Possessed by the Alien King (Fated Mates of the Varool #1)

by Krista Luna

Fury overcame me, my zural heart synching with my main heart to set my blood booming in my ears, a drumbeat of war.

“Storr, I’m so very sorry I lied to you. I’m sorry about the virus and not telling your people what was going on when it all started to go wrong.” Stroking my fingers through his silky hair, I continued. “But you have to believe me—it was never supposed to kill. It wouldn’t have either, if these bug aliens hadn’t altered it. I’m still not one hundred percent sure how they did it. They seem to be able to manipulate DNA far more easily than anything humans can do.” “That is because all of their technology is biologically based,” his deep voice said. “Even their ships. It makes them practically undetectable.” “Storr!”

“No more lies,” I said, pouring my whole being into the words. “I promise.” “I trust you.” I offered him a trembling smile, his words cutting me to the core. Then I had to look away. I didn’t deserve his trust. A strong hand tipped my chin up until I met his eyes. “I trust you because I love you.”

The munk-cat let out a loud chit-chit-chit, and we broke apart to find him standing at Deirdre’s side, butting against her leg. She burst out laughing, her eyes dancing with joy, and the sight filled me with brightness. I grinned. Her fingers brushed over my lips. “I love seeing that, seeing you smile.”

“Look at this.” My mate walked over to a collapsed tripod of metal mounted to a large, hollow metal tube. Two long silver cylinders lay beside it—human missiles and their launcher. “The Folri wanted the Varool to find humans responsible,” Deirdre said. “They thought to pit us against each other,” I said. “No matter which side won, the victor would be weakened. It would allow them to take Sagittarian One without resistance.” “They almost succeeded.” Her eyes grew haunted. “The virus…” “It was not you.” I wrapped an arm around her shoulders and squeezed.

THE MUTATED VIRUS danced and spun on the monitor, mocking me as yet another antiviral compound failed to kill it. It seemed the Folri had not only made it more deadly, they’d also supercharged its defenses.