CHAPTER 2

This could not be happening. Yes, everything in life happened for a reason, but… a Gaenthian? Having to marry an extraterrestrial because an alien computer program had indicated she was his perfect match both physically and spiritually?

Chloe had studied her butt off. Worked long hours for laughable pay to eventually get a proper accounting job. Poured every free minute into her jewelry to one day start a real business that made her happy… And now she was supposed to forget about that over an arranged marriage in space? Had she postponed dating for years because she couldn't give a man her full attention, only to end up marrying a complete stranger?

No. Nope. Nuh-uh. The aliens' matchmaking program must have made a mistake.

Yes, that had to be it.

Earth's treaty with the alliance of advanced alien civilizations obliged any unmarried woman to go to her Gaenthian ‘fated mate' once the program found a match. That was the price for the planet's protection by the peaceful extraterrestrials. And humans did need protecting, because the space opening their experiments had accidentally created next to Mars – the unclosable Black Portal – had evil aliens occasionally coming through.

Reportedly, no woman had refused in the two years since the treaty had been signed, going willingly to her future extraterrestrial husband wherever in the galaxy he currently was. Some women considered themselves as lucky as having won the lottery, since Gaenthians were humanoid, very fit, and attractive males with the means to offer their wives a good life.

Other women regarded the marriage deal as their duty to Earth after the Gaenthian space army had saved the planet from the first evils to come through the Black Portal three years ago. There were also adventurous women who saw a marriage to an alien as a free ticket to explore space.

Chloe didn't have an adventurous bone in her body. She had done her duty in the form of undergoing the compulsory testing to be entered into the matchmaking program's database.

She was not going to a space station next to Jupiter to be married off to some unknown extraterrestrial.

She opened the front door with newfound resolve.

A Gaenthian stepped into her apartment as soon as she moved away from the open door, but Chloe didn't waste a second taking the huge male in. "Your matchmaking program is mistaken," she told the broad expanse of a uniform-clad chest at her eye level.

"Lady Loe Davis–"

"I'm sorry you have come all this way for nothing, but the mistake–"

"My lady–"

"It's a mistake!"

The Gaenthian issued a low rumble.

Chloe bit her lip. She might have started this conversation on the wrong foot. Gaenthians were known for their politeness, and being respectful just might get her out of the situation somewhat smoothly. Because the marriage stuff was a mistake, but that didn't mean her behavior couldn't get her in trouble. The human authorities didn't take kindly to Earth's space saviors being disrespected.

Chloe cleared her throat and forced herself to look up. Way up, since the extraterrestrial guy had to be at least 7 feet tall. With her height of 5.9 feet, she had never before felt petite. "Sorry, I meant no offense. It's just that…"

Gone. Her vocabulary was suddenly as MIA as her red purse. The moment she took in the face of the Gaenthian in her entryway, Chloe lost the ability to speak.

He was… wow. She had seen many attractive aliens on TV and in photos online, but this one was hot. Capital-h-hot. He had dark-blue hair that was braided at the top and fell freely in slight curls down to his shoulders, giving him a sexy Viking look. His cobalt-blue eyes drew Chloe in like a magnet. The high cheekbones, plush lips, and strong jaw made him perfect for the cover of a magazine. Though it covered him from neck to ankle, his skin-tight black uniform left little to the imagination: the guy was pure muscle all over. Hard and well-defined, with broad shoulders leading to a tapered waist leading to an impressively big, clearly outlined co–

Chloe looked away, lightheaded all over again.

"Lady Loe?"

Dang, his voice was sexy too. Deep and rumbly, it sent pleasant tingles across her body and made it hard to focus on what the guy was actually saying.

She risked looking at him again. Even the two white horn nubs in between his braids were sexy. Most of his kind had big horns, some curling and others pointing straight up, but intimidating in their size all the same. His gave him a cute devil look.

Oh, and he was purple. His face, his hands, his bare clawed feet, his feathery wings – everything not covered by his uniform was purple. Gaenthians' skin tone came in various colors – the two aliens standing guard at her door were dark-yellow, but Chloe hadn't seen a purple one before. Her favorite color.

"Lady Loe, if I may explain?"

Right. He might look perfect, but that didn't change the reason why he was taking up half her hallway. He was here to take her away from her life, and his companions were standing at the threshold probably to make sure she didn't run off.

"You already said why you're here, Mr… Sir…?"

He placed his hand, fisted except for his pinkie, over the green and blue insignia on the left side of his chest. "Subcommander Nitiel, my lady." Then he bowed.

"Uhh…" Chloe curtsied as best as she could. She had read about the way Gaenthians greeted each other, but she had never expected she would have to put that information to use. It wasn't like the few of their kind stationed on Earth hung out outside of their military and administrative bases.

"Subcommander, I appreciate someone of your rank coming here to inform me of this match." Not that she was familiar with alien military ranks, but a subcommander had to be just short of a commander, right? "However, a software mistake has been made. Let us not waste your and my precious time by explaining the procedure to me. I will not be coming with you–"

Another rumble emanated from his broad chest. His wings spread slightly.

It seemed she was testing his patience. The cute crow feet he had by his eyes and the faint lines around his lips suggested he was someone who laughed a lot, but right now he was very, very serious. If politeness wasn't second nature to his kind, he would probably be huffing and rolling his eyes at her.

She sighed. "Please, explain why you are here, Subcommander."

"Thank you, Lady Loe." He stood a little straighter, as if preparing for a grand speech.

Oh, boy.

"What you described as a matchmaking program, my lady, is an artificial space intelligence– ASI – which in the twenty years since its creation has not made a single mistake."

Fudge.

"It has always unerringly matched a Gaenthian with a female of my or another intelligent species. In this case, the ASI has matched you, Lady Loe–"

Fudge, fudge, fudge.

"–with Commander Siriniel of the Swirling Horn Clan. You might know him as the Commander of Gaenthia's army in the Solar System."

Now, Chloe had promised her mother to never curse, but… Fuck! Fuck, fuck, fuck!

"There can be no greater honor for a female in this system–Lady Loe, are you alright? You have grown paler…"

Chloe used the hanger by the door for support, because her legs had suddenly given out.

"My lady?"

"I'm not your lady!" She moved back to escape from his reaching arm. Never mind he had clearly wanted to give her a hand: subconsciously, she expected him to grab her and take her to the Commander.

The highest-ranking Gaenthian in the Solar System. The commander of the most fearsome army in this system. And he had sent no other than one of his deputies to retrieve his human bride.

Hysterical laughter bubbled inside Chloe. This was nuts. It could not be happening. It was not going to happen. No way.

The Subcommander's wings fluttered. She must have shocked him with her rude exclamation.

Chloe was not a rude person, but nope, she was not getting ripped away from her life and dreams for an arranged marriage with anyone. He could be the king of the universe for all she cared.

"Lady Loe."

"It's Chloe. And this is a mistake. There is no software in the world–worlds without a glitch or two. Especially if it's an old AI."

"There is reason in what you say, Lady Hloe, but I assure you the ASI does not glitch."

"Have you rerun the program to see if it will again match me with someone? Have you tried turning it on and off again? No? Then how can you be sure this isn't the ASI's first glitch in 20 years?"

The loudest rumble thus far came from the Subcommander. His companions, who were standing with their backs to the hallway, cast a look his way over their wings.

"Lady Hloe, even if the impossible has happened with the ASI, the check you speak of requires that you come with me."

"What? No! You're making that up to get me to go with you willingly."

Then again, did he really need her agreement? She hadn't heard of women being taken off the planet against their will, but wouldn't the human authorities cover up any such deed to remain in the Gaenthians' good graces? The protection of the entire planet was more important than the wishes of the few. In this case, hers.

Chloe groaned inwardly. Whatever she chose to do, she would be getting no help from the human authorities. If she didn't cooperate, things might get worse for her.

As evidenced by the way the Subcommander's gaze had hardened, any previous warmth gone from his unique eyes. Gaenthians were known for adhering to a code of honor which stigmatized lying. And Chloe had basically accused the Subcommander of lying to her.

Oops.

Yes, perhaps it was better to cooperate.

Chloe took a deep breath. "Look, Subcommander, you caught me in a bad moment. I was in the middle of something very important, perhaps the most important thing in my life, and that's why I am not ecstatic about coming with you."

He rumbled so loudly that everyone jumped in surprise.

What the heck was his problem? Was he trying to intimidate the fight out of her? Not happening. "Subcommander, is it indeed not possible to check if I am truly the Commander's mate without me having to come all the way to Jupiter with you?"

"I already told you. Lady Hloe."

He was clearly pissed. Well, so was Chloe. "Fine. How much time is it to your space station?"

"One Terran rotation."

Okay, a day of travel didn't sound so bad. "Once I'm there, how much time will it take to prove the ASI is glitching?"

He gave her a look that said what he thought about that possibility. The trust these guys had in their AI… "One meeting with the Commander."

"Sorry, what?"

"Once you meet with him, you will know there is no glitch."

"Oh." Chloe crossed her arms over her chest. "And what if after that meeting I still claim your ASI is faulty?"

He crossed his arms too. "You will not."

Chloe gasped. The nerve of this guy… "But what if I do?"

"You will have a second meeting," he said through clenched teeth.

Chloe pursed her lips. "And if I'm still not swooning over Commander Curling Horns?"

One of the Gaenthians at the door chuckled. The other made a poor imitation of a cough.

The Subcommander's nostrils flared and his blue eyes narrowed at her. "Commander Siriniel of the Swirling Horn Clan is your fated mate. If after a second meeting you still deny the greatest honor the Goddess can bestow upon a soul, the most important thing in any being's life, then I will personally insist that the ASI has made a mistake. That you are unworthy of being matched. Lady Hloe."

Ouch.That hurt. Not that Chloe should care about the opinion of this guy. No matter how stunning he looked and how his presence awoke her libido. She hadn't meant to offend his beliefs, but it wasn't like he had shown respect for hers, had he now?

"Perfect," she declared, eyes meeting his. "Clearly, I won't be away from Earth for more than two to three days."

"You will be away as much time as necessary," he said just as firmly.

"Ha! And how exactly am I to explain that to my boss? Just like you, I have a job."

Was that a sparkle of glee in his gaze? "Your boss has been informed of the honor bestowed upon his employee and said employee quitting her job on Terra. He wishes you the best of mated life."

Fan-fucking-tastic.