The Corlis Docks.

I will find my answers here.

I park my cruiser and head into the infamous space station. Corlis Station is everything the Trade Ports is not. Corlis caters exclusively to the mega-rich. It’s paradise — if you’re materialistic and have no morals.

This is the last place in the universe I want to be, but it is the one place I have to be.

Because this is the last place my good friend Rinor was last seen alive.

“Zukari Flu Shot! Get your Zukari Flu Shot now!”

A synth is on a soap box, hawking some type of snake oil. His clear eyes see me, and they light up like stars.

I already know I’m not going to like this.

“You sir, the Zoran, you look like you’ve seen a Zukari Cow up close before — get your flu show now ladies and gentleman! Before that Zoran makes you sick! Who knows where he’s been—”

I grab the synth asshole by his collar and lift him up easily.

“You shut your mouth or I’ll turn you into scrap metal, you got that?”

“S-sorry man, I’m just doing my j-job!”

“Your job involves hurling xenophobic trash at every passing Zoran?”

“I’m just trying to sell Zukari Flu shots man, it is what it is.”

The crowd around me murmurs, and so I lower him down. I don’t want to cause an intergalactic incident.

Not until I’ve found Rinor.

The crowd parts instantly as I turn around, before swamping the synth. It seems my aggression has only convinced them of this so-called Zukari Flu or whatever.

Not any of my business. I head towards the warehouse where Rinor was supposed to make his pick-up, but the Dithra there tell me he never even showed up.

“Bullshit,” I growl. “What are you hiding?!”

“I’m telling you the truth!” the alien says. “Go check the record! Ask Station Patrol! They have scanners all over Corlis. They can tell you where your friend is.”

“Where do I find this so-called Patrol?”

“They’re the ones with the dark-blue uniforms. Can’t miss ‘em.”

I’ve only been on this horrid space station for an hour, but already I feel it stench seeping into my pores. My spirit animal claws at my insides, begging to be released.

“Calm down,” I whisper to myself. “Now is not the time.”

Ever since the Rift appeared, I’ve had this animal inside of me.

And not just metaphorically.

When my anger reaches it’s zenith, I have the ability to summon my spirit animal — a ferocious lion.

It’s made me stronger and more aggressive. Which has caused its fair share of problems at the Trade Ports, where diplomacy is key.

My spirit animal is the reason why I set off for Corlis in a rage when Rinor didn’t return as scheduled. And it’s the reason why I’m scouting this station for a dark-blue uniform with rage filling every inch of me.

The moment I see her across the room I freeze in my tracks like a dyr caught in the headlights of a cruiser.

A Station Patrol officer.

A female one, at that.

I stride towards her, and as I get closer I can’t but notice just how damn curvaceous she is. Even her baggy Station Patrol uniform can’t hide her gorgeous forms.

My inner-lion roars when we make eye-contact. He wants to be released, to go wild, but I keep it down.

Barely.

Blood does rush down to my cock. That’s one reaction I can not control. Her plump, raspberry lips, her warm, brown eyes, her alluring scent.

“You,” I growl.

“Me?”

She glances over her shoulder, but there’s no one else there.

“You will help me.”

She crosses her arms and raises an eyebrow.

“And why would I do that?”

“Rinor was here!”

“Rinor? And what is a Rinor, exactly? Is it a ship, a person, a dog…”

“A fellow Zoran!” I growl, my veins bulging. Is she being this obtuse on purpose?!

“If you want to file a missing persons report, you can visit the Station Patrol office on the third floor, which opens—hey lemmego!”

No time.

I will not be dismissed!

I grab her arm and drag her across the Docks district towards one of the giant elevators that litter the station.

The touch is making my skin prickle, and I try my hardest to ignore the tingling sensation.

I’m here to find my missing friend — the deep yearning that is making my inner-animal roar out in frustration must be suppressed at all costs.

“Don’t make me get out my shock baton! Hey! Listen to me you purple brute! Hey!”

She is raining her tiny fists down upon my arm, but I barely notice it. The aliens all around us give me a few weird looks, but no one dares to intervene.

And then, I feel it.

Like hot lava is gripping my biceps.

Despite my training I growl out in pain, turning my head wildly.

The human female’s palms are glowing white hot, and my armor is glowing with the same intensity.

“How?!” I growl.

Her eyes are wide and filled with shock. “I don’t know — I’m sorry — wait, no I’m not! Why did I say that? You are the one abducting me! I ought to arrest you!”

“What?!” I roar. “You are Station Patrol, you must help me! That is your job!”

“Yeah, well, you could ask nicely you know! Flattery goes a long way, and all that.”

I take a step towards her, my chest bumping into hers, as I glare down at her. We are so close I can feel her breath against my neck, and I sense she wants to step away but is too damn stubborn to do so.

“If I wanted to flatter you,” I growl softly, “I would tell you that your curves are driving my spirit animal to madness. I would tell you that your eyes are captivating, that your scent is highly arousing, that I have never had feelings this strong, this intense for any female — let alone a human!”

She is looking right back at me, her beautiful, sparkling eyes peering back into mine, and as we stand there, our lips so close they are nearly touching, the world around us seems to disappear.

For the briefest of moments, there is only her and me. There is only us. My inner lion… purrs.

Strange.

This whole exchange is bewildering. What has gotten into me? Is it due to the Rift, or due to the spirit animal?

No.

It is because of her. This human female, this strange woman has an effect on me. She makes my heart race and my cock throb.

And that’s the last thing I need right now.

“But I’m not saying those things,” I continue after a prolonged and profound silence. “Because that is not why I am here. I am looking for my good friend, Rinor. He was here for a trade-run, but he has yet to contact the Zoran Ports. All our inquiries have been met with silence. Now, you will watch the surveillance tapes with me. Is that understood, female?”

She swallows the lump in her throat. Her pale cheeks have grown red, and it seems my words have had their desired effect.

She is flustered.

“Y-you could have just said so!” She complains, taking a step back and catching a big gulp of air. “No need to go all caveman on me!”

She brushes off her uniform while avoiding my inquisitive eyes. The armor on my arm is still glowing.

“How did you do that?” I ask. “Some type of new weapon?”

I grab her arm, but she is not wearing gloves. I don’t see any openings in her sleeve either. I run my thumb across her open palm as I try to figure out this mystery.

For a brief moment, I see familiar, Zoran symbols on her hand.

She jerks her hand back. “H-hey, stop that!” The female pulls her sleeves all the way down, hiding her hands. “It’s not important right now, okay?”

“Will you help me find my friend, then?”

She looks up at the ceiling in frustration, before sighing deeply.

“Yes, I will help you — but we’ll start this conversation again. And this time, use some of those famous Zoran manners, okay?”

This human female… she is feisty. Most humans are intimidated by my size, my strength, my sheer ferocity. Not this one, however.

No matter how much I’m trying to embarrass her.

“Agreed,” I say. “Female, I nee—“

“Female?” She scoffs. “I am a Station Patrol Officer and a human being. Both of those things have names, you know.”

Already I am regretting agreeing to this.

“What is your name?” I grit through my teeth.

“Caia Mercier.”

“Caia, will you—”

“Office Mercier to you.”

That’s it.

I take a step closer and wrap my hand firmly around her wrist.

“I am done playing games,” I growl. “My friend could be in real danger, and you’re yanking my chain.”

And that’s not the part of me that requires yanking.

She tries to take a step back, but I don’t let her.

“You get to make fun of me, but you don’t like it when I dish out?” She says.

I lean in close, pressing my forehead right against hers. Her hot breath caresses me, and I am so filled with emotion and fury I want to lash out — or kiss her.

I’m not sure what I want to do more.

“Help me find my friend,” I whisper, “And I will never bother you again.”

The look in her eyes changes from bemusement to lust for the briefest of moments.

Then she lowers her eyes, and I take a step back, my inner lion roaring out in frustration.

“What is your name?” She says.

“I am Leto!”

“Follow me then, Leto. We will get you those tapes so you’ll never have to deal with me again.”

As I follow her into the glass elevator, her last words still ring in my ears.

She almost sounded… disappointed.