Chapter 3a - Reality #WeeklyWIp #glbt #gay #mm #scifi #realityTV

In this society, humans live a thousand years and biologically mate through an unexplained chemical reaction.

When Petr Markenson's uncle figures out exactly how to mate two people, he finds himself deep inside the process...and on live television waiting to meet his mate.

Chapter 3a

“Just don’t forget to feed them, all right?” Petr said in a more intense tone than normal. Grimacing, he shook his head. “Sorry, Dermt. I know you will take care of my pets.”

Chuckling, Dermt shook his head at his brother who had been standing at the door to his small house for almost thirty minutes. “Petr, the family will take good care of your house and your beasties. Just focus on that damned camera that is going to be following you around for the next three months.” A smug smile crossed his face. “Sasha is due a few weeks after you get back and all of us are excited to meet your mate.” He paused and shifted a bit from foot to foot. “Uh, will they allow the family to come up for the ceremony? I mean, Mama is going to want to be there.”

Shrugging, Petr shook his head. “I doubt it. I don’t even know where this place is Victr is having us all taken. He has it pretty hush-hush, even within the company. I cannot imagine he will want a bunch of strangers up there.” Reaching forward, he smacked Dermt on the shoulder. “Tell Mama she can plan a celebration when we get back.”

Finally turning his back on his house, he walked straight to the vehicle that had been sent for him. The driver opened the back door and closed it behind him once he sat down. He was somewhat alarmed when he realized he could not see out. “Petr?” the driver said through the com.

“Yes?”

“All candidates vehicles are blacked out so that you cannot see where we are taking you. Do not be alarmed. The drive will take approximately twenty-two hours. Feel free to stretch out and sleep. There are food tablets and wine behind my seat.”

“Thank you.”

Twenty-two hours? That would take them all the way across the quadrant. Without thinking about it, he grabbed for his aircom, chuckling when it wasn’t where he kept it. “I wonder how many times I will do that over the next three months.”

Directions from Bry’on Mating Limited were clear. He was to bring seven pairs of comfortable pants, three pairs of dress pants, two pairs of shorts, as well as twenty different shirts. Besides his personal toiletries, that was all he was to bring. None of them were allowed to bring books, tablets, recording devices of any kind, nor where they allowed an aircom. Leaving it behind had been difficult, almost more difficult than leaving Dangr and Cruftn, his pets.

After drinking a full glass of wine, he laid down on the long seat and quickly fell asleep to his surprise. When he woke up, he had no idea where he was except that he was in the back of a trans-vehicle on route to an unknown location. A small shudder went down his back making him chuckle. As a huntsman, he always had control. Suddenly that control was gone.

Sitting up, he was pleased when a small overhead light came on. Looking around, he spotted a screen in front of him. Leaning forward, he turned it on. Victr’s face filled the screen.

“Petr, Glad you joined up. I am sure you are beginning to wonder what the hell you have gotten yourself into, but I assure you this will all turn out amazingly well. I cannot give this away to any of the other candidates, but I wanted you to know that I have indeed found your mate. I cannot say when you will be introduced to this individual as that planning has been orchestrated by PBN, but I assure you, it will happen sometime within the next three months. I think you will be pleased.”

Chuckling, Petr poured himself another glass. An endorphin surge zinged through his body and against his better judgment, he found himself grinning like an idiot. His mate was actually alive and he would be meeting him or her soon. “Damn, I feel like a kid about to go on his first mating ritual.”

Chuckling again, he took a sip and continued to listen to his uncle.

“You will only see me a few times as it is still a long flight from headquarters, but I assure you I will be there from time to time. I cannot wait to hear your impressions of the place. Enjoy yourself, Petr. There is not much for you to do but enjoy yourself for the next three months,” he said with obvious amusement. “I look forward to your mating celebration.”

The screen turned off and Petr leaned back. Victr had found his mate. True, his uncle had assured him he could do it, but until now he had been rather doubtful. “I wish he would have given me some head’s up, some knowledge of what my mate looks like.” Leaning back he closed his eyes and thought of the many girls he had messed around with at mating rituals. Ninety percent of the girls he had hooked up with and about fifty percent of the men were blondes. Well, not surprising, really. He had always appreciated blonde hair and blue eyes.

Everyone in his village and family had either brown or dark reddish-brown hair. The majority had gray eyes, though there was the odd brown-eyed individual from time-to-time. He had light gray eyes, just like his father. His mother’s side of the family all had dark gray eyes just like his uncle Victr. Diria’s changed depending on how good or bad a mood she was in.

The com came on interrupting his thoughts. “Petr, we are within the area. PBN is having us arrive in a certain order so once we reach the ranch, we will be in a long line of trans-vehicles. No reason to get nervous. We could be in line for fifteen minutes, or for ten hours depending on how they are doing this.”

“Wonderful,” Petr grunted, taking another sip. It had been almost a day since he had been outside and he wanted to get out, stretch his legs, and smell real air rather than the stale, manufactured stuff he had been inhaling for hours. Ten minutes later, the driver spoke again.

“All of the trans-vehicles arrived quicker than they expected. So, they have allowed us to drive you elsewhere so you can get out, move about, use the facilities before we get back in line.” They stopped and two minutes later the door next to him opened. He expected sunlight to be pouring in the door for some reason, but instead, it was dark – though lighter than the interior of the trans-vehicle.

Stepping out, he stretched his muscles and looked around. They were parked off to the side of one of the quadrant highways in front of a large tent. “Inside you will find some food, water, and the facilities. You have twenty minutes.” Nodding at the driver, Petr walked to the tent, opening the flap to find a large oval space. In the center was a small table with food tablets and water. To the right in the back there was a small area cordoned off by a half wall.

“That must be the facilities.” He chuckled amused. After cleaning up and downing a couple food tablets as well as some water, he walked around the interior of the tent a few times, taking deep breaths while trying to calm down his insides. Twenty minutes went by quickly as before he was ready, the flap pulled back and the driver stuck his head in.

“It’s time, sir.”

Nodding, Petr followed him out, smiling as the first signs of dawn lit the morning sky. Today was the first day of the most life-changing event he would probably ever have. He planned to make the most of it.

As it turned out, he was glad they got to make a pitstop as they ended up sitting in the line of trans-vehicles for over three hours before he was allowed to exit. When the door opened and he stepped out, he had half a mind to dive back inside. Flashes upon flashes greeted him as he faced over one hundred cameras. Looking past them, he saw a large off-white farmhouse. Figuring that was where he was headed, he walked through the throng of reporters towards the front door.

“And this is Petr,” said a smooth female voice he had heard for years. Strae Walsh, the PBN Evening Voice. Her job was to find out who was doing who and to broadcast it all over the quadrant. He hoped she would not be staying. As the cameras suddenly cleared, he found himself face-to-face with the clawing spider. She stood several feet in front of the porch, wearing a black evening gown along with heels, a hat and a veil. He half expected her to be sporting a wine glass, but she was not. She grabbed onto his arm as he went to walk by.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” she purred into the cameras. “Now, isn’t he a looker!” She gave him a fake smile. “I am surprised a gorgeous man like you needs help finding a mate, Petr.”

Planting a fake smile on his face, he stood still and replied to the cameras, not to her. “Finding one’s mate is not easy. Yes, we can find an individual who fills our mind or bed well for a small amount of time, but to find that one individual; the one for whom our body sings – well, who would want to pass up that opportunity?” He let his smile grow real. “As I am close to the century mark, I had practically given up on finding my mate. To learn that Victr Bry’on has found a way to make it possible for me to do so… well, how could I say no?” He winked at the cameras. “I look forward to meeting my mate sometime in the next three months.”

Easier than he expected, he pulled out of her grasp and quickly made his way onto the porch. Before he could raise his arm to knock, the door opened ahead of him and he walked inside. The door shut behind him and a man dressed in Bry’on colors smiled at him. Petr relaxed at the familiar design on his uniform.

“The others are waiting on the drawing room.” He pointed Petr toward a door at the very end of the hall. “Please join them.”

“Thank you, I will.” He walked down the hall and opened a set of sliding double doors. Inside, were seventeen people, all of them looking nervous or disgruntled.

“Damn,” laughed a tall woman with flaming red hair to his immediately left. He turned to look at her as he pulled the doors shut behind him. “I wish you hadn’t shown up. This means we won’t be mates.”

Chuckling, he held his hand out like always, palm down. She quickly did the same, hers palm up as the back of their hands met. No reaction. Shrugging, she pulled her hand back. “My name is Clari, I am from Quadrant Neu.”

“Petr, Quadrant Thr. I thought all candidates were going to be from this quadrant.”

Laughing, she nodded. “I begged in my intro video for them to allow me in. I think it was my age that convinced them. I just passed my fifth century mark.”

Grinning, he nodded.  “At least you got in, that is the important part.” As they spoke, the others slowly made their way over. Before he knew it, he was touching hands with everyone there. Two individuals, a large woman with dyed blonde hair and green eyes and a short man who was unfortunately balding gave him a reaction, but neither in a good way. The moment the backs of their hands met, they jumped apart as a slightly painful zap hit their wrists at the same time.

The woman had been affronted and charged back to the other end of the room and glared at him as though it had been his fault. The man just chuckled, shrugged and wandered away. Petr had never had a reaction like that and couldn’t help but wonder if it was from that increased hormone production. Could that cause negative reactions? Sighing, he wished he had a notebook to record this information on.

As people wandered in, they were greeted by everyone. While nobody admitted it, Petr could tell there was always a slight hope as they touched the back of someone’s hand that they might be their mate. When it did not happen, disappointment was quickly hidden and conversations would be started about inane topics like gardening and quadrant politics. Of the twenty-eight individuals he met before Victr and a camera crew walked in, he found four people he looked forward to getting to know and conversing with. Tenro and Grod were both farmers from the lower part of Quadrant Thr; hard workers, they did not put on any false fronts. Geria and Corr were both from the lead city; one was an herbalist, the other, an animal trainer; both were ultra-feminine and quiet, but from the very beginning their sharp wit came through. Yes, the four of them would be a pleasure to talk to.

“Candidates, welcome!” Victr called as he walked into the room, his eyes dancing. “I hope you have gotten to know one another. You will be spending a lot of time together over the next few months.” Behind him a man holding a camera as well as a woman holding a mic trotted along in Victr’s wake. Petr recognized them from the crews outside. “Today I am sure you are exhausted, so this will be quick. I will go over the basics, give you your mating bands, and the first of you will be introduced to your mate.”

(cont next week...)

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Chapter 2b - Reality #WeeklyWIp #glbt #gay #mm #scifi #realityTV

In this society, humans live a thousand years and biologically mate through an unexplained chemical reaction.

When Petr Markenson's uncle figures out exactly how to mate two people, he finds himself deep inside the process...and on live television waiting to meet his mate.

Chapter 2b

“Of course, dear boy. How else do we prove that our results work? With Pier behind it, it will be shown over the entire quadrant. Every Tuesday night, people will be huddled in front of their screens waiting to see a mating occur.”

Clearing his throat, Petr opened his mouth only to close it again as the door opened and Vint walked in with a tray of food. He placed plates in front of each of them as well as glasses of water and wine before leaving.

Once the door was shut, Petr tried again. “So, how is this all going to work? On most of these programs people get cast off. But you are talking about mating couples up? I don’t see how that is going to work.”

Beaming, Victr took a drink of his wine and sat it down. “The first episode will introduce the candidates, going over their struggles to find their partner. Each subsequent episode will focus on two of the applicants, giving a more in depth history as well as showing when they meet their mate for the first time.”

“Holy hell,” Petr groaned, taking a bite of a roll. “Meeting one’s mate in front of millions of people. That could get… embarrassing.”

Laughing, Victr nodded. “Yes, all the applicants will be aware that anything they do will be filmed and could possibly be aired. There will be guards on hand to pull a couple apart if they try to physically mate on camera. But,” his eyes gleamed. “If they do, higher ratings.”

Chuckling, Petr shook his head. “So what, once they meet you put their bands on and the audience gets to watch the color turn?”

“No. That would prove nothing. People would say we chose the specific bands for that couple. They would suggest that we planned it.” He shook his head. “No, on day one, the candidates will be brought into a room where a large bowl of bands sit. They will choose one and place it on their own wrist, but the key will remain until they meet their mate. Their mates will also get the same treatment. When they meet and the chemical activates, they will rip off each other’s key and the band will solidify.” He grinned widely. “Right in front of the whole damned quadrant.” 

“Damn,” Petr whispered, finishing his meal and leaning back. “That's brilliant.”

Laughing, Victr nodded. “By the time the second episode has aired, we will have a pile of applications to go through.” He rubbed his hands together. “I can hardly wait.”

“So, when is this thing starting?”

“Ah. I want advertising to start the blitz next week. The applications should start coming in right after that. Our plan is to shoot the thing starting in three months. Each candidate will have to give up their life for three months as all of them will be sequestered for the entire time. But for the opportunity to meet their mate and be on live screen? They will not be able to resist.”

Nodding, Petr took a drink of his wine and leaned back, gazing out the fake window that sat behind Victr’s desk.

“Thought any more about whether you want to join up?”

The question did not surprise him. He had been thinking of nothing but. “Of course I have thought about it. It’s just…” Petr grimaced. “Doesn’t it sound desperate?”

“Desperate? To want to find your mate?” His uncle smiled. “I think the majority of our kind wishes to meet their mate, Petr. There have been times in my long life where I wished for one as well. But overall, I am a loner. You are not. Diria raised you to be a loving mate, nephew. You and I both know it.”

“True, but that does not mean I have to like it,” Petr shot back with a grin.

“It is your choice. If you choose not to do it at first, you are welcome to submit your name to the huge influx of applications afterward. I cannot guarantee how fast it will happen at that point. I will tell you that if you join up now. I will do my damndest to find your mate as quickly as possible.” Turning, Victr grabbed his small screen and with a few touches brought up a list. “This is a list of currently unmated individuals in all seven quadrants where we currently have a sample of SKZ-1. The number sits at just under ten thousand. Once the advertising blitz starts, I hope for it to jump to a million.” He pushed the list over toward Petr. “Your mate could be on this list.”

Petr found his hand reaching out for the list before he pulled it back. “What happens if a mating does not occur?”

Nodding, Victr turned off the screen and placed it back down. “Like I said, we cannot guarantee, but so far only three individuals have refused their mating call. They felt the jolt, the chemical called to them to give in but they refused.” Frowning, he shook his head. “Petr, be aware that a mating is not an ‘I want this and only this’ scenario. Your mate may be of a different race, social and or economic background. Your mate may turn out to be male.” He paused and nodded when Petr looked at him with surprise. “That is why those three matings did not work. The individuals involved could not handle being mated with a member of a certain sex.” Sighing, he shook his head. “Personally I do not get it. What is the big deal? But they refused and to this day are on meds to help dull the pain of the separation from their mate.”

Wincing, Petr asked, “What about the mate they refused? It would be worse on them I would think.”

“It was. Two of them committed suicide. One shut down mentally and while she works and helps out her family, there is no life in her.” He sighed again. “So, before any applicant can be accepted, they will be interviewed by someone who will make sure they are ready to accept their mate, no matter what.”

Driving home, Petr could not get his uncle’s words out of his mind. How horrible would it be to find one’s mate and have them reject you? He shuddered at the possibility. The opportunity, however, seemed too good to pass up. And yet at the same time, the thought of being in front of a camera while finding his mate was horrid. Not to mention what would happen if his mate – if he found her or him – refused him?

Groaning with the stress as well as all the real food his uncle had been feeding him lately, he walked into his house and sat down, chuckling when his pets climbed all over him demanding their meals. “All right, you two. Dinner coming up.” Pulling himself up, he fixed their meals and grimaced at how sore he felt. “Guess I am going to have to start working out. In my last career it was part of the job. Now, it will have to just be something I do.”

*****

As Petr worked on the two projects Victr handed off to him, he was so busy he never got the chance to find out how things were going with the new project until a week later.

“All personnel to the screen room please.”

Stretching out his muscles from having been bent over the table trying to make sense of his uncle’s shorthand, he grabbed a mug of water and left his office, following the other VPs down the hall.

The screen room sat in the middle of the offices, completely cylindrical in shape, with four doors equidistant leading in or out. Rows of hard wooden chairs were arranged facing a large screen on one end. As soon as they sat down, Victr Bry’on strode into the room. 

“Ladies and gentlemen. Today we launch what will be the next boost in Bry’on Manufacturing’s business. First, let me say that Bry’on Manufacturing has been a leader in the mate bonding industry for several centuries and we have striven to bring the most enjoyment to such a wonderful trade. As of today, we take over the industry.”

A small buzz of excited voices met that announcement.

“In one hour, Bry’on Manufacturing will be just one part of a new company called Bry’on Mating Limited. Not only will we keep manufacturing the best mating accessories around, but we will also become the number one mating company. And this will show you how.”

The lights dimmed and the screen went from gray to green, turning into a woodland scene. Petr realized it must be their advertisement for the new program. 

Victr pulled a seat up to his nephew and leaned in. “This is it, Petr. Are you in or not?”

Swallowing, Petr watched the advertisement play out. It showed happily mated couples, all wearing the signature Bry’on mating band of course, as well as un-mated individuals from all walks of life. As the ad turned into an explanation of the program and what Bry’on Mating Limited would do for its candidates, he tried to slough it off, for once unable to ignore the stinging pain in his shoulders when he did so. Maybe this was a change he should take. So he would be putting himself in front of the camera. Why would that matter? For one thing, he would be able to help his uncle steer any conversations or actions he might want to have happen. It seemed easier to convince himself to do this for the sake of his uncle’s company.

As the advertisement ended, he turned and looked into the deep steel eyes of his uncle. “I’m in.”

A grin spreading across his face, Victr stood up and went back to the front of the group. “Yes, this is exciting. And we already have our first candidate.” He waved toward Petr. “My nephew will be one of those searching for his mate. 

“Most of you won’t see too much of a change in your departments over the next few months, but you will see an influx of personnel. A formal announcement will be sent later on today. If you have any questions, please let me know. Back to work.” With no further words, Victr turned and walked out of the room, his head held high.

“Hot damn,” one of the other VPs chuckled. “This is gonna make us one hell of a lot of money.” He smacked Petr on the shoulder. “Good for you for volunteering to be the company guinea pig. I couldn’t do it.”

That seemed to be the general consensus – that Petr was doing this for the good of the company and he preferred it that way. It made things easier as time went on to focus on the program and the show rather than the fact he was getting physicals, having blood drawn, getting psychological evaluations, as well as having his physical appearance slightly altered. 

He tried to put his foot down on that one, but Victr had been gone that day and Asha would not be denied when she brought him to a room that had been turned into a salon. His brown hair turned black, his eyebrows sculpted, and the rest of his facial hair ripped out. When they took wax to his body, he yelled, but they ignored every filthy word that came out of his mouth.  His tan skin from so much work outside was considered ruddy and the fact it was not all-over concerned the sadists who had been assigned to him. For three weeks afterward, he had to lie in a tanning bed for an hour until he was the same dark tan all over.

After that, he was screen-interviewed as well as had to sit for a whole slew of photographs. By the time Asha pronounced him ready, he wanted to just go hide for a few years. When the time came for the first ad for the show to go live, he felt sore and on edge. His family had not been informed yet what he was involved with and he was not looking forward to telling them. For one thing, they would tease him about his new appearance. He looked like a damned model, a career he had sneered at for as long as he could remember.

At the same time, the desire to find his mate had increased for some inexplicable reason and while he had not asked, he was wondering if that subliminal thought had already been placed, thus upping his body’s production of SKZ-1.

“Telling the family?” Victr asked him as they made their way to their vehicles after work.

“Yes.” Petr sighed. “I wanted to be the one to tell them before the ad came out.”

“Good luck. And if Diria gives you too much trouble, have her call me.”

“Thanks, uncle.”

The drive home went too fast, as did feeding his animals and changing into a pair of jeans and a button-down shirt. All said, he arrived at his mother’s house thirty minutes before he was ready to. “Damn.” Everyone’s cars were already there and taking a deep breath, he walked in. “Hey, everyone.”

Once again, silence greeted him. Only this time it was accompanied by stares and gawking.

“Oh my!” Sasha squeaked, slapping her hand over her mouth. “What did you do with Petr?”

A few people snickered at her comment, but for the most part, they seemed to not know what to say. Dermt cleared his throat. “So, is that the Bry’on look?”

Shrugging, Petr perched on the arm of his brother’s chair. “Something like that. I wanted to tell all of you about something that was happening before you heard about it.”

His mother took that moment to walk in. “Okay, I made something spe-” Her words died as she took notice of Petr. “What the hell happened to you!”

Groaning, Petr leaned back. “Mama, I’m just about to explain.”

“Well, do so quickly, because I am wondering why my son does not look like my son!” she snapped.

Grimacing, he stood up and paced for a bit. “Well, see Uncle Victr’s company is starting up a new program. It's to help find mates for unmated individuals… like me.” The words tasted like sand paper coming off his tongue and the pleased look that appeared on his mother’s face just made it worse. “Anyway, it's going to be on television and so they took a team of specialists to make me look good.”

Turning to the screen, he walked over and turned it on, turning to the Pier Broadcasting Network. “The first ad for it appears tonight. I wanted to tell you about it before you saw me on here.” Walking to the back of the room, he once again perched on his brother’s chair.

Dermt cuffed him on the arm. “You want it this much?” he asked seriously.

Shrugging, Petr both nodded and shook his head. “I’m not sure. I want it and yet… to be on television is damned scary.”

Snorting, Dermt nodded. “Yeah, I wouldn’t want to do it.”

A warning screen came up as a smooth female voice began to speak. “The following program is for our adult viewers. If you are under the age of consent in your quadrant, please leave the room now. Thank you.”

Two seconds later, the warning screen left and the front room of Bry’on’s mansion came into view. Victr sat on a long, leather sofa smiling at the camera. “Good evening, friends. For centuries I have worked tirelessly for the mated couple. As you know, Bry’on Manufacturing puts out some of the finest in mating gear and we will continue to do so. But now, we are furthering our desire to help mates meet each other.”

Images of happily mated couples filled the screen. 

“I have been studying couples and mating for a long time. Two of my studies have given me knowledge that supersedes what most people know about how the mating chemical reaction works. As such, I have decided to use that knowledge for the greater good.”

The images left and once again the camera was back on Victr. He held up a mating band. “How many hunger to have one of these around their wrist, knowing it matches the one on the wrist of their mate? What if I told you that I could make that a reality?”

Several of Petr’s family gasped at the statement.

“A few weeks ago we launched Bry’on Mating Limited, a company focused on helping individuals meet their mate. We had an overwhelming response to our request for candidates for this first program. Pier Broadcasting Network has offered its services to record this first time and we are grateful for the assistance. It allows us to do what we do best. 

“On the screen are the pictures of thirty individuals.”

Slowly images came up along with a first name. Petr’s was fourteenth. 

“These candidates will be brought together in an unknown location for three months. Over those three months we will introduce them to their mate.” He smiled. “Yes, you heard me right. I know who their mate is and will be introducing them during the show.

“This kind of program has been attempted, but never with the knowledge I possess. I assure my audience. What you will see is the real reactions of thirty individuals as they meet their mates for the first time. When this program is complete, we will be opening our doors to the larger communities. Oh,” he said with a chuckle. “And the ages of our candidates range from sixty-two to six hundred seventy-one.” He winked. “Yes, I guarantee the mating can happen after the first century and I am going to prove it.”

Victr continued to speak as images were splashed across the screen, giving as much information as the advertising division had deemed necessary and not a bit more. But Petr was only slightly aware as every member of his family turned and looked at him in surprise.

“Petr, are you sure about this?”

(Chapter 3a next week...)

Read More

Chapter 2a - Reality #WeeklyWIp #glbt #gay #mm #scifi #realityTV

In this society, humans live a thousand years and biologically mate through an unexplained chemical reaction.

When Petr Markenson's uncle figures out exactly how to mate two people, he finds himself deep inside the process...and on live television waiting to meet his mate.

Chapter 2a


Stretching only slightly, Petr internally sighed as he knelt in front of a line of trees waiting for his prey to arrive. As he had explained to Jere’s father, this was the last contract he was picking up on her. Next time, they would have to find someone else. Seriously, how many times could you lose your own daughter, anyway?

Jere had been his first contract six decades past and at least once a decade she would disappear and her father would call in a panic asking Petr to find her. Not only could he find her within hours, he knew just where to find her. It wasn’t like it was a secret. Jere led a quiet, sheltered life with a father who would not let her do anything fun. So, once a decade she seemed to rebel, run away, drink, party, and sooner or later she and some male would show up at the small motel Petr was sitting near to fuck all night.

He had gotten to know her on their trips back to her father and quite honestly felt sorry for the woman. Her mate had been killed in a freak accident one year after their mating, so she did not have a lot to look forward to. Once mated, no single individual would touch her for a possible relationship. Scratching his head, he wondered if his uncle could help. If they re-energized the hormone, was there a possibility there was another person with the same SKZ-1 hormone? Might be interesting to find out.

Shaking his head, he chuckled softly. In the two weeks since his uncle had offered him a new life, he had barely been able to think of anything but. True, he wasn’t sure how he would enjoy working for a company. Being his own man fit him better; at the same time, having a steady paycheck and investigating anything strange that crossed his mind might be rather fun.

“Been waiting long?”

Petr looked up and smiled at Jere who was standing a few feet in front of him, her clothes torn and her hair mussed. “Only an hour.”

She smiled. “Thanks for waiting. The other hunters my father has hired burst in on us and didn’t let us finish.”

Shaking his head, Petr stood up and bound her wrists together with the tell-tale bright orange rope all prey were constrained in. “You deserve some happiness too, sugar. Why don’t you go out on your own?” It did not make sense to him that a ninety-year-young woman would live at home under her parents’ thumb.

She did not say anything until seated in the back of his vehicle. “Pa never allowed me an education so I can’t get a job.”

Shaking his head at the stupidity of not preparing one’s child for life, Petr headed towards her father’s home. “I told your father today that this is my last time picking up this contract.”

Her eyes flew to his in the rear view mirror. “Why?”

“Starting a new phase of my life. Think I’m in for a career change.”

“Oh.”

Her disappointment rang through the interior of his vehicle. Not that he could blame her. If he was the only one who let her have sex before he took her back to her father, she probably was not looking forward to the next time. “I have a friend - well an acquaintance really - who is also a hunter. I will suggest him to your father. I’ll warn ya, he isn’t exactly upstanding, but he will probably allow you your time.” Or he will join you and bring his toys, he added silently to himself.

Her expression perked up slightly and they spent the rest of the time in a somewhat easy silence.

Once delivered, he took his credits to the bank, pleased with the small nest egg he had been able to build for himself. If he elected to join his uncle and decided he did not like it, he had close to a year’s salary to live on until he found a new job. That was comforting.

As he got home and let himself in, his aircom buzzed, announcing a message. Pulling it out, he was surprised to find one from Victr. Have you decided yet?

Chuckling, he fed his cat and dog before sitting down to answer. Instead of messaging back, he called him direct.

“Shall I assume this phone call is a yes answer?” Victr answered.

“Something like that. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about the possibilities.”

“Like what?”

Grinning, Petr told his uncle about Jere. “She is a nice woman who had bad luck. I would love to figure out if she could find a new mate.”

“Now see… That is a wonderful thing to start studying. I like the way you think. Are you on board?”

Victr was dogged when he wanted something and he wanted Petr in his company. Grinning, Petr nodded. “Why the hell not?”

“Good. When can you start? I have a couple studies right now I would love to hand over so I can work on the new program.”

Surprised there were already projects Victr was ready to hand over to him, he sat up straight. “I have one more target to go after tomorrow. Then I’m done.”

“Fantastic. Take the weekend to enjoy yourself and then be here Monday morning at seven. Usually, I would suggest my vice-presidents move locally so they don’t have such a long commute, but if you choose to be a part of the program then you will be moving elsewhere for a few weeks anyway. I will wait.”

“Whoa – I haven’t decided on that yet.” Petr thought becoming a guinea pig in a mating program seemed a bit of a risk for him; a risk he was not ready to take – yet.

Victr chuckled. “That is okay. It is still in its planning stages. I won’t start advertising for… applicants for several weeks yet. By then you should feel more comfortable with the way I do things here.”

“All right, see you on Monday.”

“Yes, you will have to tell me Diria’s reaction to you working here.” Victr chuckled as he hung up.

“Damn,” Petr groaned, leaning back in his sofa. He would have to tell his mother he was changing jobs. Not only changing jobs, but working for her eldest brother. That should be interesting.

The next few days were interesting. He turned down thirteen new contracts, put the word out that he was changing jobs, received several scoffing replies, and found himself antsy. Being a hunter, he never had to behave a certain way. He could just be him: laid-back, small-town hunter. He never had to dress or act a certain way, or even had to watch his own words. Hunters were well-known for not being politically correct.

But as of Monday he would be working for a large company where there would assuredly be a dress code, not to mention an action code. He frowned as he drove to his mother’s house for dinner Saturday evening. Hopefully he would pick up on the way BM did things rather quickly. He wasn’t looking forward to wearing dress slacks to work though. That would get uncomfortable.

The house was over-flowing as the entire family was there. Food tablets were laid out on platters for everyone as the family members converged on one another. It never ceased to amuse Petr how his family acted when at a dinner like this. Except for him, they all saw one another on a weekly if not daily basis. He would show up every few months. And yet, you would think it had been at least a year since anyone had seen each other.

“And tonight is even louder than normal,” he muttered as he walked into the living room. It became apparent why very quickly.

Dermt sat on a chair with Sasha on his lap and since the chatter all had to do with babies and pregnancy, he lifted an eyebrow at his little brother. “Already?”

Laughing, Dermt nodded. “Yep! She is completely knocked-up. Due in seven months.”

She rolled her eyes at his comment even though the blush on her cheeks gave her embarrassment away.

“Petr! I did not know you were coming.” Diria wrapped her arms around her tallest and eldest son, smiling up at him.

“Hey, Mama.” He grinned down at her. “I hear we have a new Markenson coming.”

Laughing, she nodded. “That will make my fifth grandchild.” She poked him in the stomach, making him grunt. “But I will not be completely happy until I get at least a couple from you.”

Dermt snickered while Petr just rolled his eyes. “I’ll go out and get a couple girls pregnant for you first thing tomorrow, Mama. Would you prefer red-headed grandchildren? Or brunettes?”

Her eyes narrowed while several family members burst out laughing. “Don’t smart-mouth me, Petr Markenson. You know what I mean.”

Sighing, he gave her a tight hug and released her. “You never know, Mama. I am changing jobs so who knows what else would change.”

Silence.

A bead of sweat slithered down his neck at the complete silence that met his announcement.

“You are leaving hunting?” Diria asked, sounding surprised. Petr had been hunting for so long, he guessed she assumed he always would. He had a knack for it.

Grimacing at being the center of everyone’s attention, he nodded. “Yeah. I’ve been rather bored for the last decade or so and a couple weeks ago I got a great job offer. So… next Monday I will start at Bry’on Manufacturing as their newest VP.”

“Congratulations!” Nema shrieked, bouncing over to hug her big brother. “It is about time you found a different job. Though how you got Uncle Victr to give the job to you, I’ll never know. He isn’t known for his nepotism.” Petr’s lips twitched at the one bad memory Nema had of their uncle. She had tried to get a job from him right out of high school and he refused her.

“Better money?” Marks asked, pulling his wife back.

“Yep, much better, not to mention actual benefits. Won’t know what to do with myself.”

“Oooh, Uncle Petr is growing up,” laughed Drai, his oldest niece at twenty-two years, just recently mated and entirely too full of herself in his opinion.

“Come,” Diria said, grabbing his hand and pulling him out the back door into a small enclosed yard. They sat in the one swing that faced the back porch and stared at the sky. “What does he have on you, Petr?”

“It’s not like that,” he assured her. “He has nothing on me. Victr knew I was unhappy with my current career and has some exciting things planned for his company. I think…” Even as he spoke the words, they seemed incredibly true to him, “I think he wants to get a family member into the company. Since he has no children of his own, maybe someone to groom in his stead.” Petr chuckled. “Hell, he already told me a trade secret.”

Sighing, she laid her head on his arm. “Do not let him boss you into something you do not want to do, son. Victr is very used to getting his own way.”

“I know, Mama,” he murmured, wrapping his arm around her shoulders and pulling her close. “But this opportunity is rather exciting. Plus… there is another possible opportunity.” He kissed her lightly on the top of her head. “Things are looking up.”

Chuckling, she nodded. “I know you can look after yourself, but I am your mother. Habits like this are impossible to break.”

“Thanks,” he grinned. “And don’t worry. I won’t let Uncle Victr talk me into anything I do not want to do.”

*****

“How the hell did I get talked into this?” Petr snarled to himself as he looked over the notes for the first project his uncle had thrown into his lap. The notes were haphazard, hand-written, and barely legible. Not to mention the fact his uncle’s premise was bizarre to say the least.

Project 14J-.23.3
An individual is more likely to find their mate in an unknown location.

How the hell were they supposed to prove that? Growling slightly, he started laying the sheets out on the large table by his new desk. His office was small and included a small desk, a table that took up most of the space, and a water canister. There was no room to walk between the three. All he had to do was swivel his chair and he was there.

He had now been at Bry’on Manufacturing for two weeks and had slowly caught on to a few things. Dress pants and shirts were in. Shoes were out; everyone walked around barefoot. Working hard was in; talking to someone by the water fountain in the break room for two minutes was out. Not to mention the fact that all the vice-presidents were referred to by their last name. He still wasn’t used to someone calling him Mr. Markenson. It jarred him every time it occurred.

“Mr. Markenson.”

Cringing as the name was called over the com, Petr called out, “Yes?”

“Mr. Bry’on would like to see you in his office immediately.”

“On my way.” Putting the papers down on the table, he locked his door and headed through the maze of hallways until he reached the one he needed. That was another thing he had a hard time getting used to – working underground. It felt stuffy, as though he was being suffocated. All the executives worked underground. When Petr had asked his uncle why, his answer had sent a shiver running down Petr’s back.

“We receive death threats daily. They cannot really reach us down here, plus there is an emergency evacuation we can do from here that we would not be able to do above ground.”

The entire mansion above them turned out to be nothing but a front. Only the executives and Victr’s personal assistant knew they were down below. They told him they had emergency evacuation drills once every three months so to be prepared. He just had no idea how to become so.

Tapping lightly on his uncle’s door, he waited for the familiar call of, “Come.”

He walked in to find Victr on the com and Asha in front of him with her notepad. He barely kept himself from smiling. It amused him that his uncle’s assistant took notes the old fashioned way. Then again, his uncle did his notes by hand. Maybe he had all his assistants do the same thing.

Victr beckoned him forward with two fingers as he talked on the com. Asha looked up and gave him one of her cautious smiles before looking back at her notes as he took the chair beside her.

It quickly became apparent that Victr was speaking about his new project.

“Yes, we will be ready. No, I want to hit this with a huge advertising blitz. I want to set our quadrant on fire with it. Once our quadrant is on board and the others see the results, the applications will start pouring in… Well, of course. We want the best, brightest, most visually attractive applicants for this first time… How soon…? Perfect. Call me back in an hour.”

Victr put the phone down and turned to Asha. “Type up the notes, bring them to me and destroy the originals. Get prepared for a push. This project is ago.”

“Yes, Mr. Bry’on. Anything else?” she asked as she stood up stiffly. Petr wondered how long she had been sitting there.

“No. Send in some lunch for Petr and I.”

“Yes, sir.”

She closed the door behind her and Victr leaned back, grinning. “How is life, Petr?”

Chuckling, Petr shrugged. “Getting used to the change.”

“Well, this new project is taking on a life of its own. I gave marketing a taster of the idea last week and so far the ideas they have are incredible. Not only that, but Pier Broadcasting is showing interest in purchasing the rights to it.”

Raising his eyebrows, Petr was surprised. “You are filming it?”

(cont next week...)

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So many things going on

I have several things going on and thought I'd bring you up to date. Besides my weekly WIP that I post every Friday, I also have a few other books I'm writing. Unless there is a release date scheduled, all titles are subject to change.

Ready to Tell - this is a Corbin's Bend spanking romance featuring two characters you haven't met yet: Jack Carmichael, Brent's elder brother, and Josh Martin, Family Nurse Practitioner. I am really enjoying these two characters so far.
Words so far: 11,845. Expected: 40,000.
Release Date: August 5. 2015

Untitled VC - this is a super secret paranormal story I'm writing. It was put out as a special submission call and it created such a huge plot bunny for me that in 6 days, I finished the first draft at 42,829. (requested word count? 30,000) Now, to set it aside so I can go back with a clear head :)

Semper Fi - I'm working on the full-length Jonathon/Benjamin story for Corbin's Bend, but it is so complex, it's going slower than I expected. Currently 8137. Expected: 45,000

Two novels I am writing that use part of the world I created in Logan & Christian's All They Ever Needed trilogy, but with different lead characters.

Finding The Right Guy - Current 47,476 - Expected: 72,000
Brick by Brick - Current:8972 - Expected: 72,000

I have several other projects that are 'in the works' but with so few words written, I'll wait until a few of the ones above are finished, before I pull them out. Unless their characters start chirping in my head. I can't resist character chirping :)

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Chapter 1b - Reality #WeeklyWIp #glbt #gay #mm #scifi #realityTV

In this society, humans live a thousand years and biologically mate through an unexplained chemical reaction.

When Petr Markenson's uncle figures out exactly how to mate two people, he finds himself deep inside the process...and on live television waiting to meet his mate.

If you haven't read the rest of Reality, you can find the posts here.

Chapter 1b

Smiling back, she turned and led him through a long hallway. Her bare feet and his slippers made a soft tap, tap, tap noise on the inlaid wood floors. At the end of the hallway, she pushed a button and entered a small lift. He followed and to his surprise, when the doors closed they went down rather than up. “Down?” he asked quietly. She smiled, but did not respond.

There were no dials or numbers so he could not tell how far down they went before finally the lift stopped and the doors opened into a large, ornate room. As soon as they stepped out onto the plush green and gold carpeting, she turned to him. “Please take a seat and make yourself at home. I will tell Mr. Bry’on that you are here.”

Nodding, Petr wandered over to a set of sofas over to the right while looking around. Decorated in tans and dark browns, the room looked like a lavish man’s club. The walls were filled with bookshelves and there were four distinct seating areas. Sitting on a dark brown leather sofa, Petr leaned back, wondering what it would be like to live in such opulence on a constant basis.

His family was not poor, but their wealth did not stretch to anything like this. The room made his nice little house look run down.

“What would you like to drink?” Asha’s voice surprised him and he turned to her.

“Scotch would be fine.”

Nodding, she walked over to one of the bookcases and a part of it swung around to reveal a small bar. Chuckling to himself, he thought he might be able to get used to this kind of opulence… if he could add some excitement to it. She turned and walked back to him, a glass of beautiful amber liquid in her hand. “Would you like anything else?”

“No thank you. Is my uncle busy?”

She smiled. “Ah, so you are his nephew. He will be with you shortly. His current meeting is going longer than expected.”

“Thanks,” he said, lifting his drink in salute and with a soft laugh, she turned and walked away, leaving through a different door.

A chirp at his hip had him putting his drink down and pulling out his com. Glancing at it, he noted two missed messages plus a new one, all about possible new contracts, all of them sounding boring. Sighing, he placed his com back on his belt, and leaned back, savoring the rich flavor of the scotch. “He definitely has the best stuff.”

“Petr! Sorry to keep you waiting.” Victr walked across the room as if he owned it, which Petr reminded himself, he did. Unlike other companies who had reached the level of Bry’on Manufacturing, Victr was the sole owner and had no intention of changing that fact.

“That’s all right. I was enjoying my drink and the atmosphere.”

Chuckling, Victr stood across from him. “If you don’t mind, I thought we would eat in my private quarters. They are the only truly private areas of this place. Everywhere else is monitored twenty-four seven.”

“Sounds good to me.” Petr stood up and followed his uncle out of the room and down a dark hallway away from where he had originally come in. They passed several offices and a couple kitchen areas before coming to a large steel door. Victr placed his hand up to a scanner and five seconds later the door slid open soundlessly. As soon as they were through, it slid silently back into place.

As soon as the door shut lights came on, revealing a large round room, comfortably furnished with items Petr knew were highly expensive, even if they did not shout it. “Welcome to my home,” Victr said quietly, walking across the large tan carpet toward a small dining table that was already set up.

“Thank you. I wasn’t even sure where you lived.” Petr followed him and took a seat across from his uncle at the table. Almost immediately, a man in a similar uniform to the guards walked in with a bottle of wine. He poured each of them a glass and left without a word.

“Vint cannot hear or speak. He is a good servant to have in my private quarters,” Victr said dryly, watching his young nephew.

Chuckling, Petr took a sip of wine. It was the best stuff he had ever tasted. “Well, you do know how to treat a guest,” he grinned, sitting the glass down.

Nodding, Victr snapped his fingers. Vint walked back in and placed a plate of salad in front of them both and left.

“If he is deaf, how did he hear your fingers?”

Chuckling, Victr picked up a fork. “He has a monitor and watches for any movement I make. He is very familiar with my tells.”

Shrugging, Petr looked down at the meal. He rarely ate real food, preferring to eat the food tablets that were on the market, but he had to admit the salad looked good. Plus, if it were anything like the scotch, he was in for a real treat.

The salad was indeed very good. When the last piece passed his lips, he barely contained himself from licking the plate clean. Almost immediately Vint removed their plates and replaced them with bowls of soup.

Victr did not speak as they ate and Petr was so enthralled by the food that he barely thought about it. Until the soup was gone and the main meal was placed in front of him. “Thank you for coming today, Petr. It is much easier to talk like this than over a com-line.”

Nodding, Petr watched his uncle as he cut up the pieces on the plate. They were items Petr had never seen before and he was not sure how to eat them. “Have you never had steak before?” Victr asked surprised.

“No,” Petr chuckled, cutting the steak the way Victr had. “Mama was all about food tablets and we rarely got real food. Except for on our birthdays or at a mating ceremony. But those were usually sweets.”

Snorting, Victr shook his head as he took a bite of the steak and followed it closely with a drink of wine. “Diria and I have different views on a lot of things. Including the whole mating conundrum.”

Swallowing his food, Petr took a drink of the wine. “Mama is like most people her age, I suppose. Plus, she just wants her children to be happy.” He knew Victr had different feelings about mating, but he did not like him putting his mother down in any way.

“No, no, you misunderstand me,” Victr quickly said, shaking his head. “I used to think Diria had the right idea. Mate early before the individual becomes hardened to it.” He sighed and leaned back in his chair, waving Vint away when he came in to remove his plate. “See, science tells us that the mating chemical dies down at the century mark. I have been doing my own studies for the last century and I have come to a different conclusion.”

Nodding for him to continue, Petr kept eating. The steak was the most amazing thing he had ever eaten and he would not stop until it was all gone.

“It seemed to me that as we live so long for our mating chemical to die off so quickly was a bit incongruous with our physical bodies. So, I started working on a different premise – that we ourselves minimize the mating hormone. I don’t know if science convinced people that at the age of one hundred their chemical died and so they push it down at that point, or if people who did not get mated pushed it down and so by the century mark that particular hormone was practically non-existent in their body caused science to make its leap.”

Looking up, Petr placed his fork down. “But if the hormone is non-existent, doesn’t that prove their point?”

Grinning, Victr shook his head, taking another drink of wine. “I said practically non-existent. It is still there, Petr, subdued under mental constraint.” He paused. “You do know that our hormones are directed by our brain, yes?” Petr nodded. “I have been able to prove that all it takes is a thought planted deeply within the sub-conscious for anyone over the age of a hundred to start manufacturing that hormone in large quantities almost immediately.”

It took a couple seconds for that to sink in. “A thought?”

“Yes. Call it subliminal mating if you will. People decide they are too old to mate so their body stops creating as much of the mating hormone. So, when they hit the century mark, there is practically none of it in their system. Scientists pat themselves on the back and say ‘see? It proves our point.’” He snorted. “It proves nothing. I have worked with over fifty people well over the age of one hundred. None of them found their mate previously and doubted they ever would.” His lips drew into a self-satisfied smirk. “Forty-eight of them are happily mated now.”

Petr assumed his expression must mirror his surprised horror as Victr burst out laughing. “Believe me, nephew. This is real. The moment that thought is placed into their subconscious, the hormone starts being pumped out at a very high level, probably higher than right after puberty. The drive to find one’s mate becomes paramount. All forty-eight individuals made severe life-changes to meet their mate and all of them are happier for it.”

Finishing his steak, Petr wiped his mouth and took a long drink of the wine, trying to place his thoughts in order. “That is very radical thinking, uncle.”

Nodding, Victr watched his nephew. “It is very hush-hush. People will not be willing to accept that it is their own fault they never found a mate. But,” he leaned forward slightly and a twinkle came into his eye. “I am going to prove it to them.”

Unsettled, though he wasn’t sure why, Petr nodded. “Prove it to them? Are you going to go to every unmated individual over the age and do whatever you do and then say ‘I told you so’?”

Chuckling, Victr shook his head and snapped his fingers again. Vint appeared and removed their plates, replacing them with a small bowl of dessert. Petr wasn’t sure what it was, but it looked and smelled good. Ripe red berries over some sort of bread.

“Strawberry shortcake, my chef’s specialty.”

Taking a bite, Petr moaned aloud. “That is the best thing I have ever tasted.”

“You should take up real food, Petr. It is far more satisfying than food tablets. And as for how I am going to convince the unsuspecting public of my findings…,” he leaned back and smiled. “I am going to produce a program and mate up thirty couples.”

Staring at his uncle in surprise, Petr took another bite of the delicious dessert while he thought. “But how can you be sure you will set up thirty couples. How can you be sure they will meet their mate?” A part of him was worried that somehow his uncle had gained the ability to mate two people together who were not meant for one another.

“BM’s mating bonds are the most popular on the market. Why?”

The change of topic confused Petr, but he answered anyway. “Because they shift in color and show the mates for who they belong to.”

“Good and do you know how that is accomplished? How the two bands react to two different people and yet come out the same design?”

“To be honest, no. That is a big secret. Everyone wonders how you do it.”

“It is simple science, my boy, and to be honest, it has given me more information than I ever could have imagined.”

Vint appeared and removed their empty bowls and Victr stood up. “Come. Let’s finish this in the living room.” He picked up the bottle of wine and his glass and headed toward the sitting area. Petr followed, glass in hand.

They walked into the larger part of the room and sat on short plump off-white sofas across from each other. “So, I guess I just assumed the bands were programmed to create a color and design when they were fastened on the body.”

Chuckling, Victr nodded and poured each of them another glass of wine. “Most people assume the same, that they are just some magic trick. Though the reason they buy from us is because while others advertise to do the same, there have been more than one couple who has ended up with the same design. That has never happened with a Bry’on Band. And it never will.”

Petr sipped at his wine and nodded for his uncle to continue.

“You see, I have been studying that mating chemical my entire life. It was part of my doctorate thesis in college. I was born just about the time when mating had become common place. Before then – in my grandparents’ time, chemical mating was new… strange… and very few understood it though they accepted it. I found quite by accident that there was an alloy that reacted with the mating chemical. It did not damage, but when that chemical hit the alloy, it created a beautiful design within hours and that design never faltered from there on.

“It fascinated me. For four decades I tested it with different people’s mating chemicals.” He chuckled. “It wasn’t until I gave a pair of bands made from that alloy to some friends of mine who had recently mated that I saw the opportunity. Both bands, one thin, one thick turned the exact same shade of green and made the exact same floral design. Almost instantly, I was being asked for more as other mated couples saw what my friends had. That was how Bry’on Manufacturing started.”

He took a sip of wine as his nephew tried to make sense of it all. Petr could not help but wonder at how exciting it all sounded, to happen upon such a find and felt a little jealousy at the freedom his uncle had to pursue it.

“I never tried to figure out why mated couples designs were always the same until I was doing the studies to prove that the mating chemical, the hormone scientists call SKZ-1, did exist after the century mark.” He leaned in. “It was during that time as the couples mated off that I started looking at their actual chemical. Petr,” his voice lifted in excitement as he placed his wine glass on the coffee table, “the genetic make-up of SKZ-1 is the same from mate to mate.”

Petr cocked his head in confusion. “I don’t understand.”

“Between you and me, there would be very little similarity between our SKZ-1. But, between you and your mate, wherever he or she may be… the SKZ-1 would be identical! That is why when one mate touches another there is such a frenzy. The chemical reacts, finding its mate! Don’t you see, Petr? I have found what makes the hormone work. I know how mating works!”

Stunned, Petr stared at his uncle. Nobody knew how the mating process worked. Nobody. Until now. Gulping the last of his wine, he placed his glass down on the coffee table. “But nobody knows that.” His voice was scratchy, as though he had a hard time forcing it past his throat.

“But I do. Do you recognize the kind of knowledge that gives me, Petr?”

Tensing, he nodded. This kind of knowledge could control everything. He had always considered his uncle a good man but with this knowledge, he could change the world.

“I can help those who haven’t found a mate find theirs! Think about it. Even I could find my mate if I wanted to.” The amusement in his face and eyes made Petr relax a little. “Not that I want to, mind you. But if I did…”

“Wait!” The pieces were finally fitting together in Petr’s head. “Are you saying that you will create a program with thirty individuals over the century mark and use the information you have learned to find their mate? How will you get access to that chemical from everyone?” Unless his uncle planned to force everyone to get themselves tested, Petr didn’t see how it would work.

Pleased, Victr nodded. “I knew you would figure it out. We have all seen the stupid dating programs that go on from time to time. They never work because people keep hoping to meet their mate but they are shooting blind. This time, they will be meeting their mate, they just don’t know it.” He grinned. “I won’t be able to guarantee the end results as there is the possibility that not all single un-mated individuals will submit to a sample, but I bet you I can come close. Even one mating on such a show would be stupendous. I plan for thirty such matings.

“Of course, I will make it a cross-section of individuals, some over a century, some under, all over their sixth decade, some over their seventh century if I can do it. Imagine, Petr,” he grinned. “Once this comes out, Bry’on Manufacturing can do anything.”

Snorting, Petr nodded. “Planning on going into the mating business, uncle?”

He shrugged. “I’ve been involved in it my entire life. Why not? Mated individuals live longer, happier lives. They are more productive and let’s face it, society approves of them more.” He paused. “Now, for the actual reasons I invited you today.”

Surprised as his uncle’s voice changed from friendly to business, Petr sat up straight and waited.

“The first has to do with your job. Do you really enjoy what you do?”

Shrugging, Petr shook his head. “I have to admit I am getting bored with hunting. Nobody gets away from me. I can find any prey within forty-eight hours without having to put any thought into it. I need new excitement.”

Smiling, Victr nodded. “Ever consider coming to work for me?”

“Uh no, actually. Working behind a desk doesn’t thrill me either.”

Victr burst out laughing. “Ah, my boy, you would not be working behind a desk all the time. You are the only other individual besides myself who understands how those mating bands work. I would want you involved in research, finding the correct individuals for my studies…” he leaned forward again. “I want you in the thick of things, Petr. I think you will find the newness of each day exciting.”

Knowing he would need to mull it over, Petr nodded slowly. “I will think on it, Uncle. Now you mentioned reasons? Was there more than one?”

Chuckling, Victr poured out the last of the wine. “Yes, there was one more.” He leaned back and put his feet up on the coffee table. “Would you be interested in being a part of the program? Would you like to find your mate?”

...continued next week

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Chapter 1a - Reality #WeeklyWIp #glbt #gay #mm #scifi #realityTV

Okay, so posting a WIP as I write it scares me - but I'm giving it a go :) Let me know what you think with each installment.

In this society, humans live a thousand years and biologically mate through an unexplained chemical reaction.

When Petr Markenson's uncle figures out exactly how to mate two people, he finds himself deep inside the process...and on live television waiting to meet his mate.

Chapter 1a

“And through this bond, your world will be a better place.”

Petr Markenson smiled as he watched his brother take Sasha’s wrist, slipping on the simple metal band that would forever mark her as his mate. The latch was clasped; the key ripped off and destroyed. The small sound of the inside mechanism moving into place whirred in the silence as the band solidified. Within a minute, it would become practically impenetrable; from this day forth, it would never leave her wrist.

With a smile, the officient turned the couple toward their families. “It is now time to welcome the new couple, Dermt and Sasha. Hurrah!”

Dozens of “hurrah”s followed his statement. The mass movement from each side of the aisle as everyone moved in to hug and congratulate the couple made Petr smile. Dermt was beaming as he looked down at his own mate band. Twice the width of hers, it proclaimed him as her mate. Currently the two bands were a ruddy silver color. By the end of their honeymoon, the color would change to something unique to them.

Petr could hardly wait to see what it would be. His parents bands were a deep shade of violet, his sister Nema and her husband Marks’ bands were shockingly pink with white squiggles; it would be interesting to see how Dermt’s turned out.

“And then there was one,” chuckled a voice just behind him.

Turning around, Petr smiled at the tall gentleman to his right. “Uncle Victr, glad you could make it. Now you have been to everyone’s mating ceremony.” His mother Diria’s eldest brother, Victr Bry’on was a bit of an enigma. Nobody knew him very well, not even Diria. He had already been out of the house when she was born, making a living for himself; and a living he did make. His company Bry’on Manufacturing was the largest manufacturer of mate-bond wear. Petr knew for a fact that the wrist bands Sasha and his brother now wore were a mating gift from their uncle. There was no way Petr’s brother could have afforded such an expensive pair of bands on his own.

Victr gave a small smile. “Not everyone, nephew. It would seem the eldest of my sister’s children is still single.” He never looked straight at Petr as he spoke, something Petr was used to, even if it unsettled him every time it happened.

Petr chuckled. “So are you.”

His smile getting a little larger, Victr nodded. “That is true. I chose career over a mating. Is that your choice, young man?” His tiny eyes, the color of worn steel, moved and stared directly into Petr’s, surprising him, before once again moving to look over his shoulder. After only a couple seconds, he chuckled. “I did not think so. Diria raised her children to mate.”

Frowning, Petr turned away and looked at the newly mated couple as they smiled and accepted the well-wishes of their families. It bothered him that Victr just assumed he wanted a mate. Nothing could be further from the truth. Petr was happy in his life as a professional huntsman. Unlike the rest of his family who had taken jobs in the local village to stay close to home, he spent over ninety percent of his time away. And to be honest, he liked it that way.

As much as he enjoyed his family, they became suffocating after a couple days. It was much better to interact with them from afar. “I’m the oldest, Uncle. I don’t see a mating taking place for a long time… if ever.”

His stomach tightened at the words and the familiar sensation in his shoulders that came when he insisted he would forever remain single burned anew. He might not like the feeling, but he ignored it; ignoring things that could not be fixed was something he was very good at.

“If you say so, nephew,” Victr said smoothly. “Something tells me you do not really feel that way.”

Glancing over his shoulder at Victr, Petr shrugged. Now was not the time to get in an argument with a member of his family. He wasn’t even sure why his uncle was talking about this; talking had never been his strong suit before. Then Petr realized his mother must have been complaining about his single status. Being single past the century mark was a large issue with many of his mother’s generation. In her day, a couple was mated in their third or fourth decade.

Well, if Petr admitted it, even in his generation, most couples were mated by their fifth or sixth decade. Dermt had met Sasha five weeks previously just into his sixth decade and that strange chemical that released when a pair of mates touched had made him slightly crazy until their parents could work out a mating agreement with her parents.

His sister Nema met her mate at college in her third decade. Their touch had elicited such an intense chemical reaction their friends had to hold them apart so the mating ceremony could take place before they physically joined. Petr’s lips twitched at the memory of the phone call that came in the next day. His mother had been frantic because her only daughter had mated without telling her. That tension had lasted about fifteen minutes and then the conversation had turned to him and his single status.

Sighing, Petr shook his head. The closer he got to the century mark, the more prevalent those discussions had become. Of course, he knew that the mating chemical dimmed at that point. It was a well-known fact that after a century, your chances of mating properly were less than one percent of one percent. Almost of their own accord, his eyes flipped over to his aunt Binie, who had waited until after her century mark to mate. Not having found anyone, she found a man she got along well with and they married, which was an old antiquated custom that quite honestly made Petr’s stomach turn. Her relationship with her husband was volatile and uncontrollable. He never wanted a relationship like that.

Victr slipped something into his coat pocket. “Being alone is not all it is cracked up to be,” he said calmly. “I have just passed my fifth century. I have my toys and change them every decade or so, but I do wonder from time to time what it would feel like to be mated.” He clapped his nephew twice on the shoulder then left to speak to the happy couple.

Sighing, Petr stood back and waited as the line of people hugged and congratulated Dermt and his very young mate. His sister had mated with someone her exact age, but Sasha being two decades younger than Dermt was a continual cause of amusement for Petr. He wondered besides the chemical what they ever could have in common.

Finally the crowd dissipated and Petr moved forward to congratulate them. Dermt was gazing into Sasha’s eyes as though she was the only one that existed for him. “Hey,” Petr chuckled, smacking him on the shoulder. Dermt turned and raised an eyebrow. “You two ready to skip out?”

Laughing, Dermt nodded. Sasha just blushed and looked down at her feet. “About damned time,” Dermt growled softly making Petr snicker.

“I’ll cover while you two make your getaway. If I don’t, the crowd won’t let you leave for several hours.”

“Thanks.” Dermt winked, picking up his tiny mate and dashing out to the parking lot where his vehicle waited.

Smiling, Petr delayed going into the celebration until the vehicle pulled out of the drive before turning and walking into the mayhem.

“Where are they?” his mother asked as he walked in.

“They left, Mama,” he told her quietly. When her face fell slightly, he pulled her into a hug. “Come, Mama, they have been kept apart for weeks while this whole mating ceremony was planned. Can you blame them? It must have been killing them.”

Snorting, Diria laughed, the twinkle back in her eyes. “True, son, true. But there is tons of celebration and tons of time yet… come, I have some girls for you to meet.” Groaning, Petr let his diminutive mother pull him across the room where several women were chatting amongst themselves. “Ladies, this is my eldest son, Petr.” Fourteen pairs of eyes fell on him and he chuckled as he reached out his arm, palm down. One by one, the girls placed one of their hands palm up on top of his and waited. No chemical reaction.

Disappointed and yet undeterred, Diria dragged him around the room, introducing him to every single female that had come. By the time the party died down, Petr had been touched by no less than fifty females, two of which had been previously mated but had lost their mate for some reason. That was proof to him that his mother was dragging the bottom of the barrel.

When he got home, he took a long shower and collapsed into bed. It would be several months before he had to visit family again. Maybe by that time he would have met his mate. With a wry chuckle, he curled up and fell asleep.

Days and weeks flew by without notice. His career kept him busy, picking up contracts, hunting his prey, collecting his fee when he turned them in. When he was younger, he found excitement in the hunt, in finding ways to outsmart his target. Sometime over the last decade that excitement had dimmed to where it had become boring and it felt… limiting. Chuckling after he turned over his most recent prey – a young Corbune female who had tried to escape her initiation ceremony – he wondered how many people would think him crazy for finding his job limiting.

As a huntsman, he could go anywhere, do anything. Any female, or male if he so wished, would practically fall at his feet to become his partner. The prey he had just turned in had offered him anything if he would not return her. As a Corbune trainee, she definitely would have had the skills to please him physically. And yet, he turned her down. He wanted new excitement.

Nobody that he knew of had ever expressed these kinds of feelings, so he wasn’t sure who to ask about it. “Maybe it’s just the worry of being almost a century old,” he decided as he pulled into his garage and turned off the motor of his newest vehicle.

Sighing, he got out and went inside, going about his regular nightly duties without a thought. He fed his cat and dog, tossed a food tablet down his own throat, and turned on the evening news. While it played, he looked through his daily mail feed. Four bills, two letters from friends he made in college, one from his mother and one from… “Uncle Victr?”

Surprised, he opened it up. Nowhere in his memory did he ever remember receiving anything from his mother’s oldest brother except for compulsory gifts on his birthday. Quickly glancing through the message, his eyes widened.

Petr,

I hope things are well. Do you have time next Tuesday to meet me for lunch? I have a proposition for you.

Victr Bry’on

President, Bry’on Manufacturing

Shrugging to himself, Petr checked his calendar and sent off a quick note, letting Victr know he was available.

Tuesday dawned hot and humid to Petr’s disappointment. It seemed awful early in the season to have the air feel so heavy. Driving into the city, his thoughts centered on what his uncle would have summoned him for. The only thing he could think of was that his mother had complained and Victr was doing her a favor; he would talk to Petr about the importance of mating. And yet, that did not fit in with the man Petr barely knew.

Victr Bry’on was a powerful man, used to getting his own way. As far as Petr knew, nobody had ever talked Victr into doing something he did not want to do; nor had he ever said one thing and done another. No, there must be another reason his uncle wanted to see him.

The headquarters for Bry’on Manufacturing were in the northeast section of Brafen, the quadrant’s lead city. The company’s warehouses were dotted out across the quadrant but from the headquarters, you would know that Victr Bry’on did nothing halfway. A veritable mansion, BM sat on the top of a hill, overlooking the most expensive area of Brafen; and it in turn looked up at Bry’on Manufacturing.

Amused and slightly discomfited at how lavish everything appeared, Petr pulled up to the guard gate outside the grounds. “Name?” asked a short guard dressed in a green and gold uniform from his seat within a tiny building.

“Petr Markenson.”

The guard looked through a list and nodded. “Drive up to the main house. Someone will escort you from there.” Without a further look, the guard pushed a button and the gates swung open.

Petr drove through the tall iron gates and followed a deep green and brown cobblestone drive around a small hill up to the mansion which was painted in the shades of green and gold, Bry’on Manufacturing’s colors. A short woman with brown hair and glasses was waiting for him at the bottom of the steps. As he turned off his vehicle and got out, she stepped forward. “Petr Markenson?” He nodded. “My name is Asha. I am Mr. Bry’on’s personal assistant. Please follow me.”

She walked through the large double doors inside and he followed slowly. He knew his uncle was wealthy, but this even surprised him. There were two guards who held the doors open for them as they walked through and immediately upon entering a maid asked him for his coat and shoes, handing him a pair of slippers before leaving. As he slipped them on, he took a moment to look around.

“Mr. Markenson?”

Petr turned at the sound of her voice, smiling at Asha. “Lead on.”

(con't next week...)

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Reality - Weekly WIP #WeeklyWIp #glbt #gay #mm #scifi #realityTV

Every week, I'm going to post 1-2 thousand words from a WIP, so you can see it grow. They won't be intermittent posts, but will pick up from where the previous week's post left off. This is a test to see how popular it is. If, after a few weeks, I get no hits on it, I'll stop - but for now, how about some Reality.

In this society, humans live a thousand years and biologically mate through an unexplained chemical reaction.

When Petr Markenson's uncle figures out exactly how to mate two people, he finds himself deep inside the process...and on live television waiting to meet his mate.

Reality - Starting Jan 2nd at noon PT.

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