Naima: A SciFi Alien Mail Order Bride Romance (TerraMates Book 7)

by Lisa Lace

  “That’s a pretty name. I…”

  “Gabriella?”

  Cheyenne ambled up the path from my left, dressed in black robes similar to mine.

  “Come on. It’s starting.”

  “I have to go.” I smiled at the woman one more time, touching her gently on the arm. “Thank you.”

  A somber mass of thousands of Maztek bodies left no spaces in the bleachers around me. The breathtaking circular dome of the Fallgold Colosseum was packed, but the air was supernaturally quiet. It seemed like everyone was holding a glowing candle, brightly illuminating the dome. Garlands of flowers weaved in and out of the pillars. Gold and white tapered candlesticks hovered over the triangular center stage. The ceiling of the dome displayed a moving image of diamond stars on a mystical violet night background.

  “…Specialist Artillery Gunner Maxwell Radley, Specialist Sniper Scout Jarrod Woodacre, and last, but not least ��� my father, Jacquim.”

  I stopped looking around the dome and focused on the stage. The tiny figure of Princess Ayala dipped its head forward, her white-blonde locks of hair cascading around her shoulders and shielding her face. She removed her crown, holding the circle of intricate gold thorns encrusted with pearls and precious stones over her heart. I spotted Laz, Dallas, and Kraig in the front row. Their chests glinted with arrays of shiny medals and pins. They too bowed their heads for a moment of silence.

  Princess Ayala turned to the podium next to her and raised a silver champagne flute. “Tonight is a memorial to the dead. We give unending thanks to our military for bringing the hostages home safe and sound, as well as finally defeating the Xylox oppression. We remember the fallen souls for their bravery and for playing a crucial role in restoring peace and sovereignty to Maztek. May their memories live on forever, and may their legacies continue. Malam gambi.”

  “Malam gambi.”

  Voices echoed throughout the dome in unison. Simultaneously, we blew out our candles, enveloping the room in a solemn darkness. The lights in the Colosseum slowly flickered back to life.

  As I started to make my way down the bleachers, Cheyenne rose from her seat next to me. “Gabriella.” She tugged on my wrist. “Princess Ayala would like to see you.”

  “Me?” I raised an eyebrow. “What, like right now?”

  “No time like the present,” Cheyenne said enthusiastically, nudging me down the steps of the bleachers.

  “Alright, alright ��� I’m going!”

  As we reached the landing, Cheyenne flashed me a giddy wink before disappearing into the crowd. I waited by the foot of the stage. I wasn’t going to burst in on alien royalty. Princess Ayala had her back to me. She was speaking to a group of kingdom attendants. One of them motioned to her, and the Princess stopped abruptly.

  “Wonderful. She is here.” She clapped her hands together and gestured at me. “Come on, ladies, there is no time to waste!”

  That was the last thing I remember hearing before a mob of servants closed in around me. Two women slipped their arms around mine. They led me to a place I had only seen in passing: the back rooms of the dome. The princess walked smoothly down the stairs next to us.

  The attendants led me behind a thick black curtain, pushing me into one of the dressing rooms. Before I knew it, two women were undoing the ribbons tied around my shoulders. As they pulled my black dress over my head, an attendant appeared at my side. She held a white gown which reached to the floor and had a lace, gold-accented train behind it. There were accessories, too. Rose pearls adorned the belt and shoulders of the draped Grecian sleeves.

  “Is this for me?” My eyebrows shot up my forehead in disbelief. I wasn’t in control of anything. The attendants slipped the gown over my head, smoothing it over my body. I spun around in a circle, gazing at the mirror which appeared front of me. The dress fit like a dream. The attendants behind me began combing out my hair. The ones in front of me attacked my face with powder puffs and sparkly makeup. “Why am I getting the Princess treatment?”

  “I know you were the last person my father saw before he died.” Princess Ayala placed a hand over mine, gently squeezing. “Thank you for not leaving him to die alone.”

  “Of course. Anyone would have done the same thing.”

  As soon as the attendants finished fussing over me, Princess Ayala took me by the hand. She guided me out the dressing room and walked me toward the back doors of the Colosseum. The doors opened with a wave of her hand, allowing a radiant splash of afternoon sunlight to spill into the room. Princess Ayala took a colorful bundle of orchids, roses, and daisies from her attendant. She handed it to me with a smile.

  “That’s not true. Many would have run away. This is my way of saying thank you. You never had the chance to have an official wedding.”

  With shaking fingers holding on to the bouquet, I stepped out of the dome.

  “Oh my God.”

  I stood on a white silk carpet rolled out over the lush grass. The carpet was sprinkled with flower petals, leading to a gorgeous floral arch at the end of the path. A lump started forming in my throat when I saw who was underneath the arch.

  Laz stood waiting for me, wearing his finest set of Maztek army fatigues. Stylists had trimmed and carefully groomed his hair. His beard had been snipped and carefully groomed. I loved seen a clean alien in a uniform.

  There were many people around us making noise, but I scanned them looking for one in particular. I found her in an instant. Cheyenne was sitting in the front row, and her cheers were the loudest of all. She sat next to Dallas and their arms were intertwined. She dropped his arm to wave at me enthusiastically.

  I never thought I would have so many people cheering at my wedding.

  As I started down the carpet, the orchestra next to the arch began to play a familiar melody. To my surprise, it wasn’t the traditional wedding tune. A tear fell out of the corner of my eye, tainting the powdered blush on my cheeks.

  The music I heard was Dad’s lullaby.

  It felt like my feet were floating down the aisle as I made my way toward Laz. Princess Ayala appeared behind the arch holding a rod of blessing. I couldn’t stop smiling, and neither could Laz. He reached into his chest pocket, pulling out a gold band between his fingers. Precious Maztek stones adorned the circle of gold, and the diamond from my missing earring featured prominently in the center.

  Laz slid the ring over my finger, leaning over to whisper something into my ear. “You look beautiful, naima.”

  I reached up and put both hands on his chin, pulling him in for a long, deep kiss.

  “I’m forever yours, naima.”

  As I pulled away from Laz, Princess Ayala stepped between us.

  “Brothers and sisters, we are gathered here today to celebrate the love and beauty of these two souls, and join them together for eternity.”

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  Want More TerraMates?

  Up Next:

  Craving

  Earth is losing the war with the Anquesh. The world government needs TerraMates to find a bride for an alien warrior and finalize a peace treaty with the dangerous race.

  Jennifer Carden never thought Kai would select her as his mate. He’s tall, dark, devilishly handsome, and different from all the males she’s ever known. Once Kai decides Jenn is his sindare, she’s taken to an alien planet.

  On Anquera, she discovers there will be competition to win her marriage rights. And things are different in space. What does it mean when the word for wedding ceremony translates to ‘trial by combat’?

  Jenn’s going to find out.

  Other Books in the TerraMates Series:

  Water World Warrior

  Taken

  Water World Confidential

  Alpha’s Enslaved Bride

  Auctioned to the Alpha

  Wrong Ali
en

  Roar of the Alpha

  Chapter 1

  Sonya stood in front of the doctor’s desk, her fingernails digging into the dark wood. “This is unacceptable, Doctor Phillips. There has to be something else you can do.”

  “Your father and I have been friends since we were boys. If there was anything else I could do, I would have done it. He’s my Alpha too.” The older man shook his head, his eyes filled with a terrible sadness.

  She wouldn’t cry. She couldn’t.

  “Mark, please. Try something else. We’re not ready for this.”

  “You need to get ready.” Dr. Phillips looked from Sonya to her brother, who sat quietly behind her.

  “No. Cade isn’t capable of stepping up to take my father’s place.” Sonya crossed her arms over her chest. The days of fighting for the Alpha position had yet to pass, but due to the level of peace and prosperity her father had brought to the North American Brown Bears, no one was willing to overthrow him. He was benevolent, kind, good and so damn strong.

  “I’m not my father and I’m not interested in leading anyone. Fuck you guys for bringing it up again,” Cade mumbled behind her. She turned and pinned him with a glare. His long shaggy brown hair covered his eyes and she almost felt sorry for him. He was five years younger than her and still acted like a teenage boy.

  “No one brought up anything. Go sit with dad and leave me to deal with everything, like you always do. Fucking useless,” she growled softly as he got up and scurried off. Anger burned through her at the situation and even more so at her helplessness to do anything about it. She whipped around to Mark and he gasped in fear.

  “Sonya. Please. I have done everything I can and I’ll keep searching, but Victor has a rare disease that we’ve never seen. None of the treatments that I’ve given him over the last few months has even dented his illness. In fact, he’s only gotten worse with everything I’ve tried.”

  “I don’t give a shit, Mark. Try something else.” Her voice rose as she slammed her fist on the desk before her. She wasn’t concerned with the indentation left on the desk.

  “Your father commanded me to stop treatments. If you disagree with his decision then you can talk to him, but you’d better tread lightly. His days are numbered.”

  Sonya was ashamed of the hot tears dripping down her face. She was a mix of emotions; she felt angry, fueled by the incredible fear of losing her father. He was her closest companion and her only friend.

  She had intentionally shut out everyone that she could have had a relationship with in order to protect her Alpha and keep stability in the pack. Joining with another male would have given him the wrong impression. Someone might end up thinking that he could take ownership of the Brown Bears.

  She wasn’t willing to entrust that place to anyone but her father.

  “He can’t die. What will we do?” She looked up, her thoughts leaving her confused as pain crossed her face.

  “Another Alpha will rise, Sonya. Your brother Cade needs to start preparing. We will be looking to him.”

  “He’s not ready. He will never be ready.”

  “Then you need to think about mating or challenging the course of history, my dear.” Mark stood up and walked around the desk, pulling Sonya into a tight hug.

  “What do you mean?” She pressed her cheek to his shoulder. She enjoyed the warmth of his embrace though she would never tell him. He was like family, almost an uncle to her. Other than herself, her father trusted Mark the most.

  He moved back and took a firm grip of her shoulders. “You can step up and challenge your father, Sonya. He will surrender to you, and you can become our leader.”

  Sonya snorted. “Is that a joke? Women are not Alpha’s. They never have been.”

  “I just said that we would have to challenge tradition and break the bounds of history, but it’s been done in other clans. A red fox clan in England just saw their first female Alpha.”

  “No. I can’t do that, Mark. It’s not at all my style.”

  “It’s very much your style. Your father’s aggression and leadership bleed through to you. You are Alpha material more than any of our males. You need to consider the possibility.”

  “There have to be other choices than Cade stepping up or me becoming the Alpha. Those aren’t realistic possibilities.” Sonya moved back, running her fingers through her hair as she paced in front of their clan’s physician.

  “The only other option is to mate with an Alpha male, Sonya.” He crossed his arms over his large chest. His salt and pepper hair made him attractive, but Mark was no more Alpha material than her brother was.

  “I don’t want to discuss this any longer. I’m going to sit with my father.” She walked to the door before his voice stopped her.

  “Don’t doubt that I wouldn’t give my life for Victor’s. I would.”

  She nodded, her heart breaking for the millionth time that day. “I would as well.”

  “I don’t think you understand the opportunity before you, baby.” Sonya’s father reached out and touched her hands as she sat beside his bed. His skin was pale and almost translucent. Something was eating him from the inside out and they were powerless to stop the parasite.

  “Opportunity doesn’t feel like this.” She rubbed his hand and let out a long breath. “I want to massacre a bunch of men and burn down the whole fucking city. I’m so angry I could do anything right now.”

  “It’s not anger you’re feeling, but grief.” He smiled and closed his eyes. “I know you don’t know this now, but you’re going to bring the Brown Bears into a new era. They will be stronger for your leadership, Sonya.”

  “I’m not stepping up as Alpha, dad. It’s not right.”

  “I agree, but you will mate with the right man. I know you well enough. You will seek him out. Find him and bring him to lead our people to greatness.” Her father opened his eyes. “Protect our clan. Fight off everyone not willing to become a great leader. Look deep into each man’s heart, Sonya. Most men are not what they appear to be on the surface. Test each one until you find someone worthy.”

  “Who, dad? You talk as if you already know who’s going to help us.”

  “There is a new Alpha in the Black Bear clan. I’ve heard about him and I think there is something to be explored there.”

  “How so?” She moved to the edge of her seat, her brother snoring softly behind her on the couch.

  “He’s defeated the previous Alpha of the Blacks, who was a complete tyrant. This new man must be fearless.” Her father coughed softly, blood coating his lips.

  “I don’t want us to be taken over by an outsider, Dad.” She stood and released his hand, moving to grab a cloth rag. Sitting beside him on the bed, she wiped softly at his mouth. She was consumed by worry. She had come from a long day at the office. Combined with her father’s condition, that left her completely exhausted.

  “He’s going to take us over, Sonya. You need to prepare, my sweet girl.”

  “I’m not sweet at all.”

  “You are to me.” He smiled and coughed again, blood pooling around his mouth and pouring out onto his chin.

  “Fuck,” she whispered and hit the button on his bed. The hospital was a human facility, but Mark was the lead physician, so he made sure to keep all shifter records and dealings concealed. The buzzer went off and Sonya knew that a nurse would be there soon to help.

  “Did you hear me?” Her father reached out and squeezed her hand, his brown eyes showing little sign of life.

  “I did. This new Alpha is coming. I don’t think you’re right, Dad. He’s a black bear. He’s not going to seek to combine our clans. That didn’t work a hundred years ago and it’s not going to work today. Besides, I wouldn’t let that happen.” She put her hand on his and rubbed softly.

  “He’s not going to take over the clan, Sonya. He’s going to take over our business. Varetec.” He swallowed and groaned.

  Inside, this news triggered a rush of emotion in Sonya, but she fought hard t
o control her facial expression. She didn’t want to upset her father anymore.

  No one was taking over their clan or her father’s company while she was still there. It wasn’t a possibility.

  She would sell her soul to the devil himself to keep everything her father had worked so hard for in her family.

  “Rest, Dad. Nothing is going to happen to us.”

  “Let it happen, baby. Let it happen.” He released his hold on her as his hand fell limply beside him. The monitors began to scream and she stood up, the heart monitor showing that he was flat-lining.

  “No!” She ran to the hall and screamed for help. Mark was running toward her at a speed that could be considered unnatural. She moved back as he plowed into the room. Several nurses who had become familiar faces followed.

  “Sonya, take Cade and get out of here. We’ll bring him back, but you both need to leave.” She looked at him, tears blurring her vision. Her brother looked up from the couch and glanced at the commotion around him.

  “What the fuck is happening?” he mumbled and stood up.

  “Come on. They need to help Dad. Come with me.” She reached for him. Cade took her hand and walked out of the room with her. Sonya closed the door and paused for a minute.

  What would they do without her father to guide them? Her mother had been taken from them at a young age. Her father was all she had left. She pressed her hands to her knees and let out a painful sound of resignation.

  Her brother’s hand rubbed her back softly. Oh yes, she also had a brother. They weren’t close, but that was her fault.

  “He’s going to be okay,” Cade spoke softly, his childish slang tucked away and a man’s voice filling her ears. She glanced up at him as tears dripped onto her cheeks.

  “I’m scared,” she whispered. Her world was changing rapidly.

  “No. You don’t get to do that.” Cade pulled her up and wrapped her in a hug.

  She hadn’t remembered being close to him since he was a boy and needed a mother figure in his life. It had been her who cleaned him up and whooped his butt when necessary. Her father depended on her to raise him and she had, but over the years it was easier to let him go, as he turned out to be nothing like the man they needed him to be.