Page 48 of Argurma Warrior (The Argurma Chronicles #1)

Z oreth blinked and squinted at the bright light of the sun cutting through the trees above him. He did not know what hit him but some of his systems were still malfunctioning. Frowning, he attempted to establish contact with Veral and failed. He groaned and sat up, his head going to his hand as it spun. It would take his microsystems a while to repair whatever damage he suffered. In the meantime, he could not process what exactly had happened to him. The island seemed pleasant enough but then—

A shadow fell over him and he froze, his sensors sending a rush of information through him that made his scales prickle. Swinging around, he sprang to his feet only to see a monstrous creature looming over him, mandible spread wide and skeletal metallic limbs unfolded aggressively.

“Mine!” the male snarled.

“Oh, for fuck’s sake, I am not. And don’t go hitting him again,” an infuriated female voice belted out as a small, pleasantly rounded figure pushed by him.

Zoreth dragged in a deep breath, unable to help himself as her tantalizing pheromones hit the receptors on the inside of his mandibles. There was something so decadent with her flavor that it was like sinking into the bliss of a sweet cup of yanili brew. A soft purr stirred, drawing a menacing growl from the male hovering above him and the female made a sound of disgust as she moved away from both of them.

“Oh gods, not you, too!”

No, not him, too. He would be the only one. Casting a suspicious glance to the monstrosity that had once been Argurma, Zoreth solidified his resolve as he pushed himself to his feet. He would follow the female, win her from the creature, and locate Kaylar all at the same time. He would accomplish it in mere zecs.

Zoreth smiled to himself. This was turning out to be a most fortuitous assignment. He was eager to boast to his clan in recollecting his adventure upon his return with his mate and cousin-kin. But first thing was first—he would acquire her name.

“I request your name female?” he called after her.

“Beverly Ryder,” she grumbled, ducking back into the trees.

His smile widened but quickly fell as the other male pushed by him with a snarl to follow after the female.

“Mine,” he hissed, the long, pointed limbs unfolding aggressively from his back as he passed.

Zoreth smirked and trailed after the pair. The male would find that was still to be determined. The game was still active, and Zoreth would make sure that he came out the victor in this particular contest. He did enjoy winning.