Page 32 of Alien Protector's Mate

But he moved with an effortless grace that was fascinating to watch. He seemed to anticipate every attack, his movements economical and precise as he blocked or deflected each blow. There was no wasted motion, no flashy techniques, just a pure, efficient skill honed by years of training and experience.

The warrior became desperate, his attacks wilder and less controlled. He looked like a toddler throwing a tantrum because he couldn’t land a blow. S’aad seized on this, stepping into a gap in the warrior’s defense. His hand snaked out, fingers pressing against specific points on the warrior’s neck and shoulder. The effect was instant… the warrior’s eyes rolled back, and he crumpled to the floor like a puppet with its strings cut.

M’lak was back on his feet, rage contorting his face as he charged at S’aad’s unprotected back.

“S’aad! Look out!” she shouted a warning, but S’aad was already moving.

Dropping low, he shoved his shoulder into M’lak’s midsection, using his own momentum to flip him over. The warrior hit the floor with a groan.

S’aad stood over the groaning warriors, watching dispassionately as their friends backed off, hands raised in surrender. Without taking his eyes off M’lak and his companion, S’aad tapped the device on his wrist. “V’Renn to station security. We need a team to arrest M’lak and his associates in the main office of the mate program.”

A gruff voice crackled through the comm. “Already on our way, V’Renn. Someone triggered a silent alarm. We’ll have a team with you shortly.”

As if on cue, the doors hissed open, and a team of security officers poured into the room. They swiftly secured M’lak and the other warriors, efficiently restraining them despite their size.

S’aad’s tight posture eased slightly as he watched the security team work. His gaze swept the room, taking in the overturned furniture and the still-frightened humans.

“Is everyone alright?” he asked, his voice carrying easily across the space. “Does anyone need medical attention?”

A chorus of shaky “nos” and head shakes answered him. He nodded, seemingly satisfied, until he turned and spotted her half-hidden in the doorway.

Her heart skipped a beat as his eyes locked with hers. The air seemed to thicken as he moved, his long strides eating up the distance between them with predatory grace.

Before she could think to run, he was there, looming over her. He crowded her against the wall, the heat radiating off his huge, hard body making her acutely aware of how small she was in comparison.

“Now,” he growled, his voice low and dangerous, sending shivers down her spine, “you’re going to explainwhyyou ignored my orders, little human.”

11

S’aad’s hand clamped around Jay’s skinny upper arm as he all but dragged the human back to the lab. His grip wasn’t painful, but it brooked no argument. Fury and fear warred within him, making his heart race and his jaw clench. The human stumbled along beside him, struggling to keep up with his longer strides.

“S’aad, I—” Jay started, but S’aad cut him off with a growl.

“Not here,” he snarled, the sound low and dangerous.

As soon as the lab doors hissed shut behind them, he released Jay’s arm and turned away to run a hand through his hair, trying to calm the storm of emotions raging within him. When he finally spoke, his voice was low and controlled.

“Do you have any idea how much danger you were in out there?”

He heard Jay’s sharp intake of breath but didn’t turn around.

“I… I just wanted to see what was happening.” Jay’s voice was small and hesitant. “I didn’t mean to cause trouble.”

He whirled around, his eyes blazing with fury. “Didn’t mean to? Jay, those warriors could have seriously injured you without even meaning to. One wrong move, and you could have beenhurt. Badly hurt. The kind of hurt humans don’t get to come back from.”

Jay flinched at the harsh words, his shoulders hunching as if trying to make himself smaller.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered. “I didn’t think?—”

“That’s right. You didn’t think,” S’aad snapped. He took a step closer, looming over Jay. “This isn’t a game. The station can be dangerous, especially for someone like you.”

The human’s head jerked up, his eyes flashing. “Someone like me? What’s that supposed to mean?”

S’aad’s brows snapped together. “You know exactly what I mean. You’re small, human, and—” He paused, studying Jay more closely. “Wait… How old are you, anyway? Sixteen? Seventeen?”

“I’m twenty-one,” Jay said. “I’mnota child, and I can take care of myself.”

S’aad blinked, surprise rolling through him. He felt as if he’d been punched in the gut. Twenty-one? He stared at Jay, looking,reallylooking at him for the first time.Draanth. It was there. The set of Jay’s jaw, the hardness in his eyes…

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