Page 11 of Brute's Mate

On Darrva, once a female turned nineteen, she would be kept locked in her home until she went into heat. Then she would be handed over to her mate, a male selected by her father. There was no casual mingling of the sexes, and I struggle with how frequently I witness men and women spending time together on theJansonna, never mind that they’ve all purportedly received hormone suppression shots.

I can’t help but wonder if Jenny is up to date on her injection. The way she smells… Star Gods, there are times I walk near her and fear I might lose control. Times I worry I might grab her and carry her back to my quarters.

Taking a deep breath, I remind myself of what’s at stake.

The alliance.

I also remind myself that I’ll likely be able to claim a female of my own in about two or three moon cycles. It’s been estimated that it’ll take the engineers four moon cycles to complete repairs on theJansonna, but I know the males are working diligently and attempting to shorten their time spent on the human worldship. No doubt because they’re eager to claim the mates promised to them.

My wrist comm buzzes, but I’m near my private quarters, so instead of slipping into an alcove to take the call, I hurry to my quarters and lift the comm to my lips the moment I step inside. “Cousin,” I immediately say in the Lorrvoshan dialect of Darrvason.

“Brute,” Tornn says in a distracted tone that makes me wonder where he is and what he’s doing. “Do you recall what I told you about our engineers possibly installing video comms in recreation rooms on theJansonnaso the thirty females we acquired might communicate with their friends and family members?”

“Yes, I recall.” I stand at the viewscreen in my quarters, peering at theHaxxal.

“I’ve arranged for a shuttle to bring the video comm units to theJansonnavery soon. The engineers will be installing at least two of the devices in every recreation room aboard the human worldship. However, I would like one of the units to be installed directly inside Jenny and Margo’s quarters.” When I’m silent for a while, he adds, “Ellie’s sister and mother,” as though I don’t already know their names.

“I am certain your mate will appreciate such generosity,” I finally say, uncertain why he’s informing me of the news. Surely the engineers are capable of following directions and installing the video comms in the desired locations.

But then I grow tense as jealousy and worry sear my insides. I don’t want any of them entering Jenny’s quarters, especially if she’s home at the time. The prospect leaves me sweltering with rage, ready to jump into a training ring and pummel an opponent. The thought of another male savoring her sweet scent is maddening indeed.

Tornn clears his throat. “I would like you to oversee the installation of the video comm in Jenny and Margo’s quarters. I want to ensure it’s the top priority of the engineers, and I also want to ensure none of the engineers become too familiar with the females. It would distress my mate if anything happened to her mother or sister, and I suspect she plans to ask me to prevent her sister from becoming a Darrvason bride.”

“If your mate makes this request, will you grant it?” I can’t help but ask, and I hold my breath as I await his answer.

After a too-long pause, he says, “Yes, I will.”

Fluxx. I don’t speak immediately. I don’t trust that my voice won’t give me away. The knowledge that Jenny is off-limits guts me. Logically, I know I’ll have the chance to claim another female. I won’t spend the rest of my life lonely and unmated. I’ll have the opportunity to claim a woman soon. But my need for Jenny and my desire to keep her safe is so strong, I’m not certain I’ll be able to resist her.Fluxx, how I hunger for her. Each passing day is a struggle to maintain control.

Finally, I say, “I will be waiting for the supply shuttle when it arrives, Admiral Tornn, and I will oversee the installation of the video comm in your mate’s family’s quarters.” I still can’t utter Jenny’s name in his presence. Tornn knows me better than anyone, and he’ll realize in an instant that I’m lusting after the female. That I’m ravenous to claim her and plant my seed in her womb.

“Are you all right, cousin?” Tornn’s voice is threaded with more suspicion than worry, and I start to fear he’s about to guess what ails me. I can’t let him find out. If he learns the truth, he might order me back to theHaxxal. He might worry I’m too much like my father. It’s a risk I cannot take. No matter what, I must stay close to Jenny. If only to keep her safe. I think about the rebellious song she was singing, her propensity for walking around alone, and the danger posed by rebel groups fighting with security officers. No, I can’t leave her alone.

“Yes, I am well,” I tell Tornn. “I am only eager for our business on theJansonnato be concluded, the second wave of human females handed over to the Darrvason Empire.”

We speak more about the captain’s latest antics, as well as the duplicitous members of the command team. The captain continues to consume large quantities of alcohol, sleeps too much, and sometimes receives female visitors in his quarters. Judging by the smell of the females when they depart, as well as the smell clinging to the captain the following day, there’s no doubt in my mind that the captain is engaging in fornication, which is considered a crime on theJansonna.

“It would seem the captain has a penchant for the forbidden,” Tornn says with a sneer. “Any updates on the command team? Are they actively plotting against Captain Warren, or do they simply talk badly about him behind his back?

“They aren’t actively plotting,” I reply, thinking about the most recent conversation I’d overheard while riding an elevator with several members of the command team, a conversation they held entirely in English, not realizing I could understand every word. “They have lost a great deal of respect for the captain recently, but none of them are willing to risk overthrowing him. From what I can discern, the members of the command team are disliked as intensely as the captain by most occupants of the worldship, and they know if Captain Warren falls from his throne, they’ll be quick to follow.”

I check the time and realize I’m due to meet with the engineers soon, and I hurry into the corridor with my wrist comm still held to my lips.

“You are doing excellent work,” Tornn commends. “I will speak with you again soon.”

“Thank you, cousin. I’ll talk to you soon.”

* * *

A few days later,after observing yet another contentious meeting between Captain Warren and his command team, I find myself heading for the classrooms on Deck Fourteen, knowing Jenny and her mother will be finished teaching soon.

As I hurry through the corridors, I glance at my wrist comm to see if Tornn has tried contacting me, yet I don’t see a message from him. Very strange. It’s been five days since he’s contacted me, and he hasn’t taken any of my recent calls. Perhaps he is simply busy with his new mate.

On my way to Deck Fourteen, rather than take an elevator, I rush down the emergency ladder, heedless of the strange glances this behavior earns me. Though the tube sheltering the ladder is small, I’m able to squeeze through it and reach the classrooms just as small children rush into the corridor.

The security officer who usually escorts Jenny and Margo to and from the classroom shoots me a curious look. I glare at him and say, “You are dismissed,” and he hastily turns and scurries down the corridor.

“Your boyfriend’s waiting outside again,” I hear Margo whisper in Galactic Common, though I’m not certain whether her tone is teasing or frustrated. Or worried. Sometimes I have difficulty discerning human emotions. Humans are far more sarcastic than Darrvasons and often say the opposite of what they mean.

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