He took her in his arms and kissed her deeply. “I can’t lose you, not now.”
She snorted and pulled away. “Yeah, now that you claimed me.”
LemAN froze. “You heard what I said to BorIS?”
She patted his chest. “I took culture classes, honey. I knew the moment your hot seed hit my insides that you had claimed me.”
“You’re not angry with me for claiming you without first asking permission?”
“No, I think we were caught up in the moment. However, we do have a lot to talk about when this is all done with. Something as important as mating should not be rushed into without discussion.”
“I agree.”
She leaned up on her tiptoes and kissed him again. “It will be all right. I won’t take any chances but you must promise to be safe. I need you.”
The Goddess knew how he cared about this female.Help me to keep her safe.
*****
Thirty minutes later their shuttle approached the Morinian transport ship. Teagan had moved from the copilot’s seat so that LemAN could sit next to the pilot, but he surprised her by sitting next to her instead and held her hand. She was still anxious, but knowing that he was there made her feel less nervous.
The last time she encountered the Morins, she hadn’t had to actually face any of them. She knew what they looked like—sickly yellow, completely hairless, with creepy green eyes. That was the description she was given during the culture classes, and everyone she talked to told her the same thing. So when they finally landed, she was surprised to see through the viewing screen on board the shuttle people who looked more like the Katierans. The female facing the shuttle had long black hair pulled back in a tight braid.
“Is that the commander you were talking about?”
LemAN nodded. “Yes.”
“She’s pretty.” Teagan felt a little jealous that LemAN was going to meet the exotic woman without her. LemAN was smoking hot and any girl would want him.
He shrugged. “Yes, from this distance she appears that way.”
That wasn’t exactly the reassurance she was looking for. “I guess you have to go.”
As his crew started to leave the shuttle, his pilot opened the compartment that was emptied earlier to make room for him and Teagan. LemAN turned to take her in his arms and kiss her. “Stay hidden and safe.”
“You, too.”
He turned to look at the pilot. “At the first sign of trouble, you are to leave and get Teagan to safety. We have warships circling the area prepared to defend you. Do not hesitate and do not turn back once you leave.”
“I will protect your mate at all costs, Commander.”
Teagan wanted to protest that she was not leaving him, but she promised him she would abide by this plan. She eased into the compartment below and watched helplessly as LemAN closed the hatch. She took a moment to pray not only to her God but to LemAN’s as well.Please God, take care of him. Goddess KatieRI, you’ve blessed me with LemAN. Please keep him safe and bring him back to me.
*****
LemAN had to remind himself to stay focused as he came out of the shuttle. He couldn’t let himself think about Teagan or her safety, trusting that his pilot would protect her with his life. He felt the immediate tension in the air. Warriors surrounded them, some shorter in stature than his warriors, with helmets covering their faces. The crew he brought with him were all trained warriors as well as engineers and medics, but they were clearly outnumbered.
He approached the female standing in front of her people, whose stature showed a commanding presence. “Commander Kayley?”
She nodded. “Commander LemAN, welcome aboard theRenegade.”
He pointed at the armed warriors. “You can tell your men to stand down. We are outnumbered and are no threat.”
Commander Kayley motioned for her warriors to stand at ease. Many lifted the shields of their helmets, revealing that they were females. LemAN tried to hide his shock. Perhaps the commander did not lie after all.
“Come with me. My leader would like to speak with you in private.”
“My crew is here to assess the damages and offer assistance.”
