Chapter 17: Guilt, Truth and Other Little Lies

Screams could be heard throughout the whole basement, not one of the soldiers flinched or made sound. Ellies arms were broken in so many unknown places. Her legs were stabbed in many places bleeding down. They had censors all over her body sending electric volts randomly all over her body. "Now El tell me again just what the fuck you thought you were doing sending black listed agents MY OWN GOD DAMN MEN shooting AT MY FUCKING FAMILY!!" Gabriel screamed at her couple steps away from her. "I wasn't shooting at them. I was shooting at the D'marlian. He was there." She spoke up weakly. "You really expect me to believe that. There's been no sign of any of them in years they are dead." Gabriel said as he swung the mallet hammer and her left leg and a powerful scream flew out of her.

"Yes. Yes they are here. I know they are. AND SO DOES ANALEIGH!!!" She screamed. "The hell did you just say you evil bitch?" Gabriel anger now filled the whole room. "She smells like them. She carries their scent. She was speaking in D'marlian the other day. She knows certain things only they know who else would have that much knowledge about the plants in her lab?" "SHE DOES!! She knows everything about every plant in there because HER MOTHER TAUGHT HER! Analiegh is smart beyond her years that doesn't make her anything other than smart. Look at her blood line it isn't that fucking difficult to wonder where she gets it from." He hollered to her.

"I'm telling the truth. She has been in contact with them. She is helping them in secret like her traitor mother!" Ellies screamed out all the to her core. The slap from the back of his hand across her face was heard all over the room. "I won't believe your disgusting lies as easily as I did before. Not this time. NOT WITH HER!" "I saw the glow. He claimed her." Ellie was laughing hard. "HE IMPRINTED ON YOUR DAUGHTER JUST LIKE THE OTHER ONE IMPRINTED ON EMERIE! You lost all the females in your family to those disgusting aliens." She was laughing hysterically now. "I have loved you all these years. I have been the one to make sacrifices for you. I was the one who did all the experiments you needed done." She spit out the blood while looking at him. Arms dangling weakly above her head.

"It was ME who was by your side every step of the way on this road to your success ME NOT EMMIE! If she knew. If she truly knew everything you done she would see you as you truly are and that's nothing less than a MONSTER! Nothing more than a sick conniving, manipulative twisted mad scientist. It's the one thing your scared of Analeigh seeing as well as you were desperately afraid sweet little Emmie would see. The real side of you. I have seen it all and I have done the dirty work others were to weak to do. I have done the work others were to blind to fulfill. That others were too weak to do. I have done the work others were to blind to fulfill. Yet you always made me beg and crawl for affection. You never came to me. Always putting me on the back burner not even being in fifth place for your attention. You used me and pushed me aside each and every time." Smiling to him face full of angry tears from past years of frustration.

"It was almost to easy to turn you against each other. I even got off on it when I was alone thinking of you and how your love was now turning into doubt and hatred to Emerie. Of course I lied about everything to you saying she was doing those things. It was you driving her crazy that lead her to getting imprinted. It was the lies you believed over her. You practically shoved her into his heart. Now. Now your daughter has followed in her mothers foot steps and will be another ones little whore. The real cherry on top is you even made her get engaged to someone you chose how would Analeigh really feel if she knew the person who pushed the button that melted her mothers face off was none other than." Gabriel was now standing there covered in blood holding the sharpest, thickest sword known in the world. As he looked at Ellies' head that had finally stopped rolling.

"Clean this mess up. No one is allowed down here until it's finished. Quinn. You tell Analiegh nothing you heard here tonight." "Yes Uncle." Quinn answered like an emotionless soldier. "Go on and collect her bring her to my office. I have some questions for her. Oh Quinn." "Yes sir." "Make sure someone cleans up Ashlynn next door. She refused to talk about anything other than your home wrecking sister." Quinn nodded and walked away giving the order he just received. As soon as Quinn left the room he went down the hall to the supply closet in the hall and took a few deep breathes. Sending a text to Analiegh to get to her dads office. 'Mom how could you let this man live this long with all the evils he has done in this world?' He wondered to himself. Shaking it off he went out and went to inside the office as he stood by in the room Analeigh and her dad was now in.

"I got Quinns story. I got Jaxon story. They all check out. Now I want to know from you. What happened on that mountain." "I wanted to grab samples and do a little bit of research. I wanted to grab materials and thought it's been a while since I've hung out with Quinn. That's why I asked for Quinn when I submitted the order. As we driving up the hill and got to the point we could finally reduce speed the brakes seemed to have failed. We grabbed what we could and jumped out the car flipped and went off the mountain. We gathered our crap and started to make our way here. When we saw a bunch of men in black suits and masks come to us with guns." She took a deep breathe not breaking eye contact with her dad.

"We heard a woman's voice just scream not to let us leave we can't leave kill them. Could have been shoot them as well. I wasn't paying full attention after they started to open fire on us. We were unarmed and took off running. I took to the trees going one way Quinn went another. I was thrown off when I fell out of a tree. I got two bullets in the arm and after a couple minutes I fell I don't know about any other injuries but I know was fading in and out of consciousness from dehydration at this point. You know I fail to take care of myself. I think I saw Jaxon shooting back at the men and it was he and Quinn in the car driving was last thing I remember until the hospital. Honestly dad I don't know what happened. I swear though it was like it was Aunt Millie voice. Dad did auntie Millie try to kill us?" She put on the most saddest voice she could muster with tears filling her eyes. She really had to sell it now.

"Yes. She did. Honey. Ellie has been having some mental health issues. It seems she got caught up in her past and was having trouble with keeping in with reality and what she thinks is reality. She has been let go. We sent her to a better place to get the help that she needs but on the way out she seems to have lost her head and her heart quit. We will be setting up a funeral for her as she has no family." "That's horrible." She said covering her mouth as she let some tears fall being truly surprise. "It is a sad turn of events. She was such a pillar of the lab. I'm sure some staff will take this hard. We will let out more information as things get settled. No need to inform anyone with half ass details right Uncle Gab." Quinn asked him with a soft smile.

"That's right son. Like we always say don't go telling the story until the you have the whole details." Her father said back with a smile. He got up and hugged them both. He held onto Ana a little longer taking in the scent coming off her. "What smells so good on you Ana? Did you change laundry detergent, or body soap? Shampoo?" "Oh It's one of those sets I got that has it all even lotion to match. I just picked up randomly online wanted something a little different before the wedding. I thought it would be a nice gift now for the bridesmaids." She said softly. "I think so as well it smells great. Well I'm sure the news has really troubled you. Why don't you go home and get some rest." He told her.

"Actually I think it would make me to sad to go home and let everything sink in I'd rather get lost in some light work I need to catch up to keep my mind and heart free. Besides I'd rather be alone in my lab where no one can see me if I decide to break down for a moment. Everyone will try to go to the house if they think I am home." "That's why you are so much like me baby girl. I understand completely. Stay there as long as you need to. Text me if you need anything. No one will bother you there I'll even tell Jaxon to leave you be for a day… or three." He said with a chuckle and one last tight hug. "Thanks dad." Quinn walking her to the elevator and taking her down.

"You will promise not to over do it. You are still recovering." "Yes I promise. I still have some of a salve mama made as well as an odd what I thought was antibiotic but apparently it just rapidly repairs your body. So I should be completely sealed and healed with just bruising in about four days. Mama was a genius. "I will make sure to bring you food." "Thank you." Walking into her lab checking everything over and putting up the wall Quinn wasting no time in telling all the details about what happened with aunt Millie. The other three and everyone watching on screen from the ship.

"So I guess he was telling the truth about how she lost her head and her heart quit. Say what you want about the man but his word play skills are always truthful. You just got to be able to read in between the lines with him the final print is always simple with a twist." She said shaking her head. Grabbing her hand she looked at Nix with a lifted eyebrow. "Just. I need to do something. I can feel the sadness flow through you. You may have hated her but you are still upset. Also with the Ashlynn one." "Is this something to do with the bond thing?" Nix just nodded his head. She got it then he just wanted to do something useful to comfort her without making a huge leap crossing boundaries he was unsure of. So she just let him hold her hand.

In reality it did feel nice. She was actually sad of the loss of life the way it had happened. She was more scared of what could have had happened. The way things could be right now. She was so thankful that the others were safe and away from here. That Melana was still with her baby and healthy. It made her sad to see Niko pacing every now and then knowing there's nothing he could do. The whole family banned him from returning here. His only job now was to protect mom and baby. That isn't easy on him knowing how close the three brothers really are. He could not go against the Kings orders.

"Ana are you alright? Is there some how anything I can do to make this better for you?" "Denarius asked feeling bad. "What exactly are you going to do for our sister from here brother. Can you fix the inside of her body from here? New power you got now, eh?" Niko chuckled in a scoff. "I will throw you dip nut. Go on and let me talk to second sister in peace." "What the hell is a second sister?" Analeigh asked out loud to everyone. Nix rub the back of his neck. "You are mated to the second brother. Therefore you are our sister the second sister along with the second brother. That is how you will be seen here. We are all family now." Denarius said proudly.

Taking her hand back to rest on her hip as the other hand pinched her nose for a moment to help her breath better. "Oh. Wow. That is a lot to sink in with such few words." "Well thanks for clearing all that up. Seriously thanks. We will catch up later than." Nix said walking over to the screen. "Brother your mate looks pale you seem to be lacking you should care for sister better." Denarius told him as Nix quickly responded to him. "Yup got it." Slamming the screen down on the laptop. Both hands rubbing down his face. Looking at each other Echo and Quinn quickly started speaking. "Well I got to go I'm off to finish my shift I will have the food brought to level 15. Love you." He said as he quickly left with Echo in tow.

"I will make sure there is no traces of Niko and Melana in their resting places I will be gone rest of the night see you tomorrow." As he went the opposite way after exiting. "It's going to take some time to let all of this week to really sink into my soul here. It feels a little… just a little much all of a sudden. A lot of life changing things all at once." She said as she went to her chair and sat down. "Yeah I can agree with that. He came with two cups of the iced tea he made earlier. "Thanks." Taking a good sip of it. "It's taking a bit to settle for me as well. Fortunately for the males it is said to be easier. You know we just run off our instincts to help or do what we see as helping you. Our job is mostly like the males here we just focus on providing and protecting family. Except we are smart enough that means to provide mentally and spiritually not just with currencies." Looking at him as he was speaking she put her drink down.

"It is why I feel the need to simply hold your hand or pull you close to me right now. I sense the sadness and anger just waving off you in way that make me sad for you. You are hurting in so many ways. There is no way to fix it except to let time take it's course and heal over letting go more every day." "You are right about that. I will be fine though I am a lot more stronger in those ways than you think." "I know. Trust I of all people understand your strength. It's just you're my mate Analeigh. It doesn't matter how strong you are. You need to know that from this point on you are not strong alone anymore. I am with you. I am on your side. I will be your armor so you don't have to be strong. It should sent you some small comfort to know even though you are this strong you don't always have to be and sometimes just knowing the choice is there and for you is nice." He told her as he restrained himself from hugging her.

"It is comforting knowing that. I appreciate your words right now Nix. It is what I need to hear right now. I don't think anyone has ever said anything as precious as that to me before." She said wiping a quick tear from her eye as she calmed herself down. "Sorry I just got a lot of emotions right now." "Don't apologize to me for that. Ever. I like you for who you are all sides of you and I never want to hear you apologize for being you or being human. This is human nature as well as alien nature. All species are emotional beings. That is what makes any of us not a monster. Trick is not to let you emotions control you to the point of insanity like your father." Pushing her stray hair behind her ear. Nodding to him.

Is it ok to stay here for the night. I don't want to go home. I fear Jaxon will try to come back and I am not ready to deal with him." "This is your lab and you ask permission if you can stay?" He laughed light to her making her smile. "I think you forgetting I am more controlled in this mate bond than you and am more clingy. I'd love for you to stay. I don't like you away from me with everything going on here lately. It makes me uneasy not being able to reach you quickly with your father still on the loose and suspicious. "Yeah he was very weird he was even smelling me. Like really focused on sniffing me it was weird it was like so random." Nix body froze and he looked at her.

"He was focusing on your scent?" He asked in a low growl. "Yeah?" Raising her eyebrow confused. "Ellie last few words Quinn said was that you smelt like me." Ana eyes widened as she realized her dad was checking to see if it was true. There was no way she smelt like him anymore she would have noticed. "Ok but I don't smell like you anymore." Ana spoke up in a quick defense. "No. You don't because once we imprinted on each other we change to a smell we both love and crave. It even gives off some special warning that you are mated. It's like a line of defense. No matter what happens you will always smell like this now. Here let me show you." Nix came and put his forearm to her nose.

"Smell." Looking at him she decided to give it a try not the weirdest thing she will do this week. Inhaling deeply her body went instantly at ease with calmness and excitement. "It's like lumber wood, the forest and the ocean. It's almost intoxicating. I wish I could bottle up and use it like a candle." Her words rushed out making him laugh hard. "Glad you like it." "Wait than what do I smell like?" She asked nervously. "Flowers, a sweetness. The sweetness you smell when flowers and a river meet. It is indeed intoxicating." His eyes widened as he shook his head quickly and backed a way for minute. "That is the smell you dad smelt. It will definitely throw him off the track of us for a while as well no D'marlian has ever had a scent like that. You have no marks in the normal area of markings. Hopefully it's enough to by some time." Nix said as they got up and walked to the back where the bed was.

Looking up at him seeing as how its been altered and made into a kings size one now. "Don't look at me. Echo is quiet proud of this newest thing he made. He said we are brothers of the heart and it matters not if we share a bed as long as we are both well and rested to continue fighting the good fight." He said sadly. "I can actually hear those words in his voice as you say them. "I will still take the hammock don't worry." Nix said as he took his pillow and light blanket. "Nix." Stopping to turn to look at her. "How is the sleeping arrangement going to be when we leave?" Looking only at the bed as she asked him.

"You will be forced to be in our room from now on. As most will fear either one of us will be weakened or get sick if the bond wavers. Don't worry though I can put sperate beds if you like it will be no different than how its been these last few months here like this." He rushed out the last part. "We really are just together the rest of our lives than?" "Yes." He was wondering if he should feel sad. Is this disappointment from her end? Was he being rejected now. Is she regretting her soul connected with him? "How about you just share the bed with me. We are adults like Echo said as long as we are comfortable and rested can we keep fighting the good fight." She smiled to him.

"Are you sure? If our uncomfortable I can just-" "I have always been comfortable with you Phoenix. Even after all the secrets you withheld. I think we have come a long way from then. It's not that big of deal really. We don't have to make simple things like turning mountains from mole hills. I mean later in time it will be like this anyway might as well start getting used to it now. I really don't. I don't want to embarrass you when we get to your planet. I don't want anyone saying anything bad about your bond or you as a mate because of stupid insecurities your human has." "It's not like that at all there." He cut her off. "It is taken in the highest respect of how one takes care of their mates insecurities until they're completely settled within their bond. Every planet beyond here knows there is a grace period to learn how to be a mate to your mate. We are all different. The only time one jokes about someone's mate is when he what's the term you use. OH! When a human male sleeps on couch for being in the dog house." He said happily.

"Well than that is ok. I don't know if it's the bond or just because you know we are close. I just feel a little better with you by me tonight. I guess I am heartbroken. Not only did the crazy lady my parents took as a friend cause my parents to be miserable during their last few years together. But now I learned my fiancé is the one who launched the weird ass missel at her that killed her in a gruesome way. Now I am somehow in a blink of an eye married in simple terms. It's a lot to take in and I'm having trouble sorting through it but I ha for the first time ever relieved I'm not going through it alone. Maybe that's the mate bond part." She said scratching her head as they were on the bed. She was sitting up resting on one arm. Nix was leaning back on his elbow and left side looking at her with an emotionless stare.

"I am sorry for how your parents last few years went. I personally saw how they declined rapidly. I learned a lot from them actually. I guess I can thank your father for that now. I learned how not to treat a human mate. I learned how simple communication can be yet how important it was. How easily trust can misled when you have doubts within each other. If your father had even a bit as much trust and faith in Emmie as he said he did. If he even believed in them like he hoped he had. If he wasn't so damn insecure within himself Emmie would still be here happily with you instead of listening to the damn snake in the garden." Looking away shaking his head looking back to her.

"I have learned a lot from your parents Ana and I swear I will never make you go through that. You have never given me one reason not to trust yet I have given you many time and time again. I swear I will always have my trust in you Analeigh. I don't ever want that to happen to us. I mean I know that I am probably in this much deeper than you are but I think its safe to say we were always an odd set of best friends anyway. That doesn't have to change you know. How many in any species can say they married in your words their best friend." Nix asked with a cute smile holding his hand proudly in the air.

"You my good sir are nut. You need mentally help." She laughed playfully and softly hitting him with her pillow. "There's nothing I can say about all the evils of Ellie and everything that occurred with her. I know your sad about her. I know you r mad about being sad about her. But in time you will let go little by little. It only stings so bad at the moment because everything has how you say it. Oh come to light to you the truth of the past. You never had a chance to let everything set in before she met her horrible fate brought on by your father. Kind of weird justice and injustice as he himself got even with her. With the way he handled her I don't think he himself has forgiven Ellie or himself for everything that had happened with your mother. The anger that rolled off when Quinn described how he killed Ellie. The hatred that swiftly flowed through him proved it went way deeper than it probably should have even now." Nix told her sitting up a little more.

"You're right. I guess none of us are over it. Unlike my dad whose had plenty of years knowing the truth and based on his response I guess maybe it will always be fresh in his mind. I kind of hope it is though. Like Karma. He never had a reason to not trust my mother either. At least not that I know of. I don't know what went on behind closed doors. Maybe he always had that lingering doubt of knowing he was never really my mothers first choice he was just the only choice she was given to have. Than all of a sudden she laughs while having fun with someone else and all his doubts just magnified. I wonder if it would have happened if Ellie wasn't around to place those doubts even worse within him." Shaking her head. "There's no use in this. Playing the what if game is a dangerous game it's almost as dangerous for the mind as the just one more episode, or the I'll get gas in the morning game." Running a hand through her hair pushing it back.

"That is true. Life already messes with the mind enough let's not add more to it tonight. There's always tomorrow and the next day to torture yourself." Nix said with a smug grin while his chin rested in his wrist. To get smacked in the face with the pillow again. "Don't make me call the 'first brother King' and tell him you are being mean to your planets savior." She told him laughing as his eye lit up in shock. "That's not even a joke. Don't do that." "Relax. Don't get your panties in a bunch. It is nice ot know though that I always have an Ace." She winked to him. After a soft pillow fight they both finally just laid down next to teach other on the bed. 

"Thank you Phoenix. This day was so horrible and I wasn't too sure just how I would come out of it. I'm thankful you're here to pull me through I didn't even know how much I needed this. I will look forward to more days like this in our future." Analeigh finally succumbed to sleep. Phoenix looked at her and grabbed a blanket to place on her and one for himself as well. A smile staying on his face. It was new for him this weird sense of pride and accomplishment. He turned his mates horrible and made it better by just being with her. He was reeling in the happiness. It was strange. He was new to the mate bond but his instincts were crazy possessive and he has been holding back with great restraint. He was successful tonight. He found himself drifting off to sleep as well in sweet dreams of their future being full of nights like this.

The next day she held her head with a huge headache. Walking over to a section of the lab to make some coffee and sweet tea not sure which one she would be able to stomach down. Coming up next to her holding his mug out and another one holding a mug on the other side. She smirked and filled both mugs of coffee. "Why do I feel like I drank a liquor store last night?" She mumbled to herself loudly. "Because you are your mother. She would have a raging migraine when she cried too." Echo told here with a half hug behind her and a kiss to her temple. "It will be ok Little one." Echo said when they both heard a low growl. "Alright fine I wont call her that will work something else out." Echo said laughing deeply. He was so happy for his friend. They both have waited for the day they would get mates for along time.

The hope of one day being able to raise a family with their mates was a dream they both let go. Now thanks to the help of the amazing woman in front of him and her female bloodline before her that dream was now slowly piecing itself back together again. Although Echo was no where ready to find his mate just yet. It was nice that his hope and dreams with his best friend was now going to be a reality made his heart smile. I think I am going to go home boys." She said after taking an IB-Profin. "Are you sure?" Nix was the first one to rise with her. "Yup." She said popping the P. "Why?" Echo asked in a curious tone. "Because my dear that is where my shower works better and the Midol is and it works wonders for pains like today. It's not only for shark week." She said waving them off walking out the door. Both looking shrugging and going for a muffin.

When she got home she looked around and started touching everything with her hand lightly gliding over all her mothers and family possessions. Things from her own grandparents. Little treasures she should probably take with her but she won't. Some part of her wanted something to come back to. One day. In the future. Maybe to show her own kids one day. Where it all started. Where it all almost ended. What one crazy deal gone wrong had caused so many species so much pain yet given it so much hope at the same time. "What a crazy world we humans live in. It's not enough we have to fuck each other over on deals. Nope gotta screw over the peaceful aliens too." She sighed and walked in to take a shower.

Letting the water run down her face for a few minutes. Which she always hated made her feel like she would start to be drowning. Running a hand through her face wiping it all off her shampoo/ conditioner. Even the body soap even though faint was still there but the mate smell still over powered everything. 'Well at least that works in our favor. Jesus I feel like I'm in high school hiding my boyfriend just so my father doesn't find out about him. The one problem I never had when I was younger. Never thought I 'd have it in my twenties.' Realization came upon her as she started drying off her hair standing in front of the mirror she turned to look at it.

"I'm a cheater. I have another man. I married an alien while being in an arranged engagement to Jaxon. Holy hell." She started to hyperventilate grabbing bending over and slowly trying to catch her breath. When her phone rang. "Ana? Ana can you hear me?" "Y-yea." "Ok well I just a little voice pop in my head to call you and come check on you. Is now a good time." Of course Nix would mind link him. Must be good to be general with super powers rolling her eyes at her own thought. "I guess. You know what it would be better actually to just talk on the phone. Huckleberry." "You're a daisy if you do." "I just came to terms with the fact that Ashlynn might be right I am a whore. I am an imprinted alien mate to one male and an arrganged marraiage to humale male. If that don't slut I don't know what does. I've never had two men before hell Quinn I never even had ONE MAN before. I am starting to freak a little because after everything that has happened this seems to be the ethic moral issue I'm battling today." She sighed deeply.

"Look I knew I was doing wrong by Jaxon before because we are friends yet I am planning to jilt him. I know that this wasn't our choice or at least mine. I know that we could have been forced to work this out and live mediocrely ever after. This is like doubly wrong. Letting him think everything is fine and letting him plan a future for us. Meanwhile I have a whole life I'm about to embark on to go save multiple species of who knows what aliens with someone I've been friends with for months. I mean when I think about all the things both this dudes put me through. Than how far we come from that. If there is coming back for most of it." She paused. "You are right. It is morally wrong. However does Jaxon at this point deserve anything better. After everything that has happened between the two of you and you and Nix. Honestly if it was a free choice which way would you swing?" Quinna sked as if he already knew the answer.

"I know. I know how much everyone wanted things to work out with Jaxon. I know on paper it should have been perfect. I just." "It's ok to say it. Just say it. Its only me sis." Quinn said in that tone that always made her feel like that was her life line the hand pulling her our of the rumble. "I can never trust the man who killed my mother again." With a deep breath she realized how many tears were now rolling down her face. "He does deserve this Quinn. He should have told me. He may not be the sole person responsible but it was him who pushed the button. I need more information though Jaxon. There are a few things I need to know before we leave." "Do you know what you're doing?" "Ya." She said as she hung up the phone. "Let's see where this goes for the last time." She said holding a small box.