Chapter 31
Brook might have felt embarrassed when Drake knocked on the door to inform them that they'd be landing on Zanthar in fifteen minutes. She might have, if she weren't so exhausted.
She'd been napping, curled up around her mate, the first real rest that she'd had since the whole ordeal began. She sat up, rubbing her eyes and hoping she'd have enough energy for what came next.
Brook glanced over at her man and couldn't help the smile that spread across her face. Ontarii was staring back at her, his midnight eyes now the darkest thing about him. His skin was a light green color, as it had been when he met her, although she could catch sight of a few purple spots here and there.
"We're home," he said, sitting up to plant a kiss on her head before standing.
She watched as he wrapped his sarong around himself, and her breath caught in her chest at his beauty. His body was masculine perfection.
And he's all mine.
Brook was still amazed at the whirlwind of events that had brought them together. But as she stood and put her own clothing on, she thanked every god in the universe for putting her in his path. This was the man she was made to love, and against all odds she’d found him. Now she would never let him go.
They piled out of the room and into the main chamber of the ship. Brook’s attention was instantly drawn to the view screen where JL-398, better known as Zanthar, was growing in size.
It was a lovely planet, almost entirely water, with swirls of purples, blues, and greens. It reminded her of Ontarii’s skin in all of its myriad shades.
He moved up beside her, taking her hand in his. Meanwhile, Drake was steering them towards the surface, hard at work at his console.
“I managed to convince them that I am who I say I am, but just barely,” he said. “I don’t know what kind of greeting we can expect, but I’m heading into the hangar now.”
The shuttle landed, and Brook took a deep breath, preparing to meet her mate’s people in earnest for the first time.
Her jaw fell open when the first person she saw when the shuttle door opened was the lost human scientist, Dr. Sylvia Cohen. Standing beside her was a large Zantharian male.
“Supreme Regent,” Ontarii said, walking forward and holding out his hand.
“Halt,” the man said, holding up his own hand. “Initiate energy exchange.”
Drake laughed. “Good to see you too, brother.”
The regent scowled, holding out his hand and emitting a charge of electricity that Ontarii matched from his own hand. Drake did the same, and their identities were verified.
“Long time no see, brother,” the regent said, slapping Drake on the back. “We’ve got a lot of catching up to do. But first, what about the human female? She needs to be tested.”
Ontarii’s chest swelled, his voice turning tough like leather. “No one touches the female but me, understood?”
The regent cocked an eyebrow at him. “It’s like that, is it? Okay, you test her yourself then.”
“She doesn’t need to be subjected to that! We just proved our identities. It should be enough that…”
Dr. Cohen stepped forward, addressing Brook directly. “I see your mate is as protective as mine. To protect me, he has to make sure you are who you say you are. So instead of these two alpha males butting heads, let’s just get this out of the way so we can move on to discussing important things.”
Brook nodded, then placed a soothing hand on Ontarii’s arm. “You did it before. I can take it. Just do it.”
Ontarii’s face was rigid, his color lightening to yellow. Despite his anger, he extended his hand and touched hers, running a charge through it.
Brook stumbled, but her mate was there to catch her. He held her gently in his arms, and she knew that no matter what happened, as long as they were together, things would turn out all right.
Drake and the regent began talking in low, urgent tones.
Dr. Cohen put an arm around Brook once Ontarii released her, drawing her into conversation. “These Zantharian males are a bit irresistible, aren’t they?”
Brook blushed. “Yeah.”
“Your crew has informed me of your mission. Let me assure you, I’m alive and doing well.”
