Page 5 of Ravenous Alien Mate

He followed the two males who were walking ahead of him into the women’s quarters of the ship, the large room where all the human females were housed during the short journey from Earth to Mars.

He scanned the room and immediately fixed his gaze upon a pretty female with sleek dark hair.That’s her. That’s Leah. He didn’t have to ask her name, he simplyknew.

She met his gaze and her dark brown eyes widened. At once, she looked away and proceeded to stare at her feet. She slowly shuffled behind three of the other human females.

The other males started calling out the names of their mates. One by one, their respective brides stepped forward and they soon departed the women’s quarters. When only five females remained, Jav moved through the small crowd and stood directly before the petite dark-haired beauty. She inhaled a shaky breath and gradually lifted her fear-filled gaze to his.

“Don’t be afraid, Leah,” he found himself saying, speaking in Galactic Common as he used the gentlest tone he’d ever used with anyone. “I will not hurt you. I am Jav, your mate, and I will always protect you.”

Her eyes widened further. “How-how do you know I’m Leah?” She swallowed hard and looked around, as if searching for an escape. When she started to retreat again, he reached for her hands and pulled her closer.

“I had a feeling it was you. When I first looked at you, I just knew.” While the scientists who’d treated him during his younger days hadn’t been able to explain it, sometimes Jav simply knew things he had no logical reason to know. He often got a strange feeling before something bad happened, and he also frequently knew other random facts. When the knowledge came to him, it was completely unbidden, but he never doubted his preternatural instincts.

She tilted her head to the side, studying him. “Oh. Are you… psychic?” A look of dread overcame her in the next instant and she fidgeted in place, as if she wished to back away from him.

He offered her a smile, hoping to ease her worries. “No, though I often know things others do not.”

The worried look remained. “Can you read minds?”

“No, I cannot.”

She exhaled as if in relief, and he found her reaction rather curious. Apparently, the idea of him being a psychic, or a mind reader, left her unsettled. He decided to put it down to the obvious—most people would not appreciate someone intruding upon their private thoughts. Likely the prospect of it had frightened her. Yes, that must be it. He stared into her dark eyes, unable to look away.

Gods, she was gorgeous. And so small. He would have to be very, very careful with her.

“So, your name is Jav?” she asked, then drew in a deep breath. He felt her hands trembling in his and he gripped them tighter, hoping to help steady her nerves.

“Yes, and I have been waiting my entire life to meet you, sweet Leah.” As soon as the words escaped his lips, a sense of shock reverberated through him. He hadn’t meant to say something so personal and revealing to her only moments after meeting her. But, it was the truth. For as long as he could remember, he had wanted a family. When he was younger, he used to dream about having two parents who cared about him. Now that he was older, having a family meant taking a human female as his mate and impregnating her.

Leah’s mouth dropped open briefly. “You have?”

“Of course,” he replied. “It’s always been a dream of mine to have a family, and I imagine we’ll start a family together soon. I would like to impregnate you as soon as possible.”

“I-I have heard your people are trying to regrow your population,” she said, though she suddenly appeared sad, her face falling. He wondered if it was something he’d said.

“Yes, we are. The king is encouraging all able-bodied Marttiaxoxalian males to take a human female as a mate. It’s a blessing from the Gods that we found Earth when we did.”

“Blessing from the Gods? I find that a strange thing to say. After you found Earth, you killed millions of my people.” She didn’t sound angry, but her tone was curious.

“We tried for peace, initially, but your people attacked our first settlement on Mars, slaughtering over five thousand Marttiaxoxalians. We had no choice but to retaliate.”

She drew back and her eyes widened. “I-I didn’t know about that. I was always told your people attacked us first. That’s what my father told me the night your people invaded Earth.”

“Your father, as well as many others, was likely lied to by your own government at the time. Come,” he said, deciding to change the subject. “I will take you to the palace temple where a Wise One will bestow a blessing upon our mating union. Then I will escort you to your new home.”

He looked around at the floor, searching for her luggage. By now, all the other couples had left, but he didn’t see any suitcases or bags that might belong to Leah.

“Where are your belongings?” he asked.

She paled and gulped hard. “I-I don’t have any. I’m sorry.” She lowered her head, as if ashamed.

His heart broke for her. While he didn’t know her specific reasons for signing up to become a mail order bride, it pained him to learn she truly had nothing. He reached up and cupped the side of her face, forcing her gaze to his.

“It is no matter, sweet Leah. It will be my honor to provide you with anything you might need. Clothing, food, shelter, and companionship. You will never want for anything again. I give you my word.” He guided her out into the gleaming silver corridors of the ship, anxious to get her back to his quarters in the palace, eager to bring her home.

Chapter 5

Jav was nothing like Leah had expected. She’d thought her Martian mate would be rather cold, but thus far he had treated her with kindness. She’d been so embarrassed to tell him she’d traveled to Mars without any belongings, only for him to promise to take care of her.

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