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He yelled again and froze as a muffled voice replied. “That’s her.”

Sinead gasped at the sound of a thump. “I think it’s this door.”

Faron raced to the door. Faint voices could be heard behind it. He tried the lock and cursed when the door wouldn’t open.

“Do you think she’s in there?” Sinead asked.

“I believe so. Stand back.” Faron used the enhanced strength of his cybernetic fingers to prise the door open an inch. He grabbed the edge and flung his weight behind it. The door slid open with a hiss.

Faron barreled into the room, slamming his weight into the surprised looking Rolon who stood staring at him.

The Rolon crumpled to the floor and covered his head with his furry arms.

Faron heard Kendra scream as he pummeled the Rolon with his fists. Fury filled him as he realized how close he’d come to losing Kendra. This Rolon had almost gotten what he wanted from Kendra, and that could have ruined her.

“Wait! Faron, you need to stop.”

Kendra’s words filtered through his rage-filled head, and he slowed his attack, noticing that the Rolon did not fight back.

He drew in a slow, deep breath and raised his gaze to meet hers. “You are unharmed?”

“Yes!” Kendra stood by the door next to Sinead, her eyes wide and cheeks pale.

Faron looked at the bloody-faced Rolon and saw only relief in his eyes. “You took my mate.”

The Rolon let out a sigh. “I’m sorry. I couldn’t help myself. I needed to be stopped but couldn’t do it on my own. I tried to stay distracted, but nothing worked. Thank you. I knew it was wrong, but there was nothing I could do. My urge to be with her was too powerful.”

Faron growled in his face but understood what he said. He was the same around Kendra. Every time they were together, he lost sight of the years of logic and sensibility that had been pounded into him by his family. He’d discovered feelings and desires that were new, ones he thought he’d never experience or need. Kendra had a way of getting under your skin.

Kendra touched his shoulder. “Fridolph is fine now. He didn’t want to hurt me.”

Faron grunted and pressed a hand on the Rolon’s chest. “He was taking his clothes off when we entered.” He slowly shifted his weight off the Rolon.

“I panicked and ran and made things worse,” Kendra said. “Fridolph was fighting to stop himself.”

“No,” Fridolph said as he stood slowly and wiped blood off his face. “This is all my fault. You were doing what you needed to stay safe. I was weak-willed. I had no right to take you. I am so sorry if I frightened you.”

Faron grunted in surprise as he watched Fridolph hang his head. He looked at Kendra and saw she was no longer fearful, but her body still trembled. Certainty hit him in the gut like a comet. She was his. It could be no other female. He didn’t want the female Tolong chosen by his family. Even though they were genetically compatible and would provide healthy children for his mother to show off, it was not enough.

When he joined with Kendra, there would be no going back. His family would reject him for good. He’d be removed from their life, and there would be nothing he could do about it. Faron didn’t care anymore. He had to make sure Kendra was safe and happy and that she knew he could provide that for her. It was all he wanted to do, no matter the consequences.

His hand reached for her, and Kendra stepped into his arms.

“You saved me.” She looked up at him. “But what about your family? Your new mate?”

“That is not important.” He touched her sweat-dampened skin. “You are never to be harmed. I will make sure of that.” He kept a tight hold on Kendra and was pleased when she didn’t protest at his closeness.

Kendra looked at Fridolph. “Is everything good?”

He nodded, but his gaze ran over her. “Best you let your mate take you away. I am still struggling with my desire for you.”

Kendra nodded and looked at Sinead. “I hope you don’t mind a personal question, but are you ovulating right now?”

Sinead’s brow crinkled, and she counted on her fingers for a few seconds. “No. I am definitely not.”

“Can you help Fridolph out?” Kendra asked.

“Oh! Of course, it will be my pleasure.” Sinead glanced at Fridolph. “What do you need?”