Page 58 of Loka

“It was because of Heather,” Loka said. “They wanted her. That’s why they kept the ship in one piece.”

“I still don’t understand why you think you failed her. You were doing your best to get her away.”

“Heather didn’t want to go. I insisted upon it. We were leaving the station to send a message to get support. I even failed to do that. We are on our own. No one knows about the takeover.”

Hoan shook his head. “There is a wide band communication block in place. It extends fifty miles around the station. You weren’t to know about that.”

“I could have done better.” Loka bumped his head back. His horns made contact with the wall.

Hoan patted his knee. “You’re being too hard on yourself.”

“I should never have believed I was good enough for Heather. I am not in the right place to make overtures to a mate.”

“Humans have a curious saying,” Hoan said. “The heart knows what it wants.”

“Which means?”

“You can’t control the way you feel. Maybe that’s what happens when you meet the female destined to be your mate. You cannot help yourself. You have to be with her.”

Loka’s gaze slid to Hoan. “I have been feeling strange around her. Could it be that?”

Hoan shrugged. “It sounds like it. I don’t believe it is something you can resist.”

“I need to. I have proved myself not capable of protecting her. She cannot want me now.”

“No one would be able to protect her from a malfunctioning space station, a group of rampaging cyborgs, and some sneaky aliens. All of us have failed in that respect.” Hoan gestured to the bruised and bloodied aliens surrounding them.

“I should stick to science.” Loka prodded a bruise developing on his arm. “At least I understand that.”

Hoan chuckled. “Some of it.”

“I know more than you.”

“I’ll let you have that because you’re my boss.” Hoan grinned at Loka. “You’re being too hard on yourself. Heather likes you.”

“You think so?”

“You told me she sniffs the coal you leave for her. That is a sign a mate is interested.”

“She probably does it because she feels sorry for me.”

Hoan shoved him in the arm. “Stop being an idiot.”

“That is not possible. I have an IQ of one hundred and ninety-five.”

“You are into this human. I’d venture to guess you love her.”

“I never said anything about love.”

“You want her as your mate. We do not have many mates in our lifetime. Many of us choose a single mate, a mate we share everything with, a mate to be in love with. You love Heather.”

Loka ran a hand down his face. “I never thought I would have a human mate.”

“The heart knows what it wants,” Hoan said. “It has picked you an adorable human mate.”

“You think she’s adorable?”

“All humans are. They’re so small, you can pick them up with one hand. Have you noticed how they giggle? I find it endearing. When they blush, they make my insides feel warm.”