I smile as I feel my fist hit his face. He staggers back then springs back at me. I easily avoid him.

"Enough!" roars Thalus, "This is a day of rejoicing. Carex, leave Michael alone he has done nothing to provoke you." I nod my head agreement. "Come, Michael, I think the females will have your mate ready by now." He says smiling.

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