Mated to Mek (Paperback)

Betrayed by her family

Rashana was just a child when her father locked her away in his laboratory, subjecting her to unspeakable horrors in the name of science. Now, years later, her telepathic abilities terrify lab techs and her father alike. When a revolt leads to her father's death and rebels seize the lab, she expects her torture to go on. Yet the alien doctor's charming bedside manner awakens an unexpected yearning in her heart, and his touch is anything but torture.

A doctor's oath

After the destruction of his home planet, Mek never believed he'd meet a female of his species again. Then he discovers Rashana in a stasis pod on board an enemy ship. She's an impossibility - a hybrid between his species and humans - and despite her justified hostility and anger, he finds himself drawn to the intriguing female for more than simply research.

Healing more than hearts

As they work together to harness her powers, their trust blossoms into a passion that can't be denied. But as Rashana uncovers more about her past, she also uncovers a terrifying secret that could destroy everything she's come to cherish.

Even through her sluggish thoughts, Rashana clung to her hatred. Clung to her futile wish for freedom. Her body ached with cold, and her eyelids fluttered with paralyzed lethargy against the sensation of light.

Must. Get. Free. But her body wouldn’t budge, arms and legs as limp as cooked spaghetti.

Someone bent closer to peer at her face, and instinct made her lash out, seeking a mind, seeking emotions to bend to her will. She had to defend herself. To stop whatever her father had planned for her next. For the briefest flicker, she found what she sought. Feelings of worry, of wonder, and a strange sensation of… desire? But the thoughts withdrew before she could secure a foothold.

“It is a girl!” a male voice exclaimed.

Then another, deeper voice bellowed, “Everybody out.”

“But Mek—”

“She’s Denaidan, and there are too many people in the room. She’ll be overwhelmed. Now get out!”

The sounds of retreating footsteps. No, don’t leave me! Struggling to make her unresponsive body sit, Rashana sought their minds, their emotions. If she could just get access to one of them…

But the people were gone too quickly. She slumped back, the steep sides of the cryopod like the walls of a prison tower. Helpless, as always. Father had won again.

Angry tears filmed her already blurry vision, and she squeezed her lids closed.

“It’s all right.” The deep, sexy voice returned. Definitely not Father.

She forced her eyes open. A man with a clean-shaven jaw and skin the color of gleaming copper leaned over her. His eyes were a rich shade of brown with the same uncanny metallic sheen as his skin, but what surprised her most was his lack of protective gear, just a dark green shirt with white trim around the neckline. The sight of his unmasked face gave her a funny feeling just below her ribs.

“They’re gone,” he murmured. “You’re safe.”

Safe. As if he didn’t know that she was the threat. She dragged her attention off his face to take in the sterile-looking walls and cupboards of a laboratory. The bitter flavor of the drug still cloyed the back of her tongue. “How long was I in there?”

His brows furrowed, and he reached out to move a stray lock of hair from her eyes with the tips of his fingers. “I don’t know. What’s the last thing you remember?”

The touch was as light as a feather, but the shock of physical contact coursed through her like an electric charge. She exhaled sharply, every muscle stiffening with anticipation.

More. Every atom of her being wanted more.

His eyebrows shot up as if he felt it, too, and he pulled back. She reached for his retreating hand, but her trembling fingers only brushed his knuckles before he was out of range. Why couldn’t she sense his emotions? Father must’ve finally perfected the dampening field he’d been working on.

The man cleared his throat, his gaze flicking away. “Let me find you some clothing.”

She glanced down, realizing she was naked. She’d been naked in front of the techs plenty of times—there was little privacy in her cell—but nobody had ever seemed uncomfortable with it before. Uncomfortable, yet drawn. That much she could sense, despite whatever was limiting her power at the moment.

While he searched the various cupboards, she struggled to stand, watching his broad shoulders and back as he moved. His dark hair hung in thick ropes down his back, nearly reaching the waistband of his lightweight pants. She could tell he was built, perfectly proportioned and loaded with muscle. As the characters of her favorite show liked to say, the guy was supernova sexy.

She looked around, expecting to see guards in their usual protective gear, but he was alone. Still, she’d been through enough to know there was always someone watching. She looked toward the corners of the room where cameras might hide. This lab looked like a dozen others she’d been in, though there were a few pieces of ominous looking equipment she hadn’t seen before. Several panels on the walls were cracked, and medical equipment lay scattered across the tables and desks. Very unlike Father to allow a mess.

“Where are we?” she asked.

“On board the Icarus.” The man turned toward her, holding a folded stack of pale blue fabric. “Put this on for now. We’ll get you some real clothes as soon as we can.” He turned away, affording her privacy. “I’m Mekoryuk, by the way, but everyone calls me Mek. Can you tell me your name?”

He doesn’t know my name? This was getting more confusing by the second. For the first time since waking, she considered the possibility that her father was no longer around—cryopods could operate for centuries, after all. Is it possible I’m finally free?