Page 18 of Their Defiant Mate

“Then the project will fail.” Babcock’s features became as emotionless as his tone. “I’ll refine the formula, but you need to go get more women.” He quickly collected his samples then left the cabin, not bothering to shut the door.

“Unbelievable,” Elias snarled, walking over to slam the door. “Who the fuck does he think he is?”

“The only being in this star system willing and able to save us from extinction,” Juan said calmly. “You knew he was an evil bastard when you agreed to work with him. That doesn’t change the fact that we need him.”

Juan was right, but facing the truth only added to Elias’ agitation. “I can’t think while she’s lying there.” He pulled the door open again and motioned toward the guards. “She had a bad reaction to the injections. Get rid of the body.”

The guards looked shocked for a moment then did as they were told.

Elias dropped into his favorite chair and stared into the smoldering remains of the fire he’d lit hours before.

“Would you like me to leave?” Juan asked as he pulled on his shirt.

Elias shook his head. “Pour us a drink and help me think this through.”

Juan went to the table near the kitchen and poured two glasses of village-made ale. He handed one to Elias then sat in a chair facing him.

“Babcock isn’t wrong. Even if every female in this village survives the transformation, which is unlikely, we don’t have enough to create a viable gene pool. We must capture more humans.”

Juan didn’t argue, but his features remained tense and wary. “You want to raid the shelter outside the feline village?”

“I don’t want to,” Elias stressed. “I think we need to. Once the women have been accepted into the village, they’re beyond our reach. And more of them give in to Zion’s demands every day.We have no choice but to attack, and it needs to be soon. We’re running out of time.”

“Then you need to meet with Curtis Stevenson.”

Elias narrowed his gaze. He was annoyed by the suggestion, but couldn’t say why. “Who the fuck is Curtis Stevenson?”

“A human male who found his way to our village when all the females joined the cats.”

“Go on.”

“He worked maintenance at Nuevo Biotech, but he was in the Space Force for eleven years. He was a tactical officer. He can help us plan and execute this raid if you’re willing to take advice from a human.”

“Is there any proof of his claims or do you only have his word on his expertise?”

Juan grinned at him. “I did a tour in the Space Force right after high school. Curtis knows what he’s talking about.”

Elias nodded. “I’m not committing to anything, but I’d like to meet your new friend. Set up a meeting first thing in the morning.”

“Will do,” Juan assured him and then left the room.

An intoxicating combination of excitement and fear fueled Tara’s struggles. She kicked wildly and tried to twist off Jon’s lap. He splayed one hand against the small of her back andtrapped her flailing legs between his. She punched and slapped, but he simply ignored her efforts.

“Settle down, or this will be much worse,” Jon warned as his first slap landed against her bare bottom.

Instinctual defiance welled within her. “Screw you! I just stood there and took it this morning. I’m not doing it again.” Resisting him would make him more aggressive. She knew that and yet she couldn’t ignore her need to challenge him.

“That’s not the way I remember it. How about you, Isaac?” Jon smacked one side and then the other, making her cheeks quiver and her core clench.

“I remember holding her down while she twisted and yelled. In fact, she screamed so loud that Zion came running to make sure she was all right.”

Heat suffused her face at the memory. Having her potential mates humiliate her was bad enough, but knowing the pride leader saw her naked and out of control made her want to join a different village. “If you’re determined to do this, just get it over with.”

Jon chuckled, his warm fingers lightly stroking her bare skin. “Do you want our hands on your body?”

“Not anymore,” she insisted angrily.

“Another lie,” Jon growled. “Apparently, I’m not making my expectations clear enough.” He suddenly stood, pulling her up with him.

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