Page 52 of Possessed By the Leonid King

Rupex squinted at her. “You’re upset.”

“I might be. Don’t have a right to be.” Another sharp shrug.

Rupex’s tail lashed suddenly, then stilled to a mild twitching as he stared at her. “I don’t want you to be upset. I want you to be happy.”

“You screwed up on that one, which is funny considering you’re a pretty smart guy. And I thought you liked me.” I know he likes me. This doesn’t seem right. Layla locked eyes with him. “Can you tell me why you want to take a night off?”

The embarrassed look returned to his face. “I would like to have a special evening together. I would like it to be just the two of us, Rupex and Layla, courting. Dating. Not Rupex and Layla being intimate because we are stuck together or have a mission to achieve.” His eyes traveled to her still flat stomach and back to her face. “It has been over six years since I wanted to romance a Queen in hopes that she would be my mate. I cannot romance someone contractually obligated to mate with me for the sake of breeding. Therefore,” he gulped, “therefore I had this idea. I’m regretting it now.”

“You want a night off so we can have a date?”

“A date that is not part of your contract. You could reject it, you see. This isn’t about reproduction—it’s about romance.” He gulped again.

Layla put a hand over her mouth to stifle the sudden hysterical giggles threatening to erupt. “You look adorable when you’re nervous.”

“I’m glad you think so. I find it demeaning.”

“I find it delightful. Um. But, you said romance. And romance implies... stuff beyond just getting pregnant.”

“I know.” His voice was a soft scrape against her skin as he stepped closer, his massive form enveloping her.

“Maybe we’re not on the same page?” Layla asked cautiously. Don’t get too excited. Don’t get your hopes up.

But he already makes me so high. I’m floating.

Is that what love is like?

“Maybe not. But I could try to show you the page I’m on tonight.” Rupex nuzzled the top of her head.

“Sounds good.” She snuggled back into him. “What do you need help with around the ship today? Or is there something you need me to do on the island?”

“Leo Falls is off-limits to you today and tonight. Today, because I’m going to be gathering supplies to woo my Queen. Tonight, because I’m planning a romantic evening in my quarters—where the soundproof doors seal and the bed is much larger and softer.” he gave her a wink that curled her toes and sent juices rushing south.

“Okay,” her voice came out as a breathless gasp. She swallowed and tried again. “What can I do here?”

“Find your friends. I’ve got the Sapien-Three Contract Registry page loaded and waiting in the Information Officer’s station. You’ll need their last names, and then you’ll need to narrow it down by birth year and region. Do you know those pieces of information?”

Layla nodded. “I remember everything about them.”

WENDY MULLIGAN

Dax Sanz

Elio Ma

She started with Wendy first. Wendy had been younger, but more caring, more nurturing, and more gentle than she was. Wendy was a born caregiver.

Wendy taught me how to be a big sister or something like a mom. God, I need her here now. I’m not ready to be a mom without my family.

Rupex’s voice and the memory of his fur on her skin erased her rising panic.

I guess I have something like a family. But I want the rest of it back.

With a few taps, Layla added Wendy’s birthdate and home region to the screen and choked down a gasp when she saw her beautiful friend’s picture appear on the screen.

Wendy had black, glossy curls that a bad diet and pollution couldn’t harm, and a spray of freckles across her nose that trailed over onto her round, beige cheeks.

The girl in the picture was older. A woman, now.

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