Claiming her Alien Warrior

1 Little green men weren’t so little. Or green. A member of the Terran Military Defense Force all her life, Major Jane Allen had expected to be involved in a first contact situation at some point. She hadn’t, however, expected the Lathar. Somehow, she doubted that anyone expected the Lathar. They were less little green men and more large, ripped, scarily-attractive alpha male warriors hot enough to make any red-blooded woman weak at the knees. Even one mid-divorcee, who sworn off men, of any species, for life, like her. She had to admit, they were nice to look at. Considering she was a guest on the Latharian home world, it was a good thing she found them appealing. “No, Your Majesty. One, two, three…one, two, three…that’s it. Perfect.” Jane looked across the room. Kenna, formerly a Marine under her command, and now one of the four women visiting the Latharian home world, was teaching the emperor, Daaynal, how to waltz. Jane’s lips twisted into a small smile. Like most of the Lathar, Daaynal wore leather armor and heavy combat boots. With the warrior’s braids in his long hair, and a face that could have coined the phrase “wickedly handsome” he made an odd sight with Kenna in his arms. Especially as she wore the flowing skirts traditional for Latharian women but with a blaster strapped to her waist. She and Kenna were living proof you could take the girl out of the Marines, but never the marine out of the girl. Daaynal was a quick study, his hold and steps perfect within minutes to spin and twirl Kenna around the room. A large room, it was part of the emperor’s personal chambers and grandly decorated. Jane lay on a luxurious couch, full after the excellent food at lunch and watched the dance lesson. Daaynal, she’d decided within minutes of meeting him, was a delight. Handsome, charming…and ruthless. No one kept such a high position in a warrior society where assassination was a viable promotional tactic unless they would do whatever it took to stay there. He might have Kenna and Cat enthralled, but Jane had seen enough of his type during her long career to have her head turned by a pretty face and hot body. As if to prove her point, Daaynal caught her looking at him as they turned in front of her couch and winked. She grinned and winked back. He knew what she knew about him and didn’t care. He also thought he had her worked out. Oh no, handsome. We’re just getting started. Talking of good-looking faces, it was almost time for her comm call with her liaison at Terran Command. The highlight of her day. Not. Myles Fuller was not her favorite person. He was too cookie-cutter career track officer for her liking. One who had his eye on a political career and using military service to pad his resume. A service record always looked good on the campaign trail. Plus he had a father with enough brass on his collar to make sure little Myles was in no danger of ever setting foot on a battlefield. Good. Because he was the sort of rich, entitled asshole playing soldiers she f*****g hated. The sort who’d hole up safe in their offices during the colony wars while real soldiers did the dying. Soldiers like her brother, who’d never returned. Sighing, she levered herself off the couch. “With your permission, Your Majesty, I have a prior appointment to attend to.” “Of course, of course!” Daaynal replied as he and Kenna breezed past. “I look forward to the pleasure of your company at the banquet this evening.” Ugh, more food. She doubted she’d be able to eat another thing this week, but she bowed anyway and backed out the door. Her boots rang out against the polished floor of the corridor as she headed toward her quarters. As honored guests, the human women had suites near the emperor’s rooms. Security into the wing was high, as it should be after the purist attack at Cat and Tarrick’s wedding. No one knew when and where they’d strike again, but Daaynal was taking no chances with the human women. Jane approved. One thing she’d learned about fanatics during her long career was they were unbalanced as hell and never, ever, gave up. She sighed and ran a hand through her hair. A close-cropped blond pixie cut, it fascinated the servants. She’d stopped them putting flowers and jewels in it. They’d finally realized she took them out within minutes anyway. The palace reminded her of old movies about ancient Rome. It was all white columns and gauze drapes. She half expected a bunch of giggling handmaidens in togas to walk by. Instead, a broad-shouldered figure in leather armor rounded the corner. Recognition hit. Karryl K’Vass. Suppressing the quiver of awareness deep in her stomach, she kept walking. Karryl was one of the warriors who’d attacked and boarded the base she’d been stationed at, Sentinel Five. Even though she and the rest of the personnel aboard had put up a good fight, superior weaponry had won the day and the Lathar had taken them all prisoner. Not before she’d given them a damn good run for their money though. She and her unit had holed up in the central section of the base and made a right nuisance of themselves to the invaders. Then… Karryl had happened. She studied the warrior walking toward them. Taller than most Lathar, he was well-muscled with inky-black hair she itched to run her hands through. He had beautiful turquoise and violet eyes that should have looked out of place on such a strong face, but suited him to perfection. His battered leather armor fit him like a second skin, its only ornamentation the broad dull-gold sash across his chest. It marked him as something similar to a security officer. A security officer with a face like thunder. Uh oh. He marched up to her, stopping barely a foot from her to loom dangerously. The moment they’d met, the big Lathar had tried to lay claim to her. Tried and failed. Since then he’d tipped between charming in an effort to get her to accept his claim, and frustration when she wouldn’t. From his dark expression, looked like today was the latter. “Why didn’t you tell me you had a mate?”