Wrylack ground his teeth together. “I won’t try to escape.”
“Once your female is settled, I expect you back in the med bay. I have wounded who need attending.”
Vrek grunted and stepped out of the room, letting the door close behind him. Shaylee stayed on the bed, her knees drawn up to her chest, as Wrylack walked over to the windows. He stared out at space, wondering how far they were from Alpha9. The sooner his fellow cyborgs were located at the trading post, the sooner everyone would know to search for him. Once he was more familiar with this ship and how the Meori ran things, he could take a chance on using the ship’s computer to contact his fellow cyborgs. Until he was certain it was safe, he wouldn’t risk Shaylee.
The door chime sounded a moment before it opened. Another Meori stepped inside, his arms laden with clothes. Wrylack crossed the room and took the garments from him. The Meori stared at him a moment, glanced at the female, then left. The doors slid shut, and Wrylack set the clothing down to see what they’d been given. There were three tunic style dresses for Shaylee, all of them a thicker material you couldn’t see through and much longer than what she wore now, along with a few pairs of leather pants for him. Apparently, they hadn’t been able to find any shirts in his size, not that he was surprised. He was rather broad across the chest and shoulders.
“Would you like to bathe and change?” Wrylack asked.
Shaylee hesitated a moment and reached for one of the dresses, a deep rose colored one that would leave one shoulder exposed. She skirted around Wrylack and disappeared into the bathroom, the door closing behind her. He heard the cleansing unit turn on and wished she’d asked him to join her. He didn’t expect her to fall right into his arms, but he’d hoped that by helping her he might have gained her trust. Humans were strange creatures. If a Zelranian female had been given to him, she would have wanted him to take care of her. There was no denying that he wanted her, but he wouldn’t press for more than she was willing to give. It had probably been a long time since a male had asked her what she wanted.
“Shaylee,” he called through the door. “I’m going to medical to treat the wounded. Don’t leave this room.”
“I won’t,” came her muffled response.
Wrylack exited the room and wound his way through the ship back to the med bay. There were several Meori waiting to be tended. He went through them as quickly as possible, giving them the medical care they needed, but not exactly using a gentle touch. It went against his training to cause pain to those in his care, but he made an exception after the way they’d threatened Shaylee. By the time the last Meori was patched and sent on his way, Wrylack was worried about his new mate. He didn’t know when she’d last slept or ate. He felt like a bad mate, leaving her the way he had. But if he didn’t keep the Meori happy, he would lose her.
She was staring out the window when he returned to their quarters. She turned slowly to face him. The tunic she’d donned hugged her curves perfectly and accented her ample breasts and hips. He felt his cock harden and hoped she didn’t notice. The last thing he wanted to do was scare her. After the abuse she’d suffered, he would imagine a gentle touch would be needed when it came to his mate.
“When is the last time you ate or slept?” he asked.
“I don’t know,” she said. “Time passes differently here. As a slave, I was kept in a windowless room with other women. Sometimes it felt like forever between meals. The men mostly came when they needed us for other things.”
He didn’t want to think about what those other things were. The thought of someone touching her angered him, especially knowing what she’d recently suffered.
“Are you hungry?” he asked.
She hesitantly nodded.
“Let me get cleaned up, and we’ll go find something to eat. I don’t want to touch you until I’m certain I don’t have any Meori blood on me.”
Wrylack grabbed a pair of the leather pants, hoping they would fit decently enough, and stepped into the bathroom. He peeled his leather suit off and let it drop to the floor before entering the cleansing unit. He washed quickly, ignoring his hard cock. As much as he’d love to take the edge off his arousal, now wasn’t the time. He stepped out of the unit and pressed the button for the automatic dryer. It evaporated the water on his skin and dried out his hair. Wrylack pulled on the leather pants, which fit better than expected, and picked up his suit, tossing it into the corner of the bedroom to be cleaned later.
Shaylee’s eyes were wide as she stared at him. She trembled on the bed, her gaze glued to his bare chest. Wrylack wished he had the words to soothe her, but he didn’t yet know what exactly she’d been through. It was obvious they’d traumatized her, but were the Meori the first to harm her? From the look in her eyes, he would say no. He’d seen that expression before, on slaves who had been sold time and again, and often to unkind masters. He wanted to learn everything about his new mate, but he knew it would take time. Until then, he would try to go slowly.
He moved closer and held out a hand to her. She hesitated only a moment before standing and sliding her palm against his. His lack of clothing seemed to distract her, and he noted her elevated pulse. It was just unclear if her reaction was one of a female who desired him, or more out of fear and uncertainty. He hoped it was desire because the thought of frightening her made him ill. He didn’t want her to fear him.
Shaylee seemed nervous as they exited their quarters, and he kept a tight hold on her hand. It didn’t take long to find the galley. If the ship had a designated cook, he wasn’t nearby. Wrylack rummaged through cabinets and the cold locker until he’d gathered a large platter of meats, bread, and fruit. He could tell Shaylee didn’t like being out in the open, so he carried their food back to their quarters and sat on the bed, placing the large plate between them. He could have used the table across the room, but this felt more intimate, and he wanted to be closer to her.
Shaylee stared at the food, her lips trembling. And yet, she didn’t reach for a single thing on the platter. Wrylack picked up a chunk of meat and offered it to her, holding it up to her mouth. Her gaze clashed with his and she opened, accepting the bite of food. He waited until she’d chewed and swallowed, then offered her another bite. It wasn’t until she waved him off a few minutes later, placing a hand over her belly, that he allowed himself to eat anything. She watched him quietly, and he wished that she’d talk to him.
The empty plate was placed in the corridor, and then Wrylack didn’t know what the hell to do. Shaylee seemed unsure around him, as if she didn’t yet know her place. He knew the best thing to do would be to open up to her, but he worried he’d make her more nervous. He didn’t yet know what would or would not upset her, and the last thing he wanted to do was traumatize her further. Wrylack eased onto the bed.
“Are you tired?” he asked, noting the shadows under her eyes.
Shaylee looked longingly at the bed before returning her gaze to his.
“Shaylee, I would never hurt you. I want to take care of you.”
“I’m yours. They gave me to you,” she said, licking her lips. “I’m your slave now.”
“No!” he said harshly, making her flinch. He slowly reached for her, cupping her cheek with his palm. “Mine, but not my slave.”
“Not a slave?” she asked.
Wrylack shook his head.
“But yours,” she said.
“Mine. Only mine.”
Confusion clouded her eyes, and Wrylack leaned closer, giving her time to pull away. His lips brushed against hers, softly, slowly. He knew he shouldn’t have made such a move so soon, but he’d wanted to taste her. Shaylee didn’t push him away, but she wasn’t exactly throwing herself into his arms either. Wrylack slid his hand down to her waist and lifted her onto his lap. Her breath caught and she tensed a moment, but he continued kissing her gently, hoping she would realize she had nothing to fear from him. It wasn’t long before she relaxed against him, her hand pressing against his chest.
Wrylack drew back and stared dow
n at her. “Mine.”
Shaylee curled against him, and he wrapped her in his arms. Wrylack was content to hold her, even though he wanted more. The taste of her lips was sweet, and he wondered if she was as sweet everywhere. He wasn’t foolish enough to think she’d let him claim her anytime soon, even if he was hopeful. It was almost cruel to finally have a mate and not be able to savor every inch of her.
“We should sleep,” Wrylack said. He stood and set Shaylee on her feet before turning down the bed. He motioned for her to crawl in.
She seemed to freeze when he reached for the fastenings on his pants, but he knew from experience that sleeping in leather wasn’t a good idea, and the sooner she became familiar with his body, the better. Wrylack stripped out of the pants. Reaching for her, he pulled the tunic over her head and let it fall to the floor. She gasped and her cheeks flushed, but she didn’t try to cover herself.
Wrylack held back a groan at how fucking beautiful she was. His hands itched to trace every inch of her, and his lips wanted to taste her. He got into the bed and pulled her down beside him.
“We’re just going to sleep,” he told her. “I meant what I said. I will never hurt you.”
He held his arms open, and Shaylee settled against him. He breathed in her scent and felt more content than he had in a long time, which was ridiculous since they were being held hostage by the Meori. There was no sense in doing anything but accepting his fate at this point, unless he wanted to risk Shaylee, and he’d never do that. He’d play by the Meori’s rules until his fellow cyborgs arrived. However long that would take.
She shifted in his arms, and Wrylack smoothed a hand down her back, pressing her closer. Shaylee sighed and fidgeted some more. His cock was harder than it had ever been before, and he felt pre-cum gathering on the tip. He knew she had to notice.
“What’s wrong?” he asked.
“What’s going to happen to me?” she asked softly.
“One day I’ll take you to my world. Xpashta. It’s beautiful there. Very peaceful.”
“Because I’m yours,” she said.
“Yes. Mine.”
She was quiet for a moment. “What does that mean? You say I’m yours and yet say I’m not a slave. Then what am I?”
Wrylack tightened his arms around her. “You’re my mate, Shaylee. The Meori gifted you to me, and I plan to keep you. I’ll have the commanders make it official when we get to my planet, but with or without their blessing, you will always be mine.”
“Mate. Like a pair? A breeding pair?” she asked.
He growled. “You’re more than that to me. A mate is… I believe your Earth term is husband and wife.”
Her gaze jerked to his. “Wife? I’m your wife?”
“Is that acceptable to you? I swear that you will never be a slave again. You’re mine, and I will protect you with my life. No male shall ever touch you except me.”
She stared at him, as if she were trying to see into his soul, and eventually she nodded. If she’d balked, or had seemed frightened, Wrylack didn’t know what he would have done. He didn’t want to force her to be with him, but he didn’t want to let her go either. Soon she would see that he would be good to her, treat her gently, and give her anything she wanted. Even though he’d never had a woman in his life before, he knew he could be a good mate.
Shaylee settled against him again, and after a few minutes, her breathing evened out. While she slept, Wrylack held her tight and vowed to keep her safe at all costs. He’d been given an incredible gift, and he would do anything to keep her alive and in his arms. Even if it meant finding a way to kill every Meori on board the ship. If only he knew how to do that without risking Shaylee.
Chapter Two
Shaylee woke pressed against a hard body. For a moment, she panicked, and then she remembered it was Wrylack who held her. He’d kissed her, but hadn’t pushed for more, even though he’d stripped them both naked. She’d thought for sure he was going to force himself on her. He’d said she was his wife now, but she didn’t quite understand. There hadn’t been a ceremony or anything. Maybe the official thing he’d mentioned when they reached his world was a wedding ceremony? The Meori had given her to him, like passing along a slave. She’d been a slave for so long, Shaylee wasn’t certain she knew how to be anything else. What exactly would he expect of her?
Her cheeks flushed when she felt the hard length of Wrylack’s cock against her belly. It seemed her new mate was aroused, even in sleep. Part of Shaylee wanted to pull away from him, put some much needed distance between them. But he’d been so kind to her, so tender, that she was a little curious. All she’d ever known from men was roughness, but the alien sleeping with her was different. He claimed to be a cyborg, but she didn’t know if that meant he was more machine than man. He’d mentioned mechanical parts other than his eyes. Did he have feelings like other people?
His arms tightened around her, and Shaylee tried to relax in his embrace. He hadn’t done anything to make her worry that he would be cruel to her, but experience told her that men didn’t know how to be any other way. Even on Earth, she had never known the soft touch of a man. She’d spent her life in the foster care system, until she’d been abducted by aliens when she was seventeen. She’d spent the last five years as a slave. Somehow, she’d hung onto her humanity, but there were days she thought she’d break.
She felt lips brush the top of her head, and she looked up to find Wrylack watching her.
“Morning,” he said.
“How can you tell? With all that dark space out the window, it feels like endless night.”
He smiled a little. “My systems tell me it’s day. On my world, the suns would be rising by now. Did you sleep well?”
Shaylee thought about it a moment before nodding. It was odd, but she really had slept well. Even with him holding her, or perhaps because he’d been holding her, she’d had the best night of sleep since her nightmare first began. While she still wasn’t completely certain about him, she felt oddly safe and comforted when his arms were around her.
Wrylack hesitated a moment before lowering his head to hers. His lips were soft as he kissed her slowly. One of his hands fisted her long hair, but it didn’t frighten her. The strong arms wrapped around her made her feel protected and not scared. He didn’t want a sex slave; he wanted a wife. And that made him different from any male she’d ever met. Shaylee was almost afraid to trust that things were changing for her, that perhaps the horror was finally over. There were things she should tell him, if he really was claiming her as his mate.
Wrylack drew away, reluctantly, as if he wanted to kiss her for a while longer. Shaylee didn’t think she would have minded. His kisses were nice, better than anything she’d ever experienced. Her lips tingled where they’d touched his and there was a warmth spreading through her that she didn’t understand. Wrylack’s grip on her hair eased, and his hand smoothed down her back to rest against the curve of her ass.
Shaylee’s heart thundered in her chest, wondering how far he was going to take things. She’d never been with a male without force being involved, but if Wrylack wanted her in that way, she wouldn’t fight him. It was the least she could do to repay the kindness he’d shown her. And if it hurt, like it always did, she would try to hold her tears at bay.
“I can feel your heart beating faster and the quickness of your breathing,” Wrylack said. “But I don’t know what you’re thinking right now. Do I frighten you?”
“No,” she said softly. “If you were going to hurt me, I think you would have by now.” At least, if he were going to intentionally hurt her. She knew that when he claimed her body it would hurt whether he meant for it to or not. It always had.
Wrylack sat up on his knees and pulled the blankets away from her. She lay still, not knowing what was going to happen. His eyes glowed as he scanned her from head to toe, and she remembered he’d said something about his special eyes doing that during an exam. When those glowing eyes came back to her abdomen, he stopped. Wr
ylack’s hand slowly reached for her, splaying across her lower belly.
“You’ve been pregnant before,” he said. “I noticed during my scan of you in medical. You have scarring on your womb.”
“A few times.”
“Where are your children?”
“I don’t know,” she said softly. “Some didn’t live long enough to be born. Only two had successful deliveries, but I don’t know if they live still. They were taken from me immediately. I never even got to hold them, or find out if I had a boy or girl.”
She’d never admit how much that had hurt. Yes, they were the product of rape, but she’d carried them in her womb, had felt them kick and roll inside her. They were a part of her, and even if their fathers had been monsters, she couldn’t have hated her children. She’d loved them, had wanted to see their little faces when they were born, but they’d been ripped away from her before she ever laid eyes on them. She didn’t know if they had been killed, sold into slavery like her, or if their fathers had kept them.
His gaze was sad as he stared down at her. He reached for her face, his fingers grazing her cheek. “I’m sorry for all that you’ve suffered. I will protect you with my life, Shaylee. As long as there is breath in my body, I won’t allow anyone to harm you again.”
Tears gathered in her eyes at his sweet words, and when he lay beside her again, she willingly went into his arms. “I know you say I’m your mate, but what if I can’t have children anymore? Don’t you want children?”
“As long as I have you, that’s all that matters. But I don’t detect anything wrong with your reproductive organs. Even with the scarring, you should be able to have a successful delivery. Do you know why you miscarried the other babies?”
“No. I was never told anything.”
“The babies who lived long enough to be delivered, do you remember who owned you at the time? Perhaps we could track down your children.”
“You would… you would allow another male’s children into your home?” she asked. “What if their fathers are your enemies?”
Offered to the Cyborg Page 2