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Jo’Nay’s attention shifted to the officer who’d approached them as they’d attempted to escape. He sensed a shift in the man’s expression, aspark of recognition when he looked at Winn. Jo’Nay’s unease grew. The human’s proximity to his mate sparked a primal urge to defend what was his. He would allow no harm to befallher.

“Are you alright, ma’am?” the officer asked again. His voice was laced with a concern that grated on Jo’Nay’s nerves, but he remained silent, observing the interaction.

This was a human problem. He would only interfere if necessary.

“I’m fine,” Winn replied.

“You’re the woman whose car ran off the road out by the Miller cabin, aren’t you?” the officer asked, his voice laced with suspicion.

Winn tensed beside him. The human had recognized her, shattering their façade. This was no longer a minor inconvenience. It was a direct threat. Jo’Nay’s hand tightened on the hilt of his sword. He had to be prepared to act, to defend Winn with the same ferocity he had defended countless worlds.

“Yes, that’s me,” Winn replied, her voice steady. Jo’Nay was impressed by her composure. She was learning to control her fear, avital skill for survival.

“Do you have any identification with you?” the officer asked, his gaze sharp. Jo’Nay felt Winn hesitate. He could sense her fear. This encounter was spiraling out of control.

“I don’t have my driver’s license on me,” Winn replied. Her voice was carefully neutral. He knew she was lying. Winn was gambling, relying on human ignorance to shield them. If the human pressed, their charade would crumble.

The officer frowned, unconvinced by Winn’s claim. He scrutinized her, and Jo’Nay felt a surge of anger. He wanted to end this, to whisk his mate away to the safety of his ship. Yet, he hesitated. They still needed the apples to ensure the survival of his unit, the warriors who had become more than just brothers in arms. He had to protect them, to offer them the choice of a life beyond their engineered mortality. For their sake, for Winn’s sake, he had to remain patient.

“We found your registration in the glove compartment of your car,” the officer stated. His tone was flat, but Jo’Nay could hear the underlying threat. They had evidence, atangible link. Their charade was failing, and the consequences would be dire. Exposure was imminent, and with it the risk of capture, of separation fromWinn.

Jo’Nay could no longer tolerate the threat. He had to act, to protect Winn, to ensure their escape. His hand moved to the hilt of his sword.

“We are not the predators here. We are innocent. We need to go,” he growled. He would not waste time with explanations. If required, he would act, swiftly and decisively, to ensure their safety.

The officer’s eyes widened as he registered the threat. He was slow, his reactions sluggish. His hand moved toward his weapon, afutile gesture.

“Stay back!” the officer ordered.

Amusement filled Jo’Nay at the human’s attempt to assert authority. Did he think this would deter a Vettian warrior? He stood seven feet tall in Earthen measurements, his body honed by centuries of training. This human barely reached his chest, his physique soft. He posed no threat, only a minor inconvenience.

Jo’Nay drew his sword, the energized blade humming with power, the tip of the blade aimed at the officer’s chest. Not that he had any intention of killing this creature, but he would disable him, if necessary.

The officer gaped at the weapon, his fear palpable. “What—”

“Remain still,” Jo’Nay commanded, his voice cold and hard. The human stood frozen, his bravadogone.

“Johnny, no!” Winn cried, grabbing his arm. “Please, we can explain.”

He glanced down at her, surprised by her intervention. Her fear was evident, her hand trembling on his arm. But her voice remained firm, determined. Was this her human way of protecting him? Afoolish but touching gesture.

“Explain what?” the officer scoffed, his voice regaining some of its bluster. “That you’re lying about who you are?”

“It’s not a lie,” Winn insisted. “He... he’s just not from around here.”

Jo’Nay watched the officer carefully, gauging his reaction. The human seemed skeptical, his gaze darting between them. The tension was palpable.

“Not from around here?” the officer repeated, his tone dripping with sarcasm. “Where’s he from then? Another planet?”

Jo’Nay felt a surge of irritation. This human was testing his patience. Winn squeezed his arm again, her touch a plea for restraint. He drew a slow breath, forcing himself to calm. He had to trust Winn, to follow herlead.

“He’s... an immigrant,” Winn said, her voice strained. “He doesn’t speak English very well. I’m helping him.”

Jo’Nay nearly choked. An immigrant? That was the best she could come up with? He was a Vettian warrior, agenetically engineered killing machine, not some displaced human struggling with a new language.

The officer’s eyes narrowed. “An immigrant, huh? What kind of immigrant carries a weapon like that?”

Jo’Nay stifled a growl. This was getting tedious. He had wasted enough time on this pointless charade.

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