“I know that look,” Melisizwe continued. “Fuck her and get it over with. As a matter of fact, fuck a few. Do whatever you need to fulfill your desires and clear your mind. I know I don’t have to remind you how important this union between you and Chikondi is?”
Themba shook his head. Their union would shift the power of the kingdoms undeniably to the bu Kumkani Kingdom. It also meant the other largest kingdom wouldn’t have the credits to stockpile weapons and seek out war. “This union has been a long time coming.”
Melisizwe nodded. “If I could, I would bond Chikondi in your place.”
“No, brother. We’ll need you to bond with an off-worlder. Someone who can lead not only our kingdom but planet into becoming a formidable ally with much to offer. What we do, we do for Ipakethe. We need to stop all of the infighting, it’s gone on for too long. With the re Bacuzil’s help, our people will finally join together for a common cause. But when you mate with a more powerful ally, we’ll be one step closer to being recognized as a Class 5-ii planet. We’ll petition to gain a seat on the governing body of the AC-141 XM3 sector. Then we move on to the Galactic Council.”
They’d discussed their plan at length, strategizing not only for their kingdom’s future but for Ipakethe’s as well. Their world was technologically advanced, but they didn’t have the standing as others in their class because they lacked one thing. Formidable alliances and relationships. What they desperately needed was planet-to-planet contracts built on inter-species bonds.
As the second brother, Themba wasn’t the catch Melisizwe was. Queens, princesses, and females of influence were interested in joining with him. It was just a matter of selecting the female who would fulfill the plans Melisizwe envisioned for Ipakethe.
“How is the search going?” Themba asked. “Have you been able to narrow your selections?”
Melisizwe shook his head. “After your bonding ceremony, I’m planning to invite the prospects to Ipakethe. They all look wonderful on file, but I need to meet with them to make a selection, and I don’t have time to visit each planet.”
“Chikondi and I don’t need a ceremony. We’ll sign the necessary paperwork and skip past the parties and social events.”
“I know, but apparently bonding ceremonies are popular in her kingdom, and she has asked for one.”
“I can agree to a ceremony for Chikondi,” Themba grunted as he imagined high maintenance females all in one place, “but I really don’t want to agree to be host to a bunch of mate-seeking females. I’ll make sure that Chikondi and I are far away and enjoying our quiet period.”
“You would make me suffer through this alone?” Melisizwe asked somberly.
“No. I’ll have Mxolisi help you through it.”
Melisizwe burst into a laugh.
The brotherly banter between him and Melisizwe did well to calm his nerves and ease his tension. He couldn’t forget about Payton, but Themba was able to think about something other than the courageous female. After his holo-call, he stripped, showered and ordered dinner, then plotted his plan for tomorrow.
Payton’s hold over his mind wasn’t healthy. Are all human females this addictive? Themba had to find that out for himself. Tomorrow he planned to hunt another prey.
If he couldn’t rein in his obsession, he might forget about everything most dear to him. Nothing and no one should be able to make him turn his back on his family, kingdom, and duty.
Too much was at stake.
Chapter Eight
Themba crouched low and watched his prey. He’d caught her scent eight clicks back and latched onto it. The smell of this new human female wasn’t as delectable as Payton’s and didn’t make him lust after her. But hunting her would have to do. He needed Payton out of his system.
For good.
But so far he couldn’t shake the thought of Payton from his mind.
The female picking her way through the high grass was appealing enough. Her hair was cut short and straighter than his Payton’s. This one was also shorter and skinnier. He sniffed at the air. Sweat, sadness, and fear. He identified the scents as being very human. But that didn’t mean she smelled like his ndebele.
There was no desire to spread her legs, to kiss her mouth until she lost her breath or feel her heat meet his.
His blood did not sing out for her.
His very being did not call out to her.
This one was not his true lifemate.
But he had to confirm for himself if what he felt for Payton was real or not and there was only one way to do that. He needed to perform the mating fight with this new one.
Themba rose to his full height, catching the female by surprise.
She seemed more annoyed than frightened. “Seriously? How many of you are there?” Her eyes were red and wet with tears.
“There were thirty hunters at last count.”
“I injured one of you, back there. Stuck the pointy end of a stick through his eye.” She reached into the bag slung over her shoulder and pulled out two sticks with sharpened ends. “Let’s get this over with.” She dropped her bag and held her make-shift weapons confidently in her hands and crouched for an attack.
He was impressed. Intrigued even. But still, nothing stirred. “Are you not afraid of me?”
She sniffled. “I’m exhausted and pissed. I have…I had a plan for how my life would turn out. Work hard. Climb the ladder at my uncle’s management company and one day take his spot as Chairman. But no. Instead of taking over the boardroom, I’m here. This is going to put me behind schedule.”
This petite human amused him. “I could easily take those sticks from you as well as anything else in your bag, and send you on your way defenseless.”
She twirled the sticks expertly in her hands. “You could try.”
“Who do I have the pleasure of fighting?”
“Min-Seo Pak. Remember my name.”
Oh, he was going to enjoy this skirmish. He wasn’t attracted to her, but he admired her courageous strength. He wouldn’t hurt her, and this wouldn’t be a mating fight. But he would test her fighting ability. The human females were such a curious species. And he decided then that what he’d been told about their race had, in fact, been a lie.
* * *
Air felt like sandpaper on her lungs, grating, and scratching. With each breath, she took, she didn’t know if she could take another, but she did. The muscles in her thighs burned. Each step sent fire radiating up her legs. She pumped her arms, running faster than she’d ever run before in her life.
With tunnel vision, she pressed on, not knowing what was on either side of her. Her eyes were only on the fast-approaching formation of rocks. The rocks meant a tiny bit of safety.
I have to make it.
The lizard-looking aliens hot on her heels wanted her.
Prey. Hunter. Mate.
Payton burst through the thicket of trees. Sitting on the ground, with tears glistening her cheeks, was a distraught looking Esme. Payton almost tripped over herself. Esme seemed so out of place.
Esme wiped her cheeks and glanced up as Payton neared. Her eyes were bright with surprise. “Hey.”
Payton didn’t slow down. She was almost to the rocks. “Stay where you are if you want to be an alien’s mate.” It took all the air in her lungs to force the words out. She ran past Esme, willing her to follow.
“Huh?”
Get up and run, idiot!
The lizards grunted. Payton didn’t have to turn around to know the two lizards who pursued her were fighting their way through a dense part of the jungle that she’d squeezed through. She’d taken the route on purpose. She’d known it would buy her a few precious minutes as she twisted, bent and slipped through vines and tree limbs that scratched against her skin and snagged her hair. Jack hadn’t had that trouble. He’d breezed through the minor obstacle.
If it hadn’t been for Jack’s persistent barking, the lizards would’ve ambushed her. She’d only ventured beyond the rocks to call for a food pod. She had
stored enough protein bars, but she’d needed water.
“I claim you!” One of them had pointed and yelled at her. And according to Esme’s chatty alien, they either wanted her as a mate or wanted her for “whatever.” She’d married a monster before. She knew she could handle that, even if it wasn’t something she wanted to repeat. It was the or whatever part that scared her the most.
The footsteps were behind her. Louder.
Shit. Here they come.
Payton glanced quickly over her shoulder to find a wide-eyed and terrified Esme running close behind her. “I’m not responsible for you if you get caught,” Payton said as she struggled to breathe.
“I can take care of myself,” Esme huffed out.
Esme followed Payton through the jungle and onto the rocks. Another look over her shoulder and Payton confirmed the hulking lizards were not far behind. They were over seven feet tall, green, scaly, sharp teeth, and scary. That in itself was enough to make her petrified. But it was the way they moved that had really done her in. Their legs were angled wrong. Their knees bent backward.
Her flight or fight response kicked into hyper-drive.
Payton finally reached the rocky terrain. She didn’t let that slow her down, though. At least if the lizards caught her now, they wouldn’t be able to call for a pod. But what was to stop them from dragging her back to the dirt ground?
Her knives.
Esme wheezed behind her, trying her best to keep up. The only reason Payton was in shape was because she’d spent her free time working out, dreading the next time her crazy ex caught her. But Esme looked as though she’d never worked out a day in her life. If it weren’t for the wheezing, Payton would have forgotten all about Esme.
Going back to the hole in the ground was now out of the question. It had been a tight space for just her and Jack, adding another person wouldn’t work. She didn’t invite Esme to this party, but she wouldn’t leave her outside to get caught either.
Payton remembered the other roomier hiding spot. A cave nearby. She skidded to a halt then backtracked. Esme followed her. Payton hopped down a six-foot ledge then turned and beckoned Jack to leap into her arms. She didn’t stay to watch Esme struggle to climb down. There wasn’t enough time for that.
When she reached the narrow crevice that she’d almost passed by the night before, Payton pushed Jack through then followed, and Esme did the same.
The cave was small, but there was one way in and one way out. Some might’ve thought they were trapped, but the exit was not even two-feet wide. The lizards that followed them had to weigh closer to four hundred pounds. There was no way they were getting through, even if they did find them.
“How did you know this was here?” Esme asked her.
Payton opened her eyes wide. Those things may not be able to fit through, but they sure as hell could call their skinnier friends to help. Payton was on Esme before the other woman could blink. She slapped a hand over Esme’s mouth just as heavy footsteps stomped above them.
Indignant, Esme pushed Payton’s hand away and pointed to her closed mouth. Sure it was closed now, but a few seconds ago Esme had been dangerously close to giving their position away.
Payton took the corner furthest from the entrance, and Jack curled up next to her. After a few minutes, Esme took to the other corner and lowered to sit on the hard ground.
Payton and Esme sat in complete silence as the lizards trampled above them. They knew Payton and Esme were in the general vicinity but luckily, couldn’t figure out where.
After a very long hour and after Payton was sure the lizards were out of earshot, she finally felt it was safe to talk. “We can’t stay together. I can’t let you be the reason I’m held up in Level One.”
Esme lifted her chin. “Don’t worry. As soon as I can call a pod again, I’m leaving and going to find Ben.”
Payton rolled her eyes and snorted. “Did he finally come to his senses and leave you?”
Esme pulled her knees to her chest and watched the crevice. “That’s not what happened.”
Payton immediately regretted her words. This morning she’d awakened to a panicked Ben coming across her comlink. Miranda and the kids had left in the middle of the night. He’d been distraught, asking everyone to keep an eye out for them.
A hint of jealousy tore through her. They’d all awakened together as strangers, and the others had quickly formed a friendship. It wasn’t like Payton had been warm and welcoming. She’d been far from it. Maybe if she’d been a little nicer, she would’ve had someone watching out for her too?
Payton grunted. Who was she kidding? Life on the run taught her one thing, she couldn’t get attached to anyone. She didn’t know when her loser ex or one of his investigators would show up, making her leave in the middle of the night like she’d done so many times before. And this place…well, this place was ten times worse. At any given time, an alien could snatch them away and abscond them to only God knows where. There was no use in getting attached to anyone here either.
Esme flipped her wrist to read her comlink. “Well, it’s been real. I’ll talk to you at roll call.”
No, “Thank you for saving me from the lizards,” or anything. “Pft. Whatever.”
Esme pushed her comlink. Nothing happened. She tried again, the same result. “I don’t understand. It should be available to me now.”
Back at the camp where they’d all spent their first days, they’d tested how the pod system worked. They’d found out they had to wait thirty minutes between calling for one. If they tried before the thirty minutes were up, their icon wouldn’t illuminate, and a pod wouldn’t come.
“It’s the cave.” Payton slapped the ground. Dirt billowed up revealing rock underneath. “I guess the transport pods only work on soft surfaces.”
Esme glanced up and around the space. “This is all rock. You mean to tell me I can’t leave unless I go back the way we came?”
“And the lady gets the prize.” She scrubbed Jack’s neck. “Jack, what does she win?”
Jack grunted, happy for the attention.
“So why did you lead us here if you knew we wouldn’t be able to call a pod?”
Still, no thank you for saving her. “No one made you follow me.”
Shit. She was doing it again. Dr. Rebecca had told her that sarcasm wouldn’t win her any friends. Payton had only grumbled, telling the good doctor that she didn’t need any friends. But here, here she wouldn’t mind having someone else to talk to besides herself and Jack. Payton sighed. She had to work on losing the chip on her shoulder.
Let’s try this again. “Because if it doesn’t work for us, then it can’t work for them, sweet cheeks. They don’t like to stay on the rocks for too long.”
Esme winced. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to sound bitchy.”
Now Payton felt bad. She hadn’t meant to guilt Esme into apologizing. “Last night, one of them followed me to the rocks, and the evening alarm rang. A few seconds later, he was seizing like he was getting electrocuted. He was in some serious pain, man. I watched him crawl half a mile to the dirt where a pod finally got him.” She leaned her head against the wall and smiled. That’s what Themba got for trying to turn her into a whatever right there on the dirty ground. She bet he would steer far and clear away from her now. “It was awesome watching him in pain.”
He had deserved it, every shock.
“So we’re safe here?”
Not really. The only time she’d remotely felt safe had been the first night she’d brought Jack home. She’d had three retired military dogs to choose from, but when she’d met Jack, she’d known right away that he was hers.
She hugged Jack closer to her. “We’re not safe anywhere, Esme. All I’m saying is that they don’t like being out of a pod’s reach. They’ll search this area, but they won’t stay long.”
“So this is where you’ve been hiding these last few days?” Esme grunted. “We’ve been out there in the heat, walking for hours and hours at a time with no clear de
stination in sight.”
Payton gave Esme a thoughtful look. “It’s about surviving, right?”
Esme nodded. Her chin hit against her knees as she did.
“I’ve been sticking close to the area. I try to stay out of sight during the day when they’re active. At night I search for possible hiding places, never going to the same place twice. If you want to survive, you have to be smarter than this game and smarter than them. Use the rules to your favor.”
Esme let out a sigh. “Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me. You just happened to be in the right place at the right time.”
Hard footsteps stomped on the roof of the cave. Payton and Esme both shut their mouths.
On the spur of the moment, it had seemed like a good idea to hide here. Now, with the aliens roaming above her head, it didn’t feel like it. There’d been another cave, a little bigger than this one and it had two entrances. The only problem was that it was farther away. If she was smarter, she would’ve tried to make it.
Dumb. Dumb. Dumb.
Nope. She would not let self-doubt worm its way into her head. They would’ve been caught before they reached it.
Not today, Satan! She had way too much shit going on to get caught up in self-deprecating thoughts. One way she could prove that she was smart was by winning The Hunt. And for right now, winning meant being quiet until the alarm rang. She didn’t have to worry about Esme trying to strike up another conversation. Esme’s eyelids were getting heavier and heavier by the minute.
Boy did they make a pair. Payton was sure she looked just as bad as Esme did. While it appeared Esme had taken care of her hair, combing and braiding it, there were still tendrils of curls that had escaped and framed her face. Payton, on the other hand, hadn’t bothered to do anything to hers. As long as the hair tie stayed in place, she was good with keeping it in a ponytail. Esme was darker than she was when they’d parted ways a few days ago, and so was Payton. They both were sunburned and red. Esme cheeks were peeled, and so were Payton’s shoulders. Clothes wise? They both looked a hot, rumpled, dirty mess.
Hunted By The Alien Prince: An Alien Abduction Romance (The Hunt Book 2) Page 8
