Page 5 of Possessive Alien Mate

He reached for her, but she placed a hand up in a gesture of self-defense.

“Stop!” She gave him a pleading look. “You’re being too rough. Perhaps you don’t know your strength,” she said, giving him the benefit of the doubt, “but you were hurting me just now.”

To her relief, his previously harsh expression morphed into one of concern. He reached out to gently caress her arm, rubbing the spot he’d just been grabbing. However, despite how worried he appeared over the prospect of hurting her, his muscles remained tense and an anxious aura hovered around him. He wasn’t entirely relaxed and she wondered what had him still on edge.

“I am truly sorry for causing you any pain, Tyra.” He shifted closer and stroked a hand through her hair, his touch eliciting goosebumps to rise all over her body. “But I did not like the way you were looking at those males. You were smiling at them and they were smiling at you. I wanted to kill them.”

Her stomach flipped at his words. So hewasthe jealous type.

After taking a deep breath, she cleared her throat and met his gaze.

“Rem, I’ve been matched toyou. We’re about to become mates. You have nothing to worry about. I came to this planet fully intending to honor my promise to become a Martian’s mate. I’m not the type of person to cheat.” Her heart sank at the memory of how her uncle’s habitual cheating had affected her poor aunt. She would never do that to anyone, not even this temperamental Martian she’d just met. Perhaps he wouldn’t seem so angry all the time once he trusted her.

But how long would it take to build such a trust between them?

“It pleases me to hear you intend to honor our mating union.” He looked her up and down, appearing deep in thought as he studied her. “I only hope you are telling the truth.”

“Of course, I’m telling the truth.” Feeling more than a bit affronted by his statement, she placed her hands on her hips, giving him her best glare. Were all Martians jealous barbarians? Before she could say anything else, he wrapped an arm around her—not too tightly this time, for which she was thankful—and guided her further down the white stone path.

After a few minutes, they arrived in a clearing near the palace, where a huge red house sat amongst the thickness of the surrounding forest.

“This is my home.” Rem pointed at the red house. “Ourhome,” he amended, his tone filled with unmistakable affection. The sudden change in the timbre of his voice caught her off-guard.

Her heart skipped a beat when he pulled her closer, his nearness and the warmth in his voice making her pulse race with anticipation.

He’d said a Wise One was waiting for them at his house. That meant their union would be blessed very soon and she would officially belong to him.

She peered at the house, admiring the unique but beautiful structure. It looked like some sort of exotic fairytale cottage and she couldn’t wait to go inside and explore.

Rem grasped her hand, lacing his huge fingers through hers, and gave her a heated look that only caused her pulse to race faster. Though the possessiveness he’d displayed in the forest earlier had frightened her, it had also affected her in other ways, ways she didn’t quite understand. Warm pulses were gathering between her thighs and she couldn’t stop admiring Rem’s huge, muscular physique.

“Come, my sweet mate,” he said, and the unexpected endearment caused her to flush all over. In the next moment, nervous flutters rose in her stomach. “It is time for our union to receive the traditional Marttiaxoxalian blessing. Then we will consummate our union immediately. I am most eager to make you mine.”

Chapter 3

My sweet mate?

I am most eager to make you mine?

Gods. Had Rem truly just uttered those phrases?

He stared down at the dark-haired beauty called Tyra, as he wondered what had gotten into him. There was a gentle warmth about her that drew him in, causing him to feel increasingly protective of her. But protecting her also meant treating her with fairness. Was it fair to assume she would try to run off with another male should the opportunity arise?

No, it wasn’t, and he suddenly regretted the way he’d treated her during their brief meeting with Chexxa and Frinik. At the same time, he must tread carefully during the beginning of their mating union, because Tyra was a stranger, a female he didn’t know well. While she had claimed she intended to honor their mating union, he didn’t yet know if he could trust her.

You trusted Bethamma, only for her to betray you.

He repressed a growl and ushered Tyra into his home. He placed her suitcase down in the entryway, intending to carry it upstairs later.

The Wise One, a holy man by the name of Gieannas, was waiting in the downstairs sitting room. Rem nodded at the male and urged his soon-to-be mate further into the morning sunlight that was pouring through the windows. A glance down showed she was peering around his house, her dark eyes growing wider with each passing moment. She appeared impressed by his home, which he found pleased him more than he would have expected. He hadn’t imagined possessing the desire to impress his mate, and yet here he was, hoping she found the upper levels of his home just as impressive as this one.

“Are you ready to become a mated pair?” Gieannas asked.

“Yes, we are,” Rem said.

He noticed Tyra swallowed hard and started to smile at the Wise One, only to press her lips firmly together and look down at her feet. Was she afraid of incurring his anger? Marttiaxoxalian holy men took a vow of celibacy and he wasn’t worried anything untoward could happen between her and Gieannas, but he still appreciated that she was making an effort not to look upon another male for too long. He hoped it was a sign that she would indeed honor their mating union.

Still, he would need to keep an eye on her. After what Bethamma had done to him, he could never be too careful, and he would never endure such agonizing humiliation and heartbreak again. He would ensure he always knew where Tyra was, as well as with whom she was keeping company. He vowed not to let his guard down. Not even once.

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