Page 4 of Grulen

Grulen noted Hunnek occasionally wincing as his fingers dove into the soil.

“May I ask a personal question?”

Hunnek grunted and his tail stiffened before resting on the ground.

“What happened to your hands?”

The older male rotated his head cracking his neck before he looked at his companion from the corner of his eye.He sighed and returned his attention to his work, speaking quietly.

“When the virus took my mother, my mate, and my daughter, I volunteered for the riskier missions to allow warriors with young families time to recover.Consumed by sadness and anger, I took chances I shouldn’t have.The Zuvgran captured and tortured me.They broke my fingers early on.I finally escaped, but it was almost alunarbefore I could return to a Svesti ship.The healers did what they could, but they had to re-break my digits to set them correctly and the cartilage deteriorates more rapidly now from the residual damage.It’s bearable and an unfortunate reminder of the consequences of making important decisions with emotions rather than reason.”

“I’m sorry,” Grulen said softly.“I was a youngling, but my mother and five sisters succumbed to the virus, leaving only my sire and myself.The anger and grief affected everyone.”

“That experience marked us all.”

Lost in their own thoughts, they continued harvesting and collected five large containers oflobile.Hunnek stood in a single fluid moment.The male may have damaged hands, but there’s nothing wrong with his strength and mobility.

“What’s next, Hunnek?”

“If you want to help me doublecheck the programming for the water reservoirs, you’re welcome to join me.”

Grulen grimaced and shook his head.

“Programming anything other than coordinates for flying or weapons is beyond me.I have difficulty with equipment as simple as a synthesizer.”

“Interesting.I could try to teach you.”

“Many have tried and failed.”Grulen’s tail flicked behind him, and he grinned to soften his refusal.

Hunnek slapped Grulen’s shoulder.

“Thank you for you assistance.”

Grulen smiled as he headed to his shared quarters.Despite Hunnek’s initial grumpiness, he enjoyed his time with the older male.I think I could learn a lot from him.

Chapter 2

Three years earlier

May 12, 2034(Earth calendar)

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Morgan Calloway burst into laughter when she pushed aside the colorful tissue paper revealing a silky white button-down blouse accompanied red accessories—an engraved leather belt and a lacy push-up bra with matching thong.She shook her head in fond exasperation at the remaining black items—a narrow skirt with a side slit, sheer pantyhose with a prominent back seam, and fuck-me heels—before placing the enclosed oversized eyeglasses on her nose.Her now-former coworkers grinned at her.

“Really, ladies?”

“There’s more,” said Candi Torres.Her brown eyes lit with humor and anticipation.The other dozen women encouraged Morgan to continue exploring the contents of the gift box while the ten men smirked.She slapped her palm with a wooden ruler before holding up a pencil and aHot for Teachersign.

“You’ve kept long hours working here while getting your degree.We want you to start making time for relationships.And remember to have fun.You deserve it.”Beth Weston, a blue-eyed blonde, smiled.

“None of us wants a guy who regularly seeks out stripper entertainment,” said Danae Stefano with pursed lips.

“It’s not like Mr.Right hangs out in places like this, even if ours is a thousand times better than the Carmine Canine.”added Penny Lockhart, her hazel eyes glinting.The other women nodded.

Morgan snickered at their nickname for a strip club on the other side of town.Years ago, some of them had gone there one night to scope out the competition.They’d left in disgust after visiting the ladies bathroom.The lack of cleanliness sucked, but even worse was the realization that the strippers weren’t afforded a separate dressing room.They had to change in the public restroom.

Morgan glanced around.Her best friend and boss, Sophia Pratoria, had successfully combined a ritzy gentlemen’s club with a high-end strip joint.

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