Taken by the Alien Warrior

by Hope Hart

  Holy shit.

  Terex

  There is no greater feeling than that of Ellie curled against me. I stroke one hand along her back, enjoying her soft moan as she snuggles closer. I pull a fur over us, since the fire is dying down. Soon we will not need a fire anymore, and I will take Ellie on long rides and show her all the things I love about this planet.

  I know the human females are planning to leave. They assume we don’t pay attention when they murmur amongst themselves. Nevada has made it clear that as soon as they find the other females, they will attempt to fix their spaceship so they can find the species they call the Arcav and return to Earth.

  The thought makes me want to set the ship on fire. I would never prevent Ellie from leaving me if this is what she truly wants. But I will never be the same if she leaves me. She has been here for such as short time, and already I can’t imagine my life without her.

  Ellie stretches against me, and I stifle a groan as her soft breasts brush against my chest. I have already taken her many times throughout the night, and her cunt must be sore and swollen by now.

  She blinks her eyes open, a smile curling her lips. “Hi.”

  I grin back, absurdly pleased that I convinced this tiny human to share my kradi. The moment I heard her sweet voice, I knew she would be mine.

  Ellie traces the scales on my shoulders. “So you’re descended from dragons, huh?”

  I nod. This fact seems to interest the human females to no end. It’s a source of constant conversation and speculation for them.

  I shift, pulling her closer. “You must have evolved on Earth?”

  She snorts. “Yeah, but we evolved from primates. That’s nowhere near as cool as dragons.”

  I open my mouth, curious about these primates, but I instantly tense at the sounds of shouting outside.

  We both sit up at the commotion.

  “You go too far, female!”

  “I go just far enough! You may be the boss around here, but you don’t give me orders.”

  Ellie stares at me. “Oh shit.” She jumps to her feet and moves to the bathing area, quickly pulling on her dress. She throws my pants to me, and we move outside, where a crowd is gathering, many people murmuring in shock.

  Our king strides through the camp, his hand wrapped around Nevada’s arm. She tugs, and he ignores her, making her trot to keep up with his huge stride.

  My mouth drops open as she reaches for her sword, but Rakiz has anticipated this, turning and grabbing her before she can pull it. He traps both of her wrists in one of his hands and marches her through the crowd even as her face turns pale with fury.

  “Oh my God.” Ellie moves around me and runs after them, and I follow, my stride easily keeping up with her.

  Rakiz hauls Nevada into his tashiv, and Ellie flinches as he roars at everyone to leave. She sets her jaw, and I move in front of her, raising my eyebrow as she attempts to dart around me.

  “You heard Rakiz.”

  “He’s crazy!”

  I send her a look. “Crazier than Nevada?”

  She tilts her head at that, the ghost of a smile curling her lips before something hits the wall inside. Her eyes widen as she stares up at me pleadingly, and it takes all my willpower to shake my head.

  “Not happening.”

  I trust my king and do not believe he would ever truly hurt a female. However, I refuse to allow Ellie to enter such a tense situation.

  “What did you think you were doing?” Rakiz roars, and Ellie flinches, staring up at me, wide-eyed.

  I lean closer. “He won’t hurt her, Ellie. Rakiz is unused to being questioned. Whatever Nevada has done, she must have questioned his authority—”

  Nevada laughs, but no one could mistake the sound for amusement. “Exactly what I told you I’d do. We have information about where Charlie is. We have leads about our other friends. And still they’re out there, waiting for us to save them. I told you I’d go after them if you didn’t get the job done.”

  Ellie sucks in a breath at that and then attempts to knock me aside, almost falling on her ass as she rebounds off me. She narrows her eyes at me as if I pushed her.

  “Let me through,” she hisses. “Nevada has obviously lost her mind.”

  Rakiz’s voice is colder than I’ve ever heard it. “And I told you that females are not permitted to behave so recklessly in my tribe.”

  “I’m not a member of your tribe, you giant jackass—”

  “Have a care, female.”

  Another harsh laugh, this time slightly hysterical. “Why do you even give a shit, anyway? This has got nothing to do with you.”

  I sigh. That is the wrong approach to take. These human females do not seem to understand that it is a warrior’s birthright to protect those under their care—and none take this more seriously than our king.

  “Enough,” Rakiz says, voice hard. “You stole food and weapons and attempted to leave this camp after I forbade such a thing. For this, you will be punished.”

  “Punished?” Nevada’s voice is high and incredulous, and I snort at her outrage. Ellie glowers at me, and I hide a smile.

  “Be thankful, female, that I am not taking you over my knee the way you richly deserve,” Rakiz says.

  “Be thankful I haven’t decided to cut off your balls and shove them down your throat.”

  Rakiz’s face is hard as stone, but he chooses to ignore that comment. I nod. His control is legendary.

  “You want to dress like a male and fight like a male? Fine. You can also work like a male. You will work with the mishua until I believe you have learned your lesson.”

  Ellie stares at me, and I barely hide my shock. To give a female such labor? With the mishua?

  Nevada snorts. “You don’t know it yet, but you’re going to regret this decision,” she promises.

  Perhaps Rakiz is right. This female seems unable to learn her lessons.

  The door flies open, and Nevada’s eyes widen as she sees us. Ellie moves forward, and I allow it, watching as she pulls Nevada into a hug.

  “You didn’t tell me you were leaving,” Ellie murmurs.

  “I didn’t want you to get into trouble if you knew. You’re the worst at keeping secrets. Your face tells everyone what you’re thinking.”

  Ellie smiles, but it quickly falls from her face. “The mishua?”

  Nevada snorts. “He’s going to have to do better than that.” She slides me a look, and I raise an eyebrow. “These warriors seem to think women were designed for them to boss around. But he’ll learn. You want to put a tiger on a leash? Don’t be surprised when it rips your fucking face off.”

  With that, Nevada casts one last filthy look at the tashiv and then stalks off, a scowl on her face.

  I meet Rakiz’s eyes as he appears in the doorway.

  “What is a tiger?” he asks Ellie, and while his voice and posture are once again calm, I know him well enough to see the fury still lingering in his eyes.

  “Um, it’s a giant cat. Jeez, you guys probably don’t have them either, huh? It’s a four-legged wild animal with fur and sharp claws and teeth.”

  Rakiz nods, and the last of the fury gradually drains from his eyes as he stares after Nevada.

  “They sound like a karja,” he says, and I smile at the reference.

  Karja are wild beasts, dangerous and fierce. But very rarely, they have been known to be tamed by incredibly patient warriors.

  And Rakiz is nothing if not patient.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Ellie

  I smooth my dress with my hands, pleased at the way it falls. Apparently, Terex arranged for this dress to be made days ago. He was always going to take me to the mating ceremony, and when I pointed this out, he simply shrugged and said he’d rather see me wear it in his kradi.

  It’s beautiful, a dark purple material that has a soft sheen to it. It’s cut lower than any of the other dresses I’ve worn here, and Arana also sent along an undergarment that ties under my breasts and over my shou
lders—the Braxian version of a bra, I guess.

  Whatever it is, it pushes my boobs up to new heights, and I’m nibbling my lip, wondering if it’s too much when Terex walks in.

  His eyes darken appreciatively as he scans my body.

  “Ellie,” he says, voice hoarse. “You could not be more beautiful.”

  I grin at him even as my cheeks heat. As much as I find his compliments difficult to believe, there’s no faking his reaction. His erection is tenting his pants, and he prowls toward me, jaw tight as he pulls me against him.

  “We do not need to go to the mating ceremony,” he murmurs in my ear before nibbling his way down my neck. “Perhaps we can stay here instead…”

  My laugh becomes a groan, and I shiver as he finds a particularly sensitive spot. Terex immediately returns his attention to that spot, running his teeth beneath my ear until I groan again.

  I sink against him, instantly wet and ready, but I can hear music starting somewhere in the distance. Not to mention, my vajajay isn’t used to so much attention. Terex has taken me too many times to count since our bath, and I’m worried that if I don’t give it a rest for a few hours, my pussy will end up as chafed as my thighs were when I first arrived.

  I push away, placing my hand over Terex’s mouth. He immediately kisses my palm, and my willpower flees.

  No, Ellie. Keep your head in the game.

  “I want to go,” I say. “We can continue this…later.”

  Terex’s eyes darken further, but he nods, and I remove my hand as he smiles down at me.

  “You make me happy, Ellie,” he says, and my heart melts.

  “You make me happy too,” I murmur, and satisfaction gleams in those incredible eyes.

  “Let’s go to the ceremony now so you can see the mating and then return to my furs where you belong.”

  I laugh but allow Terex to lead me out of the kradi and through the camp to the huge communal area. Behind the massive fire and cooking kradi is a grass meadow, where long tables and stools have been set up in a semicircle. Kids are running around, laughing as they play a Braxian version of tag while adults greet the happy couple.

  They’re standing together, holding hands, and happiness radiates from them as they smile and laugh with those who bring them gifts.

  “Oh no, were we supposed to bring something?”

  Terex glances at me and then smiles as his attention turns back to the couple.

  “I have already gifted Jarix with a sword befitting his status.” He nods at where the sword rests on the warrior’s hip, and Jarix seems to feel his attention, looking up at us and grinning.

  “What about his…mate?”

  “My mother made Rani’s dress.”

  “Wow.”

  It’s beautiful, hugging her body in all the right places while still remaining elegant. The deep-blue outer layer is cut strategically, revealing a shimmery green layer underneath. I wonder how these people create such bold colors, and I open my mouth to ask and then snap it closed as another thought occurs to me.

  “Terex,” I hiss. “Did your mom make my dress?”

  He glances at me and nods, frowning as I gape at him.

  “You didn’t think to tell me that? Oh my God, I haven’t even thanked her!”

  I search frantically in the crowd, but I can’t pick out his mom with so many people around.

  “Relax, Ellie. My mother is a renowned dressmaker. Other tribes bargain with us for the chance to trade for her clothes.”

  I narrow my eyes at him. “That makes it even worse.”

  He raises an eyebrow, and I turn, still searching the crowd. Males. Whether five years old or fifty, human or alien warriors, they’re all the same.

  Terex seems amused with my reaction, his lip curling. “Come, tiny female. I’ll introduce you to Rani and Jarix. Then we can find my mother.”

  I nod, and we make our way through the crowd. With so many people here, it’s easy to see how few women the tribe has compared to men.

  I keep an eye out for Nevada, but she’s nowhere to be seen. I spot Vivian sitting at a table near the back, and she nods at me. I smile, surprised.

  Many of the women eye me as I pass, their gazes flicking to Terex, where they linger appreciatively. I find myself shooting them dirty looks, and I’m so distracted that I barely notice when we arrive in front of the mated couple.

  “It’s so nice to meet you,” I say to Rani while Jarix and Terex grab each other’s forearms in greeting.

  “You too,” she says, staring at me. There’s no disdain in her gaze, just simple curiosity, but I find myself shifting awkwardly under her regard anyway.

  “I heard that you enjoy children,” she says, and I glance at Terex, but he’s still talking to Jarix.

  “I do.” I smile. “On Earth, it’s my job to teach them.”

  Rani smiles back at me. “In this tribe, I spend most of my time with the youngest children, teaching them numbers. Would you like to join me one day soon?”

  My heart clenches, and I’m nodding my head before I even realize I’m doing it. I miss my kids something fierce. While teaching is hard, underpaid work, for me, it was the most rewarding job I could imagine.

  Terex and Jarix wrap up their conversation, and Terex takes my hand, pulling me close to one of the tables. I meet his mom’s eyes, and she smiles at me from where she’s sitting with Terex’s dad.

  “I just realized I have no idea what your parents’ names are,” I murmur, breaking out in a cold sweat. If I thought I suffered from social anxiety on Earth, I had no idea what was in store for me on Agron. For reasons I can’t explain, I desperately want Terex’s parents to like me.

  “My mother’s name is Kara, and my father’s name is Corva.”

  I nod, pasting a smile on my face as we arrive at the table and they gesture for us to join them.

  “Kara,” I begin as soon as the pleasantries are finished, “thank you so much for the dress. It’s gorgeous.”

  She runs her gaze over my body, giving me a pleased nod. “It looks lovely on you. Thank you for looking after my son. He wouldn’t have been pleased to have his mother at his side for every moment of his recovery.”

  I glance at Terex from under my lashes, and his hand moves to my thigh under the table as I hold back a smirk at the thought of his “recovery,” most of which he spent attempting to coax me into his bed.

  He shoots me a wicked grin, and I immediately dart my gaze away, refusing to let him make me blush in front of his parents.

  Corva gives me a knowing look, opening his mouth just as Rakiz appears.

  “Terex,” he says, nodding at the table in greeting. “We are ready.”

  Terex gets to his feet, and Kara leans over, patting my hand. “Terex is often called to officiate these types of things. He is a warrior like no other,” she says, and Corva nods proudly.

  “It’s good luck to have a strong warrior preside over a mating.” She glances at me. “My son is a fearless warrior,” she continues, and I tilt my head but nod. “It is past time that he took a mate.”

  I see where this is going. I open my mouth as Kara smiles at me. “You have been good for Terex,” she says. “He has been different since he found you, smiling more easily. You fit in well with our tribe.”

  Well.

  I wouldn’t quite agree with that, but a bell sounds, and I turn my attention back to the ceremony.

  We all watch as Terex moves toward the couple. A fire has been started while we were talking, and it’s burning bright, the flames throwing off enough heat that sweat begins to gleam on Terex’s chest as he and Jarix both remove their shirts.

  I glance at Kara, and she smiles, gesturing for me to watch.

  The warriors stand on either side of the fire, about ten feet back on each side. Rani is lit from within as she beams, moving toward Terex.

  The crowd goes silent as Terex lifts Rani in his arms, waiting while she arranges her dress. She pulls it into her lap so that the beautiful material doesn’t
hang down.

  Then suddenly, without warning, Terex throws Rani high over the fire. I jump to my feet, but Jarix grins, jumps forward, and leaps over the fire, catching his mate in his arms.

  Neither of them truly came close to the fire, but my heart is pounding like a drum anyway. Corva grins at me.

  “The fire symbolizes purity, new life, and passion. Rani has put her trust in Jarix, and with his actions, he states that he will always catch her if she falls.”

  I swallow around the lump in my throat and nod. Truthfully, it scared the shit out of me but only because I wasn’t expecting it. In my mind, I’m replacing Rani with myself, and Terex’s strong arms are catching me.

  I shake off the thought, returning my attention to the ceremony. Jarix rolls up his sleeves, revealing gold bands similar to the ones Seini showed me. An older man steps forward, placing two more bands in his hands, and I blink back tears, realizing he’s Jarix’s dad.

  God, I miss my dad.

  It took me years to make it through a whole day without crying once he was gone. Now I can almost see it as a blessing that he’s not around to learn about what happened to me. If he’d woken up one day and found me missing, he would’ve spent the rest of his life trying to find me.

  Terex meets my eyes across the meadow, and I give him a shaky smile. My dad would’ve loved him. He was a man of few words, but he respected strength and honor.

  Jarix steps forward, his eyes hot as he gazes at Rani. “My love,” he says. “I have made these bands to represent our bond. Strong, true, and never to be broken. Will you accept them?”

  Rani nods, a tear rolling down her cheek. “I will.”

  Jarix ties one of the gold bands around each of her wrists.

  Cheers sound, and Rakiz steps forward. Rani turns to him, and the crowd goes silent as the king takes her hands, kissing the skin beneath each of her golden bands.

  “May your mating be blessed for all days.”

  Rani smiles at him, nodding her head, and then Rakiz places her hand in Jarix’s.

  Jarix grins, nodding at Rakiz. Then Jarix pulls Rani to him, taking her mouth in a deep kiss, and the crowd goes wild, jumping to their feet and clapping. Cheers sound, and I brush tears off my face.