Meredith's Pride [Galactic Nuptials 3] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour ManLove) Read online

  Galactic Nuptials 3

  Meredith’s Pride

  Meredith Carter is lonely and just wants to find someone to love. The nice people at Galactic Nuptials assure him that some of their clients prefer male mates.

  The leader of the Chaarta pride sent all their cubs into hiding with Delsin and Etu when the war started. Now, they’re all that’s left of their pride. They’re desperate for a mate to care for the five small young ones. When they find the picture of the lovely creature with long brown hair in Galactic Nuptial’s catalog, they know they’ve found their mate.

  It’s too bad they didn’t read the small print. What’re they going to do when they find out "Meredith" can be a male’s name too?

  Genre: Alternative (M/M or F/F), Ménage a Trois/Quatre, Science Fiction

  Length: 34,323 words

  MEREDITH’S PRIDE

  Galactic Nuptials 3

  Missy Martine

  MENAGE AMOUR

  MANLOVE

  Siren Publishing, Inc.

  www.SirenPublishing.com

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  A SIREN PUBLISHING BOOK

  IMPRINT: Ménage Amour ManLove

  MEREDITH’S PRIDE

  Copyright © 2012 by Missy Martine

  E-book ISBN: 978-1-62241-821-3

  First E-book Publication: November 2012

  Cover design by Harris Channing

  All cover art and logo copyright © 2012 by Siren Publishing, Inc.

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: This literary work may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without express written permission.

  All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.

  PUBLISHER

  Siren Publishing, Inc.

  www.SirenPublishing.com

  Letter to Readers

  Dear Readers,

  If you have purchased this copy of Meredith’s Pride by Missy Martine from BookStrand.com or its official distributors, thank you. Also, thank you for not sharing your copy of this book.

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  DEDICATION

  My thanks to all the writers at Siren-BookStrand who write paranormal M/M fiction. My enjoyment of your books made me want to create my own shape-shifter M/M story. I’d also like to say thank you to my very loyal readers. Your e-mails showing your support always brighten my day.

  MEREDITH’S PRIDE

  Galactic Nuptials 3

  MISSY MARTINE

  Copyright © 2012

  Chapter 1

  Meredith Wesley Carter shuffled back and forth on his feet in front of Korona Casteel’s desk. The striking redhead was looking at him with sympathy in her eyes, and it was making him uncomfortable. This was his second meeting with the assistant administrator of Galactic Nuptials. He took a deep breath and pressed his hand against his belly in an attempt to stop the fluttering. “Miss Casteel, do you think I’m wasting my time?” Galactic Nuptials’ advertisements boasted they could find mates for anyone.

  “Meredith, I’ve explained to you that I can’t guarantee that we’ll find you a mate, but I can say that many of the species we deal with take males as mates. Some even prefer them.” She reached out and patted him on the arm. “It’s not out of the realm of possibility. You just have to be patient.”

  He sighed, his eyes closing for a moment, and then gave her a weak smile. “All right then. I’ll just wait to hear from you.” Not wanting to see the pity in her gaze, he turned and left the office. If he didn’t hurry he’d be late for his job at the coffee shop. It wasn’t much, but it was all he had in his life. He’d been on his own since the age of fifteen when his family tossed him out for being gay. All he’d ever wanted was someone to love. When he’d turned twenty-five last month, he’d seen the Galactic Nuptials’ advertisement and decided to give them a try. Come on, Mer. Suck it up. Don’t be so negative. Give the woman a chance to find your Prince Charming. Snickering, he headed for the bus stop.

  * * * *

  Delsin strolled through the transport station on Kilara, exploring the fairly new facility. Concrete walls with steel railings and pillars made for an impressive structure. Wooden packing crates covered in labels were stacked haphazardly up and down the concourse while brightly colored signs indicating shops and taverns enticed travelers. Security guards circulated with handheld holo screens scanning everyone. Everything had gleaming surfaces with very little trash or dirt marring the area.

  Rotating yellow lights signaled cargo moving across the vast room. Delsin winced when a ship, idling before takeoff, drowned out the voices of the many people. With his enhanced hearing, he could still hear glasses clinking, coins changing hands and music playing. The stench of body odors was almost unbearable, the acrid smell of hot metal making the delicate skin of his nostrils burn.

  Delsin, and three of his pride mates, were charged with escorting and protecting five young cubs of the Chaarta Pride. Their leaders were at war with the Mkata Pride, and it was imperative to keep the young cubs safe. He watched baby Taima trying to walk in the heavier gravity and chuckled. Taima was the only son of Chayton, their pride alpha. Some day the little tyke would take his father’s place.

  Delsin stretched, rolling his shoulders after their long flight, feeling floor vibrations through his boots. His eyes widened when he spotted his old friend, Salanon. The man turned up in the strangest places, but had never admitted to being from any one world. Maybe he can suggest a safe place to take the cubs. Hurrying to catch his friend, Delsin ducked to pass beneath a low overhang, brushing against a humanoid man in an attempt to avoid contact with a species that appeared distasteful to his eye. The huge alien was gray with a porous skin. His head craned up as he wandered through t
he crowds, apparently scanning the monitor displays.

  “Greetings, Salanon. Have you been well?” He’d learned not to ask anything about the man’s business. He seldom admitted to anything, and was almost always working some kind of angle.

  “Delsin, my friend. What are you doing here?”

  Delsin sighed. “I’m on a mission for my alpha.”

  “Ah, how are Chayton and his beautiful mate?”

  “They’re involved in a war right now.”

  “War with who?”

  “Linnaeus, our home world, supports two prides. Mkata, the rival pride, is making an effort to take over the planet. Chayton sent me, along with Etu and Hakan, to hide and protect the pride’s cubs. We have five small ones with us.”

  “Males or females?”

  “We have three males and two females.”

  “I know the leader of Mkata. Honaw can be ruthless, but only to outsiders. Why would he turn against his own kind?”

  “Honaw wanted to mate with Preyta, even though she wasn’t his fated mate. She chose Chayton instead, and he didn’t take it well. Rumor is he’s going to kill Chayton and take her for himself. He wants to raise Chayton’s cubs as his own.”

  “Sounds like he’s gone mad. Where are the females of your pride? Why aren’t they with their cubs?”

  “Chayton tried to send the females away into hiding, but they refused to leave. They wanted to stay and fight for their homes. It was one argument he couldn’t win.”

  “I know you’re not staying here. Kilara is a Federation agricultural planet.”

  “We’re just waiting to be cleared to pass through the Kolladian wormhole. Truthfully, I’m not sure where we’re heading. We’ve got to find a safe, preferably nearly deserted planet to hide the cubs until the war is over. You wouldn’t happen to know of such a place, would you?”

  Salanon bent his head closer and lowered his voice. “Not far from here is a deserted world. It’s called Teekia. You could go there, but it can be dangerous. It has some interesting indigenous wildlife that could be a problem.”

  Delsin shook his head. “No, that’s not a good idea. Chayton would gut me if I let anything happen to the little dears.”

  Salanon threw back his head and laughed. “Sorry I couldn’t be of any help. I must go now, but if you need anything just get word to me and I’ll come and bring reinforcements.”

  Delsin reached out and clasped his arm. “Thank you, my friend. Stay safe.” He watched as Salanon made his way to the front entrance, his eyes widening when he recognized one of the pride’s trading partners. He jumped when a hand closed on his shoulder.

  “Is that Zintssar?” asked Etu.

  “Yes.” Delsin sighed and waved his hand at the Royal Prince of Arridia.

  “Who’s that with him?”

  Delsin shrugged and watched Zintssar make his way across the crowded room. When they drew near, he reached out and took Zintssar’s hand. “Greetings, friend. It’s good to see you.”

  Zintssar smiled and nodded at Etu. “It’s good to see both of you.” He motioned to the tall stranger behind him. “This is my friend, Andon.” His hand moved to Andon’s shoulder. “Andon, these are my friends Delsin and Etu from Linnaeus.”

  Delsin and his brother put forth their hands in greeting. He smiled when the stranger accepted their gesture.

  “Greetings, friends of Zin. Are you planning on settling here as well?” asked Andon.

  “No, we’re not. Etu and I only stopped to refuel our ship, and we’re waiting for clearance to enter the wormhole. We travel with our pride mate and five small cubs from our home.” Delsin frowned and nodded toward the upstairs level. “Do you know those men?”

  Zintssar glanced up and then scowled. “No. They landed right before you did. They’re cyborgs from Dragna.”

  “Cyborgs!” Delsin glanced at the cubs and relaxed when he saw them playing with Hakan. “What are they doing here? I didn’t think the station allowed anyone to land that wasn’t part of the Federation.”

  Andon watched the robotic men. “I’ve heard they’re more machine than living tissue.”

  Zintssar stepped aside when an alien rushed through the crowd. “I heard they were having trouble with their ship. I can’t imagine the station turning down anyone sending out a distress call.” He turned to Andon. “You never did tell me how you knew to meet me here.”

  Andon laughed. “I’m not meeting you, fool. I’ve come to greet our new bride.”

  Zintssar’s eyes widened. “What? Congratulations, my friend. When did this happen?”

  “Thank you, but it hasn’t actually happened yet. I’ll be meeting her for the first time today.”

  Delsin growled softly. “I don’t understand. How can you say she’s your mate if you haven’t met her yet?”

  “We, well actually, I ordered her from Galactic Nuptials.” He pulled a small booklet from his pocket. “This is the catalog they put out. You can find one of their brides that look promising and set up a contract for a mating.” He flipped through the pages and then handed the book to Zintssar. “This is our mate.” He gave a little wink. “Maybe you can find a woman for you and your brothers.”

  Groaning, Zintssar grabbed the book. “Bite your tongue.” He glanced at the picture and then passed the catalog to Delsin. “She’s very beautiful, but I’m not ready to tie myself to a mate just yet.”

  Delsin pursed his lips, his head tilting to the side. “Why would you take a mate from a book? Are there no suitable females on your planet?”

  Andon blushed. “It’s complicated. We don’t have enough females on our planet to go around to all the males. We form family clans that consist of two or more brothers to one woman. Unfortunately.” He glanced at the catalog in Delsin’s hand and smiled. “Or fortunately, we can look for mates off-world. Not all species are compatible with us for reproduction, and Galactic Nuptials will only pair us with mates that are compatible.”

  Zin glanced up when the garbled sound of an announcement echoed out over the room. “That’s the ship from Earth landing on pad six.”

  “Damn.” Andon ran his fingers through his hair. “Wait here, please. I want to introduce you.” He turned toward the doors of the station and hurried off, a smile brightening his face.

  “What are you doing here, Zintssar?” asked Etu.

  “I’m here to check out this planet. Arridia has been awarded one of the farms, and I wanted to get a feel for the place before we send anyone to live here. What are you guys doing here?”

  Delsin leafed through the pages of Galactic Nuptials’ catalog while Etu told Zintssar about their trip. He studied the picture of Andon’s mate. Caleigh Davis was a beautiful woman. Blonde hair, green eyes, practically any man’s ideal mate. He flipped through the pages and stopped when he came to a beautiful brunette. She had long, silky-looking brown hair and deep blue eyes. She’s perfect! Scanning down he found her name, Meredith Carter. He glanced up through his lashes. Etu and Zintssar were watching Andon and his woman make their way across the room. Quickly, he tore the page from the book, making sure he had the contact information, and stuffed it in his pocket.

  “Friends, allow me to present Caleigh Davis, my mate.” Andon put his arm around the young woman’s shoulder, bouncing back and forth on his feet.

  Delsin studied Caleigh’s face. He blinked and then narrowed his eyes as a dull, red flush covered her cheeks.

  “Caleigh,” Andon said. “This is my friend, and future neighbor, Zintssar from Arridia. And this is Delsin and Etu from Linnaeus.”

  “Pleased to meet you, gentlemen.” She nodded, but did not reach out with her hand.

  Andon pulled her a little closer to his side. “I’m sorry, Zin, but the hour is getting late. I want to get Caleigh home before the afternoon rains come. I’m pleased to know we’ll be neighbors, my friend. When you and your brothers come back, you must visit our home and take dinner with us.” He bowed formally to Delsin and Etu. “It’s been a pleasure. If you’re ever on
this planet again, please don’t hesitate to visit our home. You’ll be most welcome.” Before anyone could respond, the couple moved toward the exit.

  “Maybe I can help you out,” said Zintssar. “I have a home on Khera. It’s one of the moons orbiting Arridia. I own it privately so no one else will be there since I’m going to be living here for a while. I have a house there where you’d be comfortable.”

  “What about your father? Won’t he object to us being in your territory?”

  “I can notify Father and let him know I’ve given you permission to stay there indefinitely. You’ll be safe there with the cubs. Nothing gets past Arridian defenses.”

  Delsin looked at Etu. “What do you think?”

  Etu shrugged. “It sounds good. It’s not like we have a lot of choices, and it’s better than dragging the cubs all over the galaxy looking for somewhere safe.”

  “I agree.” Delsin turned and offered his hand to Zintssar. “We accept your gracious offer, and thank you, Zintssar. Go ahead and notify your father. As soon as we receive clearance, we’ll head straight there.”

  “That should put you there in a few hours. Travel safely, and don’t hesitate to send word if you need my help.”

  Etu laid his hand on Delsin’s shoulder. “Hakan is waving. We’ve received our clearance. I’m going to help him get the cubs back on the ship.”

  “Thanks, brother.” Delsin looked at Zintssar. “Thanks again, friend. You don’t know how much this means to me. I’m sure Chayton will send his thanks as well.”