I cannot help the joyous smile that crests my lips. She cares not what others think of her—including other males, which means she is interested only in me. I wrap my arm around her waist and tug her closer.
She is mine and I cannot wait to fully claim her.
We continue toward the Healer in silence. I notice one of the servants walking past and call to her. “Excuse me.”
She stops in her tracks, turning to face me with a deep bow before straightening. “Yes, Prince Varus?”
“This is my mate, Lilliana. Send some refreshments to my rooms for her to enjoy later.”
“Yes, my prince.” She bows again.
“Could you please make sure the meat is cut into tiny pieces?” I add, remembering my mate’s flat, blunt teeth.
Her brow furrows slightly before she bows a third time. “Of course, my prince.”
“Thank you,” I smile and continue down the hall.
As soon as we arrive at the Medical Center, the Healer emerges to greet us. Ranas hails from the Earth Clan and I consider him a good friend. His smile tips into a frown of confusion as his gaze falls on Lilliana. “Who is—”
I cut him off abruptly, grinning. “This is my fated one, Lilliana. She is human and comes from the planet Earth.”
“Human.” He repeats the word with a contemplative expression. “I have never heard of this species or planet.” He bows to her, bending deep. “Are you part of—”
“She needs a translator chip,” I inform him at my mate’s confused face.
He frowns again. “So, her species is not part of the Galactic Federation of Planets?”
I sigh heavily. “No, they are not.” Ignoring his surprise, I turn to my mate. “This is Ranas. He is a Healer. He will assess your wound and fit you with a translator chip.”
She shoots him a curious glance before turning back to me. “He’s green. The rest of your people are different shades of red or orange, from what I’ve seen. And Raidyn was light gray. Does each Clan have scale colors particular to them?”
I mentally chastise myself for forgetting to explain Drakarian coloring. I forget this world is entirely new to her. Her people never heard of mine before now.
“Ranas is of the Earth Clan. Their Clan is neutral and thus on friendly terms with all others. Many of their people are Healers. His people tend to have scales in varying colors of greens and browns.”
“Oh,” she says. “Can you ask him to give me the translator chip first? I’d like to be able to understand your people.”
I nod and turn expectantly to Ranas. He motions for us to follow him into an exam room.
Lilliana sits on the exam table and I give her hand a reassuring squeeze. “It will hurt a bit, but the pain should pass quickly.”
All the color drains from her face. “It’s painful?”
“Only for a moment,” Ranas chimes in.
I translate. “He says it will not last long.”
She eyes him warily as he approaches, subconsciously moving closer to me. My protective instincts soar, and I want to roar my happiness to the stars that she seeks comfort from me like a Drakarian female who has already accepted her mate.
Ranas carefully places the injector behind her left ear. She gasps at the sharp click that sounds when the translator embeds beneath her skin. Squeezing her eyes shut, she curls into me, struggling against the pain while gripping my arm tightly.
My hearts clench and I wrap my wings protectively around her to provide comfort. I cannot stand to see her suffering. An unbidden growl rises in my chest as I face Ranas.
“I thought it was only supposed to last a moment,” I accuse through gritted teeth.
He looks baffled. “It is. I—I do not understand why—”
He breaks off when she lifts her gaze to mine, wiping away her tears. “Don’t blame your friend. The pain is fading,” she murmurs, giving me her best reassuring grin.
Another tear slips down her cheek and I level a dark gaze at Ranas. “You hurt my mate,” I grind out. “Use your healing fire to soothe her pain. Now.”
“Healing fire?” She blinks.
“Earth Drakarians can heal wounds and injuries with their healing fire,” I explain. “Do not worry, it does not burn. The wound will feel better in a moment.”
Her mouth drifts open slightly at my words. Ranas moves toward her and leans down, gently blowing a stream of blue-green flames behind her ear.
At first, she tenses, but the minute the soothing effect begins to take hold, her entire body relaxes against me, her pain forgotten. A light moan escapes her and my possessive instincts flare to life. This sound is suspiciously similar to the mewls of pleasure she made in the cave. I glare at my friend and he subtly backs away.
She smiles up at me. “Wow! It worked. My ear doesn’t hurt anymore.”
While I am pleased she is no longer in pain, I send Ranas another warning glare. The message is clear: She is my mate, not yours.
He dips his chin in an imperceptible bow and takes another step back. From his supply table, he pulls out a scanner. He looks to me and I realize he is waiting for permission to scan my mate.
I turn to Lilliana. “He is going to scan you now, to assess your wounds. Is that all right with you?”
She nods and he takes a cautious step toward her, close enough to run the scanner over her form while still keeping a respectful distance from my mate. Part of me is ashamed to act so hostile toward my friend, but another realizes that my behavior is natural for a newly mated male. Until we complete the bond and I have fully claimed her, my instincts will demand that I chase other males away.
With a heavy sigh, I regard my friend. “I apologize for my behavior.”
He gives me a friendly smile. “All is well. You are acting on instinct, Varus. Nothing
