Noir Kioko had only ever seen one human before his undercover work brought him to the diner at the Luna Terminal, and that was at a distance. Humans are rare, most of them disappear without a trace, and he hopes hanging around the restaurant will give him a lead on the smuggling ring he’s investigating. There was no way he could’ve known the human would turn out to be his mate, and no way he can let it show without putting his mate in danger and possibly jeopardising his mission.<br><br>Max Welch is the proud owner of the only restaurant within a light year’s distance. He left Earth four years ago to create a better life for himself, but he hadn’t considered the possibility of scary alien pirates making his restaurant their favourite hangout spot. As a measly human there isn’t much he can do about it, but as one of the pirates starts coming by almost every day he has to come up with something before he loses all his customers. That the giant cat man is rather nice to look at changes nothing.<br><br>When rumours of another human arriving at the space station start to circulate, Noir's species trafficking infiltrate and observe only mission may need a revamp. But will Noir be able to protect his mate and another one of his rare species?

It Doesn't Translate

“Quam?” Noir drummed his fingers against the table. “What does it mean when he shows teeth?”


Quam had the nerve to chuckle. “To use one of Max’s expressions that doesn’t translate well at all, you’re in deep shit.”


Humans were strange and apparently they were obsessed with faeces. “But what does it mean?” Having to ask a second time made his insides shrink.


“It’s a smile, look at Xog—” Quam gestured at Xog. “Smile for him, I can’t make it justice.”


Xog made the same gesture, if a bit more stiffly, that Max had done in the kitchen and Noir blinked. “Yes, that’s the thing, but what does it mean?”


This time Xog did it again, quicker, smoother, and with more teeth showing. Just like with Max his eyes didn’t look aggressive. “You never do that on the ship.”


“You’re part human?” Quam looked at Xog with a soft gaze.


“Yes, mostly, but he’s part human.”


Chapter 19