Page 18 of The Alien's Private Redemption

"It would appear that Zoric and Angela have Bonded," the lizardwoman explained, disdain dripping from her voice. "I'll need to get a closer look but it appears to be recent."

Zoric turned and growled but she blinked placidly back at him.

"This is fascinating," Dr. Torres exclaimed. "Truly fascinating."

"Finding me fascinating is what got you holes in your shirt," Angela said, turning her face so she could address him. Her body was still pressed against Zoric's, her cheek resting on his chest, and his arms were doing their best to cover as much of her body as possible.

He didn't like their audience studying her and turned so the most they could see was her side and the back of her head. He'd have given them his back but he wanted to be able to watch for any possible threats.

"Under ordinary circumstances, I would recommend separating them as quickly as possible," Ae-cha said, and wasinterrupted by a menacing growl from Zoric. "However, as these are not ordinary circumstances, and the Bond appears to have been chosen, I think we're going to have to make new accommodations for the happy couple."

"What kind of accommodations?" Colonel Schuh asked.

At the same time, Dr. Phillips asked. "How can you tell it was chosen?"

Ae-cha decided to answer the second question first. "She's not screaming in terror, and I would recommend private accommodations, outside of the range of projection, Colonel."

"Explain," Colonel Schuh demanded.

"A forced Bond creates discord," Ae-cha explained, her own scales shifting patterns in what might have been discomfort. "The victim's mind fights it, even when their body complies. This..." she gestured at how Angela had molded herself against Zoric, "this is harmony. Their minds are reaching for each other, not pulling away. And I, for one, would rather not be close enough to overhear if they get physically intimate."

Zoric grinned at the lizardwoman and it was the first time he thought she might actually be useful.

"Sir, she's a prisoner," one of the guards said from the door.

Zoric growled but Angela had calmed him enough that it was more of a warning than a true threat.

"It would appear that she is being released into Zoric's custody," Colonel Schuh said, his tone wry. "Though I, too, would like a reasonable explanation as to why."

It took several more breaths before Zoric was able to speak normally. He'd never been able to survive letting his emotions run away like that, and he didn't think he could count on it happening again.

"I cannot leave her again, Colonel Schuh," Zoric explained. "If I must, I will join her in the cell, but I will not be leaving herunprotected. Any future meetings can be held with both of us in the interrogation rooms."

Chapter 9

Angela could hear the beat of Zoric's heart in his chest, the rise and fall of each breath, and the weariness in Colonel Schuh's voice. The steady thrum beneath her ear grounded her, while the rough texture of Zoric's shirt against her cheek provided a sharp contrast to the smoothness of his scales where her fingers rested. His natural scent - something like sun-warmed stone and clean rain - wrapped around her, helping to block out the artificial smells of disinfectant and floor polish that permeated the facility.

"Zoric, you are not a prisoner here," the Colonel said, slow and calm. His words carried the weight of authority, but Angela could detect the undercurrent of uncertainty in his tone. The fluorescent lights cast deep shadows under his eyes, highlighting the strain of the situation on his face.

"Though I have concerns that your solution to Private McBride's condition was to Bond with her. Is that anything like what the Orvax do?" The question hung in the air like smoke, making Angela's throat tighten.

"It's not a solution to her condition," Ae-cha told him, her scales shifting in patterns that Angela was beginning to recognize as agitation. "But it may create a more stable environment for us to try and unravel what's been done." The lizardwoman's tail twitched against the floor, creating a soft whisper that seemed loud in the tension-filled room.

"Colonel Schuh, you can't just hand a human woman over to an alien!" Dr. Phillips protested. The sharp note of her perfume spiked with her outburst, making Angela's newly sensitive nose burn. The doctor's hands clenched on the table, her knuckles white with strain.

Angela lifted her head from Zoric's chest, though every cell in her body protested the loss of contact. "As you can see, Dr. Phillips, he's not handing me to anyone. If anything, Zoric has kidnapped me fair and square." She laughed, the sound surprisingly genuine even to her own ears, and cuddled closer to her lizardman. Her entire body felt effervescent, like she could float away with happiness if he didn't hold her tight. The Bond hummed between them, a tangible current of warmth and belonging that made the institutional chill of the room fade away.

She felt his response through their connection before his arms tightened around her, his scales softening where they pressed against her skin. The gesture was protective rather than possessive, and she could feel his willingness to let her go if she chose - which only made her want to stay more.

"Dr. Phillips, you may not realize it, but part of our treaty that allows me to be here explicitly states that I am not allowed to remove any human woman against her will," Zoric said, his voicerumbling through his chest where Angela pressed against him. "Now, if you'd like to attempt to tell Private McBride that she may not be with me, you're welcome to. But I do not hold out hope for your success."

The vibration of his voice against her cheek sent pleasant shivers down her spine, while his confidence in their connection wrapped around her like a warm blanket. Through their Bond, she could feel his genuine concern for her wellbeing mixed with a fierce protectiveness that made her feel safer than she had in years.

Angela didn't know why Dr. Phillips was angry. Something about her had rubbed the doctor wrong from the first day and she'd never been able to figure out why. Despite doing her best to be a model prisoner and answer every question put to her, she'd never seen anything from Dr. Phillips but clinical detachment and cold disdain. Even now, the doctor's body language was rigid with barely contained hostility - shoulders tight, jaw clenched, fingers drumming an agitated pattern on the conference table.

Even the anger she was showing now was new, and Angela didn't like it. The doctor's usual mint-and-lavender scent had taken on a sharp, acrid note that made Angela's nose twitch.

A change in behavior is a warning sign,the voice in the back of her head whispered.The doctor has become actively hostile, be prepared for violence.

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