Page 29 of Alien Protector's Mate

He placed a reassuring hand on Jay’s shoulder, lifting it quickly when the little human flinched.

“Ready for your first day?” he asked with an encouraging smile.

Jay nodded, a flash of excitement in his eyes under the rim of his cap. “As ready as I’ll ever be, I guess.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll start you off easy.” He chuckled, deciding to take Jay in through the front entrance and give him the grand tour.

Jay’s eyes widened as they walked through the doors, his gaze darting around like a startled tranaxaain deer foal.

“It’s like… a plush hotel or something,” he breathed.

S’aad paused, seeing the place through new eyes. The reception area was a carefully crafted environment with plush carpets in muted earthy tones and sleek, metallic furniture that screamed, “We’re alien, but we’re trying.” Large floral displays at the back of the room filled the air with a subtle scent that was probably giving Jay a headache if the way he wrinkled his nose was any indication.

Margaret, Elena, and Judith sat behind the curved reception desk, their welcoming smiles brightening as S’aad approached.

“Good morning, ladies,” he said. “I’d like to introduce you to Jay, my new lab assistant.”

Jay tensed beside him, but the women’s warm expressions seemed to put him at ease.

“Welcome, Jay!” Margaret said cheerfully. “It’s wonderful to meet you. We’re always excited to see new faces around here.”

Elena nodded in agreement. “Absolutely. If you need any help finding your way around, just let us know.”

“And don’t let this big lug work you too hard,” Judith added with a wink, gesturing at S’aad. “He forgets not everyone has his stamina.”

He chuckled, relieved at their friendly reception and easy acceptance of Jay, especially after Sadie and Vaarn’s reaction last night. “Thanks, ladies. I appreciate you making Jay feel welcome. We’ll see you later.”

As they headed toward the lab, S’aad’s hand hovered near Jay’s shoulder, not quite touching but ready to offer support if needed. He was glad the women had been so welcoming. It would help Jay feel more comfortable in his new environment.

As they entered S’aad’s lab, the atmosphere shifted dramatically. Gone were the soft, muted tones of the reception area, replaced by the crisp, clean lines of a high-tech laboratory.

“Welcome to my humble abode,” he said as he gestured toward the machinery lining the walls. “These beauties process personality profiles, genetic data, and a whole host of other biological markers that help us match Latharian warriors with compatible human partners. Or, as I like to call it, playing matchmaker for the galaxy’s most eligible bachelors.”

Jay’s eyes were as wide as the moons of Lathar Minor as he looked around. S’aad could practically see the questions forming in the boy’s mind as his gaze darted from one machine to the next.

“It’s a lot to take in. I know,” he said, his tone gentle. “But don’t worry, you don’t have to know everything on day one. We’ll start with the basics. For now, why don’t you sit down?” He nodded toward a nearby chair. “There’s something we need to take care of before we start.”

As Jay settled into the indicated chair, perched on the edge of the Latharian-sized seat, S’aad moved to a nearby workstation. He retrieved two small, flat patches, their surfaces gleamingunder the lab’s bright lights. As he turned back to Jay, the boy’s posture stiffened, wariness creeping into his expression.

“What’s that?” Jay asked, his voice tight.

S’aad paused and then squatted down, bringing himself to eye level with the seated human. “This is your ticket to understanding the intricacies of Latharian cursing,” he explained, offering a reassuring grin. “Which is essential for any male. It’s a translation implant. Up until now, I’ve been speaking English so you can understand me. But if you’re going to work here, you’ll need to be able to communicate with everyone, not just those who speak your language.”

Jay eyed the patches with apprehension. “Will it… hurt?”

He shook his head. “Not painful at all. You’ll feel a slight tingle when I apply it, but that’s it. Promise on my honor as a warrior.”

After a moment of hesitation, Jay gave a small nod. S’aad reached out and carefully pressed the patch to the side of Jay’s neck. His fingers tingled at the contact, and he withdrew his hand quickly. Jay hadn’t seemed to notice.

“There,” he said, his voice warm with approval as the patch absorbed into the skin. “Well done. Now, I’m going to apply two more patches, if that’s alright with you? They’re antiviral and antibiotic treatments.”

Jay’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. “Am I sick?”

S’aad shook his head, his hair dancing over his shoulders. “Nope, you’re fit as a fiddle. It’s just a precaution. Some really gnarly aliens frequent that market, and I’m fairly sure they haven’t had all their shots. Some of them can carry viruses that humans aren’t equipped to handle, so this is just to ensure you stay healthy and don’t end up with a third arm or something equally inconvenient.”

“Yeah…” Jay murmured. “That wouldn’t be good.”

As he applied the additional patches, S’aad couldn’t help but notice how thin Jay’s neck was. Protectiveness surged through him again, and he made a mental note to hit up the market for more human food to make sure Jay ate enough.

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