Semua Bab Groomed: Bab 21 - Bab 30

My eyes drill into the back of Tilk's head as Nole claps Burk on the back. It's Burk's turn to go out onto the grass to prove to his female he is worthy and I know he will win. Moor is a good fighter, but he isn't good enough and he knows it. The way he has been eyeballing my Commander proves it. He is melancholy already and he hasn't even fought. Burk leaves and Nole glances down at me before smirking. "He won't surrender because you are staring holes into his back," Nole says quietly and I barely look at him before refocusing on my target. I am analyzing every move he makes. Xiu is depending on me and I will prove I'm worthy of it. Nole's ribbing won't shake me. "I'm moving up so I can see the match. You coming," he asks and I shake my head. "Burk won't break a sweat," I say quietly and Nole chuckles before moving to stand just behind Tilk. He watches the match for only a moment before commenting. "Burk's out for blood," he says and I smirk. I knew it. Burk would never insul

As we enter the deserted eating hall, I turn around to face Jia, and what I see breaks my heart. Her eyes are saying so much as she looks at me: hope, disappointment, sadness, anger. I don't know if I can help her, but I know she can't go back to her room now. Krystal and Jia's correspondent will try to console Jia with pretty words, but something is telling me that Jia needs my unbiased opinion and statistics now. She needs something concrete to get her through the night not sweet words meant to soothe her hurt feelings. She needs the "bitchy" Xiu to tell her how it really is. She needs something that she can trust to be true. "I don't know what the Makskin said to you during your dances with him and I don't need to know. What I have surmised is that he most likely had a strategy about who he would choose based on whether he won or lost today... What I believe is he chose two females that he liked. You... and the Puelo female. His second, and first choice females. A losing fem

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

"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

"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