Tender Captivity (Human Pets of Talin #4.5)

Commandant Holian worked hard to make the Kalor Colony, which his mother started, into a safe haven. Kalor Colony was home to retired soldiers who’d served under him in the Talin military as well as human pets who needed a safe place. Those who lived on his colony, far from the Talin homeworld, weren’t bound by strict Talin law or culture and were free to love and even have children together if they wished.

Despite watching some Talins and humans under his care pair up and fall in love, no human had picked him. He learned to live with the idea that he’d forever be alone. It was enough that his life had a greater purpose as he participated in the political battles to change Talin policies and perhaps even undo millennia of strict doctrines.

On one such political mission, he came across a human pet suffering at the hands of her owner. He couldn’t stand by and do nothing, but the repercussions of his actions might be the end of him.

Jinna was pretty sure she was going to die. She was “wild caught,” a human not born on Talarian or raised among Talins. Although her life before had been hard, it was nothing compared to her current misery. How long until one of her owners went too far and she didn’t survive the beating?

Rescue happened suddenly and she found herself safe with the support of a strange Talin. He promised he’d take care of her and she would never be hurt again. Under his tender care, she healed and learned to deal with the sorrow she’d been holding on to for far too long.

Her feelings quickly developed into something far more than simple gratitude. And even better, those feeling seemed to be reciprocated.

But nothing was ever easy and soon the two of them were facing multiple enemies trying to rip them apart. Would her stubbornness and his skills be enough to keep them together?