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Faron nodded once. He still struggled to deny the requests of his family. They’d always come first. It was the Tolong way, even if it meant they insulted him and treated him like a simple-minded fool.

“Remind me again why you were in your ceremonial dance attire when we last spoke?” Bartlek said, a sly look in his eyes. “I was certain you were lying about having a female, but I don’t believe you would go to so much effort in your deception. If this female is real, we should meet her.”

“There’s no point in that. You have already selected a mate for me.”

“Even so, it will be amusing to see the one you chose for yourself. I’m certain she will be inadequate.”

“She is more than adequate. She is better than I’ll ever be.”

“That’s hardly difficult,” Bartlek sneered. “Does she have a sight problem? Did she not notice your missing arm?”

“I have two arms,” Faron said.

“You know what your brother means,” his mother, Siblis, said. “This female must be understanding to overlook your issues. Were you firm in your dismissal of her?”

“We dismissed each other.” Faron clenched his fists as he recalled his argument with Kendra. He’d been honest with her, and she’d thrown it in his face and told him about the other male in her life. He’d had no choice but to turn away from her.

“Does she have a disability, as well?” Bartlek said. “She lowered her standards because she is not complete.”

Faron bit back a curse. “She is complete.”

“Don’t tell me she’s infertile.” His brother’s top lip curled. “You’ve wasted your time on a female who is not able to give you children.”

“Faron may have his limitations, but even he wouldn’t be so foolish,” Siblis said.

That was the closest thing to a compliment he’d ever get from her. “She is not disabled, and I am fairly certain she can provide me with children. We have not assessed that because we were getting to know each other. It was a new relationship. One that ended before it had begun.” He did an excellent job of not sounding as bitter as he felt.

“That’s the right thing to do,” Rhodan said. “We do not need a human sullying our name by associating with you. I have worked tirelessly since your accident to restore our name and make sure others do not consider us weakened by the problems you have created.”

Faron dug his nails into his palm. “You have my eternal gratitude.”

His father nodded. “Of course I do. Your place is in the family, but it has taken time to find you a suitable position. Now we have a female for you, you may re-join us and serve a purpose.”

Bartlek snorted a laugh. “I still can’t believe this human female is interested in you. Did you pay her?”

“Try to believe because it’s true.” Faron resisted the urge to lunge at his brother. Just because Bartlek’s life was so perfect, it shouldn’t give him the right to expose Faron’s weaknesses.

“I would love to meet her and ask what she saw in you. She could be one of those females you hear about who enjoy taking on a challenge and trying to fix a broken male.”

Faron’s jaw hurt from where he was grinding his teeth. “She would not waste her breath on you.”

Bartlek jumped to his feet, his food falling to the floor. “You consider a simple-minded human to be anywhere near equal to me? I could crush her with one hand and not break a sweat.”

“It is not about brute strength.” Faron stood slowly, his gaze not leaving his brother’s. “She is smart and knows her own mind. She would not cower before you because of your size.”

“Then she is more of a simpleton than I realized,” Bartlek said. “You are well-rid of her. I expect she breathed a sigh of relief when she realized she was free from you. Maybe she saw you as a pity fuck. She wanted a notch on her bedpost to display she was all about equal opportunities.”

Faron lunged at Bartlek and grabbed his throat.

Their mother jumped up and punched them on the back of their heads. “We do not have time for petty arguments about inconsequential humans.”

“Yes, big brother. I don’t want to injure you unnecessarily.” Bartlek jerked out of Faron’s grip and rubbed his neck.

“I’m willing to take my chances,” Faron growled.

“No! Both of you stop it. We cannot afford to have Faron injured before he meets his mate today.”

Faron turned and stared at his mother, horror curling around his spine. “My mate?”