Chapter Six #2
“I need help with this Jane.” His voice strained.
She nodded. “Ok Papa, I’ll sort it. I promise.” His shoulders visibly dropped. He gave a nod taking a breath. “Did you explain everything?” she asked quietly.
“Not sure. My beast was in control at the end. Her scent, intoxicating. Logic was gone.” He hesitated. “435 years Jane. It’s a long time.” She gave her own nod. And went into her office closing the door.
Caron sitting there clenching her hands.
She sat down slowly next to her. “Caron?”
She looked up blinking. Then seemed to see her.
“Jane? There’s been a mistake. He keeps saying I’m his Mate.
I can’t be. He’s important. He followed me home.
I refused to speak with him. Locked the house down.
He came in anyway. Telling me I scented of no male.
But my body told him I favoured male. I’d backed up to the kitchen and he just, stood there asking if I still wanted coffee!
Coffee! Just like it was normal, waiting.
I don’t understand. When I told him to leave, he just said no.
So I left him there. Went up to bed, thinking it was his problem not mine.
Showered and got in. Thinking I’d wake up and it would all be a mistake.
I ….was wrong.” Caron’s voice a whisper.
“I’d locked the bedroom door, I’m sure of it but, he came in anyway.
And he was different Jane. He looked bigger.
A shadow over him. Going into my bathroom using it.
It took me a moment to realise what was happening, throwing back the covers I got to the door and he was there stopping me.
He’d showered, was so fast. Backing me up to the bed.
It was so intense. He walked differently; his voice was different.
But he was, careful. Like I was skittish and he was afraid I’d run.
And if I did, there was little doubt about what he would do.
He said… he needed a taste. But I needed sleep more.
To get back in. I think I lost my mind Jane.
I did. Because you’d trained us better than that, I knew not to run.
He got in the bed Jane. Naked. With me. Pulling me to him.
His hands,” Caron’s face flushed. “Everywhere and told me to sleep.”
Caron laughed. “Sleep, like that was possible.” Her voice a little hysterical.
She reached over and squeezed it. “Did he hurt you?”
Caron frowned looked confused. “No. Not at all. He was kind. Even in the other person. So at odds with the brutality that was there. He was…. gentle.”
“You know why right?” Caron nodded. “He believes you are his Mate.” Caron nodded again. “What do you think?”
“I think he’s wrong. He has to be wrong right?”
“Why?”
“I’m just me Jane.”
“You know that’s not how it works. Their nano’s and programming decide.
Emotions and pain receptors are turned off.
They evaluate, use data and make as much of an informed decision that they can.
Their nanos never chose wrong Caron. It wouldn’t be logical.
They wait so long for a possible Mate, it makes no logic to have picked someone that would not remain with them. His body will sustain yours.”
“I’m only 22. He’s…. old.”
“Yes. And he looks 32. You’ll still mature to your optimum age. 28 maybe. That won’t stop and then you will remain there. As he has remained at 32.”
“There are more suitable options.” Caron whispered.
“Possibly but he doesn’t want them.” She squeezed Caron’s hand tighter. “You have to remember some of the drive to complete the bond, is driven by their beast. The shadow you saw, they are selective. Only one will do.”
Caron rubbed her hands. “I…. don’t know how to do this,” Caron whispered.
“Which bit?”
“All of it. No experience of… this. With anyone.”
“There’s nothing wrong with that. He will just need to understand it.”
“I’m not telling him that.”
“Why not? It’s honest and he will help you.” Caron frowned. “It’s simple Caron. You are either attracted to him, the real him, not the image, that is not all he is and you decide if he is what you want. It’s your decision. Not his.”
“Really? That’s true?” She gave her a smile. Caron thinking. Weighing it up. “I…. do like him.”
She stood. “Good, it’s a start. Now go back to work and I’ll speak with him.” Caron worried her lip, gave a nod, took a breath and stood. Swallowed and went to the office door pulling it open walking through, ignoring Elon going to her desk. Elon’s eyes all on Caron.
“Father, a word if I may.” Elon came in and stood arms folded over his chest. She closed the door.
“Well you fucked that up big time.” And smiled.
“Ok, so here’s where you are. She’s a virgin.
You went all caveman on her. Scared her shitless.
Your beast did take over but didn’t hurt her.
He was gentle. But used her shower and joined her in bed.
Naked. It scared her. You didn’t take her.
Just held her like she was precious.” His face showed relief, then concern, then joy, then more concern, more relief.
“Your emotions are bleeding through father.” He nodded accepting it.
“She’s 22, never been with a man, any man, doesn’t feel good enough or old enough or knows enough. A month ago she was in awe of seeing Kito, now, she finds she is a potential Mate. It's scary. Her world has tilted. She knows every little about Cyborgs.”
Elon thought on it. Going very still. “I understand. I need to do better.”
“Yes you do. Hovering. Pressuring her will not help you. Staying around her day and night will not help you. She wants what is normal for her. Work, and if a man is interested in her,” Elon growled.
She ignored it. “Then she needs time, dating, a chance to know you.
Not have you overwhelm her with your need to secure your Mate.
And if she says no. Or it's too much or she needs time, you adapt and adapt quickly. Or lose her.”
Elon listened. “I understand. Thank you Jane.”
“Thank me when you win her.”
Elon smiled. “I will and you and Kito?”
She shrugged. “I stopped fighting it. He was crying all the time it was embarrassing.”
Elon laughed. They both knew that wasn’t true. And saw Caron look up at him laughing with wonder on her face. That might work out, she thought.
“I am happy for you Jane. You deserve a good life too. You are my child. I spent years wearing your scent hoping that a male of worth would notice it and ask. When Kito did, I knew he was the right one.”
“You planned this.”
“I am your father. Of course I did. Fathers in the human world are meant to know best. That is not always true I know but, in the Cyborg world, we are always true.”
“You sent him to me.”
“I did.”
She shook her head at him. “Always giving me choices.”
“Always.”
“Thank you Papa.”
“You are welcome child of mine.”
She brushed a tear away. And focused on him. Eyeing him. Needing to ground him. “Now, about the number of legacy.”
Elon saw it. “You wish to negotiate?” He’d always enjoyed sparing with her. Challenging her. Making her think. Reason.
“Yes.” She told him. “I wish to negotiate.” And they both smiled at each other. “We will see….”
The End….