The Alien's Equal (Drixonian Warrior #7) - Ella Maven Page 0,16

mean I came from a strict household. I mean I came from a home that was unsafe and scary. I couldn’t stop the strange men my mother dated from coming in the house. I couldn’t walk to the store for food for my sister and I, so I was dependent on whatever scraps my mom brought home from the diner where she worked.”

My cora pounded in my chest. I didn’t understand a lot of her words, but I understood scary and not safe. I understood that her mother didn’t take proper care of her.

“Your father?” I asked.

She shrugged. “That was another thing. He sometimes rolled in and would stay for a few days, but mostly he was gone. Just… gone.”

Anger burned in my gut, and I fisted my palms to keep from smashing something. “Your sire didn’t take care of you?”

She held my gaze and slowly shook her head. Her hair caught on her long lashes and she blinked it away. “No,” she whispered. “He didn’t.”

Blowing out a breath, she released her white-knuckle grip on her chair and cupped her knees. “When I was old enough to have control of my life, I took that seriously and worked hard not to be dependent on anyone else. Arriving on this planet…” her lip trembled before she drew it between her teeth. “That was my worst nightmare. I couldn’t understand any of you. I didn’t know who would hurt me. I felt so out of control. I managed to get that back within these walls, but now with the war looming, I’m panicking again. I can feel the tension in the air, and all I know is that I have to be a part of this. I need to have a hand in my own future, my own destiny. No one will fight harder for me than me.” She thumped her palm over her left breast.

“I’ll fight for you,” I whispered. I meant that in so many ways.

Her face softened. “I know you will. And that’s why I volunteered to do this with you. If I had to team up with Bosa, I’d just offer myself to the Uldani right now.”

“Bosa’s an arrogant fleck,” I muttered.

She smiled. “You got that right.”

“But he’ll do what needs to be done. He’s invested in seeing the Uldani defeated as much as us.”

“Okay,” she nodded. “I believe you.” Leaning forward in her chair, she looked at me imploringly. “So, was that enough? Will you teach me?”

“More than enough. And I promise you, Justine, that as long as I breathe, I’ll do everything in my power to make sure you maintain that control.”

“Thank you,” she breathed, her shoulders visibly relaxing.

“But that’s not all.”

“Oh?” She leaned back in her chair with a slight smile. “What’s next on your interrogation agenda.”

“Since you don’t like feeling out of control, I’m going to give you a warning.”

Her eyes clouded. “A warning?”

“You have one rotation to get used to the idea that I’m your mate.”

Her mouth dropped and for a moment, she didn’t move. I wasn’t sure she breathed. Her jaw flapped before she squeaked out two words. “I’m sorry?”

“I was taking it slow. Getting you used to me, showing you how I’d treat you and respect you. I gave you space to come to me. But that’s over now. No more slow. No more space.”

“You were … what?” Her mouth hung open as she rubbed her palms on her thighs.

I tapped my temple. “Work it out up here. You have until sundown tomorrow. But then I make my move.”

“You make your…” she sputtered. “What the hell, Nero?”

I rose to my feet and she only gawked at me as she remained sitting. “You’re my mate. I’ve known it since the rotation I saw you. I knew you weren’t ready then, but you’re ready now.”

She leapt to her feet. “I thought I made it pretty clear that I didn’t want a mate.”

I stepped closer to her until my stomach brushed the front of her chest. She sucked in a breath as her eyelashes fluttered, and a slight tremor shook her limbs. “It’s not clear by the way you react to my touch.” I cupped my neck and rubbed my thumb along her jawline.

“Nero,” she whispered as she leaned into my hold with half-closed eyes. This small surrender told me I was making the right decision.

“One rotation, Justine,” I murmured. Her eyes shot open and she jerked away. I held up a finger. “One.” I gestured to the screens lining my wall. “Now let’s