CHAPTER 15
Lena held tight to Gauge’s hand as they were transported down to the surface of the planet.
She shook off the initial weakness as her body was put back together, her eyes widening as she looked around.
She had been raised at the cliffs by the sea on Raiden.
The only time she’d ever been away from her home was when Ngozi kept her on his ship, and then her time with Abby at the Raiden Nekbet palace.
There had been nothing to see on Ngozi’s ship because the prince kept her locked in his quarters.
And her time with Abby at the palace was still fuzzy, though she didn’t believe they had spent much time outside.
This land looked completely different from anything she’d ever known before.
They had been transported down behind the alpha’s home, which appeared to be a simple structure, a single story with a roofed deck on the side, which she imagined would go around to the front.
The modest home was nothing like she’d imagined for an alpha.
The land around the home was fairly flat, with mountains rising up in the distance.
The fields were fenced, holding animals trapped inside.
“What are they?” she asked Gauge, squeezing his hand.
“To the left are cows. This type is raised for meat. There are others which are raised specifically for the milk they produce.”
“Milk?”
“Similar to what a mother serpent produces when she has young. Dairy cows produce far more milk than their young require. Humans consume it. They also use it to make butter and cheese.”
Lena didn’t know what butter and cheese were either, but she wouldn’t bother Gauge with her ignorance.
“Lena,” Gauge said gently, “I don’t mind answering your questions.
I understand this is all new to you.” He motioned to the field on the right.
“Those animals are called horses. At one time humans used them for transportation or working the fields to produce crops. Now they are kept mostly for recreation, though the alpha here may use them to move his cattle around. They ride them.”
She nodded. Lena understood crops. The serpents also planted crops, though the females did most of the work in keeping them up. They didn’t have anything like these horses. “They are beautiful.”
“One of our Hunters brought horses back to Laizahlia a few years ago as a gift to his young human eillelé. Our people were quite taken with them. I’m sure the alpha won’t mind if you want to get closer to them. I can ask once we get settled.”
“Thank you. I think I’d like that.” She pointed to the mountains.
“Do they have Catalan serpents on this world?” The Catalan rarely came down from the mountains on Raiden.
Lena had always thought of them as barbaric creatures, but after meeting Samantha, she’d been forced to accept she might be wrong.
Seraphym’s mate was nice, and smart. Definitely not the thoughtless animal her own people had claimed Catalan serpents to be.
“There are a few serpent clans on Earth. No Catalan that I’m aware of, only Leviathan.
The serpents tend to keep to themselves.
I understand there are a few of their young staying here.
They were captured by a Djinn not long ago and are trying to recover from the ordeal before they are returned to their clan.
There is one more adult serpent here who assisted the Hunters in releasing these young ones.
He and his mate are planning to stay here to help the alpha deal with any issues arising as humans learn of their existence.
” Gauge lifted his chin toward the side of the home.
“Here comes the alpha and his mate now.”
Lena watched as a young male with wavy, shoulder-length golden hair walked toward them.
He was built heavier, more muscular, than the wolf shifters she’d met so far.
His eyes were also brown instead of golden.
The female was tall and lean, her hair a familiar silver and black color, her eyes yellow, the flesh pulled more tightly over prominent cheekbones.
They were both dressed in some type of denim pants and cotton shirts.
No leather, which she found odd. “You said his mate is not a cougar?”
“No, she is from Laizahlia. She and the alpha here met while she was tracking a rogue Hunter. Haven used to track for Jax before she found her mate.”
“Did they catch him, the rogue?”
“Yes. You are in no danger from rogues here, Lena.”
“Why did Jax stay on the ship? Didn’t he want to see his old tracker?” She hadn’t seen much of the male. He tended to keep to himself.
“Jax will join us before we leave for the military base,” Gauge replied, then crossed his right fist over his chest and offered the alpha cat a shallow bow when he stopped in front of him. “Raif, isn’t it?”
“Yes, and you’re Gauge,” the alpha said, holding out his hand. Gauge looked at it for a moment before he took hold and squeezed. These shifters tended to follow human traditions. “You know my mate, Haven,” Raif said, motioning to the tall female.
“Of course. Haven, it is good to see you. Congratulations on finding your fated mate.”
“Thank you, Hunter,” the female replied, crossing her right fist over her chest as she offered him a shallow bow. “I understood Jax was supposed to be here. I was looking forward to seeing him.”
“Jax remained with Rafa and his mate Aaliyah on the ship. They will join us when we leave tomorrow. Rafa is Raiden. We were afraid his appearance might bother some of your people here. There is no way to hide the fact that he is alien to this world.”
Haven nodded, though Lena thought she noticed pain in the female’s golden eyes. Were there problems between her and Jax?
“You know Teo, my tracker,” Gauge said, motioning toward Teo, who stood slightly behind and to their left.
“Yes, welcome to our home, Teo,” Haven said. “This is my mate, Raif.”
“Thank you,” Teo murmured. “Pleased to meet you, Alpha.”
“Call me Raif. And I’m pleased to meet you too. Wish it were under less stressful conditions.” The alpha turned his attention to Seraphym and Samantha. “I hear you’re originally from Earth,” he said to Samantha, smiling. “Are you planning to stay when this unpleasant business with Djinn is over?”
“Probably not.” She looped her arm through Seraphym’s. “Our home is on Raiden. Even in human form, we won’t exactly fit in with regular people here.”
“We have other serpents living in our pack. You and your mate are welcome to stay here for as long as you want,” Raif said.
“I’ve arranged a home for all of you to stay in.
It’s not too far from here. It’s yours for as long as you like.
” He frowned, glancing at his mate. “Um, truth is, I was only expecting four people, and I knew two of you were mated. I’m afraid the house only has three bedrooms. One of you can stay here with me and Haven if you like. ”
“Thank you, Alpha,” Gauge said, “but we’ll be fine. Lena didn’t wish to stay on the ship. Serpents tend to feel confined when trapped indoors.”
“Perfectly understandable. We shifters can get housebound too if we get trapped inside for too long. And please, just call me Raif. I don’t require anyone to use my title.”
“As you wish,” Gauge said. “I understand you and Haven were recently forced to deal with a Djinn. Would you care to tell us about it?”
“Sure,” Raif said, glancing at his mate. “Why don’t you come inside. We might as well be comfortable.”
Gauge placed his hand on Lena’s lower back as they followed the alpha and his mate into his home.
So far, she appeared more curious than frightened by the new environment.
It probably helped that this alpha kept his power under tight check.
He wasn’t trying to exert it over those around him, not like many alphas tended to do, especially if they felt their position as alpha might be threatened.
From Gauge’s experience, it meant this male was confident in his ability to lead and control his people.
Those with insecurities were more apt to try to dominate those around them.
The inside of the alpha’s home was simple and clean.
The front door opened into a rather large living area with a window that looked out over the fields.
It also gave him a clear view of the long drive.
It would be difficult to sneak in without notice.
On the back wall was a fireplace, the flames softly crackling.
A large television was set on the wall to the side of the fireplace.
The furniture was set up around it. Gauge led Lena to a loveseat, taking his place next to her when she sat.
“Would anyone like something to eat or drink?” Raif asked.
When they all declined, he took a seat next to his mate across from Gauge and Lena.
Seraphym and Samantha sat in two recliners to the side, both leaning forward to accommodate their wings.
Teo stood against the wall by the window, his arms crossed over his chest as he studied everyone.
“You have a nice home,” Samantha said. “I wish I could have lived out in the country like this. I always wanted a horse, but we couldn’t afford to board one.”
“You were raised around here?” Haven asked, leaning forward as she openly studied Samantha. “I didn’t realize there were any serpent clans in this area.”
“Um, yes, I was born and raised here in Oregon. But I didn’t look like this then.
The blonde hair is the same, but the scales, horns and wings are new.
” She clicked her impressive claws together.
“And these little devils. Anyway, I know we’re in Oregon, but where exactly, if you don’t mind my asking? ”
“The nearest large city would be Eugene. Have you heard of it?”
“Yeah.” She turned to look out the large window at the front of the house. “Are you east of Eugene, toward Crescent Lake?”