But looking at him, yeah… running was pointless.
"Go to hell," she whispered.
He didn't smile.But the corner of his eye twitched, just once.
"The shuttle is waiting," he said."Walk, little female.Or I will carry you."
* * *
Raaevik stepped into the room,and froze.
She was small.That registered first.A swirl of dark curls and a jacket too big for her frame.Then her eyes met his, and a single word rolled through his mind:Mine.
His breath snagged in his throat.He forced his face into a mask of stone, locking his muscles against the tremor that threatened to run through him.
He stared at the female.Emily Evans.The Emperor’s matched mate.
No,not his.Mine.
Panic, cold and sharp, sliced through the heat in his blood.This was treason.To eventhinkit was treason.This female belonged to his emperor.She was sacred.Untouchable.
He walled himself off and focused on the mission.Retrieve the asset.Deliver the asset.Do not?—
She shifted against his grip, and her scent hit him like a fist.His thoughts scattered…
Blinking, he shook his head and forced his mind back on track.Back on the mission.
"The shuttle is waiting," he said."Walk, little female.Or I will carry you."
She flinched at his tone but didn't back down as she glared up at him."My name is Emily.And I’m not going anywhere with you."
Frustration rolled through him.Hereallydidn't have time for this.The schedule was tight, and he had two mission briefings later.He crossed the distance between them in two strides.
"Hey!"she yelped as he reached for her.
He ignored her protest, closing his hand around her upper arm.She was tiny, his fingers nearly meeting around her upper arm.But the moment he touched her, heat scorched over his skin, and every muscle in his body locked against the urge to claim her.
He gritted his teeth so hard his jaw ached, shoving the impulse down into the dark.He pushed her toward the door, careful not to use his full strength, though the urge to tuck her against his chest and snarl at anyone who came near was almost overpowering.
"Let go of me!"She dug her heels into the carpet, a futile gesture against his momentum."You can't just kidnap people!There are laws!"
"Imperial decree supersedes local law," he grunted, scanning the hallway.Clear.Two security guards stood at the end, looking nervous.All the civilians had scattered.
The human male, Haynes, scrambled out of their way, pressing himself against the wall like he expected Raaevik to bite him.
Smart male.
"You can't do this!"she hissed, digging her heels in as he hauled her down the corridor."I have rights!I have a job!I have a cat!"
"The Emperor will provide you with a new feline if you require one."He pushed through the heavy glass front doors and out onto the street.
"I don't want a new cat!I want my life back!"She swung her free hand, smacking his forearm."Let me go, you giant leather-clad tree trunk!"
"No."
She shrieked, almost bursting his eardrums.Who knew human females could be so loud?
"What the fuck!Who do you think you are?"
