Meredith's Pride [Galactic Nuptials 3] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour ManLove) by Missy Martine Page B

They’ve made no attempt to contact Arridia, so they have to be up to no good.”
    Knoton stood and paced across the floor, carefully stepping over the crawling toddlers. “It has to be the Mkata.”
    Mer tilted his head, bouncing Keme on his shoulder. “Why do you say that?”
    “The Mkata is the name of the pride that declared war on the Chaarta. They tried to wipe out our entire line, and I’ll bet they’re after the cubs.” Etu spent several minutes explaining the history of bad blood between the leaders of the two prides. “Honaw is the alpha of the Mkata, and he’s insane. Preyta’s refusal pushed him over the edge, and he’s determined to kill everyone associated with Chaarta.”
    Mer cupped the back of Keme’s silky head. “What about the babies? Will he kill them, too?”
    Delsin shrugged. “He’d probably kill all of them except Taima and Keme.”
    “Why would he keep them alive?” Mer blinked back tears.
    “Because they’re Preyta’s cubs. For some sick reason he wants to raise them as his own. I guess as a final dishonor to Chayton.”
    Mer stiffened, his hands tightening until the baby let out a squeal. “How could anybody look at those beautiful babies and kill them?”
    Etu blew out a breath. “They will look at those babies and see full-grown lions coming for revenge. It will be very easy for them to slay them.”
    “That’s enough speculation.” Delsin stood and motioned toward the door. “We’re upping security and taking turns at watch.”
    “Don’t you have some type of surveillance equipment that can tell you if they’re near?” asked Mer.
    “This moon has a problem with electronic surveillance because of a dense gravity so we’ll have to be even more diligent. There are several hiding places on Khera that we can utilize if they manage to land their craft. I’m going to take Mer and show him where they are. Hakan, I want them stocked with supplies right away. If we have to use them, we could be there a while.”
    “I’ll get right on it, Delsin.”
    Delsin cleared his throat. “I sent a message to Zintssar on Kilara letting him know what’s happening and asking for his help. If we’re lucky, he’ll get in touch with his father and have him send troops.”
    “I don’t understand.” Mer laid a sleeping Keme on the couch. “If I remember correctly, Zintssar’s father is the ruler of Arridia. We’re circling Arridia now. Why can’t we just ask his father to help us out?”
    Etu snorted. “It’s all politics, Mer. We don’t have the authority to ask Arridia for help because we’re not a Federation nation member since our pride was wiped out. When he killed Chayton, Honaw became the leader of Linnaeus. He’s the only one that could officially ask for assistance from Arridia.”
    “And I thought Earth’s politics were fucked up.”
    “Knoton, watch the cubs for a bit. I want to take Mer and show him the closest cave that’s appropriate for hiding. He needs to be able to flee there with the cubs if anything happens.” He held his hand out to Mer. “Will you come with me?”
    Without hesitation, Mer took his hand. Together, they left the house and headed down a path through the woods. He listened to the soughing wind, the trees groaning with the breaking of their limbs. The area that Delsin traveled was dense, the hanging moss tickling his hair as they move through the foliage. There were patches of long grass with wildflowers where falling leaves twirled languorously, drifting to the ground.
    “Look to the left when we round the next bend, Mer. I think you’ll like it.”
    Mer kept his eyes open and grinned when they came to a small stream, the smell of algae and water slime thick in the air. Stopping, he bent and touched the water, the cool liquid slipping over his fingers. He picked up a small twig and scratched in the mud, unearthing a wormlike creature. Sighing, he grabbed a smooth stone and skimmed it over the dark water.
    “What is it?”
    Mer