Free Chasing Dare by Mikayla Lane

bonding. So in a strange kind of way, we may have helped her find her mate.” He really had thought that would make her happy and was crushed when he heard her openly crying.
    “Shhh, it’s ok. I promise this will all work out fine.” He really hoped he was right. He couldn’t lose her… or him. He had to find a cure and Dare was his only option right now.
    “I know Grai. It’s just all this lying and living in secret is starting to wear on me. I need you. We need you. You know how he gets when you leave.” He’d heard this so many times before, yet it still could break him every time she told him that they needed him and wanted him. Relian’s were never needed. And certainly never wanted.
    It strengthened him in ways his father and his brothers would never understand. They thought emotion was weakness. They had no idea the power that flowed through him any time he spoke to her.
    “I know this is not easy for you; it is no easier for me. Even so, you know what is at stake here. We don’t have a choice. However, I promise that I will make this as easy as I can for Dare and the Valendran.” It was all Grai could promise her right now. He’d do whatever it took to find the cure, sacrifice anything.
    “His name is Balduen. He was one of the ones who helped rescue Cari. If he is her mate, then at least she found a good one. Please don’t let anything happen to them Grai.”
    Her sadness beat at his resolve until he pulled up a picture on the computer; one of the few he allowed himself to have. He’d had it altered to look like a saved ad for a new phone, so if anyone found it, they wouldn’t suspect that the people in the photo meant something to him. He knew better than anyone the cruel streak that ran through his people, his father in particular.
    “I won’t let anything happen to them. They are being well cared for; I promise. Please… trust me.” He knew he was asking for the one thing a Relian never deserved to have, but he hoped she could give him.
    “You know I trust you. It’s everyone else around you that I don’t trust. Be careful Grai. For our sake, if not your own."
    He loved that she knew their conversations needed to be short and never tried to cry and cajole him into talking for longer. The truth was if she didn’t remember, he’d be the reason they went over their time limit. She was the only bright spot in his world. Any world. And he hated not being there for her like he should.
    “I am always careful, for you both. Know I will never willingly leave you. I’ve sent money and a few other things. No argument this time, please. I need to know you’re taken care of.”
    He didn’t wait for her reply before he hung up the phone, he never could. She always seemed to understand why he couldn’t bear to hear her voice again before they hung up. She knew he would never be able to as long as she kept talking. Her voice was the only thing that kept him sane most of the time in his chaotic and dangerous world.
    He looked at the picture one more time before closing it and turning off his laptop. He had just locked it in the safe when the intercom button startled him.
    “Mr. T’Alq, your three o’clock is here.”
    Grai quickly shook off his thoughts and plastered his normal look on his face before the pathetic and disgusting Senator from Nevada came in begging for more money to cover up yet more scandals over his pathetic ignorance. Something would have to be done with the incompetent fool. Grai quickly covered his smile before the door opened.

 
    Chapter Six
    Dare and Balduen hadn’t been too surprised when a few hours later they began to feel the drug taking effect again, followed by rattling sounds coming up the stairs.
    They had both known by the time on the TV and the rumble in their stomachs that at some point the doctor and crew would be bringing dinner to them. They both noted the time on the TV with a slight nod to each other, wanting to make sure they were both charting the