Page 64 of When Eden Falls

Another snarl escaped him, and he licked the edge of his elongated canine. “You’re mine.”

Clenching my eyes, I was unable to think straight. He was strangling me, and yet, he wanted to claim me as his own. I would’ve laughed if I wasn’t being starved of oxygen right now.

The door to Havav’s study opened, causing my heart to leap with relief, then fear. I heard Rooke’s jovial voice echo around us. “Eden, are you that eager to see me…oh, shit.”

I could see him in the corner of my eye. He was frozen to the spot at the sight of Dybgo pinning me against the wall. He didn’t know what to do. “Uh, Havav? Your assistance is needed. Immediately!” The command in his voice noticeably cracked on the last word.

Dybgo turned his head slowly and glared in his direction. A warning made up of hisses and snarls was aimed at Rooke, but Rooke didn’t falter. He held his palms up and said gently, “Hey, Dybgo, buddy. Um…I don’t think she can breathe.”

In response, Dybgo tightened his hold and hissed, “She’s mine.”

In the next instant, Havav was standing in the corridor barking commands at his general in his native tongue. Dybgo took a step back, dragging me with him. Possessively pulling me into his chest, his arm encircled my waist and arms, restraining me—strategically placing me as a barrier between them and him. I concentrated on Rooke, hoping his presence would calm me, but Rooke just stared. He looked petrified. Taking in Dybgo’s possessive hold, he rested his eyes on my terrified face, holding my gaze. The terror building up inside of me reflected in his own eyes.

Dybgo tugged me closer as Havav’s words intensified in pitch and demand. He growled something back in reply, but Havav’s words seemed to have stumped him. His head snapped down at me, prompting every muscle in my body to tense—even more so than they were already. His looming presence was terrifying. I could smell him, feel him everywhere. He was so close, too close.

Ignoring the tear trickling down my cheek, Dybgo pressed his forehead against my temple, hard. I felt his rapid breaths change to a deep inhale as his hand moved across my hip, over my breast. Havav barked one final demand, and to my utter surprise, Dybgo thrust me forward, out of his grasp. Roaring at his leader, he turned and disappeared down the corridor, ignoring Havav’s further commands.

Stunned by the sudden loss of warmth, goosebumps erupted across my arms, my chest, down my spine. I shivered, thankful for whatever Havav had said to deter Dybgo. Clutching at the soreness around my neck, I winced at the bruise forming there, and stumbled towards Rooke. But Havav stepped forward and intercepted me before I fell into Rooke’s arms. He gestured to theopen doorway and without physically touching me, guided me into his luxurious study.

“Here you go, Eden, my dear,” Havav’s sympathetic voice was genuine. “You’re safe now.”

Seating me on a long chair, the warmth of a used jacket was draped around my shoulders, covering my exposed back. I looked up and found Rooke standing over me, now in his shirtsleeves. He stalked across to the armchair opposite. Perching on the edge, he frowned at Havav. “Would you care to explain what just happened?”

“Indeed.” Havav sighed, prolonging a tense silence before he spoke again. “That, unfortunately, was an example of Tektrasc. I was recently notified that Dybgo had entered the phase. The mating season begins in a week and it’s common for more cases to arise just before the start. It’s caused by the subconscious anticipation. But Dybgo…” He shook his head, drawing his eyebrows inwards. “It’s unusual for him. He’s a highly ranked chaperon because it doesn’t affect him. Other than the standard Tektrasc that occurs when an Akquarian male finishes puberty, he has never entered another phase. It was a shock, to say the least.”

“I thought males going through that are detained.”

“They are.”

Rooke’s face flushed. “Then why was he in your corridor?”

“Dybgo…he resides in this area of the fortress. He must’ve let himself out of his room.”

“Let. Himself. Out?!” Rooke growled. “To me, the word detained means unable to let himself out!”

“I can only apologise.” Havav glanced at me. “In a normal case, Dybgo may have ignored Miss Eden’s presence, but it appears the scent she is currently producing has allured him.”

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“What scent?” Rooke snapped.

“Eden’s ovulating.”

I gaped at the Akquarian leader.

“I can smell it.” Havav peered at me. “And Dybgo could also.Did Miss Zamya not inform you of the risks of walking about the fortress during such a time?”

“Yes, she did, and we check our temperature every day to…” I gasped at the realisation. “My temperature has been up and down since the bluepox, I didn’t…I didn’t…” Tears stung at the back of my eyes. This was my fault. I coerced Dybgo…

“It’s not your fault, Eden,” Rooke said, reading my mind. “Dybgo shouldn’t have been out of his room.”

“And I will assure you, I’ll look into how…”

“You already assured me there wouldn’t be any chance of this happening. Any male suffering with Tektrasc will be locked away, you said. He clearly wasn’t locked away!”

“Commander…”

“No, Havav. I’m not taking this bullshit. You demand the females here are protected but how can they be when he’s walking around freely?”