Evolution and Adoration[alien x human][manxman]

CHAPTER 14

 Achaana was enjoying the company of a couple of married friends. He was pleased that Jaydon felt relaxed enough to wander around the extensive residence on his own. He was very proud of how far the human had come. Many might have been crushed by the double impact of the emerging empathy and assault. 

He had taken his father aside and had a long discussion with the older male. His Ate had been concerned, as he expected of a parent, that Achaana was acting out of guilt. However, after a long talk, his Ate was assured of his true feelings towards the human.

His intention was to take Jaydon away once these formalities were over and announce Courtship. He would not allow Jaydon to return to his Base until after they were properly Courted and bonded. He was almost certain that, with time and patience, he could teach Jaydon basic level shielding. That would then give Jaydon much more freedom. He could not be sure of anything stronger. Many bonded couples found themselves in similar situations. It was not uncommon, even on his world which was more advanced than Earth.

Darkness prickled through his mind. It was the same sensation he had felt when Jaydon was suffering and it immediately drew his protective instincts to the fore.

"Excuse me," he murmured, extricating himself politely from his friends and beginning to look for his mate-to-be. He gave a mental frown as he saw no sign of his human.

"Achaana, I have been looking for you."

Achaana stared in surprise at Donoma. He had not been given any notice she was coming to visit.

"I was not expecting you," he blurted bluntly.

"Of course," she shrugged. "I asked that I might surprise you. Your Ate was not available, but I did speak to your Ina."

There was something about Donoma's demeanour that had Achaana instantly on edge. He knew her to be a single-minded individual and she had made no secret that she would find Achaana an acceptable match. 

Unfortunately, he had failed to negate those ideas and now he wished he had not been so accommodating. He had no intention of pursuing Courtship with this woman. His heart was elsewhere...as was his soul.

"You cannot possibly mind that I am here?" Donoma asked. She was not pleased that the male was acting in a way she had not anticipated. She had firmly believed that her presence alone would have diverted Achaana from the human. 

Achaana felt a blast of sorrow that had him initially regretting his brusqueness, however, something niggled. Something felt out of balance with the female. The emotion revealed to him seemed to be purposely projected rather than a true reflection of Donoma's feelings.

"Of course not," he replied. He kept his voice neutral and his emotions fully shielded, but began to probe at the female's shields. As good as she was, Achaana knew he was better.  

"I was hoping that we could spend time together over the next few days. Perhaps go away where we can be alone, undisturbed." Donoma leant close, letting her pheromones reveal to Achaana just how desirable she found him. 

She let lust and want add to the heady mix. It was a complex manoeuvre, but one that had gotten her what she wanted in the past. It meant a lowering of her shields, but she was confident that Achaana would react to her scent, all else becoming immaterial.

"What have you done?"

Achaana's voice was low and deadly, but the wave of emotion that rippled out caused several heads to turn in their direction.

Donoma blinked, taken by surprise by the unexpected question. She glanced desperately around. Oni was staring at her with angry eyes as Kangi whispered urgently into Nataani's ear.

"Nothing," she lied, deciding to brazen it out. There were enough people here that knew her. She was considered an important individual.

"Liar," Achaana spat. "You used your emotions against a fledgling empath. One who has suffered physically as well as mentally and is under my care and protection."

An angry murmur from the increasingly gathering crowd had a frisson of apprehension flow through Donoma's frame. She opted for attack.

"He is a human, many Takuskan know them to be barely civilised mammals. I cannot believe you would challenge me over such a creature."

"He is an empath and he is important to me. I have experienced his intelligence and compassion and my brethren thought highly enough of him to invite him to this gathering. You used his gift against him. That is the act of an uncivilised creature."

The murmur around Donoma reflected the agreement of the crowd. She looked around, but there was no support for her stance.

"You will leave now, Donoma," Nataani spoke, his tones heavy with censure. "You are not welcome at this residence, nor do I wish to have you make contact here again. Go." He turned to the crowd. "Please continue with the gathering. Achaana and I will care for the human."

"I do not know where he would go," Achaana said as he was taken into an adjoining room for privacy. "I cannot feel him."

"Do not permit panic to take precedence," Nataani said. "Focus. You felt him when you were in our Base and he at his. Your link has grown, strengthened. You can find him. You will."

Nodding Achaana closed his eyes. Nataani was right. If he let his concerns and fears override him, he would never find Jaydon. He focused his mind on the man he loved and searched. He used a circular search pattern, widening it as he felt nothing. He gave a cry of elation followed by one of concern as he located his human.

"He is heading in the direction of the lagoon. It is too dangerous for a lone human, especially one in his condition. The unktehi will sense his distress and he has no shields."

"Then we must hasten," Nataani said, already heading for the door.