Predator

Chapter 30

After the meeting concluded all of those present had made their plans and were ready to leave on their assigned ships within two hours. Alexandra had been very specific with her instructions and telepathically relayed more detailed battle strategies before everyone gathered on the flight deck to depart.

“Before we all go off gallivanting across the damn universe, may I ask a stupid question?” Ares raised his hand and stepped forward. “Why don’t you just blink your eyes, twitch your nose or tilt your head and wipe all these bastards out of existence instead of us going to war? I mean don’t get me wrong. I am the God of War and I live for this shit but we were all finally getting settled into a nice rhythm here. I don’t want to risk that for a bunch of freaks.”

“She can’t use her power on that level right now, Ares.”

“And why is that, oh omnipotent Ian?”

“She’s pregnant, you asshole!” Ian turned to his mate and shook his head in frustration. “Was it really necessary to bring him back?”

“I heard that!” The War God shrugged his shoulders and devilishly grinned. “Which one of us is the lucky guy?” Riddick started forward but halted in his tracks when his wife placed her hand firmly against his chest. “Just kidding, Riddick. I knew it was yours. Alex, you’ve fought many battles using your powers while you were pregnant. What’s the big deal here?”

“I’m carrying this one, Ares. I promised Riddick and Tyr that I would give them children from my body. It appears the Phoenix decided that now was the time and I cannot allow my power to get out of control and hurt this child.”

He saw the conviction in her eyes and nodded his head at the expecting couple. “I understand, baby.”

She approached Ares’ team first and hugged their 2 sons before she turned to her mates. Her eyes settled on Duncan and she flashed him a worried smile. “I expect you to keep these three in line. You being the level-headed one and all.” She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him into a tender kiss. “Damnit Duncan, please be careful with these people. They might be hiding from the larger Prides but they are still Nietzcheans.”

“I will, my love. Promise me that I’ll see you soon.”

“You have my word, my love.”

“Hey, how about a little love over here?” She turned to Ares and he pulled her into a tight embrace. “Alex, please watch your ass out there.”

“You too, baby, I don’t want to lose you again.” She pulled back with tears glistening in her eyes and spoke with heavy sadness in her voice. “Take care of our boys and keep Duncan safe.”

“I will.” He kissed each of her hands before giving them a light squeeze and reluctantly released her. “We’ll see you soon.” He quickly turned to the others and held a hand out indicating the ramp of their ship. “Let’s get this show on the road so we can get our asses back home.”

As the others started up the ramp Ares stopped when he saw Athena, Hades, Artemis, and the remaining Olympic Gods approach. “Have a safe journey, brother.”

“What are you doing here, Athena?”

“I have enlisted your family to oversee the safety of Ariana while we are off planet.” Alex nodded at the deposed Gods and glanced back at Ares. “The Wielders will be in charge though.”

“Good plan.” He looked at his family and realized that he hadn’t spoken to any of them since he mated with Alex. “It has been a long time. I hope we have the opportunity to talk when I return. Take care of things while we’re gone and don’t try to take over the world.” He laughed at his sister’s scowl and boarded the ship.

The ramp retracted, the hatch sealed, and Alex watched a third of her family disappear through the atmosphere. She slowly turned to face Ian’s team and couldn’t hold her tears at bay any longer. “Dean.” Her first-born embraced her tightly within his powerful arms and they levitated in the air. “Honey, we’re flying.”

“Sorry.” He brought them back to the ground and kissed her forehead. “I’ll make you proud, Mom.”

“Sweetheart, you always make me proud. You have been my greatest joy.” She caressed his cheek and gave him a watery smile. “Be safe. I love you.”

“I love you too, Mom.”

“Ioan.” She kissed his cheek and hugged him. “Love you, precious one.”

“I love you too, Mom.”

She found herself scooped up in a set of arms and cradled against Dorian’s chest. “You need to be real careful. I expect to be taking care of my little brother or sister in the near future.” She nestled her head against his neck and sobbed her laughter. “I love you, mother, and I couldn’t bear the thought of anything happening to you…pregnant or not.”

“I love you too, baby.” She sniffled. “I swear everything will be fine and I will come home to you.”

“I don’t like you and Dad being separated and I hate that I can’t go with you.”

“I know but your father and I have very important things to do and unfortunately they have to be timed accordingly.” He placed her gently on her feet and she traced her fingers over his features. “You look so much like your father and you’re just as protective. I am sending you on this mission because this is very important to me and I trust you to accomplish it.”

“It is because we are the most powerful, isn’t it?” She turned to Ian as he pulled her into his arms. “I don’t know what it is about Rhade’s Pride that is so important to you but we will not fail either of you.”

“Thank you, baby.”

“As always it is my pleasure, my Lady.” He pulled her into a passionate kiss that they both became lost in for a moment. “I trust you will not die while we are separated. You’ve never done it before so don’t start now.”

“I promise, Ian.” Her attention was drawn to Riddick hugging his son and turned to watch. “Ian, first and foremost, I expect you to take care of my children.”

“I expected no less. We should be on our way. I don’t want those people on their own for too long.” He kissed her temple and herded the boys up the ramp. “Be careful, Riddick, and return to her safely.”

“You too, Ian.” He shook his hand at the bottom of the ramp and tilted his head towards the ship. “Take care of my boy.”

“You know I will, my friend.” As Ian boarded the ship he gave orders to the other Commanders and soon all the ships had left orbit except for two.

Riddick turned to the 3 Nietzcheans that would be his mate’s only protection while he was away and gave them a critical look. “I know I don’t have to tell you what is at stake here if you screw up and I’m not talking about your people either.”

“They are not my people, Riddick.” Jesse stepped forward and stared his mother’s menacing mate in the eyes. “She made me a full-blooded Nietzchean to make my father happy but I AM my mother’s son and I always will be.” He glanced at his smiling mother and back to Riddick. “My destiny lies with my mother not the Nietzchean race. I was made for greater things other than ruling an Empire. She is my priority.”

Riddick laughed and slapped Jesse on the shoulder. “I like this kid of yours, Tyr. He knows what is important in life and won’t let anything take his mind off of it.” He turned to Alex with a curious look. “Speaking of Tyr’s kids, who is going to take care of Tamerlane while you’re gone?”

“I’m taking him with me. When he is satisfied I will return him to his caregiver.”

“You’re sure that is safe?”

“I will protect my child and his caregiver is Athena. Who better than the Goddess of War to safeguard Tamerlane? If things get out of hand I’ll teleport them home.”

“That is a sound plan. No wonder you rule the known universe.” He wrapped his arm around her shoulders while he addressed the men. “I hope you know what you’re getting into. Tyr, I’ve grown to consider you a brother of sorts but if you let anything happen to her…”

“Riddick, I would die for her. You know that. I just hope you know what you’re getting into. These Necromongers are an unknown factor.” Tyr’s eyes held his concern and he grasped Riddick’s shoulder to emphasize his point. “I wouldn’t want to see any harm befall you either.”

“The Lord Marshall is not unknown to me and I guarantee that I will be back to see my baby grow in my Lady’s belly.” He rubbed her abdomen with his free hand and kissed the side of her head. “Rhade.”

“Yes, Riddick.”

“I know it isn’t just your Pride that she is risking her ass for but I hope you realize that if anything happens to her I will blame you.” His silver eyes bore into this newcomer that has a history with his mate that wasn’t in the archives. The fact that their time together wasn’t recorded meant that his wife had intentionally wanted it kept a secret. “I trust you will remember that when you’re on this mission and fighting by her side.”

“I don’t need your threats to remind me that she is my priority.” He stepped forward and glared at Riddick. “This woman has always been my priority and always will be. I would see the entire Nietzchean race reduced to ash before I would allow any harm to befall her. Do I need to say anymore for you to believe me?”

“No.” He pulled his wife into his chest and rested his chin on top of her head. “He’s good, baby. I hope when all of this is over you will explain the connection between the two of you.”

“He is a good man, Richard. I trust him with my life. He’s had my life in his hands for a very long time and has never let me down.” He held her at arm’s length and looked at her questioningly. “I will explain when we have time. Your friend, Imam, is on Helion Prime and you need to get there quickly.”

“How do you know about the holy man?”

“Do you remember who you’re bonded to?” She quirked an eyebrow at him and grinned at his smile. “I know everything that happened on T2 with those aliens and all about the other 2 survivors.”

“Jack.”

“The young girl that idolized you. Yes I know about her too.”

“Is she on Helion Prime with Imam?”

“No. Richard, you will learn all that you need to when you get there. I have a slipfighter that is equipped with a cloaking device for you to use to get there. It is small and stealthy so you shouldn’t have any difficulties landing.”

“Baby, I don’t know how to use slipstream. I’ve always used hyperdrive engines.”

“Slipstream is easy for a natural flyer like you and you have your enhanced senses to help you navigate the stream. The ship has the ability to be called to you by mental remote if you need it.” She led him over to the fighter and pointed out the controls for slipstream and the cloak. ‘Use your mental abilities to call the ship to you. It will know where you are as soon as you make contact.’

‘Interesting machine you got here. You’ll have to explain how this was made when I get back.’ He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her into a deep kiss. ‘I don’t like being separated from you.’

‘I know but I will only be a thought away if you need me and I will come to you from time to time to check on your progress. Richard, I love you.’

‘I love you too, Alex. I can’t imagine living like I was before I met you. You have given me a son and I have another on the way. You have opened my heart to love and that was something I never thought I would have in my lifetime. Please, I am begging you to be careful. I don’t know what I would do if anything happened to you.’

‘That is something you will never have to find out because nothing is going to happen to me.’ She held onto his neck as he lifted her up and wrapped her legs around his waist. The kiss they fell into was something neither of them wanted to end. Their power flared around the couple and the depths of their feelings were amplified. They were trembling in each other’s arms when they broke apart. ‘I will see you soon, my love.’

‘You bet your delicious ass you will.’ He set her down and kissed her forehead before they began to separate. His hands slid down her arms until just their fingertips were touching. ‘Alex…’

‘I know, my love. I feel the same way.’ They reluctantly parted and walked backwards to their respective ships all the while holding each other’s gaze. Tyr grasped her shoulders and broke their spell as he took her hand and led her up the ramp. ‘Richard…please be careful.’

‘I will.’

‘I’ll know if you need me and I’ll be there.’

‘I know.’ He smiled at the thought of just needing to see her and her instantly appearing. He never thought he would need anyone but realized how wrong he was when she disappeared into the ship and his heart tore when it left the surface of the planet. He looked around and realized something else. ‘This is my home. It is where I belong and nothing will stop me from getting back here.’

‘Nice to hear it, lover.’

He laughed when he heard her in his head even though she was already off the planet. He knew she would indeed hear him if he called her and it was a sweet feeling. He took a deep breath as he fired the slipfighter’s engines and ascended into the sky. ‘Here goes nothing.’ He opened a slipstream when he reached open space and streaked through to bright blue and silver wormhole.