Possessive Alien Mate(Savage Martians #2) - Sue Mercury Page 0,2

before my departure. It may be a while before I’m able to return. Classified mission.”

As a member of the Vash’arr, an elite group of genetically enhanced Marttiaxoxalian warriors, it wasn’t unusual for Jav to disappear from time to time, though he rarely informed Rem or anyone else when he must leave on a secret mission. “Classified mission?” Rem repeated. “Well, lucky for you. I won’t pummel your face until you return, then.”

Jav cracked a smile. “I’d be happy to meet you in the training ring when I get back,” he said, “just promise you’ll save your anger for me. Don’t take your frustrations out on your female.”

Before Rem could respond, a group of Vash’arr approached and one of the warriors called Jav’s name. The ground vibrated and Rem didn’t have to look at the security console to know a sleek Vash’arr ship had just descended to the landing platform that rested outside the palace gates.

Jav nodded at Rem and jogged over to join the group of Vash’arr warriors. Rem opened the gates and watched them exit the palace grounds, his fury growing with every breath. So, this was Jav’s doing. Jav was close to the king and had no doubt called in a favor.

Rem’s mood descended into pitch darkness. All the anger he’d felt toward Bethamma came rushing back, as well as the humiliation and heartbreak. He had foolishly believed he cared for the female and had allowed himself to develop tender feelings for her, only for her to betray him just days before their mating union was to take place.

What would it be like to mate with a human female?

Relations between Mars and Earth remained tense. Would his female view him as the enemy?

He glared at the sun, sitting low in the sky. It was late afternoon by now, and tomorrow would arrive soon enough. Fluxx. He went about his duties, unable to stop conjuring images in his mind of what his female might look like. As he completed a sweep of the palace grounds, he finally began to calm down somewhat. Reality soon started to set in, as well as reason.

Marttiaxoxalian numbers were not as strong as they once were. It was logical to take a human female as a mate, get her with child, and help his people grow their numbers, and many males of his kind had already done so. Not only was it logical, but the practice was encouraged by the king and other dignitaries who wished to strengthen their people. How could they remain strong if their numbers dwindled?

His wrist comm buzzed just as he returned to the security console. He looked down at the message from Martian Affairs, his heart suddenly racing.

Tyra. His female was called Tyra.

When he said her name aloud, in the privacy of the security console where no one would hear, a strange warmth flowed through him.

“Tyra.”

Gods help him, but he liked the way her name rolled off his tongue.

Chapter 2

“We’re finally landing.” Tyra stood at the large viewscreen, her heart racing with excitement as the spacecraft descended to the lush green surface of recently terraformed Mars. Hope swelled in her chest and she soon found herself blinking back tears.

Though she had pinned all her hopes and dreams on this planet, she hadn’t expected to become so emotional upon her arrival. She clasped her shaking hands together and took a few deep breaths, trying to calm the doubts that were suddenly racing through her mind.

Please let me find what I’m looking for here.

She cast a quick glance around the women’s quarters, but none of her companions seemed pleased to have reached the planet that would be their new home. In fact, most of the women appeared frightened. To help ease their fears, and perhaps some of her own, she decided to spout some of the benefits of becoming the mail order bride of a Marttiaxoxalian, which humans usually called Martians for short.

“You know, there’s no pollution here,” she said. “The water is clean, the ground is fertile, and the capital city is warm year-round. Plus, there are already several thousand human women living on Mars. We’re going to be joining a Martian-human community and—”

“And live in subservience to our alien overlords,” a tall redhead interrupted.

Tyra frowned at the young woman, but she didn’t feel like getting into an argument, so she returned her gaze to the breathtaking planet below. The spacecraft landed gently upon a platform in the center of Ressiktron, the capital city of Mars.

A sense of giddiness spread