Badari Gladiators Series by Veronica Scott

Talinn was a genetically engineered senior soldier in his Badari Warrior pack until unscrupulous laboratory guards faked his death and sold him into slavery in the galaxy’s hinterlands. Purchased by a nomadic warlord and forced to fight in games for the amusement of the crowds, Talinn has endured through sheer strength of will. He sees no possibility of escape but a Badari never gives up until the goddess calls him to the afterlife... moreTalinn was a genetically engineered senior soldier in his Badari Warrior pack until unscrupulous laboratory guards faked his death and sold him into slavery in the galaxy’s hinterlands. Purchased by a nomadic warlord and forced to fight in games for the amusement of the crowds, Talinn has endured through sheer strength of will. He sees no possibility of escape but a Badari never gives up until the goddess calls him to the afterlife.Bailey Kingsmere was a talented and ambitious entertainer on an interstellar cruise liner when her ship was destroyed in an accident. She escaped in a defective cryonic lifepod, which eventually drifted out of the Sectors entirely and crashed on a primitive planet. Superstitious locals decide to place her in the arena as a prize for a lucky gladiator.Talinn needs only one look to know Bailey is his fated mate. He’ll do whatever it takes to rescue her from the other fighters and claim her as his prize but how can he ensure her safety thereafter? Since he’s not human and has alien reptilian predator DNA which gives him extra capabilities, will Bailey accept him as a mate? And can they ever escape their desperate situation and find a way to freedom?TALINN is the third book in the Badari Gladiators Series and can be read as a standalone. A steamy romance with fated mates this story was initially published in the Claimed Among the Stars Anthology (no longer available), but has been expanded here with an additional 15,000 words and includes a BONUS epilog. less

Benet Arencollo was a top ranked gladiator in the Five Systems, second in command at the House of Badari and acclaimed celebrity. He had the world at his fingertips…until he was kidnapped and taken to the Outlier Empire to compete in the sinister Empress’s Games. The shady noble who ordered him taken believes he’s an actual genetically engineered Badari Warrior... moreBenet Arencollo was a top ranked gladiator in the Five Systems, second in command at the House of Badari and acclaimed celebrity. He had the world at his fingertips…until he was kidnapped and taken to the Outlier Empire to compete in the sinister Empress’s Games. The shady noble who ordered him taken believes he’s an actual genetically engineered Badari Warrior. As Benet participates in training for the deadly events to come, he looks for ways to escape but Outlier is like a black hole – no way out. The only redeeming aspects of his captivity are working with a mysterious Badari who serves the Empress and finding the one woman who could capture his heart.Marushka Nichevsky is a child of privilege and the daughter of the man who kidnapped Benet. She wants to be a veterinarian but she’s engaged to a man she barely knows and thoroughly despises and will be his trophy wife. Benet is everything she ever dreamed of in a romantic partner but their love is doomed given her position in Outlier society and Benet’s place as a prisoner.Can Benet keep up the pretense of being a true Badari? Will his friends at home be able to locate and rescue him? And will he and Marushka find a way to be together?Author’s This is the fourth book in the Badari Gladiators series and can be read as a standalone (mild spoilers for earlier books). There are two instances of domestic violence off the page, not involving Benet, although the aftermath is shown and he is present for that. A couple other incidents of violence. less