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Gabriel growled with pleasure as his lips pressed against hers. He fisted his hand in her silky hair as he took the kiss deeper, his tongue stroking against hers in a sensual dance. The taste of her was a shock to his system, and he was immediately addicted.
Stars, she felt so good, but he wanted more.
When she kissed him back with equal fervor, his big body shuddered with need to touch her, take her, taste her all over. It was foolish to touch Lyrica in his current state, especially after he had pretty much transformed into someone he barely recognized. Hell, he still felt weak and disoriented from whatever the hell had happened to him, but the desire to stake his claim on her was too strong to deny.
She was his mate, the keeper of his heart.
And he wanted her with a hunger that bordered on madness.
He knew he should release her, but the lust burning through his system made him desperate to feast on her right there on the floor. He wanted to rip her dress off so he could lick and suck every inch of her skin. Then, he wanted to make love to her over and over again until neither of them could move.
However, this wasn’t the time nor the place for that.
Gabriel fought for control and dragged his lips away from hers even though it bereaved him to do so. His mind might be clouded with passion, but he knew he couldn’t take her on a landing platform in the middle of the docking bay. He didn’t care if there was some sort of magical green bubble protecting them.
Lyrica deserved better.
She deserved everything he had to give and more.
Staring into her lovely lavender eyes, he was mesmerized by the sight of her. She was so beautiful that it was difficult to believe she was truly his. He stroked the hair back from her face and breathed in her amazing scent that was a combination of citrus, vanilla, and dreams. He needed to take her somewhere they could have privacy, but first, he needed some answers.
“Hi.”
Oh, for fuck’s sake.
Was that the best he could do?
Her adorable dimples flashed as she smiled. “Hello.”
“I guess I should officially introduce myself. I’m Gabriel Titan—”
“Commander of the Capital and my soulmate,” she finished for him.
“And your soulmate,” he repeated back slowly, savoring the words. “That would also make you the keeper of my heart.”
“Ah, so you are part D’Aire.”
“My father is D’Aire, and my mother is human.”
He realized he was still stroking her hair and forced himself to stop. That was when he got his first good look at his own hand. Stars, the thing was as big as a dinner plate. Seeing it was a shocking reminder of the transformation he had just gone through. He jerked back to look down at himself and quickly realized that every bone and muscle in his body hurt as he moved. He was also completely naked and sporting a raging erection.
Holy nova, even that was larger.
Most guys would be thrilled to have a bigger cock, but he had already been well endowed. Gabriel didn’t know if he was horrified or fascinated as he surveyed the rest of his body. His bones felt denser, and his muscles were almost twice as big as they had been a few minutes ago. Without a doubt, that had been the worst experience of his entire life, but he would go through it all over again if that’s what it took to have Lyrica.
Reaching out, he grabbed her cloak and tossed it over his lap. He needed some answers and didn’t want to be distracted by the demands of his body. Unfortunately, covering his dick wasn’t helping much. Not when he could still taste her on his lips and smell the alluring scent of her skin. Not when she was sitting there watching him with those amazing lavender eyes.
Gabriel rubbed his chest as he eyed his new mate. “So, this is normal, right?”
She nodded. “Although, you are bigger than the other transformed males I’ve seen.”
“That’s...not reassuring.” Not even a little bit. “Do you know why?”
“It’s said that males transform and become stronger, faster, and bigger to ensure they can protect their mates. Then again, you already seemed capable of that before the change, so I’m not sure why you are larger than the others.”
“This mating stuff should come with a manual,” he muttered. Confusion flickered through him when she beamed up at him. He wasn’t sure what he’d said to make her so happy, but he wanted to figure out so he could always keep that expression on her face.
“That is exactly what I’ve been saying! With all of the mixed-race pairings, I wish to figure out a way to help new or potential mates understand what to expect.”
“Like becoming a giant?” he asked dryly.
“Yes, if—”
“Umm, Gabe? Lyrica?” Harris shouted out from the other side of the magical green bubble. “Everything all right in there?”
Gabriel had almost forgotten that they were surrounded by people beyond the barrier. “We’re fine,” he called back to his friend. “You guys can leave now.”
“Sorry, no can do, buddy. We need to make sure Lyrica is okay before we—”
Pure outrage surged through him. “Do you think I would hurt my keeper?”
“No! Of course, not! I know you would cut your arm off first,” Harris assured. “But you were growing to the size of a space cruiser, man. What if you accidentally crush her or something?”
Lyrica slapped her hand over her mouth to muffle her giggle.
“I am not going anywhere until I confirm my Vesera is well,” Alden insisted.
A dark fury swept through Gabriel at hearing another male lay claim to his keeper, even if it was only as a guard worried about his charge. “She isn’t yours!” he snarled. “She’s mine to protect!”
“Sure, she is,” Harris called out in a placating tone. “Relax, buddy.”
“I thought you said he was the calm one,” Alden challenged in a snippy tone.
“He is...usually. I think this mating stuff has messed with his brain a little,” Harris said in a loud whisper.
“We can still hear you!” Gabriel snapped.
“Sorry about that.” His friend coughed to try to cover his laugh. “Alden is just freaking out because he can’t get back through the barrier.”
“I do not freak out,” the Xenon denied.
“You were totally freaking out.”
As they continued to argue, Lyrica raised her voice so they could hear her. “Don’t worry, I’m fine.”
“Then bring down the barrier and let us see for ourselves that you are well,” Alden demanded.
“Don’t give her orders!” Gabriel shot to his feet and glared at the barrier. “I swear I’m going to kill that fucker—”
“You can’t.”
“—with my bare hands.”
Lyrica slowly got up, her gaze roaming over her mate’s impressive body. He looked like a warrior as he stood there with his fists clenched and his legs braced apart. His massive body towered over her, but she didn’t feel nervous or afraid. Instead, she felt protected...and highly aroused.
When she realized she was simply standing there staring at his erection, she cleared her throat and held out her forgotten cloak to him. “While I appreciate the view, immensely so, I would rather not share it.”
Especially since there were two human two females on the other side of the barrier. She had never thought of herself as having a jealous nature, but she’d never been mated before. The thought of anyone seeing her mate’s body or actually touching him made her want to tap into the dark and dangerous side of her magical abilities.
Perhaps this mating business really was messing with their minds.
He glanced down and cursed, then he wrapped the cloak around his waist and tied it so that it rested low on his hips. Unable to help herself, she reached out and ran her hands over his bare chest. Her fingers moved lower to trace over the curves and dips of his muscular abdomen, only stopping when he put his hand over hers.
“Stop distracting me, or we’ll never get out of this magical bubble.”
She started to tell him that she wouldn’t complain about being stuck with him in there, but Alden interrupted her before she could say anything.
“Lyrica, we are waiting.”
Gabriel let out an irritated huff at the interruption. “Remind me, why can’t I kill your guard?”
He sounded so disappointed that it almost made her laugh. “Alden is not just my guard. He is like an older brother to me.” She lowered her voice and added, “And he is your friend’s soulmate.”
“He’s Harris’ mate? Damn, I guess I have to let him live then.” When he lifted her into his arms, she let out a gasp of surprise. He nuzzled her neck, then pressed his lips against the frantic beat of her pulse at the base of her throat. “Take down the bubble so we can go home where we can be alone.”
Nodding, she lifted a hand toward the barrier and whispered the words that made the protective shield surrounding them disappear. She was grateful the docking bay had been cleared of people and only Alden and Harris were waiting for them on the landing platform.
“Holy shit!” Harris’ eyes went wide, then he turned toward his mate. “He’s fucking massive! Is that going to happen to us? I thought you said we wouldn’t get that much bigger. I mean, look at him. Gabriel looks like he ate his old self. Is he even going to be able to fit through doorways?”
Gabriel let out an irritated growl. “Harris—”
“He is an anomaly. As far as I know, no other male has ever grown that large.”
“Is it because he is half D’Aire?”
“I’m standing right here!” Gabriel reminded them.
“That would be hard not to notice,” Alden deadpanned.
“Damn, Alden. Could you try not to piss off the guy who could literally smash you to pieces? I just met you and would like for you to keep breathing.”
“Trust me, mate. I am in no danger.”
Gabriel didn’t even bother responding as he turned and started walking away.
“Hey, where are you going?”
“Away from you.”
“Harsh,” Harris chuckled.
Lyrica wrapped her arms around her mate’s neck as he carried her toward the exit. She wasn’t sure where he was taking her, but she didn’t care as long as she was with him. Glancing over his shoulder, Lyrica called out, “Congratulations on your mating!”
Alden simply nodded, while Harris grinned back at her.
“Thanks! You, too! Oh, and Gabe? Watch out for doorways.”
