Fuath would expect me to run into the chambers to grab my Femeni. Yes, there was that thought. My heart pounded with every second we were apart. Yet, Peter had another saying he shared with me. ‘Fools rush in’.

No, slow and steady and savor. It’s been too long since I’ve lifted my blade against an enemy. I’ll do it again soon.

Brine and the smell of trees filled my lungs. I fought the urge to smile. This wasn’t a time to broadcast my feelings. The small implant kept me updated with the men from the back of the ship. They encountered Ryba males who quickly surrendered.

Regrettable.

Sex and battle. Two things every Volardi Soturi and Dara enjoy. Now one was taken away.

Perhaps they know best and accepted their fate. It wasn’t unexpected. Those in the back were undoubtedly the maintenance crew and not warriors. I turned the corner and stopped in mid-step as I saw my hated enemy. His female guards stood to his side. Pathetic. You won’t fight yourself. I would never have my mate go to battle in my place.

Behind was Peter with a wide, orange armored creature over his mouth. His head went back and forth as he moaned. My gaze went down to his stomach. It was larger than last time.

So big.

Either he was days if not hours from delivery or they delayed it somehow. Fingers gripped the blade while I saw my Femeni moan with pain.

They torture him!

Two long strides closed the distance between Fuath and I. My nose wrinkled at the foul scent of brine. Like a trained warrior I kept his female guards in my corner vision. Peter moaned through the orange armored creature over his mouth and jaw. His head went back and forth quickly while his muffled screams drew out.

Every Alpha instinct demanded I race over there, I would, but only after killing Fuath.

No. Something’s wrong.

My home wasn’t a safe planet. One of wonder and great beauty, but still filled with hidden dangers, especially within the murky deeps. I held the long Vibro-Blade close to Fuath’s wide, short neck. Already the force field pushed at his flesh yet he stood his ground.

“Remove the creature from his face.”

It was a simple head jerk, but the female on the right looked at me, then ran a finger over the creature’s white spine. Formerly hidden legs crawled out from each side and it scurried away from my Femeni. For several seconds Peter coughed as if drowning in salt water. Between wheezes, he pointed behind me.

“Behind…”