Page 4 of Ravenous Alien Mate

“But what will I say when my mate asks about my past? I mean, I would assume he would be at least somewhat curious about my life on Earth, if we are to spend the rest of our lives in a mating union.”

“I don’t usually tell people they ought to lie,” he said, his visage growing thoughtful, “however, in your case, it might be best to stretch the truth. You can tell the truth about your childhood and all that, but when it comes to the years of your incarceration, just tell him you worked in a factory and lived alone. Make it sound boring.” He winked at her.

“That’s good advice,” she replied. “Thank you.”

“You got any family left on Earth?” he asked.

Her spirits fell. “I, uh, have a brother. At least I think I do. He’s ten years older than me. I-I have no idea where he is now. Another inmate told me he left the city after I was sentenced. But both my parents passed away when I was seventeen and I don’t have any extended family that I know about. Both my parents were only children.”

“I’m sorry you lost contact with your brother. Were the two of you close?”

“Not really. He left home right after the war, when I was only nine.”

“I see. You didn’t go live with him after your parents passed away?” His brows knitted together, and he slowed in his steps as they approached the spaceship.

“No, I moved in with my boyfriend at the time. Steven.” She hoped he didn’t ask any further questions about this part of her life. She truly didn’t wish to relive it. Steven had received a death sentence for his part in the crime he’d convinced her to take part in. She’d been the lookout while he and his goons robbed a local Martian Affairs office and set fire to the building. A guard had taunted her with the information of Steven’s death sentence just a few days after she’d arrived at the women’s prison.

“Well, maybe that’s for the best then—the part about you not being close with your brother. At least you won’t be missing anyone on Earth, will you?”

“No, I suppose there’s no one I’ll miss.” This realization should’ve brought her comfort, but instead it brought her sadness. She had no one. No one who cared about her on Earth. No one to miss her and no one she would miss.

“We’re about there,” the guard said, nodding ahead at the entrance ramp of the ship.

The Martian enforcers were staring at them, their dark gazes making Leah uneasy. Oh God. Could she really do this?

She looked behind her at the darkened city. Streetlights flickered and the occasional window was illuminated, but it was after midnight and the city of Richmond was mostly asleep. Dubbed Zone 12 by the Martians, this was an area of the former United States. She had lived here for her entire life. Now she was leaving.

“The name’s Thomas, by the way,” the guard said.

“I want to thank you for your kindness toward me, Thomas,” Leah said, glancing up at him. “You’re a good man. I’m sorry about your daughter. I know she must have loved you very much.”

They were standing directly below a streetlight, and she saw his eyes mist over as he swallowed hard. He patted her back. “Thank you, young lady. Those are sweet words. I’m glad I met you.”

“I’m glad I met you, too.” Leah felt as though her throat might close up. She blinked rapidly to keep from crying. She didn’t want to break into tears as she boarded the spaceship that would take her to Mars.Never look back.

“Go on now,” he said in an encouraging tone. “Your brand-new life is waiting.”

Chapter 4

Jav stood near the landing platform and watched the ship descend from the clear blue Martian sky. His heart thudded under his growing anticipation. The boarding ramp couldn’t descend fast enough.

Leah.

In moments, he would meet her. Gods, he couldn’t believe this day had finally arrived.

The day he would meet his human female and claim her as his.

He thought of the family he’d observed in the courtyard yesterday. In a few years, that could be him. He would build a family with Leah and no one would ever tear them apart. Their children would have parents and a home filled with joy.

He was determined to make it happen.

Over a dozen other males gathered near him to await the boarding ramp. When the ramp finally descended, he was one of the first males to board the ship. It took all his self-control not to break into a run and start shouting his mate’s name. He couldn’t wait to meet her. Couldn’t wait to stare into her eyes for the first time and gather her close in his arms.

As a member of the Vash’arr, he was fully aware that his biological need to mate would be more enhanced than most Marttiaxoxalian males. The scientists and doctors who routinely checked his health had warned him that he needed to be careful when he eventually took a mate, particularly a human one, as human females were smaller than those of his own kind.

But the few Marttiaxoxalian females who were left usually mated with royalty or males who possessed extreme wealth. No sensible Marttiaxoxalian male would see his daughter betrothed to the likes of Jav. Though he was a decorated warrior, he had come from nothing, and he also left Mars frequently to complete dangerous missions on the Marttiaxoxalian Empire’s behalf. If he wanted to take a mate, he had no choice—he needed to take a human female as his bride.

Would he manage to control himself around Leah? He didn’t wish to harm her. He vowed he would try his best to claim her as gently as possible during their first time together, when he took her to bed after they received the traditional blessing upon their mating union from a Wise One.

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