Cathian Read online

  Only the thought of seeing Nara again in four months had given him the ability to walk away from her. He’d even had York pack her a detailed travel plan for The Vorge, to make it easier for her to find him in case they missed their meeting.

  A meeting that wouldn’t happen. His father had made certain of that by picking these women.

  Pain burned hotter inside his chest. He’d never be able to see Nara again, forced to life-lock to whichever female he chose. She would get pregnant and birth his litter. He’d be stuck with one of these five for the rest of his life. It would be miserable, and he’d live with the knowledge that he had been happy once inside his cabin with a sexy, sweet human who had claimed his heart.

  “Ambassador,” Rex whispered. “They are waiting to be inspected. You don’t look well. You’re unusually pale, and you’re trembling. There’s no need for you to suffer any longer. It’s time to complete your heat cycle.”

  He ignored him.

  Rex touched his arm. “Cathian, I’ve known you since you were a boy. You’ve always been stubborn but it’s time to return to our planet and start breeding the next Vellar generation.”

  Cathian jerked away and opened his eyes.

  He wasn’t going to allow this to happen. Perhaps if he’d never met Nara, spent so much time getting to know her, he’d have accepted his fate. But now…

  “Take them all and return to my father. Tell him I refuse to allow him to manipulate me.”

  Rex’s eyes widened, and he gasped.

  “You heard me.”

  “You’re irrational. It’s the heat you’re suffering. You know your body can’t withstand not completing your cycle without grave or possible deadly consequences.”

  “I’ve been feed well. I’m strong. I won’t die.”

  “Your body will go into shock and you’ll get sick, if your heart can even withstand the agony. You’ll go insane at the very least, and attack a female member of your crew.”

  “That’s why I’m going to have Dovis and York chain me down in my cabin and drug me.”

  He spun away, moving toward the cargo doors. He’d rather risk his health and life than give up meeting Nara in four months. He also made a mental note to have the vessel’s automated medical android take samples of his sperm to test on Nara. That way, he’d know during his next heat cycle if it would act as an aphrodisiac for her or not.

  “Cathian!”

  He ignored Rex’s shout, and almost reached the doors when something painful pierced his shoulder blade.

  He froze for a split second—and then twisted his head, reaching back. He yanked out the dart embedded into his skin, spun, and glared at his father’s assistant. The male held a weapon he must have hidden in the back of his uniform waistband.

  “What did you do?”

  Rex looked nervous. “Your father knows you well. I’m sorry. He suspected you might become angry and defiant. We took precautions.”

  “I’m going to kill you!” He took a step toward Rex, but suddenly his knees gave out beneath him and slammed into the metal plating of the floor. Spots appeared before his eyes and he fought to draw air. His heart raced.

  “I apologize, but this is for the best.” Rex stayed back, not drawing within arm’s reach. “It will knock you unconscious for a short period of time, and when you wake, you won’t be rational. You’ll only be able to listen to your body’s needs. I’ll chose the lightest-haired female for you. She’ll provide you many beautiful sons and daughters.”

  A roar filled his throat but only a whimper escaped his parted lips as he pitched forward. He didn’t even feel it when he crumped all the way onto the deck. He did hear Rex’s voice though.

  “Now to get him to his cabin. Vis, I pick you. Come with us.”

  Chapter Seven

  It surprised Nara to realize how far the shuttle had traveled from Cathian’s ship before she’d decided to do whatever it took to get back to him. He was definitely worth fighting for. She only hoped she’d reach him before he lost his mind and touched some female Tryleskian.

  Worry ate at her that he’d be mad, would flat-out refuse again to take her instead of risking her life, but she just wouldn’t take no for an answer. He’d have to physically pick her up and fly her to the station himself. Of course, him being in full heat would make him want to touch her. He couldn’t fly and do that at the same time.

  “You’re mine,” she swore aloud. “Not someone else’s. I won’t risk losing you…and I have a feeling you’ve got powerful sperm.”

  Besides dealing with Cathian’s reaction when she confronted him, it might be tough to get past his crew. She remembered the way to his cabin from where they’d boarded the transport, but his crew might try to stop her. A check of the flight logs revealed the autopilot would dock them in the same location.

  Marrow woke slowly. “What have you done? You’re stealing from the captain? I knew you were a criminal!” The woman struggled on the floor.

  “I’m not stealing. We’re returning to The Vorge. “

  “Why?” Marrow fought the strap binding her wrists behind her back and tried to get up from the floor. The space was too cramped, and she just ended up rolling from the door up against the bottom of the seats.

  “Cathian was afraid to finish his heat with me. I’m not going to let some cat woman from his planet have him. Did you know he has to marry her if she gets pregnant?”

  Marrow suddenly stopped struggling. “What?”

  “He asked for older women who can’t have babies, but I had a friend who was a late-in-life, whoops baby.”

  “I don’t know what you mean.”

  “Her mother had hit menopause and didn’t have a period for over a year. Then she found out she was pregnant. It’s rare but it happens. What if the same thing happens to the woman he picks? It’s like a law to his people that if you knock someone up, then you’re stuck with them for life.”

  “Shit,” Marrow said.

  “I know. You already admitted you want him but…sorry, not happening. I’m too attached to him.”

  “It’s not that. Mated males from their planet always return home to live there. Their females are highly spoiled and enjoy being close to family. That’s why you won’t see many females at stations or on planets unless they’re on vacation. They don’t enjoy leaving their home world, and most just stubbornly refuse.

  “It means we’ll lose our captain, and the Tryleskians will send someone to replace him. I’ve been arrested for fighting a few times. The captain was willing to overlook it after I explained. I doubt others would even bother to ask my reasons. Cathian is easygoing but most Tryleskians are known to be strict.”

  Nara saw an opportunity. “You could help me get to him once we dock. I’ve been worried about the crew trying to stop me. Will you help?”

  “Never.” Marrow glared at her. “It doesn’t matter which woman he releases his seed into. You could get pregnant by him. He’d still give up his ambassador title and return to his planet. I’d have a new boss who would fire me and kick me off The Vorge.”

  “You’re forgetting that I’m not a Tryleskian. I don’t care where I live and I have no interest in moving to his planet. I just want to be with him.”

  Marrow frowned, studying her. “You’d allow him to remain captain?”

  “Yes. I just want him. I bought a shuttle and left Earth to live in space. Your vessel is much larger than what I’m used to. I’d be perfectly happy on The Vorge.”

  Long seconds ticked by. “Release me. I’ll help you get to the captain’s cabin and prevent any of the crew from stopping you.”

  Nara hesitated. “How do I know I can trust you? That you won’t just knock me out and I’ll wake up on the station?”

  “I need this job.” Marrow held her gaze. “I’m a Sarrin. Women on my planet are required to be submissive to all males. We’re treated like shit. I suffered countless beatings from my father for being too strong-willed before I ran away and escaped onto a transport leaving my