Dwaain watched the monitor as the little female explored her rooms. He had not expected her to be the one. The one he was to mate. He had known the minute he transported onto her ship that she was his. His people, the Protectors of Xylan had been watching her planet for years, waiting for the time to be right. A mating with her kind would be very advantageous. The trade rights alone would expand the benefits to his people not to mention the increase in wealth for not only his family but the population also.

He continued watching as Lewan took the package to her, wondering if she would wear the garment or rip it to shreds. The little female was a strong woman. He had watched her for many weeks and could see no signs of weakness. Her skills would bring great favor to the negotiating table. Her body would bring much pleasure to his bed. He wondered if she would submit to him or if she would be his equal in the mating bed. He could imagine the feel of her curves beneath him. The female was small and delicate, unlike the women on his planet. He briefly wondered if she would be able to bear his young without harm. He would need to consult the royal physicians, that was something he hadn’t thought of before. He continued watching, and the female took the garment to the sleeping room. There were no viewing ports in that area, and she was lost to his sight. Lewan returned to the control room. “Still watching her?” he asked pulling up a seat

“She seems to be adapting well don’t you think?” Dwaain continued watching the screen, not wanting to miss a thing.

“She’s coping. What other choice does she have? When will you tell her our plans?” Lewan asked watching the screen with Dwaain.

“I’m not sure. I want to see how she reacts to each of us first. You need to spend some alone time with her, just as I will.” Dwaain said as Myla returned to the sitting room in the garment he had provided.

“Wow! You were right; she’s gorgeous in it. The sizing was perfect as always.”

“I’ve never guessed wrong in the last ten years.” Dwaain bragged. He walked to the door. “Time for me to go visit.” Dwaain stopped by his quarters and picked up another carafe of Devino, the drink seemed to relax the female’s inhibitions, and he would need all the help he could get for her to listen to what he needed to tell her.

He knocked once on the door and released the lock letting himself in. The little female was curled up in the chair. She looked so small, perfect in his eyes. He stood over her for several minutes watching her chest rise and fall as she slept. She moaned and moved in the chair, and he wondered if she was dreaming, dreaming of him perhaps? He squatted down in front of the chair, watching her a little longer. When she cried out, he couldn’t stop himself and lifted her out of the chair and into his arms. “Shh. Shh, little one. No one will harm you here. Shh,” he whispered rocking her in his arms. He pressed gentle kisses in her hair, inhaling the faint floral fragrance. Her hair was a dark purple color and flowed down her back to the curve of her ass. He continued rocking her and murmuring softly until she appeared to settle down and relax. He moved slowly and sat in the chair still holding her. He ran his hand gently over hair and back, rocking her. “Poor little one, all this has worn you out. I will never harm you. You are mine to love and protect.”

Dwaain sat there holding his mate. He could sit for hours with her. She fit perfectly in his arms. He was still holding and rocking her when she looked up and him and smiled.

“Hi,” she said in a soft, breathy voice.

“Hi, how do you feel?” Dwaain asked as he continued to rock her. At least she wasn’t fighting him and yelling. That was a good sign.

* * *

“A little strange. What was in that drink?” Myla knew she should be screaming and fighting but was so comfortable she couldn’t. She felt so safe and protected in his arms. His body was warm and perfect for cuddling with.

“We call it Viento. It is made from fermented fruit. It is crafted by the people of my planet.“

“It tastes like a drink I have on my planet but is much stronger than what I drink.”

“All the people of my planet drink it with each meal. We dilute it for the children. You will grow used to it.” Myla nodded but was thinking to herself, hopefully, she would not be with him that long. She was sure her father was working on a way to rescue her. He had to be. He would not leave her. If her father weren't looking for her, she knew Naglan would. She was his betrothed, he would not abandon her. Thinking about Naglan, what would he say if he could see her. She sat up straighter. “I need to move, I should not be letting you take such liberties. I’m a betrothed woman. Please let me up.” She pushed against his arms, trying to free herself.

“Stop! You’ll hurt yourself,” Dwaain told her loosening his hold. He relaxed his arms enough that she could sit up straight.

Myla pushed against his shoulders enough to put some distance between them and sat her back straight. “Please let me up.”

Dwaain moved his hands to rest on the arms of the chair and let the little female up. “You cried out in your rest. I only wanted to console you.”

“Thank you. I appreciate your comfort. However, I’m to be life bonded to Naglan of the Leean. I would appreciate it if you showed more decorum.”

She stood before him, and even seated he was taller than she. Dwaain reached down and lifted her chin with one finger so that she was looking into his eyes. “I will do as I choose with you and you will like it.”

Myla took a deep breath, and her face turned red, but she said nothing. She knew better than to provoke him more. After all, she was still a prisoner and needed to keep her head about her. She didn’t know what he would do if she antagonized him.

“I will not hurt you, a little female. Anything I do I will guarantee you will enjoy. If I wanted to, I could have you screaming my name.” Dwaain held her chin between his fingers forcing her to look into his sage green eyes. Myla let out a little huff and twisted out of his grasp. “It is of no consequence. I am to be queen. I am betrothed. I cannot break the scared promise. It would bring shame on the royal family.”

Dwaain let her escape. “We will see, little female. We will see.”

Myla wasn’t sure what he meant by that but didn’t say anything further. She looked down at herself and realized she was still wearing the gown. It was very revealing. It was not acceptable for him to be in the room while she was in such a state of undress. “You must excuse me I should find more clothing. This is not permitted on my planet. A man is not allowed to be with a woman in such a state of undress unless they are betrothed or life bonded.”

* * *

“So on your planet, you do not date men other than your betrothed? Is there a mating ritual?” Dwaain had done some research into the ways of the people of Xwrest but did not know their mating practices.

“If the child reaches the age of maturation without having chosen a mate one will be chosen for them by the parents. Usually, the parties to be mated know each other and have the choice of agreeing or disagreeing. In my case since I am to become queen, my father picked a mate that will be advantageous to the planet.”

“Did you know him? Do you have a choice? Do you have feelings for him?” Dwaain couldn’t believe that any parent would choose a mate for their child.

“I have met with Naglan. The Leean are a kind people, and we need his planet to establish trade within that quadrant. Without them, my people will lose access to quality goods. Goods that will cost us much more if they need to be found elsewhere. It’s a fair bargain. Neglan and I bond, and both planets have access to things they need. I’ve been raised to know that is how my life would be. It was that way for my father and mother and their parents before them. The oldest child becomes ruler and must be betrothed before the coming of age ceremony. My ceremony is to be held during the next full moon phase. The three moons of the planet are full at the same time every twelve rotations. I will be of age, and it is all planned.”

Myla had been pacing as she talked and Dwaain stopped her by putting his hands on her shoulders. He turned her to face him and looked down upon her upturned smile. “You can state what your duty will be, but you didn’t answer any of my questions. What about love? The hunger of your body? Are you even attracted to this person?”

“None of that matters. I will do my duty as did my father and his mother before him. It’s what’s right for the planet. That has to be my main concern.”