Alien Protector’s Mate (Latharian Mate Program #4)

Chapter 10

10

S ’aad watched Jay out of the corner of his eye as they walked through the corridors toward the mate program sector. The human moved like a ghost, his entire body contained in a way that made S’aad’s warrior instincts sit up and take notice. Several warriors coming the other way almost walked into Jay, oblivious to his presence until S’aad stepped between them.

“Draanth,” he muttered, shooting a sidelong glance at Jay. “You’re quieter than a deearin on the hunt.”

Jay’s lips quirked up at the corners. “What’s a deearin ? And is that a good thing or a bad thing?”

“Depends on whether you’re the hunter or the prey,” S’aad replied, his tone light as he glared at a couple of warriors who were paying far too much attention to Jay for his liking. “A deearin is a large feline predator… something like your earth tigers, I believe?”

As they approached the entrance to the Latharian Mate Program offices, he slid a sideways glance at Jay, noticing the boy’s wide-eyed curiosity as they neared the ornate doors. He didn’t know anything about the small human’s life, but he suspected this was Jay’s first real job, and he wanted it to go smoothly.

He placed a reassuring hand on Jay’s shoulder, lifting it quickly when the little human flinched.

“Ready for your first day?” he asked with an encouraging smile.

Jay nodded, a flash of excitement in his eyes under the rim of his cap. “As ready as I’ll ever be, I guess.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll start you off easy.” He chuckled, deciding to take Jay in through the front entrance and give him the grand tour.

Jay’s eyes widened as they walked through the doors, his gaze darting around like a startled tranaxaain deer foal.

“It’s like… a plush hotel or something,” he breathed.

S’aad paused, seeing the place through new eyes. The reception area was a carefully crafted environment with plush carpets in muted earthy tones and sleek, metallic furniture that screamed, “We’re alien, but we’re trying.” Large floral displays at the back of the room filled the air with a subtle scent that was probably giving Jay a headache if the way he wrinkled his nose was any indication.

Margaret, Elena, and Judith sat behind the curved reception desk, their welcoming smiles brightening as S’aad approached.

“Good morning, ladies,” he said. “I’d like to introduce you to Jay, my new lab assistant.”

Jay tensed beside him, but the women’s warm expressions seemed to put him at ease.

“Welcome, Jay!” Margaret said cheerfully. “It’s wonderful to meet you. We’re always excited to see new faces around here.”

Elena nodded in agreement. “Absolutely. If you need any help finding your way around, just let us know.”

“And don’t let this big lug work you too hard,” Judith added with a wink, gesturing at S’aad. “He forgets not everyone has his stamina.”

He chuckled, relieved at their friendly reception and easy acceptance of Jay, especially after Sadie and Vaarn’s reaction last night. “Thanks, ladies. I appreciate you making Jay feel welcome. We’ll see you later.”

As they headed toward the lab, S’aad’s hand hovered near Jay’s shoulder, not quite touching but ready to offer support if needed. He was glad the women had been so welcoming. It would help Jay feel more comfortable in his new environment.

As they entered S’aad’s lab, the atmosphere shifted dramatically. Gone were the soft, muted tones of the reception area, replaced by the crisp, clean lines of a high-tech laboratory.

“Welcome to my humble abode,” he said as he gestured toward the machinery lining the walls. “These beauties process personality profiles, genetic data, and a whole host of other biological markers that help us match Latharian warriors with compatible human partners. Or, as I like to call it, playing matchmaker for the galaxy’s most eligible bachelors.”

Jay’s eyes were as wide as the moons of Lathar Minor as he looked around. S’aad could practically see the questions forming in the boy’s mind as his gaze darted from one machine to the next.

“It’s a lot to take in. I know,” he said, his tone gentle. “But don’t worry, you don’t have to know everything on day one. We’ll start with the basics. For now, why don’t you sit down?” He nodded toward a nearby chair. “There’s something we need to take care of before we start.”

As Jay settled into the indicated chair, perched on the edge of the Latharian-sized seat, S’aad moved to a nearby workstation. He retrieved two small, flat patches, their surfaces gleaming under the lab’s bright lights. As he turned back to Jay, the boy’s posture stiffened, wariness creeping into his expression.

“What’s that?” Jay asked, his voice tight.

S’aad paused and then squatted down, bringing himself to eye level with the seated human. “This is your ticket to understanding the intricacies of Latharian cursing,” he explained, offering a reassuring grin. “Which is essential for any male. It’s a translation implant. Up until now, I’ve been speaking English so you can understand me. But if you’re going to work here, you’ll need to be able to communicate with everyone, not just those who speak your language.”

Jay eyed the patches with apprehension. “Will it… hurt?”

He shook his head. “Not painful at all. You’ll feel a slight tingle when I apply it, but that’s it. Promise on my honor as a warrior.”

After a moment of hesitation, Jay gave a small nod. S’aad reached out and carefully pressed the patch to the side of Jay’s neck. His fingers tingled at the contact, and he withdrew his hand quickly. Jay hadn’t seemed to notice.

“There,” he said, his voice warm with approval as the patch absorbed into the skin. “Well done. Now, I’m going to apply two more patches, if that’s alright with you? They’re antiviral and antibiotic treatments.”

Jay’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. “Am I sick?”

S’aad shook his head, his hair dancing over his shoulders. “Nope, you’re fit as a fiddle. It’s just a precaution. Some really gnarly aliens frequent that market, and I’m fairly sure they haven’t had all their shots. Some of them can carry viruses that humans aren’t equipped to handle, so this is just to ensure you stay healthy and don’t end up with a third arm or something equally inconvenient.”

“Yeah…” Jay murmured. “That wouldn’t be good.”

As he applied the additional patches, S’aad couldn’t help but notice how thin Jay’s neck was. Protectiveness surged through him again, and he made a mental note to hit up the market for more human food to make sure Jay ate enough.

“Now then,” he said, straightening up. “Let’s get you properly dressed. Shall we? That lab coat over there should fit you. Though…” He winked. “It might be more like a dress on you, short stuff.”

Jay moved toward the hook with all the lab coats on it but hesitated as he reached for it. His hand drifted to his cap, his fingers curling protectively around the brim, and for a moment S’aad thought he was going to make a break for the door. Something or someone in the past had really scared the human.

He turned away, opening a drawer to reorganize unused sample slides. “Is there a reason you’re clinging to that cap like your life depends on it?” he asked nonchalantly over his shoulder. “Is it perhaps a religious or cultural thing… or did you lose a bet with a barber?”

He wanted to look, wanted to see Jay’s reaction, but he ignored the temptation and waited for Jay’s answer.

“Yeah,” the human said, his odd voice gruff behind S’aad. “It’s… important to me. We… my culture… we don’t cut or show our hair, you know?”

S’aad nodded, accepting the explanation without question. “Of course, cultural practices are to be respected, even if they involve questionable headwear choices. I mean, we can’t comment. You’ll never see a Latharian warrior wear a shirt. Here,” he said, opening a nearby drawer. “We’ve got surgical caps that’ll cover your hair. Will that work for you, or should I find you a hazmat suit instead?”

Jay nodded, the tension in his shoulders easing visibly. “Thanks,” he muttered, accepting the offered cap.

S’aad turned to allow him a little privacy as he switched out his cap and bulky coat. When he turned around, pulling on his own lab coat, he gave a nod of approval. Jay looked more professional now, and much like he belonged in a lab.

“Now,” S’aad said, hiding his smile as he switched to Latharian, “let’s begin with a basic overview of our daily procedures. Have you realized yet that you can understand me?”

Jay blinked, and then his eyes widened in amazement. “Holy sh… I mean, wow,” he said, his voice filled with wonder. “You’re speaking Latharian now. Aren’t you? And I’m… I’m responding in the same language?”

S’aad grinned and shook his head. “No, you’re speaking Terran still, but I can hear and understand you easily. The fact you can understand me now means that the translation implant is functioning correctly. Welcome to the wonderful world of instant linguistics. Just don’t ask it to translate tratovrian mating calls. Trust me on that one.”

Jay shook his head in disbelief. “This is amazing. I thought the way you talked seemed a bit different, but I thought it was just because we’re at work now.”

S’aad’s eyebrows rose, impressed. “Sharp ears you’ve got there. You’re quite right… Latharian does tend to be more formal than Terran sometimes. Although, given the translation matrices are biological in nature, each one is different. You might hear a sentence slightly different to the way my cousin’s mate, Sadie, does. It’s not an exact science. Anyway, let’s get started. Shall we?”

They settled into the rhythm of the workday, and S’aad found himself continually impressed by Jay’s quick mind and eager attitude. The human absorbed information like a sponge, asking questions and showing a genuine interest even in the menial tasks that were all S’aad could assign to him.

“So, these markers here,” Jay said, pointing to a complex genetic sequence on the screen, “They’re what determine compatibility between humans and Latharians?”

S’aad nodded. “Exactly. It’s not just about physical attraction or personality traits. There’s a whole genetic dance going on beneath the surface. Get it right, and you’ve got a match made in the stars. Get it wrong, and, well… Let’s just say it can lead to some awkward dinner conversations.”

Jade settled into her seat at the workstation and looked worriedly at the screen in front of her. It looked pretty much like every other console she’d seen, which was a relief. The last thing she needed was to screw this up on her first day. S’aad’s towering presence beside her was both reassuring and intimidating.

“Alright, Jay,” he rumbled, his deep voice making her suppress a shiver. “I need you to check these two columns of numbers against each other. Make sure they match exactly.”

She blinked in surprise.

“That’s it?” she blurted out, forgetting to keep her voice gruff. “I thought… well… that things would be a little more complicated than that.”

A smile tugged at the corners of his lips, the skin at the edges of his green eyes crinkling with amusement. “You’d be surprised how many things come down to simple mathematics,” he said. “Even in advanced genetic science, we often find ourselves double-checking basic numbers.”

Heat crept up her neck. Of course, that made perfect sense. Even the most complex, advanced tech systems would need a solid foundation. And she was sure she’d read somewhere that math was the universal language. Still, she couldn’t help the twinge of disappointment. Part of her had hoped for something more… alien?

S’aad put a large hand on the back of her chair, and she had to fight the urge to lean into his warmth.

“Don’t worry,” he said, his voice warm with amusement. “There will be plenty of time for more complex tasks later. For now, let’s start with the basics. We wouldn’t want to short-circuit that human brain of yours on day one. Would we?”

She shot him a sidelong glance from under her lashes, trying to work out if he was teasing her. The little twinkle in his eye said he was.

Not sure how to reply, she just nodded and turned her attention to the holographic display. The familiar sight of numbers scrolling across the screen helped ground her.

As she worked, she found her gaze drifting toward S’aad. The big Latharian was busy with his own work, his broad shoulders slightly hunched over a workstation. His long fingers moved across the holographic interface with precision. He studied the scrolling data on the screen in front of him so intently she was sure a bomb could go off, and he wouldn’t notice. What was he working on? Probably not how to avoid staring at your boss like a lovesick teenager, which was rapidly becoming her main problem.

Curiosity gnawed at her like a terrier with a particularly tasty bone. She bit her lip, hesitating. The last thing she wanted was to annoy him by interrupting, but the need to understand more about… well, everything here on the station was overwhelming. Plus, any distraction from how good he looked with that lab coat pulling across the heavy muscle of his chest and shoulders was welcome. Seriously, she knew he’d said that the Lathar not wearing shirts was a cultural thing, but why on Earth did they need to go about half-naked all the time?

“S’aad?” she ventured, her voice softer and higher than she’d intended. She cleared her throat quickly and made it gruffer. “What are you working on?”

The Latharian’s hands stilled. He blinked as if coming out of a trance before turning to face her. His expression softened slightly as he met her gaze, and her heart did a little flip that she promptly ignored.

“I’m analyzing genetic compatibility markers,” he explained, his deep voice carrying a hint of surprise. She got the feeling no one ever asked him about what he did. “It’s a vital part of the Latharian Mate Program.”

He paused for a moment, a frown between his brows. “Basically, I’m looking for patterns in the genetic code that indicate potential compatibility between Latharian and human DNA. It’s… complex work. Imagine trying to solve a jigsaw puzzle where half the pieces are from a different box and keep changing shape.”

She nodded, trying to wrap her head around the concept. “So, it’s like… super- super- advanced matchmaking? With a side of genetic blockfit?”

A low chuckle rumbled from his broad chest. “That’s one way to put it, yes. Though perhaps a bit oversimplified. It’s more like trying to find two compatible needles in a haystack the size of a planet. While blindfolded. And the haystack is on fire.”

She grinned at his description. “Sounds like a real party. Do you at least get to wear a fancy hat while you do it?”

His eyes twinkled with amusement. “Sadly, no. The fancy hat budget was cut last year. It’s a tragedy, really. I had my eye on a particularly dashing trilby.”

Before she could respond, a loud burst of noise erupted from somewhere beyond the lab doors. Angry shouts and the sound of breaking furniture made her jump. It was like being back at the Morgans’ during one of their arguments, except with alien languages and fewer beer bottles or fists flying her way.

S’aad’s expression tightened.

“Stay here,” he ordered, his tone brooking no argument as he strode toward the door. “I’ll handle this.”

She watched as he disappeared into the corridor, the lab doors hissing shut behind him. For a moment, she sat frozen in place. The sounds of conflict continued, muffled but still discernible through the thick walls of the lab. It sounded like the Lathar version of a wrestling match was happening out there.

Curiosity and concern warred within her. She knew she should stay put as S’aad had told her to but… what if he needed help?

“Bad idea. Bad, bad idea,” she muttered as she pushed away from the workstation. It was a bad idea on the level of poking an alien bear. But her feet were already carrying her toward the lab doors, apparently not getting the memo about self-preservation.

The doors slid open silently at her approach, like they were in on her little act of rebellion, and she peered cautiously into the corridor, her senses on high alert. The sleek, metallic walls amplified the noise of the fighting, and she headed that way.

As she got closer to the main area she’d been through earlier, individual voices became clearer… the deep, rumbling tones of Latharian warriors mixed with higher-pitched female voices. Fear, anger, and desperation filled the chaotic blend of sounds.

She paused at the corner, her back pressed against the cool metal wall. Taking a deep breath, she steeled herself before cautiously peeking around the edge. The scene that greeted her was one of utter chaos. Furniture lay overturned, and the beautiful flower arrangements she’d seen earlier were scattered across the floor. In the center of the room stood a group of Latharian warriors, their massive forms towering over a cluster of human women who had pressed themselves against the far wall, their eyes wide in fear.

S’aad stood between the two groups, his stance wide and defensive and his hands held easily at his sides. Even at this distance, though, she saw the tension in his shoulders and the potential for violence coiled tightly in his leanly muscled body.

“M’lak,” S’aad said, his voice calm but firm. “There’s no need for this. If you have concerns about the program, we can discuss them civilly. Preferably without scaring the females.”

The warrior at the front of the group, presumably M’lak, stepped forward. His face would have been handsome if it weren’t twisted in anger.

“Civilly?” he spat. “We’ve been patient, V’Renn. We’ve followed your rules, submitted to your tests. And for what? To be passed over again and again while others are given mates?”

The bitterness and hatred in M’lak’s voice made her breath catch. She shivered, not wanting to think about some poor woman being matched with this man.

“I understand your frustration, M’lak,” S’aad replied, his hands spread in what looked like a placating gesture as he stepped forward, but she could see he was just positioning himself better to cover the women behind him. “But this is not the way to address it. You’re frightening these females and damaging LMP property. How does this help your cause?”

For a moment, it seemed as though S’aad’s words had gotten through. M’lak’s stance softened slightly, uncertainty flickering across his features. But then another voice rang out from the group behind him, apparently auditioning for the role of “Guy Who Makes Everything Worse.”

“He’s right! We’ve been patient long enough. If the program won’t give us mates, we’ll take them ourselves! They’re just human. It’s not like they can stop us!”

M’lak’s expression hardened. “He’s right. We’re done waiting, V’Renn. It’s time for action, not more of your endless tests and compatibility charts!”

Time seemed to slow as the situation spiraled out of control. M’lak and another warrior took a step forward, intent written into every line of their bodies, and the women behind S’aad gasped, pressing themselves further against the wall.

S’aad’s posture shifted subtly, and Jade’s breath caught in her throat. She couldn’t look away. Gone was the gentle scientist who had joked about fancy hats, and in his place stood a warrior, every line of his body radiating controlled power and deadly focus.

“This is not the way, M’lak,” S’aad warned, his voice low and dangerous. “You know I can’t let you harm these women. And trust me, you really don’t want to make me your enemy.”

But M’lak wasn’t listening. Instead, he snarled and lunged, a massive fist arcing toward S’aad’s face.

But her handsome Lathar wasn’t there anymore. He’d moved with startling speed, stepping inside M’lak’s guard. One hand deflected the blow to his face while the other struck with precision at a point just below his opponent’s ribs.

M’lak’s eyes widened in shock, his breath leaving him in a whoosh as he stumbled back. S’aad didn’t press his advantage, instead turning to face the second attacker. This one was more cautious, circling S’aad with predatory grace. When he struck, it was with a flurry of blows, each one powerful enough to shatter bone. She winced, half-expecting to see S’aad go down under the onslaught.

But he moved with an effortless grace that was fascinating to watch. He seemed to anticipate every attack, his movements economical and precise as he blocked or deflected each blow. There was no wasted motion, no flashy techniques, just a pure, efficient skill honed by years of training and experience.

The warrior became desperate, his attacks wilder and less controlled. He looked like a toddler throwing a tantrum because he couldn’t land a blow. S’aad seized on this, stepping into a gap in the warrior’s defense. His hand snaked out, fingers pressing against specific points on the warrior’s neck and shoulder. The effect was instant… the warrior’s eyes rolled back, and he crumpled to the floor like a puppet with its strings cut.

M’lak was back on his feet, rage contorting his face as he charged at S’aad’s unprotected back.

“S’aad! Look out!” she shouted a warning, but S’aad was already moving.

Dropping low, he shoved his shoulder into M’lak’s midsection, using his own momentum to flip him over. The warrior hit the floor with a groan.

S’aad stood over the groaning warriors, watching dispassionately as their friends backed off, hands raised in surrender. Without taking his eyes off M’lak and his companion, S’aad tapped the device on his wrist. “V’Renn to station security. We need a team to arrest M’lak and his associates in the main office of the mate program.”

A gruff voice crackled through the comm. “Already on our way, V’Renn. Someone triggered a silent alarm. We’ll have a team with you shortly.”

As if on cue, the doors hissed open, and a team of security officers poured into the room. They swiftly secured M’lak and the other warriors, efficiently restraining them despite their size.

S’aad’s tight posture eased slightly as he watched the security team work. His gaze swept the room, taking in the overturned furniture and the still-frightened humans.

“Is everyone alright?” he asked, his voice carrying easily across the space. “Does anyone need medical attention?”

A chorus of shaky “nos” and head shakes answered him. He nodded, seemingly satisfied, until he turned and spotted her half-hidden in the doorway.

Her heart skipped a beat as his eyes locked with hers. The air seemed to thicken as he moved, his long strides eating up the distance between them with predatory grace.

Before she could think to run, he was there, looming over her. He crowded her against the wall, the heat radiating off his huge, hard body making her acutely aware of how small she was in comparison.

“Now,” he growled, his voice low and dangerous, sending shivers down her spine, “you’re going to explain why you ignored my orders, little human.”