Page 10 of Trove’s Purpose

This female he didn’t know had so much power over him. It was insane. Who even was she? Was she a happy person? A brave person? A cold person?

The mating bond didn’t care who she was any more than it cared who he was. It didn’t matter what they wanted. What he wanted. What he needed.

He couldn’t have a mate. He didn’t want one. This was, possibly, the worst thing that could have happened to him. He would rather she be an enemy of theirs that had come to hunt them down rather than this.

He wished desperately, again, that he’d never seen her.

Tanin said nothing. His captain just watched him silently as those thoughts and feelings ran riot through him. Too new and raw to be easily controlled.

“Fine,” Tanin said, turning. “Let’s go talk to the others.”

Trove grunted and fell in line behind his captain. Though Tanin ruled them as an ultimate power, that didn’t mean he would not listen to his crew. They had all agreed to follow him; all agreed to obey his commands. But Tanin was a fair and just leader, and he would get everyone’s thoughts and opinions on this deal before making his decision for them.

Because even though Trove was now reeling, gobsmacked by the revelation of this stranger, there was still the matter of the deal she had brought them and what they were going to do about it.

Chapter 4

Chee

They took the deal.

Just as Hyde said. The rewards he dangled were just too tempting. Not so much the credz, she knew, but the cord he promised. That, she knew, was what really changed things. She may not know exactly what the cord was, but it was even more valuable than the cold hard cash – or whatever credz were. Honestly, they might be totally digital currency, she didn’t know. Also, not really her concern right now.

The gray skinned guy eventually came back to get her. Trove and the four-armed guy – which must be Rok – weren’t with him. Instead, at his side, was a human woman with messy auburn hair wearing what appeared to be a dress sewn together from other fabric, including pieces of the same orange jumpsuit as everyone else. Necessary to make space for the huge baby belly she was carrying. Her hand was resting on it as she waddled inside, smiling peacefully.

“Hello,” she greeted Chee happily, holding out her hand – and somehow it seemed strange to just be casually shaking someone’s hand in this situation. “I’m Garnet. I’m Tanin’s mate. You’re Chee, correct?”

Chee nodded. “Nice to meet you.”

Garnet gave her a searching look, a polite but guarded smile in place. “Where is that name from? I don’t recognize it. Irish?”

“It’s a childhood nickname,” Chee answered simply before quickly changing the subject. “You’ve accepted the job?”

“I’m sure you’re not surprised.”

Chee hummed. “Hyde was pretty sure you would. He said you’re almost done by now, and this is the best time to make his offer.”

Garnet was still smiling, but the sheen of suspicion in her eyes spoke volumes. “Your boss seems to know a great deal about us.”

“I don’t really know that I’d call him my boss.”

“What would you call him, then?”

Chee shook her head. “I guess, like you, I’m more of a client. I’m completing a job for him.”

“What do you get for bringing us our job then?”

Chee hesitated before saying, “I don’t think it really matters, does it? Hyde is giving me something I want for coming here and doing this. He’s giving you something you want for accepting the job. That’s all we really need to know about each other, isn’t it?”

Garnet’s smile didn’t diminish, but something in her face definitely faded. A lie that Chee had seen right past before she even spoke. She had come to her offering friendliness. But it was fake. Chee knew very well that Tanin had fetched her because he wanted Chee to be comfortable enough to talk to her. To maybe confess her purpose. To give them more information about herself, about Hyde. It was very deliberate.

But Chee really didn’t care to be their friends. She was here for a purpose. Everything else was pointless. Especially false friendliness from their side. Maybe if Garnet had been genuine, she would be too. For now, she cut it off at the start and, in so doing, that veneer of falsity faded away.

Garnet was still smiling, but there was a distance in it. Distrust. Chee was a surprising variable; one they didn’t know the motive of. But she didn’t feel the need to share something that private with these strangers.

This was business. That was all.

“We’ve decided to accept your deal,” Garnet said while Tanin stood behind her, standing close, keeping his blood red eyes locked on Chee. Guarding his pregnant mate carefully. “We are curious how your… employer knew we were nearly done.”