I'd like to apologize for the inconvenience of disappearing chapters, honestly I have no idea how or why that keeps happening! One minute they're there and the next they vanish for a few hours, mysteriously reappearing again! I'm completely stumped and going insane, any ideas guys? I have no f-ing clue O.O

Chapter 18: Disclosed

She was stalling and they all knew it. Amused, Ke'varde watched her change clothes for the fourth time in an hour, once she was dressed this time, he moved behind her, caressing her arms, getting her attention "You are making it worse little one, he does not like to be kept waiting" leaning against him she huffed "I know! I can't help it, I'm nervous" turning around to look at him she asked "Should we tell him about us? I know it's a little early, but I think he should know" thrilling, he started moving them to the door "Do what you think is right my little one, I will support it" before she even knew it, he shoved her into the main room, stepping out behind her. Turning her head she narrowed her eyes at him, grinning "Sneaky Stripes, I'm impressed" he shook his head, laughing.

Noticing them enter Selt'ox clicked "Leave us Ke'varde, I wish to speak with her alone for the moment" As the hunter bowed and left, the Elder noticed the oomans smile as she followed him with her eyes, and his honored hunters lingering before closing the door. If he'd had an eyebrow to lift he would have.

Tuning to the Elder, Cat walked to the table and sat down across from him, her hands fiddling with the hem of her shorts "I'm ready, let me have it" confused slightly he asked "Have what?" throwing her hands up she waved them around "You know!" jumping up from her seat she paced around, ticking off on her fingers "The lecture about me sneaking out, not obeying orders, coercing Azira'ah into helping me, which by the way she was very reluctant to do and I take full responsibility for everything" taking a breath she continued "getting drunk, putting myself at risk, humiliating Brownie, oh and let's not forget; being a smartass" when she stopped she made a face, slapping her forehead "way to go Cat, dig yourself in a little deeper why don't you" When he pinned her with that "tell the truth or else" stare she cracked like an egg "Damnation! What am I, five!"

Selt'ox didn't know if he should laugh or roar "c'jit she just extinguished my tirade" making whatever he was going to say almost pointless. Growling and glaring at her "Since you know your errors I expect you will not repeat them. I will not be as tolerant as I am now and you will be punished. I do not like my orders ignored ooman." Sighing he motioned for her to join him and waited until she sat down before continuing "I will allow you to move about freely again, but only with protection, understood?"

Nodding Cat agreed, Looking into his eyes, she remembered something that was bothering her for a while "There is something I have to know." Getting his complete attention she leaned forward on her elbows "That night, when you found me, you called me Catherine. I never told you or the hunters my full name." though he physically didn't give anything away, she had the feeling he knew something. "How do you know it?"

He wondered how long she would need to bring it up, hoping that she didn't hear it or she had forgotten. He would have been more relieved if she had, but "I suppose it is time for some revelations" Looking into her eyes he clicked "Three centuries ago I travelled to your home planet for a hunt with a hunting party of four. I was very young, it was only three decades after my chiva. Going off on my own I was full of confidence, arrogance and self-assurance, convinced as all younglings are, that I was the best hunter as I was one of few that ever killed a hard meat queen on his first trial."

Leaning back he chuckled for a moment, shaking his head before continuing "That is, until an ooman female destroyed my conceit with a well placed arrow. At first I wanted to kill her and I tried hard to do so because of my wounded pride and shattered ideals. Her stubbornness to live and her resourcefulness in thwarting me at every opportunity gained my grudging respect…" engrossed in the tale, Cat was startled by a knock on the door, almost jumping out of her skin. Standing up swiftly, she had the urge to strangle the one interrupting the story, bellowing "This better be good!" stomping to it.

Opening the door she saw Ek'tan standing there "This is twice now. You really need to work on your timing Brownie" Looking over her head to the Elder he clicked "One of the hunting parties has returned Elder" Getting up Selt'ox replied "Very well. Inform them I will be waiting in my gathering chamber for their debriefing" on his way to the door he stopped in front of Cat "We will continue this later"

After they left she was entering her bedroom when she heard the swoosh of the door, thinking it was Brownie or the Elder she kept going, yelling "I'll be right out. Did you forget something?" When there was no answer she frowned, backtracking to the main room. Finding a male Yautja she hadn't met before standing there she almost screamed, her hands on her hips she instead asked wryly "Ever heard of knocking or invading personal space?"

Observing her he growled "You are impudent ooman" moving closer to her he noticed her moving back asking "Who are you and what do you want?" tilting his head to the side he answered "I am Ho'ke." Watching her stop and stand her place, he circled her growling "You are foolish in your assumed bravery, but I know my son, he is attracted to it"

Not liking this Yautja, she tried being patient even though his presence made the hairs on the back of her neck stand up, but his last comment did confuse her "Your son?" Watching his every move she couldn't help but feel threatened by his behavior. Taking a look at his coloring she already had a suspicion on who his son was, hoping that he wasn't at the same time.

Stopping next to her, he leaned close to her ear and growled quietly "Ke'varde" Turning her head to him, she stepped back "I guess now I have to make the effort to be nice" smiling pleasantly she said "Nice to meet you sir, I'm Cat"

He didn't acknowledge her greeting, continuing "I want you to ask the Elder to dismiss Ke'varde from his position as your protector" Surprised and suspicious she asked "Now why would I do that?" smirking she added "I have it on good authority that he likes his position by my side" as soon as it was out of her mouth she wanted to bite her tongue off "great genius, bait your future in-law why don't you"

Before she could even form an apology she was off the ground, grabbed by the neck and slammed against the wall. Chocking, she clawed at his hand crushing her windpipe as he growled in her face "His time at your side will end one way or the other. You will never be accepted and he will see it as well. I will make sure of it. I will not allow the humiliation and disgrace you will bring us with your disgusting presence"

Wide eyed, she desperately tried to get some air into her lungs. Her vision blurring she rasped "Fuck nice" brining her knees up she kicked him in his abdomen while twisting as his hold loosened slightly, bringing one leg up this time she levered it against him, pushing with all her might. As he released her she dropped like a stone coughing and wheezing, she didn't hesitate reaching for the small shuriken strapped to her ankle "where the hell are my freaking body guards,... time to stall"

Watching her pick herself up off the floor he wanted to kill her instantly. He was surprised when she hissed at him "I'm sick of you guys trying to kill me! So bring it on, I'll skin your stripes off!" Popping out both wrist blades, he roared charging at her. Shifting from foot to foot Cat was waiting for an opening, snapping her shuriken open quickly. Not seeing one, she crouched just as he swung his arm to impale her. Launching herself between his legs she twisted to her back before landing, swiping her shuriken on the inside of his thigh, near his prized area, hearing him roar in pain.

Quickly getting up to a crouch again she noticed him tugging at the wristblade stuck in the wall. Turning he glared at her, trying the release on his wristblade, but it was stuck; damaged by the impact, reaching for his own shuriken he growled "You are not even worthy of a place on my wall, but your death will help my son see his errors" throwing it before noticing the door was open to her right.

Hearing a roar come from her room, Ke'varde ran in, seeing his sire ready his weapon he sprinted to Cat, throwing himself over her, knocking them both to the floor and feeling the shuriken blades slice though his side making a deep and painful gash.

Paralyzed from shock for a moment, she snapped out of it the instant she felt warm wetness on her stomach, screaming "Stripes! Ke'varde!" Scrambling frantically from under him, she was relieved when he clicked "Stop screaming, it's just a small cut little one" as he was lying on his side she could see it, panicking "Small cut? Are you brain damaged too! Stay down and don't move!" Glancing up she saw his father was shocked as well, glaring at him for a second, she then ran to the bathroom and back. Placing the cloths she retrieved on his wound and pressing down on it with all her weight, she could hear his pained grunt, scared out of her mind for his wellbeing.

Glaring at the ooman Ho'ke growled hatefully "Look what you have caused, you filth!" Snapping her head up in his direction, she had bloody murder in her eyes, leaning to Ke'varde, she whispered sweetly "Darling, I don't think your dad likes me"

Thrilling slightly he answered "No. Do not worry, he will be taken care of by the Elder and the Arbitrators" Reaching for his comm. Ke'varde opened the connection to the medical bay "Mi'ren, you are needed in Cats quarters, come with the Elder" He wanted to get up, but he knew enough about her that she would scream and nag him to death if he tried. Keeping an eye on his sire he closed the connection and growled "Your actions this day will cost you your life Ho'ke"

Though the senior regretted his sons injury he was disappointed he didn't kill the ooman before Ke'varde interrupted. He knew he was supposed to kill her quietly and secretly, making it look like an accident, but he was too furious to heed that order "Even if she does not die by my hands, it is only a matter of time"

Hearing her mate roar in rage at his father and try to get up, Cat tugged his mandibles to get his attention, hissing "Stop moving! I will not have you bleeding to death because of him!" Hearing footsteps she turned her head to the door seeing Mir'en and his assistants, heaving a sigh of relief she moved off Ke'varde, making room for the healer. Noticing the Elder run in a few seconds later with Ek'tan she moved toward them.

After hearing what happened, Selt'ox turned to Ho'ke growling menacingly "For your treason to this Clan and its members, senior warrior Ho'ke, you will be declared badblood by the High Matriarch. When the Arbitrators arrive you will be removed to the home world, your sentence will be confirmed and executed" turning to Ek'tan he clicked "Bring two more warriors to take him to his quarters. He is to stay there until his departure. No one is to see him or communicate with him" bowing the hunter left to do as ordered.

Watching Mir'en tend to his injured hunter, he caught his eyes. Receiving a nod from the healer, confirming that he will be alright. Moving to Cats side he could see her and Ho'ke glaring at each other across the room. Clicking he asked her "What are you thinking Cat?"

Not moving her eyes from the senior she replied loudly "I'm wondering if he's the one who tried to kill me before. It would be the logical conclusion." Seeing him react slightly by narrowing his eyes and clicking his mandibles shut, she had her answer without the words. Noticing movement next to her, she turned as Mir'en helped Ke'varde to his feet "How is he Mir'en? Is he gonna be ok? Will you need to observe him over night? Was there any internal ble…" cutting her off the healer clicked "He will be fine after a few days. He will stay in the medical bay until his nicked organs heal, but other than that he is perfect condition"

Gaping at him she shrieked "Nicked organs? What the hell are you waiting for, a curtsy! Move it Yautja! Get him to the medical bay! STAT!" Shaking his head at her he motioned to his assistants to help the hunter to the medical bay before she burst an artery,... or his artery.

Thanks to all the reviewers and people who follow my story! I adore you for it :D

Love-Dijana