After he left me alone in the hall I went back out and finished my cup of tea, I didn't visit much because my mind was all over the place. Supper was ready not long after so we all made our way into the dining hall. Upon arrival my father, Morin and Mr Splex were all sitting at the table waiting. As we approached the men stood and pulled out chairs for us women.

Not wanting to cause a scene, but not yet trusting myself I cautiously make my way over to Morin, his face isn't showing anything but his eyes, his eyes are lit up like a little kid with a secret. He leans in closer, pretends to kiss my cheek and whispers low enough for only me to hear, "Your arousal earlier tells me what you try to deny my love. Admit that you're my mate and stop fighting the connection." He pulls out my chair and I take a seat, my face heating up in embarrassment.

I sit down as the men head into the kitchen to serve the food, thankfully no one noticed our little exchange because that would have been embarrassing. I am trying to convince them I DON'T want this wedding, not making it look like we are horny teenagers that can't keep our hands to ourselves.

Food is set down on the table in true Splex tradition, then the men serve their women, as it is viewed as a sign that the men can provide for their women. Watching as father dotes on my mother, it warms my heart to see them still in love so many years later. Same with Morin's parents, they are truly meant to be.

Looking to her left where Morin sat, he loaded her plate to his satisfaction while filling his as well. If she didn't want something he would just shrug and give her a little scoop. They argued about this after every meal, he feels its rude not to take at least a little bit of everything, even if you dislike it.

Without fighting the women dug into their food while the men waited for them to have the first bites. After that dinner conversation flowed lightly around everyone. It went from the food they were eating its self, to Morin's siblings, to the weekend plans. Everything was going wonderful until her own mother brought up the wedding.

Barely restrained myself from smashing my forehead onto the table, I gripped the fork and knife so hard my knuckles turned white. Morin saw this and gently pried the now bent silverware out of my hands but kept them under the table so no one else saw.

"As much as I would love to hear plans about the wedding, I believe you ladies should wait and discuss this in private. We have promised no work-related topics for our dinner discussion, I would believe that would count as a work-related topic, don't you agree father?" Morin spoke kindly, deterring the wedding topic, and when his father agreed both mothers pouted but gave in none the less.

I couldn't believe that had just happened, first he flusters me then he saves me from embarrassment and now he even steers the conversation away from something I am so determined to fight. I wonder, the way he is behaving and the reaction I have to his body makes me double guess if I should hold back. I mean his kisses leave me breathless and in a daze, exactly what could he do if I were to give into him??

Supper ended without any further incident, Morin and his parents left the estate soon after. So now she could relax and spend some time with her parents, hopefully no talk of a wedding. The all moved into the living area with the comfortable couches and fire place. Lighting the fireplace with the combustion button, dad also pours each of us a small glass of straight Brandy before seating himself beside mom.

"So how was your little 'discussion' with Morin earlier darling." Leave it to her mother to lead with something she figures is juicy gossip.

"Honestly mom I don't know what to say. He was so mad over nothing, he was disrespectful and thought because he is male that he can take and do whatever he pleases. I have told you all that I am not marrying him, I absolutely refuse. He thinks he is entitled to kiss and touch me but I will not allow it. I love you and dad, you both know that, but I am an adult and creating my own life. I am not going to marry to benefit anyone. I am going to marry for love." Taking the drink and slamming it back, my throat burns, my eyes tear up and I want to choke but I hold it back.

"Oh sweetie, your mates! How can you fight the attraction?" I look at my mother as she takes hold of my father's hand.

"You should listen to your mother darling, we only want your happiness and if you are mates there really isn't anything we can do to stop it from happening. May as well go along for the ride." My father supported my mother 100% no matter what the decision was.

"Can we please not talk about this? I came home to visit not deal with this stress. I have a delivery tomorrow so tonight is my time with you two." With my pleading they dropped all talk of Morin and the Splex family and my mom pulled out the cards and the cribbage board. We spent the next four hours playing cards and spending some much needed time as a family.

After getting my ass beat in crib multiple times it was finally bed time, I had to be gone early in the morning to make a delivery that will be a four-day travel just to get out to Johndo 3. It's a not so nice portion of planets, that are considered lawless. So some very rich, influential people have taken it upon themselves to be the 'law enforcement' in these areas and they tend to be more like loan sharks.

This job was of medium security risk, meaning it was one of the highest paying jobs I will ever take. I don't like putting myself in a substantial amount of danger. I can handle myself in hand to hand combat, I can handle shooting a gun and I am usually pretty good at using my words to get out of most situations. But if it means I may lose my life doing the delivery, forget it! All the money in the world is NOT worth my life.

Up in my bedroom I notice the door is ajar a bit, creeping slowly I open the door and flick on the lights while still being out in the hallway. Nothing seems out of place, no one jumped out and no bomb went off. Slowly creeping into my room, my heart is beating a mile a minute I notice a vase of flowers. Letting out a large breath of relief I walk over to the wild flowers and see there is a card.

Picking up the card I see my name written in a beautiful cursive style, the ink is sparkly rose gold and the card is of a large red heart with an arrow through it. Opening the card, it read:

'My sweet mate, you are the light in my life. I want to apologize for my fit of anger today. I promise I was not angry at you, but the situation you were put in. If that man had boarded your tiny vessel he could have hurt you. I cannot live without you in my life, even if you are not happy with our joining.

Forever yours, Morin Splex

I sat there staring at the card, I was at a loss of what to think. He had scared me when he got angry but to send in such a large bouquet of wild flowers must have cost him a lot of money, and all because he got angry today. I mean Kotep aliens are known for being cheap and holding onto their money but they are also known as being aggressively hostile towards anyone meaning them or their family harm.

Lots of horror stories throughout the galaxy are about Kotep males destroying planets, cities and even galaxies just to avenge or protect family. I think the whole destroying of galaxies is just someone stretching the truth but you never know with aliens. I smile at the wonderful smell emitting from the roses, which totally clash with the thoughts of death and destruction.

Shaking my head to clear all the thoughts I take one more smell of the beautiful flowers and head to the bathroom to get ready for bed. After relieving myself, brushing my teeth, combing out my hair and braiding it I strip down to just my panties and find my tank top that I always sleep in before crawling into bed.

First, I quickly send a message to Morin thanking him for the flowers, no I do not want to marry him but it is only proper to thank him. Then I set my alarms for five in the morning so I can leave decently early to stock up my ship, grab the parcel and take off to Johndo 3. After nuzzling into the blankets, the silence and darkness consumes me, lulling me into a deep slumber.

Something wakes me up from my deep slumber, lying in bed I lay there trying to figure out what it was. Nothing feels off, I don't remember dreaming, but something woke me up. As I lay there listening to the silence, I get the urge to pee. I laugh at myself realizing that funny feeling I had was having to pee.

Deciding that I would just get up for the day I hop in the shower and scrub myself clean. I am not going to get a full body shower for at least the four-day trip to Johndo 3. Once the parcel is delivered I may grab a hotel for a shower and decent sleep before heading back.

Throwing on my basic t-shirt, ripped jeans, combat boots and captains jacket I throw my now clean clothes back into my bag making sure all my ID's and credits are in place before heading down for a quick breakfast. When I get down stairs my mom is up already and eating, so I sit and join her, one of the maids instantly bringing out some food and coffee for me.

"Your leaving early." My mom comments as she takes a sip of her tea.

"Yeah, it's a 4 day trip to Johndo 3 for a delivery, I want to get there and back within the ten days because you have made me promise to be home for the Nebula celebration." I smile, thinking of how much fun that celebration is going to be.

"You're going all the way to Johndo 3? Isn't that dangerous?" she turned her full attention towards me now, causing me to be a bit nervous, I don't want this conversation to go wrong and her to tell Morin. Lord knows he will forbid me to do anything remotely dangerous.

"It's only one parcel, to the edge of the colony mom, I will be fine. Nowhere near the heart of the city where the loan sharks live. I promise." She smiles and nods her head satisfied, I didn't have the heart to say it was to one of the loan shark's properties though.

After breakfast I quickly gather up some supplies like fresh water, food, a few extra weapons and I pick up the parcel in question to deliver. It's no larger than a ring box, which has me curious but not curious enough to peek. After loading up the ship and getting things ready to deploy, I am given the okay and take off.