Page 54 of HaL

The sound of a young one crying has us both looking toward the door. Oset comes running out … “We have a girl, and AMI is asking for you, Troza.”

Both of us are smiling when we look at each other.

“I love you, mother, no matter how or why I came to be, none of that matters now. You have sacrificed your own happiness for me and now I want you to live your life. If there is a male you are interested in, you pursue that. Nothing will diminish you in my eyes. Now go do what you do best and love on that youngling that was just brought into this world.”

She reaches up, patting me on the cheek. “You were and still are my biggest blessing. Now go make me a grandchild since I am not getting any younger.”

My heart is lighter when she strolls back into the med bay, and I find my own already heading down the long passageway toward my mate. Once again, when I enter the room, it takes me a tic to get my bearings, as things have changed so much. Entering the membrane on her side, the heat steals my breath away. I do not find Dawn in her main room. I almost panic until I see a small foot hanging off the side of one of the large chairs.

Walking up, I look over the chair, only to find her curled up and sound asleep. So much has happened this rising that the darkness has crept up on me, and I find myself yawning. As much as I would love to curl up next to her, I know I cannot rest in here, but I am uncomfortable leaving her in this chair, even though it does seem to be surrounding her.

Gently, I slide my arms under her. Dawn is sleeping so soundly that she does not even stir. I turn down the heavy coverings on her bed with one arm while holding her against me with the other. When I finally settle her in, she turns on her side, and I slowly cover her up, then brush her long red fur out of her face. I stand there watching until the sweat is running down my face before stepping out.

The coldness of my own chambers is such a relief that I choose to get in the ionizer and then turn in for the darkness. I no sooner lay on my own sleeping platform when I find myself chasing after red fur and her laughter in my dreams.

CHAPTER 19

HAL

The feeling of being watched has my eyes opening … only for it to take a tic for my eyes to figure out what I am seeing.

“Dawn?”

“Yup, it’s me in my super suit. This thing is great, and it makes being a stalker so much easier. Do you know you make these cute little purring noises when you’re asleep?”

She stands up, twirling around, holding her arms out, and if you just caught a glimpse of her, you would simply think she was a youngling.

“I look like a mini you. So, unless you are super growly today, let’s go explore.”

“You want to go … out?”

“I’m really beginning to think you are hard of hearing. Feed me, then let’s go see this wintry world of yours. I figured your furry side wouldn’t mind getting out as long as he doesn’t have to play with others.”

Grinning, I pounce after her, and a small screech escapes her lips, since I am sure she did not expect me to be able to move my mass quite so quickly. Grabbing her around the waist, I turn her, ready to kiss those luscious lips, only to barely stop myself from kissing the clear shield covering her entire face.

“What the frack?” I gently tap at the glass with a claw, only for her to swat at my hand.

“Don’t scratch my super suit! If you want lovins, you need to feed me because my belly is eating me from the inside out, and I have no idea why. If you hadn’t woken up soon, I was going to start jumping up and down on your bed until you did. Speaking of bed, do you know I think I have a stalker? I clearly recall going to sleep in the chair, only to wake up in bed. Did you see anyone?”

“Hmmm, must have slipped right past me.”

“Hugh … some big ass protector you are.”

Her friskiness makes me laugh, and I love the smile that graces her face. Throwing her over my shoulder playfully, I head toward the doorway, only to stop momentarily when she smacks me on the rear.

“You Neanderthal! Put me down … I’m not a sack of potatoes.”

I swing her down into my arms, hugging her close as we make our way toward the dining hall, only for my beast to growl low when he smells other males in the area.

“Stop!”

Instantly, my feet do as she says.

“If I weren’t starving, I would tell you to skip the food and let’s go, but that’s not gonna happen, so can you call someone to bring us something? Because that growl is just getting louder the closer we get to the others.”

Taking a few steps back, my mind clears slightly the further I get from the other males. Heading back toward our quarters, a plan forms in my mind.

“I am going to have an early-rising meal delivered to our rooms, then I will go get my mainland speeder and pick you up outside our dwelling. Is that acceptable?”