Zandian Pet (Zandian Masters 7)

He wouldn’t even consider the significance of his not choosing to tell any being why he was leaving or where he was going. If Zander needed him, he’d hail him on his comms unit. He wore the same arm cuff all the trusted advisors wore.

There. He’d finished the transmission. He tossed a few items into his travel case and stalked to the loading dock. The moment he got his ship into the atmosphere, his body started to relax. He hadn’t even realized how tense his muscles had grown from being apart from Mina. Not hearing enough from her, not knowing what went on in that beautiful mind of hers.

Soon, he’d see her again.

His cells began to come alive, a low hum that grew louder the closer he drew to Freedom.

He’d punish her, of course.

She hadn’t obeyed his request for her fantasies. And she’d involved herself in his problem when he’d told her not to. Of course, he’d have to be careful with how he scolded her for that one. His female hated being kept back from any kind of action. He’d have to explain to her first, that it wasn’t because he didn’t think her capable of protecting or taking care of herself, but because he wished to honor her desire to leave her past behind her.

But that was a laugh. He honored that desire only when it suited him. But when his body got anywhere near hers, he had no compunction in degrading her like the pet she’d been.

But she liked it. He had to remember that.

Except if this was a facet of herself she hadn’t or couldn’t accept, he’d never win. Unless she resolved her own internal struggle with shame and desire, she would dump him and Mina without a backward glance.

Veck.

“Master Erick, you’re cleared for docking.” The transmission sounded over the ship’s comms. Warriors from Freedom had identified his ship and opened the hatch. He maneuvered the ship in and landed then put his helmet on to walk inside.

“Twice in one week. I can’t imagine what could be drawing you here,” one of the guards teased when he entered.

He wanted to punch him in the teeth, but he dug deeper to find a glimmer of humor. Or humility. “I’m sure there’s not much competition on this pod.”

Both guards laughed—way too heartily for his comfort. “Yes, they’re lining up just to see her. But don’t worry. She’s stayed close to the human females for the most part.”

Thank the one true Zandian star for that.

“Where is she?” he snapped.

“Training room. Where she always goes.”

He forced himself to mutter his thanks and stalked to the training room. The moment he caught sight of his beautiful female, his pulse went wild. At the same time, something at the very center of his being quieted. Something he hadn’t realized had been amiss, but it had. Ever since he’d parted from Mina.

She practiced with Cambry, and the red-haired human had her pinned to the floor, an arm twisted behind her back.

If Cambry had been a male, or even a Zandian female, his ever-present instinct to protect her would have surged to the foreground. But these two were well-matched. As he watched, Mina flipped Cambry onto her back and mimed a crushing blow to the larynx.

Both females smiled as they sprang to their feet and started circling each other. His cock swelled against his flight pants at the idea of taking Cambry’s place. Tussling with his female on the mats. Throwing her to the floor and covering her body with his own. Pinning her wrists above her head as he positioned his—

Get your horns straight, Erick.

He didn’t come to veck Mina. He came to find out about Neo Lin and the galactacarriers.

And Mina.

She looked over and caught sight of him, but her moment of distraction cost her a kick to the solar plexus. She flew back and landed on her ass.

He charged forward, but she was already scrambling to her feet, a broad smile on her face.

Thank veck.

She said something to Cambry and sauntered toward him, hips swaying in a seductive pattern. Every male—every last male in the entire room—watched, tongues lolling.

“You received my message.”

He wanted to grasp her elbow and march her to her room where he could take out his frustration on the soft curves of her ass. Instead, he managed a polite smile, mostly for the benefit of their audience. “I did.”