“Are you slower than a glacier? You don’t just blurt out your intent like that.” Kue shoved back at his brother. Chest to chest they glared at each other. For some odd reason a renewed flare of heat wound through her at the sight of them trying to stare each other down.
So masculine, so alpha, so… She shook her head, shoving down those thoughts, focusing back on her anger. She didn’t know what a sheraz was, but wasn’t waiting around to find out.
“I really don’t care anymore. It’s clear you don’t care what I want.”
“What do you want, lovely?” Kue got in first.
“To be left the hell alone!” She glared at each of them before spinning on her heel and marching down the corridor before turning right.
After her first efforts, it wasn’t long before she caught and followed the familiar scent and breeze of the planet’s air. It led her to the ramp of this huge ship. She surveyed the area round them, then glanced over her shoulder, half expecting one of them to be following her around, half glad they hadn’t. She sighed, not actually wanting to leave the safety and comfort these aliens had offered, even if they did only want to get into her pants. Her mind spun with confusing, conflicting thoughts.
Would it be so bad? They were strong, and far sexier than any human man she’d ever seen past a leading Hollywood actor, even if they were candy red. They had every appearance of wanting to take care of her. She shuddered, despite the warmth in the air. Everything in her life had come with a price to pay. She searched her memory as she walked barefoot down the ramp and climbed up on to a large rock to sit and mull things over. No matter how she tried, she could not recall ever receiving a genuine, loving touch from anyone. Not any of those who cared for her since her mother left her. She was a burden, passed on, and only used if someone wanted something. Why would these large red men be any different? All they wanted was to use her and abuse her like everyone else.
Chapter Five
Zeb paused at the ramp of the ship. Celeste sat on the top of a boulder, her back hunched. He admired the curve of Celeste’s feminine form, sitting crossed legged, showing the creamy white of her legs. He mentally growled at his wayward rod as it lengthened and hardened at the sight. He shoved the thoughts deep down, even if his body refused to cooperate.
What was she doing out here, rather than within the safety of the ship? Why weren’t one of his foolish brothers watching over her? He scowled, assuming they had to have done something to drive her off the ship.
With practiced stealth, he moved up to stand behind her. The fading sunlight picked up rich highlights of gold and red in her clean hair, and her pale neck tilted to one side, showing an elegant grace. She stared off into the distance, clearly lost in thought. Her chest heaved in a sad sigh.
Not wanting to startle her, he cleared his throat. She stiffened. Her head lifted, the curtain of her hair rippling as she turned to stare at him. Her shoulders visibly relaxed, and she turned her head away. Yes, his brothers had done something to make her want to leave the ship.
****
"Be at ease, Celeste." A deep voice rumbled making her freeze and turn.
Relief flooded through her, seeing it was just Zeb. This was one brother who didn't seem in a hurry to jump her bones. He looked calm and collected, his eyes curious. It made her relax somewhat.
He sat down on the rock beside her, not touching, joining her in watching the purplish haze of dusk spread across the land as the planet’s sun sank behind the horizon.
“I honestly don’t understand your brothers.” Her words came out in a sigh, as she suddenly felt the need to talk to someone.
“What have they done this time?”
Celeste hesitated, unsure. He was calmer and more in control than the other three, and she felt she could rely on his calm patience.
Drawing in a deep breath she drew up her knees. “Not what they’ve done, it’s what they keep saying to me.”
“Forgive me, but I doubt they would set out to insult you.”
“They haven’t. It’s just…”
He glanced down, his black eyebrow cocked on his red forehead as he remained silent, waiting for her to continue. “They keep saying stupid things like I’m lovely, beautiful, but it’s not true.” There, the facts of the situation were laid out on the table.
“The last part is possibly true. My brothers do wish to pleasure you, but I am puzzled. Why don’t you believe you’re beautiful?”
Why indeed. Oh, Celeste knew she was like so many human women, their self-images trodden in the dirt by the considered “norms” of society, thin and model perfect looks. Of course when told something long enough you start to believe it. When you combine that with an upbringing of being passed on like someone’s unwanted shoes, it wore at a person’s soul.
“Look, I’ll be straight with you. I’m fat and ugly for a human, okay? I’ve been nothing but a burden since my birth. I get in the way and always get things wrong. Hell, I killed everyone on that ship. I am nothing special, and if I stay with you I’ll end up getting in the way.”
He was silent, simply staring at her, before climbing slowly to his feet before offering his hand to help her down.
“It’s growing dark and is unsafe out here. It’s best I get you back to the safety of the ship.”
Her heart stuttered in her chest. Did he get it, get her and what she believed? It seemed so. Warmth spread through her fingers and down her arm putting her hand in his. His grip was firm but gentle, and he helped her off her perch.
“You know, Celeste, perhaps you should stop listening to what you think is truth and listen to the real truth of how others really see you, especially my brothers and I. My brothers, as foolish as they are sometimes, only ever speak the truth. To us you are beautiful. Belief doesn’t always equal truth. I would like to rip apart the one who made you feel ugly and a burden, because you’re not.”
She opened her mouth to argue, but the firm squeeze on her hand and his hard glare stopped her. “If you tell me I’m a liar, I will not be pleased. Accept what is, see things our way for a while, then re-evaluate how you feel, all right?”
She swallowed and nodded, her mind spinning over Zeb’s words. Her pulse upped its tempo, as a small part of her still not dead, pounded at the walls of her heart, wanting to revel and roll in the sunshine, in wonderful feelings of believing, of being adored and thought beautiful.
She at least could try. There was nothing left of her life to lose anyway.
But there was one niggling question. If Zeb was planning to pass her off at the next star port, why did he bother telling her this in the first place?
****
Zeb stared at the closed door, his mind going over their conversation that showed so much of the human female’s character. Enough to have conflicting emotions warring within him.
Indeed she was the complete opposite of any female he’d ever encountered, let alone their first sheraz. A complete lack of confidence in her outer appearance, mixed with a sweet caring nature. She’d also demonstrated a courage and inner strength you would find in a strong Demos soldier. Why couldn’t she accept her own worth and beauty? What kind of fucked-up planet was Earth to treat their females as nothing? Perhaps their race was going about this whole Jorval abduction racket wrong. Instead of outlawing it, they should be paying the Jorval to rescue these human females.
Zeb scratched his chin and moved to walk down the corridor. The females of Galafrax were pampered and selfish creatures. It could be a good thing that they now had human females living among them, to demonstrate a selfless behaviour, to teach consideration and kindness. With each step the desire to keep Celeste grew. He wanted to win her trust, show her that she mattered, not just in their eyes but her own. A growl rumbled from his throat as his mind turned towards his brothers and how they’d almost fucked it up, by moving in on her too fast.
He wasn’t too proud to admit that he’s been a blind fool, letting his prejudice stand in the way of an opportunity to have somethin
g wonderful. Any set of quads who encountered Celeste could see she was indeed something special and would snap her up in a heartbeat, so why not them?
The pace of his steps grew as he stormed through the ship in search of the idiots he called his brothers.
Countless, dangerous missions had they been on, deadly situations where their lives hung in the balance. They were smart, decisive, and always knew how to stay calm under pressure. Put one little human female amidst them and it seemed they’d all lost their common sense, even at their advanced age.
He could admit that he had been wrong. To even compare Celeste to the last female in their lives—Zeb stopped at that rampant thought, now pounding in the back of his brain, and he felt close to losing it as his brother had. Their female.
Had all the other quads felt like this, upon meeting their sheraz? Such a powerful pull, the sudden need to protect her, soothe all her wounds and make her happy for the rest of their natural lives.
All too easily his thoughts again turned carnal. Desire like a slow burning fire grew. His body began to throb, and he tried not to think of the sudden urged to map out every curve, dip and hollow of her soft, delicate body, have her lips puff from slight bruises of his dominating mouth, after he’d thoroughly kissed her.
He stopped short, realizing he had no idea how to pleasure a human female. If the rumours were true, it would be a lot easier than pleasuring a Demos female. Damn the ice plains. He’d have to find those reports on humans again and study. The last thing he or any of his brothers wanted was hurt to her.
He shook his head. One thing at a time, and the first thing on his mind was to pull his stupid brothers back into line.
****
A door slid open on his right, and Loc walked absently his gaze fixed on a data pad. Zeb grabbed his younger brother’s top, bringing him to a sharp halt. Loc reacted, ready to defend himself, but stopped himself seeing it was Zeb. His eyes gleamed with an indignant “what the fuck”?
“Meal room, now! And tell the others, it’s time for a fucking family meeting. That’s not a request, it’s a fucking order, got it, soldier?”
Loc’s eyes narrowed on him. Angered at being handled so roughly, he shoved back from Zeb, before Loc glanced around.
“Where’s—”
“She is back in Kue’s cabin, resting. I brought her back inside after finding her outside, alone and unguarded.”
Clear worry instantly replaced Loc’s indignation.
“I’m in no mood to play games, Loc. Get the others together now.”
“It’s about Celeste—is she all right?”
“No, it’s about the fucking rocks on this damn planet.”
Loc rolled his eyes, but moved to comply. “Keep your damn boots on, gheesh.” Loc marched away, scowling.
Satisfied his orders were being carried out, Zeb made his way back to the meal room, ordering a drink from the food modulator before sitting down to wait.
It wasn’t long before the footfalls of all his brothers could be heard, just before the door slid open. Raz glared at him as he entered first, then marched up to stand over Zeb. The other two entered and stood back waiting with pensive frowns.
“If you’ve done something to Celeste…” began Raz.
Zeb shot to his feet, shoving Raz back. “Don’t you fucking dare after what you did to her!”
Confusion furrowed his brother’s brow. “What I did? I did what she asked—what she wanted was to be left alone.”
“You did come on a bit strong and kissed her,” Kue added.
“And blurted out you wanted her to be our sheraz,” said Loc.
Raz turned to glare at Loc.
“What you did was scare her, make her believe all you want to do is fuck her. And by leaving her alone, she left the ship unguarded,” Zeb informed them.
Raz mouth formed an O of surprise, before his brow dipped in worry. “I didn’t know she’d leave the ship. Is she all right?”
Zeb nodded and stepped back. “I talked with her and brought her back inside.”
Raz’s shoulders slumped in relief.
“But she’s not all right.” Kue moved to one of the seats. “It’s what I’ve been trying to tell you before you two let your rods rule your brains.” Kue glanced between Raz and Loc. “While she is strong on the outside, surviving alone on this planet as she has, Celeste has deep wounds, in here and here.” He pointed to his chest and then head.
Zeb nodded. “While I at first thought it a bad idea to ever have another sheraz, after talking with her, I have changed my mind. I know Celeste is nothing like Nazzara.” Zeb took a moment to analyse his feelings, and the bitterness and anger of Nazzara’s betrayal seemed a lot more distant, melting into a past that had already started to fade, now he’d come around to wanting Celeste as theirs. “I want her just as much as you all do, but I also feel protective and want to help heal the pain and mistrust I saw her eyes. Her life has clearly been hard—to the point she sees herself as less than her true value. Kue is right in saying she is wounded.”
Raz opened his mouth, but Zeb glared at him. “Celeste is not a fuck droid, nor is she just some passing fancy or fad you can use and just discard. Enough of your way, Raz. This time we do things my way and united as it should be. If we pursue Celeste then it is for keeps. This is a full commitment, and there will be no pleasuring if you or she is not fully committed. Don’t forget we are older, fully fledged Demos males and have already had a sheraz.”
His brothers understood loud and clear. If any of them pleasured her they ran the risk of implanting her with their seed.
Kue’s lips curved up into a grin, along with all his brothers, at the mere thought of Celeste carrying their young, and their eyes gleamed with a new determination.
“I never started this with anything but the intent of making her ours. If we can implant her with our young…” Raz nodded.
Zeb shot him a “don’t even go there” glare. Raz simply grinned in response. “Ah, you have a plan, don’t you? You wouldn’t call a meeting like this unless you already had one.”
Zeb nodded, keeping his face perfectly straight. “I am laying down several rules. Break one of them and you’ll find yourself in the brig for a long Galafraxian month.”
“We don’t have a brig.” Loc frowned at Zeb.
“I’ll fucking build one if I have to.”
Raz lifted his hands in surrender. “I won’t argue, as the end goal will result in Celeste being ours, and round with our young. Do you think we’ll get twin daughters, too?”
Zeb rolled his eyes. “Focus on what’s important first.”
“Yes, like how do we go about healing her and making her see herself as we do, utterly beautiful?” Kue slipped into the long bench seat, waiting.
“Exactly, and I have an idea on how we can do that.”
“So, mighty commander,” Raz sat down next to Kue. “What’s your big plan to win our Celestial beauty?”
This time Zeb let his smile slip. “She’s not Demos, so we’re going to take that into account. We don’t have to act according to Demos courting rules, so we can use completely different tactics.” Zeb nodded to Loc. “Best take a seat, brother, and listen.”
Chapter Six
Celeste sat up at the sound of knocking at her door. She’d been drifting on the brink of consciousness, the comfortable warm bed making it too easy for her to fall into dreamless sleep, unlike the rock hard cave and cage floor she’d been forced to sleep on in the past few weeks. She wasn’t exactly sure how long it had been since she’d been taken from Earth. The knocking sounded again, so she pulled the red sheet from the bed as she stood up, tucking it around her body, and moved to the door. At least they showed they cared enough to knock rather than barge in. It was their ship, and they could do whatever they wanted, if they wanted. She reached for the door release, and it slid open to reveal one of the brothers. It took her a moment to realize it was Kue. His hair was swept back as if he always used his hand for a comb, and ther
e was kindness in his eyes. He held a bundle of clothes in his hands, but as his eyes swept down her sheet covered body, the look changed, and he audibly swallowed.
“I uh, these, um, for you.” He shoved the clothes at her. “Your brief is in ten minutes in the meal room.” He took a step back, his eyes returning to meet hers. She bit down on her bottom lip, to stop herself from gasping at the raw carnal heat in his eyes, as if he wanted to pounce and devour her. Does he really see me as beautiful and desire me?
What had he said again? She shook her head trying to remember why he’d come. Oh, yes. “Um, a brief?” Confusion ran through her.
“You’re a part of our crew now, and are expected to help around this old ship. Zeb wants to brief you on your duties.”
She blinked in surprise. Did she expect to laze about and do nothing? Of course not. His request was very sensible, but what kind of work she was expected to do, knowing nothing about this species’ technology?
“Thank you, Kue, I’ll be there.”
He nodded and reached for the door panel. It slid shut, and she stared down at the grey and black fabric in her hands, lifting it up to let it hang down. It appeared to be some kind of overalls, and in her size.
Well then, she’d best not keep them waiting. She hurried into the small bathroom to clean up, a small excited thrill running through her. It would be good to feel helpful for once, rather than helpless.
Zeb was waiting for her, hands behind his back, military stance. He nodded as she entered. Nerves made her belly flutter as she came to stand before him.
His golden gaze swept down her length and the cosy fit of her one piece work clothes.
“Good to see the clothes Kue modulated fit you. How did you rest?”
Fit me. She fought not to roll her eyes. The suit pushed up her breasts a fair bit, giving her a deep cleavage. The rest clung, exploiting all her lumps and bumps, yet Zeb’s smile was one of pure approval. Eh, men. Focus, this is my chance to be helpful for a change.
“Um, very good, thank you. Kue said you wanted to brief me?”
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