Page 12 of Kameer's Mate
My mouth goes dry. “Are you taking me to the brig?”
The officers exchange awkward looks, and again I think they appear apologetic.
“You’re not going to the brig,” the leader finally says. “Now, please, no more talking. It’s after curfew and we must try to remain quiet.”
The six of us board the elevator, and though I was just told I wasn’t headed for the brig, I still expect the elevator to descend to the depths of the worldship. I’m unable to suppress a gasp when the elevator goes up, all the way to Deck Twenty-One, a floor reserved exclusively for Founders and their descendants.
My trepidation mounts and I can’t help but tremble. I feel sick with worry.
What the hell is going on?
Chapter 6
KAMEER
I standin the entryway of my temporary quarters aboard theJansonna, awaiting the delivery of my mate. Impatience gnaws at my insides. I don’t like that I can’t retrieve Mandy myself, however I understand the captain’s desire to keep disturbances on the ship to a minimum.
If I were to show up at Mandy’s quarters on Deck Fifteen, would she put up a fight when I tried to take her? Judging by how boldly she’d announced she wouldn’t mate with a Darrvason, I suspect she might struggle and protest. She’d also seemed pleased that she wasn’t on the list.
How will she react once she realizes she’s being delivered to a Darrvason male’s quarters for the purposes of mating?
How will she react when she learns she’s no longer engaged to the ninety-two-year-old Founder?
Though I’m annoyed by the prospect of her harboring feelings for the elderly man, the information I found inJansonna’sdatabase indicates the engagement occurred shortly after the alliance between our people was announced. Mandy’ssister, likewise, also entered an engagement to an elderly Founder around the same time, though the sister’s fiancé died in his sleep fourteen days ago.
I suspect both engagements to Founders were arranged, likely by Mandy’s father, to keep his daughters safe. To keep them from having to mate with a Darrvason. What a pity his plan didn’t work out.
I’m not remorseful for what I’m doing. My need for the pretty, golden-haired female is so intense, I would commit a thousand brutal murders just to have her. I would eradicate any soul who stood in my way, no matter the cost.
Though I’ve been stationed on theJansonnafor twenty days and I’ve encountered numerous young human females during this time, Mandy is the only woman who’s incited my desires and caused my ancestral markings to tingle. The only woman who’s made my dual shafts harden and my scrotum vibrate.
I must have her.
At last, the doorbell chimes.
I stride forward and open the door. Mandy stands in a group of uniformed female morality officers, just as the captain promised, and I’m relieved to find her unharmed. A pleased growl rumbles from my chest. It appears she accompanied the officers willingly, though I doubt they revealed my quarters were the destination.
Mandy gasps, her eyes go wide, and she starts backing away. “No, no, no,” she says.
“I’m sorry,” a morality officer whispers. “We had no choice. We were instructed to deliver you to Chief Kameer, your new Darrvason mate. Captain Warren’s orders.”
“Come inside, Mandy.” I step closer and grasp her arm, only for her to push at my chest and attempt escape.
When she draws in a quick breath, as though preparing to scream, I clamp a hand over her mouth and force her inside my quarters.
Without a word to the wide-eyed morality officers who just delivered her to her fate, I close and lock the door, all while keeping a firm hold on my mate as she puts up a valiant struggle.
Having her in my arms feels right. Perfect.
I toss her small, flailing form over my shoulder and stalk to the bedroom. Then I deposit her on the bed and turn to secure the bedroom door as well.
There’s no escape for her.
I intend for us to consummate our union tonight, and it’s my hope that the heartbond will start forming between us soon. The fact that my ancestral markings tingle in her presence makes me think the bond will be quick to form, and the sooner it forms between us, the better.
A heartbond will allow us to sense one another’s emotions and even hear one another’s thoughts. It’s the ultimate intimacy. But aside from intimacy, I believe the bond will help her become more comfortable in my presence. At the moment, she’s trembling and looks utterly terrified, though I cannot fault her for it.
Not wanting any interruptions, I spare a moment to transfer the rest of Captain Warren’s money to his account. There. The deal is done. Mandy officially belongs to me.
