by Sue Mercury
“A better life?”
“An adventure?”
“Twenty years ago, these assholes conquered our planet, slaughtering millions of human soldiers in the process, and even though most of them settled on Mars instead of Earth, they still won’t leave our planet,” the redhead said, stepping forward. “They’ve practically enslaved us, forcing us to pay increasingly higher taxes and making us work in their factories, where they don’t pay us enough to make ends meet. My widowed mother was jailed when she fell behind paying rent and Martian taxes. That’s why I’m here. Because by signing up to become a fucking alien’s mate, my mother’s debt will be erased and she’ll be freed from prison. And that ten thousand galactic credit bonus we’re all given? I’ve directed Martian Affairs to deposit it in my mother’s account so she doesn’t end up in the same situation again, so my younger siblings don’t end up in a godforsaken Martian-run orphanage.”
“This is just a game to you,” another woman said with a sneer, “but it won’t feel like a fun adventure for long. Do you honestly have any idea what these Martian savages are like? They’re controlling, unfeeling brutes who only care about getting their females pregnant as many times as possible. They only care about increasing their population, growing their numbers so they can become even stronger and keep subjugating the humans.”
“I don’t think the Martians are much different from humans,” Tyra said, even as the hair on the back of her neck suddenly prickled.
What if these women were right? What if Martian males really were unfeeling brutes?
But she wasn’t ready to admit she might be wrong, especially when there was no turning back. She’d just arrived on Mars, after all. And while she wasn’t about to admit it to these women, there was nothing but pain and humiliation awaiting her on Earth, even if she could somehow manage to return.
She had to make this work.
She had to make Mars her new home.
“I am certain Martians are capable of love and kindness and compassion,” she said in a hopeful tone, but none of the women appeared convinced. Half of them looked angry with her, and the other half were gazing upon her with immense pity.
Before anyone could say another word, the door zipped open and over a dozen huge Martian males poured into the women’s quarters, their dark gazes scanning the room with purpose.
Tyra’s heart skipped a beat. She was about to meet her new mate, the alien male with whom she would spend the rest of her life.
Would she find what she was looking for on this planet?
Or would her secret pain follow her, no matter how far she ran from Earth?
“Carmen!” a purple alien called out as he stepped closer to the gathered women.
A trembling brunette emerged from the crowd. “Um, hi. I’m Carmen.”
The purple Martian tapped a foot against Carmen’s and then reached for her hands, pulling her away from the others. The males took turns calling out the women’s names. Tyra noticed that while none of the aliens smiled, they at least appeared cordial enough. All of them greeted their females with a traditional Marttiaxoxalian foot tap before ushering them out into the corridors of the ship.
Tyra’s breath caught in her throat as she studied the three males who remained. Two of them seemed somewhat pleasant, but the massive green one standing behind the others wore a deep scowl. He was taller and more muscular than all the other aliens she’d seen thus far, and his overly massive size combined with his fierce expression made her insides quiver. When the two males standing in front of him were matched with the other remaining women, Tyra couldn’t help but take a step back as realization crashed over her.
This angry looking brute was the only one left.
He was her mate.
She swallowed hard and tried to summon all the bravery she’d felt during the short voyage from Earth. She’d been excited and determined to make a brand-new life for herself on an exotic planet. She’d been hopeful and eager to meet her Martian husband, because surely the life awaiting her on Mars would be better than the one she was leaving behind.
Once the other couples filtered out of the room, the green male approached her, his gaze sweeping from her head down to her feet. She fought the urge to back up even further.
“Are you Tyra?” he asked, speaking in Galactic Common, his tone shockingly deep and gruff. His voice felt like a rough but intimate caress, and she found herself longing to hear him speak again, just to feel the vibration of his voice rumbling inside her chest.
“Yes, I-I am Ty-Tyra,” she replied.
He walked closer and tapped his left foot against her right one. She returned his greeting and tapped his foot in return, all the while holding his gaze, even though staring up at him made her neck ache. He had to be at least seven and a half feet tall.
Holy hell, what had she gotten herself into?
His eyes were dark and forbidding, and when he reached for her arm it was all she could do not to pull back and run for her life. Her instincts told her to flee, yet there was nowhere she could go. She’d already agreed to become a Martian’s bride. She’d signed a contract and she very much doubted she would be permitted to return to Earth even if she tried to refuse this alien male.
To her shock, he reached out to cup her face in one hand. His palm felt hard as steel, causing a pang of fear to tighten in her stomach. She remembered that Martians possessed armored skin that was impervious to most weaponry, one of the reasons they had so easily conquered Earth. He could crush her if he wanted to. He could hurt her worse than the monster she’d run away from.
Silence stretched between them as he peered into her eyes. He still wore a deep scowl and when his nostrils flared, he looked frightfully angry, like a beast on the verge of attack. But maybe she was reading him wrong. Maybe he wasn’t angry at all.
A feeling of inadequacy washed over Tyra. Perhaps he didn’t find her pleasing, or perhaps he wished he’d been matched with one of the other women, or maybe he simply didn’t like humans yet was taking one as a mate because he needed to help his people grow their numbers.
As all these possibilities swirled through her mind, she began to feel faint and hoped he said something soon. The silence became deafening and with each second, the tension in the air rose higher, making her sick to her stomach as a tremble spread throughout her body.
“My name is Rem.” He forced her face higher. “I am pleased to meet you, my bride,” he said, putting a strange emphasis on the last two words that sent a shiver down her back.
“Hello, Rem. I am pleased to meet you as well.” Somehow, she forced out the response, even though she was still shaking. All her enthusiasm from earlier had long faded. She couldn’t help but fear this alien.
How had she deluded herself into thinking this would be an adventure, let alone a fresh start?
In her haste to escape Earth, she hadn’t considered what she would do if her alien mate possessed a bad temperament. Instead, she had allowed herself to get carried away by visions of beautiful green forests, snow-capped mountains, and a resplendent alien city just waiting to be explored.
In addition to her dreams about the incredible new world she would call home, she had even fantasized about falling in love with her handsome Martian husband. Well, he was handsome, in a hard, fierce warrior sort of way. But he didn’t appear capable of tenderness or affection. This frightened her more than she would have liked to admit, and she prayed her first impression of Rem was wrong.
“A Wise One is waiting at my abode,” he said, interrupting her thoughts. “Let us depart the ship and seek the holy man’s blessing upon our union.” He released her and grabbed the suitcase that rested near her feet. “I assume this is yours?”
“Yes, thank you.” It was heavy and she appreciated that he was apparently going to carry it. Perhaps he had a gentlemanly side, after all. God, she could only hope.
With his free hand, he grasped her upper arm and guided her out into the gleaming silver corridors of the spacecraft.
He didn’t say a word as they disembarked, and by the time they reached the bottom of the landing ramp, she didn’t see any sign of the other couples. The city stretched out large and majestic in all directions, and she wondered if she would ever see any of the women again. Even though she hadn’t particularly gotten along with any of them, she abruptly felt their absence and prayed she made at least a few human friends on this planet.
She lifted her face to the sun and breathed in the fragrant air. Tall green trees lined the perimeter of the landing platform. She peered into the surrounding forest and marveled at the thick underbrush and flowering vines that flourished upon the land. Beyond this forest area, she glimpsed the rooftops of reddish-orange houses and other impressive looking structures, including the huge palace that she realized must house the royal Martian family. Now that she was out in the open, her sense of adventure began to return.
“Wow,” she said. “I’ve never seen so much green in my life. This place is magical.”
As they left the ramp and continued down a white stone path that curved through the trees, he pulled her closer and gave her a quizzical look. “Magical?”
“Don’t you think it’s magical?” She grinned and gestured around the woods. “Why, I feel as though I’m walking through an enchanted forest at this moment. Everything is so green and lush and there are thousands upon thousands of flowering plants, some of which are glimmering in the sun—just look at that flower patch over there—and the little animals that are flitting amongst the trees are adorable.” She spotted a creature that looked like a mixture between a squirrel and a chipmunk, but before she could point it out to him, she heard footsteps approaching and Rem’s grip on her arm tightened painfully.
She tried to wrench out of her mate’s hold, but he didn’t loosen his grasp. He pulled her closer and she glanced ahead to see two Martian males approaching. They were dressed in black, like Rem, and it occurred to her that they were all dressed like the guards who’d been aboard the spacecraft. She supposed that meant Rem was also a guard or maybe an enforcer, like those Martians who patrolled the streets on Earth.
The approaching males paused and greeted Rem with foot taps, though they spoke in their own language, which Tyra couldn’t understand. From what she’d heard, few humans could speak, let alone comprehend, the Marttiaxoxalian tongue.
She peeked up at Rem and her stomach lurched at the murderous glint in his eyes. What was wrong with him? She got the sense that he didn’t like these two males, but she didn’t understand why he was being so rough with her. Every time she tried to escape his grasp, he tightened his hold on her, and sometimes a low growl would escape his throat.
Her fear started to return, causing a shiver to rush through her, despite the heat of the day. What was Rem’s problem?
She eyed the two males openly, wondering who they were. While Rem’s skin was a bright green shade, which she loved because it reminded her of the beauty of a lush green forest, the newcomers were both a bright purple color. In fact, the longer she looked at them, the more she suspected they were brothers. The markings on the horns that curved over their heads and down their backs were almost identical, and the ridges on their foreheads were similar as well.
Finally, Rem switched to Galactic Common and introduced her to the males.
“Tyra, this is Chexxa and Frinik. Chexxa is a warrior in training, and Frinkik is a guard who also works at the palace.”
Also works at the palace? She shot Rem a questioning look but decided she would ask him about his job later. Recovering her senses, she smiled briefly at both men, only for another growl to leave Rem. Seriously, what was his problem?
“Hello, Chexxa and Frinik, it’s nice to meet you,” she said, still smiling, even though she was beginning to suspect that her friendliness toward these males was pissing Rem off. Ugh. She really hoped her impression of the situation was wrong and that her mate wasn’t the jealous type. Just in case he was, she allowed her smile to fade.
“Welcome to Mars,” Chexxa said.
“Yes, welcome to our planet,” Frinik said, “and may I wish you both a happy mating union.”
“That’s most kind of you. Thank you.” Tyra nodded at each male and forced herself not to smile again, lest it anger Rem any further.
Once the males said farewell and resumed walking by, Rem loosened his hold on Tyra’s arm. She took the opportunity to physically pull herself from his grasp, putting all her strength into her movements. She rubbed her upper arm and glared up at him.
He reached for her, but she placed a hand up in a gesture of self-defense.
“Stop!” She gave him a pleading look. “You’re being too rough. Perhaps you don’t know your strength,” she said, giving him the benefit of the doubt, “but you were hurting me just now.”
To her relief, his previously harsh expression morphed into one of concern. He reached out to gently caress her arm, rubbing the spot he’d just been grabbing. However, despite how worried he appeared over the prospect of hurting her, his muscles remained tense and an anxious aura hovered around him. He wasn’t entirely relaxed and she wondered what had him still on edge.
“I am truly sorry for causing you any pain, Tyra.” He shifted closer and stroked a hand through her hair, his touch eliciting goosebumps to rise all over her body. “But I did not like the way you were looking at those males. You were smiling at them and they were smiling at you. I wanted to kill them.”
Her stomach flipped at his words. So he was the jealous type.
After taking a deep breath, she cleared her throat and met his gaze.
“Rem, I’ve been matched to you. We’re about to become mates. You have nothing to worry about. I came to this planet fully intending to honor my promise to become a Martian’s mate. I’m not the type of person to cheat.” Her heart sank at the memory of how her uncle’s habitual cheating had affected her poor aunt. She would never do that to anyone, not even this temperamental Martian she’d just met. Perhaps he wouldn’t seem so angry all the time once he trusted her.
But how long would it take to build such a trust between them?
“It pleases me to hear you intend to honor our mating union.” He looked her up and down, appearing deep in thought as he studied her. “I only hope you are telling the truth.”
“Of course, I’m telling the truth.” Feeling more than a bit affronted by his statement, she placed her hands on her hips, giving him her best glare. Were all Martians jealous barbarians? Before she could say anything else, he wrapped an arm around her—not too tightly this time, for which she was thankful—and guided her further down the white stone path.
After a few minutes, they arrived in a clearing near the palace, where a huge red house sat amongst the thickness of the surrounding forest.
“This is my home.” Rem pointed at the red house. “Our home,” he amended, his tone filled with unmistakable affection. The sudden change in the timbre of his voice caught her off-guard.
Her heart skipped a beat when he pulled her closer, his nearness and the warmth in his voice making her pulse race with anticipation.
He’d said a Wise One was waiting for them at his house. That meant their union would be blessed very soon and she would officially belong to him.
She peered at the house, admiring the unique but beautiful structure. It looked like some sort of exotic fairytale cottage and she couldn’t wait to go inside and explore.
Rem grasped her hand, lacing his huge fingers through hers, and gave her a heated look that only caused her pulse to race faster. Though the possessiveness he’d displayed in the forest earlier had frightened her, it had also affected her in other ways, ways she didn’t quite understand. Warm pulses were gathering between her thighs and she couldn’t stop admiring Rem’s huge, muscular physique.
“Come, my sweet mate,” he said, and the unexpected endearment caused her to flush all over. In the next moment, nervous flutters rose in her stomach. “It is time for our union to receive the traditional Marttiaxoxal
ian blessing. Then we will consummate our union immediately. I am most eager to make you mine.”
Chapter 3
My sweet mate?
I am most eager to make you mine?
Gods. Had Rem truly just uttered those phrases?
He stared down at the dark-haired beauty called Tyra, as he wondered what had gotten into him. There was a gentle warmth about her that drew him in, causing him to feel increasingly protective of her. But protecting her also meant treating her with fairness. Was it fair to assume she would try to run off with another male should the opportunity arise?
No, it wasn’t, and he suddenly regretted the way he’d treated her during their brief meeting with Chexxa and Frinik. At the same time, he must tread carefully during the beginning of their mating union, because Tyra was a stranger, a female he didn’t know well. While she had claimed she intended to honor their mating union, he didn’t yet know if he could trust her.
You trusted Bethamma, only for her to betray you.
He repressed a growl and ushered Tyra into his home. He placed her suitcase down in the entryway, intending to carry it upstairs later.
The Wise One, a holy man by the name of Gieannas, was waiting in the downstairs sitting room. Rem nodded at the male and urged his soon-to-be mate further into the morning sunlight that was pouring through the windows. A glance down showed she was peering around his house, her dark eyes growing wider with each passing moment. She appeared impressed by his home, which he found pleased him more than he would have expected. He hadn’t imagined possessing the desire to impress his mate, and yet here he was, hoping she found the upper levels of his home just as impressive as this one.
“Are you ready to become a mated pair?” Gieannas asked.
“Yes, we are,” Rem said.
He noticed Tyra swallowed hard and started to smile at the Wise One, only to press her lips firmly together and look down at her feet. Was she afraid of incurring his anger? Marttiaxoxalian holy men took a vow of celibacy and he wasn’t worried anything untoward could happen between her and Gieannas, but he still appreciated that she was making an effort not to look upon another male for too long. He hoped it was a sign that she would indeed honor their mating union.
