Bought by the Alien Warrior Elgan

by Eden Ember

  If she’d been aware of what had just happened with Gandrox, she didn’t mention it. Jules crossed the canteen towards me. She went to reach her hand to me, but after glancing at it, wiped it on her overalls first. “Hi. You must be Diamond.”

  “You must be Jules.”

  “That’s me!” She laughed, before sending her shoulder-length hair into a wave of red that bobbed as she nodded.

  “It’s great to have another pair of hands in the Engine Room, we really can use you! Do you have any experience?” she babbled as she ushered me towards the door.

  On Level 2 we rounded a corner and walked almost headfirst into Elgan and three other Aarans. They were deep in conversation until they saw us and their talking stopped. I knew the instant Elgan saw me and it felt like a punch in the gut when he looked away.

  Did he know? Gandrox must have told him. Even he couldn’t bear to look at me because of what I’d done.

  I didn’t care that the other males were avoiding eye contact with us… well, me. But I cared when all except for Elgan spoke a polite greeting to Jules.

  “They’re Navigators.” Jules informed me. “The big guy, Elgan, he’s their Chief. The others are his subordinates.”

  We mostly walked in silence after that, Jules wasn’t one for a lot of talk unless it was about work and I liked that. She hadn’t asked where I’d come from, but it wouldn’t have been hard to figure out. The last place the ship had to was Gael and despite Allegra loaning me some overalls and other things that she hoped would be more “comfortable” onboard, I didn’t look like I belonged here.

  I followed Jules as we made our way to Level Four. Each section of the ship felt vast. By the time we’d reached Level Four, there were only a few people walking about.

  “I work alone, but there are lots of tasks I’ll need your help with. It’s so great that you’re here. We’ll be able to get on with the maintenance jobs so much quicker now.” She motioned towards an arch that led us down another ramp.

  “It’s great down here.” Jules spoke enthusiastically, “No one bothers you - you’re free to just get on with your work.”

  Her comms device made a chirping noise. Once she glanced at it, she swore under her breath.

  “Sorry.” she winced. “I’ve been running simulations on an upgrade for the electrical processors. I’m trying to increase their tolerance to different fuels.”

  “Uh huh…” if she thought I knew what that was, then I really was in trouble.

  “Looks like it’s gonna take longer than I’d planned.” Jules stopped.

  “Have you tried switching it off and on again?” It was the only advice I had.

  “Well, no. But if I alternate the threshold for the capacitors…” Her eyes lit up. “And that might allow us to tweak the system to make it more effective! Diamond, you’re a genius.” She smiled. It was a smile that led right up to her green eyes, making the slightest of creases at the corners.

  Absently, I thought with her pale skin, red hair and green eyes, she would have made a lot of money back on Gael. The baggy overalls and the grease that she’d only half wiped from her hands would have to go.

  I forced the thought from my head. That part of my life was over now. Forever. These people had given me a taste of freedom, of opportunity… safety.

  From what I could see from Allegra and Jules, and from both Gandrox’s and Elgan’s reactions to my faux pas, one thing was certainly clear, on board the Torq Runner if nowhere else: the females here did not have to submit their bodies to the males to survive.

  Chapter Four

  Elgan

  Gandrox’s words had come as a bitter disappointment. It was all I could do to speak with him and I thanked the stars that he had spoken with me face to face in his Commander’s chambers. At least there were no cameras or sound monitors there.

  In Diamond’s defense, it was possible she didn’t know that Gandrox and Allegra were mated, although I felt the sharp sting of betrayal. It would have been obvious how much I felt for her.

  It was common knowledge to all Aarans that Decators choose our Mate. My life was already fated to be with her, written by the fates and the yearning I felt, even now, even after her behavior, only confirmed it.

  “Are you sure, Elgan?” Gandrox spoke the words softly, yet they still sounded harsh.

  “Were you sure about Allegra?” I countered, only for Gandrox to scowl at me.

  He released a heavy sigh.

  “Then, my friend, you are both a fortunate male to have found their One Mate.” He gave me a wry look. “And the most unfortunate male in the entire quadrant, if not the sector. She is an unruly Terran and does not understand the blessed situation that has brought your paths together.”

  “And how would she react if I told her?” I’d guessed how - which was why I hadn’t told her already.

  Gandrox nodded towards the cupboard where he kept the good Gorloll.

  “We shall drink that Decators summons strength for you, and for me, patience, for I fear we have need of both.”

  I busied myself for the rest of my week with plans to chart a safe course to Coriogre, and then on to NF5 with the cargo. We’d refuel on Coriogre and Gandrox had planned to collect more weapons on the moon too. The onward journey would have to be quick and unobvious so that the Zeta Empire would be unaware of our intentions. Once we’d leave Coriogre, things would become dangerous.

  At least the worry about whether we’d need to refuel elsewhere was gone. It had come as a surprise to learn that Diamond had helped Jules in designing new adaptations that allowed us to take more fuel, even poorer quality fuel, and made the ship more efficient.

  I had spent many hours in prayer, pleading with Decators, reasoning that perhaps Diamond shouldn’t be my Fated Mate given she had no desire to be.

  I believed that was the ultimate torture for a male: knowing his Fated, yet also knowing she had no desire for him. I would never love another as I could love her, and yet, if that meant forgetting my desires so she would lead a life full of joy for herself, then perhaps that was the only love she would accept from me.

  I had told myself I was only doing it to make sure she was well, but watching her on the security footage was not enough. Besides, when Kefiz discovered what I’d been doing, he warned me it was not honorable behavior and asked me to stop.

  He was right. I needed to be near to her even though I knew she would have no wish for it.

  I needed to look into those coppery-brown eyes and try to let her go.

  In the days that followed, I made every excuse to visit Jules to discuss how more efficient the fuel would make us as it made a difference to our navigation routes. I could have manged without the meetings, but if I timed them correctly, it was a brilliant chance to glimpse Diamond as she worked.

  The Level 4 mess hall was small with a table area in the corner available to prepare food. It was empty as I’d expected. Unseen, I sat the carrier box in the corner and left, knowing it would be there on my return after another incidental meeting with Jules to discuss ship acceleration with the extra fuel synthesizing system.

  I already knew the speed tolerances we’d need if we were to outrun any Zeta Empire attack.

  When I returned to the mess hall, I wouldn’t have to wait long. Diamond would arrive in a few minutes unless something had disrupted her daily schedule.

  I’d known by the records Diamond had given Allegra when she’d first arrived that today would have been her birthdate on Arenthia. I’d also been learning that this was of big significance to Terrans.

  Diamond looked tired as she entered the hall. Despite her slumped shoulders and stained overalls, she was still beautiful. Her copper eyes shone through a face full of engine dirt of some sort. She chatted easily with another Terran female, the other one she shared a bedroom with. Kefiz had informed me her name was Macy, and that no, he would not be doing any spying on her for me, no matter how much I asked him.

  Macy and Diamond joined two other females be
fore I sent a text message to Diamond’s comms. I watched as it sounded on her arm and the confusion that crossed her face as she read the message. Macy leaned in to read the message before nudging Diamond and whispering in her ear.

  A second later, with the cool confidence I expected from my Mate, Diamond gave a casual glance around the room, her eyes darting first to me, then around the room again before pretending to only notice me the second time her fiery gaze found mine.

  I clenched my fists beneath the table as I watched the slow sway of her hips. Even walking towards me in dirty overalls she made my cock stiffen.

  “Hi.” she said, uncertainty in her voice, but her demeanor oozed confidence. “Are you lost?”

  “Why don’t you sit down?” I asked.

  “You sure?” she whispered, “Don’t wanna get you in trouble with Gandrox…”

  Gandrox had been hard on her when he’d sequestered her to Level 4, and it had clearly hurt.

  “I’d like to chat.” I started as I motioned for her to sit down. “Do you know what day it is?” I stood as she sat, the box was just within reach so I lifted it and placed it in front of her.

  “What’s this?” she furrowed her eyebrows.

  “It is a gesture for you.” I pushed the box closer to her. “Open it.”

  Cautiously, she peered into the box and gasped before looking at me and back to the cake.

  “I’ve never…” her eyes shone as the tears that gathered threatened to over spill. She blinked, but that only released them, leaving a wet line down each cheek.

  “I didn’t mean to make you cry.” I said, immediately cursing the Terran Histories book I had read. “Apologies.”

  “No!” she said. She wiped her eyes before re-rolling up the sleeve of her overall. “You just took me by surprise. I’ve never had one before.”

  “But the book said it was customary for all Terrans to have a sugar laden cake on their birthdate.” I didn’t understand.

  “Yeah.” she said, still peering at the cake. “But not me.”

  Some other females had gathered behind her to see what was in the box. Jules patted her on the shoulder.

  Macy squeaked, “You never mentioned it was your birthday! I’ll grab a knife. Cut the cake and make a wish!”

  “That’s very thoughtful, Elgan.” Jules said. “Harvey always remembered my birthdate too.”

  Absently, she touched the gold ring that hung on her necklace and blinked back tears of her own.

  Terrans. I didn’t think I’d ever understand them.

  My comms device chirped. “I have to go.” I said, standing and thankful to escape Terrans who cried. “We are nearing Coriogre. I have last orbit plans to oversee.”

  “There’s a marketplace near the refueling site, isn’t there?” Macy blurted.

  “Yes.” The comment irritated me. We were at Coriogre for more meaningful things than for Macy to shop.

  “You’ve worked every day and you’re due a rest day, plus you’re due some credits...” Macy looked between Jules and Diamond. “What better way to celebrate your birthday than with a day off going shopping?!”

  I saw the hope in Diamond’s eyes, but she feigned indifference. “Could I?” she looked at Jules. “I’m mean, I’m fine either way… but there are a few personal things I’d like to get.”

  “I don’t see any reason not.” Jules shrugged. “We’re ahead of schedule with the replacing the capacitors, but I can’t spare Macy to go with you. You’ll have to go alone.”

  “Diamond can come with me.” the words left me before I’d thought them through. I shouldn’t have assumed.

  Diamond raised her eyebrows, Macy bounced on her toes and Jules just gave me a knowing look.

  “That’s settled, then. Diamond, you can have tomorrow as your rest day,” Jules gave me a brief nod, “I’m sure Elgan is keen to get back to his preparations.”

  I docked the ship near the crater on Coriogre where we could refuel. Once I’d landed, I made a shuttle ready for the trip to the market area before meeting Diamond at the Level 4 mess hall. A handful of us were traveling there, and by the time we returned to the shuttle, Allegra, Kefiz, Xyru and Razko were waiting. Some more patiently than others.

  Diamond froze when she realized Allegra would travel with us.

  “Shit.” I heard her whisper. “She must hate me.”

  “Don’t worry.” I tried to reassure her, despite being uncomfortable talking about it. “Allegra understands it was an honest mistake. That you didn’t know that Gandrox was…”

  She lifted her hand in a gesture to stop me talking.

  “You don’t have to say another word.” Her demeanor changed. “Never got a chance to thank you for -”

  “Are we going to the market or should I use one of the Rovers?” Razko shouted over to me as the roar of another departing shuttle filled the hangar.

  Everyone went their separate ways in the market, giving me some precious time alone with Diamond. We chatted lightly about the work she’d been learning and she’d asked me about mine. After a little while, we found a Nath’ri tavern and ate lunch. When we were almost ready to leave when Diamond spotted Allegra walking into an enormous clothing market tent at the far side of the market square.

  “I’m gonna catch up with Allegra.” She grimaced, “There’s an apology I need to make.”

  I wiped my mouth, “Let’s go.”

  A pained expression crossed her face, “This is something I need to do female to female.” she bit her lip, “It shouldn’t take too long. Eat the rest of your meal. I’m only going over there and I’ll be back before you’re finished. I promise.”

  Her copper eyes looked deep into mine. “Please. This is something I need to do.”

  I nodded with a sigh. She was right. She rewarded me with a kiss on the cheek and when I looked up, she was already halfway across the dusty sand.

  I waited outside the shade of the seller’s tent for an hour when I came across a weary Ryhoanian male. “The females always take forever in there. Best to find some good Gorloll to keep you company.” He gave me a wry smile and offered me a sip from his flask.

  He was right. The warmth that rose as I swallowed only served to prove it was indeed good Gorloll, but it did nothing to appease the worry that grew in the pit of my gut.

  Allegra appeared soon after, her mini-rover followed a moment later, overflowing with bags.

  “Has Diamond stopped to buy something?” I asked.

  “Diamond?” Allegra’s eyebrows furrowed before she looked back into the trader’s large tent. “I don’t know. I didn’t see her come in.”

  “I see.” I sagged against a thick side pole of the merchant’s tent. “She has ran off and left us.”

  “What? No!” Allegra came closer. “I don’t think she would do that, not at least to you.” Allegra scanned the square, looking for the face I’d searched for ever since she’d kissed me on the cheek. A face etched into my brain, my heart, but I knew I’d never see again.

  “She said she went to speak to you. But she’s left us.” The pain was palpable in my chest. If I hadn’t already known for certain that Diamond was my mate, the bereft feeling of sheer emptiness I felt now, knowing her absence was intentional and forever, well, that would have confirmed it.

  Disappointment and complete loneliness overpowered me and to my shame, I wanted to punch the Rhyoanian male who was now disappearing away, chatting happily with his female.

  “No,” Allegra kept talking. “She wouldn’t have left you. Not after the way I saw her looking at you earlier.”

  “She’s gone.”

  “I don’t believe so.” she shook her head. “Well, I know she’s not here, but I don’t think she would have run off. She’s lost or something has happened.” Allegra pulled her tunic up to reveal the bottom of a blaster I didn’t know she carried. “I have this for a reason.”

  “The marketplace is safe!” Otherwise I would not have left her side for a moment.

  Allegra b
arked a laugh. “For a massive don’t-fuck-with-me Aaran guy like you, maybe.” she looked me up and down. “Terrans aren’t warriors. Diamond may be feisty, but she’s not built like you.”

  I wondered at Gandrox allowing Allegra to visit such a dangerous place alone, but knew that he didn’t have much to say. Allegra was a skilled fighter and was carrying her own weapon, plus there would be four Aaran males nearby. Any of us would have been there if we’d heard a shot from a blaster.

  How could I have been so negligent with my mate?

  I went to call her comms device but it would not connect. Fuck. My fingers would not press the right commands on my communicator and I growled in frustration. Fuck!

  “Go.” Allegra commanded, pushing me into the square. “I’ll contact the others to look for her and I’ll make my way back to the shuttle, maybe she’s gone there.”

  Chapter Five

  Diamond

  I expected that Allegra would hate me. She’d call me names and warn me to stay away from Gandrox. Had the tables been turned, it was the least of what I’d do to her if she’d tried to seduce my mate.

  Not that I had a mate.

  But given the time I’d spent away from him and in the company of others on the Torq Runner rather than scratching and grasping to survive on Gael, I could see how Elgan could become more to me.

  It was a strange feeling, to know that he didn’t just want to use me and cast me aside. It was a glorious feeling to think someone held me in enough regard to want to get to know me.

  If only I hadn’t fucked that up from the start. I hadn’t dared to, but after our meal together, I hoped that perhaps it wasn’t too late for Elgan to be more to me.

  I watched as Allegra moved among the different clothes in the market. She smiled politely as each seller greeted her as she went from section to section.