Page 12 of I Married A Catman

“I can see you are worried,” Kayog said in a sympathetic voice. “I can almost hear your thoughts. But know this, Ophelia, I would never send you into danger. Gaelec is your soulmate. And frankly, he needs you.”

My brow shot up. “Oh? What makes you say that?”

“Nazhrals aren’t evil,” he explained gently. “Their society is drastically divided between the city dwellers who hold all the wealth, power, and advanced technology, and the Prides who are in many ways comparable to Earth’s old aboriginal tribes. It is a vicious cycle that must be broken. They are just trappedin a culture where the rich exploit the poor and especially their youth.”

“So I’m guessing Gaelec comes from one of those Prides?” I asked.

He nodded. “Now that he’s returned home, there is no question that his people will try to twist him into falling into those old ways again.”

“My point exactly!” I said, throwing my hands up. “I can’t be married to a potential slaver or murderer. I know that’s not what he was arrested for. The report said smuggling weapons on Grubrya—which was stupid considering how strict the anti-gun laws are over there—but I bet he committed other crimes before that he got away with. How bad were they?”

“I can assure you that he was never involved in the slave trade and that he didn’t commit any murder,” Kayog said firmly.

“How do you know?” I challenged, baffled. “And what makes you believe that specific guy is my soulmate?”

“Because I met him four years ago, after Rihanna’s case,” he replied matter-of-factly.

“The Yurus Chieftain’s mate?” I asked.

He nodded. “After her arranged marriage to Zatruk allowed her to avoid the unfair prison sentence she received, countless prisoners on Molvi reached out to my agency in the hopes that a similar pairing would allow them to be free of their remaining sentence. Obviously, the Obosians swiftly passed laws to close that loophole and ensure any convict would have to serve their full sentence. But it wasn’t before I had already met with Gaelec.”

“So he tried to exploit the system to dodge paying for his crimes,” I said in a harsh tone.

The disappointed look he gave me stung. Fine, maybe I was being overly judgmental, but I found it difficult to get excited atthe prospect of being married to an ex-criminal who was likely to commit a crime again.

“Wouldn’t you also wish for any opportunity to reclaim your life, especially if you had committed that mistake due to the immaturity of youth?” Kayog asked. “You know, only one other member of his crew was sent to a Light Quadrant with the minimum sentence of twelve years. Everyone else was sent to a Gray or Dark Quadrant, which are the toughest places on Molvi, and a near death sentence.”

“Only him and another?” I asked, surprised. “Why is that?”

“Because when they got caught, one of his crewmates tried to murder the guards arresting them. Gaelec intervened and saved that guard’s life. He was fine with smuggling, but not killing. I intensely questioned him during our meeting to assess the type of male he was, as I would never risk pairing someone to a potentially evil or abusive partner.”

I nodded, mollified by his words.

“Gaelec was an exemplary prisoner. Not only did he stay out of trouble, but he also learned many trades and worked hard to put aside enough savings to give him a good start once he regained his freedom. He’s agoodmale,” Kayog said with conviction. “Having his soulmate in his life will undoubtedly help him stay the course. Once he tells you the details of that failed mission, you’ll see he wasn’t a bad person.”

I raised my eyebrows and gave him a disbelieving look. “The way you said that, you seem to assume I will accept.”

“I do,” he said matter-of-factly.

I gasped and gaped at him. “What if I don’t?!”

“Then I’ll have to insist until you do,” Kayog replied with a shrug. “You’re unquestionably made for each other. There is no greater gift than to be reunited with one’s other half. It would be unconscionable for me to let you throw away your happiness.”

“And what if he doesn’t want a human?” I countered with a bit of sass.

He huffed. “Then I’ll insist until he does. Don’t forget that I’m never wrong on that front, Ophelia. Nothing and no one can ever make either of you happier than each other.”

The conviction in his voice struck me hard. I stared at him, feeling torn.

“I hear what you’re saying, Kayog, but a criminal?”

“Anex-convict who has served his time. His debt has been repaid. Should he be punished forever?” he challenged in a soft voice.

I scrunched my face and shook my head. “Of course not. But what if he relapses? Where does that leave me?”

“Although unions through the Prime Mating Agency have a compulsory six-month trial, should he relapse and get back to criminal activities—which I absolutely do not believe he will—then you will be entitled to an automatic annulment, and we will pay for your relocation home or wherever you wish to go.”

I continued to stare at him, more conflicted than ever. The wretched male batted his eyelashes at me while making the most adorable face, making me laugh against my will.

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