The Arcav King's Mate

by Hope Hart

  I storm forward, feeling Harlow’s shock and embarrassment, and then freeze as it turns to… amusement. She tilts her head back and howls with laughter, and I can’t help but smile as her merriment hits me. My men eye me, a few of them breaking out in relieved laugher themselves.

  “I’m sorry,” Harlow says, wiping water from her eye. “You’re totally right. I’m not trying to be a bitch, I promise.”

  Zeyah’s mate grins back, and the tension dissipates. “It’s okay, you’ve probably got a lot on your plate. I can be a little… protective of the women here.”

  I feel Harlow’s approval, and can tell these two will be firm friends.

  “I get it. Sorry, what was your name again?”

  “Chloe.” She gestures to the shy woman beside her. “This is Beth.”

  Harlow nods. “Would you guys like to come have lunch with me tomorrow?”

  Both women look shocked, but nod enthusiastically.

  “Great!”

  Harlow continues to meet my people, but I can feel her energy flagging. I mentally kick myself, remembering that she has barely eaten over the past few days.

  “Time to eat,” I tell her.

  She nods and finishes up her conversation with one of my men.

  I take her hand again as we leave, enjoying this small pleasure. I couldn’t be prouder of my mate, who showed grace, despite her dislike for our people. I would’ve thought it all an act so she could see the traitors if I hadn’t been able to feel the genuine interest and warmth through the mating bands.

  “Can I see Blake now?”

  My mood darkens. I know her partner is no threat to me, and yet the thought of her near him makes me bare my teeth. We made a deal though.

  “Yes, I will take you.”

  She hesitates, and I can feel her discomfort.

  “What is wrong?”

  “It’s just that… I won’t be able to really talk to him with you there. Can’t I go by myself?”

  I instantly shake my head, and then relent at her disappointment. Methi is standing guard nearby, and I gesture to him. “You will take Methi.”

  “You know, it really pisses me off when you order me like that.”

  I feel my eyes widen in surprise. “What do you mean?”

  She sighs. “Never mind.”

  “No. Tell me.” I pull her close, determined to understand.

  She rolls her eyes. “You’re doing it again.”

  I frown, and she gives me a faint smile. “When you tell me to do something in that tone, it makes me want to do the opposite. I’m not used to being told what to do.”

  “I don’t understand.” I feel her frustration, and she pulls at me, but this conversation seems overdue. Maybe, if I can get this one thing right, my mate will not be so upset with me.

  “Okay. So right now, when you said ‘you will take Methi,’ it instantly got my back up. I know some of it might be a difference in language, but I would have appreciated you saying ‘you can take Methi,’ so I felt like I had a choice. You could even add a please occasionally for bonus points.”

  I mull this over. My mate feels like she has had no choice since she has met me, and I am still making her feel this way. It shames me.

  “I am set in my ways. I will try my best to give you choices and speak to you in a way that pleases you, unless my decisions are regarding your safety. But you may need to remind me.”

  She smiles up at me, eyes sparkling, and my heart stops. “I can do that.”

  Harlow

  Methi leads me down another flight of stairs. There are faster ways of navigating the ship, he tells me, but they will be busy at this time of the day as shifts begin to change. I mentally take note of the time, adding it to the information I’m collecting about the way this ship operates.

  The light begins to become dimmer, and windows are few and far between the further down we go. Eventually, we reach one of the lowest floors, which is heavily guarded. An Arcav male walks toward me, disapproval radiating off him, and I bare my teeth, realizing its Jaret.

  For whatever reason, he has decided he hates me, and I’m fine with it. I don’t trust him one bit, however, and wouldn’t be surprised if he tried to arrange for me to have a convenient accident.

  “What are you doing down here?”

  I bare my teeth in a smile, and Methi holds up a hand. “We have permission from Varian.”

  I raise an eyebrow. Obviously these guys are close enough to Varian to drop some of the titles. At least when he’s not around.

  Jaret sneers at me, and I hold up my middle finger. He looks confused for a moment, and then the dark golden color of his skin deepens even further as he processes what I’m saying.

  Methi shoots Jaret a warning look, and we elbow past him. The hair stands up on the back of my neck, and I turn my head to look at him. He’s staring after me, hatred on his face. I need to watch my back.

  We get to a large door, guarded by two Arcav. They nod and step aside as Methi moves closer, and the door swings open.

  The room is basic, but I let out a relieved breath at the sight of Blake and Tim, who are sitting on a large couch. I had imagined a jail cell, but the room has a small kitchen, dining room table, and sitting area. I’m guessing the doors at the end of the room lead to bedrooms and bathrooms, and I’m surprised. Other than the guards on the doors, I wouldn’t know that the group are prisoners.

  I walk in, and turn as Methi follows me. “You don’t need to be here.”

  He frowns and looks at the group. There are around fifteen members in this room, so I’m assuming some of the others are hanging out in the bedrooms. There may even be another area for other prisoners.

  Blake steps forward. “No one wants to hurt her,” he says, and I meet Tim’s eyes. I wouldn’t go that far, but Methi nods.

  “I’ll be standing outside,” he says warningly, and steps out of the room.

  Blake opens his arms and I give him a hug. “It’s so good to see you. But I’m so sorry you’re here.”

  He grins. “It’s not your fault, Black. I suggested you run, and we all knew what we were doing when we helped.” He steps back and gestures around him, and most of the HAA members nod.

  Cheryl moves forward. “I, uh, want to thank you for what you did for my sister.”

  I look at her blankly. I remember her telling me about her concerns for her young daughters, but nothing about a sister.

  She smiles. “Her name was announced a few days before you were captured. She’s happily married with a two year old, and because of you, she won’t need to even meet any Arcav.”

  I flush with pleasure. These are the stories that make it all worth it. Maybe, with a few more changes, human women will feel like they’re on equal footing with the Arcav.

  “I’m glad I could help,” I tell her honestly, and freeze as Tim steps forward. Blake sends him a look, which he ignores.

  “Do you mind if I talk to you privately?” he asks, shifting uncomfortably.

  “Nope.”

  I follow him through one of the doors, realizing that it leads to another living space. I’m sure this entire area is monitored- there’s no way Varian is allowing these people to hang out together with just a couple of Arcav on the door.

  I sit down, and Tim leans against one of the sofas.

  “I just wanted to apologize,” he says, and my mouth drops open in surprise.

  “I shouldn’t have said what I said, especially in front of all the Arcav.” He holds up his hand, and I wince at his missing pinky. “This was all my fault.”

  “They’re a brutal race,” I tell him honestly, certain Varian is going to watch whatever recordings are being taken of this meeting. “When you challenge them publicly, they have to respond.”

  He nods. “I know. I think in the back of my mind I knew it at the time too, and I wanted to prove to everyone what they were like. Unfortunately, it backfired when you ended up begging for my hand.”

  I wince. “I’m sorry.”

/>   “No,” he says, kneeling down. “You saved me from one of the stupidest decisions of my life. I can deal with losing a pinky. I don’t think I could deal with losing a hand- especially while being taken to their planet.”

  “I get it. I’m sorry it came to that.”

  “Me too.”

  “What happened to your sisters kids?”

  Tim grimaces. “They rounded us all up together. We had no other family, so they were taken with us. They’re being looked after by some human women on this ship- basically the opposite of what I was hoping to achieve by joining HAA,” he says bitterly. “Instead of making the Arcav pay for everything they’ve done, I’ve put those kids in their hands. I can only hope we’ll be able to reunite them with my sister when we arrive.”

  “I’m so sorry.”

  He shrugs. “It might not be all bad. I’ve made my decisions, and if there’s one thing I know, it’s that the Arcav don’t hurt children.

  I nod, and we both look up as the door swings open. Methi stands there, hands on hips as he eyes me. “Time to go,” he says.

  I’ve been here for less than fifteen minutes and I grit my teeth. Small steps. I’ll just have to convince Varian to let me come back tomorrow. I smile. I know just how to convince him.

  Varian

  Harlow seems to be in a better mood the next morning. We had a quiet night last night, and she eats her breakfast with gusto. I’m struck by how much pleasure I receive when she eats food I provide for her.

  “This is delicious,” she says. “How’d you guys learn to cook human food like this?”

  I smile, amused. “Human chefs are cooking for the humans onboard. I ensured that some of the best cooks in the world would travel with us to Arcavia.”

  She bites her lip, and my attention is immediately diverted to those soft, pillowy--”

  “They chose to come, right?”

  “Of course.”

  A relieved look crosses her face and I almost laugh. “Believe it or not, but not all humans have to be chased and bribed onto this ship. Some even beg us to take them with us.”

  “I know that,” she frowns. “We have a name for those humans.”

  I wave my hand and pick up my own eating utensil. I’m eating Arcav food, and I haven’t missed Harlow’s curious looks toward my plate.

  “I don’t mean the Arcs. I mean average humans who want a different life. The chance to travel to a new planet may only happen once in their lifetimes.”

  She nods and takes another bite.

  I watch her, somehow still entranced with every move she makes.

  “I’m having lunch with Chloe and Beth today,” she says, and it takes me a moment to remember who she is referring to. When it comes to human women, I’m interested only in the one in front of me.

  “I will arrange for lunch to be served up here.”

  She smiles. “Can you invite Jennifer? I liked her.”

  “Of course. How was your visit to the prisoners?”

  She shrugs. “Fine. What are you planning to do with them when we arrive?”

  “That will depend on them.”

  “I want to visit them again this morning.”

  I frown, and open my mouth to refuse her—

  “Please.”

  My horns stiffen at the idea of Harlow spending all her free time with traitors, even if she considers them friends.

  “Don’t make me beg you to see my friends,” she warns me, and I almost smile. I’m certain that if I don’t allow her visits, my clever mate will find a way to make it happen without my permission. My cock hardens at the idea of punishing her for her disobedience, and my claws ache as I remember how she cried so sweetly before screaming in pleasure when we first mated.

  “Fine. But you may not go any lower than the second floor.”

  Harlow tilts her head as she looks at me, and I curse internally as I realize I’ve misstepped. Now her curiosity has been awoken.

  I lower my brows. “If you disobey me in this, your punishment will be worse than any before. Your tiny bottom will be red for an entire Earth week.”

  She glares at me and pushes her chair back from the table. I can see her nipples have stiffened beneath her thin shirt, and I’d bet my crown I would find her hot and wet between her legs.

  “Finish your breakfast,” I order, just to see the spark in her eyes.

  “I’m full.” She struts out, flashing me one last displeased look over her shoulder and I grin. I never knew having a mate could be so much fun.

  Chapter 22

  Harlow

  I visit Blake and the other HAA members, but my mind is elsewhere. If there’s a reason that Varian doesn’t want me to see what’s on the floor below me, I have to check it out.

  “Harlow?” Methi is indicating that we need to leave, and I say goodbye to the others. I return Tim’s smile, and follow Methi out the door. I’m meeting the two human girls, Chloe and Beth for lunch today. But first…

  I gesture toward the stairs which go down to the next level. Methi widens his eyes “Uh I don’t think—”

  “I’ll take any consequences, I promise.”

  He folds his arms stubbornly, and I sigh. “I’m going down with or without you, dude. If you want to stay here and wait, that’s fine with me.”

  His expression is so insulted, I almost laugh.

  I know Varian will ‘punish’ me for this, and my entire lower body clenches at the thought. While sex with him is insanely good, he’s been treating me like I’m fragile ever since my little breakdown. My stomach flutters at the idea of his punishment, and I smirk. Turns out I’m a bit of a freak in bed after all. I never thought a man spanking me until I cry would do it for me, but it flat out does.

  Methi’s face is hard, but he follows me down the stairs. This floor is as sprawling as the one above, but there is only one door guarded. The smile leaves my face, and I stare down the guards.

  “No one past here without permission.”

  I never thought I’d say this but here I go. “Do you know who I am?”

  They’re silent, and one of them stares down at his feet. I push relentlessly. “Do you think I would be down here without permission?”

  The guard looks uncertain, and Methi clears his throat behind me but I shoot him a look. This is no longer about pushing Varian’s buttons. If there’s something behind this door that he’s keeping from me, I need to know what it is.

  The guards relent, and I blow out a breath. The doors swing open, and every muscle in my body tenses in fury.

  “Hi, sis.”

  What. The. Fuck

  “What are you doing here?” I hiss.

  Josh holds his hands up. “Calm down.”

  “Calm down?” I can feel tears pricking my eyes and my breath is racing out of control. Varian promised. He promised.

  “Varian said he’d leave you alone!”

  “I asked him to come.”

  I open my mouth but nothing comes out.

  “I begged him, Low.”

  “Why would you do that? I can’t believe you’d do something so stupid!”

  He sighs. “The plant they’re going to give you when you arrive.”

  “Oh, so a human life span isn’t enough for you? You want to be damn near invincible?”

  “It’s not about the life span, although I’m not gonna lie, it sounds great. It cures you of everything, Harlow. I’m sick of wasting my life, switching from one addiction to the next.” His face hardens, and for a second, he doesn’t seem like infuriating big brother. He looks older, worn out, and determined. “I have an addictive personality. It’s a weakness. I go with you guys to Arcavia, and I’ll be able to finally kick all of those addictions that make me so weak. I’ll be the man I always wanted to be.”

  “And what the hell will you do on Arcavia?”

  He shrugs. “Whatever all the other humans will do. I’m sure there will be trips back and forth, maybe I’ll end up back on Earth.”

  “This isn’t a comm
ute to the airport!”

  His sudden grin is so disarming that I turn away, fury rushing through my veins.

  “You know, I can make my own decisions.”

  “So you made a deal with Varian to come along, and you both decided to keep it from me?”

  “You’re not reasonable when it comes to the Arcav. You know it. What would’ve happened if I’d asked you to come?”

  I would’ve refused, damn certain that he wouldn’t be taking one foot off Earth.

  “Well excuse me for trying to protect you.

  Josh laughs, and it’s harsh. “Don’t you get it? It’s my job to protect you. I want to finally be a big brother you can count on, instead of a liability that makes your life harder.”

  I turn and meet his eyes, which are sad. He opens his arms, and I step into them. “It’s good to see you,” I tell him. “Even though you sold me out.”

  His body tenses and he steps back. “I sold you out for fifty thousand dollars, Harlow. I was sick to my stomach after, and I promised myself that I’ll do whatever it takes to make it up to you. Please, just give me a chance.”

  I nod, and move toward the door, wiping at my eyes.

  “Well now that I know you’re here, we can hang out some more. I’ve gotta go- I’m meeting a couple of human women for lunch.”

  “Sure. Hey, don’t go too rough on your alien lover, okay? He’s giving me a fresh start.”

  I make a noncommittal noise as I meet Methi’s eyes and we move back into the hall.

  “Did you know he was here?”

  Methi shifts uncomfortably, and I snort.

  Happiness that I’ll get to see my brother wars with betrayal that Varian kept this from me. He insists on treating me like a child, and I’ve had enough.

  I pause, staring at Methi.

  “He wanted me to know.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “He warned me not to go downstairs because he knew I would. This was his way of letting me find out.”

  While still reserving the right to ‘punish me,’ I’m sure.

  Methi pales, and I turn, staring at the face of the Arcav King.

  “I told you not to come down here.”