Mated to the Warriors (12 page)

“Nice to meet you.”

“Up, mama.” The little one held up his pudgy little arms and I stared at the boy in wonder. He didn’t look as fierce as the warrior who was his father, but he was still not exactly human either. The little girl’s eyes matched the warrior who held her, and I assumed he was her father. But the little boy? He looked slightly different, with greenish eyes and a different tone to his skin. Was the boy a child of Anne’s second mate? Did she have a second mate? Didn’t all Prillon brides? But then, I had two mates, and I was only with Dare at the moment. Perhaps her other mate was off flying a spaceship or something.

I had no idea, and there was no way I was going to ask. Both of the children were adorable, and all of a sudden I could imagine myself with a couple of babies of my own, one with Zane’s amber eyes, and one with Dare’s gray ones.

“You have beautiful children.” I smiled at her as she leaned over to pick up her son. My compliment was an honest one.

“Thank you.” Our gazes locked, and I knew I had made a friend. “What did you do, on Earth I mean?”

No one had asked me that, and the normal conversation felt good. “I was a preschool teacher.”

“Wow. You must have the patience of a saint. I was a nurse.”

Blood. Guts. Mucus. Yuck. “Wow. I couldn’t do that. I see blood and I pass out.”

“To each their own.” We both chuckled, but her mate interrupted us.

“I’m sorry, my love, we must go. We must return to our ship. I have a meeting in an hour.” The giant male spoke for the first time and my entire body tensed. I knew that voice. Oh, my God, did I know that voice—asking if I accepted his claim—placing his giant hand around my neck and pulling my naked body back against his massive chest as another man, his second, feasted on my pussy—

The memories flooded me with heat and I had to look down at my plate, hoping my stupid body would just calm down and leave me alone. But no such luck, as he spoke directly to me this time with that deep voice. “Welcome to you, Lady Deston. May you find every happiness with us as a bride of Prillon.”

My answer was more a squeak than true words. “Thank you.”

Anne reached out to touch my arm and I felt like I had to look at her again, or risk being very, very rude. When I looked up into her blue eyes, I could see that she knew what I’d seen, what I’d experienced in the bride processing protocols. She
knew.
I could see it in her eyes as her mate’s large hand came to rest on the side of her hip. Her next words confirmed it. “The processing protocol?”

I couldn’t look her in the eye and lie. I just couldn’t. “Yes. I’m sorry.”

She threw her head back and laughed out loud, the sound one of utter delight. I froze, shocked at her reaction. I’d expected her to be angry or embarrassed. Instead she couldn’t keep the smile off her face. “You’re welcome,
Lady Deston
.” She placed a heavy emphasis on my new title. “You’re very, very welcome.”

I felt my eyes widen and she winked at me as her mate gently pulled her toward the door. She looked back over her shoulder. “We are going to be great friends, Hannah. I’ll see you again, soon.”

I waved as she left and turned to find Dare studying me, his nostrils flaring as if he could smell my arousal. Then I remembered that he could, in fact,
feel
it through our connection. A guilty blush crept up my neck and face, and I knew I was turning a bright pink. I’d liked… no, loved, what Captain Hendry and his second had done to Anne. I craved that kind of dominance.

“Explain, Hannah.”

I shook my head, refusing to tell the man my true feelings, and took my first bite of lasagna instead. The flavor of tomato and oregano, mozzarella cheese and thick noodles exploded on my tongue. It was the best lasagna I’d ever tasted. I made a small sound of pleasure and hurried to take another bite, my stomach suddenly an empty, aching cavern.

Dare watched me for a moment, then decided to let the matter drop, eating his own food quickly.

When we were both finished eating, a kind-faced Prillon woman walked to our table and took our plates with a shy smile. I thanked her, and she bowed to me. “My pleasure, Lady Deston. Welcome. May you find much joy among us.”

“Thank you.” I looked up to discover that everyone who was still in the dining hall, which was eight unmated warriors, six small children with their mothers, and one mated couple who appeared to be in their sixties were all watching us openly. I turned to Dare, suddenly uncomfortable to be the center of attention. “Why are they all looking at me?”

His chest was puffed up with pride, and his smile one a man gives when he is feeling generous and all too pleased with himself. “They are waiting to meet their new lady. The commander is second in line to the Prime on our home world.”

I had no idea what a Prime was, and my confusion must have shown on my face.

“The ruler of our planet. Our king.”

Holy shit. Deston was third in line for the throne of his whole freaking planet? I felt my chest get tight. Hot. It was hot in here.

I looked from the approaching couple to Dare, who appeared to be enjoying my moment of panic, because he continued. “Zane, my cousin, is also the most feared warrior on the front. He is the commander of the entire coalition fleet, not just this battleship and its battle group. You are Commander Deston’s bride, Hannah. And the second highest ranking member of our entire fleet.”

“What? What does that even mean?” I whispered the question in a hurry, as the elder warrior and his bride were already approaching the table. I didn’t know anything about war, or battleships, or their enemy. I knew how to wipe noses, sing ‘Wheels on the Bus,’ and paint the alphabet with watercolors.

Dare leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms over his chest, nodding almost imperceptibly to the male headed toward me. “The Prime rules our planet, but the commander rules all of the coalition military forces. He has more real power and influence than the Prime, because he oversees warriors from all member worlds. Zane rules this region of space. On Earth, Hannah, I believe you would be called a queen.”

For the next hour I was introduced to and greeted by everyone in the room. I couldn’t complain. They were friendly, warm, and seemed genuinely happy to meet me. I tried to smile and make small talk, but the truth was, with my stomach full and the day’s events wearing me down, I was getting tired. Dare watched me like a hawk, and the moment the last chubby little hand had held mine, he stood.

“Thank you all for your kindness to Lady Deston, but she is weary from her transport. I must take her back to our quarters now for some much-needed rest.”

They all nodded agreement and Dare wrapped his arm around my waist and led me from the room in almost the exact same way Captain Hendry had led Anne. He towered over me, but he didn’t remove his hand as we walked the hallway back to our quarters.

The walls shifted from a dark orange, to blue, then back to the familiar cream-colored brown that I knew meant we were close to our private quarters. As we approached, my thoughts turned to Zane. He was in charge of the entire outer space army, the same army that protected Earth and all the member worlds? He was the leader of all of it?

And more important, would he be in our quarters, waiting for me? What was I going to be dealing with when those doors opened and I stepped inside?

Dare must have felt the muscles along my spine tense as we drew nearer.

“The commander will be on the command deck all night. We arrive at the front soon. I have a few hours before I must report for duty. He will return for you then. We will always care for you, Hannah. You will never be alone or unprotected, not while we live.”

“Yes, but you might
die.
Both of you. I can’t give myself to a man—to two men—who willingly put their lives in danger.”

“You are a bride of Prillon, Hannah. To be sent here means you are like us, you seek the harsh edges of life, Hannah. You enjoy a sharp bite of fear or pain, that hint of danger.”

I remembered the dream and the hand about my throat. It hadn’t been real, but I’d
felt
it. I’d liked it, being tied down, submitting to not one man but two, his power over me evident in the way he touched me.

“I see by the flush on your cheeks that you admit this is true.” When I was about to speak, he held up his hand, tucked a finger around his collar. “You can’t hide it. Perhaps Zane may choose to deny it as well, for fear of hurting you, but I can see it clearly. You were matched to Prillon because of our prowess, in bed and in battle. If we weren’t warriors, you wouldn’t want us. You must relent and trust in the match.”

“Yes, but…” I began, but bit my lip.

Dare cocked his head. “What?”

I tugged at my collar. “I sense… I sense he’s holding back.”

Dare’s eyebrows went up at that. “He’s commander. He has many secrets.”

The answer was vague, but probably true. Was I feeling a wall so that Zane didn’t share the horrors of his job? It was a worthy question, so I just nodded in reply. I would need time to consider and, perhaps, more time with Zane.

“Now then,” Dare said, coming up beside me, stroking his knuckles over my cheek. “Both of your mates need not be present to continue your training. No Zane tonight, just me.”

I hated myself a little bit as my entire body relaxed at the news. Zane was so big, so intense, and so damn hard to resist. The connection with him was even more powerful than with Dare. I didn’t want to deal with my fears where he was concerned, for that strong connection also meant strong fear that I would disappoint him. That idea is what tore me up inside.

Was I drawn to Zane because he was a warrior? It made no sense, for all my experience with men on earth made me run from their false dominance. I had learned the hard way that, more often than not, their concerns had always been selfish ones. With warriors of Prillon Prime, however, I knew what I felt through the collar could not be faked.

I didn’t want to deal with my emotions where Zane was concerned. They were still too raw. A yawn threatened to escape me, but Dare’s next words ruined the soft, contented feeling.

“We only have a few weeks to prepare you for the claiming, and I am not the kind of warrior to neglect my mate.”

Chapter Nine

Hannah

Dare opened the door to our quarters and waited for me to precede him into the room. The moment the door slid closed, my gentle and considerate companion disappeared.

“I know Zane is being careful with you.”

I turned to him and frowned. So, Zane
had
been holding back? I’d felt it, through our connection, but having Dare confirm it made me feel uneasy. It was hard to believe because the fucking, God, the fucking, had been incredible. What else did Zane want from me that I hadn’t given him? What else did he need from me? I’d given them everything. I’d given him everything—but my heart. That was still my own. “Why would Zane—I mean…?”

“Zane believes you are too soft, too small to take our cocks the way we want to fuck you.” Dare leaned over and tipped my chin up with his fingers. “I will not be so soft, mate. I need your body prepared for me.” He kissed me then, softly, so sweetly that his words took an extra moment to register. “I do not want to wait any longer than necessary to claim what is mine.”

I thought back to our time together with Zane. Was I confusing pleasure and power? Had Zane treated me like something fragile? Something that would break? And if he had, would I be able to withstand more if that’s what he needed? Would I break, as he feared? Would he give me the chance to test my own limits? Did I want him to?

The thought made my pussy clench. God, yes, I wanted him to push me. I wanted to feel completely owned. I wanted to trust Zane to know just how far he
could
push me. I wanted to close my eyes and surrender to him. But I didn’t dare, not yet. I could feel the darkness riding him. He was afraid of something. Afraid he would hurt me? Or afraid he would break me? “Am I really so small, compared to your women?”

Dare lifted my arms over my head and held them there, staring down into my eyes. “Yes, you are small.”

“So is Anne. And she seems just fine with Captain Hendry.”

Dare chuckled. “She is at least half a head taller than you are, little one. With a rounder ass and wider shoulders.”

True. Anne was at least six inches taller than I was, but I was average on Earth. And not small by any measure. According to my doctor, I needed to lose at least thirty pounds. I lowered my arms to cover my rounded abdomen, ashamed. Is that why Zane held back? Was I too big? Too soft? Too—

“Arms up, Hannah, as if you are trying to reach the ceiling.” By the deep tone of Dare’s voice as he stared at my chest, I knew the sight of my breasts pushed forward had captured his complete attention. Well, at least being a little heavy did have the advantage of larger breasts.

I stood still, not sure what to do, but his commanding tone sent a wave of electricity over my skin. Was I allowed to be with Dare without Zane? I didn’t know. What was I supposed to do?

Slowly, I raised my arms. “Are we supposed to—I mean—without Zane?”

“I am your second, Hannah. Your collar is around my neck, and I accepted your claim.”

“I didn’t—”

“Do you reject the connection between us? Do you refuse me as your second?” Dare stepped in front of me until my face was so close to his massive chest that I could see nothing but him. “Would you deny me, mate, and demand Zane name another?”

My pussy clenched at his tone. I liked this more dominant side of him. “No.” I had no idea if I could force the issue or not, but I didn’t want another mate, or a different second. Zane was
mine
, I knew it deep in my bones, even if he didn’t feel the same.

But Dare? He was already claiming a piece of my heart. And while I needed another dominant, controlling male like I needed a hole in my head, I craved it. Just the sharp bite of Dare’s words had my pussy wet.

Dare crushed his lips to mine, his long tongue teasing and tasting me as if he would never get enough.