Surrender Your Independence Read Free Page B

going to tell me about this?” Gage asked, pushing one of the men he had wrestled with to the group of men that were being restrained.
    He shrugged. “You would have found out sooner or later.” He held out his hand to Tamara, and she placed his hand in his, staring down at his brother.
    “Is he dead?” She watched as one of his father’s men came and picked up the sleeping Alex.
    “No, he’s in a deep sleep. He won’t wake for over five hundred years.” He bowed as his father and mother joined them near the fire.
    “I had hoped to get here before this could happen.” His father glanced from him to Tamara. “I’m sorry for what our son has done to you. I hope you won’t judge us too harshly. My son Lars is a good man and he will take great care of you. I expect you three to come by the house soon.”
    “I’ll call you later. Tamara does not know what a consort is, we were just starting to explain when Alex showed up.” He sent the message to his parents telepathically.
    “Oh my, I’m so sorry.” His mother stepped forward and wrapped her arms around Tamara, hugging her. “I know you must be confused, but know that both Gage and Lars are good men.” She stepped back, patting Lars’ arm. “Call us soon.”
     
    ***
     
    She didn’t say anything, watching Alex and his men being carted away from the beach. Oh, Tamara knew what a consort was and it took everything in her not to run for the hotel room and slam the door shut to reality.
    While Commander Michael sat with Tamera, healing her, he’d explained many things about their kind. Once a consort was found, if the female didn’t accept the man, or in this case men, they would be sterile to any other woman.
    Sitting back down, Tamara slid the switchblade back into the case that was strapped to the inside of her thigh. She frowned, remembering all that the Commander had passed onto her. It was almost as if he knew what was going to happen to her.
    Soft jazz music filled the night air and Lydia plopped down next to her. “Are you okay?”
    “I’m fine, just thinking. Did you ever meet Commander Michael?” Tamara tapped her foot to the music, all the time taking in every detail of Gage’s body. He had moved to the large barrel grill and was tossing the steaks. His werewolf form was impressive, to say the least.
    Her friend nudged her. “No, I never met him. From what I’ve been told, it’s rare for him to make any kind of appearance. You do know he’s an ancient, one of the ten assembly members that our kind has to answer to?”
    “I’ve heard something like that. I also think he knew I was going to meet Gage and Lars. I could never figure out why he would show up out of the blue and heal me, a human. Even the Staff Sergeant of our unit didn’t know what he was doing there.” She turned to find Lars standing behind her.
    “Why do you believe he knew about us?” Lars handed her another glass of wine when Gage sat down in front of her. Lars took the spot to her right.
    She shrugged. “When I was healing, Michael sat beside me the whole time. He kept talking to me. In the course of four hours, he’d explained many customs of your people, but also cautioned me not to draw attention to myself.” Tamara took a drink of her wine. “It didn’t make sense. He kept telling me I had a destiny to fulfill.”
    “You know he’s the one who transferred me to Michigan and that’s where I met you.” She looked at Lydia. “Did he send you to me? To protect me, and no lying?”
    “I’ve never lied to you. I’ve never met the man, but I was sent to the base to pick some materials for Gage and Lars when I met you. As for setting things up so we could meet…” She shook her head. “I had nothing to do with it.”
    “I’ve always made sure you were protected, Tamara,” a voice from the past said.
    Slowly she rose, as did everyone around her, and turned to see Commander Michael standing in the shadows. “I don’t understand. Why me?”
    The man