CHAPTER 3:
First Steps Into Madness
Kantra had been in a blissful slumber until he heard bangs and thumps echo into his room. Opening his mandibles and practically growling like a lazy lion, Kantra shook the sleep out of his head and sat up to stretch. He looked to the left and expected Iliana on the other side but found no one. Guessing that the thumps outside were hers, he pulled off his covers to go see what his mate was doing now. Before going out, he checked on his one year old to find him still asleep in his crib. Kantra walked outside their room and found tools scattered throughout their entire home. Wondering what crazy thing she was doing, he walked into his trophy room to find Iliana on the floor with a silver and sleek power drill. His first thought was to protect his trophies, which his mother had saved for him despite being a Bad Blood years ago, by sacrificing his own body but became rational.
"What are you doing, my dearest?" he asked, trying not to sound nervous.
"Baby-proofing our home" she answered and took off some orange goggles. "I'm building doors to cover your trophies so the baby can't get to them. I just need one more and they can close like a cabinet."
No! She can't close up my precious skulls like that!, he thought. They're like my children. . .almost.
"He can't walk yet" he pointed out quickly. "And my trophies are not dangerous to his health!"
"Ah, you're mistaken!" she said, standing up with an exciting gleam in her hazel eyes. "Kahet's ready, he's one now and banging his poor little body just trying to get his first walk to succeed. And if he bangs into this case, what will happen? I'll tell you what, one of these will come down and hit him on the head. What will happen to our baby then, huh?"
"We'll take him to the infirmary and have my brother patch him up" Kantra said, simply. "Yautja skulls are very thick unlike ooman ones."
"Tell me about it" she mumbled to herself. He glared at her insult. Then to him, "The case is going to remain closed unless you're here, okay? I'm not letting my baby get hurt."
"He'll be fine, you're always watching him" he sighed and glanced at his poor trophy collection. They practically screamed against the confinement. "A hunter's trophies must always be on display. How will this make me look? What if our Elder walked in? What would I say, 'I'm sorry, I'm afraid my display is closed because I'm afraid of getting them ruined on my son's head'. I'd look like a vain hunter, Iliana!"
"I don't care, I'm sure the Elder would care more about the offspring of the clan" she said, raising her chin defiantly. "The case stays and our baby will be safer while banging his head around."
"These are my possessions, Iliana, you cannot do with them what you want without my permission" Kantra growled, annoyed. "Do you see me ruining your things?"
"You ruined my makeup!" she pointed out instantly.
Damn it, he thought.
"I thought it was compacted powder food!" he justified. "Be glad I didn't eat all of it."
"Yes, it was much more better to see you with pink blush around your mouth and lipstick in your teeth" she said, sarcastically. "You looked like a yautja whore!"
"All right, it was one time and there's no point in humiliating me again!" he said, pointing a finger at her. "Nothing worse happened."
"You ruined half of my human clothes" she smirked at putting him on the spot. He hissed in annoyance.
"It was an accident and I didn't hear you complaining when you were nude and pinned under me" he said, very proud at his comeback.
"Okay, we can argue forever with this but after today, the case is staying!" Iliana said, placing her hands on her hips in embarrassment. "Besides, I already locked up your weapons so the case matches with it."
She what?!, he thought while time practically stopped for him. She's gone insane!
"You locked up MY weapons when you know that I need them when I go out on assignments?!" Kantra yelled, outraged. "Why the hell would you do that?! Males pride themselves in their abilities to hunt! You know this, Iliana! Sometimes I just-"
"What, Kantra?" she asked, narrowing her eyes.
Turning his back to her, he growled out a bunch of yautja curses and then breathed in deeply. Turning back, he saw his angry mate and decided to try a tactic that usually worked on her. Grabbing her into his arms, she gasped in surprise from the reaction and at his teeth nipping at her neck. He bit into her skin and traced his tongue from her throat down to the valley between her breasts.
"This isn't going to work" she protested but he squeezed her tighter against him. "Our baby needs to be safe."
I hate it when he does this, she thought.
Pressing her body against the wall so she wouldn't escape, he nipped at her shoulder while parting her legs with his lower body. Biting her earlobe in a teasing manner, she growled against his face causing him to purr in amusement.
"I want you to unlock my weapons and I will transfer them here" he said, firmly against her ear. "Once that is done, I will lock this room from everyone unless I am in it and I will make sure Kahet is with me if he is ever in here. Understood?"
"What if you forget to lock the door?" she asked, sharply.
"You forget that I am also deathly protective of my loved ones" he hissed and bit her neck firmly. "Do this for me."
"Fine, but you will not stop me from fixing the other rooms for Kahet" she agreed and relaxed in his grip. She hated giving in to him, even if he did have better ideas at times.
"Deal" he agreed and bit her bottom lip. "Your domination is strong but you will learn to give into me as much as I give into you."
"No fair, I like making you cranky" she groaned and kissed him gently. "But I'll compromise."
"Good and never ever mention the makeup incident again" he purred and placed his forehead against hers. She nodded but laughed. "It's not funny!"
"Fine, but I have to start breakfast and you have to meet Sau-Trul today" she reminded and tried to get out of his grip. "You're getting stronger than when I first met you."
"Need me to show you how much more?" he purred and squeezed her thigh. She shook her head at first but at seeing his eagerness, she kissed him.
"I hate it when you use this tactic on me" she complained. "It gives females on Earth a disadvantage."
Nipping at her neck, he replied, "In my society, females use it to produce offspring and enlarge their families."
"I'm doing it because I want to and because you love it" she said, mischievously. "If I get pregnant, well, you have another crier to suppress."
"You drive a hard bargain" he chuckled.
Iliana smiled and kissed his shoulders and neck while he rumbled his chest in content. Raising her sleeping gown, he was glad to find that it was the only she wore. She usually hated sleeping in the nude which was the custom in yautja culture but did it when he complained. He caressed one of her breast over her gown and bit her shoulder causing her legs to wrap around his waist. She uttered his name in a moan when his one of his fingers entered her. Laying her head against his shoulder, he moved slowly in which she wished he'd go faster but of course, he kept teasing her that way.
"This is about the makeup thing, isn't it?" she groaned into his neck. "For that, you can forget about me using my hands or mouth on you next time."
Damn it, he thought. She knows she's the only female on board who can orally please a male since her teeth aren't sharp.
"If you stop teasing me, maybe I'll forgive you and next week, I'll surprise you" she breathed against his throat and nipped at his chin slowly.
"Deal" he sighed and kissed her deeply. Pressing his mouth firmly against hers, his tongue dominated hers and explored her entire mouth causing her to relax in his arms.
He removed his finger from her wet middle and removed his loincloth quickly with his hand. Adjusting her body against his, he lowered her onto his member and entered her in one thrust. Iliana cried out from the sensation but enjoyed the sense of pleasure and pain together causing her arousal to peak. Wrapping his arms around her waist, Kantra thrust quickly into her while pinning her against the wall so she wouldn't feel uncomfortable. He nipped at her throat hungrily while his mandibles caressed her neck and shoulders. She traced her fingers through his hair and pulled on some of the dreads causing him to growl and increase his pace.
I love it when he does that, she thought coyly. He hates it when I pull his hair.
Kantra growled and kneeled down while still mating with her. Placing her body onto the large brown pelt that adorned the trophy room floor, he parted her legs wider and lay carefully on top of her. Reducing his thrusts, he purred over her neck and traced his claws down her stomach. After her recent training lessons with Aru'Kar, she had lost almost all of her leftover pregnancy weight. He would never say anything though since ooman females were very sensitive about it and Iliana would make him sleep on the couch. Gripping one of her legs, he placed it over his shoulder and increased his pace again making her cry out in pleasure. He kept the same pace until she arched her back and reached her orgasm. Her legs tightened around him as her walls contracted against him inside. Kantra bit into her leg until he reached his own and growled loudly in the room while he released his seed into her.
Kissing him, Iliana caressed his chest while he pulled out of her. Her lips caressed his mandibles while he purred softly at her. He let go of her and lay down next to her so his weight wouldn't bother her smaller form. Tracing a hand through her sweaty hair, he gripped it and ran his tongue down her neck.
"I never get tired of hearing you roar after that" she smiled and kissed his forehead. "Even if it makes me partly deaf, this is so worth it."
"Care to go again?" he teased and squeezed her side.
"No, I'd like to walk today if you don't mind" she disagreed and kissed his cheek. "I have to go check on Kahet and change."
Groaning, Iliana got up and walked out of the trophy room. Placing his hands behind his head, Kantra smiled happily towards himself.
"I managed to save my trophies, weapons, and managed to get Iliana to agree and mate with me today" he said, pleased. "It's going to be a good day."
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Kantra strolled into his dining room merrily and spotted Kahet gripping a chair for support while his little mind calculated where to step next. Walking over to him, he kneeled down and offered his hand. Kahet shook his head and took shaky steps until he collapsed on his fifth one. Falling onto his butt, he sniffled but Kantra scooped him up into his arms before he could cry.
"Good attempt son" he soothed him and patted his hair.
"Fada" Kahet purred to his father and hugged him.
Iliana walked into the kitchen in a pink dress and placed their morning meal on the table. Kantra placed Kahet onto it whom immediately wanted to eat his father's food. Kantra moved it away and grabbed a small bread roll from a bowl to give to him. Kahet looked at it curiously but then gave it back to his father.
"It's good, Kahet" Kantra insisted and bit into it. Spitting out seconds later, he gagged, "Ughh! Gross!"
What the hell kind of food was that?!, he thought.
Kahet laughed at his father's expression while Kantra reached for something to drink. Getting the sour taste out of his mouth, he grabbed the bitter roll and placed it back in the bowl and hid its eaten side.
"Ew! Kantra! Don't just put it back!" Iliana said, disgusted.
"What? Someone may like it!" Kantra reasoned.
"With a bite in it?" she asked, raising an eyebrow. "You just wasted good food."
"That's not food" he said, crossing his arms. "Even Kahet didn't want it and he sometimes eats stuff off the floor."
"Kantra!" she exclaimed. "Shut up and eat now!"
She picked up the giggling toddler and placed him on the floor to see if he'd attempt to walk again. Kantra ate his meal but watched his son stand on his own and look to where he should move. Iliana moved in front of Kahet and called him to her. Smiling instantly, the toddler moved his feet unsteadily while trying to reach his mother. As usual, he fell down before he reached his target. Making an angry face, he stood up again and tried.
"I hate it when he falls, he looks so discouraged" she sighed, looking at Kantra.
"He's determined which is good" he assured her. "It'll help him hunt well in the future."
"Just from that?" she asked, skeptic. He nodded. She scoffed, "Yeah right. Go back to your food and don't talk with your mouth full."
"I am not a child!" he said, pointing a spoon at her.
"You still act like one" she laughed and squeezed his arm affectionately. Kahet looked at his parents and fell down again.
He began crying in anger and Iliana picked him up to dry his moist green eyes. Kissing him on the forehead, she rocked him in her arms until he calmed down. Walking over to Kantra, his father gave him a piece of meat which he happily snacked on.
"And he's happy again" Iliana smiled and glanced at Kantra. "Don't turn my son into a complete carnivore."
"I'm not! You know our diets mostly consist of protein" he grumbled and ate his meal.
She grunted disapprovingly at him while her son wiggled in her arms to get free. Letting him down onto the floor, he continued his little quest.
"He's so cute" his mother chuckled while watching him.
"And one day he'll be fighting with weapons to catch great prey" Kantra smiled and fantasized an older version of his son standing on top of a dead hard meat pile while raising his spear into the air proudly and holding a female with his other arm. "One day."
"Are you fantasizing Kahet with all that stuff again?" she asked, placing her hands on her hips. He snapped out of his fantasy and growled at her. "Men."
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"Is everything ready for Elder Lar'Ain's inspection?" Sau-Trul ordered.
"Yes, sir" Kantra nodded and handed him a silver tablet. "All the Bad Blood accounts for our clan are up to date and the reports have been thoroughly inspected."
"Good" he nodded and gave him another tablet. "Have you finished the report on clan trading laws?"
"Yes, it will be in tomorrow and I will begin on the laws for authorized weaponry for the Blooded caste" Kantra said, nodding.
"Excellent" he said, finalizing their meeting. Going to his computer, he still saw Kantra standing there. "Is there something else?"
"Yes, well, it's not professional but it deals with you" Kantra said, trying to form a good sentence from his thoughts.
"What is it? I have better things to do" he said, not glancing at him and returning to his reports.
"Sali'ah called and told me to tell you to bring her a fruit salad with no syrup and to have the pieces cut into perfect squares" Kantra informed him. "And some milk, not hot or cold but chilled."
Sau-Trul growled to himself and nodded, "Thank you, Kantra."
Kantra nodded and was about to leave when his superior raised his hand for him to stay. Turning around, he wondered if he'd done a bad job for telling him about his sister's message. It was either to tell him or to get trapped in a simulator with a hard meat Queen and no weapons. He chose the lesser of two evils.
"Kantra, is your sister usually this challenging?" he asked him quietly.
"Yes, she is my oldest sister and she taught me to fear her as a pup" Kantra said, nodding. "Why?"
He's actually talking to me about his life, Kantra thought. I don't know whether to feel pleased or frightened.
"This pregnancy of hers is . . .very difficult" the arbiter said, running his hand down his face. "She wants all sort of crazy things and she has horrible moods if she doesn't get them."
"Pregnancy does that" Kantra nodded and remembered Iliana's. "Has she started to eat your meals yet?"
"Yes, I have to prepare my own meals now" he said, surprised the younger male knew. "This is normal?"
"Definitely, be glad she hasn't thrown you into a wall yet" he consoled his boss. "Just be glad it'll be over in a few weeks."
"She already threw me three times" Sau-Trul admitted gloomily. "Why do you think I've worn my cape recently?"
"Don't worry, she won't kill you" Kantra chuckled softly. "If so, she'll be left alone to suffer parenthood alone and she won't give you the blessing of death until the suckling's an adult."
Sau-Trul nodded at the advice and Kantra let himself out of the office. Walking down the hallway, he turned right and went into his smaller one. Frankly, he was surprised he got an office, even though it was Malkor's old one, but he wouldn't complain. The work, however, was unbelievable. He had to make reports and memorize everything he'd researched along with going on missions with Sau-Trul to get more hands on training. He liked the traveling but hated the typing.
"How did Iliana ever get through her ooman schooling?" he said to himself. "No wonder the woman gets the upper hand over me verbally."
"I wonder how Iliana's doing at home" he sighed and turned on his computer console. "Might as well start my new assignment."
He typed in his passwords to access the information needed for his assignment and saw the search results.
"6,500?! How will sort through all of those?!" he groaned in annoyance. "This is not a good day!"
Hearing his door swish open, he stood up quickly and expected to see a cranky Sau-Trul. However, this time it was the ship's Elder. Bowing halfway in respect, Kantra offered one of his seats.
"What brings you to my cozy office, Elder Lar'Ain?" he greeted.
"I was just talking to your father and decided to drop by" he said, sitting down in a chair in front of him. "How is your new position coming along?"
"It's better than my previous rank" Kantra chuckled. "I can't complain."
"As long as Sau-Trul is treating you respectfully" he said, nodding. Then smiled, "He's not giving you all of his workload, is he?"
"No, sir!" he said, quickly. "I have my duties and he has his."
"Good, you are doing well within the clan again" his Elder complimented. "Just be sure to protect your ooman mate, Kantra. Not many are accepting of her."
"I know but she's learning to handle herself if a problem arises again" Kantra assured. "Most females are passive and breeders but my Iliana is very dominant for some reason. I can't complain though, she understands me like no one else."
"Like every mate should" Lar'Ain agreed. "Unfortunately, Sau-Trul cannot control his pregnant one. Your father is still surprised they paired up together. He almost killed Sau-Trul with just one look when they told him."
"True, he made me nervous when I told him about Iliana" he chuckled. "Even worse when I told him about becoming an Arbitrator."
"But you've proved him wrong by succeeding" the older man said, calmly. "Your father is proud of you despite him not saying it."
"My mother's pride and her bone-crushing hugs are enough" Kantra laughed in which the Elder joined in.
Hearing his door open again, Kantra stood in order to salute the quiet Arbitrator.
"Elder Lar'Ain" Sau-Trul said, lowering his head in respect. "I was not expecting you until a little later."
"I decided to make a surprise entrance" he chirped. "Your hearing must be excellent if you heard us from your office."
"Lots of training" he reasoned simply.
"And here we have the next example of Nak'Aru" Lar'Ain joked.
"I am not like Leader Nak'Aru" Sau-Trul responded. "The man is much more reserved than I am."
"Sure he is" Lar'Ain laughed and looked at Kantra. "Kantra, be a happy Arbitrator. I like happy people."
"Yes, sir" he chuckled, amused. "I'll try to be."
"You already are, it's much more fun speaking to you" he said, cheerfully. Then cleared his throat, "But I must be serious in my tasks so I will leave you for today, Kantra."
With a wave of his hand, Sau-Trul followed the Elder out of Kantra's office. After seeing them leave, Kantra sat back down and got back to work.
"Well, at least that was interesting" he said, shrugging.
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"You're home" Iliana cheered and wrapped her arms around Kantra. "I missed you."
"You're happy, how was your day?" he asked, purring into her neck.
"Sali'ah came by" she said, happily. "We talked a lot as usual. She can't wait to have those twins out of her but she's taking it out on poor Sau-Trul."
"You did the same to me" Kantra scoffed. "You feel sorry for him but not me? I'm hurt, Iliana."
"Shut up and go change" she said, hitting his arm.
Laughing at each other, Kantra walked into his bedroom and simply took off his mesh shirt and sandals. After taking off his hidden weapons, he walked over to his study and put his tablets on the table. He'd work on those later on tonight but for now, he'd spent time with his family.
He walked towards the main room where Iliana was eating and Kahet trying to accomplish his goal. Sitting down on the couch, he reached out to grab Kahet who growled but then purred at seeing it was his father.
"Mama!" he called out to Iliana and pointed to Kantra. "Fada's 'ome!"
"Kahet loves his father, doesn't he?" she laughed and tickled his chin. He purred in return. "I love your father too."
"Enough love, I'm starving" Kantra said, yawning loudly. Iliana glared. "I love you too. . .now can I eat?"
"Fine" she sighed and gave him her plate. "You're home early though."
"Elder Lar'Ain made the arbiter release me early" he laughed. "I guess he really likes me."
"You're his great-grandson, of course he does" Iliana laughed with him. "I like him, he's nice compared to his advisors."
Kahet squirmed in his father's grip so he let him go. The toddler stood still and then began walking in a straight line without falling down. Iliana smiled excitedly and grabbed Kantra's hand who stopped eating to watch his son take his first walk. The little one walked steadily until he reached a chair a few feet away. Iliana clapped her hands happily which made him smile.
"Mama!" he called out.
He walked back in her direction making her excited. He had almost reached her in a few steps when Kantra showed his son his plate of food which caused him to alter his course. Kahet headed straight towards his father and reached him instead. Proud of him, Kantra gave his son a piece of meat which he happily grabbed and pulled himself onto the couch to eat.
"That's my boy!" Kantra said, proudly. Iliana, however, was fuming.
"He was headed for me, you know!" she said, annoyed. "You just had to lure him with food."
"You were his first word, I get his first walk" Kantra smirked. "The point is, he can walk now."
"Arrgh, I hate it when you're right" she said, placing her cheek on his shoulder.
"I love you too" he purred making her smile and kiss his cheek. "My Iliana."
"My Kantra" she said, caressing his neck with the side of her hand.
"Kahet!" their son giggled to himself. They laughed with their son who went back to nibbling on his food.
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End of Chapter 3. Aww, Kahet's little walk. Such a cute little tyke and he'll keep being spoiled by Iliana, all right.