Page 89 of Ren: Warlord Brides
He had been very impressive.
However, he suspected it was pure curiosity that drew the crowd.
His mate stepped forward, hand already in a fist. “Tell me I did not mishear you,” Emmarae said, her chin raised and her posture screaming that she wanted a fight.
Ren placed a hand on his mate’s shoulder and pulled her back. “It is unwise to challenge the warlord,” he whispered in her ear.
“So what? If he thinks I’m not going to fight for my sister, he’s wrong.” Her voice rose in volume. “Does he know I’m a badass? I stole your ship. I’m not afraid of any warlord.”
Paax watched her posturing, head tilted and amusement in his eyes.
Gemma stood next to her sister. Despite leaning on a crutch for her fractured ankle, her stance was unmistakably defiant.
He admired these females. How had he ever mistaken his mate for broken and timid? She and her twin were forces to be reckoned with.
“I am sympathetic to the female’s plight, but she cannot remain an unmated female on theJudgment,” Paax said.
“That’s not fair! She’s vulnerable. They’ll take her again,” Emry said.
“Unlikely.” Paax turned his attention to Havik.
Before Paax could speak, Ren interrupted. “Sir, the circumstances are extraordinary. I believe they require consideration.”
Paax focused on Ren, and he resisted the urge to squirm under the warlord’s scrutiny. This was not Kaos. This was not the clan of his youth, measuring him against his father and countless generations, and ultimately—always—finding him deficient.
He was no longer the runt of the clan or the butt of cruel jokes. He had made his own way, earned his place, completed several successful missions, rescued an abducted female, and won the heart of his mate.
He was worthy, and for the first time, he believed it.
“This is a warship, not a ship built for leisure,” Paax said. “We are facing an invasion. We cannot house and feed strays. We cannot keep everyone safe. Only our mates. Only our sons.”
“My mate is correct that her twin is vulnerable. She is at high risk of being abducted again,” Ren said. He planted his feet firmly on the ground, ready to dodge a blow for such defiance.
The blow never came, despite the wrath in the warlord’s eyes. It was difficult to read his body language.
The warlord’s mate gently touched his arm. “What about my mother? She moved in right after we came to theJudgment. Is she a stray?”
“That is different,” the warlord said, his tone mild as he addressed his mate.
“Because I’m the warlord’s mate?”
“No, because she is too old to be a distraction.”
The female’s eyebrows shot up. “Oh. That’s how it is. Dannel must be thrilled to learn that my mother is too old to be his mate.”
“You twist my words.”
“No, Paax, you’re doing that just fine on your own. And what about Vanessa? You let Jaxar drag her on board.”
“She was a contracted employee, and he was actively courting her.”
Ren looked toward Havik and silently mouthed, “YourVanessa?”
Havik nodded in confirmation. Interesting.
“I do not know the story of Jaxar’s mate, but exceptions have been made,” Ren said. “Gemmarae was taken because of flaws in Earth’s defense. We cannot allow her to return before the defenses are repaired.”
Paax leveled a hard glare at Ren, one that clearly said he did not buy Ren’s ludicrous argument.
