Choosing Theo: The Clecanian Series Book 1 Victoria Aveline (the giving tree read aloud TXT) 📖

supposedly knew nothing of alien life before last week, was able to survive on her own for days in the wilderness. Many grown Clecanians wouldn’t be able to manage that.”

Xoris eyed Theo. “Has she given you any reason to suspect foul play?”

Of course, Theo had suspected her from the beginning, but he’d rather find the truth himself than hand her over to Xoris. If the rumors were true, Xoris wasn’t against using pain to get information and, despite his concerns about Jade, he could admit to himself that he’d never put her in harm’s way.

“She hasn’t done anything that’s a cause for concern,” he lied.

Xoris didn’t seem satisfied with his response, but he inclined his head sharply. “Keep an eye out. We don’t—” His eyes grew wide and his nostrils flared.

Jade. Theo could smell her intoxicating scent as well. Why had he believed she’d stay when she disobeyed him at every opportunity?

They both turned to see Jade rounding the corner. She was flushed, and the unmistakable scent of her previous arousal wafted through the room. “Oh, hello again,” she said sweetly to Xoris.

Xoris’ glare became heated as he looked at Jade, who seemed to be unaware of the effect she was having.

Theo wanted to rip out the male’s throat with his teeth. “Leave now, Jade!” he boomed.

A hurt look crossed her face for a moment but then became furious. “You have no right to talk to me like that!”

Xoris moved to step toward Jade, but Theo leapt in front of him. “She’s mine, Xoris.”

For a brief moment, Xoris seemed like he was going to challenge Theo. Then he shook himself. “Make her understand her error. Other males may not be as in control of themselves as I am.”

After Xoris had swiftly exited the house, Theo rounded on Jade.

“What the hell was that about?” she exclaimed.

“I told you to stay in the room!”

Jade rolled her eyes and lifted up three fingers. “One,” she counted off, “I don’t take orders from you. Two, you also told me you didn’t want to leave me in your room because you were worried I’d sneak around. I didn’t want you to think I did, so I chose not to stay in there by myself. And three, the last time we had a visitor it was Asivva and I wanted to say hi to her. I didn’t know it’d be the asshole from the meeting.”

“You know nothing, Jade!” Theo said, storming away to the kitchen. “Use your head!”

Raising her eyebrows, she very slowly said, “What in the Game of Thrones did you just say to me?”

Game of Thrones? Taking a breath, he glared at her. “I told you I can smell your arousal. That’s true of most Clecanians. It’s a heady aphrodisiac, one most males can’t resist.”

Jade’s face paled at that.

Through gritted teeth, he continued, “Not only did you leave my room still covered in the scent of your orgasm, but you also aren’t wearing any underwear to mask that scent. I almost had to beat Xoris to make him leave.”

She sighed deeply. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know it was that intense or that anyone would care.”

Theo tried to will himself to calm. Other male’s reactions to her weren’t her fault. It was the responsibility of the male to control his urges even if confronted with a female who seemed willing and ready.

Theo’s rage burned in him not only because she vexed him so but because Xoris had looked at her with lust in his eyes. He was angrier about his reaction to Xoris than he was with her.

Theo had called her “mine”…again. If the big male hadn’t backed down, he knew in his heart he would’ve beaten him senseless. Why did he feel so possessive of this female? Was it really just his Traxian blood? He’d never had a wife before, so there was no way to be sure whether this possessiveness was instinctual or unique to her.

“It won’t happen again,” he said without feeling.

“Okay,” she agreed easily. Her stomach gave a rumble then, and he stifled a curse.

I can’t even take care of her properly! She can’t be mine.

“I’ll make you some dinner.” He inhaled closing his eyes briefly. “Go clean yourself up.”

Before she could argue, he’d walked to the kitchen to start preparing dinner, and after a moment she left.

***

Jade grumbled all the way to her bedroom, through the adjoining bathroom, and into her cleansing area. It’d been dumb to follow Theo out, she realized that now, but at the time she’d just wanted to be near him again.

She’d missed his firm touch and the warmth his big body radiated. As soon as he’d left, she’d felt cold and lonely. So, like an overzealous puppy, she’d gone chasing after him.

Dammit, they had made progress! Who knew where it could’ve gone if they hadn’t been interrupted by that snarky ass. Now they were back to square one. He was furious and he couldn’t get far enough away from her.

Why is that? What did Xoris say to him? Now intensely curious, she finished washing, found a jumpsuit made of soft, stretchy material similar to a fluffy cashmere and headed down to ask Theo why Xoris had been there.

She found him chopping a purple vegetable that she recalled liking. He handled the knife like an expert, chopping with fast even strokes. A vein ticked in his large bicep as he worked. She wanted to fan herself. What a man.

His shoulders tensed as she approached.

“Can I help?” she asked cautiously.

“Yes,” he said without looking up at her. “You can help by going away until I finish.”

Clearly, he was still upset.

“Fine,” she grumbled. “Where is Cebo?”

He used the knife to point through the glass leading to the beach.

Her spirits lifted slightly when she saw Cebo had his face scrunched against the glass, licking fervently.

Cebo whined with excitement and circled her legs when she neared the glass and allowed him entry. “Are you cold? Let’s go sit by the fire while your dad sulks.” She said the last