The other two reached them, Stron and Dhomhes.
"So, who goes first?" Stron asked.
"Shall I toss a chance cube?" Dhomhes smirked.
"I will," Khalzin said. He glanced at the women as their leader got them all together. He was more and more intrigued by the woman he'd seen. She stayed on the edge.
Others stood in the center, obviously posing to attract attention. The organizer arranged all the females in a few rows, with space between them. It only took a few minutes, but it allowed him to watch their behaviors and see if anyone drew his attention.
Many watched him and the others. Some even raised their hands to wave at them. He noticed that Dhomhes even posed a bit back, looking extra arrogant. He'd seen that sort of thing before. No matter the humanoid species, there were always those who posed for attention. Regardless of Dhomhes's attitude, he was enjoying himself.
The female who stayed in the back had been put on the back row, in the corner. The organizer was near her, and she covered her mouth as she conversed with the other female.
Something the organizer said made her smile.
And that expression alone hit him like a stone. He inhaled a breath, feeling suddenly very overwhelmed with what was happening. His body came alive, and his coat started to tighten around his armor as it grew.
"This is your little game," Stron said. He put his hand on Khalzin's shoulder. "You certain this is what you want to do?"
Khalzin nodded. "I'm sure. This is the only way.”
Stron leaned a little closer. "Is this about saving the Kantenans or proving your father wrong?"
"Can't it be about both?" Khalzin asked.
"If that's what you want.”
"You know this will be documented," Dhomhes said, and he gestured to the edges of the pad. Monitors and cameras recorded everything that happened on the landing pad.
Proof that could not be denied if this went poorly.
Also, it would prove if he met someone immediately and asked her to mate with him. There would be undeniable records of the interaction, and therefore it would be legal and legitimate.
Khalzin stood straighter.
He knew what was at risk here. But he also knew how his body responded, and that was his sign.
His proof that this was the right path.
"Those are real humanoids there. We cannot toy with them," Stron said.
Khalzin nodded. "I do not plan to. I will bond with my mate and treasure her for as long as I live.”
He started to cross the pad toward the group of females.
Their female leader came around the group and approached him. A pretty humanoid, she had wavy hair and silvery eyes. "I'm Graecey. If you wished to speak to them before you, well, before you choose, that is fine. I'm sure they'd like to hear a few words."
"Thank you," Khalzin nodded as they both reached the collection of females.
He cleared his throat. "Welcome to our world. We appreciate your choice to come here and be a part of this.”
His gaze ran over the crowd. The dark-haired girl ignored him. Instead, she was watching a fowl running along the edge of the landing platform.
"If you are selected," he said. He looked between the others, but he kept going back to her.
Many waved and smiled and generally tried to encourage him.
And Dhomhes was very wrong. They all were quite attractive humanoids.
