A Mate For Max: Genetically Altered Humans, #17

By Rena Marks

Max doesn't need anyone. Not human, nor his own kind, Xeno Sapiens.

 

After all, it was his human mate who dropped him for another. And his Xeno Sapien brother who stabbed him in the back to get her. He certainly doesn't want to need the flea-infested ragamuffin who wants his help to find his mom.

 

Elena sees sexy Maximus Xeno Sapien as grumpy, muscled, and large as life. But he saves her from her ex, saves her children—and after being exposed to a dangerous chemical—for a brief, lustful night is hers.

 

Only to forget the next day. But when the drug cycles through his body again, she takes advantage of his crazed desire and makes him hers again.

 

What Elena doesn't realize is Max doesn't forget.

 

* The story behind the series: When futuristic Earth finds alien DNA and creates a new species of hybrids in hidden labs, Dr. Robyn Saraven helps the "creatures" escape. She uses her connections to establish their own city on Earth-Ground where they can learn, grow, and avoid the corruption and greed that created them. *

 

Each book can be read as a standalone, but will be richer if read in order.

 

Other books in the Genetically Altered Humans Series:

Book 1—Xeno Sapiens
Book 2—Earth-Ground
Book 3—Siren
Book 4—Beast's Beauty
Book 5—Almost Human
Book 6—Forbidden Touches
Book 7—Coveting Ava
Book 8—For Everly
Book 9—Assassin's Mate
Book 10—Sextet
Book 11—Tempting Tempest
Book 12—Falling For Trance  
Book 13—Damaged Goods
Book 14—Alien's Bride
Book 15—Dual Lives
Book 16—Reson's Lesson
Book 17—A Mate For Max

Book 18—Dragon's Mate

Book 19—Fated

 

"This is the one, the book that has become my favorite out of all the previous sixteen books in the Xeno Sapiens series."

• Language: English
• Publisher: Rena Marks
• Release date: Aug 13, 2020
• ISBN: 9781386313717

Rena Marks

Welcome to my Worlds! Rena Marks is a bestselling author with over eighty-five novels under her belt. She combines her love of science fiction with paranormal romance because no matter what happens in real life, a happy-ever-after never disappoints. Come get lost in my worlds for a few hours!

Book preview

A MATE

FOR MAX

A XENO SAPIENS NOVEL

The Genetically Altered Humans

Book 17

Rena Marks

A MATE FOR MAX

A Xeno Sapiens Novel

Rena Marks

Max doesn’t need anyone. Not human, nor his own kind, Xeno Sapiens. After all, it was his human mate who dropped him for another. And his Xeno Sapien brother who stabbed him in the back to get her.

He certainly doesn’t want to need the flea-infested ragamuffin who wants his help to find his mom.

Elena:  Sexy Maximus Xeno Sapien is grumpy, muscled, and large as life. But he saves her from her ex, saves her children—and after being exposed to a dangerous chemical—for a brief, lustful night is hers.

Only to forget the next day. But when the drug cycles through his body again, she takes advantage of his crazed desire and makes him hers again.

What Elena doesn’t realize is Max doesn’t forget. 

Table of Contents

Prologue

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Epilogue

Dragon’s Mate

Owned By The Orc

Saved By The Orc

Bought By The Orc

Matched To The Monster

Maddie Mine

My Alien Baby

Space Babies

Xeno Sapiens

Blue Barbarian Series

Miack

Khane

How My Jingleballs Saved Christmas

Zearn

Merry Monsters

Prologue

MAX XENO SAPIEN STOOD, scowling as he surveyed the scene around him. Humans everywhere, scuttling about like anxious cockroaches, the stench of their grimy, sweaty skin mingling through the air. It turned his stomach.

Humans were the scourge of Earth-Ground. 

Mister. A small tug pulled on the leg of his trousers. Mister. It spoke louder.

He glanced down at the ragamuffin, dressed in a sloppy T-shirt that was dingy and dirty. A greasy, oversized baseball cap covered his hair, but Max was sure that underneath it would be brown, the shades varying from mud to dirt, like every other human around. The stretched shirt hung over the edge of the kid’s shorts, showing skinny, dirty legs with skinned knees poking out from underneath. Bare feet. The child was barefoot.

Yes?

Are you the police?

How was he supposed to answer that? Kind of. We make sure there are no problems in the homeless camps, but we’re not called police like your humans are.

Okay, the child said. ’Cause daddy gets mad if we call the police. But since you’re not them—the child took a deep breath, then released the next words on the exhale— can you help me find my mom?

Tiny eyes filled with tears as the kid stared up at him.

The mother couldn’t have gone far, considering the homeless camps only had public restrooms to travel to. Of course, there was also the food establishment where they picked up their boxed meals. When did you last see her?

Three days ago.

He blinked. "Did you say days?"

Uh-huh. The child nodded. And I already ate all the food momma hid in the cabin. Just then, the child’s tummy rumbled.

Despite the obvious infestation of fleas this little one might have—which was rather generous on his part to notice but not point out—Max dropped to one knee so he was level with him and could look into his eyes. It would make the child feel safer. Plus, if this kid was lying, that was the quickest way to flush out the lies.

And humans lied. A lot.

Do you know where your cabin is from here? He narrowed his eyes.

But instead of ‘fessing up to his lies, the child nodded eagerly. Uh, huh.

Max sighed. Well, take me then.

To his surprise, a dirty little hand inserted itself in his and the child tugged. This way, mister!

The child tugged a lot, Max realized, but he had no strength. Still, Max allowed himself to be dragged along to a small area where tents had been replaced by the newer, one-room cabins.

The ingenious street urchin glanced around quickly and then, sure no one was watching, pulled a small plastic card from the door jamb, which prevented the door from locking. The door slid open.

You did not have the door locked? Max growled.

I can’t reach the door swipe, the kid said. Sure enough, that was something they hadn’t taken into account when the cabins were created. To be fair, most adults would be present with their children to unlock the doors.

Hold on, Max said, putting his hand on the wee one’s grimy cap. He poked his head into the cabin to make sure it was safe.

The place looked like a tornado hit. The mattress was flung near a wall instead of on the framed area where it should be, masking the secret drawers hidden beneath the floor for clothing. The clothing was flung about the room, though the child had made an attempt to fold several of the items. The larger items.

The mother’s clothing, he realized. The kid had folded his mother’s clothes into neat piles. Something in his heart melted just a bit.

What the hell happened in here? he asked the little boy.

My daddy was mad because momma wouldn’t tell him where I was hiding. I wanted to come out, but momma said not to, no matter what. So, I didn’t.

He nodded. Your mother was right. And you’ve been staying here all alone?

The kid hung his head. I couldn’t lift the mattress back. And I didn’t want to ask no one for help because they would know my momma was gone. If they know, they might send me away. A panicked look hit his rather delicate brown eyes. He was cute with the freckles splattered across his nose. You won’t tell I’m alone, will you?

No. But you can’t stay here without food.

I don’t care about that, mister. Again, the young one tugged his clothing. I jus’ want someone to find my mum.

We will do that, he said grimly. But for now, you come with me.

That the youngster was going to refuse was apparent, so Max softened his tone. We can find your mum together.

That tipped the scales in his favor. Immediately, the dirt-infested waif inserted his tiny little hand into his and looked up hopefully.

What’s your name, kid?

Mali.

He grunted, rather than say what he was thinking. Odd name. The little boy was going to get picked on in school.

Chapter One

HE NEEDED TO CLIMB UP the wall. The problem wasn’t if he could do it. The problem was how should he do it?

The boy-child was a weakling. His arms and legs trembled, though Max had made him grab some clothes and put on a pair of shoes before they left the cabin. He was furious that with all the homeless milling about, no one noticed a little scrawny boy of six or seven living alone for days.

Fucking worthless humans. If it wasn’t for the fact that it was mandatory to patrol the homeless camps, he wouldn’t waste his time. They could kill each other for all he cared.

You think you can hold onto my neck and wrap your legs around my waist? he asked the kid. Mali. Who fucking named their son Mali? What the hell did that even mean?

The kid looked at his neck doubtfully. I don’t know, mister. You’re kinda thick.

That was what he was afraid of. He needed both his hands to climb; he couldn’t worry about the kid if he held onto his front. Maybe he should toss him onto his back? Of course, if he started to slip, Max wouldn’t know until he splatted on the ground. What a fucking dilemma.

And then his worst nightmare came to light. His arch nemesis, Reson, strolling along the top of the fence without a care in the world. Hopefully the prick would walk on by.

He’d never been particularly lucky.

Whatcha got there? Reson called down, dropping to one knee on top of the fence, a grin breaking out across his face as he caught Max with the child.

A kid, Max snapped.

Mali, the child corrected.

Mali, he repeated, and then decided to go all out. Here, catch.

He gripped Mali around the waist, swung him by counting to three, and tossed the kid high. Reson reached for him, caught him in midair, and squeezed him to his body as he collapsed backward.

Fuck, man, are you crazy? Crazier than usual? Reson spat.

Mali gasped. You said the ‘F’ word, he accused.

Watch your mouth, Max growled at Reson because he could.

Sorry, Reson said to the kid. But, in turn, he glared down at Max.

Give me a hand up.

"Dude, any Xeno Sapien would find it difficult to climb up the wall, but if anyone could do it, it would be you. You’re a fucking behemoth... sorry—he winced at the kid— but it’s nearly impossible for any of us—"

He cut off as Max made a running leap, hitting the wall as high as he could and reached up, barely grabbing Reson’s sweaty, nasty hand. For a moment he dangled before Reson pulled him up, panting with the effort like the pussy he was.

Fuck, you are crazy! Sorry, Reson said again to the kid as Max settled onto the wall.

You’re not a good influence, Max said, yanking the kid away from Reson and more toward him. To his surprise, the little guy sank comfortably onto his lap.

So what’s the plan now that the wall’s recording your weight as an addition? Reson asked drily.

Fuck if he hadn’t thought of that. The higher ups had programmed the wall for alerts of sudden weight changes to keep Xeno Sapiens from passing over the wall.

I’m gonna jump off and you’re gonna toss the kid down to me and pretend it’s like tossing a backpack.

I suppose you want me to say that if I’m asked?

You do owe me, Max said with a glare. He peered over the edge of the wall into their city to make sure the coast was clear before he leapt off the wall and landed square on his feet.

How long am I gonna owe you, man? Reson called down. We can’t be friends with you being all surly and shit.

I’ll let you know. Toss the kid.

We can’t just toss a human kid down like a sack of potatoes.

To the boy, Max looked up and called out, You trust me?

The wary child nodded, his pointy chin wobbling.

It softened Max just a bit. I’ll catch you. I promise.

What are you gonna do with a kid? Reson called down, exasperated.

We’re gonna keep it a secret, Max growled. Don’t tell anyone you met us.

What are you gonna do? Stash a kid in your house?

Yup, Max drawled.

This ain’t a good idea, Reson muttered, grabbing the kid’s wrists. But it’s your life. You ready?

The brave child nodded.

Reson flung him over the wall, arms and legs flailing before he landed securely in Max’s arms. I got you, he whispered to the dirty little boy, a whiff of dirt and sweat hitting his nose. Surprisingly, he didn’t mind as much as he thought he would.

Of course, he was going to make sure to get the kid clean to get any fleas off. He couldn’t have his house infested with fleas.

The kid didn’t seem to be scared at all. Instead, he snuggled into his arms. That was fun, mister. You’re a good catcher.

Max grunted. Apparently, the kid wasn’t at all afraid of what would have happened had he missed. And as far as the snuggling was concerned? The kid was just missing human contact. He patted the top of his head, gentling his heavy hand when the kid’s head bobbed up and down.

Take good care of Mali, Reson called out.

Keep your mouth shut, Max snarled back. He wasn’t worried, though. Reson owed him.

Reson snuck out and mated Max’s girl, after all.

MALI STARED WIDE-EYED at the front of his house. You live here, mister? All by yourself?

Yeah, kid.

He set the kid down on the porch so he could swipe the door lock and then walked in, holding the door open.

The little guy walked in warily, looked around, and then carefully wiped his feet on the throw rug in front of the door.

You can take those off. I’m gonna stick you in the tub while I make us something to eat. You can—his heart stopped for a moment—