Love Unleashed: The Hashani, #1

By Mary Newman

Ubutu Cleona of the cat-shifting Ubutu Clan has had better days. Her cargo is gone, the payment turns out to be counterfeit, and she's missed the call to gather the clan issued more than two weeks ago. Her grandfather, who was completely against her having her own space transport, is going to have a field day with her. Life just can't get any worse. Well, yes it can if you meet your true-mate and he's a somber, dark, completely opposite of you Solarian that smells so good you just can keep your hands off of him.

Marohi Kawana has known since the death of his mate there would be no other for him. Solarians only mate once and his is gone. Until a beautiful, blonde, cat-shifting, skimpily-clad woman walks up and wraps herself around him. Nothing in Marohi's life has prepared him for the sometimes-sarcastic, incredibly independent, and always alluring Ubutu Cleona.

Enter an enemy who is bent on the destruction of their families, the Union of Planets, and anything else that gets in his way and things just take a downward spiral. Cleona and Marohi find themselves in the middle of a battle that began before either of them was even born. A battle they intend to finish once and for all.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Mary Newman
• Release date: Jun 16, 2015
• ISBN: 9781533700919

Book preview

Prologue

What just happened? Bendel Sologne looked stunned, which for him was highly unusual.

Marohi Kawana wondered if he should fill the Sologne family in or just let them find out for themselves. The Silver Lady had indeed intervened, and in a way even he hadn’t expected. For the first time in almost two years his almond-shaped, dark brown eyes held a twinkle. He was a handsome male, if not built as large or as muscled as the Sologne men. On his world of Solaria, there had never been a need for warriors. Their telepaths, of which he was one of the stronger, had always had a strong connection to Shakar and their energy wielders, so between the two worlds there was no need of brute strength to handle anything of a threatening nature that might arise.

Marohi?

Marohi turned his dark gaze on his twin sister’s mate to realize he’d been asked a question.

My pardon, Bendel, I wasn’t attending, he responded.

Well that’s obvious! Zorall Sologne looked least stunned of those present, but then the Shakaran brother probably had at least an inkling of what had just occurred.

I asked you if you knew what just happened, Bendel repeated.

Yes, I believe I do, Marohi replied.

Well? Borann Sologne, father of the other two men standing in the room glowered.

I’m not sure I’m at liberty to tell any of you, Marohi raised a brow at the demanding tone of the elder Sologne.

Sit down, Borann, and for once in your life stop trying to impose your will on others, Zita Sologne, the diminutive life-mate of Borann, spoke with asperity.

Apparently unused to Zita speaking to him in such a manner, Borann looked at his mate with his mouth open and sat abruptly, resting his head in his hands. Zita nodded, looking satisfied, and turned her attention to Marohi.

Are they safe, Marohi? she asked.

Oh yes, Marohi nodded, the Silver Lady intends them no harm.

You know her? Zorall looked at him quizzically. I feel as if I should.

It’s in your heritage to know, Marohi actually felt a true smile stretch across his face. Most Shakarans have a close, loving relationship with her. Solarians see her less often, but she comes to us from time to time as well. I’ve known her since I was a very young boy.

And you’re not going to share that knowledge with the rest of us? Bendel had that arrogant look again that Marohi always felt he needed to poke at.

Marohi considered for several moments, thinking back on the entire tableau that had just played out. Tistan, the second Sologne son, had only now found out just how much his father had interfered in his life and had been both angry and deeply hurt. Also learning that his father had threatened Lady Ubutu Moira, the woman destined to be his mate, if she tried to keep Tistan with her. The result had been a complete collapse of Moira’s control of her emotions, which had threatened the entire palace when the accompanying thunder and lightning had burst forth. Only Zorall’s energy wielding abilities had saved them. Tistan and Moira had been about to leave the room and the Sologne family when the Silver Lady had appeared and taken them with her. That she only appeared after Tistan and Moira admitted they both missed and still loved Tistan’s best friend, as well as Moira’s dead mate, Ubutu Tigarus, could only mean one thing; and that was what especially delighted Marohi at this moment.

I can’t tell you what I suspect, only what I know, Marohi finally answered.

Please Marohi? Zita begged

Zita’s plea was Marohi’s undoing. He could not bear to hurt the sweet lady that had welcomed him to the family so unconditionally. He nodded.

She is known as the Silver Lady on my world, but to Shakarans she is known by several titles. The one I believe she is using at this time is Righter of Wrongs.

Zorall seemed to let out the breath he’d been holding, "Gara!"

Indeed.

So where did she take my son? Borann asked, quietly.

I would assume to right a wrong, of course! Marohi replied. Please excuse me; Lord Leonus will need me now until his parents return.

Chapter One

Ubutu Cleona knew she was in for it now. Stupid trader! Stupid transport! She wanted to scream in frustration. Two weeks ago the call had been received for an immediate clan gathering and here she was limping up to Union Headquarters to beg for repairs on her stupid, broken-down transport. The credits expected for her last shipment? Gone! When she got her hands on that slimy, green Olanian trader who’d managed to take her cargo and pay her with counterfeit credits she would wring his bloody, scrawny neck. Shoving impatiently at the gilded blonde curls that refused to stay confined in their braid, she tried to focus her orange gold eyes, the only sign of her Hashani or shifter heritage when in her two-legged form, on the computer console before her.

She could just hear the condescending tone of her grandfather when he learned of her grand voyage across the galaxies only to be taken in by that slimy, green, son of a trogar. Females weren’t fit to captain their own transport, let alone try to conduct business. She should have stayed home and mated and had cubs, and... And? She’d missed the gathering! He’d want to take her transport away, broken-down piece of space junk that it was. But it was hers, purchased with her personal credits which she had saved from multiple trade runs on an Ubutu Clan transport. She swiped impatiently at the tears, paying little heed to her crew, knowing her cousins were in the same predicament as her. Grandfather would never let any of them forget the error of their ways in signing on with Cleona and heading out on their own instead of staying within the family fold.

Maneuvering into the berth assigned to her at the Union spaceport, Cleona turned the helm over to her co-pilot, Welan.

It wasn’t your fault, Cleona, he reassured her for the umpteenth time.

Tell that to Grandfather when he receives the bill for these repairs, Cleona responded with a sniffle.

I’ve got a message for you, Cleona, Owyl called out. Tiana’s here, too. She wants to know if we’ve got room for her and if we’re headed towards the main ship.

Tell her yes, but I’m charging passage, Cleona responded, tongue in cheek, her mood immediately lightened.

Owyl relayed the message and raised her eyebrows at a response only she could hear through the small device inserted in her ear.

She said bill the Union, she’s an ambassador now.

No way! Cleona bounced out of her seat to run to the communication’s console. Give me that!

Cleona jerked the earpiece out of Owyl’s ear, pulling her hair in the process.

Cleona that hurt! Geez, give me a sec to get the damn thing off first!

Cleona impatiently shooed her cousin out of her seat before the communications console and sat down.

Tell me everything! she demanded. No! Wait! Get your cat up here and tell me in person!

I’m already on my way, Tiana laughed. And, do I have news for you! I just got it myself this morning.

Good news? ‘Cause if it’s not good news I don’t want it, Cleona bantered back.

Really, really good news; the best! reassured Tiana. Meet me at the airlock in ten minutes.

Um, yeah, Cleona’s good mood disappeared as rapidly as it had come. You’d better use the secondary airlock. The main one isn’t functioning.

I can’t wait to hear that story, Tiana teased. From what I just heard of your request here at Control, it’s going to be something. But I’ll lay odds mine is better.

Just get up here, Cleona said glumly. Someone needs to cheer me up before Grandfather tears a strip off my cat.

All she got in return was laughter and static. She handed the ear piece back to Owyl and relinquished the seat she’d commandeered. Owyl patted her on the arm.

It wasn’t your fault, she repeated the same assurance the entire crew had been saying since the damage had occurred. Olan II is a Union member. No one expected that trader to do what he did.

Cleona tried to smile, but knew it was half-hearted. Hashani men were not known to be understanding of the women who, like her, took on a non-traditional role, and although she loved her grandfather, he had some very old-fashioned ideas. Cleona strode off the bridge to meet her cousin and best friend, Ubutu Tiana, apparently Ambassador Tiana now. Bypassing the damaged main docking bay and air lock, she arrived at the secondary docking bay, the one normally used for loading supplies for the trade voyages and offloading garbage, in time to see the rented skimmer let her cousin out. Tiana waved at the pilot with a sassy grin, sauntering towards Cleona with a swing in her hips. Cleona laughed at the look of pure longing on the pilot’s face. Tiana could only be referred to as hot by most of the men in the Union, with her long straight black hair, bronzed skin, lush curves and the peculiar orange gold eyes all Hashani shared.

Cleona was no slouch herself, with coloring the exact opposite of her cousin’s. The blonde hair and pale skin she had inherited from her mother, was highly unusual for the Hashani, with most being dark haired with the same bronzed skin her cousins displayed. Cleona was not a typical shifter female, either. The only child of Alagon and Fioni, she had been pampered, spoiled and given the same freedoms the men of Ubutu Clan enjoyed. Even though she was still very young for a Hashani, barely twenty-three Union standard years, as opposed to Tiana’s thirty, her father had defied her grandfather, in allowing her to purchase her own transport shortly before Alagon died in the same accident that had taken their leader, Lord Thane, and his mate, Lady Sital. He’d been requested to pilot their personal space skimmer when they had been called to Arel at the death of their son, Lord Tigarus. No one knew just how or why the skimmer had caught fire in space, but the outcome was that all aboard had perished when the hull had been breached and the safeties had malfunctioned. Cleona was pulled from her musings when Tiana grabbed her in a quick hug.

Just wait ‘til you hear! Tiana exclaimed, her eyes sparkling and a huge smile on her face.

How did you get to be an Ambassador? Cleona practically squealed with excitement.

Okay, she couldn’t help it. When she was with Tiana, the years rolled back and it felt like they were cubs once more, the two of them running amuck together whenever the clan gathered.

Oh that, Tiana waved the question away as if it were nothing. Negarius was trying to take over the clan. He threatened me and I got mad and came to Leader Arnat who made me an ambassador. Negarius is here, by the way, under arrest for trying to take over a planet.

Cleona just stared at her cousin, her mouth open, until she realized she was doing so and shut it with a snap.

Anyway things are better now, Tiana continued. Tigarus’ son Leonus was named leader of the clan with his advisor, a Solarian named Marohi, and they’ve been taking care of things for the past week.

So what’s the really good news? Cleona interrupted. I desperately need some really good news.

Tigarus is alive! Tiana exclaimed.

No! How? What? Cleona wasn’t sure which question to ask first.

I don’t know! Tiana replied, executing an impromptu dance step. But isn’t it great! My brother is alive! He’s back at the clan’s main space ship and he’s got another mate!

Huh? Cleona knew her mouth was hanging open again. What happened to Lady Moira?

Oh she’s still his mate, too, Tiana nodded.

Um, Tiana? Are you feeling okay? You haven’t been eating anything strange have you? Cleona moved to feel her cousin’s nose. No you’re not running a fever.

Oh stop it! Tiana shoved her hand back with a chuckle. No, I’m not sick. I haven’t been taking some new drug, either. Tigarus is really back. He’s part of a sacred triad now with Moira and Tistan Sologne. Well I guess that would be Ubutu Tistan now, huh? I mean Tigarus is the elder and Tistan mated with him and Moira so he’d be a part of Ubutu clan now, right?

Cleona held her hand up, Stop! My head is spinning!

Tiana grinned at her, I know! Mine, too!

You’re serious, aren’t you? Cleona studied her cousin. Lord Tigarus has been brought back to life?

Tiana nodded, clearly overjoyed.

I’m headed back to the main space ship now to find out how this all happened. So let’s get your repairs finished and get going, okay.

Cleona could only nod.

Oh by the way, since I’m requisitioning your transport for my personal use, Leader Arnat said the Union would pay for repairs and your first in line since it’s imperative I get back to the clan right away. Tiana was speaking as she pulled Cleona out of the docking bay. "And how in Gara’s name did you manage to scrunch the main air lock and docking bay like that? I don’t think I’ve ever seen that kind of damage before."

Cleona suddenly stopped walking and burst into tears, throwing her arms about her cousin.

Oh come on now, Tiana returned the hug and patted her back. It’s going to be okay.

But I’m broke! Cleona sobbed. "That stupid son of a trogar trader paid for the cargo with counterfeit credits. I didn’t know he was a fraud; I mean Olan II has been Union for almost two years, but when I tried to deposit the disc he gave me they said it wasn’t authentic. I tried to catch up with him and get the cargo back, but he purposely rammed my transport and took off. I had to limp it all the way here and my account is empty and Grandfather is going to say it’s all because I’m a female and Father should have never let me have my own transport."

Argaran can’t take your transport from you as long as I’ve got it requisitioned so don’t worry about that, Tiana reassured her. We’ll work it out and everything will be okay.

Cleona suddenly felt better having unloaded her anxiety on her cousin. She sniffed, accepting the square of cloth Tiana offered. She wiped her eyes and nose and squared her shoulders.

I’m not down yet? she asked with a watery smile.

That a girl! Tiana responded with a grin. Now let’s see, since I’m using this as my personal transport, the going rate is six hundred credits for each twenty-four hour period, and I believe it takes almost forty-eight to get to where the main space ship is now orbiting, that would be Arel, by the way; and I’ll need to continue using it until I file my report about Tigarus with Leader Arnat, which will probably take about a week. Hang on let me figure it out.

Tiana had been ticking off on her fingers as she spoke and now appeared to be making calculations in her head, however Cleona had always been better at math and had the answer much quicker.

Fifty four hundred for the first nine days, she stated.

Excellent, Tiana withdrew a credit disc from her breast pocket and handed it to Cleona. Here transfer the full amount for the first nine days into your account. This should cover that much and I’ll renegotiate once Leader Arnat decides where he wants to send me after this.

Cleona looked from the small square disc emblazoned with the Union crest to her cousin and suddenly smiled.

Grandfather doesn’t know what he’s talking about when he says women don’t have the capacity for business, she giggled.

It’s a good thing Argaran isn’t the leader of the clan then isn’t it, Tiana quipped.

Welcome aboard Ambassador Tiana, Cleona joked, linking elbows with her cousin. Let me show you to your quarters.

Lead on, Captain, lead on!

***

Marohi rounded the corner of the corridor, nearly colliding with Leonus, who was running full-tilt as his black and white cat. Leonus skidded to a stop, his little claws making skittering sounds on the tiles of the floor. He shifted to his two-legged form, clothes intact this time, Marohi noted, and bounced from one foot to the other.

Hi Marohi! I was just coming to get you! Leonus grinned up at him. My first daddy says can you come to his personal study, please.

Of course, Marohi replied.

With the abundant energy of youth, Leonus skipped along at his side, chattering non-stop about having two daddies now and how glad he was that Gara had decided to give him back his first daddy. Marohi merely nodded since he knew Leonus required no response. He, too, was glad to see the happiness which the Silver Lady had blessed the family he’d become quite attached to over the past month. The guilt that had nearly overwhelmed both Lady Moira and Lord Tistan over their love of each other had disappeared, literally, overnight. He’d never heard of anyone being granted a second life such as the one given to Tigarus, and he’d not had much chance to speak to any of the three members of their triad since they had been returned to the main space ship a few days previous.

His attention returned to what Leonus was saying when the youngster stopped in front of the panel leading to Lord Ubutu Tigarus’ personal study.

Marohi you’re not going to leave me now that my daddy is back and I don’t have to be leader yet, are you?

Marohi looked down at his pupil. Leonus was staring at him with the serious green eyes of his mother, his little face worried.

I will stay as long as I am needed or wanted, Marohi responded, ruffling the little shifters black curls with the distinctive white streak at the left temple, identical to his father’s.

I want you to stay, Leonus grabbed his hand and pulled him through the panel which had slid open in front of them.

Lord Tigarus, Lord Tistan, Marohi greeted the two men waiting inside.

Leonus, your mother wishes you to help her, Tigarus informed his son.

Leonus cast a suspicious look at Tigarus and Tistan before turning towards the doorway. He looked back over his shoulder before leaving.

You’re not sending him away, Daddy?

No, Leonus, we’re not sending Marohi away, Tigarus smiled at his son.

Good, ‘cause I want him to stay.

Leonus skipped out the door and the panel slid shut behind him.

Marohi took a moment to study the elder of the two men. Tigarus was as tall as Tistan and shared the same muscular build, but the similarity ended there. Where Tistan was blonde with green eyes and the dusky skin of his mother, Zita; Tigarus’ hair was black, with a white streak at his left temple, and hung straight almost to his waist, and he had the orange gold eyes of the Hashani. Both men wore the sturdy jumpsuit adopted by many of the Union members, but Tigarus had left the front fastening partially undone, exposing a smooth, bronzed, muscular chest.

This was the first time Marohi had seen the two together since their return and the love between them was readily apparent. Neither Tistan nor Moira had come through the process of returning from the no man’s land between the realms to this one without some energy-zapping after effects. They’d taken the past few days to recuperate and Marohi knew from Leonus the majority of that time had been spent sleeping. Tigarus hadn’t seemed to have suffered in quite the same way and Marohi wondered if it were truly because he’d been traveling between realms for the past year, as he’d told Leonus, or if it had more to do with his being Hashani while his mates were not.

When Tigarus motioned him to a seat, Marohi inclined his head briefly in acknowledgment before seating himself and arranging the loose folds of a pale green ankle-length robe, his customary attire, around his legs. He waited patiently for the reason for his summoning to be revealed.

"I owe you a debt of gratitude I can never repay for keeping Leonus safe from my uncle, and for your service to my clan, as well as my immediate family will be recorded in our history. As leader of the Ubutu Clan of Hashani, you have my blood oath that this clan will always welcome you