"They are my babies," Ariel murmured as she cuddled several of the little creatures to her chest. "Yes, you are. You are my precious little babies. You are so beautiful. No one will hurt you here. I promise."

Morian shook her head trying not to laugh. Ariel's tender heart was open for all to see as she cuddled a creature that was considered a tantalizing treat for a Valdier dragon. The Maratts and Grombots Ariel referred to as her babies were prized on any dinner table. Even Morian was having a hard time keeping her dragon from chasing down and gobbling up the delicious little treats. Her son was going to have his hands full with this female. She only hoped he survived it. If what she had been told so far was to be believed all of her sons had found their true mates but not all of them had claimed them. As far as she knew, only Zoran seemed to have achieved that honor. She would have to see what she could do to help the others. From the looks of it, it was not going to be an easy task.

Morian walked over to a serving tray set up with refreshments. "Would you care for something to eat or drink?" Morian asked pouring herself a strong cup of tea.

"Yes, thank you. I'm starving. There wasn't a lot to eat on the ship," Ariel said moving toward the tray eagerly.

Morian looked up sharply with a disapproving frown. "They did not feed you?" She growled out in a soft, dangerous voice.

"Oh no, they fed me plenty of fruit but it didn't fill me up very well," Ariel said reaching for a type of bread roll. She sniffed it before practically devouring it in one bite. "I'm a vegetarian and they didn't know what else to feed me," she said as she grabbed several more.

Morian sat down in one of the chairs. She winced when she heard a small squeak and reached behind her to remove a Maratt who had burrowed down into it. She gently dropped it down onto the floor with a look of longing.

"What is a vegetarian?" Morian asked as she wrapped her hands around her cup wishing it was around one of the Grombots' necks. She would love to sink her teeth into its sweet flesh.

"A vegetarian?" Ariel asked as she swallowed another bite of roll before offering a small piece to the Maratt in her lap. "A vegetarian doesn't eat meat. I'm not a Vegan. I eat eggs and other stuff, just not meat," Ariel said smoothing her hand over the small creature huddled in her lap.

Morian paled. "Oh," she replied not sure what to make of this new information.

Since Valdierians were dragon-shifters they all ate meat. It was the main part of their diet. She had never heard of a Valdierian who did not eat meat. She didn't even know if a dragon could survive without it. This was definitely going to be interesting.

Ariel looked up. "Carmen eats meat but I never could. I mean I could but never wanted to. You see, I have this thing about animals, any type of animal. I've always loved them and wished I could have been a vet but unfortunately I turned green and pa.s.sed out when I helped with surgery one summer when I was a teenager at the local vet's office. Instead, I followed my second choice as a career and became a pilot. I've been working at a volunteer animal shelter for the past several years when I wasn't flying. I bathe and care for the animals that are brought in. I was planning on opening my own shelter back home," Ariel said sadly.

"You turn green?" Morian said raising a hand to her throat. One of the little Maratts was rubbing against her leg. Morian felt her dragon moving around in aggravation trying to get out.

Hush, you cannot eat them. They belong to the little human, Morian whispered fiercely.

They taste good. Just one, her dragon whined.

No! We need to make her feel safe here. Eating her... her... oh, dear, Morian practically groaned out loud as a Grombot wrapped its arms around her neck and pressed against her neck.

"Are you alright?" Ariel asked curiously. "You look like you are in pain."

"I am fine," Morian whispered hoa.r.s.ely. "Please explain how you turn green."

Ariel laughed lightly. "I don't really turn green. It is an expression that means when I see guts and lots of blood I get sick to my stomach. That is why I don't eat meat. Just the thought of biting into something that was alive, that has bones and guts and blood is just repulsive to me," Ariel explained as she put the Maratt in her lap down and picked up another Grombot to cuddle.

Morian stood up as the overwhelming desire to taste just one small tidbit hit her. "There is a dinner to welcome you tomorrow night. I have taken the liberty of having several outfits delivered to your living quarters in the meantime as I was not sure if you had anything to wear. You are scheduled to meet with the dressmaker tomorrow. You should find everything you need. I am afraid I must be going. I will look forward to seeing you tomorrow," Morian said setting the cup of tea down and gently removing the Grombot from her shoulders.

"But... where are my living quarters?" Ariel asked puzzled by the woman's sudden need to leave. Maybe she really wasn't feeling well.

"These are you living quarters. I hope you will be comfortable," Morian responded hurriedly as she moved toward the door. "Until later, my dear."

Morian leaned back against the closed door and drew in deep, calming breaths before she opened her eyes again. Shaking her head, she could not stop the chuckle which turned to peals of laughter. Poor Mandra! He was never going to be the same. He was meticulous about his living quarters. There was never a thing out of place, no animals were allowed in, his symbiot even had a specific sleeping place. Ariel, on the other hand, seemed unaware of her disheveled appearance or cared that there were creatures crawling all over Mandra's prized furniture he purchased from a renowned carver in the Curizan system. Even she had a problem not scooping the little creatures up and gobbling them down as fast as she could. Morian put her hand over her mouth to stifle another laugh. Ariel was a vegetarian! Morian could not wait to see how her son was going to handle that.

Shaking her head, Morian moved down the corridor away from Mandra's living quarters. It had taken hours for her to finally get Mandra's symbiot to guide the small human female to the right corridor. The female kept going a different way. She was a stubborn one. Morian was still giggling as she made her way toward the kitchens. She needed to find something that Ariel could eat for tonight and plan for tomorrow's dinner.

Ariel looked in confusion at the closed door before shrugging her shoulders. She might as well explore her new living quarters. She had to admit, she had never seen a more beautiful set of rooms.

Everything was so neat and clean. It was almost as if it was a showcase. That wouldn't last long with her in them, Ariel thought with a grin thinking of her little apartment crammed full of pet supplies and mementoes. If she were to stay, she would need to find a place with lots of land. Her house was going to be filled to the brim with all kinds of animals and love... lots of love.

The room was a little on the masculine side but Ariel figured that was because of there being so many men. The living room area was light and airy with huge French doors all along one wall. No curtains blocked the view. There was a long balcony that overlooked the thick forest and mountains surrounding the city outside the palace walls. Ariel guessed the rooms were probably five or six stories up. An extra-long plush couch and several beautifully carved chairs adorned the room. There were several displays of weapons lining the walls, as well as, paintings depicting different scenes. Some were of dragons in flight over the city, others were of battle, and one was of a huge man wearing some type of leather vest and pants with gold arm bands. He reminded Ariel of Mandra but slightly older.

Ariel walked around the room smiling as the little Maratts and Grombots followed her. They darted from one spot to another, staying close enough to keep her in their sight at all times. Ariel let one of her hands run over the rich, marble-like counter in the kitchen area. There was some type of device in the wall and the cabinets were a dark polished wood. Ariel continued her explorations and discovered the living quarters contained three guest bedrooms each with their own bathrooms which were bigger than her apartment back home. The master bedroom contained the biggest bed Ariel had ever seen. She didn't even think they made mattresses that big back on Earth. It was a ma.s.sive four-poster bed with heavy curtains surrounding it. The curtains were embroidered with intricate patterns of gold symbiots and dragons in varying shades of sapphire and silver. Ariel let the heavy material slide through her fingers before she walked over to another door that led to the bathroom.

All thought deserted her as she gazed around. It wasn't a bathroom, it was heaven. Huge windows let in natural light over an indoor garden area. A blue and silver light fixture hung over the garden casting a glow over the multicolored flowers. A shower big enough to fit Mandra in his dragon form was against one wall. Double sinks carved out of stone were along another wall with clear shelving holding thick, lush dark sapphire and silver towels on them. Ariel touched one before grabbing it. She slowly moved closer to the largest bathtub she had ever seen in her life. It filled the center of the room. It was more like a miniature swimming pool. It was filled to the top with hot, steaming water that flowed with an unseen current. Ariel crowed like a rooster in delight. She set the Grombot down and quickly began shedding her clothes uncaring of where they landed. She was going to enjoy every second of a bath fit for a queen.

Chapter 9.

Mandra walked into his living quarters in a foul mood. He had spent the last six hours searching the palace from top to bottom. He found where the female had fallen asleep but after that he lost her. He ground his teeth in frustration. He was halfway across his living quarters when he froze. He sniffed the air cautiously. He smelled...

Food! I smell food! His dragon snarled. Maratts and Grombots. Mine! All mine.

What the... Mandra started to say before his head jerked around to the stacked cages against a far wall. Who in the galactic b.a.l.l.s but those in my living quarters?! Mandra growled out dangerously.

He would never let something like that in his private living quarters. Food was for the table or kitchens. Not to be running around in his living quarters.

His head jerked around when he saw a flash of white out of the corner of his eye. Following it into his sleeping quarters, he let a low growl of warning escape as the little Maratt disappeared under his bed. He was moving toward it when the soft sound of a feminine voice reached him. Mandra turned and stared in disbelief at his bathing room. He had searched the whole palace for hours only to find the missing female in his living quarters? Oh, G.o.ds no! Someone was going to pay for this and pay dearly!

Mandra moved silently, afraid the female would either attack him or bolt again. He stopped in the doorway frozen as he watched the beautiful creature he was going to claim no matter what stand up in the shallow end of his bathing pool. Water coursed down her body and small drops glistened from the darker tips of her b.r.e.a.s.t.s making his mouth water at the idea of licking them off. She was turned slightly with her back mostly to him so she was unaware she was being observed. Mandra's eyes darkened with desire and determination. He wanted, needed to taste her. His fingers moved to the ties on his shirt without him even being aware of it until his shirt was lying on the floor. His boots and pants followed just as quickly. He waited until Ariel disappeared under the water before moving to the edge and slipping in. If the only way to catch her was by ambushing her then that was what he would do. They would not be leaving his quarters until she was marked by him. He wanted there to be no doubt as to who she belonged to.

Ariel loved the feel of the hot water on her body. She could feel the tension melting away as she moved through it. She had to admit so far getting kidnapped by aliens wasn't so bad, especially with living accommodations like this.

Heaven, she thought, this must be heaven.

Ariel made it to the deep end amazed that a bathtub could be deep enough that she couldn't touch the bottom. She let her head fall back and closed her eyes as she treaded water. She could live here. At least for a little while. Ariel felt a small smile curve her lips. She wondered where Mandra was at this moment.

Was he looking for her or had he finally given up? After everything I've done to him, he probably hopes he never has the misfortune of seeing me again, she thought with a chuckle even as a part of her hoped he did want to find her.

She didn't realize she had actually whispered the words aloud until a set of strong arms circled her waist pulling her against a wall of hot flesh. Ariel released a startled scream and began thrashing around trying to break free of the arms holding her. It was impossible as she couldn't stand in the deeper water.

"You are mine! I claim you, Ariel Hamm," a deep, rich voice said right before Ariel felt a sharp shaft of pain followed by intense heat rushing through her.

Ariel froze as she felt Mandra's hot mouth on the curve between her shoulder and neck. She could feel it when his teeth pierced her skin but the pain was insignificant compared to the rush of hot, flaming desire that flooded her. Ariel bit back a scream as her body arched into his in answer to his claim on her.

Mandra felt the first sweet taste of Ariel wash over his tongue and closed his eyes at the intense pleasure that coursed through him. He let a small amount of the fiery heat of the dragon's breath flow from him to her in an exchange so erotic and sensual he never wanted it to end. His deep groan wrapped around Ariel's as he let it pulse through them. He was shocked at the savage need in his soul to possess and protect this tiny female with everything in him.

Mandra reluctantly pulled back, not letting the full breath of the dragon's fire have its way. He merely wanted to ensure Ariel was marked as his. He knew deep down that he could not claim her fully without her meeting him halfway. He fought his dragon's desire to just take her whether she was ready or not, but something deep inside Mandra told him to do so with this female would not be the right thing to do. He would need to tame her much like the wild creatures he saw in the forest. He saw the way Palto handled the wild creatures that were hurt or frightened. Ariel was like one of those creatures. He finally recognized the look he saw earlier but didn't understand what it was. She had been hurt... deeply. The look was one of being afraid to trust. He would never win her trust if he did not earn it.

Mandra slowly withdrew his teeth and gently licked the mark he left. The clear mark of his dragon was plain for all to see. He would have time to capture this wild creature's heart now without fear of another male trying to take what was his. Mandra pulled Ariel tighter into his arms making sure she could not fight him. The feel of her silky skin pressed tightly against his was agony.

"I am claiming you, little human. You are my true mate," Mandra whispered against her silky shoulder. He continued to press hot kisses against her skin as he moved his mouth up along her throat, nipping the tip of her delicate ear.

Ariel shuddered as a hot wave of desire swept through her. "What did you do?" She whispered closing her eyes as the wave of heat surged through her. "What is going on?" Ariel asked moving restlessly.

Mandra sighed heavily as he stroked her belly. He liked that it was not thin like the other females. She had some flesh on her and he liked the feel of it under his hands. He moved one of his hands down to her hip and pulled her tight against his arousal.

"I want you," Mandra admitted with a moan as she wound a foot around his calf. "But you are not ready."

Ariel looked over her shoulder at him in confusion. She wanted to turn around and rub herself all over him and that was p.i.s.sing her off. Whatever he did turn the heat she was feeling earlier up to an almost unbearable temperature. She thought she had it under control until he did his little bite thing on her. Now, she was on fire and achy in places she didn't want to ache in.

"Then let me go," Ariel growled out through her teeth beginning to get upset.

"I cannot," Mandra muttered.

"Why not?" Ariel snapped looking up at him again in frustration.

"Because every time I let you anywhere near me it is usually a very painful experience. I am at a distinct disadvantage here and the look in your eyes' promises more pain," Mandra muttered ruefully.

Ariel stopped struggling for a moment as she stared up into Mandra's dark golden eyes that suddenly looked like a puppy that had bitten off more than it could chew and didn't know what to do with it. A small snort escaped before she could control it. She tried to stop herself but it was impossible to control the giggle as what he said sunk in. This huge-a.s.s dragon shifting warrior was afraid she was going to hurt him? The giggles turned to laughter and before Ariel realized it she was laying back in Mandra's arms holding on to him so she wouldn't drown.

"You are just so..." Ariel looked up into his confused face and burst out laughing again. "... cute," Ariel said turning in his arms and holding on to his broad shoulders.

"Cute?" Mandra repeated in shock and dismay. "You think I am cute?" He whispered in horror.

Ariel pulled herself up just far enough until she could look him in the eyes. "Yes," she whispered before brushing her lips tentatively against his. "I do."

Before Mandra could respond, Ariel pushed herself out of his arms and swam quickly to the side of the bathing pool. She grabbed the towel she had laid out and pulled it around her as she stepped out of the water. Without looking back, she hurried into the other room leaving a very large Valdier warrior staring after her in confusion and horror.

Mandra had been called many things in his long, long life but cute was not one of them. How was he supposed to be looked at as her protector, a man of great strength, if she saw him as cute? He definitely knew one thing, he would never be allowed to live it down if his brothers found out the little human thought he was cute.

Mandra's eyes narrowed as several white fluffs of fur raced out from under the shelving into the other room after Ariel. He let his head fall back only to find himself staring into the black eyes of a Grombot that was hanging from the blue crystal lighting over the plants he had planted in the alcove of the cleansing room to make it seem as if it was outdoors. He felt his dragon let out a low menacing growl at the creature which scurried down on all six legs and move toward his sleeping quarters as fast as its legs could carry it.

Where did all these d.a.m.n creatures come from and what were they doing in his living quarters? Mandra wondered in confusion just as his dragon took over in a bid to catch the tasty treat.

Chapter 10.

Ariel moved toward the bed where several outfits were laid out. She quickly picked one up and found it was a type of wrap around dress. The silky, dark sapphire material had threads of silver through it that caught in the sunlight still coming in through the huge windows. Ariel slipped her arms through the sleeves and pulled it around her. She was worried as big breasted as she was that she would look ridiculous without a bra on but the top had a natural one built into it. Ariel felt a shiver go through her as the delicate fabric rubbed against her nipples that were still sensitive from her encounter in the bathroom. It was sleeveless and wrapped around her waist where it hooked with a silver clasp in the shape of a dragon. It reminded Ariel of the Grecian gowns she used to see in her history books.

Ariel laughed under her breath as several Maratts came up to sniff at her bare toes which were sticking out from under the long hem. She wiggled her toes and chuckled as they scampered to hide under the bed. Ariel turned when she heard a scared squeal coming from the bathroom. She bent down and scooped up the trembling Grombot which had raced out of it as fast as its six little legs could carry it.

"What's the matter, sweetheart?" Ariel asked. "Did you get scared with mommy not being in the room with you?"

Ariel pressed a kiss to the top of its head, holding it close to her and rocking back and forth. She placed it on the bed so she could brush out her hair which was still wet and tangled from her bath. She had no sooner picked up the brush when a low, menacing growl came from behind her. The Grombot squeaked again and dove for the pillows where it buried itself in the pile.

Ariel swung around startled to find herself looking once again into the flaming gold eyes of the huge sapphire and silver dragon. Her eyes darted over the huge figure as it worked to get its large body through the doorway of the bathroom. She winced when she heard the sound of wood cracking just before it wiggled through. Ariel looked around the ma.s.sive body to see how much damage had been done and wished she hadn't. Both sides of the door frame were ripped out. It was going to be a b.i.t.c.h to repair.

Her eyes swiveled back to the gold eyes when she heard another low growl as it crept closer. She frowned as she followed its eyes which were glued to the bed. Ariel looked back and forth for a moment before she realized that it was about to pounce... on the bed... after one of her little babies!

"Oh no you don't!" Ariel gasped and moved in front of the dragon as it sat back on its haunches preparing to jump. "Bad dragon! Bad, bad dragon! You do not eat your friends," Ariel snapped out hurriedly as she climbed onto the bed.

She barely rolled off the other side with a squirming Grombot in her hands before the dragon jumped, landing in the middle of the beautiful bed which promptly collapsed under its weight. Ariel's screams echoed through the room as she fell onto the floor on the other side of the bed, rolling away from the huge dragon. White furry Maratts were running everywhere. The Grombot she was holding bit her finger forcing her to let it go with a cry of pain as other Grombots crawled up anything they could find or ran for the living area. Ariel heard one of the small Maratts squeaking in terror. It was trapped under the bed.

"Don't move," Ariel cried out moving on her hands and knees as fast as she could toward the bed which was precariously perched on one leg. "Don't move. I have to help it," Ariel choked out trying to squeeze into the tight s.p.a.ce between the wall and the bed.

The huge sapphire dragon snarled at the creatures running all over the place. It stretched its neck out to snap at one of the little Maratts that had been hiding in the pillows as it scurried across the bed and jumped off. It started to move when Mandra sharply pulled back on it in warning.

Stay. Our mate is in danger, Mandra snarled out furiously.

He was ready to kill his dragon and spank his mate! Where in the h.e.l.l was his symbiot? He needed it here now. He was afraid to move at all in case the slightest change caused the rest of the bed to collapse with his mate under it. It would crush her.

My mate. I hurt my mate, his dragon mourned.

Not yet but you will if you move. We need our symbiot with us just in case, Mandra whispered in a calm voice as he reached for his symbiot. We need you, my friend. Our mate is in grave danger. Come to us.

Mandra felt the moment his symbiot responded. It was in the nearby forest but moved as fast as it could toward his living quarters at his call for help. Mandra heard the gla.s.s shattering in his living area moments before his symbiot, in the shape of a Werebeast, flew through the door snarling and hissing at the threat to its mate.

"Ouch!" Ariel's m.u.f.fled voice came from under the bed. "Come on, baby. I won't let anything hurt you. Come on, I promise. Please come to me, sweetheart. He didn't mean to scare you."

Mandra gritted his teeth. His little mate was totally oblivious to the danger she was in. She was so focused on saving something that he thought of as food that she had no clue she was in mortal danger. He could feel his muscles tense as the bed shifted slightly.

Hurry! Get her out of there now! Mandra called out urgently to his symbiot. The bed is about to collapse.

Mandra's symbiot shifted until long arms reached out wrapping around both of Ariel's legs and up to her waist. Ariel squealed almost as loud as the dozens of little creatures scattering all over Mandra's living quarters. Her cry was cut short as the gold tentacles wrapped tighter squeezing the breath out of her. Ariel wanted to protest but she barely had enough air to breathe. She wrapped her hands around the small furry creature tucked in the far corner under the bed at the same time as she felt herself being pulled roughly out from under it. She didn't have time to say anything before a loud crash shook the floor.

Mandra's roar of denial shook the walls as the bed collapsed. An eerie silence filled the room right before the sound of the outer doors being flung back and the thunder of running feet burst into the room. Mandra shifted back but was unable to move as terror froze his huge form.

"Mandra, what happened? Who attacked you?" Creon asked as he and several guards stood looking around with swords and laser pistols drawn.

Mandra drew in a deep breath trying to force words out of his mouth but nothing would come. Fear unlike anything he had ever felt before choked him. He forced himself up onto his hands and knees until he was almost sitting. He kept his eyes closed as he fought for composure.

"My mate," he choked out. "She..."

Creon looked at the collapsed bed in horror as he realized what Mandra was trying to say. He and several of the guards made to move around it at the same time as Ariel's shiny, tangle of blonde hair popped up on the other side.