WIP Wednesday - First Mataras: Iliana

 

Seeking shelter

Selbi blinked and glanced at his clanmates. He’d never met this Earther before, but she greeted them as if they were old friends.

“Where have you three been hiding? I was getting the idea you were avoiding me,” she gushed.

Her coloring was hectic, and she was out of breath. Yet she was gorgeous. With long, black hair framing her fine-boned features, startling blue eyes that matched her simple gown that draped a lithe figure, she brought Selbi’s thoughts to a stop for a few moments. His clanmates were similarly stunned into silence, but he wasn’t sure if it was from her abrupt approach or her breathtaking appearance.

He’d have remembered her had they met before. There was no doubt about that.

“I’m sorry, Matara.” Selbi recovered speech before the others. “You must have mistaken us for another clan.”

He noticed Deefa entering the conservatory, behind a clan he vaguely recognized but quickly discounted. Deefa was alone, Clan Syno nowhere in sight. He nudged Hanvel, whose expression brightened.

“Could you excuse us, please, Matara? There’s someone we have to talk to.”

“No, I won’t excuse you. Give me a damned moment to get rid of those assholes.” Her order was delivered in a snarl between clenched teeth as the Earther grabbed Cosdas by the wrist. Then the stunning smile reappeared, and she laughed as if Selbi had something funny. She glanced at the clan heading their way, the three men that Selbi knew he recognized from somewhere.

“Oh, you are hilarious. Don’t think you’re pulling this stunt now.”

Recognizing she was a female in distress, Cosdas and Hanvel broke into friendly smiles. Selbi followed suit an instant later. They crowded around her even as their glances darted to both Deefa and the nearing clan.

“Name?” Cosdas whispered.

“Iliana.” Gratitude filled her expression.

“Matara Iliana, you have to give these other Earthers a chance. The instant you appear, they no longer exist.” Hanvel’s gaze skittered nervously to Deefa, who’d moved within earshot. He kept up his smile, however. A woman in need of assistance couldn’t be ignored. He pretended as if he’d just noticed the clan Iliana was trying to escape. “Dramok Bas. Did you require something?”

Bas. Of course, Selbi should have recognized the clan immediately, but it had been a couple of years since they’d been expelled from the private club Clan Hanvel belonged to. A high-ranked clan, but known for less savory activities, such as drinking too much, losing most of their money gambling, and cheating, whether it be clients of their investment firm or at games. No wonder Iliana was desperate for help.

Releasing September (specific date not yet determined). 

Their agreement didn’t include falling in love. What happens when a ruse becomes reality?

Iliana Rossi’s reluctance to join a Kalquorian clan comes from a terrible loss that leaves no room in her heart for any men. Dodging the alien three-man clans eager for a Earther mate is a full-time job, and she’s running out of patience with those desperate to change her mind.

Hanvel, Selbi, and Cosdas pursue Matara Deefa, a rare unclanned Kalquorian woman. She’s everything they could possibly want. But her parents have promised her to another clan, and Clan Hanvel can’t seem to convince Deefa that love is more important than rank and family approval.

When Iliana meets Clan Hanvel, the solution seems obvious. They embark on a fake courtship that satisfies societal and family pressure; a relationship that requires no love, no commitment, and no responsibilities to each other.

But when passion wakes for the reluctant foursome, they have a choice to make: loyalty to the impossible past or a chance for love they can keep.