Feral Series IV: Feral Fallout Read Free Page A

It was time the commander came through on his end. “Well, then, I leave you to your practice.” I bowed slightly and turned.
    "We're finished today?"
    Noting we were completely finished and I would be leaving tomorrow with my personal pilot wouldn't win me any congratulations from Cassie who obviously still felt intimidated by her Handler powers. But she was strong. Determined by her morals. Just in the passion she exuded when speaking of her work with genetics made me hope there was something she could do with her knowledge to make the universe a better place. “You won't see me again for awhile."
    "Oh?” There was a nervous twinge to her question.
    I spun back to her furrowed brow. “You can handle your gift now. Practice. Prepare yourself for whatever the future holds."
    "That deep crap isn't going to work on me, M'yote. Maybe you should take me along and continue my training?"
    I choked down a laugh at her insecurity. She would be fine given she had enough time to accept her powers. “No. You aren't the right type of warrior for tomorrow's mission.” Commander Goro swore Captain Kemble was with her formal education, common sense in working with nobility, and fighting skills. I had to believe the commander had the best judgment. The only way my mission would be successful was if I won the cooperation of The Order of the Marshals.
    It had taken everything in me to finish memorizing the ship's electrical system by late afternoon. Just in time to join the Marshals for dinner. A feat that had me blessing Goro's holiest sun, Devros. But Wrank was on my menu. And I was so damned famished after a day's forced fasting without him. I stepped through the shadowy corridor into the large great hall's electric atmosphere and found the crowd of Marshal's milling around a sea of tables.
    Some lords wore the traditional Luvk masks princes used to protect themselves before Marshal Aisling came to power as Luvk Marshal two years ago. Lucky damned earthling. She got five Luvk mates. One being the King! Although, I was just starting to wrap my mind around having one husband.
    What was wrong with me having one Luvk mate all for my own, universe? I really needed to stop thinking about Wrank. Dinner. Food. I scanned the scene.
    Looking for my Tiger. Geesh. So much for changing the subject, brain.
    Other princes had opted to forego the tradition and interact with the rest of the universe like the rest of us, their faces unveiled to the world. Thank goodness. Because I had a heck of a time putting stripe patterns to males given they all wore the same black leather pants slitted up the sides and tabbed together with small tabs of leather. The same o-ring and leather strap harness making their chest muscles bulge out like they'd burst if they drew a breath. Oh boy. And the same knee-high black boots.
    Whoever came up with the standard Luvk prince uniform deserved sainthood.
    Wrank stepped through the crowd of tall Tiger males and shorter extraterrestrial cadets. With an arched black eyebrow. His conspiratorial gaze noted he had the same thing on his mind.
    Mating. Yes. Let's go there before I die of celibacy. Or stroke. Damn my brain. Did these Tiger males have some sort of pheromones? Maybe in their kiss? I so needed to just calm down and get my act together.
    He turned his body sideways and thrust his chin toward the far side of the enormous room where tables were set up with the serving dishes.
    Sexy.
    Yes. Eat first. Think later. I quickly stepped beneath his nose.
    He waved a hand for me to take the lead through the crowd and followed me like my personal guard.
    The last thing I needed was a guard. But only Goro knew that. I'd wondered if the commander hid me out on his personal ship to keep my history and abilities a secret. After all, most cadets were computer geeks, nurses, cops, and even florists in the case of Goro's mate. I'd yet to meet another mercenary spy like myself. Especially a female. Goro probably wanted all my abilities