Page 62 of Alien Protector's Mate

“Mine,” he growled, his breath hot against her ear. “You’re mine. Mine forever.”

“Yes,” she whispered, her body trembling on the edge of something she knew would be amazing. “Yours, S’aad. Always yours.”

With a final thrust, he sent them both over the edge. She screamed as she shattered apart, calling out his name in pure pleasure.

19

S’aad jolted awake, his warrior’s instincts on high alert. It took him a moment to remember where he was…and who was nestled against him.

Jade. His mate.

He looked down at her, and the events of the previous night rushed back, a flood of sensations and emotions. He’d finally claimed her, marked her as his own. His body still hummed with the aftereffects, a bone-deep satisfaction he’d never experienced before.

Pulling her closer, he buried his face in her hair and breathed in deeply, savoring her scent. It reminded him of the forests on Lathar Prime after a spring rain… fresh, earthy, but with an underlying sweetness that was uniquely her. His arms tightened around her slender form, marveling at how perfectly she fit against him. She mumbled in her sleep, and he couldn’t help the wide smile that spread over his lips.

She’d agreed to his claim and allowed him to claim her body… he would never forget such a gift. The gift of his beautiful little mate.

A strange tingling on his wrists caught his attention. Carefully, so as not to wake her, he lifted an arm to examine it in the dim light of their quarters. His breath caught in his throat as he stared at the intricate patterns adorning his skin.

Mating marks.

He’d heard stories, of course—every Latharian had—from the past and that some of the lucky warriors with new human mates had mating marks. But they were rare, or at least they had been in the past. Yet here they were, etched into his flesh like living vines.

His mind reeled. The inescapable draw he’d felt toward Jade, the connection that had formed so quickly… he dropped his head back to the pillow. It all made sense now.

They were truly fated mates, blessed by Liaanas herself.

He gazed down at his mate as she slept, transfixed by the gentle rise and fall of her chest. His large hand splayed protectively over her abdomen. Could she already be carrying his child? The thought sent a wave of primal pride through him.

Unable to resist, he pressed a kiss to her temple. She stirred, mumbling something as her eyes fluttered open. Confusion clouded her features for a second before she smiled, recognition in her eyes.

“Morning,” he rumbled, his voice rough with sleep and emotion. “How’re you feeling?”

A blush crept across her cheeks.

“I’m okay,” she whispered. “A bit sore, but…” She trailed off, biting her lip.

Concern rolled through him as he settled her more comfortably, using his chest as a pillow.

“Did I hurt you?” He stroked her cheek gently. “You should’ve told me if it was too much.”

She shook her head quickly. “No, it’s not that. It was… amazing. I just… never thought I’d have this. That anyone would want me like this.”

The vulnerability in her voice made his heart ache. He pulled her closer, enveloping her in the warmth of his arms and keeping her safe from anything or anyone that would harm her.

“Jade,” he murmured against her hair. “You’re everything I could’ve ever wanted. Look.”

He held up his wrist, showing her the markings.

Her eyes widened as she reached out to trace the patterns with her fingertip. “What are these? Did you sneak out and get a tattoo without telling me?”

He chuckled. “No sneaking out. I promise. They’re mating marks,” he explained, his voice gruff with emotion. “Sign of a true pairing. They’re rare.”

She pushed up from his chest to look at him. “Mating marks? Aren’t they like… a sign from your gods? But… how? I’m just… me. I’m not?—”

He cut her off with a kiss, pouring all his feelings into it. Pulling back, he cupped her face in his hands, holding her eyes with his.

“You’re everything, Jade. Everything I never knew I needed. Strong, brave, beautiful. Don’t ever doubt that again.”

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