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

Chapter 19

19

S ’aad jolted awake, his warrior’s instincts on high alert. It took him a moment to remember where he was…and who was nestled against him.

Jade. His mate.

He looked down at her, and the events of the previous night rushed back, a flood of sensations and emotions. He’d finally claimed her, marked her as his own. His body still hummed with the aftereffects, a bone-deep satisfaction he’d never experienced before.

Pulling her closer, he buried his face in her hair and breathed in deeply, savoring her scent. It reminded him of the forests on Lathar Prime after a spring rain… fresh, earthy, but with an underlying sweetness that was uniquely her. His arms tightened around her slender form, marveling at how perfectly she fit against him. She mumbled in her sleep, and he couldn’t help the wide smile that spread over his lips.

She’d agreed to his claim and allowed him to claim her body… he would never forget such a gift. The gift of his beautiful little mate.

A strange tingling on his wrists caught his attention. Carefully, so as not to wake her, he lifted an arm to examine it in the dim light of their quarters. His breath caught in his throat as he stared at the intricate patterns adorning his skin.

Mating marks.

He’d heard stories, of course—every Latharian had—from the past and that some of the lucky warriors with new human mates had mating marks. But they were rare, or at least they had been in the past. Yet here they were, etched into his flesh like living vines.

His mind reeled. The inescapable draw he’d felt toward Jade, the connection that had formed so quickly… he dropped his head back to the pillow. It all made sense now.

They were truly fated mates, blessed by Liaanas herself.

He gazed down at his mate as she slept, transfixed by the gentle rise and fall of her chest. His large hand splayed protectively over her abdomen. Could she already be carrying his child? The thought sent a wave of primal pride through him.

Unable to resist, he pressed a kiss to her temple. She stirred, mumbling something as her eyes fluttered open. Confusion clouded her features for a second before she smiled, recognition in her eyes.

“Morning,” he rumbled, his voice rough with sleep and emotion. “How’re you feeling?”

A blush crept across her cheeks.

“I’m okay,” she whispered. “A bit sore, but…” She trailed off, biting her lip.

Concern rolled through him as he settled her more comfortably, using his chest as a pillow.

“Did I hurt you?” He stroked her cheek gently. “You should’ve told me if it was too much.”

She shook her head quickly. “No, it’s not that. It was… amazing. I just… never thought I’d have this. That anyone would want me like this.”

The vulnerability in her voice made his heart ache. He pulled her closer, enveloping her in the warmth of his arms and keeping her safe from anything or anyone that would harm her.

“Jade,” he murmured against her hair. “You’re everything I could’ve ever wanted. Look.”

He held up his wrist, showing her the markings.

Her eyes widened as she reached out to trace the patterns with her fingertip. “What are these? Did you sneak out and get a tattoo without telling me?”

He chuckled. “No sneaking out. I promise. They’re mating marks,” he explained, his voice gruff with emotion. “Sign of a true pairing. They’re rare.”

She pushed up from his chest to look at him. “Mating marks? Aren’t they like… a sign from your gods? But… how? I’m just… me. I’m not?—”

He cut her off with a kiss, pouring all his feelings into it. Pulling back, he cupped her face in his hands, holding her eyes with his.

“You’re everything, Jade. Everything I never knew I needed. Strong, brave, beautiful. Don’t ever doubt that again.”

A tear slipped down her cheek. He brushed it away with his thumb and then reluctantly pulled back. “Much as I’d love to stay here all day, we should probably eat. And then… time to tell the others at LMP. And we need to tell my cousin, and Sadie.”

She nodded, a mix of excitement and nervousness flitting across her face. “What’ll they say? About us?”

“They’ll be thrilled.” He grinned. “This is what the program’s for, after all. Finding true mates.”

As Jade moved to sit up, she winced slightly. His protective instincts flared and he held her back. “You sure you’re alright? We can wait if you need more rest…”

She shook her head. “I’m fine, honestly. Just… new sensations.” She offered him a shy smile. “Good ones, mostly.”

He chuckled, the sound rumbling deep in his chest. “Well then. Let’s get you fed. But first…” He paused, a mischievous glint in his eye. Before she could question him, he was out of the bed, her in his arms.

“S’aad!” she yelped, laughing as he strode naked across the room with her cradled against his chest. “What are you doing?”

He grinned down at her, his heart swelling at her happy laughter. “Carrying my mate to the shower, of course. It’s my duty to ensure you’re properly cared for, after all.”

As he carried her into the bathroom, his mind raced. He needed to contact people, let them know he’d found his mate, and arrange a celebration. It was customary to mark such an occasion. But first, he’d savor this moment with his new mate…

Her hand felt so small and delicate in S’aad’s as they walked through the corridors toward the LMP offices. Jade glanced up, her breath catching as she drank in the sight of his chiseled profile. The soft lighting from the walls played across his angular features, highlighting the green of his eyes. Those eyes, so alien yet so captivating, were fixed ahead, but a small smile played at the corners of his mouth. Her stomach fluttered. He knew she was watching him.

“See something you like, my little mate?” He leaned in to murmur by her ear, his voice lower and rougher than normal. He only used that voice with her, in the bedroom, and it sent a shiver down her spine.

Biting her lip, she nodded and slid him a sideways glance, hoping he wouldn’t make her say it out loud. Even now, she couldn’t believe he belonged to her. That he wanted her .

The Morgans had ground her down for years, their nasty words and cruelty leaving invisible scars. She’d always preferred them to hit her. Bruises and breaks healed. Feelings didn’t.

Useless. Good for nothing. Unwanted. Ugly. The insults whispered in the back of her mind all the time, but with S’aad’s hand in hers, with the way he looked at her, they were quieter. Less vicious. She felt like a fairytale princess… apart from the fact that S’aad was way more handsome than any old prince from a story.

But she couldn’t help biting her lip. She had never been this happy before. Surely it couldn’t last? It never did for her. Whenever she’d had something, anything, good in her life, it had always been snatched away from her.

“Jade?” S’aad looked down at her, a frown between his brows. “Are you okay?”

She forced a smile. “I’m fine, just a little nervous about this… about telling everyone.”

He traced soothing circles on the back of her hand with his thumb. A reassuring gesture. “There’s no need to worry. You are safe with me.”

“But… what if they’re mad at me for lying to them?” she whispered.

He stopped to pull her in his arms, pressing a kiss to her lips gently. “They won’t be. They’ll love you just as much as I do.”

She nodded, wishing she could believe him. But the niggling doubt remained as they turned and continued walking down the corridor. It wasn’t far to the offices now, and as they approached the main entrance, her anxiety spiked. The polished doors loomed before them, reflecting their images like a distorted mirror. She saw herself, small and uncertain, dwarfed by S’aad’s imposing figure. For a moment, she couldn’t breathe, a vise around her chest.

S’aad must have sensed her distress because he stopped and turned to face her. His large hands cupped her face gently, tilting her chin up until their eyes met.

“Jade,” he said softly, his voice a caress that sent shivers down her spine, “I love you. No matter what lies beyond these doors, that will not change. You are my mate, my heart, my future. If anyone has a problem with you, they have a problem with me. And then they will not have a problem anymore. Do you understand?”

Tears pricked at her eyes. She nodded, unable to speak past the lump in her throat. No one had ever cared enough to take care of her like that, to take her side. He leaned down, pressing a tender kiss to her forehead.

When he straightened, that small smile from earlier had grown into a full grin. She frowned, but before she could ask, he waved his hand over the sensor panel, and the doors slid open with a soft hiss.

“Surprise!” a chorus of voices rang out.

She froze in place as confetti rained down, tickling her skin. The once-sterile reception hall had been transformed into a shimmering wonderland with banners on the walls and huge floral displays. The doors to the individual meeting rooms had been thrown open, the decorations extending into cozy places to chat. Tables laden with an array of foods—both familiar Earth dishes and exotic alien delicacies—lined the walls. In the center of the room stood a group of women, the LMP staff and some of the women she remembered from the orientation classes, all with wide smiles as they gestured for her to join them.

“What… what is this?” she managed to stammer, her eyes wide. S’aad chuckled as he placed a reassuring hand on the small of her back. The warmth of his touch seeped through the thin fabric of her dress, grounding her. “It’s a betrothal party, my love. For us.”

Her mouth opened and closed soundlessly, like a goldfish.

“When did you manage to arrange this?” she asked, looking up at him.

His grin turned mischievous. “This morning while you showered.”

She blinked. “What… for all of the few seconds you weren’t in there with me?”

His gaze darkened a little as he leaned in and kissed her temple. “There’s a lot a male can do in a short space of time… if he’s properly motivated.”

Before she could answer him, she was engulfed in a whirlwind of hugs and congratulations.

“Oh, Jade!” A familiar voice cut through the sounds of celebration. Stacey, the young woman she had protected from M’lak, appeared before her. Tears shone in Stacey’s eyes as she clasped Jade’s hands. “I’m so happy for you! And I never thanked you properly for saving me from that brute. I don’t know what would have happened if you hadn’t been there.”

“It was nothing,” Jade said, heat rising to her cheeks. She hated bullies with a passion, and she had acted purely on instinct that day, driven by a need to protect someone vulnerable. Being thanked was nice… but it made her a little uncomfortable. “Honestly, anyone would have done the same.”

Stacey shook her head. “No, not anyone. You were brave and selfless. And now look at you! Engaged… sorry, betrothed to the most eligible bachelor on the station! Do you think he has a brother?”

As if summoned by Stacey’s words, S’aad reappeared at Jade’s side. His hand slid possessively around her waist as he drew her against his side.

“I’m afraid I do not have a brother.” He smiled down at Stacey. “But I do have many friends I could introduce you to, if you wished.”

He turned and motioned to the other side of the room where a small group of leather-clad Latharian warriors stood. Jade bit back her smile. They were trying to act tough, but she could see they were almost as nervous as she was. Probably terrified of doing or saying the wrong thing and being thrown out of the program. After M’lak, she’d overheard that they were tightening up on who they were allowing in.

Stacey’s eyes were wide as she looked over at the warriors. They all stiffened as they noticed her attention.

“No,” she said firmly, taking a drink from a nearby tablet. “I’m going to introduce myself.”

Jade smiled as her new friend marched across to the group of warriors. “I think they’re in trouble now.”

“Oh, I’m sure they can handle it.” S’aad’s deep voice rumbled in her ear. “Are you enjoying yourself, my mate?”

She looked up at him. The soft curve of his smile was an expression he reserved only for her. Something deep inside of her began to unfurl, and the knot of anxiety in her chest eased a fraction. Perhaps this would be okay after all.

“Yes,” she whispered. “Yes, I am.”

His smile widened, and he held out his hand in invitation. “Then perhaps you would honor me with a dance?”

She hesitated, aware of everyone watching them. But the love and encouragement shining in his eyes gave her courage. She placed her hand in his, letting him pull her out onto the cleared space in the center of the room.

The ambient music shifted to a slower, more romantic melody. He pulled her close, a large hand spread across her lower back while the other engulfed her smaller hand in his grasp. They began to sway gently, and she relaxed into his arms.

The world faded away as they moved together. It was just the two of them as she breathed in his unique scent… leather, spice, and something undefinably alien that she had come to associate with him… with home.

“I never thought I could have this,” she murmured as she moved closer, lifting her arms to wrap them around his neck.

His arms tightened around her. “Have what, kelarris ?”

She shrugged, struggling to find the words. “This… happiness. Acceptance. A future with someone who loves me.”

He pulled back slightly, his hand coming up to cup her cheek. The tenderness in his touch brought fresh tears to the backs of her eyes. “You deserve all of this and more, my love. I swear to you, I will spend the rest of our lives adoring you and making you as happy as you’ve made me.”

The sincerity and honesty in his voice, the depth of love reflected in his eyes, was almost too much for her to bear. She felt as if she might shatter under the weight of it all, like a fragile piece of glass finally allowed to exist without the constant fear of breaking.

Just as she opened her mouth to say something, to tell him that she loved him too, a commotion at the entrance shattered the moment. The music cut off abruptly, replaced by angry shouts and the sounds of a struggle. S’aad tensed, his arms tightening protectively around her as he turned to face the disturbance.

M’lak stood in the doorway, his massive frame blocking most of the entrance. Several other Latharian warriors with angry expressions crowded the space behind him, but she barely paid them any attention. She couldn’t look away from M’lak as his eyes, dark and filled with rage and triumph, locked on to her.

“Well, well,” he sneered, his voice rough and grating. “What a touching scene.”

S’aad stepped forward, pushing her behind him.

“M’lak,” he growled. “Leave. Now.”

M’lak’s lips curved into a cruel smile that sent chills racing down her spine.

“Oh, I don’t think so. I have every right to be here.” His gaze shifted back to Jade, who felt her stomach twist at the possessive gleam in his eyes. “I’m here to claim what’s rightfully mine.”

Confusion rippled through the room, and she felt as if the floor had dropped out from under her feet. What was M’lak talking about? She pressed closer to S’aad, seeking reassurance as she wrapped her hands lightly around his arm.

S’aad’s voice was tight with barely controlled fury. “What nonsense are you spewing? Jade is my mate. She has chosen me, and I her.”

M’lak’s harsh laughter echoed through the room.

“Is that so? Check your precious mate program records again, V’Renn. She cannot bond with you.”

He paused, his eyes never leaving hers as he delivered the final blow.

“She’s already been matched… with me.”