Rescued by the Alien Warrior

by Hope Hart

“We need to wait for his leg to heal before we release him back into the wild. Maybe we could set up a small, fenced area for him near the forest.”

  The karja sniffs at my empty hand and moves away when it realizes I’m out of food. I tense as it walks toward Zoey, but the creature curls up in her lap, closing his eyes as she gently strokes its fluffy ears.

  I sigh. Somehow, I am unsurprised my little healer has tamed a karja.

  “We will talk about this.”

  Zoey scowls at me but glances back at the sleeping karja and obviously decides she doesn’t want to disturb it because she gently places it on a fur, takes my arm, and leads me out of her kradi.

  “Now it’s your turn to eat,” I say, and she rolls her eyes.

  “Were you not just with me when I ate lunch? Did I imagine that?”

  “You didn’t eat any meat, little healer.”

  She scowls at me. “Why am I not surprised you noticed that? I’m honestly not hungry anymore, Tagiz. But I could use a walk, and then I might see if Moni needs help.”

  She links her arm through mine, and I smile down at her.

  “If you’re sure you’re not hungry, I have something to show you,” I say. I lead her through the camp and behind Rakiz’s tashiv. Our camp is close to the river, and Ivy and Vrex had their mating ceremony in the small clearing close by. But behind that clearing, through the trees, a small stream flows into the river, and it’s quiet. Peaceful.

  “Wow,” she says when we arrive. “This is gorgeous.”

  I pull her even closer, inhaling her scent. “I used to come here when I was a boy. Our tribe moved much more often then, but whenever we camped in this area, I would sit on one of those flat rocks and watch the water for hours. Just thinking.”

  Zoey smiles up at me, and I give in to my urges, cupping her cheek and covering her mouth with mine. She sighs against me, her body softening, and it takes all my self-control to pull back. “You are so very sweet, little healer,” I murmur, brushing her hair behind her ear.

  Her cheeks pinken, and I grin as she clears her throat, turning back to the water. Zoey is determined to pretend she is unaffected by me.

  “What did you think about?” she asks.

  “The usual things young males think about. Becoming a fierce warrior. Bedding females. Protecting the king.”

  She bursts out laughing as I knew she would, and the sound draws a smile to my own lips. She said she wanted to check in with Moni, so I guide her back around Rakiz’s tashiv, taking her the long way toward the healers’ kradi, toward my own kradi.

  “Where are we going?”

  “I have something for you, little healer.”

  Her eyes widen, and her hand clutches at my arm. “What kind of something?”

  I study her face. My Zoey enjoys surprises. While she was recovering, I would bring her fruit, sweet cakes, and small trinkets, hiding them behind my back as she attempted to guess what I might be concealing from her. No matter how tired she was that day, her eyes would light up.

  That time was simpler for us. My father had not yet begun to be threatened by Zoey, had not yet started his incessant nagging that I mate with Malis. I had…time to spend with my little healer.

  “Tagiz?”

  I shake myself back to the present. “You will need to be patient,” I tell her, enjoying her playful pout. I have carved something for her that will make her life easier when she collects her strange herbs and flowers.

  I lead her toward my kradi, freezing as Heric stalks toward us, his expression enraged.

  Chapter Seven

  Tagiz

  I thrust Zoey behind me as Heric approaches. He is usually a mild-mannered male, but from the look of frustrated rage in his eyes, he has been pushed too far.

  “You believe you can mate with my female?” he growls, slamming his palms against my chest.

  Zoey gasps behind me, and I grind my teeth, attempting to ignore the curious eyes that begin to turn our way.

  “Be careful, Heric,” I murmur.

  He laughs bitterly. “Or you will challenge me to meet you in the training arena? You believe that would be worse than stealing my mate from me?”

  Zoey makes a tiny sound in the back of her throat and attempts to move past me. I snag her wrist, holding her close, and she growls a curse under her breath.

  “You know I don’t want to mate with Malis,” I say, reaching for patience.

  He snorts, his gaze moving to Zoey. His eyes lighten, and he strikes me where he knows he will do the most damage.

  “Then why has your father announced you and Malis will be mated by the next full moon?”

  I feel Zoey flinch. She reacts as if she has been hit, and I immediately shift my gaze from Heric, who growls, affronted.

  “It’s not true,” I tell her. She refuses to look at me, and I grind my teeth in frustration, suddenly wanting nothing more than to slam my fist into Heric’s face.

  He scoffs. “Your father wouldn’t lie.”

  My jaw protests as my teeth clamp together even harder. Of course my father would lie. He would do whatever he felt necessary to force my hand.

  I open my mouth, but Zoey takes advantage of my moment of inattention and deftly slips her wrist out of my hand. Who taught her that move? She’s gone before I can snatch her back to me, and Heric lets out a low laugh at whatever he sees on my face.

  I move to follow Zoey, and Heric steps in front of me. I wrestle with my temper, but I’m close to the edge. “We have never had a problem before,” I bite out. “Even with everything Malis’s and my parents have planned. But if you ever get between me and that female again, I will end you.”

  I shove past him, dodging curious tribe members as I hurry after Zoey. She’s almost running, obviously desperate to get away from me, and it makes something wild inside me sit up and take notice.

  I will follow her until the end of time.

  “Zoey.”

  She glances over shoulder at me, her narrowing as she sees me following her. “What do you want?”

  “You.”

  Her eyes widen slightly, but a bitter laugh leaves her. “No, you don’t. Not really.”

  Not want her? I stare at her, stunned, and she snorts, turning to walk away.

  I stalk her, following close as she makes her way back to her kradi. We’re near my kradi now though, and I’m not letting her run away from me this time.

  Zoey picks up her pace, attempting to ignore me, but I can tell by the way she rubs at the back of her neck that she knows I’m still behind her.

  I pull her to a stop outside my kradi, and her nose scrunches as she scowls at me.

  “Why are you following me, Tagiz?”

  She’s still furious, and her blazing blue eyes, flushed face, and fisted hands make my gut clench.

  I stop fighting it.

  I bury my hand in her hair, pulling her close as I take her mouth. She tastes like sunshine, and her gasp of surprise is music to my soul. She immediately softens against me, her body well aware of what her mind refuses to believe.

  She. Is. Mine.

  I lift her into my arms, and she squeaks against me. I keep my mouth pressed to hers as I walk into my kradi and lower her onto the furs.

  It’s difficult, but I manage to pull away long enough to find the buttons of her dress.

  “Shouldn’t you be planning your mating with Malis?” she growls.

  “Stubborn,” I chuckle, and she tenses. For a moment, I think she might push me away, and I lean down, pressing my lips to the soft skin of her neck as I breathe her in.

  I shudder, and her hands come up, sliding into my hair as she holds me to her.

  I want to rip her dress from her and mark every inch of her with my body. I want to ravage her, plunder her, teach her she will always be mine.

  But I gentle my touch, breaking away for long enough to help her out of her dress.

  Zoey was made to be savored.

  She’s wide-eyed as she glances up at me, confusion and he
lpless lust written all over her face.

  She’s naked in moments, and I can’t help but stare. She blushes, and even her chest turns pink.

  “Tagiz,” she murmurs, attempting to cover her breasts from my avid gaze.

  I catch her hands. “You’re so beautiful.” I’m breaking all the rules for her. I know this will make it worse for both of us, but I can’t walk away.

  We deserve this.

  I lick and nip across her breasts until her hands are once again pulling me close. I love that. I love how she urges me on, demanding more from me.

  I’ll give her everything I have, and it still won’t be enough.

  I grind against her as I take her nipple in my mouth, and she gasps, her hands moving to my back as she opens her legs for me.

  I kiss my way down her stomach, desperate for the taste of her.

  “Later,” she gasps, urging me back up. “I need you inside me. Now.”

  I frown at her, but she juts out her chin again, and it’s so adorable I laugh.

  “Later, I’m going to lick you until you scream,” I promise her.

  I want to make her blush like this for the rest of my life.

  But it will be some other male who gets to hear her soft giggles and languid sighs. My eye twitches at the thought, and she frowns up at me.

  “What’s wrong?”

  I press against her, and she urges me on. She’s hot and wet, and I freeze.

  “What are you doing?” she asks.

  She lifts her hips, and I curse, my hands falling to her, holding her still.

  “Attempting not to embarrass myself, little healer.”

  She sends me a wicked smile. “Go ahead.”

  I shake my head and reach for control. Then I sink into her, studying her face as her eyes flutter shut.

  I’ve imagined this moment a thousand times. But my imagination couldn’t come close to the feel of her beneath me, her breasts against my chest, her head tipping back as a moan leaves her throat.

  I pull back and then thrust again, and she writhes under me, arching her back as she moans. I give her what she needs, twisting my hips as I grind against her. She wraps her legs around my waist, and I fight not to come.

  I pause again, and she gives me a saucy wink. The minx is trying to make me lose control.

  I pick up the pace, my hand coming up to play with her breast. It’s soft and firm, her nipple hard against my palm. I stroke over it and then do it again as she goes wetter around me.

  “Hmm,” I murmur, leaning down to take her nipple in my mouth. Thanks to the size difference between us, I have to stop thrusting as I do, which is a good thing because she lets out a low groan that almost makes me lose control.

  “Tagiz,” she sighs, and I plunge back into her. Her nails dig into my arms, creating marks I wish would become permanent. Then everyone would know she is mine. That she claims me back.

  I never want to leave these furs.

  She quivers beneath me, her breath catching, and I thrust deeper. I hit a spot that makes her yelp, but it seems to be a good yelp because she clenches around me. So I do it again. And again.

  “Oh my God, Tagiz,” she moans, and I grind against her small bud with every thrust until she’s gasping, her head twisting from side to side as she tightens her legs around my waist.

  My balls tighten, and my shaft swells, the pressure warning me just in time. I move my thumb to her sex, almost losing it at the feel of her wide open for me. I stroke against her pearl, and she lets out a dry sob.

  She clamps down around me like a fist, her breath catching, and I see stars as we come together, clutching each other close.

  She pants, her eyes sliding closed, and I can’t help it. I press kisses against every inch of her face.

  She smiles, her eyes still closed, and I pull away, hauling her into my arms.

  That was both the best and the worst thing I could have done.

  Zoey

  My stomach rumbles as I wake up, Tagiz still wrapped around me. I must have slept through the afternoon.

  I shift and glance up. Tagiz is awake, obviously deep in thought as he examines the roof of his kradi, his brow creased.

  “Hey,” I say, and my voice is slightly hoarse.

  He smiles down at me, then lifts me until I’m in the air, hovering over him. His strength is insane. He pulls me down until we can kiss, and I sink into him.

  “What are you thinking, little healer?”

  I chew on my lip. “I’m thinking about your dad. What’s with this mating with Malis, and why does he think he can run your life?”

  Tagiz closes his eyes. “Calix…it’s more complicated than you think.”

  “I’m relatively intelligent,” I point out. “Explain it to me.”

  He sighs. “My father’s family has long been focused on bloodlines. It is the strongest and the bravest who are trusted to fight beside the tribe king, and it is an honor to be in his inner circle. He was one of the king’s guards, as was his father before him and his father, for centuries.”

  I nod. “And now you are too.”

  “Yes. But…my father is not my…true sire.”

  My mouth drops open at that. For all his obsession with bloodlines, Calix isn’t even Tagiz’s real father?

  “How did that happen?”

  “My tribe was small but fierce. Our qatai was obsessed with growing our territory, and his advisors had convinced him he would be able to take this tribe.”

  “I’m guessing that didn’t go so well.”

  He shakes his head, leaning down to press a kiss against my forehead, and I snuggle closer to him.

  “No. My father died on the first day of fighting, leaving me alone. My mother had died of a sickness three revolutions earlier.”

  My chest aches for the child Tagiz must have been. Left all alone in what was guaranteed to be a bloodbath.

  He clears his throat. “The qatai put a sword in my hand and ordered me to take my father’s place.”

  “How old were you?”

  “I had seen seven summers.”

  I lift my head in shock. “You were just a kid. Why would he do that?”

  Tagiz shrugs. “My father was gone, dead in battle, and it was becoming evident we had no real chance against this tribe. If we successfully retreated, I would be another mouth that he would be responsible for feeding. I assume he wanted his enemies to take care of the problem.”

  Rage makes my hands shake, and I fist them, imagining a tiny Tagiz clutching his sword, his eyes wide and terrified with the knowledge he was about to die.

  “That son of a bitch.”

  Tagiz laughs, lifting my fist and opening my hand so he can press a kiss to my palm.

  “I could barely lift the sword he gave me when he sent me to the front lines. Calix appeared out of nowhere, and I attacked him. I knew I was going to die, but my father would have wanted me to die an honorable death with a sword in my hand.”

  My heart pounds like a drum. “What happened?”

  He laughs. “Calix knocked my sword away, cuffed me around the head, and pushed me toward one of his men. They put me in the qatai’s tashiv. I could hear the sounds of the battle, the noise of swords clanging, of warriors dying. But my clearest memory is the taste of the meat the servants fed me. I hadn’t eaten for three days.”

  I glance at his face, and he gives me a half smile, but his eyes are wounded. His tribe threw him away. His father died for his tribe king, and the bastard wouldn’t even protect a seven-year-old kid.

  Tagiz sighs, stroking my hair. “Rakiz had been allowed to watch some of the battle. When he returned to find me in his father’s tashiv, he glowered at me and told me his father was going to string me up as an example to any other tribes that thought to attack.”

  “Uh-oh.”

  He laughs. “I believed him. So I decided if I was going to die, I was going to take the future tribe king down with me.”

  I smile. “Of course you did.”

  “Cali
x arrived to find us tangled and rolling around on the floor, each with a knife at the other’s throat. He pulled us both up by our shirts and gave us a tongue lashing I can still remember to this day. Then he offered me a choice. He would provide me with three days of rations and a sword and would allow me to leave the tribe. Or I could stay and be raised as his son.”

  “I’m confused by this. You’ve said he was obsessed with…”

  “Bloodlines? Yes. But he and his mate had been attempting to have a child of their own for four revolutions. His mate had been chosen by his father due to the exceptional warriors in her line, and my father was beginning to realize she was barren.”

  My teeth are clenched as I sit up. Sure, Calix may have saved Tagiz from certain death, but the more I learn about him, the less I like. Besides, I’d bet the last hair band I have hidden beneath my furs that Calix wouldn’t have adopted Tagiz if he’d had kids of his own.

  “You know, it’s not just women who are responsible for getting pregnant. Your father might be sterile.”

  He frowns at that. “Sterile,” he says in English, and I realize there’s no translation in Braxian.

  Typical.

  I explain the concept, giggling at the incredulous expression on his face.

  “Are you sure?”

  I angle my head and give him a look. “I’m sure.”

  “Hmm.” He thinks about this for a long moment. “My father is unaware of this.”

  “I’m happy to explain the concept to him,” I say sweetly, and he laughs, wrapping his arm around me and pulling me back down to him.

  “So,” I say. “Calix offered you a choice.”

  “Yes. He said he had been impressed with the bravery I showed when I attempted to attack him. He knew males older than me who were unable to lift the sword I had swung at him. He explained his family had a long tradition of serving the king. If he raised me as his son, I would be expected to train harder than I had ever imagined and protect the future tribe king with my life.”

  I smile at the thought of Rakiz and Tagiz sneering at each other as Calix made that proclamation.

  “I bet you liked the sound of that.”

  He laughs. “I wasn’t going to turn down the best offer I’d ever heard. An offer that included joining one of the biggest and most powerful Braxian tribes on Agron. Rakiz protested, but Calix told him he would be happy to inform his father about how Rakiz had attempted to kill one of his ‘prisoners’ before he could be interrogated.”