Terran (Breeder) by Cara Bristol Read Free Book Online

intend to seek release with her?”
    Guilt burned across his cheekbones. He took another drink of nectar to hide the effect. “That would violate the treaty,” Marlix said, sidestepping the question. He and Urazi used females without concern for their wishes, but they had never deliberately abused one. However, female anatomy often could not withstand the forceful rigors of the sex act without some tearing, another reason why Protocol discouraged contact except for breeding purposes. That, and because it was unnatural and perverse.
    “You violated the treaty when you took her.”
    Marlix had only mentioned the agreement as a diversion. “The treaty was a unilateral decision by Commander Dak. It does not hold sway over me.”
    “So what are you going to do?”
    Marlix waved his hand as if swatting a whisperfly. “Commander Dak is a paper feleen. He holds no power over me. Qalin and Artom would vote in my favor. I do not believe Dak would be foolish enough to reveal my act to the Terran Federation, lest he undo the amity he has worked so hard to establish.”
    Urazi eyed Marlix’s full plate. “You are not hungry this evening.”
    Hungry? A fierce appetite consumed him, but not for nutritional sustenance. For her. A Terran female. The sordid need had grown with every passing night. He could not bear to be in the same room with her but could not stay away, so he devised many excuses to check on her, then cursed his weakness later.
    But as desire roiled within him, he had become even more convinced of the wisdom of the Protocol. How could an Alpha rule while gripped in the jaws of such lust? Such base emotion. Such weakness.
    “I shame myself.” The confession burst out of him like a disgraceful emission of his essence, which he discovered on the sleep coverings each morning. “It is bad enough to want a female. But a Terran?” Marlix shook his head.
    “You are too hard on yourself. You cannot be perfect.”
    “I must be perfect. I am Alpha.”
    “And you have been tried and tested before. This is no different. You will get through this,” Urazi said. “Perhaps you should remove the temptation by granting her freedom.”
    “I cannot refute the wisdom of your suggestions,” Marlix said. He had chosen his beta well, a male of intelligence, discernment, and loyalty. Had they been able to achieve release in each other the way nature had intended, theirs would have been the perfect anointment.
    “Might I also offer again the use of the female I’ve procured? Perhaps relieving the pressure will help to settle your mind.”
    “I will do that,” Marlix said. Maybe if he used a Parseon female, he would be able to set the Terran one free.
    * * * *
    Tara shoved away her empty tray, stifling the urge to vent her frustration by flinging it at the wall. A subterranean environment devoid of natural light made it difficult to ascertain how long she’d been held hostage, but judging from the meals Urazi and Marlix had served her—three breakfasts, three lunches, and three dinners—three days had passed. She’d been hesitant to eat at first—she wouldn’t put it past a kidnapper to drug or poison her—but then hunger got the better of her, and she reasoned if Alpha had intended to harm her, he would not have bothered with getting her medical attention. So she ate and found the food delicious.
    The blanket she’d been given kept her warm, but the sleeping pallets offered a slim cushion between her body and the stone floor. She supposed hostages did not receive the best accommodations. Or communication.
    Marlix had not divulged how long he intended to keep her—or for what purpose. Since their last conversation, after which time he’d stormed out, he’d said very little to her. Urazi had delivered what she assumed were the morning and midday meals, but Marlix had brought her the evening ones and given her the blanket and a male’s shirt to wear. As it was dark gray, she assumed it belonged to him.
    Why hadn’t the