The Commander's Daughter Read online

  The Commander’s Daughter

  By

  Morganna Williams

  Copyright © 2014 by Stormy Night Publications and Morganna Williams

  Copyright © 2014 by Stormy Night Publications and Morganna Williams

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

  Published by Stormy Night Publications and Design, LLC.

  www.StormyNightPublications.com

  Williams, Morganna

  The Commander’s Daughter

  Cover Design by Korey Mae Johnson

  Images by Bigstock/Catolla, Bigstock/Cheschhh, and Bigstock/Romancephotos

  This book is intended for adults only. Spanking and other sexual activities represented in this book are fantasies only, intended for adults.

  Prologue

  Twenty years ago, Ramelians came to help earth in exchange for brides for the Ramelian warriors. It had been a successful venture and now there was little need to harvest brides, as so many earth women had volunteered to be paired with a Ramelian male.

  The world went through a lot of changes after the Ramelians first came to the planet. Most of the humans began taking vitamin shots to improve their health and longevity, and they lived in homes with air specially filtered to Ramelian specifications.

  Thankfully, the need for protective domes over their homes had been extinguished when Ramelian scientists invented a new filtration system capable of removing all the toxins from the air and replacing them with antioxidant rich nutrients, mimicking the Ramelian atmosphere.

  As a result, most earthlings were disgustingly healthy, and once they reached about twenty-eight years old, they didn’t appear to age.

  Chapter One

  Captain Liam Denaé paced outside Commander Treenan’s office, as he waited for an audience to report for duty. Liam had been sent by the high council to assist with the training of earth recruits for the protection of the planet.

  As he waited, a woman began yelling from inside the office. “Daddy, it’s not fair! Griffin and Braeden went to Ramel!”

  “Griffin and Braeden are warriors, Melody. You are my daughter,” was the firm reply.

  “I’m still an adult! I should be able to travel and see a little bit of the world.” The voice rose a little, obviously trying to wheedle a more desired response.

  “Young lady, the subject is closed.” A stern note entered the deep voice.

  “Sometimes you are impossible!” the woman screeched and the door slammed open. A curvy feminine shape barreled toward Liam at full speed before he could announce his presence.

  “Melody, come back here!” A large Ramelian, whom Liam assumed was Commander Treenan, followed her out the door with clear exasperation.

  The young woman slammed into him and bounced backwards to land on her delightfully rounded bottom with a cry of dismay. Big green eyes glared up at Liam and something seized in his chest.

  He stared down at her in shock, taking in the disheveled strawberry-blond curls swirling about her delicate features. The commander’s daughter was his mate.

  “Don’t just stare at me, you big oaf! Help me up!” she barked up at him demandingly.

  Liam frowned; the commander’s daughter needed a spanking.

  “Melody, you will not take your ire at me out on a visitor to our home.” The commander leaned down and lifted his daughter easily to her feet. “Apologize.”

  The girl had the grace to flush guiltily, but then firmed her chin and glared at Liam again. “Fine, I apologize.” The tone of her voice indicated she was not sorry at all for her rudeness.

  Obviously, once they were mated Liam would have to work on her manners. Liam moved toward her quickly, placing a finger beneath her chin to lift her eyes back to his. “Such a sour expression does not belong on such a beautiful face. Your father only looks to your welfare, as he should.”

  At first the comment about her beauty seemed to soften the girl’s features, then the rest of the words sank in and she scowled up at him, jerking her face from his hand. “The expression on my face is none of your business. How dare you listen in on my private conversation with my father?”

  Liam smirked, “It is hard not to hear a private conversation that is being screeched at such a volume.”

  “Screeched! You are a complete…”

  “Melody!” the commander interrupted her tirade before she could finish. “Find your mother and tell her you have been assigned kitchen duty as a punishment for the remainder of the day.”

  “What? I hate kitchen duty!” Liam watched with interest as his mate actually stomped her foot at her father. Though it was not an action he would allow without punishment, Liam actually found her pique quite adorable.

  “Do as your father says, young lady. You work hard at digging yourself a deeper hole,” Liam instructed.

  This time two pairs of eyes swung his way in surprise.

  Melody gaped at him, her mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water as she struggled for the words to properly express her anger at his high-handedness.

  The commander eyed Liam speculatively, then firmly took Melody by the arm and led her to the door of his offices. “Go now and find your mother, young lady. I won’t discuss this with you further. This is neither the time nor the place for tantrums or planning your future. These are discussions better left for our living quarters.”

  The girl left, contenting herself with a final glare at Liam before storming out the door.

  Commander Treenan turned to face him. “You are Captain Denaé, I presume?”

  Liam snapped to attention, belatedly remembering this was his commanding officer. “Yes, sir.”

  “Come into my office, captain.” Liam followed the commander as he walked into his office and sat down behind a large imposing desk.

  Liam sat down in the chair the commander indicated and looked expectantly across at the large warrior.

  “I know I just arrived but I feel it’s important to tell you that…” Liam began.

  “My daughter is your mate,” Commander Treenan finished for him.

  “Yes, I didn’t realize I was so obvious,” Liam said, a flush filling his features.

  “To me perhaps, but not to Melody. She’s very young; I would ask that you give her a little time before claiming her. My daughter is only nineteen years old.”

  Liam frowned. “I have waited a long time to find a woman to call my own.”

  “I understand, captain, but I would ask you to consider that this will be a difficult thing for my daughter. She is still learning who she is without her brothers by her side; her mother and I had hoped she would have a few years before she was mated,” the commander explained.

  “I cannot wait years to claim my mate,” Liam said, not a little shocked by the request.

  “Not years, captain, just a few months. Get to know my daughter naturally, let her get to know you and develop a bond. I think if things aren’t forced, your mating will be much smoother,” Commander Treenan explained.

  Liam considered his commander thoughtfully. There was merit in getting to know Melody before claiming her; he nodded in agreement. “I will wait to claim her, but I request a modified assignment. I would be her guard until we are mated. I can give her time, but I will not allow another male to guard her or leave her without escort.”

  “I believe that is a reasonable request, captain.” The commander stood and held his hand out to shake Liam’s in the typical greeting of earth males. Liam had learned this custom in his studies. “I think since you will s
oon be my bond son you should call me Grayson in private,” the commander said with a smile.

  “Please call me Liam,” he grinned back at the commander, pleased he would be joining such an esteemed family.

  Chapter Two

  Grayson and Isabella listened as their oldest daughter, Melody, argued against the need for a constant guard with her father. It was a losing battle, but Melody had inherited Grayson’s determination and stubbornness so the two butted heads often.

  “I don’t need a guard! I’m almost twenty years old! It was bad enough being shadowed by Griff and Braeden all my life; I thought I’d finally have time to explore on my own now that they’ve been sent to Ramel for training,” she huffed with obvious exasperation.

  “This will not be discussed further, young lady. This I do for your own good,” Grayson said firmly. He gave way a lot more than he should with his headstrong daughter, but no way was she gallivanting around the planet without escort.

  Melody stomped a high-heeled foot at her father. “This is beyond ridiculous! I’m an adult!”

  “I will not have you gallivanting across the planet without an escort!” Grayson said firmly.

  “I’m not planning on going any further than town! You are so frustrating!” she grumbled up at him.

  Grayson smiled down affectionately at his little girl; she was adorable when in a fit of pique, much like her mother. Melody was taller than Isabella, standing 5′11″ in bare feet and her hourglass figure was enough to give him nightmares, topped with long wavy strawberry-blond hair that flowed around her with every exuberant movement. Her features were a mixture of Isabella and him: high strong cheekbones, large wide-set eyes with a small pert nose perfectly offset by her full lips and small stubborn chin. The stubborn little chin quivered at him as her full lips stuck out in a charming pout; when tears began to gather in her big green eyes, his heart melted just as it always did.

  “Shhh, little one. All will be well, you will see.” Grayson wrapped his arms tightly around his daughter, willing her to feel the security of his embrace and take comfort as she had as a small child.

  She seemed to clutch him almost reflexively. “Daddy, can’t you understand how much I yearn for just a little freedom? Just let me go into town to the movies or shopping alone. I’m not talking about going any further. Please.”

  “Grayson? Just to town for an hour or two won’t hurt, will it?” Isabella asked, placing a hand on his arm and leaning up to speak softly for his ears alone.

  It was hard enough to withstand their daughter’s tears, but it was a losing battle when Isabella added her own voice into the mix.

  Grayson sighed, “Very well. Just to town, no further and you will walk. Take Sassy. This is my concession to you.”

  Melody sighed, obviously struggling to keep from arguing further.

  Grayson bit back a smile; no one would come near with the giant basset hound with her. Sassy wouldn’t allow it, which was of course why he wanted her to take the dog. “Very well.”

  Clearly recognizing this was as far as her father would bend, Melody kissed both her parents, then ran from the room before they could change their minds.

  Grayson turned to his little mate with a raised brow, crossing his arms across his chest as he stared down at her.

  Isabella fidgeted from one foot to the other under his stern regard.

  “I thought we agreed she would never leave the compound unescorted, Isabella?”

  “I know, but that was before Liam showed up. Melody is so young and hasn’t experienced any freedom. We’ve talked about this, Grayson, I agree because of your position we have to be on guard, but now that Melody is about to be bonded. I’m afraid if she doesn’t experience anything of life outside this house without a guard, she will only come to resent her mate. He will be even more protective than we are. It’s a fine balance; I want her to be happy in her life,” Isabella said passionately.

  “It will be Liam who ensures her happiness in the future, little fire,” he said with a small frown. The large warrior was now Melody’s guard. The minute he’d set his eyes on the young woman, he’d known she was his mate. It had taken a lot of discussion for Grayson to convince the man she was too young. The only way he’d agreed to wait was if he was her personal guard to ensure her safety and to make sure no other men got near her in the interim.

  * * *

  Izzy was also sad to think she would be losing her precious daughter so soon after the boys had left for Ramel.

  She sighed, knowing Melody was the most sensitive of all her children. “He is so serious, Grayson. I’m afraid he won’t be able to bend enough for our girl to provide that happiness.”

  It had been hard for Griffin and Braeden to leave Melody behind. Sometimes the triplets almost seemed like three parts to a whole. Whenever they were seen together, the boys kept Melody between them, always ensuring her safety. Melody had reveled in their attentions until she had turned fifteen and began to notice boys.

  There was not a boy anywhere who had been brave enough to face down her brothers, who stood just over seven feet tall and were built like Mack trucks. They both had the same green eyes and similar facial features to Melody, though their faces were more masculine and they had their father’s dark hair without a hint of red from their mother.

  Ten years after the birth of the triplets, Izzy had given birth to triplets again, this time two girls and a boy, and then twin girls two years after that. Little Ransom had his hands full chasing after his four sisters and herding them all together to keep them as protected as he could. Layla and Janine were his partners in crime most of the time, and the three of them were known to occasionally gang up on Mandy and Maggie. They were all still young though, and thankfully nowhere near the age of noticing the opposite sex. Three of mating age was more than enough to deal with at a time.

  Only Melody and Maggie had inherited the red hair of their mother, though Melody’s was much lighter than Maggie’s. The rest of the children had dark hair, but all of the commander’s children had Izzy’s emerald green eyes.

  When the boys left, both Izzy and Melody had cried. Izzy knew Melody would miss them terribly, but at the same time, she knew Melody saw the change as a chance to live life as a normal girl. The fact she would now have a guard at all times had been a rude awakening.

  Izzy rubbed her arms, thinking about the pending bonding of Melody and the serious warrior come to claim her, and would he be able to provide for her happiness?

  Grayson’s arms came around her from behind as she pondered her daughter’s fate.

  “All will be well, little fire. They are bond mates and therefore created for each other. There will be an adjustment period for both of them as they learn to live together, but eventually they’ll be as happy as we are,” he said, placing a kiss to the place where her neck met her shoulder.

  Izzy shuddered in response; even after twenty years, her big warrior made her weak in the knees. She looked up at him over her shoulder with a grin. “Ours wasn’t exactly the smoothest mating in history in the very beginning.”

  Grayson grinned. “You were always mine, I just had to show you how much you loved and wanted me.”

  Izzy turned in her mate’s embrace and went up on tiptoes to reach her arms up; Grayson obligingly picked her up so she could wrap her arms around his neck. Contentedly she snuggled into him; perhaps Grayson was right and their daughter would find the same kind of bond they had.

  A mother could only hope.

  Chapter Three

  She found the man maddening, always underfoot and sticking his nose in her business where it didn’t belong.

  Though Melody was tall for a woman, Liam stood almost seven and a half feet tall and was built like a tree, so he towered over her, making her feel tiny. Liam hardly spoke to her unless it was to tell her not to do something and glowered disapprovingly all the time.

  The fact that he also caused her pulse to speed up and often looked at her in a way that brought a flush to he
r cheeks was just another strike against him in her book. He was ridiculously handsome, of course, as were all the Ramelian warriors, but Melody had no intention of finding herself mated to one of the big oafs. Barefoot and pregnant was no joke with these guys. No, thank you.

  Granted, Liam was even better looking than most with dark blond hair and brooding brown eyes set in a rough-hewn face with a strong jaw and a cleft in his chin. One had to ignore the simply yummy way he always seemed to have a shadow of a beard; it was too much for a girl’s peace of mind! Of course there was no way of knowing if the man had dimples, since he never smiled. He was always seemed to be scowling at her and telling her not to do this or that. It didn’t matter how many times she told him he was a guard, not her boss; the autocratic male continued to bark orders at her continuously.

  Melody was happy to escape his glower for a few hours of peace. She sang to herself as she clipped a leash to Sassy, and the Saint Bernard-sized basset hound danced around excitedly, as eager as Melody was to get out of the house.

  The dog was funny-looking to people when seen for the first time—even though she was so large, she still had the gangly body proportions of a normal basset hound—but their amusement changed quickly if they drew too close to a member of Sassy’s family. She was fiercely protective of her family, especially the children she’d guarded since birth.

  As a child Melody had ridden around on Sassy’s back, as her younger siblings did now. The dog was ever patient and never snapped, loving her charges as she would have her own puppies. The Ramelian air and vitamins seemed to have the same effect on the youth and longevity of animals, so though the dog was older than Melody, she still seemed to be in her prime.

  “Where do you think to go?” Liam asked, stopping Melody on her way out the door.