“What is in that concoction?” he asked her.
She shrugged. “I make it myself. It gives me energy.”
He looked at her skeptically. She seemed to be avoiding his question, which was unlike her. “Are you ill? Is all well with you? Are you…” His voice trailed off as he spotted the earth female.
Zura followed his gaze. The female was wearing a silky red gown that clung to her every curve and snatched his breath away. She was talking to Allison and Kroi, who had their arms around each other’s waists.
“I knew it,” Zura said quickly. “You like Violet? I sensed something about her.”
Treffon scoffed. “Then you are wrong. She is not my true mate.”
“But there is something about her that I like a great deal, and I see that you do too.” Zura’s tone was hopeful. “She could be an acceptable match for you.”
Treffon sighed. He had thought about this a little bit since he’d met the Earth woman the night before. Or perhaps a lot. Or perhaps every waking moment. And he might have dreamed of her too.
She had spoken of holding out for “the one”. But she had also admitted that she found Treffon very attractive and enjoyed his company. And he certainly enjoyed being near her, and his body definitely responded to her.
Would she perhaps be interested in some kind of alternative arrangement with him? Would she accept a pair-bonding even if she was not his true mate?
At the very least, he would enjoy speaking to her. Odds were that the darkness would claim him sooner rather than later, and he might as well enjoy life’s pleasures while he still could. And being with this Violet was certainly one of life’s pleasures
Violet spotted him, and her face lit up in a smile. She waved him over.
He hurried across the room towards her. He saw a Vulfan about to speak to her, and scared him off with a ferocious growl and a wave of prickly rage that stabbed at the man like a cloud of needles. The man hung his head and scampered off with a whimper.
Allison and Kroi had walked a few feet away and were passionately embracing, their hands roving over each other’s bodies. Nobody paid them any attention; it was common behavior for new couples.
“Hello,” Treffon said to Violet. “What a surprise to see you here. You are most attractive tonight. In fact, your loveliness dims the two moons.” Yes, he’d stolen that shamelessly from Cora Lee. But he wanted to say something that would make her happy, and he was not good at flattering women; he’d had no practice at it. And it was worth it to see a smile light up her face.
“It’s you again! I’m so glad you’re here,” she said happily. “I was about to go home.” “By the way, I swear I’m not drunk at all tonight, and I’m almost positive I’m not going to spill anything on you. Look, I’m not holding a drink right now, so you’re safe. Don’t go anywhere!”
A battle cruiser couldn’t have dragged him from the spot.
“I am at your service,” he said, smiling down at her. Human females were such small creatures. He’d have to be very careful when he…No. He couldn’t let himself hope to be with her. He would just enjoy talking to her, and then return to his room and have a long, unsatisfying session with his right hand while he pictured her face and the sweetness of her full breasts and soft thighs and...
“So you’ll never believe what I found out!” she said. “When I went to Starcrossed last week? It was actually the second time I’d been there. Those memory machines you have are amazing. And very creepy.”
“I don’t understand,” he said. “You went to Starcrossed once before, but decided not to sign up for the dating service?” If she’d done that, they would have wiped the interview from her memory.
“Yes, I went with my friend Allison.” She pointed at Allison, then gasped at what Allison was doing to Kroi. “Jeez, woman, get a room!” she called out to her friend.
Shaking her head in amusement, she returned her attention to Treffon. “Allison decided to sign up for the service, but at the time, I decided not to. I was a month away from finishing up my master’s degree in marketing, and also I was living with my great-aunt Dorcas and I didn’t want to leave her behind. She actually came with me this time.”
“What changed your mind?” he asked.
A shadow crossed her face. “Well…in all honesty, aside from the fact that I have my degree now, someone on Earth seemed to be stalking me. I don’t know who. And then I got this invitation from Starcrossed, and I thought it would be a good way to get myself and my great-aunt far, far away from New York.”
His heart gave a sad little lurch. “So you did not really come here hoping to make a match?” For some reason, he found that terribly disappointing.
“Oh, if I met the love of my life, I’d be delighted. I’m certainly open to the idea.” She looked up at him. “What about you? Did you come here to,” she gestured at the women, “meet someone?” She winced a little as she said it. Did she dislike the idea of him speaking with other women? And why did the idea of her jealousy warm him just a little inside with a soft, contented glow?
Before he could answer, Allison peeled herself away from Kroi and walked over to them.
“Allison!” Violet said cheerfully. “I’m not going home early after all. Meet my new friend! Oh my goodness, I still don’t know your name,” she said to Treffon. “That’s so funny, I feel as if I know you already. I mean, here I am spilling my whole life story to you. I’m so sorry. What’s your name?”
Allison gave Violet an odd look. “Good lord, Violet, this is Treffon. He’s the Reginar of the pack.”
Kroi, who had followed Allison over, inclined his head in respect. “Reginar,” he said. Kroi was now wearing the level one trainees’ uniform as part of his punishment for neglecting his duties.
