Modified: the Alien's Mate

Chapter Thirteen

None of the soldiers in the convoy died, but two of them were severely injured. Franko too had a few scrapes and bruises, but he appeared in good spirits as he gave his report to his commander, the lanky and handsome, Commander Matthews.

Once Franko had given his report, he had left for the infirmary that was attached to the sprawling ranch.

The single-story, long, low pitched home was painted in white. It even had a white picket fence just like the pictures she had seen when she was younger and learning about American history.

Regina wondered what the story was behind the home but didn't ask because she got the feeling that getting personal information on Corbin was going to break some laws.

When she and Edgar had arrived, they had barely said their greetings before the two Humvees they had left behind came speeding onto the gravel drive and had skidded to a stop, their wheels stirring up dust from the hard and dry ground.

As she and the two males watch Franko and his comrade leave, she turned to Edgar. "I'm glad no one died."

He turned and stared at her. "They know what they signed up for."

His words sounded harsh, but she knew he was right. Choosing to wear any sort of military uniform came with danger.

"These men are the best at what they do," Matthews said, giving her the once over as if he was trying to assure her that it was not her fault that they had been in an ambush. "They are used to combat," he added, meeting her eyes. His eyes sparkled at her, and she bowed her head and hoped he did not see that she was pleased by his interest in her, but she sobered up at once when she thought of the reason she was there.

It did not matter if they were used to combat, it must be scary to find yourself in dangerous situations where death is imminent, she thought, but she kept it to herself. Regina was in no position to make comments on how other people lived their lives.

Regina looked away from him. "So... where is Lionel Corbin?"

"He is round back," Matthews answered. "Wolfblood, you know where to find him, don't you?"

"I do," Edgar said, walking in the opposite direction Franko and his men had taken.

Regina gave Matthews a small smile before she hurried after Edgar.

"Why are you in such a hurry?"

He sized her up and she had the impression he was thinking that she was just a tad foolish.

"We need to conclude our business quickly and return to the ship." A muscle in his pale cheek twitched and she gawked at him.

"Do you think they will try and attack again?"

He blew out his cheeks. "I give you one guess," his tone was low as his long strides ate up the distance.

Regina half run to catch up with him. "Can you slow down," she called, raising her voice to get his attention. "My poor human legs are short and not as strong."

He didn't stop.

Edgar's strides led him around the front of the house and down the side, then to the back where there was a large greenhouse. He only came to a stop before the doors of the building.

When Regina caught up, she was winded, but this did not stop her from glaring at him. "You have a very mean streak captain," she told him. "If I did not know you were half Canidae I would still think of you like a beast."

He threw her a cold stare. "Let's get our business attended to," he said, ignoring her earlier comment.

Often, Regina wondered why it felt as if he was like two different people. Edgar Wolfblood was an enigma and the more time she spent with him her fascination for him grew more.

It would be a lie to say she was unaffected by being with him. She could easily admit it now that she liked him. Maybe it was that the danger she was in was making her assess her life, or maybe she didn't want to die a virgin.

If she was honest, romance had been the last thing on her mind over the years. There were earth sayings that say that when life gives you lemons you make lemonade. Well, she was going to have to make some out of this world lemonade to get Edgar Wolfblood to think of her more than someone who he found a nuisance. How was she going to do that? She wondered.

"Have you been here a lot?" Regina asked as he places his hands on the door to open it.

"Over the years, I have been here a few times."

"You seem friendly with Matthews?" she asked. "Have you known him long?"

"Why do you ask?" His eyes flickering over her face.

Regina shrugged. "I was just curious, that's all."

He turned and levelled a hard gaze on her face. "Do you like him?"

"Who?"

"Commander Matthews," he seemed to growl. His body grew a size taller before her eyes.

The back of her neck tingled she took a few steps out of his way. "Oh no," she said, waving her hand. "Honestly, I was just interested in how you knew them."

He relaxed and she saw his body visibly shrink and she wondered what that was all about.

Shoving a strand of hair that had escaped his braid behind his ear, he tugged at the collar of his uniform.

"I have known Matthews for a long time, he is Corbin's personal guard. The others are new."

"That makes sense," she exhaled loudly. "How did Lionel Corbin become the Intergalactic High Council representative?"

"Through hard work," he informed her. There was admiration in his voice. "He is one of the most trustworthy people I know," he said, his eyes narrowing at the door of the greenhouse.

"Are you ready?" he asked.

When she nodded, he tugged the see-through door to the greenhouse open and ushered her inside before she had a chance to stall him with more questions again.

The fragrant smell of roses rushed towards her, and the heat trapped inside the building felt stifling. Closing her eyes, she inhaled deeply.

Memories of her mother's small garden came rushing into her mind. Her mother loved yellow roses and tended her small garden as if it was her child. A longing began deep within her, but she chose to push it aside. She had been nothing but trouble for her parents, it was better they think she was dead.

Regina opened her eyes and found Edgar watching her.

"Are you well?" There was concern in his eyes.

"The smell of the roses reminded me of Earth, that's all," she admitted as she evaded his eyes.

Sunlight poured into the six large rows of roses in a rainbow of colours. The blooms rose majestically for thornless stalks. They were breathtaking. She had not seen this many roses since she left earth and she wondered how Corbin was able to grow them so well when not many of earth's flora could grow on other world's unless they were genetically modified. These stems looked natural, and she wondered how much effort had gone into caring for them.

Regina's eyes roamed the room until they came to rest at the back of the building where a figure was hunched over as if tending the soil. "Is that Corbin?" she asked, raising her hand to shelter her eyes from the sunlight as she peered towards the person.

"This place was made by his wife. She passed on, not too long ago," He frowned. "Somehow he seems to find comfort tending this place," he said.

Regina shoved her hand into the pocket of her trousers. "He doesn't seem like he's a member of the Intergalactic High Council," she said, sweeping the figure with an assessing stare as he stood and came towards them with a basket of cut flowers hanging over one arm. "Have you known him long? You seem to be on good terms?"

"Corbin and I have been comrades," he told her. When she gazed up at him expectantly, he continued, "We both joined the Intergalactic Space Corp when it was a fledgeling idea."

Regina's eyes fixed intently on his face. Edgar did not look that old, but she guessed he was. "If I recall my history correctly, many of the Worlds who originally joined the Intergalactic Space Corp didn't think it would last past a year."

Lionel Corbin came to stand before them, his eyes focusing intently on her face. "History taught us that every great event begins with the first people who are willing to believe, even if it is a futile cause," Corbin said.

She stared at the amber colour of his face. His bald head and the peppery-white of his goatee then back to his eyes which were a drab but intelligent brown.

"Miss Wilde, I'm delighted to meet you," he said, pulling off frayed garden gloves and offering her his hand.

She shook his hand, noting the firmness of the handshake. "Mr Corbin, you seem to know me, but I can't say I know what an Intergalactic High Councilman wants with me."

He released her hand, and a smile crumpled his face. "Let us find another comfortable spot where we can become better acquainted. What do you say?"

"I think that's a brilliant idea," she agreed enthusiastically. Regina felt Edgar's eyes on her as she followed behind Corbin with a bounce in her step.