On Tigerite-Seven, you wouldn’t dare converse with another male’s Queen longer than necessary and never alone. It was incredibly rude, especially these days when females were scarce. A female meant lineage, and attempting to sway her affections or steal her love from another male would be grounds for the elders to get involved. In ugly cases where a pattern of such rudeness could be proven, the elders could potentially force the alienator to leave the district. Banishment.
Talos had already been disowned (at least temporarily) from his family. He had no wish to be fired from his first real job, as well.
A human female with blurred vision attempted to summon the ship’s medical officer to the quarantine area, but accidentally signaled a security breach. The Security Officer on duty responded and determined that there was no breach. Documentation provided to Captain’s Log and Craft Log. End report.
There. Neat and efficient.
Not nearly accurate. Talos shook his head as he sent the report. It wasn’t necessary, of course, to say that the second human female he had ever met in person had cowered away from him in fear, huddling into a corner in a thin white gown, wide brown eyes unfocused.
No wonder Rupex was always touching and purring at his Queen. They were so small and defenseless-looking. Talos had studied the small dark-haired human with his keenest predatory gaze and had quickly come to the conclusion that she was the weakest in this pride. In terms of security threats, that was an excellent thing.
Why did his gut tell him to pay extra attention to her?
His father would suggest he shun her if necessary, or simply ignore her.
Talos didn’t want to shun or ignore her. He wanted to know why she was so scared. Was it him?
That didn’t bode well for his position on board this vessel.
Tomorrow was the newly arrived humans’ last day in quarantine. He would make an effort to speak to her at the midday meal and smile at her in a friendly, harmless way.
That would smooth things over. He had been rather gruff when he accused her of setting off the alarm.
Unless, of course, one of the males in quarantine was her mate.
Talos groaned. He was much better with security systems than people. He had no idea how humans behaved. Both males had rushed to speak up for the frightened female. He had no way to tell who she belonged to—and he had a vague recollection that humans hated the idea of claiming their mates. Only a few had marriage ceremonies anymore.
But a smile won’t hurt. Humans like smiling. Smiling is polite.
ALL THE HUMANS ANDRupex were sitting together at the midday meal. The quarantined humans were pale and thin, but talking a mile a minute.
Talos approached their table when he entered the ship’s dining hall. There were a handful of Leonids, the four humans, and a Leopardine freight coordinator. The Servali chef was running back and forth with this dish and that, apparently in ecstasy over having three humans to fatten up and a pregnant Queen to nourish.
Talos was the only Tigerite on board, and even though he had been on the ship for several days, this was the first time he had chosen to eat with others.
“Ah, Talos! Marcus, Ardol, let’s push these two tables together.” Rupex rose and gestured to the graying Leonid and the big, lanky Leopardine.
“Hello.” Talos smiled his widest grin and directed it at Wendy.
“No!” Wendy screamed and shot out of the room.
“Wendy!” Layla bolted after her.
“Don’t run! Don’t run, my Queen, that is an order!” Rupex ran after the females.
“Not now, Ru!” Layla spat back.
“But the cubs! Don’t run!”
“I’ll go. I’m fastest.” Ardol shot them all a cocky grin and plowed past them.
“Don’t chase Wendy, you fucking cats!” the shaggy blonde human tore down the hall as well, his companion on his heels.
Talos sat down in a dejected heap at the now empty table.
“My wild curried pigeon over jungle rice and a side of sapa pudding!” Kamau, the Servali chef, bustled out, pushing a heavily laden cart. When he saw that his feast was now being presented to an audience of one, his butterfly-like ears flattened back in irritation. “What did you do?”
“I have no idea,” Talos hissed and stalked back to his room. He didn’t care if it was a stereotype, it was true. Tigerites did not mix well with others.
