Page 18 of Krin (The Protectorate Warriors Alien Fated Mates #3)

Krin

The joy I felt from having Riley in my bed every night was beyond my wildest expectations. I understood now how Trex must have felt when he claimed Grace.

My destiny was intertwined with Riley. She made my future seem bright and promising.

Although recently I had been missing the experience of waking up next to her. Since Rothr, her Commander, suggested different shifts to help her learn the security protocols without distractions.

My K’sha agreed.

For now.

Which meant she was sleeping alone in our bed while I was on the bridge. It felt strange being in the command center without Riley’s presence at the security console.

Luckily, it would not be a long-term arrangement.

Rothr was simply assessing her determination to fulfill the role of security officer. He aimed to confirm that Riley’s interest in joining the crew was for her own sake. Not simply to be near me.

I told him as much, however the stubborn grik insisted he had to make sure she was not a liability to the crew.

It was tempting to pull rank and insist she be given the same shift as me, but Riley made me promise not to interfere.

True to my promise to my mate, I refrained from intervening. I knew I did not have to worry, as Riley was a competent warrior who worked hard to prove she was worthy of a spot on the crew.

It was only in the privacy of our quarters that I got to see a different side to her. My delicious mate was always eager to explore various ways to bring us both pleasure.

Her open-mindedness and sense of adventure never failed to impress me.

She was delectable, sweet, and very agile.

My cock began to wake up as my thoughts turned to Riley’s naked body writhing beneath me.

The bridge came alive with a burst of activity, jolting me out of my private thoughts.

From the helm, Dril spoke aloud.

The holo-screens revealed a freighter and a Krilex ship facing off.

“Report. What is happening?” I asked.

“A civilian freighter says the enemy have asked to board their ship. They will not give a reason. We have them in our sights. The enemy is not moving away.

“Security, fire a warning shot. Get their attention.”

As I watched the holo-screen, I saw the phase cannon barely touch their ship.

“Are there any injuries on the freighter?” I asked.

“No, Captain,” a second helmsman called out.

The security officer spoke up. “I’ve loaded another phase cannon. Waiting for your orders, sir.”

“Helm, hail the Krilex ship,” I commanded.

Seconds later, the helmsman turned to glance at me over his shoulder. “He wants to see you in person, Captain. He says their transmissions are being monitored.”

“By who?” I asked, skeptically.

There was another brief pause as everyone waited. I grunted out a sigh. “Fine. Tell the Krilex Captain to lower his shields. We’ll teleport him over.”

“Yes, sir.”

More time passed while we waited for the Krilex to obey.

They didn’t.

My hands were on my hips. “Tell the Captain I am running out of patience. He either lowers his shields or we’ll do it for him.”

I side glanced my first officer. His brows twitched towards one another. ‘This is highly unusual. Why would a Krilex Captain want to speak privately to us?’

“Who knows. He is probably not speaking the truth,” Ezan said aloud in response to my telepathic comment.

The holo-screen finally lit up with a Krilex alien staring back at us. He was a massive reptilian alien, with an intimidating yellow-eyed gaze.

“I am Zash of the Krilex ship Gnox. We will not lower our shields and leave ourselves vulnerable. We will not attack you. I want to speak with you.”

Standing proud, my chin went up. “What are you doing this far inside Alaran space?”

A shift in his expression occurred, turning oddly serious, bordering on sadness. He ignored my question.

“Why are you attempting to board the freighter?”

Zash looked to the side, still not responding.

I grunted, annoyed. Then thrusted my hands to my hips. “If I don’t start getting some answers, you will not leave Alaran space alive.”

The thought of the risks posed by the presence of Voletti weapons did not deter me from standing my ground.

The prospect of facing foes equipped with Voletti weapons made the task of winning a fight seem considerably more difficult.

In a recent communication Captain Stusa made it clear that the ship that attacked us rotations ago was not equipped with Voletti weapons. They were on edge, thinking we might attack, so they were eager to take the first shot.

It was becoming apparent that the Krilex were starting to doubt the intentions of their overlord, ‘Yaz the Strong,’ as well as the Voletti.

The reptilian on the screen glared at me, and I sensed he wanted to say something.

To demonstrate the sincerity of my words, I nodded in the direction of the security officer.

The Krilex suddenly interrupted, raising one clawed hand. “Hear me out. We may be able to help each other.”

“We don’t help flutzing devara slavers.” I folded my arms, giving him a skeptical gaze.

“We aren’t here to cause trouble with the freighter crew. What I was trying to do was return a couple of human females.”

My brows pinched. This was not what I expected to hear. “Since when do you return females? Tell me what the flutz is going on,” I ordered.

“Our leader, ‘Yaz the Strong’, has ordered our ships back to the Ashrak cluster. Our agreement with the Voletti has soured. We no longer have a deal with them.” He gave his version of an angry scowl.

“They are a demanding race, even by Krilex standards. We cannot keep up the pace with what they are asking for, and still look after our own interests in the nearby systems.”

I released a bitter laugh. “You mean they are cutting into your profits?”

The Krilex gave a barely noticeable shrug. “Something like that.”

A dozen enemy ships had been destroyed since they began entering our system. It didn’t surprise me they were fed up with trying to get past our patrols to give the Voletti what they wanted.

I dropped my arms to my side. “Where are the human females now?”

“They are still here on the ship. We don’t want to go to war with the Alaran Empire. The Voletti are not worth the trouble. We are raiders, and businessmen.”

I snorted. “Is that what you are calling yourselves now? You deal in stolen goods and slaves. Not a very honorable business model.”

The alien stiffened. “Nonetheless, we do not want to go to war with you. We are returning to our own territories and planets within our system.” He sounded sincere. Though I knew he could not be trusted. The reptilian race only cared about profit.

“Teleport the females over to my ship, or the freighter. Now.”

The Krilex Captain glanced to the side once again. He nodded, then looked at me. “They have agreed to go with the freighter. We are lowering our shields to transport them.”

‘Make sure they make it and check on their well-being ,’ I told the helmsman telepathically.

Seconds passed before my helmsman nodded. Confirmation of the females’ safe return to the freighter was acknowledged.

I stared at the alien on the screen. “Are all Krilex ships leaving Alaran space or just some of you.”

“My information is that all ships have received notice. All Krilex vessels fall under the jurisdiction of our leader. I cannot speak for those who own their own ships, however.”

“What made your people think it was okay to enter Alaran space, anyway?” I asked.

He stared back at me with a hint of annoyance. “It was a foolish choice made by our leader. This system is too well protected. We are better off returning to the Ashrak cluster. ”

Or the neutral zone , I thought to myself. Being a favored spot of theirs, it provided access to Zinid slave planets.

It was clear Zash was not like other ruthless Krilex I had encountered. “How many privately owned pirate vessels are out there?”

He didn’t have lips, but if he had, I got the sense he’d be pursing them. Knowing he would not reveal much more about his own people, I decided to try something else. “What can you tell me about the Voletti... where are they hiding their ships?”

The Krilex stood a little taller, his expression soured. “The Moon of Jaxia. They are based there, from what I am told.”

“What else can you tell me about them?”

Zash thought for a moment. “They cannot see reason. Their need for females and minerals is so great that they will do anything to procure them. It will never be enough, no matter how much we supply. Unfortunately, the trades they insist upon are not worth it.”

I wondered just how many females Zash had turned over to the shape-shifters. The thought made my stomach turn. “You mean you aren’t making enough credits. I thought you received technology from them.”

“Some of us do trade for weapons, since they refuse to give us credits. They are selective about what they will trade.”

My lips curled. At least I would have information to relay to King Trex. I hoped Zash was speaking the truth.

“How many ships do they have on Jaxia’s Moon?”

“At least two on the surface at any one time from what I’ve seen.

They do not allow anyone to get close to the planet unless they are expecting you to drop off goods.

” He paused, and his expression became fierce.

“They monitor the space above the planet. Their weapons are beyond anything we have seen in this section of space.”