Thank fuck. We were all here, together. No transport issues, no last bouts of disaster to mar the way. It was over. The mission to Earth complete. I’d come back whole. More than whole.
“Are you both all right?” I asked, wanting to ensure they were well before anything else. I didn’t want them fainting and hitting their heads.
“Heck, yeah,” Lucy said, grinning. “Just like Star Trek. ‘Beam me up, Scottie.’”
Down off the transport pad stood Governor Maxim, who held little Max in his arms, Lady Rone, Kiel and Surnan.
I looked to our governor and nodded in respect, but the doctor was the one I needed first. I carried Tanner down the steps and directly over to him. “You have the NPUs ready? It’s best to do the insertion now so they’re not afraid.”
The focused and often rigid doctor nodded. He’d received the request from Warden Egara, for which I was grateful. The small NPU insertion tool, the name of which was lost on me, was already in his hand.
Before I allowed the doctor to begin, I looked to Olivia, who came down the steps to stand beside me. “He wishes to put the NPUs in now while they are still out. Can he do yours first so you can understand?”
She did not know the doctor’s language.
“Oh, yes,” she allowed.
“Just turn to the side and tilt your head so he can put it by your temple.” She did as I said and angled her head. She winced when the implant was inserted, but only for a moment. Surnan turned to Lucy. “And you, please.”
“Oh, I understand!” Olivia said, eyes wide.
Lucy frowned.
“It’s your turn for your NPU,” Olivia offered.
“Oh, great.” Lucy bounced over and got into position for Surnan. He was done with her implant in seconds, and she walked off once again to explore.
“It’s time for the children’s implants,” I said.
My cuffs might be on her wrists, but I would look to her for agreement about the children. She nodded and I shifted Tanner so Surnen had access to the side of his head.
WIth a beep of sound, the small chip had been inserted. He waved a wand over him, assessing his health.
“This is my mate, Olivia,” I said to everyone in the room as he did so, although I was sure they’d figured it out on their own.
She stepped forward as Surnan looked to her and offered a slight bow. “My lady. The boy is fine. He will awaken soon, eager to see his new home.”
Olivia smiled and glanced around at everyone. “Hello. It’s nice to have a welcoming committee. This NPU is great.”
Lady Rone came over, smiled and stroked Emma’s curls. “Wulf went to Earth for a reality show but ended up on a soap opera. Hi, I’m Rachel. I’m so glad you’re here.”
“That’s Tanner and this”—Olivia moved a slumped Emma off her shoulder—“is Emma.”
“They won’t feel anything,” Surnan promised, then inserted the chip behind Emma’s little ear. He did a quick health scan of her as well. “She is also healthy, but the transport took all her energy. There is no reason to worry.” He put the tool down and took a ReGen wand from his pocket, first waving it over Emma’s injection site, then Tanner’s. It took all of thirty seconds.
“Finished. They won’t even know of the implants.”
“Thank you, Doctor,” I said.
“May I scan you as well, my lady?” Surnan asked.
I narrowed my eyes, very familiar with Surnan’s need to examine all new mates. “She’s not a bride,” I reminded.
“Surnan has learned his lesson with Mikki,” Rachel said with a raised eyebrow.
He held up his hands, the small scanner between his fingers. “A scan only. For your mate and her friend.”
I’d forgotten Lucy, who was standing by the transport tech looking at the controls. “This is Lucy Vandermark.”
Lucy came over and shook the doctor’s hand. “Nice to meet you. You don’t look like an Atlan.”
He offered her a small smile. “No. I am from Prillon Prime. With your permission, I will scan your health with this wand, ensuring the transport caused no harm.”
Lucy studied Surnan. With his gold skin tone and more severe features, he had to be intriguing to her. Plus, his integrations were visible.
“Except for the coloring, you remind me of Spock,” she said with a ready smile and a shrug. “Go for it.”
He scanned her, then Olivia. Since she stood directly beside me, his scan picked up some of my data as well. “Warlord, you still have a fever.” His gaze dropped to my cuffs, his relief visible when he confirmed they were on my wrists.
“Yes, my mating fever is still upon me. I have yet to claim my mate.”
He took a step back, as if my beast was going to come out and rip his head off. “You must do something about that.”
Olivia blushed and I only raised my eyebrow.
“We saw the last show. Oh my God, I have to ensure that Ruth Sanchez woman doesn’t get a second chance at finding a match,” Rachel said, worry lacing her voice.
I thought of Ruth, of her vindictive, manipulative ways. I had no idea why I’d been so upset she’d rejected me. Looking back, I considered myself fortunate.
Maxim joined his wife, and little Max patted her shoulder. Rachel lifted his hand and kissed the palm. “I saw her antics. We can’t judge her for her behavior. The second test, if she chose to volunteer, would put her once again with an Atlan who could tame her wild ways.”
“More likely she’d end up on Trion over her mate’s knee,” Kiel said, coming to join us.
I couldn’t argue with him. I was thankful Ruth Sanchez wasn’t mine.
“What about the show?” Olivia asked.
Rachel huffed out a laugh. “After Wulf stormed off—again—Chet Bosworth spoke about how he really must have met his mate in you, Olivia. He got all gushy and sappy, and the audience ate it up. I did. I spoke with Warden Egara. The plan is to interview her about how all transported here, together. A happy ending.”
She sighed.
I frowned. “What of the mess at the ball?” I asked, worried it might adversely affect females from volunteering—my ultimate reason for going to Earth in the first place.
Maxim took a step toward us. “It’s still being cleaned up.”
Right, we’d transported directly from the event.
“You’ll be a hero, ridding Earth of a drug kingpin who’d wreaked havoc on the entire eastern seaboard of the United States, or so I’ve been told.”
“I am not a hero. I wanted my mate.”
Rachel grinned and pointed at me. “That’s why women are going to line up to get tested. Nice job, hot stuff.”
Tanner began to stir in my arms, then lifted his head. “Woof, are we at your house now?”
He looked around the room, his eyes wide. “Hi! I’m Tanner from Erf.”
Surnan smiled at him. “There are other boys and girls here who are eager to meet you.”
Tanner popped right up in my hold as if he’d been reinflated with energy. “There are?”
“I have a boy who is a little older than you,” Kiel said. “His name is Wyatt. I’ve told him about you, and he should be here—”
The transport room door slid open and in raced Wyatt. His mother, Lindsey, was a few seconds behind. The boy was human, and if I remembered correctly, around six or seven years old.
“—right now.”
“My dad said a boy was coming from Earth!” Wyatt said, wiggling around and practically bursting with excitement. He was missing his top two front teeth.
Tanner wiggled in my hold, and I lowered him to his feet. “I’m Tanner and I’m four.” He patted his chest.
“I’m Wyatt and I was born on Earth. Then I came here to live, like you. I’m digging for dinosaur bones. Want to help?”
Tanner spun around and looked up at Olivia. “You have dinosaurs here?”
“Not real ones. I like to pretend.”
“Can I? Can I?” Tanner asked.
At the sound
of his loud, eager voice, Emma woke up, glanced around and blinked.
Tanner’s face, that happiness, filled me with joy. It wouldn’t ease the fever like Olivia could, but it definitely settled my restless spirit. His wonder and excitement at the world around him—whether it was on Earth or on The Colony—was infectious. It wasn’t something I wanted Surnen to cure.
“I’m Lindsey.” She came over and set a hand on Wyatt’s shoulder. “It’s fine if Tanner goes with us. By the look of it, it would go bad if he didn’t. I’m sure you’ve got things to do.”
Lindsey grinned and it seemed like everyone knew my business.
“Oh, um. Sure,” Olivia replied.
“Tanner,” I said.
He looked up at me. “Do you remember playing Hunter the other day?”
He nodded, his hair flopping over his forehead.
“Wyatt’s father is that guy.” I pointed at Kiel. “He’s Everian, as I told you about, and the best Hunter I know. I bet he and Wyatt can teach you some things.”
His mouth fell open, and he stared at Kiel wide-eyed. Kiel, who was a quiet male by nature, grinned down at Tanner and fluffed his hair. “Come on, Earthling. Wulf’s going to show your mother your new quarters. Maybe you can spend the night with Wyatt, and he can show you around. All right?”
Tanner could only nod, then looked up at Olivia. She was still his touchstone. She bent down and kissed his head. “Digging for dinosaur bones and learning how to hunt?”
He nodded, wiggled some more.
“Have fun,” she murmured. “Good manners!”
He and Wyatt tore out of the transport room at warp speed. Everyone laughed at their enthusiasm and easy bond. Kiel took Lindsey’s hand, and they walked toward the exit. “We’ll watch him,” he said, looking over his shoulder. “Don’t worry. Get rid of that fever.”
“Yes, Warlord,” Maxim added, patting his son on the back. “As your governor, I order you to take your mate to your quarters and claim her. End that mating fever. Finally.”
I couldn’t help but grin, and my beast circled and practically snarled at me to take her already.
“We’ll take Emma,” Rachel said, eyes full of hope because I had a feeling she had a desire for another child, and a girl at that. “Max is a little younger, but we’ve got toys and things to keep her entertained. Also, our quarters are very toddler-proof.”
“She’s a little clingy. I don’t want her to fuss the whole time,” Olivia advised, stroking Emma’s hair. While Tanner hadn’t been shy, Emma was.
“I’m a familiar face,” Lucy said, coming over to Olivia and holding out her hands. Emma leaned toward her and went willingly into Lucy’s arms. “See? We’ll have fun on a new planet, won’t we? Maybe we can find a growly beast for me?” Lucy asked Emma, who giggled.
Lucy turned and started toward the exit, although she had no idea where she was going. I had to remember to thank her later. Claiming a mate in beast mode wasn’t easy to accomplish with small children.
“All settled then. Have fun!” Rachel said, waggling her eyebrows. She made it halfway to the door, then turned around. “Oh, Wulf. Thank you for doing such a good job on Earth. It didn’t go as expected… but I think it turned out pretty darn well.”
Maxim slung his free arm over her shoulder, and they waited for my response.
I glanced down at Olivia. “Yes. It turned out pretty darn well.”
“Claim the woman,” Maxim said again.
I didn’t have to be told twice. Jimmy Steel was dead. Ruth Sanchez was light-years away. The Bachelor Beast, Chet Bosworth and all the insanity from the past few weeks were left behind on Earth. I had my mate, I had the children—who were being well observed—and it was time.
I turned to fully face Olivia, bending at the waist so we were eye level. I cupped her face in my hands. “Are you all right with the children going off with the others? I know you don’t know them, but I trust them with my life. Lindsey is the one who organized the Bachelor Beast and my being the one sent to Earth. I should yell at her, but honestly I’m thankful. I have you. Tanner and Emma. I vow that they will be fine while I claim you.”
Her eyes searched mine and she nodded. “I know. I want you to claim me. Please? I don’t want to wait.”
My beast agreed and growled at the way she begged. My mind flashed to earlier when she stood before Jimmy Steel, his dirty hands on her. My beast was fierce but weak for her. We had to know she was whole. Safe. Ours. To do that, I would feel her heat surround my cock, feel her lush curves beneath the press of my body. I’d fill her with my cum and my beast would growl and finally… finally be at peace.
Leaning down, I tossed Olivia over my shoulder and carried her out of the room, my hand on her ass.
“Wulf!” she cried, laughing.
“You’re mine, Olivia, and it’s time to prove it.”
Olivia
* * *
I had no idea how long he carried me, but all I could feel was how strong he was. My hands were on his lower back and butt, and I felt the play of muscles with every step. I caught the glint of the cuffs and smiled. I couldn’t see anything of my new home, only a hallway floor that went on and on. I saw other people’s legs, so I knew there were others around, but Wulf made no effort to speak to anyone or make introductions.
A door slid open, and Wulf stepped inside, then carefully lowered me to my feet. With a big hand on my waist, he ensured I wasn’t light-headed before he kissed me. Right there. I had to assume we were in his quarters, but I couldn’t see anything around him.
Not that I cared. The kiss was like a match, and it lit a flame inside me. No, not a flame, an inferno. There had been the show and Ruth’s… well, bitchiness. Then Jimmy Steel. Wulf had been shot. Shot! I’d been on an emotional roller coaster, but now we were here on The Colony. Safe and together.
Tanner and Emma were having fun and, well, not here. I could have sex with Wulf and not have to keep quiet. There was no way on Earth… ha! There was no way I could do that. Not this time. Not when I knew this was for real. That he was mine.
His hands cupped my cheeks, and I reached up, held his wrists. Felt the cuffs around them.
“Wulf,” I whispered against his lips. “I need you.”
A growl rumbled from his chest, and beneath my palms I felt him grow. Pulling back, I watched, as I had on the show, as he turned into his beast. His clothes tore, his muscles and bones somehow magically grew bigger, longer. Harder. It amazed me how tall he became. I had to tilt my head so far back to meet his wild, feral eyes.
“Mine,” he breathed. His chest heaved, and he watched me. Waited.
“Yes. Yes, Wulf, I’m yours.”
There was nothing else to say. I belonged to him in all ways. He’d proven himself to belong to me. Now I would give myself to him in his claiming. He needed it to survive. Just as he’d risked his life for me back in New York, I would give mine to him. To heal. To be whole.
He grabbed me by the hips and picked me up, walked until I was pressed against the wall. It was like the back room the other night. Pinned. Lucy had said Atlans claimed their females standing. Well, his beast was claiming me now.
God, yes.
I was hot all over, the need for him making me frantic, and I didn’t have an inner beast. I understood his need to feel closer, to connect with me in the most elemental way.
My clothing, the beautiful dress I never wanted to see again, was torn away, falling to the floor, but I didn’t pay any attention. His hands were on me. His mouth. I felt the press of his body, the thrust of his hips at my center. I rocked into him, needing more contact.
Hoisting me higher, he took my nipple into his mouth, sucked and tugged, nipped with his teeth. His other hand cupped and played with my other breast, and I was pinned in place with his hips.
“More, Wulf. More.” I tugged at his hair, pulling him closer.
Our breathing was all that could be heard. I felt him work down his pants, and the hot prod of his cock was at my
entrance.
He lifted his head, looked me in the eye. I saw the need, the heat, the raging passion that was focused all on me.
“Mine.” His hands slid up my arms, pushed them over my head so my wrists were pinned in his grip.
With that one word, he pulled me down onto him as he thrust deep.
I arched my back, cried out at the feel of him. So big. So deep. I was wet for him, dripping, and had eased his way, but his cock was impressive.
He didn’t hold back now. I knew he couldn’t. I didn’t want him to. I wanted everything from him. All Wulf.
“Yes!” I cried, my head falling back against the wall as he took me. I could do nothing but feel. The strength of him. The thrust of his cock as he mastered my body. The sound of him, fierce snarls and groans. The heat from his skin made me sweat.
But it was the connection I’d never felt before. Never imagined could be between two people.
“I’m going to come. Oh God!” I rippled around him and then came, white lights dancing before my eyes as I screamed his name, over and over like a mantra.
I felt him thicken within me, throb, and as he thrust deep one last time, he roared. I would swear the walls shook, that the entire base knew Wulf had come, filling me with his seed. Ending his fever, soothing his beast and making me his. Finally.
His warm breath fanned my neck as he held me in place. He was still hard inside me, filling me, but I could feel the cum seep from me. Claiming was a messy, sweaty business, but it made me smile.
“When I can feel my fingers, let’s do that again,” I said.
He lifted his head, looked at me. He wasn’t recovered. In fact, he looked overcome. As if he’d spurted his life force into my pussy. Slowly he lowered my arms and kissed me. Gently. Sometime during my recovery, his beast had diminished and he was Wulf again. All sweaty brow and stunned look.
“Again. And again. We have all night.”
I stroked his damp hair as I met his dark gaze. Shook my head. “We have the rest of our lives. Mate.”
He turned and carried me through his quarters to a bed, laid me upon it. “The rest of our lives,” he repeated, his cock still deep. He pulled back, then thrust again, making me cry out in pleasure. “But we’ll start now.”
Bachelor Beast Page 16
