Page 65 of Alien Protector's Mate

M’lak’s lips curved into a cruel smile that sent chills racing down her spine.

“Oh, I don’t think so. I have every right to be here.” His gaze shifted back to Jade, who felt her stomach twist at the possessive gleam in his eyes. “I’m here to claim what’s rightfully mine.”

Confusion rippled through the room, and she felt as if the floor had dropped out from under her feet. What was M’lak talking about? She pressed closer to S’aad, seeking reassurance as she wrapped her hands lightly around his arm.

S’aad’s voice was tight with barely controlled fury. “What nonsense are you spewing? Jade is my mate. She has chosen me, and I her.”

M’lak’s harsh laughter echoed through the room.

“Is that so? Check your precious mate program records again, V’Renn. She cannot bond with you.”

He paused, his eyes never leaving hers as he delivered the final blow.

“She’s already been matched… with me.”

20

S’aad placed his hand over Jade’s on his arm to reassure her as he glared M’lak down. Her hand trembled under his, and rage filled him. Every quiver, every shaky breath she took only fueled his determination to protect her. How dare thisdraanthiccome in here and try to claim what was his?Hismate.Hisheart.

He turned his gaze onto Z’yan, who had followed M’lak and his group into the crowded space. The security chief’s usual stoic demeanor was marred by a furrowed brow and tight-lipped frown.

“What in the name of Liaanas is going on here, Z’yan?” he growled, barely containing his mounting anger.

“M’lak’s father managed to secure his release from custody,” Z’yan said, jerking his chin toward an older Latharian male standing near M’lak. S’aad recognized L’arr F’Nyal. A legal specialist, he was pretty much a pain in everyone’s ass aboard the station. “But I’m at a loss about this supposed matching.”

S’aad’s jaw clenched, his teeth grinding together so hard he was surprised he didn’t snap them off. Before he could reply and demand answers from either M’lak or his father, though, thedoors swished open and two new warriors arrived. The Lathar in the room snapped to attention, S’aad among them.

The first was Duke Kaarigan, the newly appointed head of the Latharian Mate Program. He strode in with an air of authority that immediately commanded attention. His silver hair and sharp features were an older version of those on the male behind him, Prince Rohn, but his age didn’t make him any less deadly. Both males were K’Saan, the current ruling clan, who had held the throne since a distant war empress generations ago. She had passed her martial skills down through her descendants, and any warrior would think twice before going up against any of the K’Saan bloodline.

He seized the opportunity, stepping forward while keeping Jade tucked safely behind him. “Duke Kaarigan, we have a situation requiring immediate attention.”

Kaarigan stopped, an eyebrow raised as he looked around the room, obviously noting the tension and the confrontational stances of all involved.

“So I see. Explain.”

Z’yan moved to stand beside S’aad, the two warriors presenting a united front. “M’lak has already injured a human female… the one Healer V’Renn is protecting. We believe M’lak should be immediately removed from the LMP database and barred from all program locations for life.”

Duke Kaarigan’s brows snapped together, creating a heavy, dark line across his face. Before he could say anything, L’arr stepped forward, polished shoes clicking against the floor. Unlike the other Lathar in the room, he didn’t wear a warrior’s leathers but a business suit, every crease perfectly pressed, every line speaking of power and influence.

His face was a mask of cold indifference as he swept a glance over S’aad and Jade before turning to the duke.

“I’m afraid that won’t be possible,” L’arr said, his voice was smooth as silk but with an undercurrent of steel. “There is no cause for such an expulsion from the program, as any injuries sustained by the human female cannot be held against my son. She has already been confirmed as my son’s genetic match, and as such, a warrior cannot be convicted of a crime against his own property.”

The words hung in the air like a noxious gas. Jade’s breath caught in a way that made his protective instincts flare. A low murmur of discontent rippled through the assembled humans, the tension in the room ratcheting up another notch.

Duke Kaarigan folded his arms over his broad chest, heavy muscles bunching as he looked down at L’arr. “I believe you are mistaken. A match in the Latharian Mate Program is not equivalent to a female accepting a claim.”

L’arr’s lips curled into a sneer. “That may be true for Latharian females, Duke Kaarigan. But the courts have not yet ratified humanity as being on the same level of sentience as the Lathar. Which means, legally speaking of course, the female is merely property and belongs to her matched mate.”

The room erupted as all the human females shouted at once, their faces flushed with anger and indignation.

“Property! Is that what you assholes think of us?”

“We’re not some cargo to be claimed and traded!”

“This is barbaric!”

Draanth. This was bad. Really bad. In seconds, L’arr could have inflicted untold damage on the entire mate program. Months of careful diplomacy and trust-building could be undone in moments that would take years to repair.

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