Jakke
By
Hannah Davenport
Copyright © June 2020 Hannah Davenport
Title: Jakke
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal, except in the case of brief quotations in reviews and articles.
Criminal copyright infringement is investigated by the FBI and is punishable up to five years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.
All characters and events in this book are completely fictitious and products of the author’s imagination.
This is a revised version of a book previously released in 2016.
Description:
The Tureis invaded Earth, killing most of the population in their first attacks. Sydney found a way to survive, carefully avoiding anything alien. When she discovered an injured Azziarin lying in a dark alley, she went against every instinct and rescued him. After nursing him back to health, other Azziarins stormed her hideout, injuring her in the process.
Unwilling to allow the injured female to be left for dead, Takkeo ordered that she be brought back to their ship. She had helped him, and he wouldn’t leave her behind. How was he supposed to know that his older brother Jakke would experience the mating fever with her presence?
Jakke had no way of knowing that his younger brother Takkeo would bring a Human female on board his ship. When the mating fever hit him full force, he tried to fight it. And then she went into heat.
Arriving home, he needed to explain that he had accidently mated her, and she couldn’t return to Earth. Then he had to explain things to her—the Azziarin culture, his father King Malick, and his consorts—could they all live together in harmony? Jakke certainly hoped so!
A note to readers: This is the culture of another planet, but there is no real cheating. Sydney would never stand for such a thing. There are sexual situations intended for mature audiences, and a happily ever after.
Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Epilogue
Chapter 1
Sydney
Sitting against the charred brick building with knees drawn to her chest, Sydney hid her face hoping—praying—that the world would fade away. To breathe in peace without worrying about aliens, death, or being taken as a slave; to live where food was plentiful, and she could go out dancing with her friends, meet guys…Sydney longed for a normal life.
As another explosion sounded, she jumped, a reflex response she had no control over. When this ended, she would be lucky not to have PTSD. Correction—if it ended. Closing her eyes, her mind drifted to more pleasant things, trying to escape this blasted war. Sometimes a small break in reality helped to calm her nerves.
If only time could reset, if only life was normal again and her biggest problem was deciding what to have for dinner. Frozen microwavable meals, or homecooked? Back when she and her friends would go out for drinks after work…
Another blast.
Sydney jumped, the breath rushing from her lungs, yanked back to the here and now. Instead of sitting there like easy prey, Sydney needed to deal with the situation and scurry home as quickly as possible.
It had been so long since she’d seen another Human that she mostly assumed everyone was either dead or hiding like her. While the two alien races fought, she hoped—prayed—they would kill each other. That, or leave.
Seriously, what does Earth have to do with any of their shit? she wondered. It’s not like we’re fighting with one side or another; Earth is just their battleground, and neither race gives a damn about the people who live here!
It was bad enough when the gray aliens arrived, before the white-haired ones showed up.
All the grays had wanted was Earth’s natural resources, and they would obtain them any way they could. The military and all of Earth’s major cities were destroyed, leaving everyone in pandemonium. The gray aliens kidnapped Humans and used them as slaves. Others whispered that the women were taken off-planet to be sold in some illegal market like livestock. That’s when most people began hiding.
Sydney shivered. No way would they turn her into a slave. She would never let them take her alive, not if she could help it.
And then just when it had seemed as though things couldn’t get any worse, three months later, the white-haired aliens showed up.
With the president dead and the government destroyed, nobody knew for sure what the hell was going on. Playing it safe, Sydney avoided both species.
Another explosion.
She hunkered down, trying to make herself invisible.
Stupid! Stupid! Stupid!
She knew better than to come top side during daylight hours. But sometimes she craved the sun, to feel the warmth on her face and see daylight again.
Unfortunately, it also allowed her to see the destruction.
This particular street lay abandoned, along with all the others nearby. The streets were littered with blowing paper, broken windows, and a stench she had long ago grown accustomed to. It used to be a thriving industrial park, but now only scarred earth and half-destroyed buildings remained.
A couple of minutes passed in silence. Sucking in a deep breath, Sydney decided to make a run for it. Pushing up from the dirty pavement, she made a mad dash down the street, turning corner after corner—being careful to slow and peek first—until she left the main city and entered the destroyed suburbia. Back to her hiding place, which also served as a kind of makeshift ‘home sweet home,’ if such could be said of the little hellhole.
Clenching her jaw in aggravation (mostly at herself) for trying something so stupid, she hastily moved a piece of wood. Revealing the entrance, she took two steps down, then replaced the cover, leaving only a slit to allow sunlight to filter in.
Hoping for a little Vitamin D, she still knew better than to venture out during daylight hours. And now, having barely escaped with her life, she would not make that mistake again.
The basement entrance was a small opening nestled between heaps of splintered wood. The floor trusses had somehow survived the fallout. The hideout was perfect—an old brick ranch house that lay in shambles, concealing the perfectly preserved basement.
The basement, Sydney’s well-kept secret, gave her a safe place to escape the fighting. Using candles for light, she was always forced to go without heat, but a couple of blankets helped her keep warm. Thick and soft, she’d looted them fair and square when the city was entrenched in a life-or-death, all-out pandemonium.
Sydney didn’t care that the old worn mustard yellow couch was dirty; so was the ground, and the couch was much more comfortable. The carpet smelled faintly of mildew, but again, it was better than what most people had. She considered herself lucky.
Striking a match, she lit a candle and shrugged off her old black fleece jacket, tossing it to the back of the couch. When she yanked off her cap, long raven hair (which currently looked brown, it had been so long since she’d been able to bathe) fell out in tangled waves, passing her shoulders and landing in the midd
le of her back. What could she say, there were no hairdressers, and without a mirror, Sydney didn’t care how she looked. However, she often wished she could rid herself of the cringe-worthy smell wafting from her underarms.
With one arm tucked behind her head, she stretched the length of the couch, closed her eyes and sighed. What a wasted trip. Daytime offered no protection, and the war had been insistent. Not only that, she knew better! It wasn’t like this was her first rodeo. Now, she would have to trudge back out tonight, and hope for a more successful trip.
Maybe a small nap first though.
But unless she was dead-dog tired, Sydney could never truly sleep. Every time she closed her eyes, scenes played like movies stuck on a loop. Mom and Dad smiling, waving goodbye. The first surprise explosion. Searching for her parents under the rubble of their collapsed house.
Agh!
It hadn’t been a perfect life, but anything was better than this, and at least then, she’d known some happiness.
At the age of twenty-four, Sydney was the only member of her family who was still alive.
Sara and Julie, her two best friends, drifted into her thoughts, and not for the first time she wondered where they were, if they were hiding out together, or all alone like her. It would sure make life more bearable to have someone to talk to, and a lot less scary…
Sydney scrubbed her face, knowing she wouldn’t be able to sleep. Hell, even the walls felt like they were closing in, making her almost crazy.
This is probably how they used to torture prisoners, she thought idly. Back when prisons were still a thing, that is.
The rest of the day crawled by in bitter melancholy and claustrophobia, and when nightfall finally came, she was itching to leave. Mostly.
Sliding into her black jacket, Sydney tucked her long hair up under the hat. Using a piece of ripped black shirt, she covered her face, hiding everything except her eyes. Her lips tipped upward as she realized she must look like a ninja. If only she had a sword on her back, then she’d really look badass.
Time to go.
Sydney grabbed the old, worn backpack, and carefully climbed wooden stairs that groaned with every step.
Before the attack, when the area was thriving with businesses, there were a few small stores grouped in this area of the city. She had visited a couple of them. Tonight, she would venture a little further; hopefully everything hadn’t been looted just yet.
Staying in the shadows, she carefully inched along, trying not to draw any unwanted attention.
The streets were completely empty, which left her simultaneously unsettled and relieved. A few loud noises could be heard in the distance, but nothing nearby.
Up ahead, she spotted her target: s scorched brick building with filthy glass doors. Hands on the door handle, Sydney stuck her nose to the glass, peering inside.
Once before, perhaps two months ago, she had busted inside a store and found out just how territorial other people could be when it came to food and what they designated as their turf.
Not seeing any movement, she pushed open the glass door, cringing as a little bell dinged.
Of all the things to survive…
Walking the aisles, Sydney’s chest deflated. Empty, every last one. True, she’d half expected it, but a girl could still hope.
Empty.
Dropping her chin to her chest, she heaved a breath.
Now what? On to the next store and hope there’s a little something left, she told herself firmly.
Just as she was about to leave, she spotted a door on the back wall, in between two empty coolers.
A storage room. They were normally empty too, but hey, she was already there, so why not check it out?
Shoving open the door, a mouse ran across her foot.
“Yuck!” she nearly screamed, jumping back, heart hammering in her chest.
You would think she’d be used to the little varmints by now. The entire world could die out, but there’d still be mice running around. At least it wasn’t a rat.
Sighing, she took a deep breath and looked around. Spotting an old, beaten-up cardboard box that had been shoved into the far corner, her heart quickened with hope. Rushing over, Sydney dropped to her knees and tore it open.
“Jackpot!” she cried, punching air.
Looking through the box, she pulled out enough cans to last at least a week, maybe two if she was stingy enough. One by one, she gathered the dented cans of Beanie Weenies, placing them inside the backpack.
A goldmine of calories compared to a can of peas, with the added bonus of protein—something she was truly lacking.
Zipping the backpack, she flung it over her shoulders and headed outside. It was imperative that she take a different route back home, lest someone had followed, waiting to ambush her.
Stuffing her hands inside her pockets (the less skin visible, the better), Sydney scanned both directions, turning left instead of right. There was a lightness in her step; knowing she’d be able to eat for a week or two made her feel better.
Chapter 2
Sydney
She’d only made it around the corner and halfway down the alley when she stopped short—there was a person sprawled out like a dead body in the alley. She teetered. The last thing she wanted was to get involved, but how in good conscience could she walk away? What if he was alive and died because Sydney had been too scared to help?
Crap!
To make matters even more difficult, she knew he wasn’t Human. The white hair and dark skin marked him as possibly one of the good guys (such was yet to be determined). The only thing she knew about the aliens for certain was that the gray, pasty-skinned guys with red hair were definitely bad. Sydney would never help the gray guys, period.
But this guy…
Tiptoeing over, she stared down at his strange face, debating whether to nudge him with her foot and check if he was alive. Just as she lifted her foot however, he let out a low, pained moan. Startled, she stumbled backward, nearly falling.
I can’t get involved.
She back away. Surely his people would be looking for him. And besides, what could she possibly do to help? Walk up to his people and say, “Hey, your man is moaning in the alley. No, I didn’t do that to him.”
No thank you!
Sydney almost sprinted away, but at the end of the alley, she stopped short before turning the corner. Voices. They weren’t speaking English, nor any other Human language, by the sound of it…
Back plastered against the brick wall, she sucked in another deep breath. Gathering a slither of courage, she quickly peered around the corner. Several gray aliens were now heading in her direction.
Dammit!
Sydney’s head whipped back and forth before she dropped it to her chest, heaving a sigh. The only thing she knew for certain was that the white-haired aliens and the red-headed gray guys hated each other.
And then she forced herself to do the right thing.
Crap!
Turning, she rushed back to the white-haired guy, then hesitated. He appeared unconscious, but who really knew? Bouncing from one foot to another, she toed a pebble in aggravation before bending down.
“Sorry about this,” she mumbled, hooking her arms under his shoulders and dragging him behind a nearby trash dumpster.
Sweat beaded on her forehead with his unexcepted weight.
“Are you made of steel?”
Grunting with every pull, it was only ten feet, but it felt like she’d run a marathon. Not that she had ever really run a marathon…
Hefting him behind the dumpster as best she could, she fell on her butt, panting. A few breaths later, she rolled away, sitting with her back against the wall.
Stray paper scattered from the dust cloud that puffed in the air. As if she wasn’t filthy enough. Gulping hard, and knowing the gray aliens had to be close now, she thought of a sandy beach and warm sun, anything to still her hammering heart.
Anytime now. Footsteps approaching…
Why did I
get involved? she asked herself irritably. Oh yeah, right…because I’m a halfway decent person. Ugh!
But they had invaded her planet, and for all she knew, the white-haired aliens might be as bad as the other ones. Sydney didn’t think so, but it wouldn’t be the first time she’d been wrong.
Making herself as small as possible, she drew up her knees to her chest and rested her forehead on top. If they caught her…
Nope…not going there!
Her breath froze inside her lungs as they reached the edge of the alley and kept walking.
Please don’t look this way!
Heart thumping violently, Sydney held deathly still. More footsteps…now they were right in front of the dumpster.
Time slowed, every second lasting a minute, and then the footsteps began again, growing fainter.
Letting out a long, shuddering sigh, she didn’t dare move until she knew they were completely out of sight.
The relief was so overwhelming, she’d almost forgotten about the injured man until she glanced down and saw sky-blue cat eyes staring straight at her. She gasped.
Time to go home!
Jumping to her feet, Sydney hadn’t got more than one step away before she heard movement. Glancing over her shoulder, he was struggling to stand, but his leg wouldn’t cooperate. Bent the wrong direction, it didn’t take a genius to see that it was broken.
Clenching her jaw, she swore under her breath.
Dammit, dammit, dammit!
Heading back over hesitantly, she stopped a few feet away. The scared look in his eyes sealed the deal. Closing the short distance, she draped his arm over her shoulder and mumbled, “This is nuts. You’d better not kill me.”
Hobbling, the white-haired alien leaned heavily on her as they slowly crept along to the basement. It was a stupid idea, one that might cost her dearly, and yet, she couldn’t leave him to suffer and die.
A thousand problems ran through her mind. If the gray aliens hadn’t destroyed everything, she could have dropped him off at a hospital, and they could have helped him and contacted his people.
Jakke (The Azziarin Series Book 1) Page 1
