Taming the Alpha

by Mandy M. Roth

  There were no doors that she could see, only arched entryways. One led to a long room with chairs and a couch. Two giant dark wood wardrobes were set along one wall opposite a narrow slit of a window. The first wardrobe was empty. Inside the second were men’s clothes.

  “Kyran,” she whispered, touching the sleeve of a blood-red tunic edged with black. Next to the wardrobe on a low table was an array of jewelry—metal armbands, a silver and gold crown, a collection of brooches. She lifted a brooch, studying the intricate design. Glancing up, she saw an array of vicious weaponry hanging on the wall—swords, knives, axes, maces, a few things she didn’t even know what to call. Her fingers shook and she dropped the brooch. “Oh, crap. I’m on a planet stuck in the medieval period. I think I’d rather be crazy.”

  Crossing to the narrow window, she tried to peek outside. All she saw was the tops of trees below in a valley, as if the home stood on top of a mountain.

  Leaving the giant dressing room, she tried the next arch. It led to another long room with a desk and several thick chairs. Rolled parchments of paper filled wooden boxes along one wall. A blue feather quill and a jar of ink were on the desk. It appeared to be someone’s office.

  The third archway held an enclosed stairwell. Running her fingers over the cold stone, she walked down the dim stairwell, following the curve of the steps. The floor was cool against her bare feet. The light from above made it easy to see. She neared the bottom and hesitated.

  “Hello?” she whispered. “Is anyone there?”

  No answer.

  Eve stepped into a large, open room, and gasped. The domed window in this section was bigger than the bedroom’s and the arched ceiling seemed to spiral up toward it. A curtain covered most of it to block the majority of light. Two thick columns came down on either side of the dome. Between the columns, the floor sank into a large oval. Circular gray couches surrounded a gigantic pit fireplace in the middle. Blue throw pillows with the embroidered insignia of a dragon rested neatly on the suede-like material. The black grates in the center surround a fire that was left burning.

  Kyran slept on a couch. Orange firelight framed his face and danced erotically over his flesh. A blanket covered his legs, but his arms and chest were left bare. The curve of his smooth hip teased her with what lay hidden. The sculpted muscles formed a strong stomach, the indentations like the product of an artist. Now, sleeping, his breath rising and falling, he looked very human.

  Eve bit her lip. This wasn’t so bad, this surreal moment standing in an alien’s home. Kyran really was a handsome man. It was no wonder she’d been attracted to him from the first. She actually preferred him out of the cowboy attire. Then, blushing, she wondered if he wore the Polynesian style, plain-colored lava-lava around his waist all the time. Probably not. The other men had been in tunics and laced shirts.

  Tiptoeing past him, she continued exploring. A partial stone wall blocked a bathroom from view, though it technically had no door. The long bench with a hole and a lid appeared to be the toilet. She didn’t see any paper, and the place didn’t smell like a campground outhouse. A huge stone tub dominated the center of the room and was filled with bubbling, steaming water like a natural hot spring.

  The next room was a small kitchen. It had a red stone sink with running water and a matching smooth stone countertop with the black insignia of the dragon inlaid on the top. There was a stove grate over a fire pit, a brick oven and a variety of appliances she would never know how to use. Pulling at a hatch in the floor, she felt cold air hit her. It was the refrigerator.

  “We usually take our meals in the common hall, so I don’t have much in here. But if you’re hungry, I’m sure I can find you something.”

  Eve jumped at Kyran’s voice and dropped the hatch. It slammed shut with a heavy thud. He stood in the door way. Her gaze automatically traveled from his bare feet up to his startling blue eyes. He wore a loose pair of linen pants and nothing else. Seeing him, so perfectly male in appearance, she was sure the dragon shift had to have been her imagination.

  When she didn’t move or speak, a provocative smile curled his lips. “Or perhaps you’re hungry for something else, m’lady?”

  Heat flooded her cheeks and she was mortified to realize she was blushing.

  “There is no need to be self-conscious.” Kyran took a step toward her then stopped. “Though it pleases me that you are nervous. It means you care about pleasuring me.”

  Huh?

  Eve stared at him, taking a moment to process his words. When they finally made it from her ears to her numbed brain, she stiffened. “Confidence is one thing, but you’re bordering on arrogance.”

  Kyran shrugged, unconcerned.

  Eve straightened. “I want to go home.”

  “This palace is your home, and this wing of the palace is our private quarters.” His smile faded and his expression became a blank mask. “Feel free to go where you will. You are my princess. What is mine, is yours and what is yours is—”

  “Still mine,” Eve quipped, pushing past him.

  His hand shot out and grabbed her by the upper arm. “You test my patience, my bride.”

  “And you test my sanity, psychopath. Now release me.”

  He studied her for a long, hard moment before letting go. “It’s late. Go back to bed. We’ll discuss this, and what is expected of you as my wife, in the morning.”

  “Late?” Eve glanced up to the light coming from the dome.

  “Qurilixen isn’t like Earth. Our three suns keep us in daylight except for one night a year when the suns align perfectly with the one moon. Right now, it’s the middle of the night. If the light bothers you, pull the curtains. Now go to bed.”

  “You’re not the boss of me. I’ve been on my own since I was seventeen. I don’t need someone to tell me when to sleep. I happen to like sleeping during the day and being up at night.” Eve suddenly remembered her band. She groaned. “Oh, great. What time is it exactly? I’m late for work. Ah, man, my guitar. How could you take me and not my guitar?”

  “There is no need for you to work.”

  “Ew. Nice picture you’re painting here, princey boy. No working, no staying up late, no guitar. Is this a castle or reform school? I mean really, do you want me to kill myself?”

  At that, his face hardened into an angry mask. What was that she’d said about the dragon thing being her imagination? Yeah, Eve now saw her mistake. His eyes turned to golden fire. The skin around his eyes darkened like a hard shell. She gasped, automatically jerking back. Kyran surged forward, grabbing her wrist.

  “You will never threaten to take your own life,” he growled. “I forbid you to kill yourself.”

  Eve was too scared to think of a retort. With a loud growl, he stormed toward the stairwell, pulling her behind him. She stumbled, trying to keep up and get free at the same time. They reached the top of the stairs and Kyran maneuvered her toward the bed.

  Moaning weakly as tears streamed down her cheek, she tensed. If a big man like Kyran wanted to force himself on her, she wouldn’t be able to stop him. Even as she thought of it, the idea of sleeping with Kyran wasn’t completely repulsive. But she didn’t want it like this—not angry, not by force. His aggressiveness terrified her even as it excited her. He was bold, confident and a complete pain in the ass.

  “Kyran,” she whispered, her voice shaking as badly as her body.

  He stopped by the bed.

  “Please, don’t do this.” It took all her willpower to get the words out. She was never one to beg, no matter what life threw at her. Still, this was one battle she couldn’t win.

  He took a deep, ragged breath. When he turned, his eyes were back to the brilliant blue. “I won’t hurt you.”

  For some insane reason she couldn’t name, Eve believed him. Kyran climbed onto the bed, taking her with him. She didn’t protest as much as she should have. Then, lying down, he tugged her next to him and pulled up the covers. He rested on his side, slowly stroking the hair back from her brow.r />
  “This isn’t…” Eve wasn’t sure what she was trying to say.

  “I was going to let you have the bed but cannot remove all the weapons from this room tonight to keep you safe, so it is my duty to lie here and make sure you do not hurt yourself.” He rolled onto his back and closed his eyes. “I’m a trained warrior. I will hear you if you try anything foolish. I have no wish to shackle you, but I will if that is the only way I can ensure your safety.”

  Eve lay on her back, watching his even breathing. She would never seriously kill herself, but apparently figures of speech weren’t a big thing on this planet. His arm rested near hers and the warmth from his side soaked into her bones. She really wasn’t tired, but being cared for in such an extreme way was somewhat comforting, and she found herself closing her eyes and relaxing.

  Just when she was sure he was sleeping, he said quietly, “You’re so soft. It’s taking all my willpower not to touch you.”

  “You are touching me.” Eve opened her eyes to look at him.

  “Not as I wish to be. I would that you asked me for more.” He remained still, not bothering to open his eyes to look at her reaction.

  He was asking for permission?

  The hazy light from above shadowed his face. She didn’t need to see his features. Already she had them memorized. His body was warm against hers, heating her already aroused blood. What was it about this man? He was arrogant. He was her alien abductor. Yet, here she was, lying next to him thinking about how good his lips had felt against hers and how good he’d tasted.

  Bits and pieces of their first night together filtered through her mind. Parts of it were still hazy—like actually travelling through a wormhole to another planet. However, she remembered that she had been the one to buy him a drink. She’d taken his hat. She’d made him dance with her—well, she’d danced and he’d stood like an incredibly dorky column in his cowboy getup. She’d been the one to touch him first, kiss him first, clearly emboldened by the numerous shots of tequila. In fact, if she remembered it correctly, he’d tried to resist her charms. She was the one who’d flirted with him, coming on very strong. Almost every time, she’d been the one to initiate their contact. Even now, he’d only grabbed her wrist because she’d threatened to end her own life.

  Curious.

  Eve had never been one to be completely freaked out by the unexplained and often surged forward into the unknown without serious thought of the consequences. Sure, she sometimes got into trouble, but she also got to experience really cool things—like ghost hunting an abandoned asylum overnight. They hadn’t found evidence, but it had been exhilarating.

  It was jarring thinking that aliens were real and that she was on another planet. But if she stopped and thought about it, life was all about the roller coaster ride. This was an adventure—possibly one of the biggest adventures in mankind’s history. And she was on it. How many people could say the same thing? If she just accepted that what was happening was real and pushed past her own fears and doubts, where would this adventure lead?

  So did she surge forward and take the chance? Or did she miss an opportunity and wonder forever what an intimate night with a man like Kyran might be like? She’d been ready to sleep with him after a night at the bar.

  “Do you?” Eve shivered, glancing down his lean form. “Are you…? Is your kind, um, made to, um…?”

  His chest vibrated as he suppressed a chuckle. He finally turned to look at her. “You wish to know if I am made for you?”

  Eve nodded. Fear and excitement made her blood pump wildly through her veins, drowning out reason. He rolled toward her and adjusted his hips, pressing his hardened shaft to her side. The heat of it seared her through her clothing, letting her feel how very much he desired her. Not only was it like fire, it was big—a veritable weapon. Kyran leaned into her ear, licking at the lobe, “Why don’t you discover the answer for yourself?”

  Damn, but it was arousing to feel his erection pressing into her like it was. His hips moved in tiny thrusts, rubbing along her. She’d seen him move—the quick, agile grace of his body—and knew he was a man who’d know how to work it between the sheets.

  There was passion in his tone but also an unmistakable challenge. Curiosity was definitely one of her greatest vices. Rolling on her side to face him, she trailed her hand over his hard, flat stomach. He tensed, closing his eyes as he held his breath. His navel was carved just as she’d expect to find one and his flesh was every inch hard, sizzling male. Eve got to his waistband and hesitated. He opened one eye to look at her.

  “Will you change during?” she asked.

  “No, we do not shift to mate.” He gave a pained smile. “I have no wish for you to be frightened, m’lady. I would never harm you in this. You have my word.”

  Eve nodded, instinctively believing him. It was strange, but she felt the building of a connection between them. Or maybe it was just that she was so aroused by him she couldn’t see straight. The ache between her thighs was nearly unbearable as her body readied to accept him.

  Kyran took a deep breath. “Mm, I love your smell.”

  He could smell her? She clamped her thighs together on instinct. He must have felt her movement, because he again chuckled.

  “Are you trying to torture me?” His voice was soft as he continued to nuzzle her ear. Pushing his hips closer, he urged her to continue her exploration.

  Eve dipped her hand along his hip and angled her neck to give him access to her throat. Her neck was always so sensitive. He brushed his lips over her, giving her instant goose bumps.

  “You have protection, right?” she asked.

  “Yes, I will protect you,” he assured her. “As is my duty to you.”

  Eve’s hand stilled just below his waist band. “No, I mean protection. Like a condom.”

  “Sorry? Condom?”

  Eve pulled her hand away. Her body ached in protest, but she refused to give in. “Yeah, you know, something to prevent diseases.”

  “You believe me to be diseased?” He actually looked insulted. “You think I would come to you in such a way?”

  “Well, I don’t know, maybe to prevent pregnancy. Can you even get me pregnant? Or what if your sperm is this acidy mutating stuff that has some weird effect on me?” Eve shrugged. Okay, the last one could have been the influence of too many old horror movies, but still…

  Kyran rolled off the bed in one swift motion. His hair was beautifully disheveled about his head and he was breathing hard. Damn, he was even sexier pissed—if such a thing were even possible.

  “Are you saying you have no wish to carry my sons?” he demanded.

  Eve was taken aback. “What? Are you serious?”

  “Why would I not be serious? This is a serious matter. You are my wife. It is your duty to have my sons.”

  “What? No girls?” she asked wryly. Was this man for real? The way she saw it, if he was this crazy there was no point in trying to talk reason.

  His face fell. “I can’t give you daughters.”

  That wasn’t the answer she’d been expecting.

  “For some reason, since my people escaped to this planet from yours, we have slowly stopped producing female children. I tell you this because you should know, but I ask that you do not speak of it freely to our people. They have noticed the decline in female births, but we have not made the extent of the problem known.”

  Eve nodded. What else could she do?

  “Don’t be concerned for your safety,” he continued. “Live females are not adversely affected by being here.”

  Eve merely stared at him and he just kept talking his crazy.

  “It is why we returned to Earth after so long to find brides. I have been the first so blessed. We know your kind breeds successfully with ours.”

  “So I’m just something you can knock up?” Eve gave a derisive snort. “Well, jeez, when you say it like that.”

  “I will never knock you. You are my wife—”

  Grimacing, she held up her h
and, “Yeah, about that one…”

  He stiffened.

  “You see, I’m not sure I agree with you on the whole me-being-your-wife issue.”

  “But…just now, you…” He ran his hand through his hair. For a moment, she wasn’t sure if he wanted to strangle her or throw her down the stairs. Either way, it didn’t look good. She recoiled on the bed. To her amazement, he restrained his temper. “You are my wife.”

  “Just because you say it, doesn’t make it so.”

  “No, Draig law makes it so. You willing walked into my tent. There are witnesses. You spent the night and were introduced to the king and queen the next morning. It is done.”

  With a heavy sigh, she rested on her back and said nonchalantly, “Then undo it.”

  “Does your honor mean so little to you that you would take back your word?”

  Honor? That was his defense? Eve laughed. “I don’t know when the last time you’ve been to Earth was, but things have changed, princey.”

  “You will call me m’lord, lord husband, prince, my prince or Kyran. Nothing else.”

  “Okay, Kyran,” she stressed his name to the point that it was hardly respectful. “Undo it.”

  “I will not!”

  “Then I will,” she quipped. Somehow, Eve instinctively knew he wouldn’t harm her, no matter how mouthy she got. “What do I have to do? Sleep outside the tent?”

  “No.” A small smile formed on his face. “You have to petition the royal council.”

  There was something in his look. “As in the king and queen?”

  He nodded.

  “As in your parents, right?”

  He nodded again. “Yes, my parents and other elders. You should also know that marriage disputes can only be claimed after a full year of marriage has been achieved and only if the bride can prove that nothing of a sexual nature happened between the married couple for that full year. Furthermore, a decision usually takes another year to be reached, considering the royal council will not always agree and the dissolution of a marriage is a very serious matter to us. So, accordingly, you have at least two years as my wife.” He rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “However, if I were to disagree with the divorce, then it would be longer. We could drag this out say ten, fifteen years. Even then, you need the royal council’s consent. So you see, it’s not likely you can undo your word as easily as you’d like. We take our honor very seriously.”