“Someone, yes.”
“Really? Knew she’d be here and got signed up?”
“You could say that.”
He studies me for a moment. “But you don’t like the situation.”
“She’s the one helping us rebuild our farms in space. I didn’tanticipatemy Inferno reacting how it did. What about you?”
“I hope you catch her.” He waggles his brows. “I’m here for anything thick, curvy, and feisty. If she does not fight me, she is not strong enough to bear the hunters I want to raise.”
“Entering lunar shield,” an automated system announces over the coms.
The other males get up and make their way toward the opening cargo doors.
“Hey, don’t look so pissed, blood brother,” Hatchet remarks, playfully backhanding me in the shoulder.
“My people have been at war with Talhuskins for many years.” I fume a hot breath of embers. “I feel like I am betraying them by running away to this race while they suffer in hospitals, but I heal because I have powerful friends. It is not fair. But I was pushed intothisbythem.”
Hatchet’s playful side vanishes as he loops an arm over my shoulders and guides me toward the doors. “They need to know good things are still possible, that there is hope in the universe. Remind the Federation allies that you are not extinct, that you are strong, and your kind are not done fighting.”
I wish I felt like a beacon of hope instead of a match setting fire to another world. “Have the Denarso been any more of a problem for Alpha Prime?”
“Not nearly as often since you fucked some shit up.” Hatchet pats my back and looks out the window as other males jump to the race grounds below. “Thank you for teaching us the distraction tactics that you did.”
“Denarso are not very intelligent, but they are resilient.”
“True. They do not like to die.” Hatchet releases me. “But right now, our mission is to find mates. Don’t let yours get away.”
My body heats from the core, outward, thrusting angry light into my veins. He’s right. I cannot let anyone else take Brynna. I don’t trust anyone else with her.
“That’s what I’m talking about!” Hatchet punches me lightly in the chest, walks to the edge, and looks back. “See you in Valethi, brother!”
He yells a battle cry as he jumps out of the transport. I do not want to be last. I must find Brynna before someone else does. But I hesitate at the edge because my instinct is to fly. My wings twitch inside the ABR bands.
“You going or what?” a young, pale gold Vinym asks.
I snarl back at him.Shut up!
He backs up and lifts his hands.
I fully expect Brynna to turn me away because of our recent interaction. We’re just work friends. Not even. But I must get to her, protect her. She deserves that much at least.
If she doesn’t want me, I will just protect her until she picks a mate I approve of.
The air is fresh and clean and clear, so many things that have been lost to my kind in recent years. I jump from seven stories up. The fall is a thrill that spikes my adrenaline. My boots bury in the dirt, sinking from my weight. When I get a good look at the females running all around the arena, my Inferno figures out what’s happening.
Some females hide. Many give chase to other males. A few fight back the ones they don’t want.
My spark arrestor beeps rapidly. I don’t give a damn. The female scent is…addicting.
I run toward the chaotic mass among other males: princes, kings, generals, pilots, infantry, hunters, and more. A few males wear ABR suits, likely because they have no armor.
I bet they have money.
Many males return to primal instincts, dropping to all fours and charging through the crowd like animals.
Brynna’s dark hair flashes in the crowd and vanishes again. I collide with another male. We shove each other apart and keep running.
