“What specifically do you want to know?” It pleased me she was asking about Alara.
She smoothed her hands down her hair. “Will you tell me about life there? What are the people like?”
“Alara is a trade planet and also the home of the Protectorate, as I mentioned before. Our planet has many minerals and metals that do not exist on other planets in this system. We trade them with others within Alaran space,” I continued. “The only planet that comes close to the resources we have is Tulia.”
I could see she was listening to every word, and I loved being able to take her in as I spoke.
Grinning, I asked, “What else would you like to know?”
She shrugged. “It sounds interesting. But you haven’t told meanythingabout the people. Are they accepting of outsiders? What are they like?”
I let out a quiet chuckle. “While Alara is far from perfect, we strive for fairness to everyone. We welcome other races more so than the planets Zeynon and Graacux.
“There have been big changes in recenttenris. At one time, citizens were born into class systems. There used to be a work class, a warrior class, and then there’s the elite.” I surprised myself with how much I was telling her.
Grace’s eyebrows arched in surprise. “Really? Interesting. What happened for them to end theclasssystem?” She tucked hair behind her ears.
“Changes occurred because of an illness that spread across our planet. Many died. To ensure our species’ continuation, it was crucial to eliminate the class system. We later discovered that our females had become infertile due to exposure to a virus. No youngling has been born in the thirtytenrissince the outbreak.
Grace frowned. “That’s awful.”
“The cause of the virus and its origin on our planet remain unknown. According to our scientists, it may have been brought to the planet from an unknown source.”
I felt my shoulders slump. “The illness it caused had a devastating impact on my planet, which is still felt today.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.” Grace’s fingers grazed my skin as she reached out to touch my arm while her face softened.
She withdrew her fingers in surprise as sparks ignited along our skin. Seeing my disappointment, she extended her hand and stroked my forearm again.
It had been a long time since I felt the touch of a woman, and I yearned for it more than I realized.
Grace’s caress gave me sensations that I had never felt with anyone else. Ever.
My eyes closed, shuddering, as I yearned for more of her touch.
Emotions overpowered my higher brain function, causing me to lose focus.
I found myself torn between my usual self and my primal instincts, which were urging me to claim my mate.
This was an unfamiliar experience for me.
Forgetting our conversation, I wondered what her reaction would be if I pulled her into my arms and kissed her.
Inhaling, I tried to calm my racing heart and steady my trembling hands. Thoughts of Grace’s body pressed against mine consumed my mind. A wave of intense arousal swept over me. The thought of her moaning in pleasure fueled my desire to have her, making me yearn for more of her affection.
“Trex?” Grace’s voice snapped me out of my thoughts and back to the present. She withdrew her hand from my arm. “Are you alright?”
I hastened to hide my arousal and clear my mind before speaking.
Grace’s wide-eyed expression made it evident that she had already noticed the bulge in my trousers. Her own arousal filled the air with a delectable scent.
“Yes?” I let out a rough grunt, my voice filled with desire.
Although it was barely a whisper, I managed to find my voice once more. “I’m fine.”
After clearing my throat, I leaned back into the soft cushion. “What was it you wanted to know?” I croaked, thinking there must be something I missed.
“I wanted to know if the virus was still active on Alara.” She appeared flushed and kept her eyes on mine.
