Tamed by the Beast(21)

Deek pulled me forward so I was by his side, his arm wrapped securely about my waist.

Dax and Sarah stood on the other side of the force field, appearing just as they had when they’d left. How long ago had it been? They seemed more relaxed now, less tense, but their eyes held questions.

“Tiffani,” Deek replied. “My matched mate.” I liked the way my name sounded in his deep voice.

Dax nodded. “She is one feisty female. She forced the Bride Program to transport her, adamant that she could—and would—save you.”

He looked down at me with a hint of awe and respect in his sated gaze.

“Which she has.”

When Dax exhaled loudly, I turned to look at him. Sarah took his hand and she smiled. He did, too. I realized then that they hadn’t known the mating had succeeded in soothing the beast, in ending the mating fever. They only knew that I was their friend’s last chance for survival.

“I see the cuffs on your wrists.”

Deek held one up at Dax’s statement, stared at it, then grinned. “My beast is soothed. I am—” he glanced down at me with a look of reverence, “—claimed.”

“Guards!” Dax shouted, his voice booming and echoing off the walls. “Guards,” he repeated once again until he heard their heavy footfalls approach.

“Do not fear,” Deek murmured in my ear. “You were so very brave. It is now my turn to take care of you.”

I had never heard a man utter such words to me before. The comfort and shelter that they provided was like a balm. I hadn’t realized how alone I’d been, how much I’d had to bear and handle without the support of… anyone. A lump formed in my throat as I blinked back tears.

The guards came then, turning Deek’s attention away from me.

“Commander Deek’s mating fever has been relieved. Release him at once,” Dax ordered.

There were four guards similarly dressed in form-fitting armor like none I’d ever seen before. The strange material looked impenetrable, but it molded every muscle and plane of their bodies with amazing detail. The black and brown swirls, some type of camouflage I assumed, made them look immense and indestructible. I tried to imagine Deek’s massive frame in such armor and very nearly groaned with desire. God, he’d look fucking hot.

Two guards approached, but the one with the most stripes on his chest and wrist stepped forward. He looked to Dax, who had issued the command, then to Deek. His eyes widened when he took me in on the wrong side of the force field wall.

“Commander,” the man said.

Deek held up his free arm, showing him the cuff. “It is true. My mate is here and we have completed the mating bond. Summon the doctor to confirm my mating fever is gone.”

The guard’s gaze assessed Deek for a second, then flicked to me. I stared straight back at him, daring him to deny me. I wasn’t leaving this cell without my mate.

He held my gaze for a few seconds before nodding. “Yes, Commander.”

The doctor was quickly summoned and the force field was dropped to allow him access. Deek was quickly assessed by various objects with lights, but deemed well.

“You are quite lucky, Commander,” the doctor said. He was not nearly the size of Deek, and his uniform was a dark shade of green that reminded me of pine trees and moss. The design was similar to the armored guards, but the material did not look hard, made for battle. It moved and flowed around his body with much more ease. His light brown hair had begun to turn gray at the temples and his dark gray eyes, as they assessed Deek, were completely focused and professional. I had no doubt this man had, at some point in time, been a warrior as well.

Deek returned to my side, wrapping his arm around my shoulders to pull me close. When he looked to me, he smiled. His formidable appearance shifted and I saw the gentle man beneath the commanding façade. “Yes, I am.”

He kissed me then, in front of the doctor, the guards, Dax and Sarah, everyone, as if he was proud to be seen with me, eager for the world to know I belonged to him, and him alone.

Shock held me in place for long seconds before I responded. When I did, I let it all go, wrapping my arms around Deek’s waist and pulling him close. His growl earned a chuckle from Dax, but Deek simply buried his huge hands in my hair and held me in place for a more thorough exploration.

The doctor cleared his throat. “I will sign the appropriate papers to repeal the order of execution. You are free to go.”

Deek finally released me and I swayed, watching as the doctor looked over to where his guard stood at the edge of Deek’s prison cell.

“Release him immediately.”

My heart nearly leapt out of my chest with excitement and relief. I’d done it! Holy shit. I came to another world, seduced an alien and saved his life.