Page 19 of Jaider’s Desire

Chapter 6

Commander Jaider Katon

I couldn’t get back to the village fast enough. The knowledge about the secret Compier base needed to be addressed immediately. I had all the information we needed to stage a raid, but more than that, I wanted—no, needed, Molly far away from me.

If I spent any more time alone with her, there was a big possibility I would take her again, and what I did was already weighing heavily on me.

I couldn’t blame it all on the drinking though, as I had been sober when I kissed her in the creek before, and yet I still yearned for her. I would never forgive myself if this got out in the open to all the Revian females. I have prided myself on being the one male in our society to stay loyal to them, and not seek out a human female, despite my father’s push to make it so.

And that was why no one could ever know. I would have to keep it from everyone, as I still had every intention of marrying a female of my own kind. There was no way I could let that one night with a human female stop me from keeping my promise, as they did not deserve it.

Maybe they don’t deserve a wretch like me.

Revian females are too good for me to break their heart and abandon them. They are kind, and always look after others before themselves.

I had to push Molly out of my mind and convince myself it was only lust I felt that night.

As soon as I returned to the village and sent Molly back to her living quarters, I immediately went to see my father to give him the results of my investigation.

“You were right, Father. We did find a Compier base,” I told him. “They have the human female named Emma as a prisoner. It’s exactly where you thought it might be on the other side of the Ridge Mountains of the Torik Forest. Molly even confirmed it’s indeed Emma they’re holding there.” I finished giving my report as I stood in front of him in his quarters.

“Good. You have done well, my son. We’ll report this to the Council now. I will walk with you there,” he said, putting on his belt and boots. As I waited for him to get ready, I took a deep breath and started to speak about another matter.

“The mission you gave me is complete. I would like to remind you of the bargain we made before we left,” I started. “You said that if I completed this, then you would allow me to be with a Revian female, and I’m holding you to that agreement.”

“Yes, I did, my son. Do not worry. I will honor our bargain,” he said, nodding thoughtfully. “You’ve done very well. Finding this base is very important to the Council, and you’ve proven that spending time with the human female has not changed your heart. If you don’t want a human female at all as your mate, then I can no longer stand in your way.”

I closed my eyes and breathed a sigh of relief at my father’s words.

“But please wait a week before declaring this to the public,” my father asked. “I need to clear things up with the Council, as they will not take it lightly you are refusing the gift of a human female to mate with. Please allow me to work on it after we see to this raid on the base.”

“Sure, Father. I can work with that,” I said, nodding in agreement.

“Then let us go to the Council and tell them what you found,” he said, walking out of the quarters with me hot on his heels.

We went to the Council, and I reported everything Molly and I had seen. It was a long and grueling meeting, but the most important part was they wanted me to lead a raid, which was to happen in a few days. It would keep my mind off of things in the meantime, and I couldn’t wait to take the commands.

After the meeting, I went back home to my living quarters. I was very tired after not slept much the night before, and I needed some rest. I was about to open my door when I heard someone call my name. I turned around and saw Karah moving towards me, looking very distressed.

“Where have you been?!” she shrieked, putting her hands on her hips. “I’ve been looking all over for you. They told me you left!”

“My father sent me out on a mission, and he wanted me to leave immediately, it was a very delicate matter. Please stop fretting,” I told her. I was already feeling guilty because of what I had done, and I didn’t need more from Karah’s jealousy to be added to the pile.

“I was worried,” she said, pouting as she tried putting her arms around me, letting her initial anger evaporate. I pulled away from her.

“I’m very tired, Karah,” I said, my words not completely a lie. “I haven’t slept in two days. Forgive me, but I’m going to rest now,” as she attempted one last time to grab me. I took her hands off and pushed her away from me delicately. She frowned but nodded.

“I understand. You must be very tired. I’ll see you later then. But I must know, Jaider, have you spoken to your father about us again?” she asked, and I nodded.

“Karah, I already talked to you about this.” I said.

“Why should I believe you?” she said angrily, her eyes blazing in a way I’ve never noticed before. “You wanted to kiss me before in the past. Did you not?” she said. “And you have always made it known to everyone in the community your commitment to Revian females, despite our barrenness. But maybe I should start seeing the truth about your real intentions. I’ve seen the way you interact with that human female,” she boasted. I sighed, already tired of this back and forth squabble.

“Please, Karah. Let us speak about this later. I haven’t the strength to discuss this right now. I’ll meet you for lunch tomorrow and we can talk some more,” I said, patting her on the shoulder before she could protest. I walked away into my living quarters, and closed the door.

I could barely take the guilt I was already feeling, let alone Karah’s craziness on top of it. Tomorrow Karah must know that she can no longer be a part of my life, and she must stay away from me for good going forward.

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