Free Kaden's Breeder by EMMA PAUL

Carina shrugged it off. She appreciated that someone else, other than Alura and Zya, had gone out of their way to speak with her.
    Carina smiled back, “Hi,"
    The woman tossed long jet black hair over her shoulder, “I'm sorry I didn't mean to startle you.” She approached Carina and extended her hand in welcome, “I'm Kiana."
    Carina looked down at her hand. It was turned palm up and she wasn't sure what she should do, so she did the only thing that seemed logical to her. Carina placed her hand on top of Kiana's hand palm to palm. It must have been the right thing to do, because Kiana smiled again and put her other hand on top of Carina's and gave it a firm squeeze, then let go.
    "Would you like to go for a walk?"
    Kiana didn't wait for her to answer. She grabbed Carina's hand and tugged her towards the main path. They walked in awkward silence for a while towards a large canopied area at the far end of the commune. It appeared to be some type of gathering place.
    Every time Kiana glanced at Carina she gave her a friendly smile.
    Kiana finally broke the silence; “It must be so strange for you,"
    She wasn't kidding, “Yeah to say the least."
    "Well I'm sure you will settle in just fine."
    Carina thought she heard a bit of sarcasm, in Kiana's voice. But she must have imagined it. “I think ... well I hope so anyway. This is all so strange."
    Kiana nodded with understanding, “Of course it would be for you. After all you have been through. Kidnapped from your home world, thrust into breeding with a man you don't even know. One that is not even of your own species..."
    Carina stopped walking and grabbed Kiana's upper arm, halting her.
    "How did you know about me being kidnapped?"
    Kiana brought a hand to her lips.
    "Oh sweet ancients, I am so sorry Carina ... I should have not said anything. Let's discuss other things."
    Discuss other things? Something about Kiana's body language didn't quite connect with her expression of sympathy. “No, who told you?"
    Kiana stared down at her feet biting her lip and looking a little too contrite for Carina's taste.
    "Well I ... nothing is truly secret, in fact everyone knows. They think you are ... no I really shouldn't tell you ... come let me show you the Communal Pavilion. It's where we will..."
    Carina grabbed her arm, forcing Kiana to stop walking and turn to face her. “Tell me..."
    "Kiana!"
    A tall heavily muscled Dreg male approached them,
    Carina cursed under her breath, she wanted to know what Kiana was talking about.
    Kiana's face blanched and she rolled her eyes, “Yes, Corbin?"
    Carina noticed a bit of irritation in her voice.
    Corbin grabbed Kiana by the arm and without a word dragged her away. In Carina's mind it only confirmed what Kiana had started to say. Whatever it was she knew it wasn't good. Her welcome to the commune was lacking to say the least.
    She turned towards the pavilion and saw several women and a few Dreg men. All had stopped and turned in her direction. The look on their faces spoke volumes.
    Carina cringed inwardly, and turned to walk away. But then she thought better of it.
    Why should she give them the satisfaction of scaring her away? It did not go unnoticed that everyone seemed to go out of their way to avoid her in the short time she was at the commune. In fact, all the other Breeders had settled in quite nicely and were being readily accepted in the fold of the community. No one other than Zya, Alura and now Kiana, had attempted even a “hello” to her
    Lifting her head high and taking a deep breath she nodded once to the pavilion crowd, turned and continued down the central path towards Zya and Zeth's habitat. On her way, she made it a point of smiling brightly and saying good morning to all the rubbernecks she passed
    Once she reached the entrance to Zya's hut she turned towards all her ogglers and spoke in a very clear precise voice, “I'm okay, please continue with what you were doing. Really don't mind me, I'm fine."
    She heard a