Page 51 of Treasured By the Hunter

Damn! That was so hot.

Then he was urging me to straddle him. Strong hands lifted me up as I reached down to line us up. I moaned as his thick cock parted me, and I slid down his length.

Then, I was riding my purple warrior to the stars.

***

Harb’k stretched and tucked me into his body as the lights of the shuttle dimmed.

I snuggled into his arms, breathing in his masculine scent.

“Little Star?”

It took me a moment to realize he was talking to me. Little Star? I liked that. “Hmm?”

“I’m so glad I found you. You are perfect. I cannot wait to start our family.” He buried his nose into my neck. “Good night.”

His words had me holding my breath and unable to reply.

Everything that had happened in the last few days ran through my head, and I realized what Harb’k had been trying to tell me this entire time. He wanted a family. He wanted what Lok’n had with Mary. He wanted a little miracle like Mina. And it was the one thing I could not give him.

The empty pit in my stomach started to grow, and my heart threatened to break.

I didn’t want to disappoint yet another man, alien or not. According to everything I’d learned about mate bonds, they were permanent. If Harb’k formed one with me, he wouldn’t be able to form another with anyone else. That wouldn’t be fair to him.

I knew how it felt to watch everyone be happy while knowing I’d never experience it. Even Heather had found her forever here. She hadn’t said anything yet, but I’d noticed her belly. She was hiding it behind loose clothes but also placing her hand on it often. I figured she hadn’t announced it yet, so I didn’t pry. I was simultaneously happy for her and envious.

Now that I understood Harb’k wanted a family, I had to leave before it was too late, before he wasted his one and only chance on me. I’d never forgive myself if I destroyed his dream.

I had a sudden thought. What if he was stuck to me now? His arms were draped over me, and I was nestled against his body. I feigned being too hot and rolled away, putting some space between us. He released me easily.

Good. It wasn’t too late.

I knew right then and there what I had to do.

With a heavy heart, I closed my eyes and begged for morning to come.

Chapter 25: Harb’k

“Sit your ass down, Harb’k.” Mo’s voice boomed as loud as any Xarc’n warrior’s roar.

I ignored him and advanced on Nov’k, who was the one who smelled most of my Zoey, considering he was the one who’d flown her to Sanctuary while I was fighting the mutations at the nest.

Logically, I knew that it wasn’t his fault, that he’d only done what was asked of him, but I was so angry, too hurt to listen to logic. All I knew was that she was here when I left in the morning, and now she was gone.

I’d thought I’d been doing a good job getting her to fall in love with me. Not only did we emulate everything the other couples did, but she smiled when I was around. And she’d become close with the others at camp. She seemed truly happy here, so why would she leave?

Nov’k simply shrugged. “You tackled me and let them take Heather from me when I first brought her here. Now we are even.”

Bael’k and I had tackled him to prevent the humans from “tranqing” his ass. And the humans hadn’t taken Heather away from camp and back to Sanctuary. It was completely different.

I didn’t bother explaining, I just leaped at him. But in my anger and haste he was able to dodge me and I slammed into the table instead. All the bowls of soup on the table sloshed and spilled and several people swore as they sprang back from the table to prevent being splashed with their dinner.

“If you’re not careful, they’ll tranq you instead.” Nov’k laughed and ducked, but my fist still grazed the side of his face.

“Enough!” Mo bellowed. “Nov’k, you’re not helping. Quit taunting him. Harb’k stand down.” He butted in between us, putting a hand out to stop me, as if he wasn’t half my weight and I couldn’t throw him clear across the room if I wanted.

It wasn’t Mo who defused my anger but Mina as she let out a wail. Mary gathered her child into her arms, glaring daggers at me. Mina never did like fighting, or anything resembling it. I calmed for her sake, and also because if I threw Mo across the room now, I might accidentally hurt her.

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