by Ivy McAdams
Tamed by an Alien Savage
Ivy McAdams
Tamed by an Alien Savage — Kutarian Warriors Book 2
by Ivy McAdams
Copyright © 2019 Ivy McAdams
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise), without the prior written permission of the publisher of this book.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locals is entirely coincidental.
https://ivymcadams.com
Kutarian Warriors
Abducted by an Alien Savage
Tamed by an Alien Savage
Craved by an Alien Savage
Emerald Falls Series
Kidnapped by an Outlaw
Seduced by a Wrangler
Captivated by a Gunslinger
Emerald Falls Novella
Rescued by a Desperado (prequel)
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
Epilogue
Next in Series
Craved by an Alien Savage
Also by Ivy McAdams
Afterword
About the Author
Chapter 1
Trinity
I like shiny things. That typically means sparkling geodes and gemstones that would make even a sultan a tad bit jealous. What it doesn’t usually include? The shimmery silver skin of a hulking race of savage aliens.
I’m surprised when the tour guide mentions the sterling beings. My phone nearly hits the ground mid-scroll through my playlist.
I tap the screen to cancel the next song and lean over to my seatmate. “Did he just say―?”
Her brown eyes are wide with excitement. “Aliens,” she breathes.
Of course, she would be thrilled. Damn Jade. She may be my friend, but her values in life are pretty crazy. If it's not a rollercoaster seat, it's not exciting enough for her to sit on. She came here for adventure.
I, on the other hand, came to the newly discovered planet Xion V to find treasure.
That’s right.
I’m the hottest, curviest pirate you’ve ever seen.
On record with NASA and the geologist department at NYU, however, I’m here to study rocks. But I want to know what sort of gems and precious metals exist on Xion V.
Of course, everyone else is preoccupied with the dinosaurs down in the valley as we take our first tour of the planet, riding along the top of a long plateau. The neo-paleontologists are yipping like chihuahuas in the front of the cruiser and practically mounting one another for a good look out the windows.
Our cruiser is full of scientists. Neo-paleontologists, anthropologists, botanists, zoologists, and probably a couple other ologists. But that nerd herd can go frolic with the plants and dinosaurs all they want.
I’m going to find the biggest damn bling in the galaxy.
Something to put all the gemstones I played with growing up to shame. The boxes of rubies my mother kept on her dresser and the chest of costume jewelry my grandmother kept in her attic won’t have anything on what I bring home.
There’s something about the beauty of a multi-faceted gemstone that leaves me mesmerized. I suppose that’s why I also took the side job at the jewelry shop.
But on this internship, I’m officially after something much more important.
If I can find the right sediment layers, we can learn the entire life story of the newly discovered Xion V.
The wave of people crowd the windows for a better look at the massive beasts. I can see the long-necked dinosaurs below us perfectly fine from my seat.
I’m not entirely thrilled to be going down into the valley for a closer look, but the dino-lovers are a pushy bunch. And I at least can check out the cliff-face for shiny rocks.
Jade shifts in the seat next to me and peers over my shoulder out the window closest to us. There’s nothing on our side but green grass and purple trees.
"You think aliens are watching us right now?" she asks in a hushed tone.
“I hope not. I doubt they’d want to party if we ran into them.”
She snickers. “You never know. They could be wild partiers, though I doubt they’d come near our base.”
“You think they didn’t live right here before we staked our flag? We probably set up camp on an ancient burial ground or something.”
“Ew, Trinity. You trying to give me nightmares?”
I laugh. “You? The girl with no fear?”
Jade tosses her dark hair with a sassy smile. “Just because I jump out of planes and live life on the edge does not mean I want to fuck with some evil alien spirits.”
Touché.
I prefer she not do that either.
And also that we’re not actually anywhere close to any haunted burial grounds if I’m making requests.
“I’ve been looking out the windows since we got here,” I say, “and I haven’t seen much of anything in two days. A few birds. Some weird little raccoon-looking thing with a pig nose. But no aliens. Hell, these dinosaurs are the first interesting thing I’ve seen since we arrived.”
Thank goodness.
“I can’t believe those things exist,” Jade says, staring out the windows opposite us.
We’ve crested the edge of the plateau and are rolling down a short incline. The cruiser bumps along the uneven plain as we travel further away from safety.
My palms are starting to sweat.
Those dinosaurs are getting closer and closer as we turn onto the flat plain and truck it along the grass. Doesn’t the driver see their enormous feet? We could be crushed in an instant. And for what? A peek at some goliath creature that could very well take a dump on our heads big enough to kill us all?
The prehistoric fans are whispering and clinging to one another as we roll to a stop.
Like a bunch of kids at Disney World.
Only they don’t heed the ride’s golden rule: keep both hands and feet inside at all times.
Those idiots are filing outside two at a time.
“What the hell?” I croak under my breath.
Jade puts her hand on my shoulder with a reassuring smile. “It’ll be fine. Look, they’re just standing right there.”
The group of spectators is growing larger just outside the cruiser windows. Men and women wearing facemasks attached to the small oxygen dispensers on their hips.
“You know you want to go,” Jade coos at me.
I bite back a grimace.
I’m no chicken, but I prefer the laid back lifestyle. Good food, strong drinks, and dressed to kill. Not exactly vacationing on Jurassic Island. Figuring out how to maintain my lifestyle after my parents cut me off last year has been adventure enough for me.
Jade enjoys throwing thrill-inducing activities at me though. Ever since we were partnered up in basic training nearly a year ago, she’s been pushing my boundaries.
Frolicking with dinosaurs doesn’t hit my thriller bucket list, however. It belongs in the This shit is insane trash can.
"I know the very idea of being
squashed to death by a giant lizard is your idea of fun,” I say, “but that's not a pain I'm up for experiencing today."
“Keep your eyes open,” she says. “Life is happening right there.”
She points at the group and the dinosaurs beyond. They’re as big as skyscrapers. The tour guide is outside now, standing alongside our hired mercenary with his big ass gun. I'm not sure he can offer much protection against those beasts, but I'm at least glad he's here.
A sigh huffs past my lips.
One of the main reasons I signed up for the geology program was to find a way to recover after my world crumbled around me two years ago. Then I got offered the Xion V internship. Talk about stumbling upon a thrilling opportunity. I’m determined to make this experience a great one.
Even if it includes putting up with the squealing, rule-breaking neo-paleontologists and the rest of the nerd herd.
“Fine. Let’s go, but I’m not getting any closer to those giant assholes.”
Jade’s grin brightens and she pulls me from my seat. “Hell yeah.”
Most of the group are already outside when we strap on our oxygen masks and step into the airlock.
As soon as the interior door closes, I hear the first scream.
I’m shocked to realize it’s not a human. It’s coming from the trees in the distance.
In a heartbeat, jumbo bug-looking monsters are charging at us.
My body shuts down, wrapped in an icy cold, and all I can do is lean against the glass door and stare.
The creatures are unlike anything I’ve ever seen before, in or out of my nightmares. Three long-limbed stick bugs with big heads. They’re some ugly motherfuckers.
They descend on us at an unnerving speed.
People outside are screaming and running. A few jump back to the cruiser door and beat on the glass. One has the wherewithal to slap at the button, but the door doesn’t budge. Our airlock cycle isn’t complete. The red neon numbers above my head count down.
Two.
One.
The door slides open, but I can’t move. I’m paralyzed with fear.
A woman screams as she tries to cram her way inside, but Jade is pushing her way outside. She snags my arm.
“Go, get out!” she calls as she drags me.
It’s almost impossible to push out against the frantic mob, but we muscle our way through.
Once we've hit the grass and gotten out of the way of the flow of people, my senses finally return. Those aliens are almost on top of us, and we're fucking outside. Holy shit.
I pull hard again Jade’s grip.
“What the hell are you doing?” I gasp.
We’ve got to get back inside.
“Run!” she shouts, pushing me away from the cruiser.
She grabs my sleeve and I spin around with her but pull back again.
Fuck that, these things are fast. I don’t want to run. I want to get back inside before one of these things eats me.
But I’m turning in circles, trying to collect my bearings. The airlock hasn’t even made it through a full cycle yet to let three people back into the cruiser. The others are shoved against the doors, beating on the windows.
There isn't time. The beasts are so close now that I can see their ugly little mouths, gnashing rows of needle-like teeth. Their big bulbous eyes on either side of their weird square-shaped heads.
I feel like I’m in a Sigourney Weaver movie. Those monsters look like some shiny black, drooly aliens had sex with a praying mantis.
I stumble over my feet as I flee.
But there’s no point.
Those bug aliens jump on us so fast that the wind is squeezed right out of my lungs when one snatches me up.
Oh shit. I’m going to die.
The mantisoid freak crushes its long bony fingers into my ribs as I scream. It screeches right back, and I slap my hands over my ears before they explode.
This asshole is so ugly and right in my face. Its skin is broken into segments of armor. It oozes some sort of gray mucus from its crevices. Its huge eyes dart back and forth at a creepy speed that has my stomach souring.
Gunshot taps fill the air as the other two bugs wreak havoc behind me. One’s scooping people up like he’s at a buffet while the other is tearing the cruiser to pieces. Metal scrapes and whines as it's ripped up like tin foil. The people inside are flung in all directions, and I think I'm going to puke.
Thank God I wasn’t in there.
Thank you, Jade.
Oh geez. Jade!
My eyes dart back and forth, looking for her. But everything is moving too fast. People are running, flying through the air. Dangling from spindly creepy hands all around me. This bitch has four arms.
I don’t see Jade, but when my gaze moves to my captor’s head, its eyes snap to me. I freeze as my blood turns to ice.
It jerks me toward its face and those nasty-ass teeth.
I scream and flail. “Let go of me, fucker!”
I manage to kick it in the face and it bellows a horrible sound that nearly splits my head open.
Its fingers pinch into my skin as it squeezes, yanking me toward it again.
Oh, shit. Oh, shit.
I’m freaking the fuck out when it slams my knees into its face, clamping down on my leg with those devilish teeth. The scream that rips through my throat is enough to make me pass out all on its own.
Then there’s the pain.
A hundred needles poking through my skin, digging into the muscles and tendons in my knee.
I do a move halfway between flailing for my life and passing the hell out. Like a damn fish.
My consciousness is wavering.
I’m going to be eaten.
Eaten, dammit.
To die here on a foreign planet with a bunch of strangers.
Not that my family would have come to my funeral if I’d died on Earth.
But I still sure as hell don't want to die.
Amongst all the screaming, there are gasps and a change in tone that tells me something else is happening.
Once the bug creature has released my leg, I manage to look around.
It’s so damn hard to focus, but I can see something coming. Forms moving through the grass toward us.
Please don’t be baby bug aliens.
I really don’t want to be eaten.
As they draw nearer, one of them shouts. Like real words.
I can’t understand it, but it’s not an animal.
I blink and squint my eyes, trying my damnedest to ignore the pain in my leg and the fluttery feeling like I’m both going to puke and faint.
Four dinosaurs are heading toward us. Tall figures are riding them.
I open my eyes wider, trying to confirm that my brain isn’t just dying and playing tricks on me.
But there they are.
Four giant, silver aliens. All nearly naked.
One shouts again and the bug holding me comes to attention. The silver dude thrusts a spear into the air and the alien hand around me clenches.
Shit, I can’t breathe.
I dig my fingers into the thick slimy skin, but it’s only a second before the thing flings me to the ground. Other people land beside me as I bounce and gasp for air. The monster above us flees.
I roll to my back in the grass and press my oxygen mask to my face, gasping as the pain in my leg radiates up my body.
Is it still there?
I’m afraid to look.
My ears are pounding, both with my thundering heartbeat and the pandemonium surrounding me. Humans screaming, aliens shouting. Bugs shrieking.
Does that one have a spear sticking out of its eye?
The remaining monster backpedals as it drops humans to the ground. It’s way too close to me and I have to dodge its stomping clawed feet.
That hurts like a bitch.
I roll into a fetal position, grabbing at my leg.
Thank God it’s still all there. But it hurts worse than the time I broke my elbow as a kid. And t
hat was murderous.
Tears stream down my cheeks as my thoughts flit to the people I left back on Earth. As much as I’d like to be comforted by their memory, not a one of them would help me now. Not even the man I expected to spend the rest of my life with.
The humans screaming around me intensifies.
The big silver guys are watching us, getting much too close.
They’re huge with massive muscles and crazy mohawks. One even has ridges running back over his skull. The savages look scaly on some parts of their shiny skin, and I think I even see a tail.
How is it possible they’re riding those big dinosaurs without getting eaten? They must be some super convincing animal whisperers.
I find myself staring at them to keep my mind distracted from my knee, but the moment gunfire goes off, I jump.
Ouch.
Our gunman is standing a few yards away, gun pointed at our rescuers.
I, for one, would like to thank the dudes for chasing off the assholes that abducted us, but I doubt the mercenary cares about my opinion.
Well, as it turns out, the aliens don’t care for his.
One of them chunks a spear at him and stabs him right through the chest.
Like fucking lumberjack-games hurls that javelin right into the gunman.
I’m screaming before the guy even hits the ground.
The voice in my head is booming loud. What the fuck is this place and how do I get away?
When hands touch me, I nearly leap out of my skin, head on a swivel.
It’s Jade.
She’s as white as a ghost and her eyes are as big as saucers.
My friend. Finally.
I cling to her, even though moving like that hurts like hell.
She doesn’t say anything, and we wrap around one another. Now that I’m not alone, I clench my eyes shut and just hope everything will go away.
