Page 21 of Mate for the Space Cowboy

HUNTER

While the prince and princess meet with the emissary team from Earth, I know something is wrong. I catch Kayden’s eyes, and he nods imperceptibly in return.

We activate the guard. It’s a shield, invisible to anyone other than those on the security team and those we protect. Only moments later, our shared premonition proves true.

Thorne draws my attention, nudging his head to the side. I glance over to see a man we met during our information gathering in the town where the protesters are. Not for the first time, I’m relieved we made sure we went in disguise. Otherwise, our cover would be blown.

An emissary from Earth gestures toward the man. “He tells us you all are having undemocratic trials.”

Asher’s eyes narrow as he scoffs. “Absolutely not. However, we appreciate you revealing yet another man who’s willing to threaten our planet’s democracy. How dare you come here under false pretenses? Earth relies on our bounty and that of other planets to keep you and your people alive while you try to build that which you destroyed.”

Thorne is standing at my side and speaks under his breath. “They have weapons.”

In a flash, what is supposed to be a peaceful meeting turns into hand-to-hand fighting. Blessedly, we already have the shield up to prevent anyone else from trying to intervene, including what turned out to be three men from our planet.

The group from Earth appears shocked when our bodyguards surround them. Despite being able to quell this fight quickly, several of us have injuries, including me. I can feel the burning from the slice of a blade along my shoulder and arm. Thorne also sustained a wound. The prince is unscathed, but he is furious after we have subdued the men.

I ignore my injury, barking out orders along with Kayden. We are securing the spaceship that they traveled on to get here. The man who claims to be their leader is red-faced and furious, holding his chin up stubbornly. “You cannot just take our women,” he says.

“Ah, so that’s what this visit is about,” I reply.

“We can. They are free to travel, and you know it. If you want the help from our planet and others in the galaxy, it will stay that way,” Asher bites out.

Kayden, Thorne, and I leave Asher to talk and move our attention to deal with those from our planet. “We presume you’ve communicated with those from Earth,” I say, my tone cold.

“What of it?” a man sneers. “We don’t agree with mating with human women. It weakens us.”

Kayden studies him. “I know who you are. Your own mother is human, and you have a sibling who is half orc. Do you hate yourself?”

The man sputters, his features twisting angrily. “None of that matters.”

I catch Kayden’s eye. “We will arrest them.” I glance over toward Asher. “Meanwhile, we will have to reconsider anycommunication with Earth from now on. We know to be careful.”

Despite my injury, I stay behind for several days to help. We have to handle the arrests and make plans to deal with the spaceship from Earth. I think I’m fine. My wound is just a nuisance that needs to heal. But by the evening before we are planning to leave, my arm is throbbing. I peel off my jacket to check and see the gash has become a deep shade of red.

Thorne sits beside me and glances over, his breath hissing through his teeth. “We need to get you home. Why didn’t you say anything sooner?”

“Because it felt fine,” I insist.

“Perhaps we should return tonight,” he adds. “I can check. I’m sure we can rustle everyone up to leave sooner.”

I examine the gash, which runs from my shoulder about halfway down my upper arm. “Where is our medic?” I ask.

Thorne taps his communicator faster than me and calls for our medic. We always travel with one. The medic eyes my wound. “Should’ve said something sooner,” he mutters. “Now it’s infected.”

He douses it liberally with a burning disinfectant, and I ignore the stinging pain. “I’m going to stitch it up, but when we get back, you’ll need a course of antibiotics. We don’t know what bacteria might’ve been on their weapons.”

Chapter Seventeen

MELODY

“Hunter’s going to the medical center?” I yelp.

Helena nods. “He’s one of several who sustained injuries. We think there might be a type of bacteria our people are not accustomed to.”

“Can I see him?” I ask, trying to contain the fear and anxiety spinning wildly inside.

Helena presses her lips together, worry chasing in her gaze. “I understand you’d like to see him, but I recommend against it. You’re about to give birth. We don’t want you, or your baby, exposed to anything,” she points out.

---