Page 11 of A Mate for Haax

My left eyebrow rises a fraction. “But… you literally just got here.” I feel the frown form across my face. “What happens now?”

He looks at me as if I’ve lost my mind asking that question. “I plan to take you with me, of course. My fated mate should see the planet we will eventually build a home and future on, should she not?”

My expression grows serious. “Haax, everything is moving really quickly. What about my job? I won’t have time to tell them I’m leaving, and I refuse to just be a no show until they fire me.”

He gives a firm shake of his head. “I am sorry, but I cannot leave you here alone, mate. No matter how safe this compound is, my arrynthia will not rest until it knows you are safe, and the only way to keep you that way is to have you with me.”

I place my hands on my hips. “And when are we supposed to leave?”

“We will leave in the morning.” I move my arms to cross over my chest, slightly miffed at this last minute change. I don’t do well with surprises, but I also don’t want to stay behind. I sigh, thinking about all the phone calls and explanations I’ll need to make so I can go with him. The fact that I’m willing to drop everything and go with him almost shocks me. I should find it hard to walk away from my entire life after knowing Haax for only a short amount of time; only the thought doesn’t actually terrify me like I thought it would.

He reaches up and gently grabs my chin with his thumb and forefinger, turning my face to him. “I promise that I will make it up to you. In fact… tonight, I have plans for you. I really want you to show me what Madera had you pick out today. I am especially curious about the undergarments.” His voice is so gravely.

My face flushes, remembering what Rhea said to me when we were looking at the robes as Madera waited. Undergarments are not worn below the robes.

Yes, this will do nicely.

We have a nice evening together with dinner, followed shortly after by my catwalk in my new robes. Rhea was right, these guys do really appreciate the honor of us wearing their colors, if the look on Haax’s face or the hot kiss afterward are any indication.

Now I just have to figure out how the hell to sneak out of here before he wakes up. I can’t go with him. It’s too soon. I agreed to dating here because it's on my terms. If I go with him tomorrow, I have no control over what happens. And that… is going to be a problem.

Chapter 6

Haax

My blood is thrumming at having to go home so soon. I had planned time to properly court my mate and make her officially mine, and now it’s being rushed. I noticed the way anger clouded her face when I told her she had to come with me. Probably not the best idea, but she has to. I cannot leave her here. It is not good to be away from one’s mate while the initial bond forms.

She may hate me later, but it’s for the best.

Her eyes look to the exit when I tell her that we leave tomorrow. I know that look. I’ve seen it plenty in Grekaria. It’s fear. Fear makes people run, and running is what I don’t want her to do.

If she plans to run tonight, I will follow her to the ends of the world to get her back. She is mine. Mine.

After seeing Esme in Grekarian wear, I want to mate the hell out of her; so much that she’ll be walking bowlegged for weeks, but I’ll wait. I want to go about this the right way. Luckily, we never unpacked, so there is nothing to prepare for leaving early in the morning. According to Daxx, the Elixirbus will be in its dock before they leave with my brother to go home.

She’s currently lying in bed, the robe slightly open in the front, exposing just a tease of what lies below the surface. It shows off those delectable breasts I can’t seem to stop ogling. The silk robe molds to her. She has her head propped up with her hand while her elbow sits at a ninety degree angle.

Esme has delicate features, and unlike most of my kind, I love humans. There is something special about them that Grekarian women don’t possess; especially this exquisite creature laid out before me like a delicious dessert.

Her eyes search my face, trying to look into my thoughts. “I have questions.” My lips twitch at the corner, and those gorgeous caramel orbs narrow. “Look, I’m not saying yes, but I want to know more before you just drag me off.”

Restlessly, her hand strokes over the soft sheets below her.

I wave my hand in a gesture for her to continue. “I figured you would. Go ahead. I will answer as best I can.”

She sits up, adjusting the robe as she does, and folds her slender hands into her lap, unconsciously twisting her fingers together as she looks at them, not making eye contact. “You said we are leaving tomorrow morning, how are we getting to Grekaria, and how long will it take?”

“It will take us two quarran to get there, which is two days in your Earth terms. My personal space ship is docked at the station. It will be stocked and ready to go tomorrow.” Her lips pucker with annoyance as her eyes find mine.

A flicker of apprehension crosses her face. “Will it just be us on the spacecraft or will there be a whole crew? And how do you know that the Necorium won’t shoot us down out of the sky? We’ve seen it once already.”

My face softens as I respond. “This is the part where you must trust me, Esme. I will do everything in my power to keep us safe. My ship is loaded with all the newest technology and does very well cloaking itself. This is not forever, we just need to figure out what the Necorium are up to. We are here for mates, but it is still our duty to protect the females of Earth from evil.”

“What about my horse? Can it come with me, and if so, how will it get there? Will it go on the ship with us tomorrow?” She lifts her chin, meeting my locked gaze.

I sigh with a shake of my head. “No, my ship is not equipped for horse transport. We can bring back another ship that has the capability once we return. I find it weird that in all of our conversations, we never talked about what you do to earn money. What is this work you cannot just leave behind. Does it have to do with this horse you’re requiring?”

“I’m a horse trainer, and I have a ton of clients. If I don’t show up, how will they know what’s going on?”

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