Mated to the Beast of the Wasteland novel Chapter 171

Chapter 171 Seeds of Hope

Chapter 171 Seeds of Hope

“Take care, Vivienne.”

+20 Free Coms

Merrick tucked the jade gourd away. Lucian and Finn had headed out to the other four cities and still weren’t back. The moment they returned, every one of those traitors would get what was coming.

Gillian checked the time and pinged Clara through her wrist terminal.

If they couldn’t pry anything useful out of the mercenaries, the enemy either hadn’t moved yet, or Merrick’s grip on Wasteland City was tight enough to keep their hands out.

Maybe the 9th Legion had dodged the healing alloy trap, Merrick had walked away unhurt, and the conspiracy had stalled. That hurdle was behind them.

Gillian let out a quiet breath. If they could weather the taint outbreak coming in a month, the nightmare’ from her last life might never repeat itself.

Merrick walked through the door just as Gillian was heading out.

“Gillian, where are you off to?”

“Merrick, you know Clara has been researching plants. She asked me to swing by a while back, and I finally have the time. I want to see if any of her seeds might work for my plot.

Merrick tapped a few keys on his wrist terminal, and the official assignment pinged onto Gillian’s screen a heartbeat later.

She now held top clearance to access every seed gene at the Legion’s Agriculture Academy.

“Gillian, I have been pushing hard on seeds that could grow in the Wasteland, but progress has been slow. A fresh pair of eyes wouldn’t hurt.”

“Great. Wait for some good news, Merrick. Oh, when you walked Vivienne out, did she pull you aside about something? Is it the baby?”

Gillian had stayed behind on purpose, sensing that Vivienne wanted a private word with Merrick.

Merrick caught the worry flickering across Gillian’s face and Jeaned in to fill her in about the virility pills.

“60,000 coins?”

A memory clicked into place. Last time, fed up after Merrick had worn her out, she had chewed out the Sovereign Guard. That boomerang had circled right back and smacked Merrick square on the head.

“You can’t pin this on them, Merrick. The blame is on you.”

Merrick had no idea what had happened, but it clearly involved his little wife.

“Gillian, do you think your husband can’t keep up

either?”

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Chapter 171 Seeds of Hope

He bent his head and brushed his nose against hers.

“You’re plenty capable. Way too capable. Now, can you drop me at the Academy?”

Gillian soothed the male in front of her with a soft murmur.

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A pregnant wife didn’t bicker with a needy puppy, and stroking her own male’s ego cost her nothing.

“Pfft. Fine, you pass.”

Gillian and Merrick walked out of the Legion prison together. Something nagged at her, like she had left something behind.

“Merrick, did I forget something?”

She patted her pockets up and down. Nothing seemed to be missing.

“With me around, what could you possibly lose? Once you’re done over there, want me to pick you up?”

“No need. I’ll grab whatever’s easiest to get home.”

Gillian knew how packed Merrick’s schedule ran, and getting a whole morning out of him already counted as a small miracle.

“All right. We’ll see how it goes.”

Merrick left himself an out. “If I can’t break free, I’ll send someone to pick you up. Sound good?”

Gillian agreed, knowing a ride home was the best she could hope for.

By the time Gillian reached the Agriculture Academy, Clara was already waiting at the entrance.

“Mrs. Cole, you finally made it!”

“Clara, we’re the same age. Just call me Gillian.”

“Sure thing, Gillian. Want to head to my lab? Everyone’s at lunch right now, so we’ll have the place to ourselves.”

Clara took Gillian’s hand without a second thought, and her own heart did a little flip. She was actually holding Gillian’s hand, and it was as soft and sweet as anything.

“Why does it have to be when nobody’s around?”

Gillian gave her a sideways look. “Is this something we have to hide?”

“Not exactly. It just gets crowded.”

Clara blinked, a sheepish smile tugging at her lips.

“I didn’t want you to feel uncomfortable. Our lab is, well, basically a mess. Some folks camp out for half a

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