Chapter 11

Molly Sandrian

I was a fool to think everything was going to be fine after Jaider told me he loved me. I had suspected I was pregnant, but I didn’t want to admit it until he confessed his feelings for me.

But now, the future I was envisioning was diminishing by the second. The gun was pressed hard against my head, and I could feel the coldness of the muzzle pressuring my skin.

“Put the gun down, Karah,” Jaider said.

“No!” she cried, holding me tighter. “Tell me. Why her?! After all this time, there have been so many humans in the village, why have you chosen this one? And what happened to your promise to me a long time ago? Is it because I’m barren? What is it? Why are you choosing her over me?! Why?!” she screamed.

“Karah. I didn’t mean to hurt you. That was never my intention.” Jaider said helplessly. “Molly was originally forced upon me by my father, it is true, but after I got to know her, I grew to love her.”

He took another step, not taking his eyes off Karah.

“I cannot help what I feel, Karah, but that is no reason for you to do what you are doing. This is wrong; you know this deep in your heart.”

“Please, put the gun down. We can talk about this,” Jaider said, taking another step towards her. I wept and placed my hands to protect my belly, just in case. She could go berserk and puncture me in the stomach at any moment, and then it would be all over. I had to protect the child I knew was inside of me. Jaider saw my hands, and I knew he realized my purpose for it. Just like that, his stance changed and he seemed filled with a new purpose.

“Okay, Karah. What is it you want? What do you want to achieve by doing this? Help me understand what you’re thinking,” he said calmly, taking another step.

“I will tell you what I want,” she spat. “If I cannot have you, then neither can she. That is why I had her taken. I hoped they would kill her, but when I heard you left to retrieve her, I knew you would succeed. You were always the greatest warrior, Jaider, so I just hid here in your living quarters, knowing you would bring her back here safe. Now, I’ll get rid of her because that is the only fair thing to do.”

“No!” he shouted. “There is another way, Karah. Point your gun at me. I’m the one you are mad at. I’m the one that didn’t live up to my promises! If you kill me, she cannot have me. She had nothing to with it,” he told her.

“Jaider,” I called out, trying to stop him, but he shook his head.

“She had no choice in the matter, Karah. I took her without her permission. She is innocent. It is me you want to take your rage out on,” he said angrily.

I could feel Karah’s resolve starting to shake, as Jaider’s ploy was working, but I didn’t want her to shoot him. She took the gun and pointed it at Jaider, letting me go.

“You scum!” she cried. I saw her finger trace the trigger, and I jumped as I heard a gun fire, instinctively closing my eyes.

When I opened them again, I was surprised to see Karah’s face slackened, and her hand dropped the gun before she fell on the floor. I looked up to see the guard who was standing in front of the door earlier now standing behind me, his gun raised. He had hit Karah at the back of her head and knocked her out. I turned to look at Jaider, and saw a scorching mark from a gun fire on the wall inches away from him.

“Molly! Are you alright? Did she hurt you?!” Jaider said, quickly engulfing me in his arms.

“I’m okay, I think, just a little shaken up,” I told him, my mind still catching up to what happened.

“I’m so glad you are alright,” he said, relieved. He turned to the guard and nodded gratefully. “Great work. Secure her and take her to prison. She is under arrest.”

“Yes, sir.”

I watched as they tied her hands and legs before the guard threw her over his shoulder. All of us walked to the prison, as Jaider insisted I come along, as he didn’t want to let me out of his sight.

When he was done securing her in one of the prison cells, he looked at me and placed his hands on my belly ever so gently.

“Come. It is time we have you checked,” he said, and I nodded.

“Okay,” I responded, following him to the village medical area. I was really nervous, and a small part of me didn’t want to do it, but we needed to know for sure. The medical examiner pressed a small digital device against my belly, and Jaider and I patiently waited until the test was over.

After a couple of minutes, which felt much longer, it was over, and we braced ourselves for the results.

The medical examiner smiled.

“Congratulations,” he said. “You are with Revian offspring.”

I gasped and looked over at Jaider, his face in shock before erupting into a huge smile.

“Are you happy about this?” I asked him, still uncertain of his reaction, even though I saw the obvious joy in his face.

“I am very happy,” he said, grinning at me widely before frowning all of a sudden. “It only pains me to know you’ve been through so much in this condition. From now on, I will never leave your side.

“Don’t blame yourself,” I said, shaking my head and placing my hand on top of him comfortingly. “It’s all in the past now, so let’s start over again.”

“I would like that very much, Molly,” he whispered, kissing the top of my hand.

“I cannot believe it though,” I gasped, still in disbelief. “I’m pregnant with an alien child! I mean, I never thought--,” he furrowed his brows at me and frowned.

“Don’t say it, Molly.” he said worriedly. “You don’t want me or the child?”

“No, that’s not what I meant,” I said, shaking my head. “I am happy. I am so very happy. I’m glad I’m carrying your baby, and of course, I want you too. We are a family now. It’s just something I never thought could happen. It’s still so unbelievable to me,” I admitted.

“A lot of surprises have happened to me as well. It may take some time, but I know we’ll work things out,” he said confidently, pulling me into his embrace before putting his lips over mine in a sweet kiss.

He scooped me into his arms, and carried me back to his living quarters, posting a guard at the door and windows before fully entering his home. I giggled at how very paranoid he was acting. He clicked his tongue behind his teeth crossly before laying me gently on the bed, making sure I was comfortable, then getting back up to run a hot bath for me.

He took my clothes off and put me in the bath, and a part of me wanted him to ravage me in that second. Maybe it was the dangers we had been in, or maybe it was because I had almost lost my life, but right now, I wanted to celebrate with him inside of me.

I gave him the hint, but instead he looked at me as though I was so fragile, that the smallest of touches could break me. It was nice and comforting.

I realized too the great pressures he must have been dealing with, so I gave in to the hot bath, and decided to take a long nap afterwards. For the first time since I left Earth, I felt protected and safe. I knew Jaider was watching over me.

***

Two days after the incident with Karah, he was still treating me as though I was the most fragile thing on the planet.

Things had just started to become somewhat normal for us. We had a routine going, and it was nice, even though we were still dealing with Karah’s arrest, and later we were to meet in front of the Council. It was all very exhausting.

She was sentenced to a long imprisonment for her crimes, but Jaider explained to me the Council considered her crimes treasonous for orchestrating it with our enemy the Compiers, and she would likely never regain her freedom.

When I finally had the chance, I visited Betty, Amy, and Emma. Betty and Amy had been assigned mates themselves, and they seemed quite happy with the choice they were given. Emma, on the other hand, was given several months to experience life in the Nosiva village, and to help her recuperate from her ordeal. She was given her living quarters, and the independence to roam freely. Later we all agreed to meet in the village for a midday meal.

“Will you look at us? I never thought I’d be here doing this,” Betty said.

“It’s all so fantastic, that I can’t believe I’m going to say this, but I’m glad to be here. I wouldn’t trade this adventure for anything,” Betty said.

I realized I felt the same way. A lot had happened, and though most of it was very stressful and exhausting, as well as downright dangerous, I wouldn’t change a single thing. I was happier now than I had ever been on Earth.

I would never give this life up. I had a child on the way with the alien I loved, and I couldn’t wait any longer. Tonight, I would be ready for him.