Chapter 13.

In between two short mission runs, Kyele punished himself for losing control the night he'd taken Joni home. Every free moment was spent working out or he added his name to the training roster. Team Three was always in need since Rydak was careful who he paired with them. Only Kyele had approval to work with each of the members without qualifiers.

He also did his best to stay away from any contact with Joni in case he succumbed to her allure again. It helped that she hadn't been around much. When relief turned to worry at her continued absence, he'd listened in on Sylvie's conversation with Arak in the dining area and knew everything was fine with his Earthling. Joni was indulging in her favorite activity of shopping thanks to the refund credits given to her and Sylvie from the Singles Program due to their abduction.

According to Jaron, Kyele's respite would be over soon though. Joni was due to arrive today to begin her training with select members from Team Two. He planned to absent himself and would have if given the time to do so. But sometimes, the best plans needed a back-up and a failsafe. He didn't have either when Joni walked in and caught him off-guard. Using the towel to wipe his sweaty face, Kyele eyed her casual stroll across the training room.

She hadn't seen him yet since he straddled a bench in the corner. Running in place on a glider in a pair of black shorts only, Jaron waved at her but didn't stop or slow his pace. Creed called her name and Joni turned moments before she would have seen Kyele.

He released the breath he hadn't realized he was holding. She approached his teammate, hips swaying and a jaunty smile on her face. She'd twisted her long hair in a knot at the top of her head, drawing attention to her high cheekbones, gold eyes and full lips. Today she wore black shorts which ended beneath her plump cheeks and a yellow half-shirt, revealing her lithe torso. The clothing caused their typical reaction and Kyele wanted more than anything to drag her away to a corner, pin her back to the wall and relive the moment when her release had drenched his fingers.

Creed's blue eyes darkened the closer she got to him. Kyele's fingers clenched on the towel, restraining the urge to warn his teammate to back off. As if sensing his thoughts, Creed glanced in his direction and froze. His lips twitched when he once more faced Joni. He cupped her elbow and moved to stand behind her to demonstrate the proper positioning for a move. His blond head lowered close enough to kiss Joni's shoulder if he desired.

A muscle in Kyele's jaw ticked but he kept his mouth shut. Joni's head tipped up as she spoke. Creed laughed at whatever she said. Kyele's chest grew tight; air trapped in his lungs. Joni leaned forward and Creed pressed a hand along her spine, bending her slightly forward. Then he adjusted her hips. Did his hands linger?

Every rational thought fled. His breath a harsh rasp, Kyele lurched to his feet only to have firm fingers lock on his shoulders and shove him back down. Kyele tensed and reached up to grip the person's wrist.

"Shit, Kyele, do not break my arm." Arak released him and came to stand in front of Kyele, blocking his view of Joni and Creed.

"Move," Kyele muttered, rising to his feet again.

Arak hesitated, then stepped aside with a mumbled, "Just remember Sylvie will kill me if you do something stupid."

Joni's laughter poured forth. The sound of her delight opened a void in Kyele and left him aching. Creed wrapped an arm around her waist and Kyele's gaze narrowed on the two of them standing close together. Another comment from Creed and his teammate released her after patting her flat stomach, fingers brushing against her belly piercing.

Kyele's hands bunched into fists at his side, the towel twisted in his grip. Creed signaled for Joni to go through the series of strikes he'd shown her, touching her occasionally on every available inch of bare skin when she needed correction.

Arak leaned into his side. "There's nothing going on with her and Creed."

Objectively he knew that. Joni would never play such games and neither would Creed. Kyele inhaled sharply and tried to loosen his knotted muscles by closing his eyes from the sight of them together but his imagination was worse, and his lids snapped back open. This time, Creed had his hands on her shoulders, her back to his chest, their bodies aligned perfectly. A haze descended over his vision and Kyele's control slipped.

It started as a slow build. The gentle breeze swirled around the room, fresh towels fluttered on the racks. A deep chill followed, the breeze escalating to a violent wind that rattled the weights from their mooring. The bench behind him slammed into the wall, creating a huge crack near the bottom.

"You should stand back, Creed."

Kyele didn't yell. He didn't have to. The words were spoken in a quiet rumble that traveled to his teammate easily. Everyone in the room seemed to still. Jaron hit the stop button so fast on the glider, he jerked and almost lost his footing. Gregir and Geile ceased their sparring match to stare in Kyele's direction.

Kyele didn't take his attention from Creed as the male calmly lifted his hands and backed up a step from Joni. The small concession wasn't enough and his control continued to deteriorate. Joni turned, her eyes widening when she spotted him. The surprise faded and a spark of interest ignited.

The caress of her gaze dipped from his chest in the sweaty tee shirt, down to the wide legged black drawstring pants hanging from his hips to his bare feet. The interest faded to annoyance by the time their eyes met again and her lips firmed. "Lay off, Kyele. This doesn't concern you."

In the past, he'd ignore her snippy response, but for some reason the tone and her look sent desire crashing through him. She was wrong. The need to prove everything about her concerned him waged against his need to leave matters as they were.

The digital screen displaying the training schedules on the wall across from him crashed to the floor, the glass case shattering. Wind stirred faster and those present worked to catch flying debris.

"Kyele." Arak's low warning went unheeded.

Kyele stepped toward the mats. One step. Joni put her hands on her hips and glared. Beneath the glare he caught the glimmer of hurt and came to a jolted stop. Arak groaned and mumbled something under his breath.

There was a vulnerability about her stance. The line of her shoulders, the curve of her hips. She'd exchanged the tiny green bead on her belly for a blood red tear shaped jewel which twitched as he stared. The nervous quiver brought him back as nothing else could. Kyele curled his fingers into fists, nostrils flaring. He didn't care about scaring or unnerving other people but he never wanted Joni to fear him. Everything in the room settled abruptly, the rack with their training weapons and other equipment hit the ground with a shudder.

Joni blinked away the moment of pain but the sight lingered with him. Kyele pushed out a breath. The bright red color on her pouted mouth brought back the memory of their kiss and her beautiful response to him. Desire strengthened its presence and his cock stirred. The pleasure he'd taken from watching her ride out her release hit him like a blow to the knees. He locked his legs to keep from falling.

Can't have her. He needed to remember he couldn't have Joni Miller. She deserved someone better. But it was hard. Very hard, he repeated mentally as her chest rose and fell with each breath she took. He shaft throbbed, begging for ease. Nearly losing her in the attack had shifted the scales and weakened his resistance. Bringing her to orgasm in the hover-car hadn't helped. Kyele gritted his teeth and forced the feelings back in their place. He'd done it before, he could do it again.

He tore his gaze from Joni. He had to leave. Get far away before he allowed greed to rule his actions. He tossed the mangled towel into a shoot tucked in the corner of the room. As he strode across the room toward the exit, conversations resumed. Even without turning, he knew stares burned a hole in his back.

Fury erupted as he burst through the doors, distance doing nothing to still the emotions bubbling over. For once, he wanted to just take what he wanted.

"Wait, Kyele!"

Arak chased after him, but Kyele didn't slow as he stormed down the hall, leaving the enticing form of Joni behind. He jabbed his finger on the button for the elevator. Despite his dark glare, Arak stepped through the doors with him when they opened.

"Shouldn't you be with Sylvie?"

Arak tended to stay close to his mate and Chosen.

"I wanted to share our good news." The broad grin on Arak's face flashed hints of his deadly fangs.

Kyele folded his arms across his sweat-stained shirt and lifted a brow.

"Sylvie and I are expecting a child."

Kyele blinked. Not sure what he expected, Arak's words came as a surprise and left him stunned. As the news gradually sunk in, Kyele experienced a stab of envy and immediately slammed the door shut on thoughts of Joni carrying his child.

"Congratulations, Arak."

"Dr. Maku will observe Sylvie and Faye together in case there are anomalies." The corners of Arak's mouth turned down. "Especially for Sylvie. We don't know how my half-Argoran genetics will impact the baby."

Kyele couldn't hide his wince. Argoran babies shifted into their animal form in the womb during the last stages before birth. Only the papan's presence could convince the frightened child to shift back before entering the world and tearing his maman apart.

Arak sighed. "Torkel said I shouldn't borrow trouble and my papan promised to be here when the time draws near."

Torkel and Faye had announced that they were expecting but no one brought up the touchy subject with their Unit leader who seemed on edge about it.

"I'm sure it will be fine." Kyele didn't know why he felt the need to reassure the other male. But he did. His time among the Jutaks had increased his feelings for the men who were like his family.

Joni shook her head and breathed softly once Kyele and Arak left. She wiggled her arms to release the tension and caught Creed's stare. The Team Two member was as nice as he was attractive with his blond hair and blue eyes. Typical Enotian. Nothing like the dark looks and energy which surrounded Kyele. "What?"

His smile grew sly. "Nothing."

She thought about pushing but didn't know him well enough. And besides after the incident with Kyele in the hover-car, she'd rather swallow a cactus then talk about him. "Let's finish with what you were showing me."

"Of course," he readily agreed before taking her elbow and repositioning her arms and legs.

The rest of the training session went by without issue but Joni couldn't shake the image of Kyele and the heat in his gaze when he'd left the room.

"You want to keep going or stop?" Creed asked while Joni sipped her water.

She glanced at him in disbelief. Her muscles trembled, begging for escape. Unlike Creed. He didn't look worn at all, reminding her of how easily Kyele had taken her when they sparred without getting out of breath. "I'm done."

He nodded. "Jaron says to go at the pace you set. I will continue to partner with you until one of the others from my team is available."

Joni shivered. Did that mean she and Kyele would partner again? Highly doubtful considering how fast he'd run from the room earlier. She smoothed a hand over the loose strands of hair falling about her face. "Thanks, Creed."

She turned to leave, intending to stop and see Sylvie before going home. Creed grasped her arm before she could take more than a step. He lowered his head toward her and Joni stilled.

"I like you, Joni. Allow me to overstep when I say Kyele is a good friend. Do not let his cold exterior deceive you."

Chapter 14.

The nightmare started innocently enough. Joni hugged her brother, Drew, then her dad as she prepared to leave for her trip in the Singles Program. When she leaned over to pick up her suitcase, Joni pretended not to see her dad's eyes water before he tipped his head back and wiped his cheeks.

Drew curved an arm about her neck and yanked her close. With his free hand, he rubbed his knuckles over the top of the sleek wave she'd styled her hair into. "Don't fall for anything less than an alien prince, Princess."

Joni shoved at his hold, but he didn't release her until their dad called out. After straightening her one shoulder top and adjusting her skinny jeans, she stuck her tongue out at her brother. "Ass."

Her dad snorted and smiled wryly. "No wonder he's always called you princess."

Joni giggled and accepted one last hug from her dad. Her brother started the stupid nickname after their mother died when Joni was seven and Drew five. Her parents hadn't been together but they shared a friendship, and he'd helped financially throughout her life despite the fact men were often free of any obligation regarding children. A virus had wiped out a large chunk of the male population leaving men on Earth in the enviable position of being able to sleep around to their heart's content without repercussion.

Her mother, Gabriella, paid Douglas Miller in order to get pregnant with Joni. A common occurrence but their relationship had been anything but common. When her mom wanted to have another child, Douglas had traveled seven hours by air making the trip without question. He hadn't asked for monetary compensation the second time around.

Her parents might not have been in love with each other but mutual respect existed. As a result, there was no doubt in her mom's mind who would raise her children when she was diagnosed with one of the few diseases modern science hadn't cured.

"Do you have everything?" Her dad asked, standing near the passenger door of the car they'd rode in.

"I'm good Daddy. Promise."

His eyes misted and they waved as she turned and left.

The dream shifted, leaving Joni crouched on the rough stained floor of a familiar cell when she looked around. Her breath picked up and her heart slammed into her chest. Denial rose but she bit back a scream.

"Are you ready for another trial? I have something new for us today. You'll really like it." Maniacal laughter followed the announcement.

Shame twisted her insides as Joni pushed to her bare feet and leaned against the bars of her cage. Dr. Kirkem, her fifth and hopefully last owner. For all his human appearance, he was far from humane.

"No comment?" He arched a scruffy brow, plump cheeks giving him a deceptively innocent appearance.

Dr, Kirkem was evil. True evil and Joni hoped he burned in hell one day for the things he did to her.

"Alright then. It looks like we are skipping our manners this morning." He held up a stainless steel tray, brimming with surgical implements and placed them on a table near the edge of her cage.

Sweat trickled down Joni's back, but she met his amused stare with a heated glare of her own. "Fuck. You."

He lost the smile, skin darkening with an anger he'd originally managed to hide from her. In the beginning he didn't understand her insults and profanity no matter the implanted translator but Joni said the phrases enough he grasped exactly what she meant now.

"Bastard. Snotty fucker." She continued to hurl the words as if they had power.

The doctor's frown deepened. "Well, I think we'll go right to the main test today, my lovely Joni."

Then he hurt her.

Again. And again.

Until Joni screamed.

Thunder boomed.

Joni sat up, a choked cry dying in her throat as she panted in her bed. Her bed. At home on Enotia. She pressed a hand to her chest, the thump thump faster than a race horse. A sharp crack of lightning preceded a bright flash then faded as the storm outside raged.

"God," she gasped, rolling her legs to the side of the bed.

Her feet hit the cold tile of the floor. The rumpled sheets behind her attested to the fact she'd fought a hard battle. Bowing low with her elbows braced on her thighs and hair about her face, Joni took a moment to get her breathing under control. Each steady breath made her yearn for the reassuring presence of one man. Kyele.

A hoarse laugh escaped Joni's throat. It figured she'd want the one man who left her high and dry after their last encounter and practically ignored her in the training room. Crazy as it seemed, the times he showed during her nightmares were the ones when she got the best sleep.

She should have known the attack a week ago would bring back the bad dreams stronger than ever. She could almost taste the metallic bite of blood filling her mouth as she'd tried to hold in her cries of pain. No way she could doze back after this one.

Wind and rain lashed at her window. Storms such as this one were rare but somehow fit her mood tonight. She shook her head at her flighty thoughts. Maybe a hot drink would settle her.

When she heard it, Joni heaved to her feet. A click and shuffle. Muted footstep? Her dream fueled panic returned in a blink. She edged near her cracked bedroom door, using one hand to hold down the bottom of the thin bronze night gown she'd slept in. Staying hidden as much as possible, she peeked around the corner of the jamb to see a shadowy figure moving around her living area.

The stranger bent over her table riffling through the things she'd left out earlier. An electronic game, a recipe Faye sent her for some special Enotian treat and a cute statue she'd picked up on her last shopping trip. There wasn't much to her apartment. A living area, small kitchen, the bathroom and her bedroom which meant in no time he'd discover her presence.

Sliding the bedroom door closed without letting it latch, Joni darted back to her bedside and the communicator. When she'd first moved in, Bane from Team Three had patiently explained the numbers programmed in. He'd been very specific about which button would route her to Jaron in case of an emergency, but it wasn't Jaron on her mind as Joni hit another button.

Please pick up, please pick up. Joni bit her lip, mouth dry as she waited for her call to connect.

With one hand on the unit, she tore at the sheets and blanket and uncovered her two knives from the mound of pillows. A burst of strength countered the fear pounding at her temples now that she'd armed herself. She kept her eyes on the door, wondering how long she had.

"Greetings, Joni."

She closed her eyes on a dizzying wave of relief. "K-Kyele."