CHAPTER 9:
Seeds of Love and Doubt
A five year old Kahet sat on the floor of his room playing with his toy spacecrafts. The multicolored toys lay scattered while he held one in one hand and sailed it through the air. He made sound effects from his throat while his mandibles moved around excitedly.
"Captain Kahet sails through the skies" he grinned and moved the toy over his head. "No prey stands in his way."
He laughed and stood up to jog slowly around his room without bumping into things. His room was still pretty empty but most of it contained his toy and wooden weapons he used to play with his friends or himself. Over the months, he played with his cousins outside his home to feel more social and Bakuub played with him in the gardens. Surprisingly, the two became friends quickly and played frequently together unless their parents said so. Today, a family get together would occur so he was extremely happy in the morning.
"I can't wait for lunch today" he smiled happily. Since it was an off day for most workers in the Ade'k'ra, Kahet's family liked to picnic in the gardens. His father and uncles would trade hunt stories while his mother and aunts took care of the food. "Definitely can't wait."
I hope Aunt Sali'ah brings that roasted meat you have to custom order from the cooks, he wondered.
His keen hearing picked up a noise from behind and he turned to stare at ten month old Leitjin wearing a loose blue tunic that reached his knees while wearing his diaper underneath. His black hair was tied into a ponytail while his face broke into a smile. He dug into Kahet's open toy box and dug inside it to find himself a toy.
"Leitjin, no!" he said quickly and grabbed his brother away from the box.
His brother protested in a whine as his hands reached out towards the box again but Kahet wrapped his arms around his stomach and dragged him away. Leitjin struggled in his brother's grasp and hissed in annoyance. Kahet placed him down on the floor but Leitjin began to instantly crawl away on his hands and knees. He sighed and grabbed his baby brother to sit him down while blocking his way.
"No, no" Kahet scolded him and pointed his finger at him. "Stay, Leit. Stay."
Leitjin stared at his finger as if it were a toy and grabbed it. He squealed and wagged it around making Kahet wince as his finger was yanked around like nothing. After a few seconds, he pulled it of his brother's hand making him whine again. Looking around curiously, the child saw Kahet's toys and headed in that direction. Groaning, his older brother stopped him again and took him away.
"Eh!" Leitjin protested and tried to wiggle free.
"No, you can't play with those!" Kahet said, annoyed. "You're too little. Mother has your toys in your room."
Leitjin ignored him and stood by himself on his two brownish feet shakily. He headed for the toy aircrafts again but Kahet grabbed him before he could fall over his feet. Despite he couldn't walk, Leitjin whined and let out a loud cry.
"Go play in your room" Kahet ordered and held his annoyed brother. "These toys aren't for babies!"
Leitjin began to cry loudly in seconds causing him to sigh and pick him up into his arms. As a five year old, Kahet wasn't too strong but he was stronger than human children so he easily carried his cranky brother out of his room. Leitjin's hazel eyes leaked fast trails of tears down his brown cheeks while his little fists hit Kahet's shoulder in fury. His wails were loud and they echoed throughout the hallway making Kahet sigh.
They'll probably think I did it, he thought.
Over the months, Kahet had grown to accept his little brother. True, he still had quarrels with him like most siblings but he didn't resent him like he used to before he was born. Over time, he realized that while Leitjin kept growing, he'd be able to play with him as soon as he walked and talked like his other cousins. Despite his brother could only say his parents names, he would try to get him to understand words from his old reading tablets. Leitjin, however, liked to nibble on them instead and caused his father to yank them out of his mouth before he ruined it.
Kahet entered the kitchen to find his mother setting their morning meal on the table. Their father was off today so he should've been home which Kahet found a little strange. He was about to ask but Leitjin smacked him on the cheek making Kahet growl at him.
"Mother, Leit keeps trying to get into my things!" Kahet complained to his mother and placed his brother on the floor who kept crying. He reached his hands out to his mother who quickly scooped him up. "I said no and he began crying."
"Oh, Leitjin" she sighed and looked at her youngest child. She dried his eyes and hummed to him so he would calm down. The child whimpered and latched onto her quickly and clicked his throat softly. Looking at Kahet, she smiled apologetically, "Sorry, Kahet, but thank you for bringing him here. I don't want him chewing on your toys and accidentally choke on something."
Kahet rumbled his chest in pride and quickly sat down as his mother pointed to his meal. He grabbed his eating utensil quickly and ate hungrily making Leitjin point.
"Mama" he said, looking at her in need. She chuckled and kissed his cheek.
"Well, I was waiting for your father but. ." she began but trailed off. Shrugging, she grabbed a plate and sat down to fill it with food. Leitjin reached to grab a fistful of food but Iliana smacked his hand gently. He stared at her and held on to the food but she shook her head, "Let go of it, baby. I'll give you your food, I don't want you choking."
He nodded slowly and let the food drop from his hand. Licking his hand in content, Kahet made a noise in disgust but then put his own hand into his food and ate it directly from there. Leitjin laughed and pointed causing Kahet to laugh as well but their mother wasn't amused.
"Kahet, where are your table manners?" she spoke firmly in which he groaned quietly.
"But we're not in public" he said and wiped his hand on a cloth. "Leitjin does it."
"He's little, you're 5 now" his mother pointed out but smiled nonetheless. "You know the difference."
"What about father? He put sauce all over his face days ago" Kahet laughed loudly causing Leitjin to wave his round arms in reaction. "And he's a big grownup."
"Your father's an exception" Iliana disagreed quickly with a light blush and muttered, "When he eats, he gobbles down everything in sight."
"Where is father, anyway?" Kahet asked, looking around the room as if he'd find him. "I thought he was here."
"He went to your Uncle Sau-Trul's office" she sighed and fed Leitjin a piece of meat which he eagerly munched. "I think he's getting another assignment."
"I hope he doesn't leave again" he mumbled quietly and looked at his mother. "I miss him when he goes on travel."
"Me too but maybe it's an onboard assignment" she suggested but knew it was unlikely, he rarely received any. "We'll see when he returns."
"Mama" Leitjin said, pointing to the food quickly. She smiled and gave him another bite. He purred in content as he ate, "Mmm."
"When will he learn new words?" Kahet wondered as he watched him eat with a curious glance. Then pouted, "He only knows two words."
"Give him time, every child is different" she said, smiling at him. "He'll learn another eventually."
"What was my first word?" he asked, curiously. "Was it 'father'?"
"No, it was 'mama', then it was that" she chuckled in remembrance. "I was so happy but your father sulked for a few days."
"What was your first word?" Kahet asked again making her laugh. "What?"
"Even I don't know that, sweetie" she said in amusement and fed her youngest again, "I never asked and my parents are light-years away. . ." her voice trailed off softly but it picked up again, "why don't you ask Grandma about Father?"
"I will" he said, nodding in determination. "I bet it was 'food'."
"I bet it was 'Hunt'" Iliana laughed while Kahet giggled. "Or 'Mother'. He's very attached to your Grandma."
"Mmm!" Leitjin hummed and waved his arms. He grabbed a handful of food and ate it quickly before Iliana could stop him. He chewed in content and murmured, "Ehhh."
"His hunger's just like your father's" she chuckled in delight.
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"You're what?" Iliana demanded in annoyance. Kantra sighed and soothed her shoulders with his hands.
"I've been given an assignment for planet Veler" he informed her slowly and watched her eyes narrow. "Iliana, I cannot say no."
Kantra had just returned from the Arbitrator's level with his new assignment that obviously infuriated his mate. For the previous months, he'd started exploring planets where aliens gathered and traded which would be of interest to hiding Bad Bloods. His studies over the laws had finished and he would now be studying and learning the different languages used by a wide variance of species which he would need while hunting down criminals. Iliana hated the recent trips because of the distance, her usual worry, and because she couldn't explore with him like she used to.
"What if the people treat you wrong?" she asked, worried. "Or try to attack you? Your species isn't cuddly, you know."
"Exactly, I can rip them in half within seconds or terrify them" he grinned at her but she didn't seem affected by his joke. Sighing, he said, "My work will get more difficult over the years, I told you this years ago when we became bonded."
Not surfing the galaxy difficult, she thought.
"I know but. . ." Iliana sighed and trailed off, "I miss you when you're gone and so do the children."
"It is something I cannot change" he said, cupping her chin. "These are my duties and I must follow them. I don't like being away from you either but I must."
"How long do you have to do this for?" she asked, looking away. She really hated parting from him for months.
I wish he'd take trips every other year like the hunters, she thought. Not every other month.
"I will return in two months" he said, assuming everything went according to plan.
"Two? But Leitjin is getting ready to walk, you can't miss that" she groaned and turned away from him. "Can't you go to a closer planet?"
He'll miss one of his milestones, she thought upset. I know it sounds selfish but it's our baby.
"No, this is how it goes within my rank" Kantra said, firmly. He turned her around to face him and purred softly into the crook of her neck, "I am sorry if I miss his first steps but I will leave in four days. You must understand that this is what I must do now here on the Ade'k'ra."
"Kantra" she sighed in a gloomy tone. She held his face close to hers and asked, "How long must you keep taking these trips?"
"Years, Ana" he said gently causing her shoulders to drop in depression. Holding her tightly, he added quickly, "Eight years."
"Eight?!" she gasped and looked at him square in the eyes. "Kahet will almost be a teenager by that time. Why so long?"
"That is not long in our time, some do these trips for twenty years" he said, trying to lighten the situation. She glared at him instantly. "I need the experience if I am to succeed, Iliana. Sacrifices are always made throughout life, you know."
"But eight years, Kantra?" she whispered but nodded her head sadly, "I'll miss you."
"I know you will and it pains me that this is how it must be" he said and purred soothingly at her, "We'll take this one step at a time. I love you, remember that when I'm away."
"Always" she whispered in anguish. "You're my other half so return to me safely. I don't know what the children and I would do without you."
"You're a brave female, do not let this worry you" he said kindly and gripped her shoulders to look at her. His green eyes looked firmly into her hazel ones which shone in sadness but she closed them and reopened them with a firm look to match. "That's my Iliana."
"Who'll expect you back in two months exactly" she said, kissing his neck and caressing his lower mandibles. "Without any serious injuries."
"How serious are we talking here?" he teased playfully and bit her nose gently. She bit her bottom lip and gave him a firm look. "I'll be fine, Ana."
"You better, I've rarely been apart from you for years" she smiled and kissed him firmly. Caressing his chest, she whispered, "Mate with me."
"You always get horny when you're worried" he trilled making her blush in embarrassment. Grinning eagerly, he purred deeply, "I won't complain though. Your scent drives me insane when you are."
"Must you point it out?" she scolded in a quiet hiss. He grunted and nipped at her neck with his teeth softly. She relaxed her body against his warm touches and mumbled, "You psychotic hunter."
Kantra smiled at her old name for him back when they had just met under intolerable situations towards each other .
(Flashback)
6 years ago. . .
"Fine, today we will finish this hunt, meet me at the same spot as yesterday" Kantra said, firmly. "And I want my weapons back, if I win, I keep your skull. If you win, you keep those weapons."
"Fine, as long as I can be done with you" Iliana said, narrowing her eyes. "I have no time for psychotic hunters. What time?"
"You choose" he responded simply.
"At 4, I will be done with my work and errands" she said, easily. Sticking her nose into the air, she said, "I will bring my own weapons too."
"I will look forward to it, my dear" Kantra said, nodding. She glared at him with a small look of disgust.
"I swear if you call me that again, I'll kick you between the legs so hard you won't breed" Iliana said, pointing a finger at him. He hissed and nodded. "Now get out."
"Of course, but first I need something to wipe this sticky stuff you threw at me" he said, going to her sink. She raised her brows in surprise at how much of the human world he knew already. How did he know all this?! Obviously, he didn't go into homes to ask people to teach him. She placed the mug she held down and sighed. Going to the sink, she turned on the water. He wiped the coffee off and observed her counter.
"I do hope you don't plan on using your silly contraptions like last time" Kantra trilled in his laughter as he tapped his claws on the tiling. "I assure you they won't work."
"Gee, your mask took a good beating yesterday though" Iliana mocked with a grin. "And I've found a weakness in your sight, so I can use that too. I am going to miss hiding your clothes very much though, I hope you had fun searching yesterday."
Kantra turned off the water and grabbed her throat with his other hand. While he did that though, she was able to place her foot between his legs instantly. He felt it and let go of her in reluctance after having no wish to have a kick to that area. Iliana glared and rubbed her sore throat which held faint claw marks.
"You won't be able to keep hitting me there and if you continue, I may hit you there as well so you will not reproduce" he hissed.
"Oh and I was so looking forward to having your baby" Iliana said, rolling her eyes.
"No, that honor will never be yours" he growled in revulsion. "So be gone."
"You're in my home so you leave" Iliana pointed out and he hissed in return.
"By the end of today, you won't have one" Kantra sneered.
"Keep that up, you won't have your manhood when you leave here" she said, motioning to kick him. He quickly backed away in case she did.
Why must she always kick me there?, he thought.
"Fine, I'm going, silly girl" he mumbled.
She watched him cloak and head out to her window. After seeing him leave, she felt relieved instantly.
"How did that psycho just come in here like nothing?" she said, placing a hand on her cheek. "He's worse than a burglar! I'd rather choose that than this!"
"I'm sorry I kicked you there so much" Iliana chuckled and kissed him gently. Her fingernails traced down his chest in a pleasing scratch as he bit her bottom lip softly. Smiling amusingly, she said, "Who knew you'd actually stay fertile and give me your firstborn."
"Good thing you stopped before I became sterile" he laughed and laid her down on their bed. She reached out to grab him onto her lustfully as he squeezed her body firmly between the bed and his own frame. He gently grazed his mandibles over her cheeks as his claws traced down her covered stomach to say, "I really was out of line to say and do the things I did back then. If I-"
"It was many years ago" she interrupted and raked her fingernails down his back stirring a rich purr from him. He tore the clothes she wore easily and licked her top of her bare breasts eagerly. Groaning softly, she uttered, "I would not trade this for anything in the universe."
I would go through all of it again just to be with him, she thought fondly.
"My dearest" he purred and kissed her firmly to explore her sweet mouth again. His hands worked over her body to caress and tease her into the pleasure she sought from him. Her spine arched her body against his as she moaned faintly while his teeth and tongue nipped at her neck and shoulders. Parting her legs with his hand, he teased her pleasure spot with the back of his thumb while entering her with another of his fingers. Her arms went around his neck to keep him close as her eyes glazed over in passion.
"Kantra" she mewed pleasurably as she undid his loincloth easily. Her fingers massaged his arousing member gently causing his chest to rumble deeply and vibrate against hers. His tongue teased her round breasts while his fingers worked between her legs and her hand caressed him faster. He growled loudly and took her hand away from him, surprising her.
"I thought you liked that" she said, confused. Then smirked, "You purr like a pup when I do."
"I'm leaving soon and I will be pleasuring you so you'll thank me when I return" he said slyly making her chuckle softly. "A good mate keeps the other pleased, safe, and happy."
Placing himself between her legs, he grabbed her hips and leaned down to trace his tongue over her wet folds causing her to inhale deeply as he tasted her with his moist tongue. Massaging her spot again, his tongue pushed inside of her entrance and her hips bucked against his touch instantly. Her excited moans rose as his tongue pushed in and out while his mandibles grazed the skin of her inner thighs. His tongue lapped up her sweet juices as his chest rumbled in content while his mate cried out his name repeatedly under his hold. Her walls began to contract so he pulled away quickly and grabbed her hips with his hands again to penetrate her with his member. She cried loudly in pleasure and relief when he thrust himself at a fast pace into her while her legs wrapped around his waist tightly. He growled and leaned down to bite her shoulder and arms affectionately as she kissed his body any place her lips could reach. He cupped one of her breasts and squeezed it gently and in return, she cupped his right butt cheek and did the same while smiling coyly at him.
"You'll pay for that" he smiled back and kissed her deeply which she gladly returned.
Letting go of her, he turned her onto her stomach and grabbed her hips to raise her on all fours. After making sure her body was comfortable under his, he bit the back of her shoulder, leaving faint marks, and entered her in one thrust. Iliana grabbed a pillow in support while he pushed into her deeply and raked his claws down her back playfully. His claws left small scratches on her skin which she enjoyed every time they mated.
I hate this position but for some weird reason, his kind loves it, she thought.
"No fair, I can't touch you" she groaned and moved her sweaty hair over her shoulder. He trilled in delight and pushed faster into her while she grit her teeth from the force of it.
Deciding that she didn't like this position much, as usual, he turned her onto her back gently without removing himself from her and resumed his pace. She smiled happily at him which he returned and spread her legs wider so he could finish inside her. Thrusting faster into her, she shouted out as her body felt the same heat before reaching her climax and her walls tightened around his stiff member as she wrapped her arms around his neck to keep him close like always. Sweet pleasure washed over her as she reached orgasm and became limp against him as he finished inside her as well in his usual roar of pleasure. Taking a deep breath, Kantra pulled out of her and began to move to the side but she locked her legs around his waist to stop him.
"Stay close to me, don't move" she whispered softly as her eyelids closed for a lightly. "I need your body against mine until you leave. You know how much of a sentimental fool I can be."
"I'll stay with you" he assured her gently in a purr while wiping her sweaty forehead with his hand. She smiled and opened her tired eyes to nuzzle her nose against his cheek.
"I love you, my crazy hunter" she said, running her hands through his dreads. Then kissed his cheek and grinned cheekily at him, "You remember when you threw us both off of that cliff and we washed ashore on a riverbed?"
Kantra thought back throughout his memories and nodded, "Yes, it wasn't a happy day though. You left me nude in the forest after stealing my armor."
"True" she giggled and kissed his neck in sympathy as she continued, "But the riverbed, remember it?"
He nodded again causing her to kiss him deeply before saying, "If we hadn't been trying to kill each other then, that would've made a great place for a memorable mating. Romantic in a mucky way too. Cool water, mud, two people wrestling the clothes off each other. . ."
"You're very creative" Kantra laughed and nuzzled her face with his. "Too bad we were too pissed off at each other to notice. Now that I think about it, it would've been thrilling to throw your body onto the mud as you begged the mighty hunter to ravish you."
"Hmm, role playing, eh?" she teased and kissed the palm of his hand gingerly as he smiled at her. "Why don't we try that when you return? You can be the renegade Bad Blood while I'm the innocent but oh so cute human you can't keep your hands off of. Opposites attract, you know."
"Interesting. . .wait, isn't that our tale?" he asked, a little confused. She groaned in disillusion and pouted. He chuckled and bit her cheek playfully, "How about this? The valiant yautja hunter saving a female ooman from a group of evil men who want to sell her to an evil empire. He saves her and gets a little extra in return."
"Hmm, I'd rather just have you be aggressive and ravish me in the tub" she said, blowing out a puff of air on his chin. He laughed with her and held her before his time ran out to leave her.
My beloved, there is no other like you, he thought.
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"Guess who?!" a loud voice spoke up.
"No! Not you! Noooo!" Kantra yelled and pulled at his dreads instantly. The people around him glanced at him in surprise. "Get out before I end up cleaning Sau-Trul's ship!"
The whole family was currently in the gardens with the females setting up the food while the kids waited eagerly for it. The males conversed in their own little group who had stopped to see the frantic Kantra almost have a panic attack.
"Eliok!" Iliana and Kahet greeted happily. Kantra glared at his mate for her peppy reaction towards the other male.
Doesn't she understand what chaos he brings?, he thought in dismay. Will we ever be rid of the catastrophic being?
"I'm so glad you could join us" Iliana smiled as she walked over to him. He bowed to her and gave her a one arm hug. She grabbed his blue arm and led him over to Kantra, "You haven't been here in a long time."
"I have to travel a lot, you know" he told her and looked at the playful children, "So where's the new little Kantra? I see Kahet's gotten big."
"Leitjin's a little shy so he sticks to his brother" she giggled as Kantra sighed and gave the other male a greeting nod. "Will you be staying over?"
"Iliana, if he has business, we cannot keep him" Kantra interrupted hastily.
"Kantra" she scolded at his behavior making him cross his arms and huff. She hit his arm playfully and smiled at Eliok, "Do you need a place to stay overnight?"
"If you wouldn't mind, I have to go to this planet and collect a recent bounty" he said, grabbing her hand gratefully in a shake. "You'd be surprised of the high rates just for a tiny room nowadays near docking bays. I won't be a bother and I can play with the kids. I'm a great babysitter!"
He looks more like a monster that would chase and eat them but he can buy me some time with Iliana later on, Kantra thought.
"Why not? It'll make my mate happy, obviously" he shrugged and nodded in defeat. Then pointed at him firmly, "Do not embarrass me while you're here."
"I promise, besides, we have fun" he grinned and waved over to Sau-Trul, "Hey Arbitrator, how ya been? Long time no see!"
Sau-Trul blinked in puzzlement but glared afterwards at his behavior. Kantra groaned and guessed he'd be getting a lecture about his pick in friends. Aru'Kar walked over and punched his depressed brother's arm to cheer him up.
"So, I see Big Blue's back" he laughed and shook Eliok's hand. "Here to make more chaos?"
"I don't bring chaos, I bring fun" Eliok smirked making them laugh except Kantra. Looking at him, he said, "C'mon, don't sulk. I'm not that bad."
"True but the ship may not see it that way" he said coolly. "Just don't turn my sons into pranksters."
"Naw, I'm sure one of your brothers will do that" he joked making Kantra growl. "But I can prank your brother-in-law and-"
"No! He'll take it out on me once you leave!" Kantra objected in irritation. "No pranks!"
"You're a cheerless man, Kantra" Eliok sighed and shook his head humorously. "I see that Iliana and I have not rubbed off on you. Well, maybe she's rubbed against you but-"
"There's children present!" Iliana interrupted quickly in a scold and left to go tend to the children.
"You never change, do you?" Kantra mumbled.
"Nope" he grinned and looked at Aru'Kar with a grin, "So I heard you went to Earth to find yourself a female?"
"Is something wrong with that?" he hissed protectively and looked at his mate grabbing their eager son away from the food.
"No, I thought we'd agreed that if you any of you visited Earth, you'd tell me or bring me food!" he exclaimed in an outburst. Aru'Kar sighed in disbelief and looked at Kantra who'd left to go talk to his brothers.
Oh no, I'm alone with him now!, Aru'Kar thought desperately but shoved it away. Oh well, unlike Kantra, I can stand him.
On a further side, the kids eagerly awaited the food they'd get to eat. Aru'Dre tried to grab some but Zia yanked his little hands away. The twins complained to their mother to go faster while Kahet sipped a drink with a purring Leitjin resting against him.
"If you would help, this would go a lot faster" Sali'ah told the anxious children. She was in charge of cutting the food for everyone and she was not a happy woman with the meat burning her fingertips.
"I told you to get it precut but did you listen?" Bai'Kar teased her daughter and moved over to help her. "No, my powerful daughter does things her way."
"Exactly" she nodded proudly and singed her finger. "Ow!"
Iliana chuckled softly at her frustrated sister-in-law as she set the plates and other utensils for everyone to use. Zia grabbed the impatient twins in both arms and brought them over to where Aru'Dre was. Putting them down, she brushed her dark hair back and glared at her mate with annoyed brown eyes.
"You'd think the males would help instead of boosting their egos" she complained to Iliana.
"That's just how it is" she chuckled and smacked Kahet's hand who wanted to get a plate. "Not until Grandma says so."
"No fair!" the twins cried in unison. Sali'ah gave them a firm look causing them to hug each other comically.
"I'm hungry" Aru'Dre whined to his mother. She sighed and patted his head in sympathy.
After a few minutes, Sali'ah began fixing the food onto the plates with all of the females help. Kila grabbed the plates and began passing them to the children, beginning with Aru'Dre.
"Father! Food's ready!" Kila shouted loudly throughout the gardens to her father who winced but nodded.
"Kila, no yelling in public places" Bai'Kar scolded her and she nodded while hiding a small grin.
Kahet received his plate of food and noticed that his piece of meat had a bite mark over the roasted and crunchy top part while his remaining food was untouched. Looking over at Leitjin who received his, he saw the same thing.
"My meat has a bite in it!" Sau'Nak exclaimed angrily to his mother. Sali'ah stopped fixing the food to look at his plate.
"Mines too!" Kahet agreed quickly.
"Now who would. . ." Sali'ah asked and looked around to see what had happened.
"Aru'Dre!" Zia scolded quickly and they all turned to see a purring Aru'Dre eating the top of each piece of meat that Kila was handing him and placing them back on the plates carelessly. She took the plate away from him and smacked his hand firmly, "Stop that, this food is for the family. You have yours."
"No!" he hissed and tried to reach for another piece but his mother yanked him away. "Mama, no!"
Zia grabbed his untouched plate and scooped him up in her other arm. She took him away and walked over to her mate to give the growling child to him.
"Feed him while I fix the food he ruined" she said and looked at her son, "That wasn't nice, when you return, you apologize."
"But-" he started but she gave him a stern look. "Yes, Mother."
Iliana helped Sali'ah by cutting more of the meat to fix what Aru'Dre had done. Bai'Kar soothed the complaining children by giving them something to drink while Kila began to play with the grass instead.
"He ate our meat" Sau'Nak huffed and crossed his arms. "The top of the meat's the best part too."
Sri'shan opened his mouth to let out a sobbing cry, "Mother!"
"You'll get your food, don't worry" she assured him instantly and gave him the first plate to quiet his cries. He grabbed it eagerly and began to gobble it down. "They love that food, don't they?"
"We should pry the recipe out of the cooks" Iliana suggested and passed Sau'Nak and Kila their plates. Kahet made a whine to catch her attention. "Soon, Kahet."
Eventually, everyone received a plate and began to eat in peace. Even Eliok, though he mostly ate anything except the meat due to his species diet. He sat next to a sulky Kantra who conversed with him anyway since Iliana was busy with the children. Aru'Kar kept his son in check before he could try eating anyone else's meal and had made him apologize to the children. Kila kept trying to force feed her father more food despite he'd eaten a lot, most of it due to her. The adult twins kept taking Badru's food until he complained to his mother who smacked both adults over the head. Sau-Trul kept away from his cranky mate who held burnt fingertips and didn't dare to ask her for more, unlike his sons who happily received seconds.
Kahet was finishing his food off when Leitjin grabbed his last bite and ate it with joy. His sharp teeth chewed on it happily while his mandibles closed in pleasure of the salty taste. Kahet stared in disbelief and growled at him afterwards.
"Leit, that was mine, you ate yours!" he snapped in a hiss. Leitjin just stared blankly and giggled. "It's not funny!"
Kahet pouted and stood up to go see if there were leftover pieces for him to eat. Why'd he have to take his food instead of their mother's? She liked to share her stuff all the time! Grumbling, he grabbed his plate and started to walk away.
"Kahet!" Leitjin called quickly.
"What?!" he demanded and turned around to look at his brother. Quickly, his eyes widened in surprise, "Wait, what did you say?"
"Kahet" he repeated and reached out his hand.
"You said my name!" Kahet smiled and forgot his anger towards him. Rushing to him, he grabbed him into his arms and walked over to his mother who was laughing with Eliok.
"What is it?" she asked, getting worried as to why both her sons looked wound up.
"He said another word!" Kahet said excitedly. "Say it, Leit."
"Kahet" Leitjin giggled and hugged his brother. Kahet hugged him back and looked at him mother.
"Oh, my babies" she gushed happily. Poking her mate, who hissed at being distracted from his food, she asked, "Did you hear?"
"Of course, I told you how much your brother loves you" Kantra smiled and ruffled both of his children's hair. They growled making him laugh. "It's a fun day today, isn't it?"
"We're happy together" Eliok sighed blissfully. Then grinned, "Admit it. It's almost like our time on Earth."
"You almost left me behind!" Kantra pointed out quickly. "If I hadn't run after the ships, I'd be stuck on Earth now!"
"But I saw you outside the window and stopped" he said evenly and patted his shoulder. "You're here now."
"You'll doom us all one day" Kantra muttered while Aru'Kar laughed at their conversation.
"It was funny too, he screamed and everything" Ani-De told his twin amusingly. Kantra growled at them and sulked yet again. "He did that too."
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"You have everything?" Iliana asked nervously and bit her bottom lip. Kantra nodded and wrapped his arms around her waist. "The kids will miss you once they wake. I'm glad you talked to them yesterday, they'd cry if they saw you today."
"I know, take care of them" he said softly and bit her top lip before kissing her firmly. "I'll be fine, I'm not a man who breaks his promises."
"That's what I love about you" she chuckled sadly and caressed his mandibles. He nuzzled his face against hers as she traced her warm fingers down his cold metal armor.
"I thought it was because of my good looks" he joked, trying to lighten both of their moods. "I'll see you in two months, Iliana."
"Be careful" she said as she held his face to plant kisses over it. "Don't do anything crazy like you always do and don't let anyone push you around. Get what you need and come back to me."
"That's what I plan to do" he nodded and kissed her deeply one last time. Her arms wrapped around his waist as his claws dug into her shoulders. Letting go of her, her lips reached for his mouth again and like the lovesick pup that he was, he returned her gesture. After a few minutes, he let go and cleared his throat, "We have to stop or I'm mating with you here and I can't."
"Sure about that?" she smiled bashfully but knew he was right. She backed away from him as he placed his black mask over his face. It was still the same mask he wore when he met her making her smile wider.
"I'll see you later" he purred and activated the door's keypad to open. He never liked to say goodbye to her because it would worry her more with that departing word. So, he chose a human phrase to claim that he would return to her each time he left.
"Later, my handsome hunter" she smiled and he left without a further word. Closing the door and securing it with the keypad again, she murmured, "I love you."
"He'll be fine, Iliana" a raspy voice spoke behind her. She turned quickly and sighed at seeing Eliok. Apparently, they'd woken him up. He smiled sympathetically at her, "This is Kantra we're talking about. He's one tough male and trust me, he's not easy to bring down. He'll blow up a planet just to be with you."
"You're right" she nodded firmly and smiled. "He'll be back before I know it."
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End of Chapter 9. And the story takes a little grim turn as Kantra begins journeying alone and Iliana's left to fend for herself during every trip now. So thanks for reading and review please. Also, thanks to my last reviewers whom I always thank for their happy comments!