A Forgotten Kitten (Sea-anan Saga Book 2)

  Copyright © 2013 Jessica A Kong

  All rights reserved.

  ISBN-10: 1482713489

  EAN-13: 9781482713480

  eBook ISBN: 978-1-63001-898-6

  Library of Congress Control Number: 2013904639

  CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform

  North Charleston, SC

  Sev eagerly absorbed Areo’s soft sob. He wrapped his arms around her waist and lifted her against his bare torso. Their heated kiss continued. Neither wanted it to end; neither wanted to release the dream.

  Sev felt her fingers rake through his hair. Moaning, Areo pulled his head closer. He responded with a moan of his own and a tighter embrace.

  Areo’s scent changed. It became stronger, more potent, and mingled with a perfume that was vaguely familiar to Sev. It aroused him and made it impossible for him to keep his hands on her waistline.

  Sev first lowered his right hand, then his left, so he could cup Areo’s shapely buttocks. Areo snatched his tongue and tugged hard as she wrapped her legs around his waist. Electricity ripped through Sev’s core. His eyes shot open as a great need to absorb this enchantress filled him.

  I dedicate this book to my childhood friend, Lavern Smith. Her advice and guidance has helped me through the lowest times of my life. She is, and will forever be, my best friend and sister.

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Appendix

  About the Author

  Friday, the 15th of May, Year 2020

  Oceanica

  On the plush, emerald planet of Oceanica, the cool morning air still carried along its currents the burning scent of fragrant wood and prayers for peace from the night before.

  Oceanica was once a lawless planet. Rivalries between barbarous and civilized villages resulted in periodic pillaging for food and goods for bartering. The young children were kidnapped and forced to work in enemy fields. Anyone who stood up against these raiding tribes was slaughtered.

  Those behind the prayers believed their creator had answered in the form of powerful felines who had arrived on a warship three years prior. There were noticeable changes in the level of chaos outside their villages. Peace was no longer a myth, but something that could be obtained in time if they worked together with the aliens. Therefore, hopeful eyes looked skyward, anticipating the arrival of the feline fleet that would announce a permanent change to their warlike planet.

  To the alien cats already there, the crisp morning air reminded them of their dismal situation. Their homeworld, Oceana, had been an aquamarine, watery planet with a universal humid climate, plentiful resources for food and shelter, and one intelligent life form.

  Unfortunately, in the course of a week, a series of earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and tidal waves had assaulted their beloved planet. Many felines were killed in the devastation before leading scientists discovered that Oceana had slipped from its orbit and was on a collision course with its sun. It could not be saved. The race’s only chance of survival was to leave the security of the peaceful world they knew and to embark on a journey filled with aliens and uncertainties.

  The feline nation was proud and strong. They had never experienced adversities or defeat in battle. Because of this, they believed themselves to be a superior race and viewed aliens as beneath them; having them as new neighbors made no difference. Admitting any shortcomings or seeking aid or associations with these aliens was never an option. They had survived the last three years only because the new feline king, Sev, understood that survival depended on altering their traditional way of life.

  Luckily, Sev was intelligent enough to welcome the aliens into their midst. At his insistence, his warriors, the Seacats, had learned how to produce crops and make tailored clothing. They, in turn, passed the knowledge on to their citizens.

  Despite these dramatic lifestyle changes, the Oceanan laws remained the same. One in particular stated that the feline nation must remain pure. Anyone who broke this law would be stripped of all possessions and wealth and banished from their homeland. The story behind the creation of this law was highlighted and marked by a ribbon within the covers of the ancient royal law book located in the castle’s library.

  Dawn’s first rays crept along the forest’s dewy canopy toward the newly constructed silver castle. Its location was on the plateau of a high mountain. From the main control room, the king kept a watchful eye upon all those who resided in his new pride lands and on any vessels that wandered too close to the planet uninvited.

  The Seacats within awoke to the sounds of birds chirping and flapping their wings. Inch by inch, the sun’s rays made their way over the intimidating architecture and penetrated the glass ceiling of the king’s bedroom.

  Bathed in golden warmth, Sev’s aroused form increased in temperature. His dream was unbelievable. For the past two months, he had dreamt of being held by sensual arms and of kissing soft petal lips. While he enjoyed the feel of his dream lover’s small, solid frame beneath his, Sev caressed her tight feminine curves. Her eagerness fueled his passion. Slowly, his lips traveled over her face to the curve of her neck. The taste of her was unlike anything he knew of in the real realm.

  Sev loved to possess her. It was like being possessed. If he had ever felt happier or more at ease than when he was with her, he could not recall it. Perhaps he would feel differently if he could remember his life before boarding the Emerald Tiger. But, alas, those memories were lost to him. For now, in his dream lover’s arms was where Sev longed to be. It was a place he never wanted to leave when the night ended. And letting her go each morning was getting harder.

  Sev wondered who she could be. The woman never manifested completely. She had neither a face nor a body. It was like making love to a ghost. He knew she was there by the sweetness of her scent, the satiny feel of her skin, the sultry taste of her lips, and her throaty groans of pleasure.

  She left Sev each morning with an ache to return to her phantom embrace. He longed to know who she was. The only change since the dreams had started was in the intensity of their passion. Their couplings never failed to leave him panting and itching for more.

  Sev grabbed his lover’s long strands in his hands while his body raced toward the most desired results of the dream. He smoothed back her hair from her forehead. Suddenly, the ecstasy on his face changed to confusion. Her skin felt wet and sticky. Sev paused in his attack on her body and examined his right hand. His rampant heartbeat stopped.

  His senses were slow to register the metallic scent in the air or the red liquid smeared on his palm and fingers. Blood? He smelled it then. An acrid stench of decaying flesh permeated the air, causing him to gag. Death!

  The young lion shielded his mate with his body and scanned his surroundings. He would allow no one to harm her. Crimson blood splattered everything in the room. Sev’s eyes grew. His heart pounded in his chest. Where did all the blood come from? He immediately rose to his knees, expelling himself from his lover’s form. He grabbed her wrist and was about to pull her from his bed when the hairs on his nape stood upright. He paused.

  Sev’s gaze traveled down to his chest and thighs. To his horror, his torso was painted in red. A numbing chill entered his core. He forced his attention b
ack to the female in his bed. His breath left him. For the first time, he saw his lover’s slender form. Blood bathed it completely.

  Death ensnared his soul when Sev realized the blood seeped from deep gashes on her body. He shook his head in denial. She was his lover. His mate. She was the only female who had shared his body. His bed. His dreams.

  “No!” Sev’s eyes shot wide open. His breathing was ragged. He stared, unfocused, at the morning sky for a few minutes before he forced himself to sit up in bed.

  His body shivered. Sev pulled his knees to his chest and placed his sweat-covered face in his shaking hands. His lungs felt like they were on fire. A sad ache took hold of his heart.

  What had happened? Why was she killed? How could a moment in heaven turn into a horrible nightmare? What did it all mean?

  Sea Base Ten

  Sea-anan Empire

  In another sector of space, a silver Starfighter swerved before spiraling downward. It glided through space more smoothly than an ordinary Starship, and its enhanced computer system made it superior in accuracy. It made a sharp turnabout and returned fire at the alien vessel pursuing it.

  Areo McCall squinted through the left side window of the cockpit, at the exploding enemy warship. She felt satisfied. A blinding light suddenly enveloped that sector of space. Once it dimmed, she scanned the area it came from. What she searched for was no longer there. An overwhelming sorrow consumed her at the destruction of space station Sea Base Ten.

  So many men and women had been lost. The inconceivable tortures those innocent children endured before they were slaughtered would forever torment her. Areo blinked rapidly so her tears would not distort her vision. How could it have happened? How could it be that her warriors would turn their backs on peace?

  Areo veered and dodged another attack. “This is for all those innocent babies,” she said, retaliating on the enemy ship with a heartfelt vengeance.

  She glanced at her multiple injuries. Without medical attention, she would eventually die. Already, light-headedness from loss of blood was upon her. However, being a Seacat descendant, she gritted her teeth, bore the pain, and forged onward.

  Areo counted the Starfighters that assisted her. Only three out of seven hundred remained. Another bolt of intense pain seared her soul. Areo swore the one who gave the order to attack Sea Base Ten would pay with his life.

  Her train of thought was broken when her twin brother, Mathew, sailed his ship alongside hers on the right. His anxious voice boomed through her helmet’s communicator.

  “Areo! You, Bobby, John, and I are the last four remaining. We need to lure the rest of these aircrafts away from those Starships. Are you all right? Can you make it?”

  Areo glanced at her brother’s ship and hoped her voice would sound strong and positive. “Let’s show them what we Seacats are made of.”

  Bob’s Starfighter pulled up beside her on the left. John flew above her. Her dear brothers surrounded her. They always protected her. Her heart filled with love for them.

  Mathew’s voice sounded refortified. “John, you flip. Bob, go left. I’ll go right. Areo, down the middle. Break!”

  The ships opened up like a flower. They executed the tactical maneuver flawlessly. Their feline ancestors would be proud of them, even if they were hybrids and considered an abomination by those of pureblood.

  Areo spotted an enemy vessel swooping down on her twin brother’s ship. Her heart thumped in her chest. She opened her mouth to warn him, but nothing came out.

  “Mathew, look out! Above you!” shouted her eldest brother, John, into his helmet’s communicator.

  With little time to spare, Areo watched Mathew’s ship swiftly evade the incoming laser missiles by entering a gyrating nosedive. He turned his ship about like the expert fighter pilot he was and glided into position directly behind the vessel, opening fire. The warship exploded into an array of bright lights. Areo released her breath.

  Bob’s anxious words expressed what she felt. “That was a close one, bro. Stay frosty, will ya!”

  “I hear you, Sparky. Thanks, Piscean,” replied Mathew, using Bob’s and John’s code names.

  “Thank me later, little brother. Stay alert,” returned John.

  Areo spotted the final White Star carrying civilians disappearing into the darkness of space. “That was the last ship, you guys. It’s time we leave this nightmare.”

  “All right then, pick a dance partner, people. Lead them in the opposite direction from our fleeing ships,” instructed John. “Lead them as far away as you can. Then, if possible, you know what to do with them. Afterward, head immediately for Sea Base Five.”

  The airwaves went silent. Areo could tell he was trying not to cry.

  “Please, be careful you three. I love you.”

  Areo’s heart twisted in pain at her brother’s whispered words. Theirs was a close-knit family where blood was not the only connection.

  “We love you too, brother,” she replied for herself and her two siblings.

  She nervously bit her bottom lip and watched John’s Starfighter fly away. Only one of the enemy battleships followed him. Bob said his good-bye and was next to fly off. Mathew’s sigh of relief brought her attention back to the situation at hand.

  “Good. Only one decided to follow him. That leaves three for us, sis.”

  Areo did not answer. She was running a diagnostic scan on her ship. The results appeared on the dashboard’s small monitor. She punched in several buttons to recheck what she saw. Her lips thinned. The ship was in perfect working condition. Its only issue was that it lacked the fuel needed to reach Sea Base Five, located seven and a half months away.

  Mathew’s worried voice boomed inside her helmet. “Areo? Areo! Is everything all right?”

  “Huh? Oh…yeah. Everything is fine.” I guess the maintenance crew didn’t get a chance to refuel this ship. It figures.

  She sighed and looked out the window. She saw no reason to worry her twin. Mathew had enough to concern himself with. He smoothly aligned his ship beside her. It reminded Areo of a graceful bird of prey.

  “OK, then. Let’s divide these three and head back to the Aligned Worlds headquarters. We need to notify the alliance about Daehog and his plans. There’s no time to waste. You go down and I’ll go up. And, Areo, I love you. Be careful out there.”

  Areo’s fingers tightened around the steering lever. “I love you too, Mathew. Onssa bless and good luck.”

  They broke, and their ships sliced through the twinkling stars. Areo whispered a prayer to her god, Onssa. As her ship came full circle, she searched for her brother’s vessel. Only one ship pursued her twin. In her opinion, Mathew was a fantastic pilot, but in a small ship against a huge warship, his odds were better if he had only one to deal with.

  Her shoulders slouched. Knowing her odds were zero to none, Areo pushed the accelerator lever higher and zoomed forward. She led her enemies in a merry game of follow the leader with no clue where she was headed. It did not matter; she knew she would not be returning home. However, she did care about dodging her enemies’ fire long enough to lure them out of Sea-anan territory.

  An explosion of light went off near the right side of the cockpit. The vibrations caused the ship to shake.

  “Blast it!” Areo’s lips pulled back. OK, then, we need to take this up a notch. She accelerated to maximum warp speed.

  Her pursuers seemed to have lost interest. Set on making them hate her as much as she hated them, Areo turned her ship around and gave them a reason to fight. She released a barrage of laser fire and homing missiles, each with a specific destination—the main engines, the guns, and the bridge. She swerved and dove between the two warships. She was the fly they could not swat. Her desired outcome came after several passes.

  The darkness of space lit up when one of the ships exploded. Areo’s blood-smeared face glowed. She had never been more proud of her brothers Bob and Alan or her sisters Angelica and Flora. They had taken the best technology of each known alien r
ace, made dramatic improvements to it, and had created a superior technology of their own.

  Areo saw the remaining ship picking up speed. She quickly turned her ship around and headed straight into the unknown.

  Areo jolted awake. It was getting harder for her to stay conscious. She tried to check the time, but her vision was blurry. She blinked several times and squinted again at the digital display. For two days, she had flown her ship in a straight path. Areo leaned her head back on the headrest and closed her eyes. She wondered why she had bothered to do so. She had never traveled to this part of space. Therefore, it made no difference in which direction she went. She would still be where she was now. Lost.

  There was a heavy weight at her chest, making it difficult for her to breathe. She believed the end was close. A distant beep called her attention. Areo forced her eyes to focus on the monitor as a map appeared on the screen. She first saw a small red blinking light at the bottom of the screen, indicating an enemy ship. Then a yellow light appeared in the upper left-hand corner. The long-range scanners had detected a planet nearby.

  Areo made her choice immediately. In all honesty, she had no choice. She was a Seacat, expected to fight until the death. This sort of tenacity was what made the Seacats fearsome warriors. And even though her bloodline was impure, Areo still considered herself a Seacat.

  With her target locked in her ship’s computer, Areo changed direction and began her assault. This time it was harder. Longer. It was difficult to concentrate with the cobwebs in her head, and impossible to see clearly with her failing eyesight. Luckily, being born of mixed heritage had its privileges like preternatural senses. Areo utilized hers and managed to destroy the enemy ship.

  Once the deed was done, Areo turned her ship around and headed for the alien planet. Within two hours, she could see the green orb in the distance. Her engines began to sputter. She shut them down and sent a Mayday signal. She prayed the planet’s inhabitants were friendly, for she did not want her body blasted out of the sky.