Page 14 of Chained

Instantly, I growl and tuck my mate behind me.

“Is he bothering you?” The captain eyes me with a look which saysI can report this to the procurator” all nova-day long.

“Maxym is my protection in the dome.” Cleo pushes her way through my feathers. “The protection I was promised.”

“Oh?” The captain narrows his eyes.

“You do remember, don’t you?” she says, and I adore her fierceness in the face of the old bull, even if I also hate with a passion that there are other males anywhere near her. “Retah was promised I would be kept safe all the time I am within the dome’s walls.”

“Er, yes, that was the deal.” The captain rubs the back of his huge, thick neck. “I hadn’t assigned…”

“I was requested,” I interject, “to provide such a service, given I am the best the dome has to offer.”

“You were?” The captain blinks at me, as I gently put a hand on Cleo’s shoulder. Touching her sends short shocks to all parts of my body, especially my cocks which are hopelessly unruly. “Ah, yes, you were,” he says swiftly. “Maxym is to be your escort and protection while you are in the dome, my dear. I trust your employer will be happy with such an arrangement?”

Cleo looks me up and down. “I guess so, providing he can do what he says he can do.”

“Other than when he is in the dome arena, he is all yours,” the captain says.

“He is?” A smile appears at the corner of Cleo’s lips.

“He is.”

“And he’ll do whatever I want?”

“Absolutely, whatever you want,” the captain says with feeling. “You only need to ask. Maxym is at your bidding.” The old bull is looking directly at me now, his dark eyes glittering with mirth. “He will obey without question.”

Vrex the Xnosson! Vrex the dome! I might have my little mate within my grasp, but she’s further away than ever.

CLEO

Maxym thought he had won, but what I’ve ended up with is a supremely grumpy gladiator who is being forced to watch me as I fit out a number of other species with weapons.

He sits in the corner, wings draped around him like a cloak, growling occasionally and often for no apparent reason, as gladiator after gladiator troops through the armory and is able to pick a sword, dagger, trident or spear, depending on their preference.

Pulsars are for guards, not for gladiators.

This should not have been so much fun, but with Maxym here, it has suddenly become an absolute riot. I can almost forget my other problems, if it wasn’t for the fact I can still feel the warmth of his hand on my stomach and remember the look in his eyes.

He wants me, and he isn’t going to take no for an answer.

But now, of course, he has me. Albeit not in the way he was expecting. Maxym’s role is entirely “hands off,” and he knows he’s being watched by the captain.

So, there’s nothing he can do about it.

Which means I have an enormous winged gladiator at my beck and call. Hilarious.

There’s a brief lull in proceedings and I stretch, lifting my arms above my head, before sliding them down my back, which aches due to all the standing. Behind me, Maxym releases a strangled groan before I realize what I’m doing.

What I’m showing to him.

I check over my shoulder. He has one arm draped between his legs as he leans forward, eyes so hungry he could eat me up in one look.

“Do you need my assistance, little scrap?” he growls, voice filled with wickedness and velvet.

The door to the armory opens, and another huge Gryn marches through. Maxym is already halfway to him before I can even blink. Claws outstretched, he catches the other almost by surprise.

“Not you, Klynn,” Maxym snarls.

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