by Kali Argent
“Oh?” He arched an eyebrow at her. “How is that?”
“Well, you speak out loud more than other Aleucians for starters.”
He could tell her that he only made that exception for her, but he didn’t. “What else?”
“I don’t know. The things you say and do. They’re very…human, I guess.”
Draken kissed her forehead again, just because he could. Well, that, and he liked the shy smile that stretched her lips when he did it. “I was stationed on Earth when I was nineteen.”
Like with his assignment in Hope, his father had thought he’d been punishing him. In reality, Draken had been instantly enthralled with the planet and its people.
“Oh,” she mused, her face lighting up once more. “Tell me, what did you like most about our little planet?”
“Hmm, well, there were the women.” He laughed when she huffed and swatted at his arm. “Okay, okay.” He sobered but continued to smile. “My favorite thing was the m—”
“Jaiyu!” A petite female with long, auburn ringlets and bright green eyes that dominated her small face rushed toward them. “I’ve been calling you for hours.”
“Oh.” Lifting her free hand, Jaiyu touched her ear and frowned. “I guess I left my communicator in my classroom.” Her attention returned to the female, a frown tugging at her lips. “Celeste, you know Director Marcor.” She lowered her hand to motion between them. “Draken, this is Celeste Kelly, Administrator of Child Services.”
Before Draken could offer any type of greeting, Celeste stepped forward, grabbing Jaiyu by both shoulders. His immediate instinct was to push the female back and pull Jaiyu out of reach, but he resisted. He was territorial, not crazy, or so he kept reminding himself.
“Jaiyu,” Celeste snapped, her eyes wide and panicked. “I just saw Jason coming from your pod. He’s looking for you.”
CHAPTER THREE
“Okay, that’s it for today.” Speaking over the electronic buzzer that rang through the classroom, Jaiyu lowered the book she’d been reading from to her desk and stood. “We’ll pick up where we left off on Monday morning. Have a wonderful weekend.”
Of course, they didn’t really have days or weekends in Hope. Not really. Still, the Aleucians did their best to keep things as Earth-like as possible in the underground city. Hence the regular school days for the children, even if her kindergarten class consisted of only a dozen students.
“Miss Zhao?”
“Yes, Leah?”
Small for her age with long, golden curls and big blue eyes, Leah Gaither was a bright, precocious child with a thirst for knowledge Jaiyu didn’t usually see in children her age. Lifting a hand to her mouth to stifle her giggles, she used the other to point toward the door.
It was only then that Jaiyu realized none of the children had started gathering their things to leave.
“Is that your boyfriend?” Leah asked.
Standing center of the rectangular window that ran the length of the door, Draken gave her a roguish grin and waved to the kids. Jaiyu rolled her eyes, but she reached for the button on the underside of her desk to allow him entrance. The second he stepped over the threshold, she pressed the button again, closing and locking the door behind him.
She didn’t consider it paranoid, just cautious. Kind of like the two guards Draken had insisted remain outside her classroom all day. While she admitted to a small amount of panic after hearing Jason had been released from lockup a week earlier than she’d expected, it had passed pretty quickly. He was a nuisance, and he definitely made her uncomfortable, but she wasn’t afraid.
Draken had been remarkably calm after hearing the news, suspiciously so. She had a feeling the façade was strictly for her benefit, because she’d seen the storm raging in those sapphire eyes as he’d politely but firmly insisted she spend the evening in his quarters. Since Jason had been seen outside of her living pod, and it had been too late in the evening to request a transfer, she hadn’t argued…much.
To her disappointment, Draken had been the perfect gentleman. He’d offered her his bed, then demanded when she’d declined. Her tiny space would have fit into his executive quarters three times over, and his custom-made furniture had been sleek and beautiful. Still, she doubted he’d slept well on the sofa.
Sweet mother of the cosmos, he confused the hell out of her. He’d kissed her a few times, but just chaste brushes of his lips against her forehead. Then, he’d gone out of his way and put aside his own comfort to make sure she was safe and unworried during the night. There was also the matter of how sweet and comforting he’d been when she’d talked about the things she’d been through with Jason.
That morning, he’d insisted on walking her to class, and he had told her in no uncertain terms that she wasn’t to leave without contacting him first. An hour later, the guards had arrived. Officer Zevon Krex had asked her out into the hallway to explain that he and his partner, Aziza, would be close by at all times, and if she needed anything, she was to ask them at once.
The officer hadn’t expressly stated that Draken had been the one to issue their new assignment, but Jaiyu wasn’t fooled.
“Are you Miss Zhao’s boyfriend?” Leah demanded, her little hands fisted on her hips as she stared up at Draken.
A slow, gentle smile curved his lips, and he crouched down so he wasn’t towering over the child. “Would that be okay if I was?”
To her credit, Leah seemed to think long and hard about it before finally nodding. “As long as you’re nice to her.”
Draken chuckled, placed a hand over his heart, and bowed his head. “I promise I will never, ever be mean to her.”
It was sneaky and underhanded, using the children to state his intentions that way. Jaiyu should have been annoyed with him, but really, she was just happy to finally have an answer to the question that had been plaguing her since their meeting. Besides, seeing the way he interacted with Leah left no room for anything other than warmth and happiness.
“Class, this is Director Marcor,” Jaiyu said, realizing she should have introduced him sooner. “He’s helping us with our field trip.”
Draken frowned, his brow creasing as he shook his head slowly. Jaiyu had no idea what that look was for, but she waited, wondering what he would do next. He didn’t disappoint. Extending the hand that had been resting over his heart, he held his palm up toward the ceiling in front of Leah.
“Director Marcor sounds sooo weird,” he said, his tone exaggeratedly childlike. “You can call me Draken.”
Leah slapped her hand against his. “You can call me Leah.”
“I’m very pleased to meet you, Leah.” Curling his fingers around hers, he lifted her hand to brush a quick kiss to her knuckles.
Leah ducked her head and giggled adorably. Apparently, the other girls in the class weren’t about to pass up the chance to be treated like a real princess, because they all rushed forward, holding their hands out to Draken. He looked a little surprised at first, but he took it in stride, spending the next few minutes kissing hands and making introductions.
If Jaiyu had any doubts about being in love with him, what happened next would have sealed the deal.
There were only four boys in her class, and while not quite as brave as the girls, they did look eager to meet the director. They grouped together, inching forward little by little until they all stood directly behind Draken. Andy had always been the most outspoken of the group, so it didn’t surprise Jaiyu when he stepped forward and stuck out his hand.
“I’m Andy.”
“Andy.” Draken hesitated briefly, then brought the boys hand to his mouth and kissed it, just like he’d done for the girls.
Andy laughed, pleased as punch, and that was all it took for the other boys to rush forward to offer their hands as well. Bless children and their lack of judgment about what comprised proper gender roles. Five-year-old boys didn’t give a damn that society said it was only appropriate for girls to have their hands kissed. It never crossed their minds that t
hey shouldn’t want to be included in the same way their female counterparts had been.
Jaiyu had to credit much of that to Celeste. From the moment the children had been entrusted to her care, she’d always encouraged them to be whoever, or whatever, made them happy. If the girls wanted to play with cars and trains, so be it. If her boys wanted to wear dresses and curl their hair, she made that happen.
Then, there was Draken. When Andy had offered his hand, his palm turned toward the floor in an obvious statement of what he wanted, she hadn’t been sure what he would do. His reaction had been perfect, though, and every part of her had melted at the sight.
“Do you read?” Leah demanded, her arms crossed over her pink blouse.
“I do,” Draken answered with a bob of his head that could only be described as sassy. “I’m the best reader.”
“No way,” another boy, Landon, interjected. “Everyone knows Leah is the best reader.”
Draken looked from Landon to Leah, then cocked his head to the side. “Prove it.”
Watching as her entire class practically dragged Draken to the reading nook in the back of the classroom, Jaiyu smiled and shook her head. The entire wall had been converted into a bookshelf and filled with real books, identical replicas of children books from Earth. Floor cushions, two sofas, and several plush chairs created a cozy, quiet place for the children, and for a long time, it had been the only place in the entire city that had held any color.
She fingered the hem of her lavender-colored peasant blouse and smiled. Of course, that had all changed in recent months. Funny how she had never thought to miss things like that until they’d been gone.
Deciding Draken would be fine on his own for a few more minutes, she resumed her seat, then reached into the upper, righthand drawer to retrieve her tablet. “Connect me with Celeste Kelly.”
The screen flashed twice, and a pleasant, feminine voice confirmed her command. Seconds later, Celeste appeared on her screen with a radiant smile, her jade-green eyes sparkling.
“Hi, there. I hear you didn’t sleep in your own pod last night.”
Jaiyu glanced toward the back corner. “I’ll tell you about it later.” Nothing had happened, but it still wasn’t an appropriate conversation to have around little ears. “I just wanted to let you know that the class is staying a little late today. Apparently, they have to prove that Leah is a better reader than Draken.”
“He’s there?”
Her gaze flickered toward the corner again, and she couldn’t stop the dopey smile that followed. “He’s kind of amazing, Celeste.”
“I’m going to demand details later.” An auburn eyebrow quirked upward as she stared pointedly. “Right now, however, all I need to know is if you want me to come grab the kids.”
Usually, Jaiyu walked them back to the children’s unit on Level 9 after class, but she’d gotten the impression earlier that Draken had something on his mind. “Yeah, if you don’t mind. They should be wrapping it up by the time you get here.”
“No problem. I’ll see you in a few.”
It only took Celeste fifteen minutes to finish up her tasks and reach the classroom. However, it took closer to twenty minutes and multiple promises from Draken that he’d return before the kids finally agreed to leave with her.
“I didn’t know you liked kids,” Jaiyu said when the door closed behind the chattering brood. “You’re really great with them.”
Draken shrugged. “Kids are easy. They don’t expect much.”
She didn’t know who had told him that lie, but that hadn’t been her experience at all. “I would disagree. It’s just that their expectations are different than adults.”
They expected adults to be safe and reassuring, to ask the right questions and know all the answers. They didn’t demand perfection, but they did require honesty. Kids hated being lied to, maybe even more than adults.
“Fair enough,” Draken conceded. In a casual move, he wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her against his chest. “Are you ready to leave, isha?”
“Yes, but you don’t need to walk me.”
“I do, but it won’t just be me. Zevon and Aziza are going to help.”
That gave her pause. “Draken, I appreciate your concern, but I really don’t need a small army to escort me home.”
Draken gave her a droll look. “They’re coming to help you pack your stuff and—”
“Excuse me?”
“—move it to my quarters.”
Sure she’d heard him wrong, Jaiyu gaped. “You want me to move in with you?”
Chuckling, he secured both arms around her waist as he dipped his head to rest their brows together. “Well, I am your boyfriend, after all.”
She wasn’t joking, though. “Are you sure about this?” The idea of moving in with him didn’t bother her as much as it probably should, but she didn’t want him asking out of some misguided sense of guilt. “I can request a transfer from Human Resources. This really isn’t your problem.”
His expression turned stony, and he growled as his arms tightened around her. “You are mine. Your problems are my problems. Don’t ever doubt that.”
Her heart fluttered at his possessive declaration, but it also confused her just as much. “Just like that? You won’t even kiss me, but you’re ready to stake a claim and move me into your quarters? Right.”
“Right,” he echoed, but there was no anger in his voice. “I wasn’t rejecting you. I was trying to give you time. I didn’t want you to think I was taking advantage of you after all the shit you went through with Jason.”
When he said it that way, it made a lot of sense. Her only defense was that in all the time she’d known him, she wouldn’t have listed patience as one of his virtues. If he wanted something, he took it. So, in her mind, if he wanted her, he’d have had her long ago.
Instead of trying to explain the inner workings of her mind, she settled on something simpler. Something that couldn’t be misconstrued. “I don’t need time.”
He stared at her, his eyes tracing every line of her face. Nodding once, he slid his hands up her back, over her shoulders, and along the column of her throat until they cradled her face. Another moment of pause, then his mouth was on hers, hard and searching, his tongue sliding past her gasp to plunge between her lips.
This was the male she knew, the one she’d wanted since the moment they’d met. He didn’t seek permission or approval. He made no allowances, demanding she keep pace with him rather than slowing to meet hers.
When it was either stop kissing him or pass out from lack of oxygen, she reluctantly wrenched her mouth away, burying her face against his shoulder as she gasped for breath. Her heart pounded so violently, her entire body trembled, and she arched against him, a silent plea for more.
Draken chuckled, but he didn’t cave. Nor did he offer her empty platitudes or flowery words. He didn’t question her resolve or ask if she was okay. Instead, he made her a single promise that meant more than any romantic murmurings ever would.
Brushing her hair back, he leaned close, growling the words against her ear. “You’ll never regret being mine.”
CHAPTER FOUR
“What the fuck do you mean you can’t do anything?” Draken took a menacing step forward, but a hand on his elbow stopped him in his tracks. “I’m not going to hurt him, isha,” he promised his mate. Maybe Jaiyu didn’t wear his mark yet, but that was definitely how he thought of her. His mate. His.
Standing shoulder to shoulder, arms crossed, feet planted hip-width apart, Captain Valen Otar and Director Raxcor Wyeth just stared at him. Neither seemed inclined to find out which of them would win in a fight, but they didn’t look the least bit intimidated, either.
“Draken,” Jaiyu said, pulling at his arm to get his attention. “Draken, look at me.” When he finally complied, she sighed and shook her head. “They’re right. Jason served time, and since he’s been out of lockup, he hasn’t done anything. He hasn’t even approached me.”
He
didn’t give a damn what the male had or hadn’t done since he’d been freed. He did, however, care a great deal about what Jason could do. If anyone should understand that, it should have been Raxcor.
“You sent your own brother to the Rock to protect your mate,” he said icily, staring down the head of the city. “I’m just trying to do the same.”
“And I get that,” Valen cut in, speaking aloud for Jaiyu’s benefit, “but I’m telling you, he hasn’t done anything that warrants me throwing him in a cell and leaving him to rot.”
“My brother,” Raxor added, “tormented Mesa for months. He physically assaulted her.”
The implication that what his mate had been through somehow held more weight than the shit Jaiyu had dealt with filled Draken with an unadulterated rage. A red haze descended, clouding his vision, and his hands curled into fists as a savage growl erupted from his mouth.
“So, I’m just supposed to sit around and wait for him to hurt her before you’ll do anything?” He spat the words, venom dripping from every syllable.
“That’s not what I said.”
Draken had to give him credit. Raxcor sounded remarkably calm considering the level of hatred being directed at him.
“We’re keeping an eye on him.” Valen took a measured step forward. “Jason Castle doesn’t make a move in this city that I don’t know about.”
“Did you know he was outside of her pod the other night?”
The captain nodded. “I also know that she was with you at the time.”
Ah, so Jason wasn’t the only one under surveillance. Draken didn’t like it, but if it kept Jaiyu safe, he could live with it.
“Officers Krex and McCall will continue monitoring the corridors outside of her classroom.”
Draken frowned. “McCall?”
“Aziza Drakar. She mated a human and took his name.” Valen shrugged as if the information wasn’t important. “The point I’m trying to make is that I do take this seriously, but as it stands, he hasn’t broken any laws.”
That wasn’t what Draken wanted to hear. “Fine,” he bit out, “if you won’t do something about it, I will.”