To Catch His Mate (Crescent Moon Series Book 5) by Savannah Stuart, Katie Reus

rule his body.
    Thankfully she seemed oblivious because she just held him tighter. “Get me out of here.” Her voice was shaky and thick with tears against his neck.
    Without pause or apology, he turned and hurried toward one of the transport platforms. He would do anything she asked, even if it meant leaving his own brother’s funeral. Gage would understand. Still holding her tight, he punched in the code to their home. Moments later they stood in their main living space. The once bright fire burning in the stone hearth had dwindled considerably.
    As soon as she realized where they were, Saroya shook herself and stepped away from him. Her electric blue eyes glittered with unshed tears. They looked like the bright gems found deep in Lumineta’s mountains. As rare as she was.
    “I’m sorry.” Her voice was soft, hoarse.
    He frowned, and against his better judgment, he cupped her cheek. Touching her was like touching fire but at this moment he didn’t care. He’d just lost his brother and the only female he’d ever cared about stood before him in pain. “For what?”
    She ducked his gaze and stared at the stone floor. Her hands plucked at the sides of her shift. “For shaming you. I should have controlled myself.”
    He forced her chin upward with his finger. “You have nothing to be sorry for. I don’t care what anyone thinks.”
    As their eyes locked, her blue ones filled with too many emotions for him to register. Confusion, pain and something he didn’t understand. Finally she spoke but her voice was strained. “Will you be bringing someone else into our union after the mourning period?”
    “No!” The word came out louder and sooner than he’d intended. He hadn’t expected the question. Though maybe he should have. With the higher ratio of males to females, it was standard practice among his people to bring in another male after six moon cycles. But that wasn’t going to happen. Even if his leader demanded it. He would not. Not for anyone.
    Her brows knitted together. “Then you wish to let me choose…someone else?” Her voice cracked on the last word as more tears spilled down her cheeks.
    Had she lost her mind? “Why would you ask that?”
    Confusion and a trace of hurt clouded her expression. “You’ve never touched me. Barely look at me. I thought you might want me out of your house. Maybe I’m not your…preference?”
    If he looked at her too much the pain made it difficult to breathe. “You were my brother’s female and this is your house too.”
    Her frown deepened. “According to your culture, I’m yours too. We’re technically mated. Unless you decide you don’t want me.”
    He sighed. It had taken most of her females many moon cycles to get used to his people’s way of life. Some still hadn’t chosen males. Saroya had taken to their way of life quickly because of her feelings for his brother. The speed with which she’d embraced their world had made it even harder to keep his hands off her. But he hadn’t been willing to touch her when it had been so obvious she loved his brother. It didn’t matter that he’d been within his rights. Why would she want him, a scarred warrior? He struggled to find the words without confusing her. “I don’t share.”
    She tucked her bottom lip between her teeth as she digested his words. “So you do wish for me in your bed?”
    “No, yes . I…” Was there a right answer to her question?
    Her eyes flared for a moment, then she shook her head. “I don’t even know why I’m asking about this now,” she muttered as if she were speaking to herself.
    Before he could think of a response, she turned and strode from the room. The soft-soled slippers she wore were silent against the cold floor. Every fiber inside him told him to go after her, to comfort her, but his legs wouldn’t listen.

Excerpt from
    Unleashed Temptation
    Miami Scorcher Series

    by Savannah Stuart
    Copyright © 2015 Savannah Stuart

    Scrubbing a hand over his face, Nick