Total pages in book: 48
Estimated words: 43296 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 216(@200wpm)___ 173(@250wpm)___ 144(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 43296 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 216(@200wpm)___ 173(@250wpm)___ 144(@300wpm)
“We didn’t realize she was ours, brother.” Raimi stepped up beside him and stared at Luna. Raimi could sense others’ emotions. “Our minds were elsewhere, and I am angry at myself, as well, that it took her getting hurt and smelling her blood to realize that she was my mate.”
Only two things could alert an Aktulla male of their mate: sex or the scent of blood. Erak reached down and brushed a lock of hair away from her cheek. The auburn locks were silky between his fingers, and he couldn’t stop from touching them.
He pushed another lock away from her shoulder, baring the slender column of her throat. The sight of her creamy flesh called to his animal urges, ones that wanted to mark her so every male would know she was his mate.
Although he was disgusted at himself for even thinking of marking her when she was unconscious, the urges were something he couldn’t control.
Once Genet checked her vitals once more and was satisfied with the findings, they left her to rest.
They made their way back into the common room and had a seat at the circular table. Raimi was the first to speak.
“I cannot believe someone would do this to a helpless female. Our female,” Raimi said. They looked at each other. “Based on her injuries, I think it is pretty safe to assume they were made by a someone and not a something. I want blood from whoever did this to her.”
Erak could see his brother’s tension escalate.
“Calm down. There isn’t any point in getting worked up when Luna is lying in there injured. We can’t do anything about it right now,” Genet murmured, but there was no hiding the rage in his voice.
“When Luna is awake and healed, I’m sure she will answer these questions.”
Everyone stayed silent after Erak spoke.
“Yes, you are right.” Genet was the one to respond.
After a moment, Raimi agreed.
Genet leaned back in his chair, and the Tukka leather creaked from his massive weight. “The healing gel needs to be applied to her wounds every hour. It will increase the recovery process. I can set up the scanner to do it automatically, but I would prefer if we were to tend to her.”
“I don’t know about you two, but I need a drink.” Raimi read both of their minds, and Erak and Genet nodded.
They had a lot to drink at Tao, but this situation had all of their nerves strung tight, and if they didn’t drink something to help calm them, one of them was liable to tear the ship apart.
Chapter Twelve
LUNA
The first thing Luna realized was that wonderful warmth surrounded her. How long had it been since she had felt such heat? Far, far too long. The second thing was that her whole body ached. Even breathing caused unused muscles to protest.
Peeling open her eyelids, which was harder than it should be, she waited a moment for her vision to clear.
After minutes passed and the blurriness didn’t abate, Luna panicked. Reaching up to rub her eyes, she winced in pain at their tenderness. Some type of wet, gelatinous substance coated not only her eyes but one side of her face, as well.
Slowly pulling herself up and into a sitting position, the blanket that had warmed her slipped down her nude body. Fear of how she came to be sans clothing worried her, and her pulse raced.
Gripping the blanket tightly, she covered her breasts and forced herself to calm enough so she could think rationally and not let her panic take control.
How long have I been out? Where am I?
Taking the corner of the blanket, she brought it to her face and gently wiped the gel away. She blinked in rapid succession and looked around her surroundings.
Her mind cleared, and recollection came slamming back with enough force it left her breathless.
Maximo’s anger. The pain when his hand connected with her face. The gash on her arm. The agony of her scrapes and cuts as she ran through trees and shrubs. The joy of seeing the ship about to take off and then hiding within it.
Each memory was stronger than the next until the last thing she remembered was passing out from pain and exhaustion behind two large barrels.
The room she was in was unfamiliar, but then again, why wouldn’t it be? Clearly, she had been discovered, but why wasn’t she dead or, at the very least, bound and gagged? Why were there bandages covering her body as if someone was trying to heal her wounds, like they wanted her to be well?
Stowing away wasn’t something that was taken lightly.
Tightening her hold on the blanket, she continued examining the room.
There was a closed door to her left, a small chest, a basin with a mirror above it, and a small bathing chamber to her right. Aside from those things and the bed she sat on, the room was barren.