Page 22 of A Mate for Haax

With a bit of the magic I’ve received over the years, I cover my mate in the same invisibility cloak. I am not like the rest of the Grekarians. A Sepharon brings a lot to the table. Not only do we have different physical aspects, we also have the power of simple magic.

I lean down and pull a knife from my boot, knowing it will be easier to just kill them than fight. Right now, I don’t have any idea how many surround us, and I won’t put Esme’s life at risk.

My nerves run rampant. Like having 50,000 jolts of electricity shooting through my body and not being allowed to move, it’s almost impossible. I move with the stealth of a leopardoi, a big cat known for being the quietest movers on Grekaria. They are known for perching in treetops or hiding in bushes to go unseen as it stalks prey, which is what the Necorium are for me right now. They are my prey, and I will not show them any mercy.

Their reptilian eyes are bright in the darkness. I am hiding the normal iridescence of my own eyes to remain invisible. Blood stains the floor of the cave as I strike out, mercilessly killing alien after alien.

I have never enjoyed killing, but knowing that I am protecting my mate makes all of this worth it. I would kill and die for her. She is my arrynthia. My fated. My love.

I don’t even know how many Necorium I manage to kill in just a few minutes, but I know their numbers are dwindling. They have to be because these creatures do not run in very large packs. Normally, there are eight or less in each group.

Once the moment becomes stunted, I take a minute to assess. Turning up the silver in my eyes, I face where I left my mate to make sure she’s still there, but I find nothing.

My heart lodges in my throat. No, they cannot have taken her. I will kill every single last Necorium gruesomely, which will be the only way they deserve to die.

My brain becomes scattered trying to figure out where she’s gone. I search every single inch of the cave and speak telepathically to her. Esme? Where are you, mate? It is over.

I walk past a tiny crevice in the wall and something reaches out to grab my leg. I stab out with my knife and hear a small cry. Definitely not the enemies cry. Oh, God, what have I done?

“Haax…” She whispers my name.

“Oh, my Goddess.” I pull her out from where she’s hiding and hug the ever-living shit out of her. I was so afraid I’d lost her. “I should spank you for not following directions when I said to stay where you were.”

“They were coming for me. I had to move.”

I cannot be honestly mad at her. I’m actually incredibly proud to call her my mate. She acted bravely in the face of danger. This shows me how truly blessed I am that I was given a mate who is strong. She rivals my own strength; maybe not physically, but, mentally, she possesses it.

“We need to get moving. I do not wish to run into them again. I know we didn’t want to travel at night, but I don’t see us having a choice.” My eyes run over her body, and I notice the small scrape running across her forearm. Guilt sits like lard in my gut. “I am so sorry, my mate. I have failed in keeping you safe.”

She turns her arm to look at it. “Oh, this? It was an innocent mistake, Haax. I am fine. If it were not for you, I may not be here right now. I owe you my life.”

My lips tip up in the corners. “All I want is your heart and you, my love.”

Quickly packing up, we take one last glance around at the cave. “Wow, it’s really pretty here.” She says, looking at the colorful patterns and wildly-colored neon flowers creeping up the wall.

“It is not as pretty as the person I’m currently admiring.” I say, and her cheeks flush. She likes the charming side. I cannot wait to see what she thinks of the dominating side.

Chapter 12

Haax

It takes us two additional days to reach the compound. We’re both exhausted and ready to sleep for a few days, but I need to check in with the prince and my brother Daxx. He will get me up to date with the situation.

I take Esme to my room and convince her to lay down and take a nap. The compound is not as alive with action as I thought it might be. It offers me a little comfort while leaving my mate in my locked quarters. Since the last attack, the compound has upped security, and I am the only one who can access my room. It is a specific key card. Once I leave, they will replace the key card for the next person.

I wait for a few minutes with Esme as she gets ready for bed and then kiss her sweetly before heading off to the command room to assess the situation.

My comm vibrates with a call from the prince as soon as I step foot in the command center. Hitting the button, up pops the face of the prince before me. “Your majesty.”

“Haax, I was for certain we lost you. What happened out there?”

“Our ship was shot down. It took us a few days to make our way back. Between the Necorium finding us and the exhaustion, we had to go slow. My Esme is not as strong as a Grekarian female, so I needed to make sure she was okay.”

He dips his chin in understanding. “Is she…”

“She is good. A minor mishap with my hunting knife, but otherwise fine.”

“I am glad to hear it.”

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