I stared up into Matros’ purple eyes. Some people thought them perverted monsters but in my eyes, he was one of the most handsome men I ever saw. I inhaled deep and smelled the almost cinnamon and clove scent of his musk. I planned on fixing my issues, but he was my protector.

Not a monster. Angel.

But I didn’t want him to do a monstrous thing. “Let him go Matros.”

His voice was slow. “You are new... there is much you have to learn about being a Volardi mate.”

“That may be, but for now we haven’t finished all that. I’m still on Earth and we do things differently.”

He inhaled deep. “The creature has no honor. On a Volardi world, he would never try this. We would kill such a thing.”

“We aren’t on a Volardi world.” Although I wish we were.

He released his grip and Nate fell to the ground. After wheezing for over a minute, he staggered to his feet and pointed at me. “This little half-man comes on to me...” His words were hard to make out amid the heavy breaths. “You think I wanted to fuck him? My father will get all of you...”

In another time, having him as an overt enemy would have worried me. In some ways, he was like the old me. I would never do anything so horrific, but Nate didn’t understand the power of the Volardi. Maybe they were the unofficial or secret rulers of our planet, but they are fine friends to have. You don’t attack someone’s mate without repercussions.

Again, he panted. “When I tell everyone...”

I stumbled over to my robe, then wrapped it around me. Then I took a step forward and aimed my foot directly between his legs. Then I did it two more times in quick succession. His cheeks puffed out, and he fell to the ground with wide eyes as he moaned. Above me, Matros looked down with a smile. “We are warriors.”

“When we have to be.”

Becky opened her mouth to say something. “I’m so sorry. I...” She looked down and then hugged herself while she glared at Nate.

My gaze went up to my Pa. “It’s not how I planned it, but I’m glad you’re well again.”

His lips thinned, and I could see the tears pool in his eyes. For good or bad, he didn’t like to share his emotions. I wrapped my arms around him, so he wouldn’t look at me as he cried. Although, I felt the hands move to his face. Presumably to wipe off the tears. For a long time, I enjoyed the hug before I broke it off.

I walked over to Matros. I thought about telling Pa what he should do but he had a gun and country common sense. He could take care of Nate.