Page 37 of Protected By the Alien Commander

I narrowed my eyes at her. Considering I was his mate, you’d think I’d be allowed to describe him.

But Miranda wasn't done yet. "And he and Olivia have something going on."

I slapped the table and glared but didn’t have time to say anything because Doshax walked in the room. I closed my mouth but kept glaring at Miranda. What the hell was wrong with her?

"I have something for you, Ohliveah.” He stopped next to the table and looked at Emma, who had not taken her eyes off him. “It is good to see you awake. I am Doshax. Have you noticed any memory or speech problems? Are you able to walk without assistance?"

Emma continued to stare, now with her mouth open, so I spoke up. "Doshax is a commander with the IGS military. He commands a squadron. They were chasing pirates when his ship also died and crashed."

Emma finally answered him. "It's nice to meet you. I guess I seem to be fine. I don’t think anything’s wrong."

She sure took seeing an alien better than the rest of us had. Maybe she wasn’t quite all awake yet.

Doshax nodded. "That is good.” He turned to me. “Come with me. I have something for you.”

I flushed and couldn’t keep a smile off my face. I glanced at my friends who had varying expressions. I’d have to answer a lot of questions when I came back. I followed Doshax out of the room.

I didn't know what Miranda was going to say about me while I was gone, but it didn't matter. I'd find out what was going on with her. Besides, I knew Emma wouldn’t believe any nasty gossip Miranda could share. What nasty gossip did that girl even have? And why was she acting like this?

I followed him into our room, the door swooshing closed behind us. Doshax turned to me with something in his hand. "It is a custom among my species that when we claim our mate, we bite her at the edge of the neck and shoulders. The mark shows that she is claimed."

I reached up to the side of my neck. “That would hurt."

“Your skin is so fragile that I did not want to hurt you. But I want to show everyone that you are mine."

He held out a bracelet. It was a dark bronze and copper color and looked like it was made from wire that had been braided and twisted to form a bracelet. "This is beautiful! You are really talented.” I looked up at him. “I didn’t know there was anything left on the ship.”

"There was not. I found cable scraps in the maintenance room by the engines. I made this bracelet for you. Now everyone will know you have been claimed by me and that I am your mate.”

I couldn’t stop smiling, but said, “Can I still have your bite?” He frowned. “I want to be claimed like your people do it.”

He looked pleased, but wary. “Are you sure? I will try to bite you gently, but it will still hurt you. And I do not want that.”

I stepped closer and placed my hand on his chest. “I am very sure. I’m yours.”

Doshax looked unsettled, though. “You have not put my bracelet on. Do you not want to wear it?”

I put that bracelet on so fast, I might have scratched myself. “Of course I want to wear it!”

He smiled smugly. Then he pushed my hair off my shoulder. “I will try not to hurt you, but I must bite hard enough that the claiming takes. You will have a mark.”

I nodded and dug my fingers into my dress. This shouldn’t hurt worse than a bad cat bite, right?

He gently pulled aside my dress strap and lowered his head. I felt his hot breath on my neck and closed my eyes, bracing myself. He licked my neck where it met my shoulder. I swallowed. Then I felt his hard teeth against my skin, the pressure growing stronger and stronger until it was almost too much, and then the pain completely disappeared.

I opened my eyes. He stood in front of me, smug with a grin, staring at my neck. “Did it work? Do I have your mark?”

He nodded and looked into my eyes, grinning wide.

I jumped on him and wrapped my legs around his waist, his big hands holding my ass. “I am proud to be your mate! But I have a question, where is your bracelet?”

His smile dimmed.

“I want to show people you’re claimed too. Can you make one for yourself?”

Doshax’s smile reappeared. “I will make it, and then you can give it to me.”

My gaze locked with his, and I leaned in to kiss him. As our lips touched, a spark of pleasure coursed through my body. I knew he was the perfect man I had been looking for.

He carried me to the bed and rested me on the soft sheets. I sighed, indescribably happy as he pulled my dress off.