Chloe's Challenge, Paula Shene/cover by Patrick Shene [short novels to read txt] 📗

“I see you Alex. Your form is solidifying! We’re in some sort of portal. I know this is difficult for you to understand, never mind believe, but those were Saturn’s Enceladus forces that attacked us and when that lead fighter hit you with his revolving weapon you were spun into his orbit. I cannot hear you...but I can read your lips! Slowly, slowly please - your orbiting speed is more than twice here. Now tell me where your hiding place is located on that pigeon dung ball.”

This was a time of high stress for Chloe and for Alex. Becoming parents was an unexpected gift and it was putting a heavy burden both mentally and physically upon them. This was sure to crimp their fighting ways. Being in the middle of a war that seemed unending was not helping their stamina especially since Alex and Chloe were Apollo mates so being apart was a wrenching experience.


“I am hiding like a puling kitten because our babes are due in two days! How by all the shades of Civet am I to face my phalanx when you get me back? You better get reading faster on how to pull me back into our realm! Dear mighty Carnivore, woman!”


“Stop! You’re hissing again because you’re in a corner - claws! How do you think I feel? Aaaoooowww! The kits are moving like they’re jockeying for space in a crowded room. The only thing calming my stomach is this pipe blend you made for me. Mayhap a sniff of the nip I gave you would calm you down? And, can you not see I’m working as fast as possible?!? As you were being pulled out of our dimension, we lost three of our most valiant warriors. Their daughters and son are now on the front lines taking their places; they’re not mewling about it, this is a fact of our life - now soothe your spirit and tell me where you are, not how you feel. We’ll deal with that part when you’re back.”


As Chloe took a deep draw, waiting for Alex to tell her the specifics of his coordinates, she realized Alex was closer than either of them could imagine. She did not need to pinpoint his magnitude, she just needed to....


“Wha...the?!”


“Sheathe those weapons my own sweet Kazza. Ha! I told you I was working fast. Now what do you say, smooth claws?”


“Let me feel you. Oh dear Mighty Carnivore, you feel wonderful ...umm ...want to rumble?”


“Claws! All you toms think about is a roll in the … ummmm... whew hold that thought.”


Chloe was proud of how she was able to snap Alex back so quickly and was a little, no!, a lot miffed he did not seem to care how he got back, just wanted to get it on. Heh, mayhap he should be gibbed. That would make him slow down and …


“I’m sorry my Toitoi lady but you set my claws to flexing and my purrs to roars. How did you get me back so quickly? I didn’t even tell you in what corner I was hold up. But, come here … I think so much better with your smoothness .. umm ... leaning against me ...oh the kits moved! Tell me it’s not time!”


“Alex … you are … you are. Later. You were glowering at me, telling me to hurry, but I knew I could not. The wording in our Kattrack is very precise. That is why you were picked for me and me for you. I know we fought against it but it was the Mighty Carnivore that brought us together, not really the Felidae. They were only instruments. Are you listening? Stop with the nips! Listen to me!”


Alex stretched out and eyed her with his honey colored orbs. He realized that she had a need to talk, even though he had already figured out what she had done; she was wearing their wedding headdress, sacred to their Clowder. They were two parts of a whole and while she was the green one at getting things done, she also had the ability to fiercely fight for what she wanted and loved; he was endued with this incredible mate and claws!, that’s just what he wanted to do. Well, she’d soon have it told and he’d get on with getting her purrs rumbling.


“Go on then, my sweets … tell me.”

“The Kattrack says we are One. One! So, all I needed to pull you back was to touch the … Apollo rings and snap - back you would be by my side! Of course, that only works as long as The One are truly One. I was not sure - you don’t seem to believe that ‘Kattrap’ as you call it but …”


“How can you doubt my love for you? With every nip and purr I am telling you, my lady, my life, and soon to be mother of my kits, you are my green eyed tigress and my fellow warrior throughout this life and beyond.”


True to Alex’s word, Chloe’s challenge was met, never to lose its brightness, her life being abundantly filled by laughter, love, and family. There would always be enemies in and out of the star ways to be faced but those they fought and vanquished as One.

Publication Date: 06-02-2011

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