Stolen and Seduced - Christine Pope Page 0,210

want me dead. If I had to admit it, this really stung my heart.

Staring blankly at the plate in front of me while the guards and that Vamish guy organized behind Tonakk, did me little good. Before I could control it, a tear rolled down my cheek, falling onto the table.

A roar went up and I startled, meeting Tonakk's gaze. Bright blue illuminated his eyes, amongst the other changes, but what I noticed most was the look he was giving me.

He wasn't angry, he was distraught.

Suddenly he was up and at my side of the table, pulling me to his lap and holding me to him protectively.

Wait – what?!

His new position allowed him a better view of the guards and his doctor, all trying to gauge his reactions. He looked sorrowfully at that Vamish person and said a single word, "Mine."

"You are scaring her…" The doctor gently murmured to him. "If she is your mate, if it your job to protect her, not to make her fear you."

Clawed hands gently ran over my hair and arms, trying to soothe me. A cheek rested to my head. I could feel him sniff me.

"Mine," he murmured again, this time to me.

I looked up at him. He thought I was his mate.

"Care to tell me what is happening right now?" I asked Vamish.

"Are you frightened?" He asked me in rebuttal.

To my own surprise, I was not. I shook my head at him and he looked relieved.

"Does he smell differently to you, if you smell him?"

"Only that spiced floral scent he is wearing," I shrugged.

"He is wearing nothing. That is his bonding scent. It only releases and begins his body changes once he discovers his mate."

Mate? Me? I blinked at Vamish before hesitantly meeting Tonakk's eyes.

"Who, me? Are you sure…?"

"Mine," He cuddled me closer. Not gonna lie, it felt very, very nice being held.

"May I ask what triggered the completion of his mating surge?" Vamish appeared to be taking notes.

I shrugged, "I was telling him I needed to report a crime to the Unified Governing Patrol or that the murderer I saw will come after me.

Tonakk clutched me to him, a low growl emitting from deep in his chest.

Vamish winced, "A threat against the life of his mate? That would certainly cause a mating surge." He finished his notes and put his reader away.

"So um… what do I do about this?" I flipped my gaze between Vamish and Tonakk, then back again.

"Finish the mating, of course." He turned and walked away, taking the herd of security with him.

Yah, that was officially NO HELP, you asshole. I sighed.

"So, do you want to explain to me what he means by finishing the mating?" I dared to meet Tonakk's eyes.

He slammed his mouth to mine in a searing kiss.

Okay. I think I get it now.

Tonakk

Mine. My mate. I have a mate!

The primal part of my being wanted nothing more than to take her to my pallet and not leave our room for an entire turn. The realistic part was insisting we would need to reach out to the UGP in the morning, virtually, so that she could make her report. She was mine to protect and I took that responsibility seriously. Harm would come to her only over my freshly killed carcass, and that of my brethren. She would remain on my ship – OUR ship – surrounded by protection, while this took place.

I also understood we may need to remove her people from under that factory and see how to unify them with my people, but that could wait a day or two to discuss.

Right now she was in my arms and I was headed directly to our chambers. I could feel the physical changes my body so quickly underwent, and it fascinated me. My skin felt tight from such sudden growth, and I felt stronger. I would need to be more careful while mating.

The idea that she scented me, that only my mate would know my scent, was an odd source of pride. And in return I scented her too… I could smell her wet heat and it was affecting me greatly.

I got the portal to our rooms opened, demanding it to close and seal behind me as I went straight my room. Our room.

I no sooner rested her on the sleeping pallet when I felt her arms entwine about my neck and pull my mouth back down to hers. Her mouth opened to mine, tongue slicking over my own as our mouths mimicked what