Page 43 of Taming the Alien Outlaw
Chapter 18
Janik
Mak leaps forward and nearly topples me over with the force of the collision. She whines and head butts my stomach, rubbing her face all over me in her excitement. I stroke her ears and the back of her neck, but I don’t take my gaze off Olivia. I can’t. I don’t want to. She’s even more beautiful than I remember, which I didn’t believe to be possible.
Vaguely I’m aware there are others in the room with us, but none of them matter. The heat of the mating fever rises and for a moment I worry this visit will land me in the pit for attempted murder, but the rage that has always accompanied the fever is absent. Somehow, it’s because of the female on the other side of the room.
“Well, shit.”
The curse breaks whatever hold Olivia has on me and I shift my gaze to the other female who uttered it. She isn’t the Quinn that Olivia has spoken of with great fondness. I may not have an exact memory of her, but whereas she’d been fair-skinned, this femaleis a deep, creamy copper that rivals a Bohnari. Her dark hair is a cloud of tightly curled ringlets around her face. While striking, she’s no match for Olivia.
Fingers snap in front of my face and I blink my gaze into focus. Olivia stands within arm’s length of me and her expression is storm-filled.
“She’s not available.”
Her statement confuses me. “She’s not available for what?”
Olivia’s cheeks darken and understanding hits. A grin tugs at my lips. “Are you jealous?”
She scoffs, but glances away. “Hardly.”
“You are.”
“You’re such an asshole.”
My grin turns into a full-blown smile.
“If the two of you are done?” Alik says drily.
I don’t turn away from her. “Olivia and I aren’t nearly done.”
She groans and whirls away to stand next to her friend again.
“Now that the reunion is over, perhaps you can tell us why you’re here, Olivia.” While Alik’s tone is pleasant, there’s an underlying note of steel that makes it more a command than request.
“I’m here becauseheis and as much as I love having Mak with me, she needs to be with her…companion. The city isn’t a good place for her. She needs to be able to roam freely so she can hunt and exercise.” Olivia pauses. “Plus, she misses him.”
“I don’t think she’s the only one who misses me.” I smirk.
“You’re infuriating,” Olivia grinds out between clenched teeth.
“You adore me.”
She sputters.
“Enough,” Alik commands. “You have returned the rebel’s companion so your task is complete, which means you’re free to go.”
Olivia hesitates. It’s that hesitation that gives me hope.
“I wish for her to stay.”
Alik and Horek both glare at me. It’s the prince that replies. “I don’t particularly care for what you wish.”
The anger builds that he dares try to keep the female from me. My fangs and claws extrude and a growl rumbles up from deep inside my chest. I take a step forward, but a soft hand lands directly over my heart and the rage disappears like a wisp of smoke. Olivia stares up at me with concern etched on her face.
“No one is going to make me leave.” She darts a swift glance over at Alik. “Not even the prince.”
“I agree.”
