Claimed by the Warrior (6 page)

“Would you like to see how it works?”

Grinning, she nodded at him. Her smile was enough to make him lose his train of thought. Unable to find his voice, he motioned to the stone circular area on the floor next to the enclosed shower.

“This is it?” She looked at the circle, which appeared to be a decorative addition to the flooring.

“Just stand there.”

Eyeing him dubiously, she stepped onto it. The moment her body heat activated it, the dryer started. Small holes opened up beneath her feet and warm air from below and the tube in the ceiling above pumped over her.

She yelped at the sudden rush of air and jumped out of it. Immediately the air ceased. But her loosely braided hair had come undone, the dark strands wild around her shoulders and face. Laughing, she brushed at them. “This is a little different than the original design, but I like it. Definitely more aesthetically pleasing.” Groaning, she tugged free the ribbon holding the end of her braid together and started finger combing her hair. She muttered something about looking like a mess, but she was mistaken.

“You look beautiful,” he said before he could contemplate whether it was wise to be honest.

Her dark eyes widened in surprise and her cheeks once again flushed crimson. He couldn’t decide if that was a good thing, but he liked the reaction. Some primal instinct had him taking a step closer to her. When she sucked in a sharp breath, all his muscles tightened. She wasn’t moving away, a very good sign. She’d worn some of the clothing he’d bought her and the sight of her in the snug pants and body-hugging fur made his mouth water. He liked knowing she wore something he’d given her.

After one step, he froze. A distant noise pricked his ears. Bootsteps. An irrational sense of disappointment flooded him. It would be one of his men, either to question him about the project or simply to see Leilani.

He’d wanted to spend more time alone with her. Which was ridiculous since he had no need for a mate. Or he hadn’t thought so until this human female had come into his life. For so long all he’d cared about was making sure his warriors were trained and keeping the planet safe. Being around Leilani made him want more. He’d seen what losing a female had done to his fathers, but he still found himself drawn to Leilani.

“What is it?” She gently touched his forearm.

The feel of her smooth fingers against his skin made everything in him go still. He didn’t move because he didn’t want to break the connection. “Nothing. I hear someone entering the residence.”

She blinked. “You have really good hearing.”

“Have dinner with me tonight,” he blurted. He hadn’t meant to ask her but the words escaped of their own volition. The need to make sure she was with him tonight and not some random male clawed at him. Clearly human females made males insane. Or maybe just one human female in particular.

“If that was a request, then I’d love to.” When her cheeks tinged pink he had to actually bite back a groan. He wanted to see her entire body flushed with the pleasure he gave her.

When she smiled, it lit up her entire face and made him feel like he had when he’d completed his first round of Samio training so many years ago. Con forced all emotions from his face as he turned to the entryway. He was leader for a reason and his warriors could not see him acting like a fool over a female.

When Einar entered, Con stepped slightly in front of Leilani. He angled his body so the movement seemed natural, but he did not want this male near her. As tall as Con, Einar had white-blond hair and was apparently good looking according to females. He also desired to take over Con’s position as leader, though he’d never voiced his intentions.

Instead of simply challenging him, the male tried to play manipulative games. It was not the warrior way and it had grown tiresome. That, Con could have dealt with, but he had a suspicion that Einar had been behind recent construction delays. If there was another one, Con was having the male removed from his sector.

“So this is the human female.” Einar’s gaze landed on Leilani, something assessing in it making Con want to take his short sword and run the male through.

The violent urge made him pause.

“I have a name.” Leilani’s voice held an edge to it that made Con want to smile. She came to stand next to him, ignoring the way he’d positioned himself in front of her. But she placed her hand lightly on his forearm as she’d done earlier.

He wondered if she was aware of it. It felt as if she was reaching to him more for protection than any sense of claiming him in front of another warrior. Either way, it pleased him.

“Of course, my apologies. I’m Einar.” The other male smiled pleasantly, but it didn’t reach his eyes.

“What do you want? I am busy,” Con said. With any other warrior he wouldn’t have been so brusque but he wanted Einar gone.

Next to him Leilani jolted slightly. Perhaps because of his rude tone. She stepped closer to him though, her fingers tightening a fraction. A raw, protective instinct surged through him. He wanted to tug her closer and wrap his arm around her shoulders. Her scent was exotic and sweet, so similar to the rare, bright purple
arilod
flowers found only in the mountain regions. For some reason, unknown even to their scientists, the flowers only flourished in the cold.

Einar’s mouth pulled into a thin line. “There is a problem with the construction in sector C. I came to report it to you.”

The male could have simply contacted him on his communicator, something they both knew. No doubt Einar wanted to see Leilani. Not that Con could blame the male for that. But another delay gave Con an official reason to release Einar from this sector. Perhaps the goddess had smiled on him today.

“Leilani, will you excuse us?” He needed to speak to Einar privately and even though the male’s mere presence angered him, Con would not embarrass him in front of another.

She glanced at him, her dark eyes questioning. The trace of worry in them, as if she didn’t want to leave him alone, surprised him. Perhaps she was worried about him? The concept was ridiculous as he could take care of himself, but the thought that she cared was appealing. He nodded once and she strode from the room. It took all his restraint not to watch the soft sway of her ass in those pants. Purchasing them had been a brilliant choice. He needed to buy her more.

Shelving those thoughts, he focused on Einar. “Effective immediately, Ruari is replacing you as supervisor in sector C. You can remain on the construction squad, return to the Samio or request to move to another sector. I will grant any transfer request.”

Einar’s expression morphed to one of rage. Con had known this would shock the male, but he was done dealing with him. Einar had transferred here six moon cycles ago and since almost day one he had been a problem. Now Con understood why his former leader had allowed the male to transfer. His file and records were exemplary—the male
was
quite skilled as a warrior and had a head for construction—but he was too power hungry and did not care about his warrior brethren. If Con had to guess, the male was behind the construction delays in an attempt to make Con look inept. In reality Einar had only hurt himself, because regardless, this delay had sealed his fate.

His entire body stiffened and for one moment Einar looked as if he might draw his pulse weapon. “You’re relieving me of my duty?”

“The delays in sector C have become too extensive and we cannot afford any more. It is almost a full moon cycle behind the other sectors.” He would not give any other excuse or reason. Einar knew why he was being relieved and nothing would change Con’s mind. Something the male was aware of. “Let me know your decision in a week. If you cannot decide I will place you. Dismissed.” Con jerked his chin toward the entryway. He would follow the male out because the most primitive part of him did not trust this male at his back.

Instead of leaving, the male dragged in a sharp breath. “You cannot even convince a weak human female to give you updated files, yet you’re letting
me
go?”

The insult against Leilani scraped at Con’s nerves, but he didn’t let it show. He didn’t want this male to see that she mattered to him. It might make her a target. “I have all necessary plans as of two hours ago. And I have changed my mind, you will be transferring. Give me your destination location in a week.” Because he needed this male gone for more than simply work reasons.

Jaw clenched tight, Einar turned on his heel and strode from the room. Con was right behind him, not willing to let him near Leilani. As they exited the hallway he was surprised to see both Cyn and Ruari flanking Leilani in the living area.

The two males must have known Einar was coming here. He nodded once at his brother, who understood what he wanted.

Cyn stepped forward. Though a solar cycle younger than him, his brother was strong and capable and if anything happened to Con, he knew his brother could easily take over as leader. “Escort him to his quarters,” Con said to his brother.

Einar jerked to a halt, his eyes blazing murder as he turned to glare at the two of them. Con kept his expression neutral, knowing it would anger the male more than any show of emotion. Einar’s hands balled into fists, but after glancing between Con and Cyn, he stormed from the residence.

As Cyn followed, Con turned toward Leilani and Ruari. Though he hated to leave her in the protection of another male, he
did
trust Ruari to keep her safe. “You are now in charge of sector C. I need to change the passcodes and revoke Einar’s access to everything. Take Leilani back to my quarters and meet me in your sector. We have much to discuss.”

Ruari nodded in agreement. He didn’t appear surprised by the change. Everyone had been waiting for Einar to be dismissed. Nothing else needed to be said.

Con turned to Leilani. He felt awkward, unsure what to say. “I will see you this evening.” The words came out harsher than he’d intended, but she gave him a soft smile and nodded.

Knowing that he would have some private time with her in the coming hours made leaving her bearable. He wondered if she would be counting down until she got to see him, the way he would be doing.

Chapter 5

“So who was that male?” Leilani asked Ruari as he escorted her down another corridor. The walls were partially stone, partially fabricated material.

“An asshole.”

“I gathered that. What was his deal though?” She didn’t want to see that male again.

He shot her a confused look. “Why do you wish to know?”

“Because I’m curious. That male gave me the super creeps.” There had been something off in his pale blue eyes. She’d immediately known he hadn’t liked her, but she was pretty certain it wasn’t her specifically. He probably didn’t like females. Which seemed strange considering the other males here were desperate for one.

Ruari’s brow furrowed. “That is bad?”

“Uh, yeah. Are you sure Cyn doesn’t need backup or something?” The way Con had ordered his brother to escort the guy to his living quarters had been a huge slap in the face to that male. Even she’d realized how insulting it was. The male had looked almost murderous.

“He is a capable male. Con would not have sent him if he didn’t trust his fighting abilities… You care what happens to Cyn?” The look in his eyes was more than simple curiosity now as they reached an elevator.

“Well, yes. Of course. I don’t want anyone to get hurt.” She figured he was capable, but still, it was hard not to worry.

“Warriors do not need females to worry about them.” His voice was as stiff as his posture when they stepped into the elevator.

She snorted. “If you ever plan to get mated you better get used to a female worrying about you.”

He didn’t respond as the elevator came to a halt. They stepped out into another corridor and she realized they were on the correct floor for Cyn and Con’s residence. She’d noticed there weren’t many homes in this sector and liked how peaceful it was. “Do higher ranking warriors live along here?” she asked.

“Yes, the living quarters here are coveted because of the extra space and views.” He nodded and motioned to the left as they came to the end of the corridor.

As they rounded the corner, they nearly ran into Daan.

“Leilani, I was hoping to speak to you.”

She hid a wince. The only male she’d wanted to spend time with was understandably busy. And since this male seemed to think females were stupid, she didn’t want to waste her time around him.

Before she could respond, Ruari stepped forward, his stance aggressive. “I’ve been tasked with escorting her to our leader’s residence. We all know she doesn’t wish to speak to you. Do not further embarrass yourself.”

“I would like to apologize for my behavior on your first day.” Daan ignored Ruari as he spoke to her, though he didn’t step any closer. “It was inexcusable.”

She watched him for a long moment. Despite his bulk and height, he was almost boyishly earnest. “Are you sorry for declaring a Ducereco?”

He paused, then shook his head. “No.”

At least he was honest. “Okay, apology accepted then.”

“Would you allow me to give you a tour of the various sectors here?” he continued, so hopeful it was difficult not to smile. This male would have no problem finding a female.

Ruari started to decline for her, but she shook her head at him. She didn’t need anyone to speak for her and the truth was, she was wildly curious about the entire place. It was clear Con was too busy so she decided to take the opportunity. “You realize that I have no intention of ever mating with you?”