Page 31 of Ravenous Alien Mate

Jav and Rem ceased fighting, though their horns were still locked together.

The new voice rose again, and Leah’s gaze traveled toward the entryway. An angry looking red Martian stood before them, holding a tearful Miranda by her arm. Leah couldn’t understand what the red Martian was saying, though she suspected he was Miranda’s mate, Pettak. Why had they come here?

She watched as Jav and Rem unlocked their horns and backed away from one another.

The red Martian continued talking and occasionally gave Miranda a sharp shake, which only made her cry harder.

“Your people killed my brothers!” she cried out in Galactic Common. “In the war. I lost my three older brothers in the war! You are nothing but vile savages.All of you. When the resistance recruited me, I accepted their proposal.” Despite her tears, she shot a furious look at the red Martian, who growled and shook her again.

Jav approached them. “Did you plant the mini-blaster on my mate?”

Miranda sniffled and nodded.

“Why? Why did you plant the weapon on Leah?” Jav asked. “Why get rid of it before you had a chance to complete your mission?

Miranda’s tears suddenly came faster. She wiped at her face and looked around the room. “I-I started to have second thoughts. Queen Esmay has been very kind to me, and she’s human. I couldn’t hurt her, especially knowing that she is carrying her first child. So, I decided I would simply kill the king, but the queen loves him. I-I couldn’t do that to her.”

“That still leaves the question of why you planted the weapon on Leah when you could’ve disposed of it elsewhere.” Jav crossed his arms and stared at Miranda.

“Because I know the Marttiaxoxalians plant spies among the resistance. I feared word would get out that a human female was planning to attack the king and queen, and even though I was assured my identity would be kept a secret, I still feared capture.” Miranda looked at Leah, her expression turning apologetic. “I’m sorry. I feel awful for what I did, how I lied to you and drew you into speaking with me in the alcove. I made the whole argument with Pettak up just so I could find myself alone with you. I knew it was only a matter of time before the Vash’arr discovered the plot against the king and queen, but I thought if I planted the mini-blaster on you that I could get out of this with my life.”

“You think we’ll kill you?” the red Martian asked, and for the first time since his arrival, his eyes gleamed with warmth. “We do not kill females, particularly those we have taken as mates.”

“You would still consider me your mate after what I have done?”

“Yes, and I will not let you go.” The red alien paused for a moment, appearing thoughtful. “I suspect you will be banished from the Marttiaxoxalian Empire as a result of your crimes, but you will not be leaving alone.”

Miranda started to shake her head, but Pettak lifted her in his arms and started heading for the exit. “I trust you will inform the king about my mate’s confession. I know she must be held in the dungeons until her trial, though I am prepared to stay with her. I’ll not be parted from her.”

Rem and the other guards followed Pettak out of the room, leaving Leah alone with Jav.

Her heart raced as she stared at him from across the mess of the sitting room. She started to walk toward him, but he shot a hand up, motioning for her to stop.

“Stay right where you are,” he said. “I don’t want you stepping on any glass.”

He was at her side a second later, his arms wrapped tight around her. She rested her head against his chest, secure in the refuge of his embrace. Warmth filled her heart to overflowing.

He’d listened to her. He hadn’t judged her or scolded her for her past mistakes. He hadn’t threatened to send her away. And he’d fought for her. She could only imagine what would’ve happened if Pettak and Miranda hadn’t shown up in time, before the fight between Jav and Rem had become even more serious.

“Are you all right, Jav?” She asked, reaching for his head. She cupped the side of his face and peered into his dark otherworldly gaze.

“I am well, my mate. No need to worry. Rem is a formidable warrior, though he is not a member of the Vash’arr. He would’ve died trying to take me down.”

“I’m glad it didn’t come to that. He’s your friend,” she said. “Or, rather, hewasyour friend. I am sorry to be the cause of discord between you and Rem.”

Jav stroked her back and leaned his forehead to hers. Then he straightened and ran his hands through her hair, his touch bringing her comfort. “Miranda was the cause of the discord, not you, my sweet mate. Besides, Rem and I are still friends,” Jav said, sounding a bit confused. “Why would you think otherwise?”

“Well, the fact that you both just tried to kill one another.”

Jav chuckled. “Rem was only performing his duties to the crown, and I was protecting my mate, as any honorable Marttiaxoxalian male would. I know, if our situations had been reversed, Rem would’ve fought anyone who came near his mate. In fact, I’ve seen him do it before. Rest assured, we are still friends.”

She shot him a relieved look. “I’m glad to hear it.” She inhaled a deep breath and summoned the bravery to ask the next question on her mind. “Jav, um, what will happen to Steven?”

“Do you care for the male?” Anger glimmered in his eyes, his nostrils flaring.

“No, of course not. I’m just curious. I-I’m still shocked to learn he’s alive. I feel as though I’ve just seen a ghost. Years ago, when we lived together, he would occasionally speak out against Martian rule, though I never imagined he would join a resistance group.”

Jav’s expression relaxed, the gleam of fury in his gaze fading. “Steven, along with the other males who were captured alive, will be interrogated and then put to the death. We are not in the habit of showing our enemies mercy.”

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