"Burk didn't join me. I am not sure he completely agrees with what I am about to say," Krystal says and I eye her. She is up to something. I can tell. She has her usual plotting face... But why involve me? Jia is normally her partner in crime, not me. "Spill it, Krystal," I say as I place my teacup down. I have zero patience for her long, drawn-out tactics. I want to be back in bed with Modok. I want to have my legs wrapped around him. His hips... his head it doesn't matter which. The only reason I left our bed at all was because I had promised to meet with Krystal today to discuss something important to her. "Fine. I appealed to the council... or rather I suggested they employ you as their person to speak with Earth," Krystal says and my eyes go round. I open my mouth to ask why she would do such a ridiculous thing and she holds up her hand. "Before you go all "Xiu" on me just listen. You have one of the sharpest minds on planet Earth. Your education and business etiquet
3 MONTHS LATERI shyly glance at Modok and then smile. I feel so giddy and happy all the time. Every day is better than the day before. My mate is kind, but strong. He is someone I can depend on no matter what. I feel proud to call him mine. "I can feel your eyes, Xiu. Do you need attention," Modok asks as he sets down his cup of juice. Lust instantly ignites between my legs. Modok's form of attention is nothing short of spectacular. His mouth and fingers have made me see stars every night for the past month. "I...," I manage to whisper before my voice trails off. He immediately closes the distance between us and lifts my chin with a single finger. His reptile-like eyes that shocked Zuri stare into my soul, and feelings that are still foreign to me spring to life. "Tell me Xiu. Do you need my attention," Modok asks again with a much deeper voice and my legs actually tremble with excitement. His green eyes flash with excitement as he sees my reaction and he swings me u
"Send two. It will give us a few extra seconds," I say as Burk begins to set the coordinates. He nods to show he heard me and Nole continues to pace back and forth behind us. Sending the scanners ahead of us is a good idea. It eliminates the threat of ambush and gives us a read on our enemy and Krystal's whereabouts. Plus we can cloak our transport. They will only see the scanners on their machines. "Garlof should be ready," Burk growls under his breath and I am reminded how screwed up this day has become. We should each be happy and showing our mates a good first day on our planets, but instead, we are here dealing with this. Leaving Xiu behind with my parents was hard. I wanted to spend our first day together bonding, but I couldn't abandon Burk. He deserves my loyalty and help. I know if the situation was reversed he would be aiding me. Besides Krystal is also important to Xiu and Nole's mate. "They have been sent. Let's go. While we are on the planet, they will give u
"Are you ready," Modok says as he looks down at me and I nod. I clutch the fancy basket of fruit a little tighter and Modok presses a button beside the front door. But when the door slides open there isn't anyone to greet us. The entryway is empty. "That's weird. They should be expecting us," Modok says as he steps in front of me. He steps inside the home and listens for a second before turning to look at me. "Stay behind me. I do not believe there is danger, but just in case," Modok says, and I nod. I follow him inside and he leads me down a spacious hallway. When we reach a large open room, he sighs, and I look past him to find three Gaimo people watching a projection screen. "Eida, Mother, Father. What is going on? I have brought my mate to meet you," Modok says loudly and the older of the two women whips around. "Oh my goodness, Mo, we missed the door alert... (she looks back at the screen) The harvest selection has been completed, but there is a problem. Zor of Mak
"The time has finally come. Commander Garlof as the winner of the Harvest, you can select your mate first. Will the fifty-five females from all over the Galaxy, please come forward," the announcer says, and the line of females begin to head toward us. My loss from the brawl is still heavy on my mind. I wanted to be the last male standing so Xiu could be the first female chosen. I wanted to give her that honor, but instead I failed. I was sloppy and allowed that glowing bastard a window of opportunity. "Would you look at those dresses. Don't they look beautiful," the kea asks the crowd, and I forget about the fight for a second as I search the line for my mate. When I spot Xiu at the end of her group my chest puffs. She is so beautiful and elegant. From the top of her head down to her toes. Everything about her graceful body screams refinement. I immediately become angry with myself again as the line of females comes to a stop in front of us and her eyes briefly glance my way.Xiu d
"The Final day of the Harvest has arrived. All champions that fought a beast have moved on. All may challenge one another to prove they deserve the top spot. The last man standing goes first as the Winning champion. The order after his pick will be based on the fastest beast kill time. Then we move on to the champions from days three and four who lost. The longer they lasted in their battle against the top contenders, the higher their ranking. May the strongest win," the announcer says, and the crowd explodes into applause. The males run out of their holding area in a line while waving out at the crowd. When I spot Modok in line behind Commander Burk I can't stop my lips from tilting. He looks rather solemn compared to the other smiling champions. The others seem to be acting as if it's all over, but Modok looks as if his mind is strategizing for the brawl. Even his friends look more at ease than he does. "Warriors of the Universe, it has been my honor to introduce you. Good l
"Come on, Nole," Jia whispers lowly as the big Bronkark, who came to kiss her hand after his first battle, walks into the arena. The tension on her face mirrors the emotion battling within me. After our talk in the cafeteria, I was scared my prediction of someone else wanting her wouldn't be true, but Nole seemed genuine when he offered her his hand. "He will make this look easy," I whisper and Jia gives me a smile. "Thank you," she whispers back as the Latroot enters the field already on its stomach. Its shifty green eyes look around the area in all different directions and I feel as if I will be sick again. It bares its moldy-looking teeth, and Nole smiles at the creature. He tosses his knife as if the field is a stage rather than an arena and Jia chuckles. "I guess he is enjoying himself," she says and I relax a little. The orange giant does look comfortable out there. The creature begins to run at Nole, and its freaky arms immediately make my horror return. Nole, however, sm
Burk, Nole, and I haven't fought our beasts yet and the atmosphere in the holding area is tense. All fifty five champions are back today so the place is packed full of angry and determined males. Burk keeps eyeballing Tilk and vice versa. The Cok Commanders keep eyeing Burk, but he hasn't noticed and I keep posturing myself closer to Burk's side just in case someone pops off."He won't catch fire no matter how hard you stare," I mumble, as Burk glares at Tilk again.He snorts and shoulder bumps me to release some tension. "He keeps looking at me," Burk growls as if that clears him of any wrong doing, and Nole chuckles."Modok wiped the ground with him. He is probably embarrassed," Nole says rather loudly and I try not to smirk.Tilk went down even easier than I expected him to, but I don't want to shame the guy. I have no hard feelings toward him. He learned first hand not to disrespect us."Focus on your fight. You are the next one up," I say lowly, and Burk finally peels his off of
I follow behind Jia and smile at the several audience members who are waving at us. The two-day-long fighting between champions is finally over. Now the fights between the winning champions and the beasts can begin. I sit down and look out at the familiar field. I try not to recall all the blood and blows that have been exchanged in the middle, but some of the more gruesome images come to mind anyway. "We are down to the top twenty-seven champions. Our three-way champion winner Captain Bolis of Vaal, has chosen to fight a Bunte. Will the other 26 champions line up, please," the announcer says, and I hold my breath as the line of winning males come out onto the field. I haven't seen Modok since he beat the Bronkark, and I have missed him. When I spot him my entire body heats up instantly. His bare chest and tight abs are so beautiful. I want to lightly run my fingers over every piece of exposed skin. I want to feel the texture of his hard scales. I want to learn what makes him f