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

by Lisa Lace

  “You’re disgusting. How can you be turned on by death?” She jerked from him, tugging hard against him.

  “It’s powerful. Do you know anything more powerful than death? It has yet to be defeated and yet you and I will continue to run from it as hard and fast as we can. In the end, it will get us. How can you not be turned on?” He moved down her body, sucking her nipple through her clothing into his mouth as he pressed his teeth against the soft flesh.

  She screamed loudly, jerking again and trying to figure out her options. It didn’t seem that there were many, but she was a fighter. Three of the bastards were dead and the Alpha was all that was left. If nothing else, she would tire him out so that Alec could finish him off. Her life meant nothing without freedom and neither did Alec’s.

  She had to finish this.

  “I like a fight, but I have a few things left to do today, so let’s put you to sleep. When you wake up, I’ll tie you up and fuck you ten ways before lunch.” He laughed as she twisted hard, knocking him off for a moment. Something bit the back of her leg and she turned, realizing that he had slipped a needle into her flesh.

  Sonya glanced around the room as the world began to fade. His last words were not spoken to her, but to someone on the phone.

  “Game’s changed. Ball’s now in my court.”

  Chapter 26

  “Game’s changed. Ball’s now in my court.”

  Alec pressed the phone to his ear, trying to figure out what the hell Dax was talking about. He rolled his eyes and leaned against the kitchen counter beside him.

  “How so, cub?” Alec retorted, his voice deep and commanding. The idiot on the other end of the phone might be an Alpha as well, but he had done little to show why he deserved any level of respect.

  “Hold up. You’re going to love this, old man.” Dax laughed manically. “Hey, baby. Tell your boy here what you’ve been up to.”

  Alec’s heart stopped at what the other man’s words implied. Surely he didn’t have Sonya, did he? The sound of Dax wrestling with someone caused his blood to run cold.

  “You better hope that’s not my woman you have with you, Dax. Hell will open up all over you if you touch her.”

  “Touch her? That’s just the beginning of it.” He chuckled again. “She’s not being very cooperative, so I drugged her. I’ll call you back in a while and let you talk to her, just so you realize that your world isn’t impenetrable. I’m going to take my time enjoying the softness of her body while she rests.”

  “Don’t you fucking touch her,” Alec growled into the phone as goose bumps broke out across his skin. The line went dead and he had to stop himself from launching the phone across the room. He dialed Sonya’s number only to have it go to her voicemail.

  Alec called her house phone and got nothing. Grabbing his keys, he jogged out to his Porsche and hung up, dialing Jared’s number next.

  “Sir?”

  “Jared. I need you to call Drago and have him meet us at the house in twenty minutes. After that, call Parik, the brown bear Beta and tell him that Sonya is missing. Dax has her.” His words were rushed, his heart threatening to pound its way out of his chest.

  “Wait. What?”

  “Dax Collingsworth has Sonya. Do as I said. I’m headed to her place and then I’ll meet you back at the house.”

  “Got it.”

  Alec hung up and dropped the phone into the small cup holder before growling loudly into the emptiness of the car. Surely not. Surely that bastard hadn’t taken his girl in hopes of bringing him to the table. Alec almost felt sorry for the punk. He wasn’t only going to destroy his dreams of being a man and a leader, but he would bring death to the whole damn lot of them if something happened to his mate.

  He calmed himself slightly, searching for her in his emotions. They were connected ��� mated. He should be able to tap into her fear or anxiety, and yet he could sense nothing.

  Dax had knocked her out, or this was a hoax and she was asleep at home.

  He drove quickly to her house, his heart pumping blood quickly through his veins. Pulling the car into her driveway much too fast, Alec slammed on the brakes and climbed out, running to the door and beating on it frantically.

  “Sonya, it’s me. Let me in, baby.” He glanced behind him to the carport and turned to see if her car was tucked away. The door to the garage was locked, but standing on his toes he could easily make out two cars, neither being hers. “Fuck.”

  He jogged back to the car and got in, calling the number for Varetec as he pulled out of the driveway.

  “Varetec. This is Jake.”

  “Jake, this is Alec DePort. Is Sonya in yet?”

  “No Sir. Would you like me to have her call you when she gets in?”

  “Yes. Let me speak to the head of security.”

  “Of course.” The phone went silent for a minute before a deep voice picked up.

  “Security.”

  “This is Alec DePort. Do you have a tracking device on Sonya Valsek’s cell phone?” He tried to slow his words down, but they tumbled out quickly. Fear was working its way up his chest and threatening to consume him.

  “Morning, Mr. DePort. We do not, but her father’s bodyguard might be able to assist you.”

  “Bodyguard?” Alec pushed a button on the dash to turn the volume up and change the conversation from the phone to his hands-free device. He gripped the steering wheel tightly and drove back to his house, breaking the speed limit without concern.

  “Yes, Sir. Mr. Valsek has a bodyguard named Parik.”

  “Oh good. I’ll phone him.” Alec hung up and pushed the car to over a hundred miles per hour as sweat collected at his hairline. He prayed over and over that it was just a warning or an empty threat, but something told him that it was nothing of the sort.

  *

  “There you are,” Jared welcomed Alec as he walked from the front door of the house.

  “Fuck, Jared. I think he has her. She’s not at home and hasn’t been seen at the office.” Alec ran his fingers through his hair and walked into the open door behind his friend. “Did you get hold of Drago and Parik?”

  “Yes. They both are headed this way.”

  Alec stopped at the breakfast bar and pressed his hands to the cool marble. “I’m going to kill that little fucker if he’s laid a finger on my woman.”

  “Did you find her car at the house or her office?” Jared asked, moving around to stand in front of him. The front door opened and closed, but Alec didn’t give it any attention.

  “No. I can’t imagine a situation where Sonya would drive over to his house or where he would hijack the car with her in it.” Alec shook his head and turned at the sound of Parik’s voice.

  “Are you kidding me? Sonya would definitely drive to his place and assassinate him and all his crew.” The large older man moved into the kitchen, stopping beside Jared. “Her phone has been disabled, but she has the power to connect mentally with you. You’ve mated, correct?”

  The door opened again and Alec turned to see Drago before focusing on Parik. “Yes, but she’s nonresponsive right now. He must have been telling the truth when he said she’s been drugged or knocked out.”

  “Dax has Sonya?” Drago’s expression worked to calm Alec. When he saw the terror in his advisor’s face, it helped him control his own. If Drago cared what happened to the beautiful bear, the rest of the Blacks would as well.

  “Yes. I need to find out where she is and get there fast. He’s a crazy bastard and he’s going to take her from me for good, but only when it benefits him to do so.” Alec pressed his hands to his face and tilted his head back, letting out a sound that shook the whole house.

  “You are the Alpha of the two largest bear clans in the world. Call in everyone and let’s pick up her scent. There isn’t a member of our clan that won’t drop everything and go to her. Communicate through your power to them.” Parik reached out and squeezed Alec’s shoulder.

  “So you were able to take the Browns? Impressive
. I will call to our people if you need my help.” Drago spoke softly as Alec opened his eyes.

  “Sonya is my mate and she will be the mother of my cubs. Tell them that as well. If anyone has a problem with it, I’ll bring retribution to their door once I’m done with Dax.” Alec barked his response, knowing it wasn’t the right time for threats, but he couldn’t help himself.

  He was helpless to defend her physically, the least he could do was to defend her honor and position as his mate.

  “That’s a conversation for another time. Let’s work together to get her back and we’ll confront that when we’re done. The gods might be displeased with your mixing of the bloodlines.”

  “Victor had my blood tested. I’m a hybrid.” Alec pressed his hands back to the countertop as the other men turned their shocked expressions on him.

  “That’s not possible. There hasn’t been a hybrid ever.”

  “Well, there is now. The proof is on the table over there. We need a plan of action. Now.” Alec crossed his arms over his chest. “What can we do while I wait for her to wake up?”

  “Follow her scent.” Parik moved closer to Alec and breathed in deeply, his eyes growing dark. “I have her. Jared, get her in your lungs and you and I will start at her house and work our way out.”

  “If she was in her car, it’s no use.” Drago walked to the table and started sifting through papers.

  “Call in a missing person report. Do we have anyone on the police force?” Alec turned to his two Betas.

  “We do. I’ll contact him and have his men track her car down. You work to find her with your connection. It might not be strong yet, but it’s something.”

  Parik nodded toward Jared. “Let’s go.”

  “Call if you find anything.” Drago looked up from the table before glancing at Alec. “You’re right. You are a mixing of the blood. If this is the will of our gods, then your mate is something special. Call out to our people and let’s find her.”

  Alec closed his eyes and dove into the part of himself that he rarely accessed. The Alpha.

  Chapter 27

  Sonya awoke and worked hard to lift her head from a hanging position that left her neck aching. She glanced around the dark room, a sliver of light showing from a small window far above her head. She grunted before realizing that her mouth was covered in a thick cloth.

  Sinking against the bindings, she tried to blink away the fogginess that sat heavy on her. Getting upset wasn’t going to help her at all.

  She assumed she was still in the abandoned house that Dax had taken up residence in, but that may have been wishful thinking. Sonya settled back and let her eyes adjust slowly as she concentrated on her breathing. She wasn’t hurting anywhere in particular and her clothes were still on, so she had nothing to panic about yet.

  The darkness began to fade in front of her as the room took shape and slowly formed. She seemed to be in a basement from the lack of light and the musty smell that surrounded her. The air was cool and damp. The sound of a door opening above her made her heart skip a beat. She closed her eyes and let her head roll to the side, hoping to appear unconscious.

  “You up, pretty girl?” Dax’s voice reached out to her, the sound of it calm and reassuring. He was a bastard of the worst kind. He didn’t care about her pack or his but wanted the power brought by having a large number of subjects.

  It wasn’t power but a sense of responsibility that landed at her doorstep the day her father died. He was delusional if he thought anything might come of his plot to take over the Browns. Alec was the Alpha now and even if she didn’t make it out alive, he would take care of her people as an honor to her memory.

  Strong fingers gripped her chin, jerking her head up as she groaned softly. Heat spread across the back of her neck. He knelt in front of her as she opened her eyes and glared at him.

  “Good. You’re up. Let me grab the phone and we’ll call your boyfriend before the fun begins.”

  She pressed against the restraints and jerked toward him, the slight widening of his eyes giving credence to the fact that he wasn’t as fearless as he believed himself to be. He had probably become Alpha through foul play instead of true dominance and proof of leadership ability.

  He leaned over, kissing her over the rag that pressed between her lips. She jerked back and head-butted him, not able to do much real damage due to the angle she had to work with. He laughed and palmed her breast, squeezing hard and leaning over to whisper in her ear.

  “I’m going to show you what passion really looks like, you feisty little bitch.” He nipped at her ear and she jerked back from him, not moving as far as she wished she could.

  Dax turned and walked toward the stairs, jogging up and talking to himself as he left. Sonya sunk back into the darkness as fear crept up and tried to convince her that life would soon be over. He would have to untie her to rape her, or at least stand her up from a sitting position.

  She would attack then. There was no way she was going down without a fight.

  She didn’t have time to think through much more as he was back down the stairs and in her face with a phone in his hand. He knelt in front of her, tugging at the bindings on her legs and rubbing the back of his fingers over her thigh.

  “I’m going to fake your death, by the way. We’re going to make your boy think that you’re gone and all the while I’m just going to ship you over to Europe. I’ve been looking for a strong bitch like you to mother my pups and with the right amount of drugs in your system, you should be perfect to use up and toss out. Sound like a plan?” He brushed his hand over her thigh again, squeezing softly. “Silly me. I keep waiting for you to moan yes and yet you have a gag on.”

  He tugged it off and she bit at his fingers as he laughed, standing up and moving back a little. She released herself to shift and…nothing happened. The terror of being stuck in her human form freezing her in place.

  Dax pulled his phone from his pocket and held it up to his ear, a smile moving across his face. “Make sure to speak up when I get your newest toy on the phone.”

  She took in a long breath and laughed at him, her sense of self-preservation gone for the moment. There was no way in hell she was frightening Alec or having him rush to her aid. It was a trap and she would play no part of it.

  “Fuck you,” she growled and sat back, pursing her lips as she watched him.

  “Soon, baby. I know you’re in heat. I smell it. Delicious.” He licked his lips and pressed a button on the phone as Alec’s voice filled up the air around her.

  “Put Sonya on the phone, Dax.” Alec’s voice was pinched and loud.

  “Of course, boss.” Dax held the phone up to her. “Here baby. Your ex is wanting to hear that you’re happy in your new mating. Tell him.”

  “Sonya? Talk to me. Are you there?” Alec’s voice rose in volume, the terror of the situation coming through clearly.

  “I’m here and I’m fine. He’s not going to do anything to me, Alec.” She glanced at him, lifting an eyebrow. “Just stay where you are and I’ll be back with you soon. He’s all hot air.”

  Dax laughed loudly, pulling the phone back toward his mouth. “I like her, Alec. I like her a lot. She looks so good when she’s scared.”

  “Fuck you. Don’t you dare touch her. It’s the last fucking thing you’ll ever do.”

  “He’s not going to,” Sonya responded, shaking her head toward Dax. He was nothing more than a bully that needed to be put in his place. She knew this wasn’t going to last long. He would grow bored and do away with her. Alec would come and bury her next to her father and continue on with their people. It was a sacrifice she was willing to make.

  “I don’t think either of you realizes how serious this situation is.” Dax sat down in front of her and pulled out a small blade, flicking it open. “I’m proud that you’ll soon be mine, Sonya.”

  “She will never be yours, asshole.”

  “Yes, she will. She’s in heat. Even if I didn’t want to tap that ass before, my
bear is driving me mad to take her while we’re on the phone with you, but that doesn’t leave my hands free to strike her. I’ll save that for later tonight.” He laughed and Sonya felt her heart sink. It sounded like Alec was pacing and by his breathing, not doing too well.

  “Let her go and I’ll give you anything you want,” Alec growled into the phone.

  “Good answer. Meet me at the pier on the edge of Macking River at sundown and don’t bring anyone with you. You and I are going to have a good old fashioned brawl.”

  “No. He doesn’t play fair, Alec. He’s a cheat.” Sonya pulled against the restraints and growled loudly as her bear pushed forward. She ignored the pain caused by her shifting stopping in motion. The drugs in her system left her unable to defend herself.

  “Are you hurt?” Alec’s voice filled with concern as tears filled Sonya’s eyes.

  “No. I’m fine. You have nothing to worry ab…” Dax cut her off midsentence by stabbing her in the thigh with the knife. She screamed from the pain, the suddenness of it shocking her system.

  “Sonya? What happened?” Alec screamed into the phone as Dax turned off the speakerphone. Sonya fought past nausea as it rolled over her in waves.

  “She’s good. I just needed to warn her. My girl here is fucking crazy tough. Did I tell you that she came to me on her own? Took out the other three guys with me. Crazy bitch. My bitch.”

  Sonya screamed again as Dax pulled the blade out and pressed his finger to the slash in her thigh, pushing it into the small hole. He dropped the phone and leaned over, kissing her deeply, his tongue licking at hers frantically.

  She bit his tongue hard and he pulled back, growling at her. “Bitch.”

  His hand connected with the side of her face, the power of his slap rocking her back in the chair. He caught her by the shoulders and pulled her forward. Sonya groaned loudly as colors danced in front of her gaze. He wouldn’t have to try too much harder and she would black out. She had worked so hard to keep drugs of any kind from her system that she couldn’t process the potent tranquilizer running through her.