Predator

Chapter 52

Alex and Ian spent the rest of their week in seclusion in his chambers. Dorian and Ronon had both come to Ian’s door in search of their mother when she missed their training sessions. Ian turned them away with the simple explanation that she was not feeling well and he was keeping her in bed. His short response concerned the boys greatly. The fact that he would not allow them to see her filled them with fright and anger.

They knew of the rule that the mates had agreed upon. None of them would sequester her away and keep her as a private plaything during their week. It was also mandated that she would have time allotted for her children. She hadn’t been seen since she was delivered to Ian. The boys did not believe Alex would ignore their training nor did they believe Ian’s excuse.

He was keeping her hidden and they did not know if she was willingly allowing it or not. All attempts to teleport or mentally scan into his chambers were blocked. Left with no other alternatives, they went to the strongest person they knew for help.

Riddick.

Their requests for access to his chambers went unanswered but his chambers weren’t sealed. They teleported into the sitting room and, not finding him in there, ventured into his bedchambers. “Dad?” Dorian could not believe his eyes when he looked upon his father. Riddick was curled up on his side staring off into space. He was withdrawn and; appeared to be; drained of all energy. His despair hit Dorian like an anvil and frightened him most of all.

“Dad?” Dorian approached his father cautiously and cast a quick glance at Ronon, motioning him to stay behind him. He scanned his father’s mind and body to discern his condition. He sighed heavily and turned to Ronon. “He is feeling our mother’s distress and the exhausting effects that the pregnancy is having on her body. Worst of all, he is spiraling into depression from being separated from her.”

“Is he reachable?” Ronon asked quietly as he edged forward. “Can you get through to him? Ian has had her locked away in there for over a week now. I know Ares is bound to be trying to knock down his door by now and having no success. Your father is the only one who can get in there.”

“I don’t know, Ronon.” Dorian sat next to his father’s prone form on the bed and held his head in his hands. “I’ve been having more dreams about my sister. Her voice is more pronounced in my head and I can see her form with almost perfect clarity. She is beautiful, Ronon.” He looked up at him and smiled. “She appears to me in her adult form and her beauty will rival our mother’s.”

“Dorian, that is the second time you referred to Alex as our mother.” Ronon said with uncertainty. Could he dare to hope that someone was accepting him as part of the family?

“Well she is, isn’t she?” He said curiously.

The look on Dorian’s face was sincere and took Ronon by surprise. “She is but you are the only one amongst my new brothers to admit it.”

“I am the youngest among us, Ronon. I am not as pig-headed as some of the others.” He smiled and extended his hand. “I know you are my brother and I would never say or think otherwise.”

“Thank you, Dorian.” He returned the handshake and his tension momentarily bled out of him. “It is nice to know I have a true brother in my own home. On a more serious note, what has Dawn said to you in the recent dreams? Has she indicated anything to you that would explain Alex and Riddick’s current condition?”

“You call mom Alex?” Dorian asked with an arched brow.

“She missed the first years of my life and left a clone in her place, remember? I like calling her Alex in normal conversation and Mom when it is a personal matter. She doesn’t mind.” He said with a guilty look on his face when Dorian smirked at him. “Now how about Dawn?”

“She hasn’t said anything outright on the matter but I get the feeling that she is getting closer.”

“What do you mean closer?”

“I can’t explain it but that is the impression I get. She sounds like she is standing right next to my bed when she talks to me.” Dorian got a thoughtful look on his face for a second and turned to his brother. “I think I have an idea of what is going on but we definitely need my father if we are going to get to the bottom of this.”

~*~

Ares, Duncan, Tyr, Rhade and their sons were gathered outside Ian’s chambers. The God of War was angry and pounding on the energy-reinforced door that barred his access to his mate. “Ian! You son of a bitch, this is against the fucking rules! I want my woman now, you bastard!”

“Ares!” Duncan grabbed his arm and turned his attention to him. “I don’t think bringing down the palace around our ears is going to help a damn bit. Besides I think his room will still be standing if the palace crumbles to the ground.”

“What do you suggest, Duncan?” Ares yelled in total aggravation. “He is hiding her in there! He won’t let anyone see her! What the fuck am I supposed to do?”

“Let me give it a shot.” They turned to see Dorian and Ronon helping a haggard looking Riddick down the hall. “I think I have the best chance of getting into that room than any of you.”

“No offense, my friend, but you can barely stand.” Tyr said as he walked towards him. “How do you think you can manage the strength to get in there?”

“Trust me, Tyr.” Riddick stepped out of the boys supporting hands, slapped Tyr on the shoulder, and moved to the door. “Nothing in her creation can keep me away from my mate and child.” He concentrated his thoughts and mentally smashed through the shields Ian had erected against psychic intrusion. ‘Ian!’

‘Yes, Riddick.’

‘I just wanted to give you a forewarning. I am coming in there and you know there isn’t a damn thing you can do to stop me.’

‘I know that very well, Riddick. Please come in but leave the others outside for now.’

“I’ll be back with Alexandra.” Riddick told the others and turned to look them over. “Stay here and don’t interfere.” Before they could say a word, he teleported into Ian’s suite and was met by him in the sitting room. “What the hell is going on, Ian? Why are you keeping Alex captive in here?”

“You know perfectly well that I could not keep Alexandra captive even if I wanted to.” Ian said quietly with downcast eyes. “Will you please lower your voice? She is sleeping.”

“Why haven’t you relinquished her to Ares yet?” Riddick whispered with a hint of irritation. “Why haven’t you let the boys in to see her?”

“She didn’t want to be seen.” Ian whispered and shook his head to fight off the onslaught of tears. He had also reveled in having her all to himself for the past 9 days. It reminded him of the time when it was just the 2 of them. “I obeyed her wishes. She wanted to be with me. She asked me to care for her like I always do.”

‘When she was just mine and I didn’t have to share her with anyone.’ When they were alone in the universe and nothing took her attention away from him. “Go ahead, Riddick.” Ian stepped aside and indicated the bedroom with an outstretched arm. “See for yourself why she didn’t want to leave this room.”

Riddick’s brow furrowed as he looked at Ian’s saddened expression before he turned and quietly entered his bedroom. He saw Alex curled up on her side with her back towards the door. He could feel her tension even as she slept. He slipped on to the bed behind her and placed his hand on her waist.

She instinctively sought the warmth of his body and rolled over to snuggle into his chest. When he had a full view of her, he noticed a large bulge under the blanket and pulled it back to confirm Dorian’s suspicions. He gasped when he saw her naked flesh, heavy breasts and well-rounded belly.

“Holy shit.” He whispered but it was loud enough to rouse her from her slumber. Her vision cleared and focused on his face as he stared at her abdomen. She grabbed the blanket in an effort to cover herself but he grabbed her wrist with one hand and laid the other on his child. “How did this happen? Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Richard…” She averted her gaze and continued to pull on the blanket until he nuzzled his face against her belly. Tears welled in her eyes as he placed tiny kisses all over the home of his child. “Please don’t.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?” He said in between kisses. “You should have called me, baby.”

“I was afraid to, Richard.” She sobbed and held his face between her palms when he looked up at her. “Her growth rate has accelerated to the point where she will be born in two weeks. Even Ian was off with his estimate and I wouldn’t be surprised if she shows up sooner.”

“Why are you frightened, baby? She is our child after all. It doesn’t surprise me that our daughter would mature faster than a normal Furyan. She is half Phoenix too.” He pulled her shaking body on to his lap and held her close to give her comfort. “Dawn is a special being, Alex. She has been talking to her brother through his dreams. I think that classifies as special, don’t you?”

“Richard, she’s growing too quickly.” She gasped out in between sobs. “If she is developing this quickly within me, how long do you think it will take her to reach adulthood? I won’t get to spend anytime with her before I have to…” Her voice gave out and she became overwhelmed with her infinite sorrow.

“Shh, baby.” Riddick held her tight to his chest and stroked her hair and back soothingly. “It will be okay. I promise you.”

“Ian said the same thing.” She whispered into his shirt. “How can the both of you be so sure that I’ll get to spend the time I want with my daughter before I die?”

Riddick glanced up at Ian, who was standing quietly in the doorway, and their eyes met for a long moment. “You’re just gonna have to trust us, baby.” He pulled the covers off of her body and scooped up her knees. “Come on, baby. I’m taking you to our room.”

He gently carried her towards the sitting room and stopped for a second in front of Ian. “You should have told me. I understand your loyalty is strictly reserved for her but you were wrong not to tell me. I don’t agree with it because you know damn well it was hurting both of us.” Riddick continued past Ian leaving him staring at the floor with guilt. “We will discuss this shit in length later but you need to hear what I have to say to the others now.”

~*~

The door opened to Ian’s suite and drew the attention of the others in the hall. They went totally silent when they saw Riddick cradling the form of a very pregnant Alex in his arms. “As you can clearly see some things have changed and I am making a decision that will probably piss off some of you.”

He looked at his extended family for a moment as they worked past their shock. “Our baby is maturing faster than originally anticipated and Alex was uncomfortable for you to see her like this.” He glanced down at his love as she clutched on to his shirt and kept her face buried in his chest.

“I don’t see why she would think that.” Duncan said quietly. “Baby, you are absolutely beautiful.”

“By the Progenitor, Alexandra, you look radiant.” Rhade said with a light in his eyes as he looked upon his pregnant mate. “I have never seen you glow like this before.”

“Baby, are you listening to them?” Riddick asked his silent mate who was shaking in his arms and refused to stop hiding her face. “They think you look beautiful.” She would not respond nor would she look at any of them. “Guys, I hate to break this to you but the schedule is definitely on hold for now.”

“She is due to give birth any time within the next two weeks and I am not letting her out of my sight.” He kissed the top of her head and nuzzled her hair. “I never should have in the first place. I made a mistake starting the schedule now when she needs me and it is tearing us both apart.”

He wasn’t sure if his words got through to them because all of their smiling faces were looking at their wife. “I don’t mean to fuck up our new rules already but I have no choice. She and I are both suffering ill effects when we are separated and I believe it is our daughter who is making it happen.” His brow furrowed when he still hadn’t heard a complaint. “You can all visit her during the afternoon hours whenever you wish.”

“That will be fine, Riddick.”

“You have got to be fucking with me, Ares.” The God of War looked at him with an arched eyebrow. “I thought if anyone would complain about this it would be you.”

“On the contrary, I am too busy staring at my gorgeous mate.” He reached forward and ran his hand lightly over her stomach. “Alex, you are so amazing. You are carrying a precious little life in here.”

She slowly turned her head and ran her saddened eyes over the smiling faces of her mates and sons. A few of them even had tears of joy running down their cheeks. Her gaze turned to Ares’ hand as it rested on her swollen belly. “You really think I am amazing?” She whispered in a choked voice.

“You are the most amazing, beautiful creature I have ever laid eyes on.” Ares said with all the love he felt for her shining in his eyes. “Riddick, you better get her to your room before we all go nuts and want to rub this pretty stomach.”

“Thanks, Ares. You aren’t such an asshole after all.”

“I have my moments.” The God of War laughed, kissed his mate on the forehead, and patted Riddick’s shoulder. “Get going before my true nature comes out and I fight you for her.”

Riddick smiled before his eyes met Ian’s. ‘We’ll talk soon.’ He thought to her First and then he teleported away with his mate in his arms. ‘This is where she belongs.’ They rematerialized in their room and Riddick gently placed her in the center of the bed. “Are you feeling all right? Have you been eating?”

“I’ve been eating. You know I would not hurt you, Dawn, or Tamerlane by allowing my stubbornness to get the best of me.” She pulled her hair out from under her head and shoulders and splayed it across the pillow. “As for feeling all right, I feel as big as one of my command carriers.”

“Don’t be ridiculous, Alex.” He laughed softly and ran the back of his hand down the side of her face. “You heard it from the others, baby. You look absolutely beautiful.”

“Yeah well I never said I picked my mates for their intelligence just their looks and power.” Her mood lightened a bit and she patted the mattress beside her. “Lay down with me. I need you to hold me.” When he didn’t join her on the bed, she looked up with questioning eyes. “What is it, Richard?”

“I am afraid to touch you.” He gave a humorless laugh and ran his hand over his stubbled head. “I never had to have a gentle touch before. All I was ever good for is hurting people. Now I have a pregnant wife on my hands and a baby girl on the way. Dorian was so much easier cuz he was born as an adult.” He covered his tear-filled eyes with his hand and threw the other up in frustration. “I am scared that I might accidentally hurt you or Dawn.”

“Baby, come here.” She held her arms out to him and he moved into her embrace. He laid his head down on her shoulder while she wrapped him in her warmth. “You would never hurt us. I trust you completely with our child and myself. You are a new man, my love. You still possess all the abilities you had before but now you have found your center. I know I found mine in you.”

“I love you, Alex.”

“I love you too, Richard.” They both started to drift off in each other’s comforting arms. Riddick gave in to his exhaustion first and fell asleep with a protective arm draped over her belly. Alex lovingly caressed his face and whispered into the night air. “I just wish I had more time.” She soon followed her mate into a deep slumber but hers was not a peaceful one.

~*~

Riddick woke several hours later feeling more refreshed than he had in days. His ability to sleep had been hampered greatly while he was separated from Alex and when it did come it was troubled. Today he felt like a new man. He stretched the stiffness from his muscles and turned to see Alex was already awake.

“Good morning, sleepy head.” She smiled at him when his eyes lit up at the sight of Tamerlane feeding from her breast.

“Morning, beautiful.” He rolled on to his side and propped his head up to watch her son eat. “I see Anasazi Jr. is ravenous. I think that kid is more addicted to your taste than the actual nourishment content.” He smirked when Tamerlane began to tug on her nipple more voraciously for his sustenance. “I told you. He is a breast man.”

“A trait he gets from his father no doubt. Actually it is a trait you all possess to the highest degree.” She shifted Tamerlane over to her other breast and glanced at Riddick from the corner of her eye. “I know you have left me sore on almost every occasion. You have a bite like a vampire.”

He smirked and ran his fingertip over the nipple Tamerlane had just vacated. “I can’t help it if I feel like devouring you every time I’m near you.” He leaned forward and drew her hardened peak into his mouth. She threw her head back when he joined Tamerlane and they both nursed from her breasts. She frantically grabbed his shoulder with her free hand and tore him away from her. “What was that for? I thought you liked it when I milked you?”

“I do.” She said breathlessly. “Its just that I don’t think it is appropriate for you to get me horny while my child is milking the other one.”

“I’m sorry, baby.” He kissed her lightly on her lips and moved to rest his head on the breast he just vacated. “I guess I’ll have to wait until you send junior to bed to get my meal.”

“So you are keeping me with you until Dawn is born?” She whispered.

“I am keeping you with me for a while after Dawn is born. We need to make sure what our little girl’s needs are before we separate. She is placing demands on us now and she is still in the womb. I am not complaining but this is all new territory. We have to be positive that she will allow us to be apart without suffering any ill effects.”

“You have thought all of this out in great detail, haven’t you?” She giggled softly.

“I have a family to care for and I’m not gonna let anything happen to any of you.” He said defensively.

“Uh huh. I think it sounds like a good excuse to keep me all to yourself for a while.” She laughed louder when he turned his head and laved her breast with his tongue. “You are just proving my point conclusively.”

“Uh, excuse me.” They glanced over to the entrance of their bedroom to find Kyra looking quite embarrassed. “I knocked but no one answered.”

“Its quite alright, Kyra.” Alex lightly smacked Riddick’s roaming hand and smiled at their visitor. “He can be extremely distracting when he puts the slightest bit of effort into it. What can we do for you, sweetie?”

“I was wondering if I could talk to you about something?” She asked hesitantly and fidgeted uncomfortably.

“Of course you can, Kyra. Why don’t you come over here and take a seat on my left.” She could see the tension in her as she walked to the bed and sat beside her. “I hate to say there is no chance in hell the Big Evil over here is going to leave me alone. I hope you don’t mind talking in front of him?”

“No. I don’t have a problem with Riddick being here. He knows all my dark secrets.” She sighed heavily. “I want to talk to you about something but I kind of need his thoughts on it too.”

“This sounds serious, Jack.” Riddick narrowed his liquid gaze on her as he rested his hand on Alex’s stomach again. “What is the problem, baby girl?”

“It isn’t really a problem. I just need to know how Alex recovered from some things she went through in the past.” Her eyes went to Alex’s and held her gaze. “I have to know how you got past the trauma of your rape. Whether it ever interfered with your relationship with a man after it occurred and you put it behind you.”

“Riddick, I need to know how you opened your heart completely after the tragedy of your past.” Her eyes pleaded as they darted between the shocked couple. “We have a similar history. I want to know how you knew it was okay to let your emotions go with Alex.”

“Kyra, what prompted this?” Alex asked with a tender voice when she looked into the tear-filled eyes of the young woman.

“I want to mate with Ronon.” She said quietly. “But I’m afraid my past will come back to haunt me and I won’t be worthy of him. I don’t want to disappoint him.”

“I don’t think it is possible for you to disappoint Ronon, honey.” Alex said with a smile on her face. “Nietzcheans follow their instincts when choosing a female to mate. He already knows what he loves about you and nothing will dissuade his feelings.”

“I agree with Alex, Kyra. That boy is head over heels in love with you.”

“I know he is but I’m scared.” She began to cry and it prompted Alex to teleport Tamerlane to his crib. When her arms were free, Kyra leaned into her embrace and sobbed. “I would die if he ever looked at me with disgust in his eyes.”

“He would never do that, sweetie.” She smoothed her hair back from her dampened cheeks and allowed Kyra to rest her head on her shoulder. “As for your questions, I know you saw all of the horrible things that happened to me in my past. I am sorry that those images hurt you.”

“They hurt you too, Alex.” Kyra sniffled. “I saw the torment in your eyes when Duncan attacked you and left you in that alley. I recognized the look on your face when those pigs raped you. You wanted to die and couldn’t so you closed your emotions off. I did the same thing and I’m afraid to let them go.”

“I knew I could let mine go again when I was reunited with my loved ones. I knew they wouldn’t hurt me.” Alex tilted up Kyra’s face with a finger under her chin. “I trusted them with my self and I knew they would never intentionally hurt me. I forgave Duncan the moment he did it because I knew it wasn’t really him that abused me.”

“What about Tristan?” She whispered.

“Originally I forgave Tristan his trespasses because I was the reason he became the monster that he was. He was a normal human that had many passions and I fell in love with his humanity. I had no idea that my power would turn such a beautiful creature into a madman.”

“What about this last time?”

“He deserved to die. I should have obeyed my laws and destroyed him in the past.” Her voice went deadly calm and both Riddick and Kyra could see the energy flicker in her eyes. “My child would not be dead today if I followed my mandates and didn’t go soft. It warms my blood to know he is suffering endless torment in Kortoth.”

Alex sensed the building tension in her body and the unease in her mate and Kyra. She tamped down the fire within her and grimaced at them. “Sorry about that. It still strikes a nerve especially now that I am carrying another child within my body.”

“Its okay, baby.” Riddick kissed her on her cheek and rubbed her stomach. “We understand.”

“I guess what I’m trying to tell you, Kyra, is this. If you can give your heart to someone and love them unconditionally and they do the same with you, you don’t have to worry about your faults. I have done many unspeakable things in my lifetime and my mates do not judge me. They accept me for who I am and more importantly, what I am.”

“I understand. I have already told Ronon everything about me and he doesn’t seem to mind.”

“Does he love you?” Alex asked with a smile on her face.

“He said he does.” A slight smile broke out on Kyra’s face and grew bigger when she continued. “He said he needs me more than his next breath.”

“What is it about Nietzcheans and sweet talking?” Riddick said as he rolled his eyes. “No wonder most of these guys have 20 wives. They can talk their way into any chick’s pants in a matter of moments.”

“Oh hush up, Richard.” Alex popped him on the back of his head and laughed at the look on his face. “It didn’t take you long to get in my pants either.”

“Hey I have silver eyes to go with my silver tongue and they both make you wet.” He kissed her again and gave her his devilish grin that made her melt. He turned his eyes to Kyra and thought a moment before he began to speak. “I was scared to death when she made me feel things I’ve never felt before. I didn’t know how to process the emotions she brought out of me and I fought them with every ounce of strength I had.”

“What did you do?” Kyra asked. “How did you finally face them?”

“She died.” His liquid eyes seemed to shimmer in the dim light and his voice went slightly hoarse. “I felt love, protectiveness, and concern for her but couldn’t admit it until she died in my arms. I knew she would rise again but I didn’t want her to leave me without knowing it. I couldn’t take the chance that the only person I’ve ever loved in my life would die forever and not know that she meant everything to me.”

“You are an amazing woman, Alex. I also think you are a miracle.” Kyra wiped the tears from her eyes and smiled at Riddick. “He was so closed off and you worked your way into his heart. I am so happy for you, Riddick. You deserved this all along.”

“Thank you, baby girl.”

“Well I guess the only question I have left for the two of you is: may I have your blessing to mate with Ronon?”

“You already know my answer, Kyra. I would be thrilled to have you for my first daughter-in-law.” She hugged the young woman to her and then turned to her mate. “What do you say, my love?”

“I have one condition.” He said sternly and they both raised their eyebrows at him. A smile broke out on his face and he took Kyra’s hand in his. “I want to give away the bride.”

“Thank you, Riddick.” Kyra squealed and stretched over Alex to kiss him on the cheek. “I love you both so much. I can’t wait to tell Ronon.”

“You don’t have to wait.” They looked up and saw her intended mate in the doorway with tears in his eyes. Kyra jumped off the bed, ran across the room, and jumped into his arms. “I love you, baby. You have made me the happiest man in the universe.”

“I love you too, Ronon.” She kissed him deeply and left him breathless. “I didn’t know it could be like this. If it wasn’t for Riddick trying to kill Alex, I never would have found my destined love.”

“It sounds so romantic when she puts it like that.”

“Be quiet, Richard.” Alex laughed and leaned into his body. “I wouldn’t have had it any other way. I’ll never forget you jerking off in the woods as long as I live.”

~*~