Page 34 of Hunter's Moon

We walked down the short corridor to my living space. The door slid open with a soft hiss, revealing a spartan room dominated by a large bed and a small seating area. A few weapons hung on the walls, and a desk in the corner held a collection of data pads.

“It’s... efficient,” Lina said diplomatically.

I snorted. “You can say it’s bare. I’ve never had much use for personal belongings.”

Lina wandered around the room, her fingers trailing over the smooth metal surfaces. “It suits you, I think. But it could use a woman’s touch.”

The implication in her words made me stiffen. I watched her move, my body tensing with an unfamiliar desire.

“Tharion,” she said suddenly, turning to face me. “Before we do anything else I need to contact Dr. Heylarth.”

I frowned, a surge of possessiveness rising in my chest. “Is that really necessary?”

Lina’s eyes narrowed. “Yes, it is. He’s important to me. He’ll be worried.”

I struggled to keep my expression neutral, even as jealousy gnawed at my insides. “Fine. I’ll have the AI initiate a call. It might take a while to establish a secure connection.”

“Thank you,” Lina said softly, her hand resting on my arm. The touch sent sparks through my skin.

I cleared my throat. “Ship, initiate a secure call to Dr. Heylarth on Adtera.”

“Acknowledged,” the AI responded. “Establishing connection. Estimated time: twenty minutes.”

Lina nodded, then fixed me with an intense gaze. “While we wait, I think we need to talk about something.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Oh?”

“What did you mean earlier, about taking me as your mate?” Her voice was almost steady. Almost.

I took a step closer to her. “Exactly what I said. You’re my mate, Lina.”

She swallowed hard, but stood her ground. “I’m not some possession, Tharion. And I won’t be claimed just for protection.”

I reached out, my gray fingers tracing the line of her jaw. “Is that what you think this is? Just protection?”

Lina’s breath hitched at my touch. “Isn’t it?”

I moved even closer. I could feel the heat radiating from her body, smell the intoxicating scent of her skin. “No, Lina. This is so much more than that.”

“Then what is it?” she whispered, her eyes searching mine.

I struggled to find the right words, emotions I’d never experienced before threatening to overwhelm me. “I want you to be my mate because... because I can’t imagine my life without you in it. From the moment I first saw you, something inside me changed. It’s like my blood knows you, Lina. You are my mate. I just need to claim you.”

Lina’s eyes widened at my words. I could see the conflict in her expression, desire warring with uncertainty. “Tharion, I?—”

I couldn’t hold back any longer. I leaned in, capturing her lips with mine. She stiffened before melting against me, her arms wrapping around my neck. A growl escaped me as my hands slid down to her waist to pull her closer.

The kiss deepened, and I felt like I was drowning in her. My tongue explored her mouth, tasting her, claiming her. I trailed kisses along her jaw, then down to her neck. My pointed canines grazed her soft skin, and she shivered in my arms.

“Tharion,” she moaned, her fingers tangling in my hair.

I licked a slow path up the side of her neck, reveling in the way she trembled against me. “Tell me you want this,” I murmured against her skin. “Tell me you want to be mine.”

Lina’s head fell back, giving me better access to her throat. “I... I want...”

A sharp beep from the ship’s communication system interrupted us. We both froze, panting heavily.

“Incoming transmission from Dr. Heylarth,” the AI announced.

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