Page 82 of Riv's Sanctuary

That side wasn't better, though. The human seemed to be gathering the attention of more males, and not in a good way.

Riv frowned, scanning the area.

Off to one side, he caught sight of the merkannian who’d been trailing them on the street. The male was standing there still watching them and now his interest didn’t only irk Riv, it made him uneasy.

This idea of finding the female a new home wasn't going according to plan. Her species was new, too new, and it seemed most males wanted to try her.

It made him want to wring all of their necks.

Grot made a sound low in his throat and it was obvious the tevsi was picking up the negative atmosphere as well.

Riv scanned the males who were looking their way and his jaw tightened.

The majority had a look in their eyes that he’d so many times before while in the mines that it was burned into his memory.

It was clear.

Sending the female away with anyone at the exchange, despite the protection of the Interplanetary Union, would probably put her in danger.

She’d be used for sex. No doubt about it.

He didn't want her to stay at the Sanctuary but it would be cruel to thrust her into such a life without a choice.

And he wasn't cruel.

Closing his eyes, he held back a sigh.

He knew he wouldn’t be able to do it, even if he forced himself.

Phek.

He’d have to find another way to get her out of his life.

He was just about to walk away when a large male about his size approached. As the male advanced, the imprint of his cock in his trousers almost made Riv rebrandish his blade.

Was this what females went through daily or just this human?

Constant visuals of hard cocks wanting to find solace within their bodies?

The human's eyes widened as the male approached. No doubt she spotted the same protruding body part.

"I can give you three hundred credits for this...female." The male's eyes fell on the human and Riv followed his gaze.

The female glanced up at him, her glare filled with anger, shock, disbelief, and anxiety.

He knew that look and, for a moment, time stood still for him.

He’d had the same look when his mor had brought him to the exchange.

That. Same. Look. When he couldn’t believe what was happening to him.

When he couldn’t believe his life was being ripped from underneath his feet and there was hardly anything he could do about it.

"Two thousand.”

The voice and offer snatched him from his memories.

Riv’s eyes snapped up in time to see the large male in front of him turn to look behind him.