Freeing Luka: The Clecanian Series Book 2 Victoria Aveline (story read aloud TXT) 📖

member of The Intergalactic Alliance, and I wanted to make sure we were prepared for the frenzy that will ensue once it’s revealed that Jade is not only pregnant but mated.”

Alice smiled, grateful the woman was making it a point to explain things to them.

“That brings us to our next topic of discussion,” the Queen said, interlacing her fingers in front of her. “Originally, when Jade was found, I had decided she should follow our rules and participate in the ceremony. Now, the situation is more complex. Since Jade’s rescue, the twelve human females found have been kept here, at the Temple. Humans are able to become pregnant with Clecania children, and they are also able to call mating marks forward. No male humans have been rescued, but it’s likely they will have the same effect as the females.”

The Queen eyed Luka’s wrists momentarily before continuing. “Because mating marks seem to only affect the Clecanians, it would be immoral to follow our currently outdated laws of matehood. Humans don’t feel the pull of matehood, and as such, I can’t force them to remain with their mates. Once we have control of the Insurgent situation, humans will be allowed to choose who they want to be with, where they would like to live, and how often, if ever, they will participate in the ceremony, whether or not they have called forth mating marks.”

Luka’s eyes flashed to Alice then to the Queen. “No!” he barked.

The Queen’s eyebrows rose. “Would you prefer I force Alice to stay with you against her will?”

He glanced to Alice again, and she felt as though he were actually trying to judge how to answer the clearly rhetorical question. Another shiver ran through her. Just because he doesn’t want to be with me doesn’t mean he’s impervious to the mating bond.

Rather than answering, he allowed composure to wash over his pinched features, answering her as a researcher interested in the topic would, void of emotion but curious and logical. “The answer to that question seems obvious, but I cannot in good conscious say one way or another. We don’t know the effect that unrequited matehood could have on our people. It’s been too long since a Clecanian mated pair walked our streets, and in those days, there was no question about whether the feelings would be reciprocated or not. We don’t have enough evidence to know what’ll happen to a mated Clecanian if they’re not permitted to be with their mate. For all we know, it could cause severe illness or death.” Luka fixed his gaze on his hands once again and winced. “Personally, I’ve already begun to experience some side effects.”

What side effects? Alice pondered how she should feel about that. What if it turned out he hated her but still needed to be close to her to relieve the negative side effects of the mating bond? Even through the hurt and embarrassment of their first meeting, she found herself wanting to be close to him.

Would she be able to be intimate with Luka without her emotions getting in the way?

Not likely.

“I’d like permission to begin research in the archives so I can see if there are any ways to calm the side effects and also to understand what mated Clecanians might need to know before we decide for sure that our laws need to be changed.”

The Queen nodded. “I see your point, Luka, and you will have the access you need.”

“I’ll also need access here,” he said coolly. “I’ll need to be able to visit Alice from time to time.”

Luka was holding her gaze with deadly calm. The hair rose on Alice’s arms. She’d learned she was safe with Luka, that even crazed he wouldn’t hurt her, but looking at his dark, unreadable expression now, she wondered if it was a good idea for him to have access to her home. She didn’t know this man. Didn’t know how he thought. Alice had been ready to jump in with both feet if he’d shown the smallest amount of interest, but now, fear tempered her excitement.

The Queen spoke, rousing Luka from his unwavering stare. “I understand your reasoning, but the decision of when and how often you visit will be left up to Alice. If she permits you to visit, you’ll be escorted. I cannot give you unfettered access to the Temple.”

Alice let out a relieved breath. Luka said nothing, but she could see the whites of his knuckles, clenched on the table again.

When Luka remained silent, the Queen continued, “What will happen to the human females and the laws concerning matehood will likely change worldwide when news of their existence becomes public knowledge. I can make the laws here, but it is likely other cities will have different ways of dealing with the issue. Rhaego, forgive me if I’m wrong, but your people may not give as much choice to human females as we will.”

Alice could have sworn Rhaego’s purple horns darkened a shade. He nodded solemnly. “Matehood is revered in Tuva. Once word spreads, the chase will likely continue with renewed vigor, and I can only assume our citizens will become vicious and possessive of the human females if it is found they can be mated. In the minds of my fellow Tuvasta, mating is not something that can be controlled by laws. I fail to imagine King Yaskan putting any law into place that would keep a mated male from his female, and even if he did, none of our citizens would pay any attention to that law.”

“Thank you for your honesty. I assumed as much.” The Queen glanced around the room. “Many cities across Clecania will feel the same. The only way for human females to be protected is if there are laws put into place worldwide by The Galaxy Supervision Federation. Once we have revealed their existence and importance, we will need to