Page 9 of Lorrd
“Harmony is a town, in a way,” she replied slowly, trying to formulate the best response.Did Vaxxlians have cults?She didn’t know, and she worried he might not understand.“Harmony is a private, well-guarded compound that holds about five thousand residents, and everyone follows a man who’s declared himself the leader of the compound.I don’t know his real name, but he calls himself the Prophet, and in Harmony, his word is law.The Prophet isn’t a kind man, he rules with fear, and Harmony is a repressive place.Most residents of Harmony aren’t allowed to leave or interact with the outside world in any way.I wasn’t happy there.I wasn’t free.So, six days ago, I ran away.Then I found myself stranded in Hillsboro, but thankfully, Emmy and Myles offered to help me.”
“So, your real family—your biological family, I mean—they still live in Harmony?”Lorrd asked.He didn’t appear pleased, and she prayed he didn’t think she was an awful person because she’d run away from her family.
“Yes, my parents and brother still live in Harmony.They adore the Prophet, and I doubt they’ll ever want to leave.Those men across the street… they are guards from Harmony, and my brother is one of them.Somehow, they know I’m in the bakery, and they’ve been trying to get in.The sheriff of Hillsboro has sent officers to chase them away a few times, but they just keep coming back.”
“I see,” Lorrd said, and a pleased look entered his eyes.“You need protection.That is why you signed up for Vaxxlian Alien Mail Order Brides.”
Wren didn’t understand why he seemed so gratified by her explanation.She was basically using him for survival.She hadn’t signed up for VAMOB just because she longed for a mate and wanted to start a family on a beautiful, newly settled planet.She’d signed up for the bride program because it was her only option.
Yet the pleasure flaring in Lorrd’s green gaze only increased.In fact, he looked close to smiling, though his lips didn’t quite curl upward.
“I will protect you, little star.”His muscles tensed.“I will happily deal with the armed males from Harmony.I can chase them away, or I could even kill them.But I promise you this—they will never hurt you.No one will ever hurt you again.I will vanquish anyone who dares to try.”
Little star.The unexpected endearment sent warmth through her.Suddenly, Wren became breathless as she stared up at the handsome alien.
They’d known one another for just a few minutes, but it seemed he was truly eager to protect her.So eager that he was offering to kill the Harmony guards—not that she would ever accept such an offer.She just wanted Alec and the others to return to the compound and leave her alone.She wanted them to forget about her entirely.
“Thank you for offering me your protection,” Wren finally said, and she couldn’t help but flush when Lorrd’s visage softened.“Also, thank you for not judging me for running away from my family.As for the Harmony guards, I don’t want you to kill them, especially not my brother.If we were going to stay in Hillsboro, I would probably ask you to chase them away, but it sounds like you want to depart for New Vaxx as soon as possible.My belongings are already packed.”
Lorrd reached for her hands, threading his long fingers through hers.His touch sent a sizzle through her, and she was suddenly sweltering in her clothing.A shaky breath escaped her as she held his gaze.He leaned down slightly, and for a moment, she thought he meant to kiss her.Instead, he just moved his face closer to hers, giving her a look so intense, it made her pulse flutter.
“I assume if you ran away from your family, it was because they were mistreating you.If they were forcing you to live in a repressive place like Harmony, where you weren’t happy, then that is cause enough to run away.You are brave for having done so, little star.”He gave her hands a gentle squeeze.
Wren struggled to formulate a response.Maybe Lorrd did have a sweeter, gentler side, just like the commercial had promised.Sure, he was a bit rough around the edges, but the vehemence in his tone as he’d promised to protect her had made her feel… special.Cherished, even.Though perhaps cherished was too strong a word, considering they’d only just met.
And if he called herlittle staragain in that deep, sensual voice of his… well, she just might swoon.
Emmy cleared her throat, reminding Wren that they weren’t alone.She’d become so lost in Lorrd’s gaze, she had almost forgotten about the elderly couple standing nearby.Heat seared her cheeks.
She considered Emmy and Myles’s predicament.Did they even want to stay in Hillsboro?She supposed she’d better find out before Lorrd took her back to New Vaxx.
If the rebels set their sights on Hillsboro and her new friends got harmed, she would be heartbroken.But would they agree to abandon their beloved bakery—and Earth—forever?And even though they weren’t really her grandparents, did Lorrd’s offer to bring them along still stand?
“Thank you again for your understanding.”Wren felt a smile tugging at her lips, and hope blossomed in her heart.She still felt wary around Lorrd, but maybe once they got to know one another a little better, that nervousness would fade.
Lorrd gave her a deep, respectful nod, then he straightened and glanced at Emmy and Myles.“Though you are not my mate’s grandparents, my offer to take you to New Vaxx still stands.You helped my little star.You provided her with shelter, and you kept her safe from the Harmony guards.I am indebted to you for your kindness toward my mate, and you would be welcome to live in the Vaxxlian city of Starzzia.”
Emmy and Myles looked stunned, and neither of them spoke right away.Eventually, Myles said, “I appreciate your offer, Lorrd, but I think my wife and I need to discuss the possibility of leaving Earth for New Vaxx in private.”He wrapped an arm around his wife and pulled her toward the staircase.“We’ll return shortly.”
Wren watched the elderly couple disappear upstairs, then she focused her attention on Lorrd.The instant their eyes met, her face flushed anew.
“You are very generous to offer my friends a ride to New Vaxx.I-I had no idea the outside world would be so dangerous.Not long after the nearby towns came under attack by the rebels who are trying to overthrow the government, Emmy found me wandering down the street, scared and lost.She recognized me as a stranger to these parts, and before I even introduced myself, she somehow knew I was from Harmony.Over the years, she’s helped other runaways from the compound.She was the one who told me about Vaxxlian Alien Mail Order Brides.She showed me an advertisement—a commercial posted on the Internet—and strongly suggested I sign up for the bride program.”
Lorrd retracted one of his hands from Wren’s, then he brought that hand to her hair, and he slowly, very gently, combed his fingers through her dark locks.At first, she froze.But after a few moments, she leaned slightly into his touch.
She could scarcely believe what was happening.
A handsome alien from a planet called New Vaxx had traveled to Earth to claim her as his mate.And he was touching her.Petting her.
She had never been touched so familiarly by a man before.
She liked it.She wanted more.
Even though she was still nervous around him, she wanted to explore the tension that was building between them.
Did he feel it too… that spark of excitement and newness?
“You are so tiny and delicate, little star, yet there’s an undeniable strength inside you.I can sense it.”He leaned closer to her and took a deep inhale.A pleased growl emanated from his throat, and the noise vibrated straight to the area between her thighs that was suddenly aching to be touched.
