Bachelor Beast (Interstellar Brides® Program: The Beasts Book 1)

by Grace Goodwin

  “Accepted. I know you’re on the edge, Wulf, and I’m taking a huge risk setting you loose like this. If I had any sense, I would have had the guards stun you again and drag you to transport.”

  “Why didn’t you?” I was serious. She was correct. That would have been the more prudent choice.

  She pulled the van to a stop and sat in silence for a full minute before speaking again. I used the time to regain my normal size, shove the beast back into his place inside me.

  “Because you deserve better, Warlord. You sacrificed enough. You suffered enough. You deserve to be happy.”

  With that, she opened her door and hopped out to walk around to the back. When the door opened, I waited until she motioned for me to climb out. Which I did, rather stiffly.

  “I feel like a parent, like I’m dropping you off for the prom.”

  The more time I spent on Earth, the more I realized I did not know about these humans and their rituals. “What is the prom?”

  “Just a fancy dance where all the teenagers dress up in really fancy clothes and flirt and dance and—” She stopped mid-sentence and shook her head. “Never mind. It’s kind of a rite of passage. It’s courting. Wooing. It’s part of growing up.”

  “I shall not become any taller than I already am. This prom will not work on me.”

  “I know. It’s a lot more about looking good to try to get the girl—or the boy—you’re interested in, to be interested in you.”

  Understanding dawned. “It is a mating ritual?”

  “Yes. I suppose it is.” She pointed to the small house. “That’s Olivia’s place.”

  I really wished I had my mating cuffs, felt vulnerable without them. “Thank you.”

  “Good luck. It’s late, Wulf. Almost midnight. She’s probably asleep. So don’t pound down her door. Knock gently. Don’t scare the life out of her. Remember, be a gentleman. Woo her.”

  Gentleman. Wooing. Courting. Nodding, I said, “I will not fail.”

  “Good. Go get her.” Warden Egara climbed back into the van while I walked to inspect the door she had pointed to. The living quarters were small boxes with squares cut in the walls and a rectangular entrance. Similar small boxes lined the street on both sides as far as I could see. Foliage adorned the landscape, lush and tropical, similar to perhaps Viken. The dwellings looked nearly identical except for the golden numbers attached to the front.

  Once I stood before the door, painted black, staring at the numbers 432, Warden Egara waved, wished me luck on my first date and took off like she was being chased.

  I didn’t know what she meant, as I had been forced to endure many of the human dates for the television show, but I was nervous. My palms were damp, and I wiped them on my pants. I was alone now. The sound of small wild animals filled the night air, but otherwise it was silent.

  I had nowhere else to go if Olivia did not allow me to enter her home. The warden had been right when she’d scolded me earlier. While Olivia had consented to my mouth and cock giving her pleasure, she had not volunteered for the television program, nor had she volunteered to be a bride. She had been working, and I’d carried her off. Practically kidnapped her in front of the entire planet, on the Earthen version of a live comm broadcast.

  I didn’t regret the action in the least. I’d shown honesty in my desire for her. My obsession. But now I would do it properly and obtain her agreement to wear my cuffs. Her residence was small. I was glad we would not permanently reside here. I was too large. It was too hot. There was too much water. She would be content with the quarters on The Colony, much more spacious… and arid.

  I would not have to endure a swamp. Pollution. Water and mold and the clinging liquid that hovered in the air like an invisible coat.

  I knocked on the door. Hard.

  Two days. I had two days until Warden Egara returned.

  I took a breath. Waited.

  Screams came from inside. The door finally opened. I expected to face Olivia, but the female before me was not my mate.

  I frowned down at the woman with red hair and a ring in her nose as if she were from Trion.

  “You are not Olivia Mercier.”

  Her mouth fell open as she looked up, up, up at me. “You’re Warlord Wulf. Oh my God.”

  More screams made my heart lurch and my beast snarl. I gently moved the woman out of the way, ducked my head and entered the home, afraid someone was harming my mate.

  I froze once inside the entrance. Two small humans were running around a couch waving their arms. They were emitting the screams, which made me cringe. At the sight of me, they stopped in their tracks and stared.

  I stared back.

  The older one was a boy, the younger, a girl. Both had blond hair and chubby cheeks and were clearly related. They wore what humans called pajamas, the boy having an odd spiked animal image on the front. The girl had small flowers all over hers. Around their necks were tied cloths that dangled down their backs. For what, I had no idea. I guessed, if humans aged comparably to Atlans, they were around two and four years old.

  “You’re big,” the boy said.

  He wasn’t scared of me, more wary, and that was surprising. I scared full-grown human adults, and yet this small child was only curious.

  “My mother made me eat lots of nutritional food when I was your age.”

  He puckered his little brow. “Like brock-wi?”

  “Is it nutritional?” I asked.

  The boy cocked his head. “Woocy, is brock-wi nutrinaw?” he asked, trying his best to sound out the large word.

  “Yes.”

  His eyes widened, and he looked me over from head to toe. After my shower, Warden Egara had provided me with new clothing, pants and a shirt that, while sized for an Atlan, were styled more like human attire.

  “If I eat it, can I grow to be as big as him?” He pointed at me as he asked the woman.

  “It’s possible,” she said.

  “I want brock-wi for my bedtime snack! I want to be huge!” he shouted, then ran in circles around my legs. The little girl, who’d remained silent this entire time, watched her brother. Seeing that he wasn’t fazed or afraid, she followed him in behavior.

  I looked to the woman called Woocy as the children ran around and around my legs. “Where is Olivia Mercier?” I asked.

  “She had something to do but will be back soon,” she replied. That was not a sufficient explanation.

  “Something to do? It is late. What could she be doing that cannot wait? It is not safe for my female to be out at night. She should be home. Safe. With her mate protecting her.”

  She raised an eyebrow and crossed her arms. There was that gods-be-damned pose from a human female again. “Yes, it’s late,” she confirmed. “Yet here you are. A stranger banging on the door. Was it safe to let you in?”

  I stared at her, my beast appalled. “I would never hurt a female. Or a child.”

  The children began to slow, and I imagined they might topple over soon from dizziness.

  “It’s still late, Warlord. I don’t know you.”

  “You do,” I countered. “You said my name.”

  Her mouth snapped shut with the click of her teeth.

  “I will wait.”

  “Of course.” A smile spread across her face. “You should sit so I don’t get a crook in my neck.”

  She was a small human, like Olivia, but slender like a male human. She had no blatant curves, no lushness to her physique like my mate had. My beast was not interested in this female, thinking that she would be bony, not soft to fuck like Olivia.

  I looked between the seating choices and selected the couch, the largest and most likely not to break beneath my weight.

  “Let Wulf sit down,” Woocy said, and the kids stopped as if stunned with an ion pistol.

  I took that advantage and went to the couch and settled upon it. I had to push the small table in front of it farther away so my legs could fit.

  “You’re the woof?” the boy asked.

&
nbsp; “That is my name,” I replied.

  “I’m Tanner. I’m a superhero.” He tugged at the fabric that draped down his back.

  I looked to Woocy.

  “He’s wearing a cape,” she said, although that didn’t explain anything.

  “Me, too! Emma!” the little girl said, patting her chest.

  These two reminded me of the new little ones running around The Colony.

  “Hello, Tanner and Emma,” I replied, then looked to Woocy. “You have… nice children.”

  She laughed. “They’re not mine. They’re Olivia’s.”

  My gaze dropped back to the children. My mate had children? That meant… “She said she was not mated.”

  Lucy shook her head, her red curls bouncing. She settled into the chair beside the couch. “She’s not… mated. They are her niece and nephew. Their p.a.r.e.n.t.s.d.i.e.d.” She spelled the last two words.

  It took me a moment to process what she’d said, especially in a different language, but I finally understood the reason why she didn’t say the word straightaway.

  “That is s.a.d,” I replied.

  “Can I sit wif you, Woof?” Tanner asked, coming to stand beside my right leg. Emma remained closer to Woocy as if still unsure of me.

  “Yes,” I replied. I was used to The Colony children climbing on me, but most of them had been born and raised among huge warriors and were accustomed to us. Wyatt, the Hunter Kiel’s son, had come to The Colony older but had quickly become fearless like his father. I had to assume I was the first warrior these children had ever seen, and it was surprising—and heartwarming—that he wasn’t fearful.

  I wasn’t sure if I should be pleased or concerned for the trusting nature of these children with strangers.

  Tanner climbed up my bent leg and sat on my thigh. On my lap. Not beside me as I’d expected. I hooked an arm around him so he didn’t fall off and hit his head on the table. Children were fragile and needed protecting, no matter their planet of origin.

  “So, Wulf,” Woocy began.

  “Woocy,” I replied.

  She laughed, head thrown back. “My name is Lucy.” She tipped her head toward Tanner. “He’s working on sounding some letters. L’s are hard for him.”

  I looked down at Tanner, who stared up at me with awe. “I think I like Woocy better,” I told him, as if sharing a secret.

  He giggled.

  That had Emma moving. She came around to the other side and tried to climb up my leg but was too small. I hooked her waist and lifted her up so she sat on my other knee, tucked into my side.

  “You should stay and play horsey,” Lucy said.

  I had absolutely no idea what that meant, so I moved on to more important things. “Olivia.”

  “Your mate?” Lucy asked, eyebrow arched. She didn’t seem all that surprised. Then I remembered I’d heard her name before. So, this female was the Lucy that Warden Egara had spoken of. Lucy Vandermark. She was an ally. A friend. She was responsible for the extra time I would have to woo Olivia.

  “You are her boss. You are protecting her privacy.”

  She nodded. “I am. I saw the show. I knew you’d come. Olivia deserves someone special, who will care about her. Love her.”

  I stiffened my spine. “I will. You know I am serious about Olivia.”

  “Yes, I know. That’s why I’m helping,” she said. “You being here means what exactly? Because Olivia is my friend. She’s sweet and kind and a big softy. So if you’re only interested in more… door stuff and break her heart, I will take you out myself. Got it?”

  “Take me out where?” I asked. “I do not wish to participate in a human date with you. I only want Olivia. She is mine. My mate. I would never hurt her. I will kill anyone who tries.”

  She studied me for a minute, and I sat patiently under her scrutiny. I sensed that her good judgment of me was crucial to my success with Olivia Mercier. “You sure about that?”

  “Yes.”

  “Perfect.” She smiled and leaned back, much more relaxed. “She’s going to need your beast man. She thinks I’m stupid, but I’m not. She’s in some bad business with some bad people.”

  I frowned and growled.

  “He’s got rumbles in his tummy!” Tanner said, then patted my chest.

  I ignored him because this was important. I sensed that Lucy was worried. “Is that where she is now? With these bad people?”

  She bit her lip. “I think so.”

  I would have jumped to my feet, but I was still buried in children. Very small, fragile children who belonged to Olivia. They would now belong to me. This little boy who kept patting me and the little girl who, when I looked down at her, had fallen asleep in my hold.

  Her trust in me was great, and I was humbled.

  My beast, however, was not happy with the information Lucy had shared. Another soft, rumbling growl left my throat, to be answered by a much louder, ferocious growl from the young one named Tanner.

  He giggled; then it fell away. “The bad people killed my daddy and my mommy. I hate the bad people.”

  His words shocked Lucy, her mouth gaping open.

  I was pleased. He was young. A young warrior. Despite these two protective females, he had stated the truth. Perhaps discovered it on his own.

  “Where did you hear that, Tanner?” Lucy asked, leaning forward and setting her elbows on her knees. I could see the concern in her eyes. She cared for these young ones as if they were her own. “Where?”

  He rose to stand on my thigh, and I supported him with my hand at his back as he straightened to his full height. “I heard Auntie talking on the phone. I am a big boy. I know what happened. I know.”

  Emma stirred and started to cry. Wail was a more apt description. I could practically feel her response to her big brother’s upset. Lucy made a move to take her from my care, but this wee one was mine now, mine to protect. That started now, so I pulled her in snug to me to feel my strength and offer her reassurance.

  “Emma.” I used my deepest, softest voice. She turned to look at me, and I held her tear-filled gaze. “I am going to take care of you and your Auntie Olivia from now on. No one will ever hurt her or you or your brother ever again. Ever. Do you understand?”

  “You’re our woof now?” Tanner asked. I glanced at him, with his eyes wide, full of what I recognized as hope and apprehension. “I heard Woocy and Auntie talking about getting a woof.”

  I glanced to Lucy, who blushed.

  “Four-year-olds have no filter,” she mumbled.

  Interesting. I wondered what, exactly, my mate had shared with her friend. She glanced away, and I spoke to Tanner as I settled Emma against my chest. She was so small, so perfect. Innocent and she needed me. Tanner, too. “Yes. I am your Wulf now.”

  His eyes lit up, and he grinned so big his face had to hurt. “Can we keep you?”

  “I think you better ask your Auntie O about that one, Tanner.” Lucy stood and paced the room but didn’t try to remove the children from my arms again. I wanted nothing more than to protest her words but could not. Not yet.

  “I have two days to remain with Olivia, in secret, to court her.”

  She spun to face me. Her eyes bulged. “Court her? After what you did earlier on TV?”

  I was not going to discuss fucking in front of children, so I only said, “Yes.”

  A slow grin spread across her face. “This is awesome.”

  Inwardly I sighed at her ready acceptance. “I am glad you agree.”

  She set her hand on her chest. “I’m your partner in Operation Olivia Gets A Mate.”

  I took a moment to process her words with my NPU.

  I guessed it was my frown that had her continuing. “Olivia’s my best friend. She deserves someone who can…” She cleared her throat. “Change things for the better.”

  “I will not tolerate any threat to her safety.”

  “Good. Do you have a gun?”

  The question was ludicrous. “I do not require primitive Earth weapons
to protect my family.”

  She pulled her lips to the side and looked me over. “Okay. Well, after what happened earlier, we already know you can… you know… rock her world.”

  “I like rocks,” Tanner said and Lucy laughed.

  “It would be helpful if she were here,” I added, feeling the pang of longing. While I was making progress with her friend and her niece and nephew were now under my care, Olivia was the one I craved. “Tell me more about the… about where my mate is now. Why is she not with the children?”

  “It is something she will have to tell you about. I don’t know all of it, but it’s something someone of your… size and background could help. Trust me, the kids are better off here.” She covered her mouth, hiding a tired yawn. “She’ll be really, really happy to see you when she gets home. Shocked but happy.”

  “You think so?” I asked, my turn to be wide-eyed, hope warring with the hurt and confusion I’d felt when she ran from me. She ran. As if I had hurt her. Scared her. I had been so careful, my beast reveling in her scent, her softness, her soft cries of pleasure. “She ran from me. I am afraid that I may have frightened her.” I couldn't bring myself to say that I may have caused her pain. Could not force myself to even speak the words.

  Lucy shook her head. “She wasn’t scared. Trust me. You took her by surprise. Heck, you took the whole world by surprise. She deserves a little Atlan attention.” She lifted her eyebrows up and down in the same way Rachel had earlier on the comms call. Tanner giggled, which made Emma do so as well.

  “What is she like? Tell me everything you know about Olivia. I must know about my mate,” I said eagerly.

  She waved her hand back and forth in front of her as if swiping away my words. “Oh no. You need to ask her yourself. But I can say, whatever you did earlier, do it again. And again.” She winked at me.

  “Nack! Nack!” Emma said, clapping her hands.

  Lucy narrowed her eyes at Emma. “You, little munchkin, should be in bed, not having a snack.”

  “Brock-we!” Tanner added, which made Lucy laugh.

  “Fine. You stay with them, and I’ll make some broccoli.” Lucy left the room, and I assumed she was now in the Earth kitchen. This was a primitive planet and didn’t have S-Gen machines and therefore required an entire room to prepare food. I’d had several weeks to adjust to the basic style of living.