Read Online Arak's Love: A World Beyond Book 2 by Michelle Howard - Free Book Online
Authors: Michelle Howard
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so much we can do. I promise that the planetary alliance is making every effort to stop them and that starts with Lothar, the current leader of the fastest growing branch of the illegal trade.”
It wasn’t much but it had to be enough. After a few more questions, she and Joni were led to a miniature-sized apartment on the same floor. Not large by any means but a lot bigger than the rooms and cages she’d been imprisoned in over the last three months. Sleek and simple leather furnishings created a calm ambiance that Sylvie appreciated. Her feet sunk into rich thick carpet in a cream shade. Abstract paintings hung on three of the walls, splashes of yellow across the odd background. Too tired to give the place more than an absent glance beyond that, she nodded whenever Faruk spoke. After showing them a small kitchenette and bathroom, he guided them through the small space until they reached two bedrooms located in the back.
A quick check and Sylvie knew it was better than anywhere she and Joni had slept. On his way out, Faruk stopped in the living area at a silver box similar to a laptop but without a lid and with a multitude of buttons and lights. A communicator. “Torkel says if you need anything to contact him at star two.”
He pointed at another button that glowed blue. “If you need to order food, press here. The last pre-programmed button is for the Comm Center and Jaron is usually available there.”
Joni remained silent, taking in their surroundings. Sylvie nodded. “Thank you.”
Faruk paused at the door. Sincerity blazed from his gray eyes. “We’re glad we were able to get you out of there. Every rescue, every save means a lot to us.”
As soon as the door closed behind him, Joni fanned her face. “Mmm. He’s hotness.”
Sylvie arched a brow. “Really, Joni? We’re not here to ogle their alien version of the military.”
Her words did nothing to hinder Joni’s humor. “You can say that when tall, dark and yummy growls if you so much as frown.”
Arak. She meant Arak who’d left without so much as a backward look at Sylvie. “Well, rather him than the scary one who scorches you with those green eyes every time he looks in your direction.”
Red stained Joni’s cheek and her amber gaze went dark. “I’m not looking for a man now, Sylvie. Maybe never.”
And at once her humor vanished. Sylvie wondered if Joni would ever share her experience with the Marenians. Joni knew about her lashings but the woman had been surprisingly tightlipped about her own time in captivity. Hopefully, they’d both come out on top and stronger than ever.
***
Arak paced in his quarters in an effort to settle. His cat clawed at his insides, wanting out and wanting to look for his woman. He flinched at the thought and paused in the middle of his living room space. His woman? Sylvie didn’t belong to him. She was a mission. Someone he’d rescued as he’d done a number of times in his past. But the thought that she belonged to him niggled at the back of his mind and he blamed his shifter half for that.
Argorans settled on mates within moments of scenting them. It’s what had happened to his maman and ended his papan’s chance at happiness. Alora had come to Enotia to attend a presentation for a Chosen. She’d selected the gentle Enotian, Garis, and become pregnant during their first year together. Ten years later Alora had traveled alone to Argora for a visit and found her true mate. An Argoran male.
Alora returned to Enotia weeks later with her new mate in tow and requested severance from her Chosen. The Commission which oversaw the presentation ceremony had been appalled. Arak snorted. The circumstance had been one they’d never encountered but they’d granted her wishes, leaving Garis without the woman of his heart. His maman was the reason for the law banning Argorans from participation in any Enotian presentations, including himself. An Argoran’s muata could not be denied.
The only good
It wasn’t much but it had to be enough. After a few more questions, she and Joni were led to a miniature-sized apartment on the same floor. Not large by any means but a lot bigger than the rooms and cages she’d been imprisoned in over the last three months. Sleek and simple leather furnishings created a calm ambiance that Sylvie appreciated. Her feet sunk into rich thick carpet in a cream shade. Abstract paintings hung on three of the walls, splashes of yellow across the odd background. Too tired to give the place more than an absent glance beyond that, she nodded whenever Faruk spoke. After showing them a small kitchenette and bathroom, he guided them through the small space until they reached two bedrooms located in the back.
A quick check and Sylvie knew it was better than anywhere she and Joni had slept. On his way out, Faruk stopped in the living area at a silver box similar to a laptop but without a lid and with a multitude of buttons and lights. A communicator. “Torkel says if you need anything to contact him at star two.”
He pointed at another button that glowed blue. “If you need to order food, press here. The last pre-programmed button is for the Comm Center and Jaron is usually available there.”
Joni remained silent, taking in their surroundings. Sylvie nodded. “Thank you.”
Faruk paused at the door. Sincerity blazed from his gray eyes. “We’re glad we were able to get you out of there. Every rescue, every save means a lot to us.”
As soon as the door closed behind him, Joni fanned her face. “Mmm. He’s hotness.”
Sylvie arched a brow. “Really, Joni? We’re not here to ogle their alien version of the military.”
Her words did nothing to hinder Joni’s humor. “You can say that when tall, dark and yummy growls if you so much as frown.”
Arak. She meant Arak who’d left without so much as a backward look at Sylvie. “Well, rather him than the scary one who scorches you with those green eyes every time he looks in your direction.”
Red stained Joni’s cheek and her amber gaze went dark. “I’m not looking for a man now, Sylvie. Maybe never.”
And at once her humor vanished. Sylvie wondered if Joni would ever share her experience with the Marenians. Joni knew about her lashings but the woman had been surprisingly tightlipped about her own time in captivity. Hopefully, they’d both come out on top and stronger than ever.
***
Arak paced in his quarters in an effort to settle. His cat clawed at his insides, wanting out and wanting to look for his woman. He flinched at the thought and paused in the middle of his living room space. His woman? Sylvie didn’t belong to him. She was a mission. Someone he’d rescued as he’d done a number of times in his past. But the thought that she belonged to him niggled at the back of his mind and he blamed his shifter half for that.
Argorans settled on mates within moments of scenting them. It’s what had happened to his maman and ended his papan’s chance at happiness. Alora had come to Enotia to attend a presentation for a Chosen. She’d selected the gentle Enotian, Garis, and become pregnant during their first year together. Ten years later Alora had traveled alone to Argora for a visit and found her true mate. An Argoran male.
Alora returned to Enotia weeks later with her new mate in tow and requested severance from her Chosen. The Commission which oversaw the presentation ceremony had been appalled. Arak snorted. The circumstance had been one they’d never encountered but they’d granted her wishes, leaving Garis without the woman of his heart. His maman was the reason for the law banning Argorans from participation in any Enotian presentations, including himself. An Argoran’s muata could not be denied.
The only good
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