Devlin's Darling

by Pearl Tate

  They will need to replace more than Benard to straighten this shit-hole out.

  I considered leaving the dome a few times in the first year I was on the planet. But I like the convenience of having my meals available whenever I request them. Plus, I like beds along with other modern comforts—like toilets. My life before I got here was pampered, and I wasn’t sure I could survive in the wilds outside the dome. I’ve never even been in a forest.

  Benard’s men never tried to antagonize or rape me after I killed one the first day. That would’ve been stupid. I’ve always been bigger and stronger than almost every other male I know.

  Walking down the hall, I pick out Brice standing with another male I’ve never seen before. This must be Selas. The others that came with him have spread out around the entrance.

  “Devlin.” Selas holds out his arm to clasp mine. No one’s offered that since my arrival.

  Stepping back, I resist the urge to be amicable. I’m aggravated he’s here and I will not pretend I’m happy to see him. “What do you want?”

  Turning to Brice, he waves him off. “Can you give us some privacy?” He doesn’t turn back until he’s out of earshot. “I have good news—”

  “I’m getting off this rock?” Laughing coldly, I look him up and down, sizing up his smaller frame in the Discovery uniform. Lucky bastard.

  “Better.” He words surprise me. What could be better than my freedom? “Brice told me he talked with you about the shuttle with females yesterday?”

  When he waits for a response, I grit out, “Yes.”

  “One of those females mated to someone in our crew and led him to this planet—to her. She was in Benard’s room about to be violated. Three other females were recovered with her and one of them has mating marks. I’m guessing they match yours.”

  There’s nothing I can say. I wasn’t expecting that. Mating marks? The marks on my body are mating marks? “I thought I was sick. Maybe a parasite…”

  Selas laughs and just shakes his head.

  Automatically, I rub my hands across my tight, tingling skin. I’m trying to remember what I ever learned about mates. It was a long time ago, and I never learned much. What I was taught, I learned through the sanctuary. As a child told old stories, I always assumed they were fiction.

  I recognize a tinge of relief knowing I’m not sick. I don’t feel sick, just uptight and angry. My sleep is restless, and the dreams have gotten more vivid. There’s been a beautiful female in them, but I’ve been celibate for a long time. That’s to be expected.

  “I can’t have a mate.” Even I can make out the regret in my voice.

  Selas laughs. “I don’t think you get a choice. Can you take off your shirt?”

  Humoring him, I pull it off and toss it on the ground. “You don’t understand. I can’t have a mate because I have Canesta resistance. It doesn’t work on me.”

  Selas looks up from the tablet where he’s looking back and forth from my chest to it. “That’s unfortunate.”

  “Yes. Especially since it’s what got me sent here.” I watch him visibly relax. I’m not exactly sure why I told him that, but there’s no sense in hiding it. He may have already known but based on his reaction, he didn’t.

  “I’m glad to hear that because when your mate asked me why you’re here, I wasn't aware why and couldn’t tell her.” He throws up his free hand. “I won’t tell her. I’ll leave that up to you.”

  “But this won’t work.” I insist again. “I’m broken. How can I have a mate?” He’s still talking like this is a sure thing. How will I be able to have her mount me to reproduce?

  “Well, as you can imagine, we’re all surprised. It’s only been about thirty rotations since our captain of the Discovery, Bren, found his human mate. She was on a floating lab around a planet during our travels. Since then, his brother Matthias has found his mate… and now you. There’s no set pattern. You’re just lucky.”

  Lucky. Right.

  Similar to how I was lucky when my Ermada decided I was her new favorite? Lucky, because I was large all over and she preferred my cock over the others?

  “Do you want to see her?” He doesn’t wait for an answer. Instead, he turns the display around to show me a picture of the woman from my dreams. Growling, I grab the tablet from his hands.

  She’s exposing her chest. Not to her breasts but low enough to show her mating marks at the top of her neck. My eyes leave her chest to study her features more closely.

  She’s beautiful. Long, golden brown hair falls from her head but it’s her eyes that are startling. A beautiful blue. So clear.

  She’s wearing metal around them. When I trace them on the display, I realize that Selas has moved next to me, looking at her too.

  “They call those glasses. Humans use them to correct their vision. They don’t have the technology we do. I suspect that once your nanos enter her system, her eyes will be corrected, and she won’t need them.”

  Reluctantly, I pass back the tablet. She’s beautiful and all I want to do is stare at her. She produces a craving inside me. Like a pang of hunger, it makes me want more.

  Now that I’m not looking at her any longer, my irritability returns. “One of the blessings of this planet was the lack of females. Their rules no longer control me.”

  “I think you are misunderstanding the situation.” Looking around, he notes my hall and living conditions. “These are not Quasar females or council members. They’re an entirely new species that have been abducted from their life and sucked into ours. She’s alone.”

  Pointing down at his tablet, his voice gets stronger. “She didn’t ask for this any more than you did, but she’s taking it well. In her mind, she just woke up from being taken. Then she’s told she has a mate. Humans don’t have mates and she doesn’t have any idea how it will change her—just like you.”

  She’s alone? I’ve been alone a long time too. Shaking my head, I push off my pity. “I don’t know…”

  “I brought you a nanup with her dialect.” He holds out the round cylinder holding water with my nano’s update between us. “Just get cleaned up and come over to the warden’s old place. You should come and at least meet her. We've no idea what will happen if you fight the pull between you. I’d rather not find out.”

  “What do you mean?” Part of me thinks he’s just trying to bully me. It makes me even more resistant.

  “Bren and Matthias glimpsed their mates in their Daily Reflections. Have you?”

  Daily reflections. Another aspect of our upbringing that I’ve ignored since coming here. Our society was quick to abandon me with murderers. Leaving me on a prison planet for not being able to get an erection. Why should I believe or follow any of our religion or traditions? It’s just another thing I’m trying to forget.

  “No. It's been since before I arrived.” I won’t lie to him though. “I dreamed of her. I recognize her face.”

  “That’s good. We are beginning to understand the daily reflections were to calm us. You may want to start while going through this transition. Your body is undergoing a change.”

  Selas steps closer, pushing the nanup into my chest and dropping his voice. “Come meet her. She’s a sweet person. If you don’t come to claim her, others will try.” I’m immediately angry. She’s mine.

  I don’t even realize I’ve pinned him to the wall by the shoulders. He doesn’t fight. “Breathe, Devlin. Breathe through it.”

  He’s right. I stumble back and slump against the opposite wall. Acting as if nothing happened, he moves closer and lightly tosses the nanup at me. I automatically catch it.

  “That impulse will only get worse. She’s yours. Come meet her.” He moves towards the door but only puts his back to it and stops. “She’s cleaning up and then I’ve promised to take her out to see her new home. You should escort her.”

  “You’re going to parade her around in front of the other males?” My angry growl just makes him smirk.

  “Maybe you should come over and control w
here the tour goes then. Since you know this place so much better than I do.” He’s laughing as he walks out.

  I watch the others fall behind him, moving back to the main building, but I don’t really see them. A fucking female. A mate. That’s forever.

  In this prison, I’ve worked to foster the name Devlin the Devil. Pushing everyone away and coming across as mean and volatile. After my Ermada dismissed me, I promised myself I would never care for another.

  She took me in, elevated me, used me and then discarded me like a toy that was no longer wanted. Females can’t be trusted. I’ll go meet her but I’m not excited to do it.

  CHAPTER SIX

  - Jenny

  I’m nervous. Extremely nervous.

  Selas came back after an hour or so. I might have napped more, but it feels like I’m still waking up. He said that’s a common side effect and would wear off in the next day or so.

  Even though I’m nervous, part of the butterfly feeling is because of excitement. I’m on an alien planet! I’ve looked out the windows and we are under a huge dome. I’m not sure why yet but I plan to find out.

  Selas walks me out and down a long hallway on the way to where they are having me stay. We don’t leave the building, but we do go up a floor. Everything looks very utilitarian in soft grays and ivory.

  We pass a lot of other alien men and they all appear to wear their hair long. And when I say long, I mean it’s almost all the way down their back and that’s after it’s braided. I have so many questions, but I want to wait to ask Devlin. With how nervous I am, I want to have something to talk about. What better than about his hair or customs?

  “This will be your place here.” The door slides open soundlessly, and we walk into a good sized home. It’s bigger than the condo my Aunt Donna has in the city. The living area’s large with what must be their version of couches and chairs. Nothing looks that much different until he takes me off to the left where the kitchen area is. I don’t recognize anything but the sink.

  I can see into the bedrooms and there are two with a bathroom between them. “Thank you. This is so nice!”

  Selas’s features soften at my comment. “I realize you want to get cleaned up now. Would you like the clothes you’re wearing to get washed? I'm sure I can find something new for you to change into if you prefer?”

  Looking down at my knee-length jean skirt and dark green Henley, I shrug. “I’d be fine in this if you don’t mind.” I haven’t seen any women. Female clothing might be hard to come by. And what if they bring me back a jumpsuit like his?

  I own a pair of culottes I’ve put on for biking but other than that, I’ve never worn pants. With my conservative upbringing, skirts are all I wear.

  “Let me show you how to use the cleaner so you can throw them in while you take a shower.”

  Selas is a patient teacher as he shows me the strange machine in the wall that will wash and dry my clothes. After he sets it up so I only need to shut the door and push a button, he walks me through what he calls the “facility”. Everything is motion activated and just a tiny bit different from what I’m used to.

  Once he leaves, I strip off my clothing and underwear to start their version of a washing machine. Padding naked into the bathroom, I feel a bit deviant. But Selas assured me that no one has access to this apartment but him. Standing under the warm spray in the shower, I can’t help wondering what Devlin will be like.

  So far, this place doesn’t seem like a prison. I haven’t seen any jail cells with bars as we have back on Earth. In fact, it looks like a small town from the window. Selas says this hall is all occupied by his men and he would be right next door.

  I’m a bit overwhelmed when I get out and realize I don’t have a comb. Looking through the bathroom, I finally give up and dress. Somewhat disappointed, I wander into the kitchen and rummage through the drawers there. Sure enough, I find a long-handled fork I take into the living area. Sitting down, I start to work through my hair from the ends.

  A sharp beeping noise has me looking up as Selas steps inside with another male right behind him. Could this be Devlin?

  I wouldn’t be disappointed if it was. So far, I haven’t seen any unattractive men. Their height is a bit intimidating. I’m five and a half feet and they seem to be pushing seven.

  “Jenny, meet Samena. He’s working with me here and will take some time to walk with us. If I'm not aware of the answer or I get called away, he can continue your tour. You were interested in walking outside, correct?”

  Samena smiles but stays by the door while Selas comes into where I stand by the couch. “Hi Samena. Uh… yes. I just need to finish combing out my hair.” I hold up my fork instrument laughing. “I doubt this is what it’s meant for since I found it in the kitchen, but it would be nice to look my best.”

  Selas looks dismayed. “I’m sorry, Jenny. I totally forgot you would need an instrument for that.” He turns to Samena. “Can you please send a communication up to Hannah? If they would put together a package of clothing, toiletries, and any other items Jenny may need, we can get it down here quickly.”

  “Tell her I say thanks too,” I interject quickly. I feel like an uninvited guest that just happened to show up and pull everyone away from their duties. Samena probably just loves running around getting ladies stuff. “Are you guys sure you don’t mind taking me out for a while? I don't mind just staying here if you have things you need to get accomplished.”

  “No, don’t feel that way. We don’t mind. Everyone will be asking us about you later. They’ll be very envious that we could spend time with you.” Selas looks at Samena who nods seriously in agreement.

  I blush. I can sense the heat creep up my neck, so I turn to continue working through my hair. “Well, thank you. I’m just excited to see everything.”

  “Yes, and I expect we’ll see Devlin here shortly.” When I turn back to look at Selas, he’s looking at Samena seriously.

  “Did you talk to him? What’s he like?” I immediately notice how foolish I sound. Like I have a crush on him.

  “Grumpy.” Selas sinks into the chair next to the sofa, waving at me to do the same. “He didn’t recognize what the marks were on his body. Many of our people have very limited education. They aren't informed about our history and it hadn’t dawned on him that this could be what it was. He thought he was sick with a parasite.”

  I cringe. Are those common? That’s kind of scary. Poor Devlin.

  “I’m not going to tell you too much about his history because I think you should get to know one another together. He’s nervous, though.” He shrugs as he leans back in the chair.

  I let out a relieved breath. Thank goodness I won’t be the only one!

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  - Jenny

  I’m disappointed the longer my tour goes on. Selas and Samena have been great though. They walk me next door to the place where I cleaned up. They have a condo almost identical to mine set up with all kinds of high-tech equipment. It's being used as an office and communication center.

  By the time we walk outside, I’ve met at least five other men. I can tell I’m tired since I can’t recall any of their names. As soon as we step out, Selas grips my elbow and leans in murmuring, “There he is.”

  I’ve already spotted him. It’s as if my body knows he’s there because a flush of excitement shoots through me. He’s about forty feet away, standing and staring at the building. And now right at me.

  I stare back at him silently. I’m curious what he’ll do. Should I go to him or will he come to me? The decision is made when he walks towards us quickly.

  Devlin gets more handsome the closer he gets. His presence is commanding, his posture erect—and menacing. His square face is classically beautiful with a strong jaw, large expressive eyes, and high cheekbones.

  He’s wearing a yellow shirt and pants. They’re bright, but it doesn’t appear feminine on him. I don’t think anything could. Even the long, dark hair that's expertly woven down the back of his head,
doesn’t look girly. Part of the lack of femininity is the pure scale of him. As he gets closer, I realize how large he is.

  Samena drops behind me but Selas stands his ground, still holding my elbow lightly. Devlin’s jaw twitches on his tan face as he stops in front of us. He looks angry and despite my attraction, I take a small step back.

  Selas steps between us as he closes the distance. “Devlin! I’m so glad you’re here.” Releasing my elbow, he waves briefly at me. “This is Jenny from Earth.”

  “Hello.” My voice squeaks with nervousness and I feel heat on my neck as I blush, trying to maintain eye contact. Selas didn’t mention he’s almost a head taller than him and built like a football player. I gaze up at him with my heart thumping.

  Devlin doesn’t say a word, just stares at me. Selas must sense the need to keep the conversation going because he adds, “Jenny’s been asking about you. She was eager to meet you.” The stupid smile on his face reminds me of an antagonistic older brother.

  I’m dying of embarrassment! Why did he have to mention that? Just kill me now…

  Dropping my eyes to Devlin’s feet, I feel myself turn even redder. Even though Devlin isn’t human, he’s still the most attractive man I’ve ever seen. Even in the bright yellow scrub-style outfit everybody around here wears.

  My mind searches for an excuse to go back inside. I don’t need this embarrassment. I knew this wouldn’t work for me.

  Devlin is the epitome of every naughty—and sinful—dream guy. He’ll never want a plain, thin, and sick woman like me. We aren’t even the same species, but he has to see how different I am.

  “I’m sorry I took so long, Jenny.” His deep, gravely words send a thrill through my nerve endings. His voice vibrates the air around me like a stroke to my skin.

  My eyes work their way back up his body. His feet are huge! His yellow pants fit snugly around his thighs and I jerk my vision to his face before I chicken out.