Page 1

Flander was being considered for subchief, and his boss, Ranni, was on the short list for the Chief's position. They would pass or fail together in the worst area of space. Majuri Warriors considered it the most likely place to die. Most would reject the option because they didn't want to take the risk. He was sure that Ranni's father, the Emperor, wanted him dead. There was no better place to put him if that was the case. As Ranni's closest friend, he didn't intend to let that happen.

He would keep his friend alive as he worked to claim his mate. It was a tall order, but he knew he could do it. His mate was called Hel, short for Heloise. An apt name since she was putting him through hell. She flirted with other males, but as far as he knew, she hadn't gone out with any of them. If he found out, she did. He would kill the male. It was a known fact.

She was on his team, and they were back in the area she had come from because this had turned into one of the most dangerous areas at the edge of the Empire. This was where Ranni might soon be chief. If he were, he would be responsible for enforcing the law in this area and the other section claimed by the Empire.

They were about to go on a patrol, and he worried about her. Hel was a distraction. He should have kicked her off his team, but he didn't want her around all those males without him to protect her.