Read Online Kidnapping Keela by Cathy McAllister - Free Book Online Page B

and there were many different uniforms. Everyone looked very important and formal. This reception was anything but a little meeting with the royal family. This was more like a state event. The fact that no one had noticed her yet did not even help. As it was she was already feeling extremely uncomfortable.
    “Why are there so many people here?” asked Keela in a whisper.
    “Because your visit is of great significance for my planet,” replied Marruk, just as quietly.
    “But why?”
    “Because, as you’ve probably noticed, the number of women amongst my people is much lower than the numer of men. But there are not many planets where there are humanoid women. The few planets whose people are humanoid almost all have the same problem. For some it’s even worse than here. On Karrx7 there’s one woman to forty men. Some planets have a ratio of one to a thousand. There are various factors that partly explain this. For some reason less girls are born and some women suffer from inexplicable infertility. The United Galactic Federation even has special scientists dealing with this to try to find a solution.”
    Keela stood still as if rooted to the spot and stared at Marruk in dismay.
    “Are you saying that Amber and I are to be paired off with one of your men just because you don’t have enough women?” she asked cuttingly.
    “You say that as if it would be an awful punishment. So do you have no longing for a man? For a mate and a family?” asked Marruk.
    Yes, for you! thought Keela miserably. Only you are already taken. Damn it!
    “Not at the moment, no ! And if I did want to at some point then I would damn well want to decide myself when and with whom!”
    “Then you need to take care that no male claims you,” replied Marruk sullenly.
    “ What is that supposed to mean? Claim?”
    “On Karrx7 a man knows, when he sets eyes on his mate, that she’s the right one. If that happens then he claims her for himself in a ceremony.”
    “And what if the woman does not want that?” asked Keela, a little too loudly, but she was too angry to notice that she had attracted the attention of those around her.
    Marruk glared at her out of what were now almost purple eyes. She had already noticed that his eye colour changed according to his mood and this purple colour indicated that he was very angry. She only wondered why. She was the one who should be angry here.  
    “It’s the male who makes this decision,” he declared between clenched teeth. “But I can assure you that I have never come across a case in which the woman was not happy with the decision. There are very few unions that are not happy on my planet. Our women are treated very well.”
    “Oh, right, I’m reassured now then,” she snapped back sarcastically. “I don’t think I feel like this party. I’m going!”
    Keela was angry. Her blood was boiling and she really felt like hitting someone in the face, preferably an arrogant, chauvinistic and damned sexy looking alien with the body of an ancient Greek demigod. Consumed with rage she pulled herself away from Marruk and rushed away. The fact that hundreds of pairs of curious eyes were watching her did not bother her.

    ***

    Marruk stared after her, clenching his fists and grittin his teeth. This woman was really driving him mad. He was not sure whether he wanted to put her over his knee or shag her senseless. When he thought about it carefully, both alternatives had their advantages. A grin lit up his face until he realised that he was on the point of losing his heart to this woman. That could not happen. He must keep his hands off her. He had managed for such a long time without a mate until this blond temptation had burst in upon his well-ordered life. She was making him wish for things that he had long sworn not to do. Damn it!
    “Are you not going to go after her, brother?” asked Berka who had come up to him.
    Marruk shook his head. He really was not in the mood right now to discuss his love life,