Page 44 of Bound to the Bounty Hunter

He ran a hand through his hair, a surprisingly human gesture. “We have what’s called a claiming bite. It’s how we mark our mates.”

A surge of adrenaline shot through me at the word ‘mate.’ “What does that entail?”

“When a Vinduthi male bites his chosen female, it injects her with trace elements of his DNA. It... changes her.”

I leaned forward, fascinated. “Changes how?”

“It enhances strength, senses, healing abilities. The female also develops markings matching her mate’s.”

My mind whirled with the implications. “That’s incredible. Why didn’t you-”

Arkon cut me off. “I won’t do that to you, Samira. It would alter you forever.”

I noticed him absently rubbing his forearm. I gasped as I saw the ghost of marks there - rings of teeth marks, layered over each other. Vinduthi teeth marks.

“Arkon,” I breathed. “Did you... bite yourself?”

He looked away, shame coloring his features. “I wanted to claim you so badly. I had to stop myself somehow.”

It hits me with the force of a jet engine. He’d hurt himself repeatedly to avoid changing me without my consent. My heart swelled with affection for this complex, honorable man.

I slid out of the bed, wrapping my arms around myself against the chill air. Arkon’s eyes followed my movement, hunger and longing evident in his gaze.

I stepped closer to him, close enough to feel his heat. “Arkon,” I said softly. “I want that claiming bite.”

His eyes widened in shock. “Samira, you don’t know what you’re saying.”

I placed a hand on his chest, feeling his heart hammering beneath my palm. “I do. I want to be yours, completely. Just... not here. Not like this. But when we’re out of this mess, when we’re safe... then I want you to claim me.”

Arkon’s breath hitched. He closed his eyes, visibly struggling for control. When he opened them again, they burned with an intensity that made me weak in the knees.

“When we’re out of here,” he growled, “I’m going to make you mine in every way possible.”

The promise in his words sent a shiver of anticipation down my spine. I stood on my tiptoes, pressing a soft kiss to his lips.

“I’m counting on it,” I whispered.

ARKON

The door opened with a metallic screech, jolting me from my protective stance over Samira. Dr. Zhen’la’s imposing form filled the entrance, his mandibles clicking in what I interpreted as annoyance.

“Well, well,” he chittered, his multifaceted eyes scanning the scene before him. “It appears our little experiment didn’t quite go as planned.”

I growled, low and threatening. “If by ‘experiment’ you mean your pathetic attempt to control me, then no, it didn’t.”

Zhen’la’s antennae twitched. “Indeed. The mind-control drug still needs refinement for Vinduthi, apparently. A setback, but not insurmountable.”

His gaze shifted to Samira, who stood behind me, clad in the makeshift poncho I’d fashioned from the thin sheet. Her wild hair and the obvious signs of our recent intimacy didn’t escape Zhen’la’s notice.

“How... interesting,” he mused, mandibles spreading in what passed for a smile among his kind. “It seems you two have found a way to pass the time.”

I felt Samira stiffen behind me, her fingers digging into my arm. My protective instincts surged, and I stepped forward, placing myself more fully between her and Zhen’la.

“Enough games,” I snarled. “You can’t control me, and you won’t use Samira as a hostage. Let her go.”

Zhen’la’s laughter grated on my nerves, a harsh, clicking sound. “Oh, Arkon. You misunderstand. I don’t need to control you directly. Your... attachment to this human is control enough.”

My fists clenched. He was right, and we both knew it. I’d do anything to keep Samira safe, and that made her the perfect leverage against me.

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