Page 44 of Viken Command

I had to think about that one for about five seconds. I would have snuggled into bed, fallen asleep and woken up none the wiser. Then they would have returned to me, claimed me, and moved on. I never would have known anything was wrong. “God, why do you have to make so much sense?”

Kayson’s mouth tipped up, and he offered a slight shrug of his broad shoulders. “It is easier to see someone else’s issues more often than your own.” Perhaps. “Were they expecting you?”

“You mean was the match a surprise for them?” I asked, frowning.

“Yes. When I was notified I’d been matched, I was on the far side of the planet. I had little time to get to the nearest transport station, let alone contact Mal and Geros.”

I thought of Alarr with Oran and Teig in the middle of their I.C. mission at Trixon suddenly receiving word Alarr been matched. They would have had no warning. I’d sat in the chair in the processing center, and a few minutes later? Whoosh. Transport. Across the galaxy. Gone. “I really don’t know. I walked into the testing building as a volunteer. I’d planned the trip. Knew I was going. After the testing was over, I was quickly matched and transported. But I’d been prepared for it to happen.”

“From the male’s perspective, the experience is very different,” Kayson offered.

I sat down in the chair I’d vacated. No kidding. I hadn’t even thought about the fact that my arrival would have been a total shock to them. Completely unplanned for. A surprise.

“We are eligible to test for a bride after two years of service in the Coalition. It can then take months or even years for a bride to be matched to one of us. I’ve heard some males were in the thick of battle with the Hive when they received notice. Others were sleeping in their bed. Others were serving on battleships across the universe, far away from their home world. I was tested thirteen months ago. I’d all but forgotten I’d even done it. Then—”

“You were notified out of the blue about me,” I finished.

“That’s right. So, your matched mate, the first one, was not only most likely surprised to be matched, but in the middle of an undercover mission for I.C.”

“Kayson, why are you defending them?” I asked. “You don’t even know them.”

“Because you love them, Whitney. And no matter how angry you might be at the moment, you still want to be with them.”

God, he made it so simple.

“They were wrong for deceiving you, but you must consider their situation, the mission they had to complete.” Geros had his arms crossed, but his stance was relaxed. “You must consider what was at stake.”

“I would do anything to keep you safe,” Mal added. His gaze narrowed when I turned toward him, the harsh lines of his face unforgiving and unapologetic. “I would lie to you, Whitney. I would cheat, steal or kill to ensure your safety. I am sure your true mates are no less devoted.”

Kayson nodded. “A mate is the most precious thing. We would all do anything, including tricking and deceiving you, to ensure you were not harmed in any way. Ever.”

“You’re saying they were being honorable when they lied to me?” I asked, for the first time doubting my earlier actions.

“Very. Their first priority was protecting you, even though they knew their actions could hurt you emotionally,” Geros said. “Physically, you were safe. It was the best they could do if they were under orders from the I.C. not to reveal the truth to you.”

“Were you honorable in return?” Kayson asked.

I frowned. “I didn’t deceive them.”

“No, but you discovered the truth and fled,” Kayson continued. “You ran away, didn’t allow them to explain. You were mated, you made a lifelong commitment, and you broke that bond the first time things got difficult.”

“The first time?” I asked, getting angry again. “The first time? This wasn’t the first time a guy lied to me. My father was worse than my mates. He hurt more people than just me. He hurt thousands of people. Destroyed their lives.” I tossed my hands up in the air, unable to contain the anger rising within me. Old scars ran deep, and they ran hot. It didn’t take much to set me off on that topic.

“You are putting the sins of your father upon your mates,” Mal said.

I spun about, my dress swirling around my ankles. Glared. Thought about what he was saying. Shit.

“And because your mates lied to you, regardless of the reason, you still rejected them,” Kayson added. “You would give up a chance at happiness, your perfect match, because you cannot let go of the hurt inflicted upon you by your father? That is not fair to your mates.”

I pursed my lips together because I had no response. He was right. Every word he said was making a lot of sense. Shit. I’d really messed things up.

“You are lucky you are not truly ours,” Geros said. “I would have you over my knee faster than you could say punishment.”

I set my hand on my chest. “Me? Why am I to be spanked? I’ve done nothing wrong!”

Kayson stood, came over to me. “You should have told them the truth of your past. Shared with them. Did you?”

I shook my head. “There wasn’t time.” Which wasn’t completely true. I’d spent a long while talking to Oran, but I hadn’t told him everything.

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