Big Bad Claws - Michele Mills Page 0,20

room. The other two females approached with gentle smiles and made hand motions to have her sit on the edge of a med bay. Zayzon let go of her hand and nodded in agreement.

She walked over and did as told, a hint of nervousness souring her stomach. She’d never had the need for a translator chip. It was a common enough procedure in the four sectors and was supposed to be painless. It was just that until today, she’d never had reason to have one.

One of the females went to a screen and spent time adding information. Probably telling the computer that she was human and what language she needed. Next thing she knew she was lying flat on her back and a shield covered her head. She closed her eyes for a moment and opened them again. All the equipment was suddenly gone.

She blinked, sat back up and put her hand on her head. That was weird. “Is it done?”

“Yes,” a deep voice rumbled. “It’s done. You have the Xylan language implanted in your brain.”

“I do? Already? Wow, that was fast.”

“Well, actually you were asleep for a bit, you just don’t remember. But yes, it was quick and painless.”

She glanced up at Zayzon, who towered over her. “Oh, my gosh,” she giggled, “we’re talking. I can understand everything you say.”

He smiled down at her with those warm hazel eyes, exposing super-sharp fangs. “Yes, I am happy to be able to communicate with you.”

His deep voice was even better now that he was speaking words she could actually understand. “I’m happy too. Thank you for everything you’ve done for me. I appreciate it so, so much.”

“Of course,” he answered, pinning her with a sincere, tender gaze. He reached out and gently tapped the tip of her nose with a gloved finger. “I will always protect and care for you. You are my future Bride.”

6

There was a loud clang from the other side of the room as something dropped to the ground. “She’s your what?” a voice screeched.

“What did he say?”

“Claws said the human female he arrived with is his Bride.”

“No fucking way. I thought he’d taken himself off the mating database.”

“Right?”

Lila swallowed hard and looked away from the agitated females, back into Zayzon’s steady gaze, which hadn’t wavered for a moment. “I’m your what?” she asked. “What did you say?”

“I said you’re my future Bride,” he repeated. “I can smell and identify the pheromones of my mate prior to touch. I recognized your scent the moment I walked inside the domicile last night and I followed it right to my room.”

She shook her head. This had to be the most surprising thing she’d ever had someone say to her. And this included being recently told that her stepmother wanted her dead.

He stepped forward and engulfed her hand with his gloved claw. “Lila…”

She frowned and tugged her hand out of his grip. “No, no. This is why you’ve been so nice to me all along? That’s why you’ve let me stay? Why you’re helping me? It’s because you think I’m your mate because of how I smell? How can that be? I thought Xylan chose their mates through touch.” She pointed at his claw. “You’ve had your gloves on this whole time. If you say you know I’m your Bride already, why are you still wearing gloves?”

“I might be able to scent that you are my future Bride, but we still haven’t formally tested. I need to remain gloved until the moment we are able to test, which will initiate my ability to claim you.”

Claim? Her cheeks flamed and the area between her thighs grew pleasantly hot. She’d been attracted to him since the moment she’d seen him in bed next to her. This whole morning she’d thought she was the only one who’d felt anything. She thought he was a nice guy who was saddled with an annoying stranger. But instead he wanted to claim her? Wanted to…to have sex with her? He was planning it out? Her eyes hungrily roamed up and down his large, muscular body. “Oh. Uh, you think if we clasp hands we will start this mating ceremony?”

“Yes. I cannot clasp your hand though without first formally asking for your permission.” And then he did something she did not see coming in a million years. He got down on one knee before her. He fisted one claw and thumped it against his chest. “Lila of One, I place your honor above mine. Will you do me