Page 5 of A Mate for Traxx

Well, at least he didn’t knock her up right away. “Is she his true mate?”

He nods.

“How do you know, though?”

“Mating marks will show up once our true mate has been found. They wrap up and circle our arms. Something similar to what humans call tattoos. We can also smell our fated mate. The scent is sweet, like strawberries in the middle of summer.”

“You know what summer is?”

“Little one, we have been researching your kind for years. Did you think we would come unprepared?”

It makes sense. Why wouldn’t they come completely prepared if their intent was to find human mates? A green light beeps on the side of the room, and he swears under his breath. I don't understand the words, so it’s probably something in his native language, but his demeanor tells me he’s not happy about it.

“What’s that?” I ask nervously.

“I am needed in the command room. I will return to you.”

“Wait, why can’t I come with you?” Panic begins to sink in as I think about being trapped in this room, alone and forgotten.

“I do not feel comfortable with you just walking around the compound without a guide. Let me see if I can find one of the other females to accompany you.”

He pulls up what looks like a watch on his arm and speaks into it. I bite my lip, nervous that he is leaving me. I know only him in this compound and hesitate to wonder if every other male here is as gentlemanly as Traxx.

He seems to read my thoughts as he says, “You are safe here, Rhea. I will not let anything happen to you. I will return as soon as I can so we can continue to get to know one another. I am very much enjoying spending time with you.”

A knock interrupts us and he hits the button beside the door, allowing it to slide open. Beyond it stands a tiny blueish-green alien. “Commander Traxx.” He nods back at what I’m assuming is a female alien, although she does not look like one of his kind. She has three boobs, front and center, no modesty here apparently.

“Madera. Thank you for coming to escort my mate around the compound. She will need some new clothes, please see that she gets them.”

“As you wish, captain.”

Before he leaves, he pauses and turns to look at me one last time. “I promise to return. Madera has been trained in combat, so if the need arises she can also protect you as I expect she would.” He finishes, looking to her for confirmation, and she nods. One more glance at me and he turns to walk away, hisshoulders stiff and commanding. My eyes are drawn back to the creature standing in front of me.

I know I should stop staring, but I can’t seem to bring myself to look away from her. She crinkles her nose in distaste as she looks over my clothes. The ones I’ve been in since Traxx found me. I totally forgot to bring clothing with me when I walked from my car. Maybe Traxx can take me back a little later to get them?

Taking a minute to study her while she does the same to me, I try to remember what species of alien she is.A Merink,I think to myself, finally remembering my classes in school. I always knew they existed, I just assumed they lived on their own planet. Some sort of myth or legend, maybe. But these aliens are very real. This experience so far has been eye opening, and I’m kind of surprised that I’m not freaking out more.

“Let’s get you something else to wear. Come with me.” She scampers away in front of me, and I follow. Traxx has already left me, so I have no choice. As we leave his room, we pass other alien males in the hallway.

The compound is all brightly colored in blue and green hues matching their scales and skin tone just like his room. Metal artwork hangs from the walls as we pass. The lights above us shine brightly, lighting our pathway. Again with the neon colors.

I still can’t believe I’m here. It’s like something out of a movie. In the center of the compound, there sits a garden. Trees luminate the space in bright lights, almost as if they’re covered in multicolored lightning bugs.

It is a lush alien world. The plants in the garden are similar to Earth plants, only they have a glimmering effect, and I wonderif they are here because of the prince’s mate. I slow to look and Madera snaps at me, huffing that she is having to babysit me, I'm sure.

The males we pass in the hall look at me with curiosity, and I wonder if they are all here to find a mate. I don’t even know if we are compatible, even though Traxx tries to convince me we are. Scales line their shoulders and arms in green variations. A stark difference to Traxx who has blue and purple scaled skin.

These aliens are so tall and muscular, versus my short, curvy stature. I have a little extra love in my curves. I will never be one of those skinny, model-like girls.

I’ve always been judged for the way I look, but here, I am not. Traxx looks at me as if I am the most gorgeous girl in the world, a treasure, and I wonder if it is because he truly believes it or if it’s the mate bond he seems to think is between us.

The farther we move down the corridor, the brighter the colors become. It’s distracting, and I hardly notice the alien who had to move out of my way so we didn’t collide.How are these aliens so tall?I tilt my head up to see his face. Incredibly masculine and all sharp lines.

“Are you all right, human?”

I nod, because I’m not entirely sure what else to say.

The Merink moves us along down the hall, and I stay aware of who is around me to avoid another situation. We turn and walk down a second corridor that dead ends at a steel door. “These are the usual human guest quarters. They are stocked with more appropriate clothing. While you are in the compound you must dress as a Grekarian. It is customary.”

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