His Warrior's Heart: The Brethren, #1

By Mary Newman

Mango Ururoa has been an agent for the Kawana family since leaving the Temple of The Brethren as a young man. He does what has to be done to keep them safe, following orders without question. It's a good life, and he lives it with honor, never wanting or expecting more.

After fifty years of life, Hashani, cat-shifter, Shonto Galon is sick and tired of being alone. Especially after watching his newly-mated brother live in mated bliss for the past six months. The head of security for his clan is ready for a woman of his own and all the domesticity involved.

While serving a mission, Mango gets caught between a rock and a hard place, and his actions lead him into serving a self-imposed debt of honor to Fael and Bonachi, friends of the Kawana family. While delivering members of Bonachi's crew to a fellow clan's ship, Mango meets Galon and the two realize immediately they're mates. Surprise would be a mild term for what they experience. Mango had no intentions of ever taking a mate and Galon can't understand why the Gods would pair him with another male. It's not like he's ever been attracted to one before.

Life can be crazy, but sometimes you just have to go with the flow and hope for the best. And maybe, just maybe, the Gods knew what they were doing when they matched up two warriors who didn't believe love would ever be written in their stars.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Mary Newman
• Release date: Jul 12, 2015
• ISBN: 9781533702777

Book preview

Prologue

Why not, Kalor? We’re meeting up with Ubutu Clan soon anyway. You’re just being unreasonable!

Shonto Galon glared at his brother with orange gold eyes and sat heavily on the sofa across from where Kalor and his mate, Letha were sitting. Letha calmly poured a cup of tea and silently handed it to him. Galon angrily huffed and accepted the cup. He realized he was pushing things as his brother just happened to be leader of Shonto Clan, but watching the newly mated pair over the past six months brought home just how much he wanted a mate of his own. True mates? Yeah, right. Fifty years and he’d still not found his. He completely ignored the fact that Kalor was the elder brother and had only just discovered his own.

Perhaps because we are Union of Planets members and they have forbidden forced matings, Galon? Kalor said as he accepted his own cup of tea. We barely dodged sanctions last time and only because Ubutu Tigarus has connections close to the Union leadership. I’m not courting trouble.

I’m only asking for Lady Letha’s sisters to come here and stay on our ship for a while so I can meet them, Galon was close to pleading. No one said they’d need to be forced into a mating with me.

"You want me to request the Lady Vinita bring her other daughters to Shonto Clan’s main ship just so they can meet my highly eligible brother and just maybe one of them will fall madly in love and be your true mate? Kalor smirked at him. How utterly archaic. Perhaps we should throw a big party and invite all of the eligible young females from all of the clans so you can dance with them, yes?"

Galon slouched into his seat and ran his fingers through his short, dark hair. Well... Put like that, maybe it did sound a little foolish.

I just want... Galon stopped and looked at Lady Letha.

Letha gave him that serene smile of hers and laid a hand on Kalor’s arm. Kalor’s demeanor immediately softened as he looked down at his mate. Letha was a beautiful woman with long, straight, black hair, the bronzed skin of the Hashani and features so delicate sometimes Galon thought she’d been crafted by an artist. He and his brother were as alike as could be, with the large, muscular bodies of Hashani warriors and hard, angular faces. They couldn’t be more different from the delicate beauty his brother had mated. Kalor wore his hair slightly longer, barely brushing his shoulders, where Galon had cropped his much closer, which suited his work as head of security for Shonto Clan.

"I sent a message to Bonachi a few days ago regarding the cases of antichi we obtained for him, Letha said calmly. I received his answer a few hours ago that as soon as he completes some errands on Felosa he will be meeting up with us to pick them up. He also said my mother and sisters would most likely be accompanying him. I was considering inviting them for an extended visit. I doubt Bonachi will stay long as he’s been given his own transport now."

But that’s perfect! Galon clapped his hands.

I think, my sweet, you withheld that information until now just to set Galon off, Kalor chuckled, patting his mate’s hand.

Letha returned his smile with a look so full of love, it made Galon’s heart ache, then sent a mischievous one towards Galon.

If he wasn’t so easy to set off, I wouldn’t have done so.

Ha, ha, ha, Galon looked at the pair askance. Okay, great, joke’s on me. However, I still get my way.

I doubt it, Letha continued in that same serene voice. My sisters are not for you, Galon. From reading my mother’s messages, I can tell they are rapidly developing personalities which would get on your nerves in no time. You can look, but I highly doubt you’ll find your true mate among them.

I’m not looking for a true mate, Galon frowned. Just a mate. True mates are rare.

Why tie yourself to one who is not your match? Kalor asked. You’re only fifty. You’ve not even lived a quarter of your live and have many years ahead of you.

If you’re not looking for a true mate, I would respectfully request you leave my sisters alone, Letha’s gentle voice held a thread of steel. They’ve had little enough affection in their lives and deserve a mate who wants to love them and is worthy of their love.

Letha is right, Galon, Kalor nodded. Besides, your mate should be someone who is strong enough to stand up to you. Someone who will match your power and have the fortitude to stand beside you, without quaking in their shoes each time you got angry with them. You’d never be happy with someone who could only live in your shadow.

What do you know? Galon snapped. Lady Letha couldn’t be more different from you. She is quiet and unassuming and you’re brash and bold. How is it the Gods matched the two of you?

You think so, Galon? Kalor laughed loudly. Letha may look like a delicate flower, but her life experience has instilled within her a strength I draw on daily. She assists me in leading the clan, gives me the benefit of her advice, and provides support you wouldn’t know anything about. You see only the outer shell. I know what lies within.

I’ve got work to do, Galon fell back on is normal excuse for leaving a conversation with his brother he had no chance of winning. I don’t have time to sit here drinking tea and exchanging pleasantries with the two of you.

Such a hasty exit, Kalor teased.

I prefer to think of it as a tactical retreat, Galon smirked. I’ll manage to be on hand when the Lady Vinita presents herself with her daughters, so I can meet all of them.

Chapter One

Are you shuttling over with us? Ubutu Bonachi asked, lifting his head from the captain’s console.

I think your shuttle will be quiet full, Mango Ururoa replied. I can teleport over later.

Bonachi nodded and returned his focus to the console before him. Mango completed the final scan of the weapons system he’d been working on before shutting his console down. He preferred the hands on defenses of his training, but the transport needed weapons to defend against pirates or any other threats they might encounter while traveling through space.

Okay, so who’s going over on the first shuttle? Fael Mreroyell stepped onto the bridge.

Hello there, kitten, Bonachi grinned at his intended mate. I believe Mother, Malita and Anala will be going down with us. Sela has requested some training time on the com with Lowe since she’s decided to join our crew. Froell is sleeping, apparently and Lonta wants to run a diagnostic.

Lowe glanced up from the console where he was instructing Sela.

I think Froell is experiencing sympathy fatigue with Fael, he said with a mischievous grin.

I think you’re keeping him too occupied with other matters to get enough sleep when he’s off shift, Fael snorted.

Maybe I’m just trying to convince him to make this mating official, Lowe smirked.

Mango watched the byplay with an indulgent almost-smile. Truth be told he couldn’t remember the last time he’d actually experienced any real joy. A consequence of the life he’d been trained to lead. He remembered the day his father had reluctantly brought him to the Temple of The Brethren, when he was merely four years old. His training had begun that very day. He’d learned well at the hands of the masters; old men who knew every form of defense, every way to kill, the rules of tactical engagement, maintaining stealth, how to make the most of his Solarian abilities – the list went on. And as each new ability had been mastered, he’d received another permanently inscribed design on his body; until he was covered from his head to his toes in the black symbols, closely arranged lines, and images.

His final lesson consisted of the vows he would take: Never fight against one of their own, never reveal the location of the Temple of The Brethren unless it was to bring his own child to learn their ways, and finally to always remember his word was sacred. For The Brethren an oath was never broken once given. Others who contracted their services knew this and relied on it. Thirty eight Union standard years had passed since that first day, more than twenty spent in service to the ruling family of Solaria. All of those experiences had brought him to this point in his life.

He’d been released from service to the Kawanas in order to perform a task for the Council of Shakar. In accomplishing that task he’d incurred a debt of honor to Fael, the sassy, Felosan cat woman. Because of his actions she’d been placed in jeopardy, something that bruised his honor and demanded he serve her until she’d fully recuperated; until the shadows in her eyes finally left. Regardless of how long it took, he would see it through; do what was required just as he always did, with no regard of what it would cost his own psyche.

Mango had made a promise to himself many years ago that he would never subject a child of his own to such a life. Within The Brethren that meant he would never be able to sire a child. It was a price he would willingly pay to keep from sentencing another being to the tortures he carried in his soul. As a Solarian who had the ability to know the minds of others as well as feel their pain, he carried the final memories of every being from whom he’d taken life.

Hey Mango, you with us? Fael’s voice sounded as if from a distance.

He brought his focus back to the bridge to find he was the center of attention.

My pardon, he said with a slight incline of his head. I was not attending.

Kind of figured that, Fael snickered. I’m not going to ask where you were, but could you answer my question?

Mango searched his subconscious for the required information and realized he’d been asked if he would teleport Sela, Lowe and Froell over once Froell woke up.

As you wish, my lady, he nodded.

"No! I’m not your lady. For the love of Bayoshet, I’m not anyone’s lady! My name is Fay-Ell, she carefully pronounced her name with a glare. That’s all I want to be called."

Of course, my lady, Mango said with a slight twitch of his lips.

It was a game they played, almost from the moment they’d met nearly three years ago. Fael had made it her goal to get him to really smile, and Mango had made a point of never succumbed to her attempts. That small twitch was all he ever allowed her to see.

Come on, kitten. Leave the man alone so we can head over to Shonto Clan. Mother is excited to see Letha after all these months, Bonachi said. We’ll see the rest of you over there in a couple of hours.

Mango watched the pair leave and returned his attention to those remaining on the bridge. They were all busy with their assigned tasks, so he decided to take some time to train in the common room. It had been a few days since he’d worked his way through the set of exercises that kept his body in prime shape and allowed him the flexibility he needed.

I will be in the common room when you wish to depart, Mango directed his words in Lowe’s direction.

Lowe glanced up, nodded and returned his attention to his console.

Rather than walk, Mango quickly teleported to his destination. It took only a few minutes to push back the furniture to give himself the space needed. He took a moment to center himself, drawing in several cleansing breaths and releasing them before launching into the precise movements of the ritualized exercises. He moved carefully and methodically through the series of actions, his mind devoid of all except the specific motion needed for each sequence. Steadily working his way through the entire series, Mango finally came to a standstill, and concentrated on regulating his breathing and the beat of his heart. When he’d brought them completely under control once more, he sat in place, crossing his legs under his body and resting the backs of his hands on his knees. He maintained the position for some time, his mind traveling to an indeterminate place where he could release his troubles for a small moment.

A quiet cough drew his mind out of his meditative state and he glanced up to find Lowe watching him with those wide blue eyes.

I didn’t want to disturb you, the young Felosan said. But we’re ready when you are.

Mango nodded and rose in one smooth motion to follow the younger male down the corridor to where Sela and Froell waited.

Lonta is not coming? he asked.

No. Bonachi wants someone to stay with the transport since we’re traveling alongside Shonto Clan instead of docking with them, Lowe replied.

Please maintain a physical connection with each other, Mango instructed.

Lowe held Froell’s hand and Sela reached out to touch his sleeve. Mango moved her hand until she gripped his, drawing a dark blush from the young woman. So different from the Lady Cleona, he thought idly, even though they were both Hashani. He could actually teleport them with only the lightest touch, but since they were all novices at this, he preferred not to have one to accidently lose their grip and be lost mid-port. Mango put his hand on the bare white fur of Lowe’s upper arm and teleported them quietly to the coordinates Bonachi had given him earlier.

***

Galon hated to say it, but Lady Letha was entirely correct about her sisters getting on his nerves. He’d never acknowledge it to either her or his brother, though. He’d tried to engage both of the younger women in conversation but their voices sounded so much like the chittering of little birds he was hard pressed to keep his eyes from glazing over. True, they were as beautiful as their sister, but where Letha had the quiet dignity of her mother, the Lady Vinita, the younger sisters were still immature and excitable.

Galon was ready to make his excuses and find somewhere else to be during the time the girls would be visiting. He caught Kalor’s eye and raised an inquiring brow, but his brother didn’t seem in a very receptive mood. He shook his head slightly and Galon sighed inwardly, returning his attention once more to the woman regaling him with a story of decorating a nursery on someone’s transport, something which would absolutely never interest him. Cubs were for those who had the patience and desire for the too-tiny beings that required constant care. By the Gods, his brain was going numb, he was going to die of boredom and they would have to carry his body from the sofa where he sat.

It’s about time you got here! the Felosan female who’d been introduced as Fael said.

He turned his head to see who she was speaking to and realized with a start that others had managed to join them without his knowledge. He’d not heard a thing, and that was inexcusable for a head of security. He openly studied the group who had somehow just appeared out of nowhere. A female who could only be another of the sisters separated herself from the group and came to sit beside Lady Vinita. Now this one had possibilities. She carried herself with the same quiet poise he’d come to expect from Lady Letha. Until she opened her mouth and launched into a conversation with Bonachi regarding the possibility of a shopping trip when they reached Union City. Galon mentally rolled his eyes and barely resisted making a face.

A pair of Felosan males came forward to stand beside Fael. The larger one, who shared the