Ysam piloted the Stellar with ease, but he wished he could ease the guilt humming through him. The last thing he ever wanted to do was be a thug. His whole life had been standing up to browbeaters, but then with his mate, he was an overbearing bully.

He’d never forget how it felt to hold her close and what a spirited dancer she’d been. The sexual force between them had awoken his dragon, and he’d lost all control.

Dancing had been so natural and amorous. He could smell the fruity fragrance of her shampoo. The sweat glistening off her cheeks made her look so beautiful. He bet she was hot all the way down to her toes. She was an incredibly strong woman and all he could think about was how slick her skin would feel in the throes of passion.

But the fear and anger in her eyes, when she had awaken dashed any hope of another dance. He’d never forget her terrified screams, her pathetic struggles… He didn’t know what to do, so like a heel, he’d kissed her. Her struggles only spurred on his desire, and if he hadn’t come to his senses, he would have taken her. He’d never done that with any woman.

Shame settled into his gut at his roguish behavior. This wasn’t him. Why did she have to be his mate? She’d been through so much–stalked by a psycho killer, her sister brutally murdered, and now kidnapped.

She didn’t deserve this. He’d spend the rest of his days making it up to her. If she let him…

A soft snore drew his attention away from the screen.

She was slumped over in her seat, her chest slowly rising up and down. Her long, curly, dark hair fell to the side. He inhaled her fresh scent that reminded him of a dewy morning. Mornings had always been his favorite part of the day, where the rising suns spread warmth over Zalara, animals forged for food, dragons woke from their slumber… They all waited for a new day of hope.

When he’d carried her up to the roof top, her skin had been so soft, but what intrigued him were her muscular arms and legs. This wasn’t a pansy woman. She’d fought him with everything she had–fists flying, feet kicking––but she was no match for the ragon gas.

She was stronger and taller than he expected. Her parted lips had been so inviting, he couldn’t resist kissing her. She tasted of strength and power.

Besides kidnapping, he could add molestation to his list of sins against her. He sighed, not knowing how he’d ever be able to make this up to her.

His telicator beeped. “Ysam, here.”

“Did you obtain your mate?”

A hint of doubt echoed in Taog’s voice.

Ysam glanced over at Kathy. “Yes, Captain. I’m bringing her to Zalara as planned. We should be there in less than five hours.”

“Good work.”

Taog might be pleased, but kidnapping left a nasty taste in Ysam’s mouth.

“Planning on finishing raping me?”

He jerked his head around to stare into her heated brown eyes. “No, I’m sorry. I’ve never done that before.”

She glared and pulled on her arms as if trying to wiggle free of the wrist restraints that pinned her to the chair. “Could have fooled me. The last thing I remembered wearing was my robe. Now, I’m dressed in jeans and a sweatshirt. Care to explain?”

He avoided her gaze, trying to forget her tempting body that stirred emotions he refused to acknowledge. “I could either have taken you only wearing a robe or dressed you more comfortably. I didn’t think you’d want to travel through space wearing only a robe.”

She stopped struggling and lifted her head high. “I think I should have been given the choice on what I wanted to wear.”

He sighed. “You’re right. I’m sorry.”

“Another transgression added to your list of crimes.”

“If you don’t like what you have on, I packed your robe and your clothes. So, you can change if you want to.”

She scowled. “You packed my clothes?”

He shrugged. “I thought you’d be more comfortable in your own clothing.”

“You’re worried about my comfort?”

Her sarcasm struck a note in his pride.

“Yes.”

“Then, why am I tied to this chair?” She pulled on the restraints.

“Because I was afraid you’d try to escape.”

She tilted her head toward the screen. “And go where? I’m in the middle of outer space.”

Her voice was unusually calm. He expected her to go into hysterics.

“If I untie you, will you promise to behave?”

She gritted her teeth. “If you mean to comply with being your mate––no.”

He frowned. Fates, she wasn’t going to make this easy.

“However, if you mean not attacking you, I can promise I’ll behave. Unless of course, you intend to have me wear chains and walk ten feet behind you.”

He winced. He put the Stellar on autopilot. He took some deep breaths as he slowly untied her. He brushed his thumbs over her soft skin and thankfully, there were no bruises on her slender wrists.

“Where did you learn to dance like that?”

“Watching videos.”

“Excuse me? You learned dancing the tango by watching videos?”

Her astonished voice stopped him untying her bindings.

“Why? Is doing the dance difficult?”

“Yes.” Her scowled lessened.

He thought he saw admiration in her eyes and he couldn’t help smiling as he untied her restraints.

“Oh, my God.” She pointed a shaking finger. “What is that?”

He followed her gaze. His heart flinched. Adrenaline fired from his brain straight to his feet. “Fates, an asteroid storm!” Bits of hurling rocks and speeding debris spun toward them. He pushed her out of the way to get to the controls. “Sit down!”

She didn’t argue, and with her shaking fingers, quickly buckled herself into her seat.

Boom. Boom. Boom.

Rocks repeatedly crashed into the Stellar’s hull. She swung back and forth and spun around. Smoke slowly came through the vents.

He contacted Taog. “Captain, we’re caught in an asteroid storm. We need assistance.”

No answer.

“Our communications is knocked out. Or the storm is causing interference.”

“No one knows we’re here?”

The first sign of panic returned to her voice.

He concentrated on the controls, maneuvering the ship through the asteroids, but tried to keep his voice calm. “The captain knows we were on course back to Zalara. I told him we were less than five hours, so the Orion will know where to look if we don’t arrive.”

The blood drained from her face. “But that’s five hours from now. By then, we could be dead.”

“I promise you, I won’t let that happen.”

He entered the command for ultra drive, but another crash lurched the ship forward. The Stellar putted and stopped.

“The last hit knocked out the ultra drive.”

Another asteroid plummeted into the ship, spinning her around faster and faster. Kathy screamed. Ysam hung tightly onto the controls, using all his strength to set her back on course. Every muscle twisted and burned as he pulled up on the rigid levers.

Debris banged into the shields, determined to break them apart.

He gritted his teeth. “I can do this!”

With one final pull, the ship stopped spinning. More asteroids ping-pinged off the ship. He quickly added more power to the shields and steered them out of the storm. He took a deep breath, ignoring the fear clawing inside him.

His starboard lit up with damages all over the ship. “We have to make repairs.”

“Obviously, but where?”

He pulled up the ship’s navigator map. “Sutois.” He set a course for the unknown planet.

“Where’s that?”

“Not far.”

Her eyes brightened. “Why can’t we go back to Earth?”

He shook his head. “We don’t have enough fuel.”

She folded her arms and slammed back in her chair. “Great. You kidnap me, run into an asteroid storm, and now we’re going to be marooned on an unknown planet. I can’t wait to see what happens next.”

He flinched. Her lack of faith mimicked all the others who doubted his abilities to be part of a starship crew. She’d really be pissed if she knew the planet was dangerously close to the Kamtrinians’ solar system, both their sworn enemies. With fuel slipping away, he didn’t have much choice. It was either land on Sutois or float in space.

The Stellar jerked forward, shaking.

Kathy was breathing hard, and her face was pure white. “Oh, God, this isn’t happening. We’re going to die.”

“No, we’re not. Trust me.”

She flashed him a dubious gaze. “Yeah, right.”

He steered them away from the asteroid storm. “We’re lucky. That was a small storm.”

“That was a small storm?”

“There are asteroids big enough to smash this ship into smithereens.” He frowned. “Sutois is mostly a water planet, so it’s going to be a tricky landing.”

“Is it the blue planet straight ahead? Are there cities there?”

He shook his head. “Sutois is an undeveloped planet. There are no advanced civilizations, so we’ve never investigated. The Confederation’s rule is never to interfere with a developing civilization, so we’ve left the inhabitants alone.” He glanced at the scanners. “I’m picking up readings of a massive land mass and lifeforms.”

“God, I hope they’re friendly.”

Her voice had returned to normal, but he could detect the fear brimming at the surface.

The scanner beeped. “That’s strange. I’m picking up an Arian ship.”

“What’s an Arian ship?”

“Our allies. They’re bear shape-shifters from the planet Aria.” He pressed the communication panel and set the coordinates for ship-to-ship communication. “This is Ysam from the United Planet of Confederation. Do you read me?”

Only silence greeted them. He pulled out his telicator. “This is Ysam from the United Planet Confederation, requesting contact from anyone on Sutois.”

He was met with the same disappointment.

“Maybe they didn’t survive,” Kathy said slowly.

“No, the scanners have detected Arians.” He didn’t tell her that an Arian ship held over three hundred crewmen, but according to the Stellar’s computer, there were less than thirty alive.

She folded her arms across her chest. “Do the Arians kidnap humans like the Zalarians?”

Heat swelled up his cheeks. “No. The Kamtrinians haven’t wiped out all of their women. Only ours.”

Kathy lost some of the daggers in her eyes. “I’m sorry. Agnes told me what happened with your women and children.”

He nodded but didn’t answer. He had to use all of his training to navigate the Stellar through Sutois atmosphere and pray the ship didn’t burn up.

The dark space and stars faded to blue sky and clouds. Sparks shot out from the Stellar’s hull. The ship shook uncontrollably. The heat on the bridge jumped up. Slick sweat dripped into his eyes.

He glanced at Kathy who hung on to her chair tightly, her knuckles turning white. A glossy shine shimmered off her forehead, and her lower lip trembled. No matter what, he had to keep her safe.

Ysam held on to the rigid controls that had a mind of their own, jerking his hands up and down. The ship rocked back and forth faster and faster and took a nose dive toward the vast water beneath them. If he crashed the ship into the sea, he’d only have minutes to get them out. The ship skimmed across the water, spume flying into the air and scattering on the screen. Using all of his dragon strength, he pulled up on the controls. The Stellar whined in protest, the controls threatening to rip out of his hands, but he hung on tight.

The tops of strange blue trees rose on the horizon. He aimed for the red sandy beach.

“God, we’re going to crash!”

“No…we’re not!” He growled and pulled up on the levers, arching his back, putting all his strength into his arms that shook with pulsing agony. He roared in one last desperate effort.

Kathy screamed.

The levers violently ripped out of Ysam’s hands. Before he could regain control, the ship slammed into the beach. He flipped out of his seat and rolled over the dash board. A loud crack sent agony rippling through the blinding pain in his shoulder, stripping his breath away.

Smoke swirled through the leaning bridge that was tipped to one side. Yellow emergency lights blinked on and off. He laid there, catching his breath. His arms rippled with pain, and nausea bubbled up in his gut from his throbbing shoulder.

There is no pain. There is no pain. There is no pain.

Kathy knelt next to him. “We’re…we’re…alive.”

“You sound…surprised.”

“Not the smoothest landing I’ve ever been in.” She frowned. “Are you hurt?”

“I’ll survive.”

She slipped her arm around his back.

He winced, clamping his mouth shut.

“I am so sorry. Let me help you.”

She lost the edge in her voice.

He wheezed as he rolled to his side. “I can get up myself.”

“Don’t be stubborn.” She glared. “Please.” Her voice softened again.

“Okay…Fine.”

She gently helped him to his feet. Every single movement pissed off his shoulder, crippling him with pain, but he clenched his jaw tight. He pressed his arm close to his chest.

She slipped his good arm over her shoulder. “Can you walk?”

Not that he didn’t like holding her close, but he unraveled his arm. “I hurt my shoulder. Not my legs.”

“You’re going to need a sling for your shoulder. Otherwise, you’re going to make it worse.” She looked around the dusky bridge. “Do you have any medical supplies?”

“Sick bay is on the other side of the door. It’s not much.”

They edged their way up the sloped floor. The bridge door refused to budge.

“Stand back,” he said. He slipped his hand in between the door and pulled. Pain soared up his arm, and he stumbled backward.

She put her hands on her hip and shook her head. “You’re determined to make your shoulder worse, aren’t you? Let me try.”

“I’m not a weakling.” He bristled at her condescending tone that reminded him of all the others who had complained of his size.

“Never said you were. You’re just hurt.” Kathy put her palms on the door and grunted. Her muscles bulged and contracted underneath her shirt. The doors creaked. “I can’t.” She dropped her arms and breathed heavily.

“Let’s try together.”

“Give…me a…minute.” She put one arm on the door and laid her head on her forearm.

He waited patiently as he observed the damaged bridge. The circuits had definitely shorted out, but none of the control panels had been severely damaged. Maybe he could rewire them. If he could get communications working, he could contact Taog.

“Okay, I’m ready.”

Her strong voice failed to match her ashen face.

He put his palm on one door. “Put your hands on the other one and pull when I say go.”

She nodded. “Okay.”

“Pull.”

She nodded and pressed her hands on the door. The doors inched.

Misery pulsed through Ysam’s arm. “Pull harder.”

She panted. “I…am.”

Kathy stuck her fingers into the slot and pulled. The doors edged open wider. Ysam drew on his dragon strength and yanked hard. Misery pulsed through his shaking arm. Sweat poured down his temples. The doors creaked wider and with a loud screech, they opened wide enough for someone to slip through.

“Kathy, go!”

“But your arm!”

“Go!”

She bit her lip, but then she released the door that slowly slid back. She dashed through the opening faster than he thought a human could move.

Ysam gasped for breath then drew on dragon speed. He spun around the sliding door and landed on the other side. He collapsed against the wall. The pain jerked through him.

Smoke filled the corridor, blurring his eyes. Luckily, he didn’t smell fuel.

She put her arm over her mouth and coughed. “Ysam, we have to get out of here. This ship is going to blow.”

He gasped for breath and choked. “I…don’t think so, but …you’re right. We…need to…get out.”

She wiped her sweating forehead with her sleeve. “We must…get you…a sling first for your shoulder.”

“No, move…now.”

Before he knew what was happening, she ripped the sleeve off her arm, then tore it into one strip.

“What are you doing?”

“Making you a sling.” She quickly tied the strip around his neck and gently moved his arm into the sling.

He sucked in his breath, still not believing what she’d just done.

“I’m sorry. I know it hurts.” She clasped his unhurt arm. “Are you ready?”

“Yes.” He forced himself to stand.

“Lean on me.”

“I can walk.”

“Yeah, right.” She held onto his arm.

He thought about jerking free, but the pain in his shoulder protested. He reluctantly leaned against her and was surprised that for such a slender woman, she didn’t groan under his weight. He may not be as a big as a Dominian or Bravian dragon, but he was taller and broader than the average human male.

Ysam led them toward the exit. They shuffled through the smoke, both coughing. Unfortunately, the exit door bulged inside.

“That’s not good.” He pressed on the door. “Stand back. I’m going to have to kick it down.”

“Are you strong enough?”

He flashed her a scowl but was too tired to argue. He was a dragon––not a man. The gray smoke in the corridor grew thicker and swirled around them. They both coughed violently. He gently put her against the opposite wall. Drawing on his strength, he kicked the door as hard as he could and stumbled backward. The door groaned.

“Ysam.” She gently touched his back.

Her voice sounded like she was calling him from down a tunnel, but her caress spurred him to try again.

Growling, he smashed his other shoulder into the door. Pain exploded inside him. He crashed on top of the door on the red beach. Warmth brushed over his cold body, and he laid on the hot sand, catching his breath.

“Ysam.” Kathy hurried next to him. “We’re not alone.”

His swimming vision faded in and out. “What?” He turned his head, tapping into his dragon strength, ready to transform and fight if he need be. He’d die protecting Kathy.

A tall broad shouldered, brown-haired man watched them from the jungle. For the first time, he thought luck was on their side. He smiled. “Relax. It’s Tash. Captain of the Intrepid. Remember I told you an Arian ship had crashed. He’s an Arian and our ally.”

Ysam had met Tash several times at a science exhibition on Zalara. Unlike some of the other captains, Tash was always interested what the Inquisitian dragons had invented.

Tash looked nervously up and down the beach then hurried toward them. He was burly and muscular and not afraid of anything, but Ysam saw fear in his green eyes.

Something was wrong. His long brown hair was tied back. As he drew closer, Ysam noticed he had a jagged cut from his right eye to the corner of his mouth.

He knelt next to him. “Ysam, can you walk?”

“Good to see you. Give me a moment.”

He looked nervously up and down the beach. “You don’t have a moment.”

His sharp voice cut through the haziness in Ysam’s mind.

“What’s wrong?”

“You’re being hunted. We all are.”

Ysam rolled to his side and used his good arm to push himself up. “By what?”

“The indigenous creatures––the Gogs––are hostile. They dine on humanoids.”

Kathy’s face turned nine shades of white. “You mean, they eat humans?”

“I had over three hundred crewmen when the Intrepid was forced to land on this cursed planet, but now, I’m down to thirty.”

Ysam followed Tash’s gaze who was studying the spiky blue and green trees, the orange and red bushes, the blue sky, and red sandy beach. “How long have you been here?”

“Thirty-seven days.”

Tash grabbed Ysam’s good arm and pulled him to his feet. “We need to move. We’re too exposed out here.”

Agony warped through Ysam, but he hobbled along Tash. He glanced at Kathy. “Stay close.”

She flashed her gaze up and down the beach as she jogged next to them. “You don’t have to worry. I’m not going anywhere.”

“Come on.” Tash led them into the dense jungle. Vines hung down from the trees that kept brushing over their heads. The floor was covered with branches and twigs and flower petals. Thorny brushes with lavish purple and blue flowers grew next to to tall bluish green trees. A canopy of leaves shaded them from the hot sun.

Tash knocked a vine out of his way. “We’ve managed to find a cave that gives us some defense against the Gogs.”

Loud shrieks echoed behind them. Trees shook and the ground thumped.

“Move!” Tash grabbed Ysam’s arm and dragged him through the jungle. He knocked vines and brush away from them. Kathy ran behind them, her thumping footsteps snapping the twigs and crushing leaves.

The shrieks grew louder.

“They must have seen your ship.” Tash looked over his shoulder. “They smell dinner.”

Ysam’s heart and lungs froze and his stomach leaped, but he refused to give in to panic. In his calmest voice, he asked, “What weapons do they have?”

“Some kind of stun-ray that has immobilized my crew. We’ve fired back, but our weapons aren’t strong enough to kill them. Our eruptors only piss them off.”

Heavy footsteps made the ground tremble. The crunching of twigs and leaves grew louder. Ysam spread his wavering legs apart. He unwound his arm from Tash’s. “Kathy, go with him.”

She looked at the rustling trees. “What are you going to do?”

“I’m a dragon.” He tilted his head. “Go with Tash. I’ll find you.”

“How?” Tash demanded. “You can barely stand. You don’t even know where the hell we are.”

“By her.” Ysam didn’t look at her. “She’s my mate. I could find her anywhere. Keep her safe.”

“Didn’t know I smelled. What exactly do you propose to do?” Kathy whispered.

“Burn them with dragon-fire.”

“We’ve tried fire.” Tash glared. “It didn’t even phase them.”

Ysam looked between them. “Nothing burns as hot as dragon-fire. If we run, they’ll pursue us, and locate your hiding place.”

Kathy slowly stepped away. Sweat shined off her face. “You could be killed. Why are you doing this?”

“I don’t like bullies… In any form.” He tilted his head. “Now, go. Before it’s too late.”

Tash grumbled under his breath, “Idiot.” But he did as Ysam and dragged Kathy away from the approaching Gogs.

Ysam quickly transformed into a dragon. His right wing lay useless at his side. Adrenaline steamed through him. He panted, breathing in and out, stirring the fire inside him. His chest burned and he roared.

The trampling stopped for the first time.

Ysam held his breath, curled backed his upper lip, and crouched, his tail twitching behind him.

Obviously, chasing bears had been easy as pie for them, but he wasn’t a bear.

Rustling and grunting started up again. Large hairy two-legged creatures moved in between the trees and vines. The Gogs were twice the size of any Arian. They had a single glowing orange eye in the middle of their forehead and dragged their arms on the ground.

Five of them busted out and surrounded Ysam. They reached for their long silver eruptors around their waist. Before they stunned him, he exhaled, blowing a hot, fiery blaze. Their fur burst into flames. They howled and jumped around. Smoke and the stench of singed hair filled the jungle. One of them reached for his weapon. Ysam flicked his tail, and the creature sailed through the trees. Leaves and branches flew into the air. The other four fled into the jungle, screeching.

Suddenly, a red beam shot out of the jungle and smacked Ysam in the chest. Searing pain melted his scales as if they were butter. He collapsed on his stomach, and his limbs went limp.

Trampling footsteps rushed toward him. Dragon strength pumped through him. Ysam lifted his head slowly. The Gogs had razor-sharp spears over their heads but skidded to a halt.

He narrowed his eyes and sucked in air, then released another stream of fire. Once again, flames danced over their fur. The creatures jumped around, dropped their spears, and retreated.

Ysam moved, but every muscle and every bone was rigid. He panted hard, his nostrils flaring, inhaling strange sweet and sour smells of the jungle floral. But one stood above all the others.

The scent of freshness, of a new beginning––Kathy.

He gritted his teeth and clawed and clawed and clawed. Talons dug into dirt. He pulled himself. Sharp pain tore into his shoulder and his throbbing gut.

Keep going.

One thing he knew for sure. A dragon was the only shield between the bears and Kathy, and their complete annihilation.

He would survive. No, he had to survive.

The Gogs were bullies and he would make sure these bullies didn’t win.