“But you love me. Brodin. A man who loses his temper.”
She smiled at him. “Who likes to escape to his lair, and take a bath, and read a book.”
He leaned down and kissed her. “And who loves a small, smart, brave, and sometimes foolish woman from Earth.” Emotion flooded him, his stomach tight. “Don’t leave me, Poppy. I… I can’t bear this.”
“Brodin—”
She grimaced. She was in pain, and he pressed a hand on her belly, trying to stop the blood loss.
He cupped her cheek and saw her blood on his fingers. Poppy’s blood.
Fear like he’d never known filled him. But he felt something else—the tie between them.
Poppy was his mate. He felt a connection. Gorr, she was weak and fading.
He poured his own strength into her.
Her eyes widened. “What are you doing?”
“You’re my mate.”
“Mate?”
“We’re linked. Damari wolves mate for life. It means we generate pheromones that only affect our mate. Linking us. Always.”
“Brodin—”
“You’ll always want me, even when I’m old and gray and wrinkled.”
“I can’t imagine not wanting you.” She shuddered, pulling in a breath. “What happens if a mate dies?”
His hands clenched on her. “Poppy, please…”
“Tell me.”
“The remaining mate pines for the rest of their lives. A shadow of their former selves.”
“You won’t do that.”
“I will.”
“You’ll live,” she snapped.
“I need to live with you.” He pressed his mouth to hers.
Brodin fought back his despair. He poured more of his life force into her, but she needed a healer. And she was too hurt to move.
He sensed movement to his right. Growling, he crouched over her protectively.
A man walked forward, relaxed and calm. He moved well—was fit and lean. He had a regal face, and didn’t look young or old. His dark hair was well cut.
“What the gorr are you doing here?” Brodin demanded.
Brodin’s father held out his hands. “I wanted to check on Candela. She has a habit of veering off plan.”
“The plan being to annihilate my people.”
Zavir sighed. “That wasn’t the plan.”
Brodin snarled. “You sent her.”
Zavir’s gaze shifted to Poppy. She was only semiconscious now.
“Because of Candela, my mate is dying.” Brodin wanted to howl, scream.
His father knelt and Brodin tensed. Zavir held up his hands.
“I won’t hurt her.”
Brodin blew out a breath.
Zavir pulled out a device. It was a long, slim wand.
Brodin stiffened. “Can you help her?”
“Maybe.”
“Do it, or I’ll gut you.”
The device glowed, and he held it over Poppy’s stomach.
“She’s not Damari,” Zavir said, tone loaded with curiosity. “She’s infected, but not full Damari.”
If he didn’t give the man any information, he’d just send people to find out himself. “She’s from Earth. Krastin abducted her from the wreckage of a crash on Zhalto, and experimented on her. He used one of my abducted hunters.” Brodin spat the words. “This is all your fault, as always, Zavir.”
There was a glint of frustration in Zavir’s eyes. “I wish you’d call me father.” He focused back on Poppy.
Brodin wished Zavir looked more evil. The few times he’d met the man, he always looked and acted like someone you wanted to know.
“She’s strong,” Zavir said. “A good match. I approve.”
“Like I care.”
Zavir sighed. “There.”
Poppy’s eyes fluttered open. “Brodin?”
“Hey.” He pulled her into his arms. He shuddered with relief.
“I’m all right.” She hugged him back. “I think.” She touched her stomach. “Oh, there’s a lot of blood.”
“Move slowly,” Zavir said. “She’ll need fluids.”
Her gaze shifted to Zavir and she blinked. “Who are you?”
Zavir smiled. “Family.”
Brodin growled and pulled her closer. “He is not family, and he’s not welcome.”
“I healed her.”
“Thank you. Now leave Damar.”
Zavir continued to smile at Poppy. “My son has never had polite manners. I’m Zavir.”
Poppy made a strangled sound and pulled away from him.
Zavir didn’t look offended. “She’s loyal.” His gaze moved back to Brodin. “I want you to join me, my son. We can do so much good for Damar, for Sarkan, for the entire system.”
“No.”
Shaking his head, Zavir stood. “So stubborn, like your mother.” He glanced around. “I’m proud of you.”
Gorr. Brodin didn’t know how he could hate a man so much, while a part of him also liked him.
It was why Zavir was so dangerous.
“Stop interfering with our planets, Zavir. Leave us to rule ourselves.”
A self-depreciating smile crossed the man’s face and he shrugged. “I can’t. Wildness and stubbornness is in your genetic makeup; the need to rule is in mine. Take care of your mate, my son.”
Zavir turned and walked away. He touched something on his belt and winked out of existence.
Brodin pulled Poppy closer and held on tight.
Candela was dead and Poppy was alive. That was all that mattered.
Poppy leaned into Brodin. She felt weak and lightheaded.
She could hardly believe that Zavir had healed her. She’d been dying. She’d felt herself drifting away.
But now, she was okay.
Zavir hadn’t looked like the evil, twisted monster she’d pictured in her head. She’d even seen emotion on the man’s face when he looked at Brodin.
It might be twisted, but somewhere, deep inside, he cared about his son.
Brodin’s arms tightened on her. That’s when she felt the strong warmth inside her. She couldn’t exactly describe it, but it felt like Brodin—strong, unyielding, steady as a rock.
“So we’re mated,” she said.
He lifted his head and looked down at her. “Yes. You’re mine now, Poppy Ellison. You are right where you belong.”
God. She’d never felt like she belonged anywhere or to anyone. Growing up, she’d tried not to let it bother her or slow her down, but now she felt like she’d found her place.
Millions of light-years from Earth. On an alien, shapeshifter planet, with a big, strong, alien emperor.
“I love you, Brodin. If I’m yours, that must mean that you’re mine.”
There was a low rumble in his chest. His lips touched hers. It always amazed her that this tough, immensely strong wolf could also be gentle.
“Yes, I give you my loyalty, my body, my love, my life.”
Warmth filled her. “Brodin—”
“I’ll protect you, support you, give you a home, and, one day, children.”
Oh, God. Tears welled. She’d never imagined it was possible to feel this much for one person. She pulled him closer. “You didn’t let me go.”