Ryston, another Prillon warrior and Maxim’s second, joined the conversation as I made my way to the open door. “First you must tell us where the images are being stored? Commander Helion has fighters ready to retrieve them, we just need the location.”
“I don’t know. They’re not mine. I told you. I don’t know where they are. Take. Me. Home.” Such defiance in her voice, just like at the apartment. “Unless this is actually a kidnapping? Isn’t that against a law or something? Do you aliens even have laws? Or do you just kidnap any woman you want, any time you want?”
“There is no need for you to return to Earth and risk your life. Warlord Kai will take care of you now.” Ryston attempted to speak sense, his voice another I knew well from my years of exile on The Colony. My mate was surrounded by powerful males, all with mates of their own. My beast relaxed. An unmated male would be a problem. These males were friends. They would protect my mate with their lives.
“No, he won’t. I don’t know him. I don’t know any of you guys. I don’t know what images you’re talking about. I’ve told you this a hundred times. My sister will be home soon. She works nights at the emergency vet clinic. You have to take me back.”
“The Hive were in your home. They will kill you if you return.” Maxim’s tone had not changed. Good thing. If he raised his voice at my mate, I would grind him into dust.
Mine. Kill him.
No. He is protecting her for us while we heal.
Claim. Now. The beast placed an imagine in our mind of taking our mate here, in the medical bay, her back against the closed, locked door after we kicked everyone out.
My throbbing cock agreed. Not yet. First we talk.
I expected my beast to argue. Instead, he withdrew, confused.
Something not right. Smells wrong. Mate not well. The beast snarled inside my head, not amused. More words, less brains.
I chuckled. Are you implying I talk to much?
He might have a point. My cowardice almost cost our mate her life. If I hadn’t been unsure about entering her apartment, I would have been there sooner. Perhaps even before the Hive Soldiers arrived. I could have spared her that experience, the terror, the restraints, the bruise on her cheek where one of those fuckers?—
My beast growled.
They’re dead. They’re all dead. Calm the fuck down.
He snarled inside my head. Kill again.
“I wish.” Indeed, for touching her I could kill them a thousand times and not be satisfied.
“Are you all Neanderthals? Do you understand English? It’s not me I’m worried about! I need to go home.”
Ryston’s voice was calm, matter-of-fact. “I have alerted our assets on Earth. They will make sure your apartment is safe for your sister’s return.”
“I need to actually talk to her. She’s going to freak.” My mate’s caring nature pleased me. She would be an excellent mother.
“My lady, apologies. We cannot separate you from your mate. It would be dangerous for everyone involved.” That was Governor Maxim, speaking truth. If I woke and they had transported my mate back to Earth, directly into danger? There would be blood. Bodies. Carnage.
The beast preened in my mind, in total agreement. When it came to our mate, we had zero mercy.
“Then wake him up.”
Doctor Surnen responded to my mate’s demand. “His injuries were extensive. He was in a lot of pain. We must allow the ReGen pod to do its healing work.”
My beast scoffed. A few blaster burns were nothing compared to what we had endured in the past, nothing compared to what we endured at the hands of the Hive when we’d been prisoners. Nothing.
“I can’t wait. My sister could walk into that mess with those Hive things. She works nights, but she’ll be going home any time now. What time is it on Earth? She gets off at seven. They’ll kill her, too, right? Are those dead bodies still in my apartment?”
“We do not know, my lady,” Doctor Surnen responded.
“Take me back now.”
“You are Kai’s mate. We can do no such thing. I assure you, the beasts on Earth will ensure her safety.” Maxim attempted reasoning with the female. I understood her reluctance. Obviously, she had no idea what a group of warlords was capable of. And Bahre had been on comms, monitoring the situation. Without doubt, he and his warlords were already on the move. A Hive presence on Earth was not to be tolerated. Most likely, the beasts were already hunting.
“No, I’m not his mate. I’m not his anything. I’m telling you, there’s been a mistake. I don’t even know him. I’ve never seen him before in my life. Why won’t you guys listen to me?” My mate’s voice rose with anger. Excellent. I much preferred her anger over injury. Or worse, despair.
