2. Roark

F’ukYuu was my least favorite planet on our route. I was not the kind of beast that partook in what the godforsaken place had to offer. I found it unpalatable. Downright wrong. Especially when most of the people who were employed—at least in the pleasure venues—had been wrongfully abducted and relocated against their will.

Which was why I couldn’t believe the fact that I was standing outside one of those same facilities.

Mala—my first in command—was beside me. A group of the younger recruits had wanted to visit one of the larger venues to look at the merchandise on offer. That’s what The Managers that ran such establishments called the people there. Merchandise . As though they were property.

On our home planet such things were illegal.

Mala told me to loosen up, but it was difficult to look past my own morality. Even for the recruits who I loved as though they were my own blood.

“It’s been a stressful trip,” Mala had said earlier that day over breakfast. And I knew…I knew he was right. “We’re here for three days. Let them blow off some steam.”

Despite the fact that our species was one of the largest and most physically powerful on this side of the galaxy, I still hadn’t been able to stomach the idea of letting the cadets travel alone. They were young and inexperienced. And most looked at our species and wanted to take advantage of the money we were often associated with. So Mala and I had offered to escort them to one of the more reputable pleasure houses, and wait to accompany them home.

It was that offer that had gotten me into this mess in the first place.

Because while I’d told myself countless times that I had no business at this end of the planet, I couldn’t seem to help but look. Pity and shame curled cold and hard in the pit of my stomach as I watched the windows on the building light up one by one. I knew that they only did this when there were shift changes. New entertainers would swap with the old, the darkened glass flooded bright as they took their positions to act as living advertisements.

Like mannequins, they’d stay impossibly still, often posed provocatively to entice more visitors.

Species of all kinds flickered into focus as the lights in the windows turned on and Mala and I settled in for a long wait. I tried not to openly observe. It seemed rude to do so. Part of me was tempted to break the glass and free them all, but I knew that would cause more problems than it would solve.

Pirates ran amuck here—the very pirates that had caused our trip through space to be as stressful as it had been. Freeing the slaves would only result in them getting stolen again—and placed in establishments far less safe than these. Additionally, it would put a target on our backs. And as the largest cargo ship that traveled to and from our home planet, it was imperative I got the supplies home safely.

It still felt wrong though.

Even though I knew all of this.

Maybe it was my childhood that caused me to feel this way. But I’d always had a hard time stomaching the idea of leaving the weak to fend for themselves.

“Not everyone operates under the same strict moral code that you do,” Mala reminded me, as if he was reading my mind. “I agree with you, for the record.” The other Sahrk jerked his head toward the windows, still steadily lighting up as dancers took their shifts in the tiny booths. “But you and I both know we have no power here. If you empty the windows they’ll simply fill again. And you’ll put all of us in danger.” Mala sighed, and I nodded, though I hated that he was right.

“I don’t understand why they want to go inside in the first place,” I grumbled, even though I did understand. This was their first voyage. They hadn’t seen what I had during my years in space. They were curious. And in our culture, there was nothing to prohibit them from looking. It was only touching that was taboo.

“Yes, you do,” Mala called me out. His blue skin caught the flickering street lights as he shifted his weight, arms crossed over his bare chest. “You were young and curious once.”

“Not like that.”

“Yeah,” Mala snorted, head tossing back, his pearly white teeth flashing. “I suppose that’s giving you too much credit. You’re right. Not like that.” He slanted me a coy smirk, and I head-butted him playfully.

We hadn’t met until my fifth voyage. But even then, I’d been the way I was now. Jaded. Traumatized. Unable to let go.

Another window flicked on, and I swiveled to look at it without thinking. Mala didn’t speak again as he straightened. Which was good. Because the second my eyes caught on the newest dancer my thoughts fizzled out entirely.

He was different from the others.

Bipedal, like I was. With downy orange fur on his head. Spots all over. Thousands of them. Like the constellations I’d coveted as a child. Like space. Unlike the other dancers, he sported no tentacles, no suckers, no claws or sharp teeth. Harmless, he stood stock-still, dressed in nothing but a tiny pair of black shorts that left absolutely nothing to the imagination.

He glanced behind himself at the now-shut door he’d entered through. When it was obvious he was alone and whoever had urged him into his booth was gone, he relaxed. And then…he did something entirely unexpected. Rather than take his position, he…simply sat down.

With his back to the wall in the tiny booth, he pressed his peachy face to the glass till it fogged. I watched, enraptured, as he traced designs inside the condensation. Constellations, just like the ones I’d been thinking about, formed beneath his clever fingers.

It was such an odd display considering where and what he was.

My hearts thumped erratically, a ringing in my ears that only grew louder the longer I stared. It felt like the ground beneath my feet was shifting, even though I knew it wasn’t.

“Roark?” Mala’s voice startled me, but I couldn’t look away from the tiny dancer.

I couldn’t.

“I…” My breath caught, my hands clenching into fists as the small creature puffed along the glass some more to keep himself distracted. The other performers had taken their poses by that point. All were more provocative than he was. And yet…none of them caught my attention the way he did.

He looked…

God .

He was beautiful.

So different and yet?—

“That’s a huu-man,” Mala explained, leaning into my side, observing what I was. We’d been friends for long enough I’d lost count of the years. He knew me better than anyone, aside from my childhood caregiver from the orphanage, or Ushuu, the man who had taken me under his wing when I was a cadet.

“A huu-man?”

“They’re from a planet called Earth,” Mala added. Because again, he knew me. So he understood that something was happening here—even if he didn’t know what it was. “I’ve been seeing them pop up more and more around the galaxy lately. A&R’s newest hot ticket item.”

Had I truly been so focused on my duties that I hadn’t paid attention?

The answer was right in front of me.

“He’s…”

“Gorgeous?” Mala supplied. “Yeah, he is.”

Mala was married, and should therefore not be commenting about anyone else’s gorgeousness.

I growled at him, and he laughed.

“He looks so…” I managed, still staring at the peach-colored creature. He’d stopped drawing now and was instead peering down the street, fingers cupping the glass like he was trying to see through it. That only confirmed what I’d suspected, that it was difficult for the dancers to see out. In a horrible way it made sense. Less distractions.

After a moment, he settled, arms curled around his knees, his head resting against them while he waited.

Knowing he couldn’t see me made me relax a little.

I wasn’t at my best, after all.

And I was sure my spots were an ugly shade.

“He looks so…?” Mala wheedled.

“He looks so lonely ,” I managed, because he did .

He looked lonely.

So fucking lonely.

The only one of his kind.

No doubt frightened out here—in a world that wasn’t his own. Surrounded by creatures that didn’t understand him.

I could relate. Though I was on a crew full of Sahrks, I had never met someone who understood the bone-deep loneliness I often felt. Like because I looked and sounded like the others, I was supposed to fit in, even though I never had.

“Maybe you should go keep him company,” Mala suggested.

And though I hated the thought—I hated the idea of leaving without speaking to the huu-man even more.

The small creature was even more interesting up close. At first, I hadn’t been sure I’d made the right choice in requesting him. It’d been something I’d mulled over all night, only to come to the conclusion that I could not live with myself if I did not.

I was now glad I’d trusted my gut, as meeting him in person had led me to realize that my feelings the night before had not been a fluke. He interested me in a way no other creature ever had. So many things about him were curious, like the fact he leaked when he was sad. Tears . That’s what they were called. I’d heard of them, yes, but Sahrks did not leak—so the term wasn’t something I’d often thought about.

There were other interesting things too. Like how soft his fur was. How lovely his spots looked in person. How small and frail he appeared and yet was able to move so sensually and with such strength. Or how watching the curve of his back, and the shape of his ass had made my blood heat in a way it never had before.

Most interesting of all, however, had been his proposal.

Only minutes into our first meeting and he’d asked to mate with me.

My denial of his proposition had obviously upset him. I figured he didn’t know what he was asking me. Physical intimacy was something that was saved for one’s mate. And though, at the time, I’d felt like I was doing the right thing, I wasn’t so sure now.

I did not like the way he leaked because of me.

After I’d asked to speak with The Manager to sing his praises, the small creature had been sent away. Because if there was one thing I was certain of after our encounter, it was the fact that I could not leave him without making sure The Manager knew what a wonderful job he’d done. At the moment, it was all I could do to ensure his safety.

I’d promised.

My reputation proceeded me.

The Manager’s gaze was assessing the moment we were alone, yellow eyes narrowed. Creatures like him were common in my line of work. Give them an inch and they’d take a mile. Unfortunately for me, he had a rather lovely bargaining chip.

“You like him much,” The Manager cooed, money signs practically dancing in his beady gaze. I was used to this reaction to my species. Sarhks were known for their generosity and abundant wealth. We rarely left our planet, which meant when we did, we often encountered greed. “He is for sale if you are interested.”

The idea of purchasing a person was abhorrent, but I said nothing, aware that my words would only end in tragedy for the huu-man. Other slaves walked by the glass window of the office I’d been led to, all scantily clad, flushed and sweaty from a long day’s work dancing.

The door was shut, so the room was quiet.

Still, my ears roared.

The huu-man did not have fangs, the way I did. He did not have claws. He was defenseless. Weak. There was no way for him to fight back against this man or anyone here. Luckily for him, I had all of those things. And while I knew that I couldn’t free all of the aliens here, perhaps I could…free one?

“How much?” I asked, the translator beeping in my ear as The Manager debated with himself. I already knew he was about to state a price far higher than he would give a man of any other species.

“One million,” he replied, then grimaced. “Actually, two million,” he corrected himself, his eyes narrowed. “ That particular specimen was considered intelligent on his planet.”

I found his comment interesting. It was common knowledge that A&R were notoriously picky with the creatures they abducted. Anyone who did not meet the cut was dropped off here, or the more rural planet, U’Suhk. He must be quite clever to have been abducted in the first place. I felt immense empathy for him—knowing that he could’ve ended up somewhere far better than here if only he’d passed the test.

Poor little one.

He had probably been so frightened when it happened.

He was probably still frightened.

At least if the looks he’d been giving me all night were to be believed. Like he was begging me to save him. Like he trusted me to do so—despite not knowing me at all.

I wasn’t sure what I should do.

Ethically speaking, the idea of buying someone disgusted me. I was attracted to him, yes. He’d make a perfect, although unorthodox, mate. Truly, I’d never been interested in taking one until the moment he’d sunk to his knees and his proposal had made my hearts race.

“Two million,” I repeated as my thoughts swam in circles. “Two million and he can come with me?”

“Correct.”

I’d promised the huu-man I would make things okay.

I just…wasn’t sure the best way to go about that.

In a daze, I went back to the ship for the night to figure out what to do.

I did my best to act casual as I prepared dinner, but Mala saw through me. He’d been the only person who knew I was heading back to the pleasure houses. And before I could even sit down on the bench beside him, his spots were green with curiosity. He paused, a bite of bambuu halfway to his mouth, eyes searching mine. I took my seat, preparing for the worst as my plate clinked against the table.

“Something is wrong,” he accused.

“Nothing is wrong,” I reassured, far too quickly to be telling the truth.

“It is.” His eyes narrowed and his sharp teeth snapped with amusement. He glanced around the room to make sure we were alone, confirmed the coast was clear, then cocked his head at me. “Tell me what happened.”

It was not my way to overshare with my crew, even Mala, who I considered to be my closest friend. However…the huu-man’s dark eyes haunted me even now. I swallowed, embarrassed that my own spots were sure to betray me.

“ Roark ,” Mala softened his tone, moving closer. “It is unlike you to act so uncertain. Tell me what’s wrong so that we can fix it.”

“I…” I pushed my plate away, suddenly no longer hungry.

How could I eat when I knew my huu-man even now was sitting inside that godawful place wondering why I would reject him? I swallowed the lump in my throat again, lowered my head, and explained.

“I don’t see why you can’t just buy him,” Mala said when I was finished. He crossed his arms over his chest, his pale blue biceps bulging. “It is not as though any of us would mind. There are no rules against interspecies mating.”

“He may not even want a mate,” I said softly. “He does not know our ways. His proposal was more than likely a misunderstanding.”

“Still.” Mala paused for a moment as he mulled over what he was going to say next. “You said you could smell his arousal?”

“Yes.”

“So he was attracted to you.”

“He could’ve been confused,” I countered. “He was frightened of the situation.”

“But not of you.”

That…I wasn’t certain of. I didn’t think so. But the whole thing had been confusing for the both of us. When I’d stroked his hair he’d melted, and his eyes had…well… His eyes had spoken what his words did not.

My gut told me that he wanted me as badly as I wanted him.

But all of this was new and foreign, and I wasn’t sure my instincts knew what was real—or if it was wishful thinking on my part.

“I want to save him,” I said softly. Admitting that hurt . “But…I don’t want him to think he’s trading one cage for another.”

“You said yourself that you don’t think he knows what he offered you,” Mala countered. “Why not let him make the first move?”

“Bring him aboard…” I murmured, thoughts spinning. “And see if he tries to initiate something after he is free?”

“Right.” Mala bobbed his head. “Then you’ll know for certain that it wasn’t just the situation. And that he’s as serious as you are about mating.” Sahrk’s mate for life. It is simply our way. It wasn’t something I wanted to get wrong.

“Right,” I agreed. “He is intelligent. The Manager said so. But even without his confirmation, it is obvious. He would fit in here.”

“He’d fit in with you ,” Mala snorted. “You’ve always been odd.”

I rolled my eyes.

“An odd mate would perfectly suit you.”

I couldn’t help but think he was right.

“Do you want a mate?” Mala asked, eyes searching mine.

That was the question, wasn’t it?

I hadn’t before.

But maybe…maybe that had been because I had never met my huu-man before.

“I do not even know his name.”

“That’s easy enough to fix,” Mala shrugged and gave my shoulder a slap, his tendrils sneaking out to squeeze around the muscle affectionately. “I say you go back and get him. We can spare another day before we head to our next stop.”

I couldn’t stop thinking of those haunted eyes. The way he’d trembled . The way he’d leaned his weight against me. The way he’d trusted me—a total stranger—not to hurt him despite the fact I was easily twice his size.

“Alright,” I decided, my hearts thumping. “I think you’re right. Tomorrow.”

“Yes!” Mala pumped his pale blue fist, grinning at me, his eyes squinting happily. “Tomorrow. I’ll go with you. We can get the paperwork figured out. You’ll need a second set of limbs to carry his belongings when you pick him up.”

This could be a mistake, but it didn’t feel like it.

Maybe I could make him happy.

At the very least I could free him and give him a choice. His proposal didn’t have to mean anything unless he wanted it to. The ball could be in his court.

Hope fluttered inside my belly as I pictured what my life could become. A small warm body to curl around. Those dull flat teeth twisted into a happy smile as I pampered and spoiled my huu-man to the point he forgot all about the injustices that had been inflicted upon him. The way he’d feel in my arms as I sunk inside his body, soaking up his pleasure like a sponge.

Tomorrow I would make good on my promise to him.

I would make things okay.

It was the right thing to do.

At least…I hoped it was.