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Treaties across the galaxy gave Thresls the same status as whomever they matched
with. Leo now had the same position in the diplomatic corps as Zander. Since Thresls
shouldn t be separated from their mates for any length of time, this made it easier for couples
to travel together.
Thresls didn t generally try to strike out with their own careers. There were always
exceptions, but in most instances they followed their mates. Leo wouldn t be an exception.
He planned to stay at Zander s side at all times.
This is where the Thresls are chosen for interplanetary transport, Syline said pointing
to a pen where several Thresls lay down.
How do you pick them? Are they volunteers? Zander asked.
Leo scanned the big cats, but they all appeared healthy and alert. None of them looked
completely unconscious or unaware of their surroundings, which made the scent of her fear
all the stranger.
A large cat in the front with tiger stripes flicked his tail. Leo felt a pressure in his brain
as if the animal was trying to communicate.
They are generally volunteers who haven t had any luck finding human mates, Syline
answered Zander s question.
Leo noticed the other lab workers were almost silent while they went about their jobs.
None of them talked to the Thresls in their care. Strange. Despite their calm demeanour,
waves of apprehension poured off the Thresl. Leo didn t like the director any more than
Zander did. He scanned the workers.
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Aren t there any Thresls who work here?
Syline shook her head. No. No Thresls work here. They bring their relatives or
children here for mate matching but being here tends to unnerve them. They don t like to
remember that they were once beasts. Disdain dripped from her voice. Leo wondered how
someone who didn t apparently even like Thresls had ended up on their home world.
They aren t beasts, Zander said quietly. They are intelligent, sentient beings waiting
for their soulmates.
Syline s surprised look was quickly covered up. Of course, but not everyone likes to be
reminded of their past.
Zander nodded. I can understand that.
Leo knew Zander didn t want to put her back up and make her suspicious around him.
They needed to understand the smuggler s process so they could see at what point things
might be going wrong. If the issue originated on the Thresl home world it would be easier to
fix than if there were complications on a different planet.
Syline relaxed a bit as if Zander had said just the right thing to set her at ease.
What did you get off the Thresls? Zander asked Leo silently.
Leo focused on the other Thresls, but he couldn t seem to delve into their mind. It was
almost as if an invisible barrier existed between them.
Nothing. They try, but they can t talk. I think they re drugged.
Although at first glance they had appeared alert, a little further examination proved
they weren t as clear-headed as Leo had initially thought.
Are the Thresls medicated before they are shipped out? Zander asked.
Syline nodded. It helps prevent panic while they re in the cages. It isn t natural for
Thresls to be caged, but it is the easiest way to transport them. Other species become nervous
if we just let them transfer free.
But on their own Thresls aren t aggressive, Zander said.
Syline shrugged. It doesn t matter. As much as people appreciate the idea of bonding
with a Thresl their animal forms make people nervous. They see the fangs, claws and
potential danger.
Leo might not like it, but she did have a point. Thresls in their animal shape were
considered vicious even if a Thresl attack rarely happened. Humans didn t like anything free
that had more legs than them.
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Where are these Thresls going? Leo asked, pointing at the filled cages.
These are going to the Moon Base of Fiedor where they will catch ships to different
destinations. We ve had over a dozen requests for Thresls recently.
I d like to see their contracts, Zander said.
What? Syline paled. Why?
To verify if they need to be updated or not. His highness is concerned that Thresls are
being shipped to the wrong locations. I need to make sure they are getting where they need
to go and reaching positive locations where they can find potential mates.
Syline straightened her spine until she looked so rigid that Zander wondered if she
would snap. Are you questioning my competency?
Zander raised an eyebrow at her combative tone. Leo growled low but audibly.
It s not a matter of competency, Zander said in a calm voice. I m merely here to
make sure processes are smooth and that you have everything you need to help Thresls get
to their mate. In order to do that, I m going to start by double-checking everything until I
understand how your department runs. Consider me an auditor, if you will. Prince Bleine
told me he d never had a chance to help you settle in and make sure you had everything you
needed. King Vohne felt it was time to see if your very important job was being filled to its
best capacity. Now, if you feel I m stepping on your toes you can certainly take it up with
the king. However, King Vohne has charged me to make sure that vulnerable Thresls are
being handled with the greatest care. The quicker you can show me your procedures, the
quicker I can get out of your hair.
Zander paused as Syline grew paler and paler. They said no one would be hurt, she
muttered.
What do you mean? Who said that?
The chief. He said it was just to get them to better homes. That they would be treated
better if they went to royals and influential people like yourself. He didn t say anything
about making a profit off them. I mean, I guess I knew that was what was going on, but I
thought as long as they found mates it was good. She gave a hysterical giggle. Her eyes had
an odd light in them that had Leo grabbing Zander s arm and moving him back a few steps.
Where are they really going, Syline? Who s in charge of this? Who s the chief?
Zander s hard tone didn t cut through her hysteria. She wasn t making sense. They needed
names.
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Leo could tell she was on the edge. Her eyes had a wild light in them he d seen in
cornered animals before.
I can t. You don t know what he ll do if I tell. Her entire body shook. Before Zander
could say anything else, she grabbed a syringe off the table and stabbed herself in the neck.
Leo made a grab for her but too late. She pushed the plunger in and injected herself with the
clear substance in the syringe.
Almost instantly her eyes rolled up until only the whites were visible. She fell to the
ground as her body went into convulsions.
Medic! Leo yelled. Surely there had to be one working there?
A young man rushed forward. He had chestnut curls, brown eyes and a competent air
despite his apparent youth. What did she take?
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