Chapter 5

Finally! Blessed goddess, I'd found my mate! From the moment I could scent him, I'd known exactly who Squire was to me. A more compatible match I would never find. He was my one and only.

Of course, though I desperately wanted to claim him in every possible way right here and now, I resisted and chose my words carefully. Dear Squire was in a tremulous emotional state, what with finding freedom after years of oppression, so I couldn't simply declare our connection and whisk him away.

Well, no, I could whisk him away, but it would have to be under false pretenses for the time being. I'd let him think he was going to be a sex worker in my brothel—that he was escaping his former life like that. He'd calm, relax, and find the peace that had been missing from his life. I'd seduce him, call it training, and gain his love and trust.

ThenI would tell him that there was absolutely no way he would ever have sex with anyone other than me for the rest of our lives. I was sure, by that time, he wouldn't want to. He'd happily be mine.

"I can just go? Right now?"

Squire's lust wafted off him in waves that filled me with longing. Was he already so affected by my pheromones? Did humans respond so quickly? It thrilled me to know that he already desired me.

"We can leave immediately," I told him with a smile.

If anyone protested my departure, I'd simply tell them I'd found my mate. None would complain after that! I'd just say it in Norlish so as not to alarm Squire.

He chuckled in a way that sounded surprised. "Oh shit. I never thought… We're just going to Nor? That's?—"

"Oh, no, forgive me," I hastened to correct him. "It will be some time before another ship arrives to take us to Nor. We can, however, go to the ship already in orbit, the Zaaqnall."

"Zawk-nall?" he asked with his adorable accent.

"Correct. It means roughly…" I thought about it for a moment. "We come in peace."

He grinned up at me. "You're kidding."

"No. Why?"

"That's what all the aliens say in the movies. Right before they start blowing things up."

Wonderful. Hopefully, no one else had been asked to translate that for the humans.

"Even if I'm just going up to the ship, though, that's still cool," he said on a laugh. "I never thought— I mean, I did think about going, but not right away. Oh," he said and his face fell, "I didn't bring stuff with me. Like I didn't pack a single thing."

"Are there things you need? Medications? Mementos? We'll provide clothing and toiletries." I'd give him anything he wanted beyond that as well. "I can see about sending one of the officers, perhaps, to collect whatever you need from your home." Because I could not in good conscience send him back into the world where his mother and her pastor might get their hands on him.

Squire went quiet then, his gaze drifting away. I had an urge to ask if he was well, but then I noticed the emotions playing across his face. He was thinking deeply, frowning, cocking his head, no doubt having an entire conversation with himself in the safety of his mind. I was pleased that he gave it so much consideration instead of rushing to a conclusion. I relaxed and waited for his answer.

"There's nothing," he said quietly. He looked up at me and blushed before showing me the timepiece on his wrist. "I have my dad's watch and that's the most important thing I own. There's my phone, but…" He shrugged and looked away. "I don't have anyone to call anymore."

Goddess, how was I going to resist smothering him with affection? He seemed so lost and alone, all I wanted to do was squeeze him and reassure him that everything would be just fine.

"I'm certain you'll make many friends in this new life." I flexed my fingers against my side, trying not to snatch him up. "In fact, I know two humans I would very much like to introduce you to."

"Other applicants?"

"No, Owen and Logan are members of the delegation. They've both assisted the program from time to time."

Squire nodded slowly as he nibbled on his bottom lip, turning it a brighter shade of pink. I stood there trying to discreetly take deep breaths and calm myself so that I didn't start sucking that lip of his to see how much more pink I could make it.

"Well, um," he said, "we can go then. I'm ready."

Squire squared his shoulders and looked me in the eyes. It was the sexiest thing I'd ever seen.

I made some sort of growling noise as I turned away to lead him toward the exit. A tiny, insistent part of my brain that stored all my professionalism started braying that I should at least let Layleen know I was leaving. Thankfully, I spotted her sitting down in a refreshment area and rubbing her belly, a deep frown pulling at her brow. I veered in her direction, making sure Squire was following me.

"Are you well?" I dared ask her.

"I'm pregnant."

I nodded and switched to Norlish. "I've found my mate and am?—"

"What?" She nearly toppled off her chair as she leaned to get a look at Squire. "You did what?"

"He does not know, and I am not yet prepared to explain, so please refrain from alarming him."

Her blue gaze flicked back and forth between us before she stood from her chair and smoothed out her tunic. "Are we heading back to the ship then?"

"Yes."

She gave me a nod before walking toward the exit. Apparently, "we" meant her as well. That was, honestly, probably for the best since it was possible the shuttle pilot would not be enough to deter me from seducing Squire on the flight up to the ship.

"Is everything alright?" Squire whispered from close beside me.

I put my arm across his shoulders before I even really thought about it. "She's rather pregnant."

"Ah," he said like my explanation was enough. That he stayed under my arm as though he was comfortable with it on him sent desire careening through me. Thank goddess I'd worn a robe today instead of pants and a tunic—I was nearly fully erect but at least I wasn't being uncomfortably restricted.

The exit took us up two flights of stairs to the roof where the shuttle waited. I felt slightly bad about leaving everyone else without transportation. It would only be for a short time, of course, as the pilot would come right back after we disembarked. But still, there were only the three of us on a sixty-person shuttle.

"There's my mother," Squire said as we walked near the edge of the roof to the rear of the shuttle. He smiled and waved down at someone in the crowd of people below. Several news cameras pointed up at us.

I couldn't take him away without asking, "Did you want to speak to her?"

"No." He walked up the ramp in front of me. "She won't understand."

I felt badly for Squire's losses but did truly believe that he would have a much better life away from those oppressing him. And I would do my utmost to make it so he might thrive and know every joy.

The Cero pilot came out from the cockpit, his violet gaze scanning over us. In Norlish, he asked, "Is there a problem, sir?"

"No, everything is fine," I said pleasantly. "Please take us to the ship before returning."

He looked confused, but simply said, "Yes, sir."

While he prepared to leave, I turned to help Squire get situated only to find Layleen assisting him. I took a seat opposite them as she showed him how to secure the restraints crisscrossing his chest. The black rope-like material against his body gave me such wicked thoughts that I had to look away.

Fastened into my own seat, I rolled my eyes as Layleen gave me a reproachful stare before she finally sat. No doubt she could scent the state of my arousal, which was entirely embarrassing. I clasped my hands in my lap to hold my cock down and I closed my eyes. Taking measured breaths, I tried to calm myself for everyone's sake.

Layleen, bless her, filled Squire in on what to expect of the trip. "The shuttle has technology that will allow us to leave the surface easier than your shuttles do, but we will still experience some pressure as we leave the atmosphere."

Squire nodded at her. "I was trying to learn about some of that, but it was a lot." He huffed a laugh.

Once the shuttle lifted off, there was a considerable amount of noise, so further talk was difficult without yelling. I used the time until we cleared the Earth's atmosphere to regain my composure, though I couldn't resist watching Squire.

The dip centering his upper lip was made to be licked. I wanted to tangle my fingers in his messy brown hair and use that grip to tilt his head back. His throat bobbed, and I?—

Layleen cleared her throat loudly, and I realized they were both standing, the shuttle still and quiet.

"Forgive me," I said as I unstrapped and stood. So much for being calm or composed.

I should've taken the lead to exit the shuttle, seeing as how I was at the rear instead with Squire directly in front of me. All I could think about was pulling him back against my chest and seeing whether our bodies aligned or if I'd need to pick him up to?—

"For goddess's sake," Layleen hissed at me. "I realize this is difficult, but show some restraint."

I actually looked at my hands, worried they were full of Squire. Thankfully, he was standing some feet away now and looking out of a window.

"It is difficult," I whispered back at her even though we both spoke Norlish. "I should not be alone with him."

"Then tell him." She whacked my arm. "Do something."

Before I could consider what that something might be, a couple of Cero in royal armor rounded the corner and parted to allow Alam to stomp toward us. Me. Of course, he was coming after me. I took a deep breath and braced myself for whatever I'd done wrong this time.

Alam marched up to me, his expression severe. "Did you abduct a boy?" he snapped in Norlish.

That drew me up short. "Pardon?"

Alam held his hand out, palm up, toward Squire who looked between us with wide eyes.

"I did not abduct him," I said. "And he is of age."

"How old are you?" Alam asked in English, his blue eyes squinted at Squire.

"Twenty-two?"

Alam arched a brow. "Are you unsure?"

"Alam…" I couldn't help growling in warning.

"No, uh, I'm twenty-two." Squire looked to me with a question in his big eyes. "The application said that was fine."

I smiled reassuringly at him. "It is fine. You're of age."

"Do you mean the sex workers program?" Alam asked in clear confusion, his ire seeming to fizzle. "You're bringing them up already?" He leaned around me as though looking for the rest of them.

"Special circumstances," I said with a smile.

Layleen groaned, drawing everyone's attention. "They are mates," she said succinctly in Norlish. "Of course he was unable to leave his human on the surface."

"Oh. Well, yes." Alam took a step back, and I rather liked that he did.

"My mate is unaware for the moment," I added so that Alam wouldn't reveal anything.

He nodded at me before saying in English, "You still have an issue of the news reporting that he's underage and you've abducted him."

"What?" I asked in astonishment.

"What?" Squire echoed. "But I volunteered!"

Alam turned sideways and held out a hand so that we could pass. "Go see for yourselves. There's a woman insisting that a tiger stole her baby boy."

"Oh, no," Squire groaned.

"Indeed." I led the way to the nearest monitor.