Shaylee stared wide-eyed as a large group of cyborgs gathered around her. She’d known she was coming to a world with only two other humans -- only two other females for that matter -- but this… she’d never seen so many men at one time, especially ones built like these. Was there such a thing as a skinny, puny cyborg? It was like being surrounded by a race of massive warriors, and she supposed that was essentially what they were, thanks to the Cy-Con program Wrylack had mentioned. The Shaylee who had been mistreated all her life would have been terrified to be surrounded by such men, but after spending so much time with Wrylack, things were different. She was still damaged, but she was learning that not everyone would harm her.

“They won’t hurt you,” he whispered in her ear and nudged her forward a little, as if reading her thoughts.

They all watched, curiosity blazing in some of their eyes, and sadness in others. From what Wrylack had told her, they were lonely and wanted mates. It was a little heartbreaking that there so many males here on Xpashta who would treat a female kindly, and yet they were alone. And then there were slavers out there, taking whoever they wanted when they wanted, and hurting innocent women. It didn’t seem fair.

“What is it?” Wrylack asked.

“I want to help them,” she said.

“Help them?”

She nodded. “There are women out there, like me, who could benefit from being the mate of a cyborg. As long as… the cyborgs weren’t picky.”

“Picky?” Wrylack asked.

“I’m talking about women who may be damaged mentally, physically, and emotionally. They will need someone to care for them, to show them not all men are monsters. If your fellow cyborgs are anything like you, then I think those women would be lucky to have one as a mate.”

“You still want us to rescue slaves and claim them?” Wrylack asked.

“It would benefit you and the women.”

“She wants us to take slaves?” a cyborg asked, horror etched on his face.

Shaylee felt the blood drain from her face, and she pressed tighter to Wrylack. If they were so opposed to women who had been slaves, they would never accept her. Had Wrylack lied when he said his people would welcome her? A murmur went through the crowd and accusing glances were cast her way.

“What does she mean, Wrylack?” a deep voice asked.

“Remember when Maggie mentioned that we could purchase slaves and free them here on Xpashta?” Wrylack asked. “My mate is suggesting we track down women who have been kept as slaves and bring them here… as mates. I assure you, Sorus, she didn’t mean that we should keep slaves.”

Sorus gazed down at her from his imposing height, even taller than Wrylack. “And how do you suggest we do that? Visit every outpost in the galaxy and purchase slave women?”

“I don’t know,” Shaylee said. “I just thought… “

“You thought what?” Sorus asked.

“You want mates, more than anything, and there are a lot of human women who are being kept as slaves, probably far more than Earth even realizes. If you could save those women and give them a better life, it would benefit not only your cyborgs but those women as well. They would get rescued from a hell you can’t imagine, and your men would have families.”

A cyborg stepped forward. “If we commandeered a few more ships, it would be possible to have two crews of ten each out searching for mates on a regular basis. Her idea isn’t a bad one, Sorus.”

“Very well, Jaksil. Get a crew together and see what you can do about procuring more ships for us. We’ll go from there,” Sorus said. He turned his gaze back to Shaylee. “And you… you were pleased to be mated to someone like us? You’re not afraid?”

“My life has been very hard since I was a small child, even on Earth I was never shown affection, unless it was the wrong kind. Wrylack is wonderful to me. It doesn’t bother me that some of his parts are mechanical,” Shaylee said.

Sorus nodded. “Very well. With two mates suggesting we rescue human female slaves, perhaps it’s something we should seriously pursue. We were intrigued by the idea when Maggie brought it up, but have not actively pursued it yet. Welcome to Xpashta, Shaylee. I hope you like your new home.”

She shyly smiled up at him, and then Wrylack was tugging her through the crowd again. He stopped in front of a large cyborg with a metal arm.

“Tark, this is my mate, Shaylee,” Wrylack said, pulling her forward a little.

“It’s nice to meet you,” Shaylee said.

Tark gazed at her in curiosity before looking at Wrylack. “You had to force her to be your mate?”

“No,” Wrylack said.

“He saved me,” Shaylee said. “I’m with him because I want to be.”

Tark looked at her again. “And his eyes don’t bother you?”

She shook her head. “They’re beautiful.”

He gazed at her another moment before looking at Wrylack again. “Your home is ready. You were given one between Lathim and Rorwick, so your mate would be equal distance to both of the other human females.”

“Thank you,” Wrylack said.

“I’ll take you there,” Tark said, glancing at Shaylee once more before turning and heading off away from the crowd.

It was quite a walk to their new home, but Shaylee took everything in. Her new home was… interesting. She hadn’t known what to expect when Wrylack had said he was taking her to a planet of cyborgs. The house in front of her appeared to be made of some sort of stone, but there was glass in the windows. Wrylack opened the door and ushered her inside. It was sparsely furnished, but seemed to have the essentials. Shaylee wandered through the rooms, noting there were five bedrooms.

“It’s rather big,” she commented.

Tark had followed them inside. “It was mentioned that your children might be joining you, and since Wrylack will likely want more children, you were given one of the larger homes. The commanders wanted to make sure you had plenty of space.”

Shaylee tried not to think about what would happen if her children weren’t found, or were already dead. Wrylack seemed convinced they were alive and would be returned to her, but she had her doubts. Today was a day for happiness, though, so she pushed aside the sad thoughts plaguing her.

“Food has been stocked for you,” Tark said. “If your mate would like to select some items from the storage rooms, the commanders said she had permission to do so. I believe most of the books from Earth have been picked over by Maggie, but I’m sure she would share.”

“I can’t read,” Shaylee said.

Wrylack looked at her in surprise. “You can’t?”

She shook her head.

“Why were you not taught to read?” Wrylack asked. “Isn’t that a common thing for humans to learn?”

“I didn’t go to very good schools and no one cared if I learned or not. Most of the schools I attended were in bad parts of town, and most of the kids were passed whether they earned the grades or not.” She shrugged. “I had other things to worry about.”

Like surviving.

Both cyborgs blinked at her, like they didn’t know what to make of her statement. She hoped Wrylack didn’t think less of her. She wasn’t book smart, but she had street smarts. That had to count for something, didn’t it? Shaylee didn’t think she was stupid, but no one had ever cared if she learned how to do something. Ever since she’d gotten old enough to gain a few curves, all anyone had cared about was whether she got them off. Even those who were supposed to protect her.

She hadn’t lied when she told Wrylack she was trash, and he could do so much better than her. But he hadn’t listened. She wondered if now he was regretting that decision. Just because his people were desperate for mates didn’t mean they had to take just anyone. As a medic, he could have been more selective. He had to be smart, probably smarter than the average warrior wandering around this place, and now he was stuck with a mate who couldn’t do something as simple as read.

“I need to visit medical,” Wrylack said. “You’ll be safe here.”

“Or I could go with you,” she said.

“It’s a long walk and you’re tired, Shaylee. Stay here and rest, and I’ll return soon. Explore your new home and think of some items you want or need.” Wrylack reached out and cupped her cheek. “I want you to be happy here.”

“I will be,” she assured him.

“Medical?” Tark asked. “Were you injured?”

“No, but I would like to give Shaylee more time before we start a family,” Wrylack said.

Tark turned an accusing gaze her way. “You would keep him from starting a family when it’s all he’s ever wanted? What kind of mate doesn’t want children with the male she’s chosen?”

Wrylack wrapped a hand around Tark’s arm. “It’s not her fault. She’s agreeable to having children with me. It’s my decision to do this.”

“I asked him not to,” Shaylee said. “If he wants to start a family now, I’m all right with that.”

Wrylack focused on her. “And I told you that we would wait until your children were found and returned. I’m not an unreasonable male, Shaylee. I can’t ask you to have a baby when the two you already gave birth to are out there somewhere.”

Tark scanned her from head to toe. “She doesn’t look old enough to have two children.”

“Shaylee was captured on her Earth when she was only seventeen and then sold into slavery. Her children were born while she was owned by two different males. Norkov is tracking them down,” Wrylack said.

Tark paled. “You were taken when you were so young?”

“Still a child on her world,” Wrylack said. “And she said there are others, even younger, who have been captured and sold. I asked Norkov to bring them here if he’s able to locate any.”

“What are we going to do with children?” Tark asked.

“Protect them,” Wrylack said. “I’m going to speak to the commanders about willing cyborgs who will take those young females into their homes and guard them. They will have been abused and some may have never known a soft touch or kind word. They need us.”

Tark nodded. “Very well.”

Wrylack pulled Shaylee into his arms and kissed her softly. “I won’t be long.”

“Please don’t go,” she said, holding onto him. “I know you think it’s best if we wait, but I don’t care. Babies are meant to be miracles, Wrylack. Who’s to say we have one right away if you don’t get the shot? It could still take a while.”

“I’m not taking a chance, Shaylee. You’ll thank me later. You need time to adjust to life here, to freedom. Take time to enjoy your life. When your children are brought home, you’re going to have your hands full. It’s not wise to add a baby to the mix.”

She sighed and nodded. She had to admit that he made good points. Shaylee watched Wrylack and Tark walk out the door, closing it behind them, then she wandered her new home. There wasn’t much to explore since the only personal items delivered were Wrylack’s clothing and grooming supplies. There wasn’t a single picture on any of the walls, no items that he’d taken a liking to and kept… nothing. Just bare walls, plain furniture, and his belongings.

She did notice a large screen on one wall, but didn’t have a clue how to make it work. Did cyborgs have movies? Or was it a communication device of some sort? She studied it a moment and then turned her gaze to two large doors that led out into a courtyard of sorts. Really, it was a stone patio surrounded by tall, rock-like walls. There was no grass, no plants… nowhere to sit. She found it curious and wondered why they had them if they obviously didn’t go out to enjoy the area. Maybe Wrylack could find her a bench so she could sit out there when she wanted fresh air but didn’t want to be gawked at by all the cyborgs.

There was a knock at the front door and she approached it cautiously, then scoffed at herself. A planet full of cyborgs and two humans… who did she think was out there? It wasn’t like she was getting abducted again. At least, she didn’t think that would happen here. Wrylack had assured her she was safe on his planet.

“Who’s there?” she called out.

“My name’s Maggie. I’m Lathim’s mate,” a feminine voice called back.

Shaylee stared at the door and after several tries, realized that she had no idea how to open it. “I don’t know how to let you in.”

She heard Maggie sigh. “I guess they haven’t programmed the house to respond to you yet. I’m going to leave some things on your doorstep. Wrylack can bring them inside when he returns. My mate mentioned you were alone right now, and I’d thought to come keep you company. I brought a few gifts.”

Gifts? Someone had brought her gifts? Shaylee couldn’t remember ever receiving a gift from someone before.

“Thank you,” Shaylee said. “I’m sorry I can’t let you in.”

Maggie laughed. “It’s all right. We’ll meet another time. Wrylack knows where we live. You can come visit anytime.”

She heard the woman walk away and slammed her hand against the stupid door. What good was freedom if she was trapped in the house? She hoped Wrylack returned soon. Maggie had said something about programming the house to respond to her. Did that mean there was a computer in the house like on the ship? She didn’t know anything about this world and felt a little lost.

She banged on the door once more and let out a startled gasp as it slid open, revealing a rather imposing cyborg on the other side. His gaze scanned her from head to toe before settling on her face.

“So, you’re the human female Wrylack claimed as his mate,” the cyborg said.

He stepped across the threshold, pressing her backward into the house.

“Who are you?” she asked, wondering if perhaps she was in danger. How was it this cyborg had access to her house, but Maggie couldn’t come in?

“My name is Kiril. I’m one of the cyborg commanders.”

“Does that mean you’re in charge?”

He smiled slightly. “Something like that.”

“Wrylack isn’t home,” she said.

“I know. I came to see you.”

“Me?” For some reason, she didn’t think that meant anything good.

“Wrylack is… different from the rest of us. I know that circumstances put the two of you together, but now that you’ve seen how many cyborgs are without mates, I wanted to make sure you wanted to remain with him.”

Shaylee’s brow furrowed. “I don’t understand.”

“If you wanted a different mate, someone more… normal… then I could make that happen,” Kiril said.

More normal? What was he…? Shaylee gasped, and fury ignited inside her.

“There is nothing wrong with Wrylack! Why does everyone act like he’s some sort of freak or something?” she demanded.

“His eyes are unusual and most females have found them unsettling.”

“Females?” She swallowed hard. “What other females?”

“Before we learned that the females at the floating brothels weren’t there of their own accord, we used those facilities regularly. Now we only use sex bots.”

Wrylack, her sweet Wrylack, had been with whores? But that meant… The room spun a little. If those women weren’t there willingly, then it was the same as him relieving himself with a slave. Those women didn’t ask for his attention and had likely felt forced.

“I think I’m going to be sick,” she said a moment before she ran to the bathroom and threw up.

Kiril followed, a frown on his face. “What’s wrong?”

“Wrylack did that? He used those women without any care about… “ She couldn’t even finish the sentence. “That makes him, makes all of you, no better than those who have owned me.”

“What are you telling my mate?” Wrylack asked harshly from behind Kiril. “You’ve upset her.”

Shaylee looked up at him with tears in her eyes. “You used them. You didn’t even care that they didn’t want to be with you. Willing or not, you took what you wanted from them.”

Wrylack froze. “What are you talking about, Shaylee?”

“The women at the brothels.”

His face paled and he sank to his knees in front of her. “I never knew, Shaylee. Until Lathim’s mate told us those women were sold to those places, we thought they were there willingly. I never would force myself on a female.”

“But you did,” she said brokenly.

“Shaylee,” he said softly, reaching for her. She drew away, and his hand fell to his side. “The moment I found out those women were forced to be with whoever purchased their services, I stopped using the floating brothels. I don’t even use the sex bots there anymore. I could never knowingly harm a female. It goes against everything I believe in.”

She kept her distance, wanting his words to be true, but after everything she’d been through, how could she trust him?

Wrylack growled and stood, facing the other cyborg. “Why did you come here and tell her those things?”

“I wanted to make sure she was with you because she wanted to be and not because she felt like she had no choice. You know you’re different from most of us, with your strange eyes. I was merely explaining that all other females had been scared of you. I didn’t realize she’d fall apart,” Kiril said.

“You tried to take my mate from me?” Wrylack asked.

“I wanted to make sure she understood she had options. It’s my job to ensure everyone’s happiness, Wrylack, not just yours. If she felt coerced into being with you, she needed to know that she could leave.”

Wrylack slammed a fist into the wall. “Leave.”

Kiril nodded and turned. He paused at the doorway and looked back at Shaylee. “If you wish to leave him, let me know. We’ll find you a better mate.”

Shaylee didn’t give him an answer. Wrylack had been wonderful to her, the perfect mate, until she’d found out about the whores. But if what he said was true, if he hadn’t realized what he was doing was wrong, could she really hold it against him? After the other cyborg left, Wrylack turned and knelt in front of her again, a look of anguish on his face.

“You hate me now,” he said.

“I don’t hate you,” Shaylee said.

“I truly didn’t know about those females,” he said. “If I had thought for one minute they really didn’t want to be with me, I’d have never touched them.”

“Kiril said they were afraid of you.”

“Some were,” he said. “I left those alone. I’ve only been with two living females aside from you, Shaylee. Both were at a brothel, before I knew they didn’t really want to be there. The rest of the time I’ve used sex bots. It was easier than dealing with a hysterical female when she saw my eyes. While I did stop going to the brothels, we have some sex bots on Xpashta as well.”

“How could you not tell?” she asked.

“On my home world, casual sex isn’t a thing. If you have sex with a female, you take her as your mate. Other than the experience I had with the two females at the brothel and with sex bots, I didn’t have anything to compare it with. They didn’t tell me to stop, didn’t push me away.” Wrylack reached for her again, brushing her hair off her face. “If I had known that one day I would have a mate like you, I would have never touched them. I’m sorry that I used them, I’m sorry that they touched me without wanting to, but mostly I’m sorry that the knowledge of those two encounters hurts you. I would do anything for you, Shaylee. You’re my entire world.”

Shaylee rolled to her knees and flung herself into Wrylack’s arms. “I’m sorry I reacted the way I did.”

“You had every reason to be upset,” Wrylack said. “It happened long before I met you, Shaylee. And if I had known that you would be in my arms right now, I’d have waited. I would have preferred my first time with a living female to have been with you.”

“I should have trusted you,” she said. “You’ve given me no reason not to.”

“I’m not upset with you, Shaylee. I’m furious with Kiril, though.” He drew in a deep breath. “Do you wish for another mate? I would understand if you did.”

Shaylee reached up and cupped his cheek. “I don’t want anyone but you.”

He nuzzled her nose with his. “I want you, Shaylee. Only you, for as long as I live.”

His lips brushed against hers, and Shaylee curled her fingers around the long strands of his hair. She loved it when he kissed her, loved feeling his arms around her. Being with Wrylack was unlike anything she’d ever experienced before, and she wondered if she’d ever get enough of him. He stood, taking her with him, and carried her out of the bathroom and into the room they would share.

Wrylack eased her down his body and reached for the hem of her dress. She didn’t stop him as he lifted it over her head and let it fall to the floor. Wrylack caressed the curves of her body before drawing her close and kissing her deeply again.

“Mine,” he murmured against her lips.

“Yours,” she said.

Wrylack pulled away and began removing his clothes. When he stood before her completely bare, Shaylee reached for him. Her fingers glided across his muscles; Shaylee wanted to memorize every inch of him. The contrast of his light lavender skin and her milky white hand was beautiful, and she wondered what their children would look like. When he lifted her and laid her down on the bed, she went without protest. Since leaving the Meori ship, he hadn’t touched her intimately, and her body ached for him.

He stood, watching her, his gaze tracing her from head to toe. Wrylack reached for her, wrapping his hand around her ankle and dragging her to the edge of the bed. His hands gripped her thighs and spread them wide. She let him look his fill and shivered in anticipation.

Wrylack fell to his knees in front of her. “I learned a few things about pleasuring a human female while I was in medical. If this doesn’t feel good, tell me to stop and I will.”

Her heart hammered in her chest as he leaned forward, his fingers opening her wide. The first lick of his tongue against her slick folds made Shaylee gasp. Wrylack licked her again, his tongue flicking against her clit. Shaylee didn’t care where he’d learned to do that, as long as he didn’t stop. Wrylack feasted on her, his tongue plunging into her tight channel before circling her clit again.

“Wrylack,” she said, her voice filled with need.

His lips closed around the bundle of nerves, and he sucked on it until she was screaming his name, her hips bucking against him. He gently lapped at her until the last of the tremors subsided, then he rose over her body. Her thighs gripped him as his cock brushed against her.

“My sweet, Shaylee. My perfect mate,” he said.

Before she could respond, he thrust hard and deep, entering her fully. Shaylee’s nails bit into his shoulders and her eyes closed a moment. She loved feeling Wrylack inside her. He took her slowly, the slide of his cock igniting every nerve. He took his time, being gentle and loving. A tidal wave of bliss carried Shaylee away, and one orgasm turned into two.

“Harder,” she begged.

He growled a little and drove into her. With her cries begging him for more, Wrylack took her like a male possessed. She felt his release spill into her, and he groaned in her ear, her body clutched against him. His heart pounded in his chest, and she kissed him, everywhere she could reach.

“My Shaylee,” he murmured before claiming her lips. “I would stay in bed with you for days if I could.”

“Why can’t you?” she asked as he eased out of her.

She looked at his cock, glistening with their mingled release, and felt some trickle out of her. If he hadn’t gone to get that shot, then right now, she could possibly be pregnant with his child. She hoped he didn’t come to regret that decision.

“There’s something I need to do. It’s going to require me to leave for a short while, but I think you’ll be pleased when I return. I’ll make sure the house is set to respond to you before I go. I don’t want you to feel trapped here.”

“You’re leaving? But we just got here!”

“Norkov has a lead on one of your children. I’m going with him,” Wrylack said.

“Then take me with you.”

Wrylack shook his head. “It’s not safe. I won’t put your life in jeopardy.”

“If it’s dangerous, you shouldn’t go either.”

He cupped her jaw and pressed a kiss to her lips. “I’m going after our child. I promise to return to you safely. Nothing will keep me from your side.”

“Be careful, Wrylack. I only just found you. I don’t think I could handle losing you.”

Wrylack kissed her deeply, then helped her clean up and get dressed. Shaylee listened carefully as he explained how everything in their new home worked, and had the computer read her voice and scan her handprint so she would have access to everything. When they were finished, he showed her the Earth items Maggie had brought to her. And while she felt joy over the items, her heart was sad that Wrylack was leaving so soon.

He said not to worry, but she couldn’t do anything except worry. Until he was beside her once more, she would pray daily that he stayed safe. It had been a long time since she’d prayed, having felt that God had forsaken her long ago. But being with Wrylack made her realize that she still could live a long, happy life. As much as she hated her years as a slave, if she hadn’t been abducted, she never would have met Wrylack. Shaylee wouldn’t have wished those horrifying years on anyone, and would likely have nightmares the rest of her life, but all of that pain and suffering had brought her to the sweet cyborg who took such good care of her, the male who showed her that kindness and love weren’t just a myth.

“Wrylack,” she said, drawing his attention her way. “I love you.”

A wide smile stretched across his face and he gathered her close. “I love you too, my sweet mate.”

It would be enough for now. She could tell that he was determined to bring her child home to her, and knew that nothing she said or did would dissuade him. But knowing that he loved her, that he wanted her in his life, would help her through the lonely days ahead. And when he returned, she hoped it would be for good.

She spent the rest of the night in Wrylack’s arms, his body claiming hers until the sun streamed through their bedroom windows. And with one last lingering kiss, he dressed and walked out the door. Shaylee stared after him, hoping it wouldn’t be the last time she saw her mate. Something told her that Wrylack was walking into something bad. A feeling in her gut screamed that he should remain with her.

“Please let me be wrong,” she whispered. “Bring him home to me.”