Demanded by the Alien

by Sabrina Kade

  “Maybe she’s as sick of this bullshit as I am,” an unfamiliar female snarls from the corner. Her skin reminds me of snow and her eyes of the sky on the fatherland, but her face is cruel. I spin away.

  “I’m sorry,” Sloane huffs. “It’s just, Layla’s dealt with a lot of bullshit, and I don’t want her to feel pressured to be with someone because he’s convinced he needs her.”

  “I do need her.”

  “Yeah? So did her dad and her brother. Look where that got her.”

  “Sloane,” Layla squeaks, dragging a palm down her face.

  “I’m sorry, but it’s true. I don’t want you to be with someone who says you’re lucky to have them. Please, Layla. They should be lucky to have you. You’ve gone through so much, and you’re always so strong. I thought Dolan was good for you because he was determined to be with you, but now I’m not so sure.”

  Not so sure? Not so sure? My patience snaps like a stale loaf of banbask. After everything that’s happened, does the bloody-haired female believe I do not still care for my Chosen? I made a mistake, yes, but I still care about her. I want to make her mine. Claiming her is not the only thing on my mind. I want to learn about her. I want her to learn about me. I want to share experiences with her that I would never speak of around anyone else. I want to know the secrets of Layla’s past, so I can have the same ferocity that the bloody-haired one does for her. Layla has gone through a lot, as she said. But she’s also intelligent and brave. She is strong and determined. She is selfless and courageous. There is no other female I want more than the dark-haired one standing before me.

  I have to tell her all of this but not with so many others listening and waiting to see if I mess up.

  And I can’t mess up.

  “I wish to speak to my mate alone.”

  “Is that a fact?” Sloane huffs. “Well, what if I say no?”

  I bristle and hiss under my breath. Exer warns me to keep my temper, but I am so tired of holding my anger that I could roar. I want to speak to my Chosen, but more females are beginning to gather, and Hujun lumbers into the room with his mate, probably making sure I’m not going to do anything stupid.

  I cannot believe that Layla has not offered to leave with me.

  Does she not want me here?

  “Everything all right?” Hujun rumbles.

  “Everything’s fine. I want to speak my Chosen.” I finally find Layla’s eyes, fixing her with the sincerest expression I can manage. I don’t want to air my business to Hujun and a room of human females, but it my mate isn’t going to leave without words spoken by me first. Last time I performed in the Gathering Room, she was humiliated. And now, she will not separate from her pack unless I do so again.

  “If you have something to say to me, you have to say it now.” Her voice is soft. I did not realize how broken my mate looks. She’s ruined, and this is because she must still hurt from my words. The bloody-haired one and possibly Exer have filled her mind with untrue things about me. Doesn’t she realize how much I want her? How much I will cherish her?

  I swallow hard, willing all my pride to go away. Now is not the time to be prideful. I stare down into those dark brown eyes and find myself moving to a kneeling position. I hold out my hands, desperately hoping that Layla will take them, and thankfully, she responds, sliding her tiny hands into mine. I curl my fingers around the soft, smooth flesh and stare up at her. I am not above her. She is mine, and we are equals now, but more importantly—

  “I am the lucky one,” I say softly. Her eyes widen. “I made a mistake, and I have done some terrible things, but at the end of the day, I still want you, Layla. Only you. I am not a perfect mate, though I may have tried to present myself as one. I am annoying and quick-tempered—”

  “Don’t forget arrogant,” she says, her face hinting at a smile.

  “I am also arrogant.” I squeeze her hands tightly. “That arrogance does not always come from a good place. My arrogance regarding you was misplaced. I thought that because you are a human that you would be happy to be with me. We have been told that humans are primitive, but you are anything but this.”

  She’s still hesitant, but not pulling away from me either. The bloody-haired one is silent, and Exer looks as though he’s in pain. Sloane mutters something to him about not running off. Whatever that means.

  “Layla,” I continue. “You are amazing. You’re not lucky to have me. I’m lucky to have you. I’m so sorry about what you heard me say. I’ll spend the rest of my existence making this up to you if you will only forgive me.” I squeeze her hands once more. “Please forgive me.”

  The Gathering Room falls silent. I am not sure how much more I can offer to Layla. She has my hands, my heart, and my soul in her grasp, and yet she remains silent. If she rejects me now, it will hurt, but I would have to find a way to move on. I cannot risk losing my place in Prince Korben’s domain. I want to be with Azan, but would I be able to watch my Layla fall into the arms of one of my brothers? I hope it doesn’t come to that.

  “You hurt me,” she says at last. “When Exer was only trying to make sure I was okay, you blocked him. I didn’t like it. You cannot and you will not control who I talk to. Do you understand?”

  “I was in the wrong.”

  “You were. You’re also arrogant, annoying, and quick-tempered. Before I agree to anything, is there anything else I should know?” Her voice hints at a smile, but I don’t dare smile back. My female wants more. I will happily oblige.

  “I want a family with you. I look at Prince Korben and my brother, and I want what they have so much that I could weep like a sprog. I want to claim you and fill you with my seed so I can watch you grow full of offspring. You call them bay-beeze, yes?”

  And then she smiles. Laughs, even! “Babies, Dolan. And yeah.” She sniffs hard. “And you want that with me? You want a family? You want me?” I nod. “Of all the females here, you want me.”

  Another nod. “Layla, it is like I said earlier. I would be lucky to have you.”

  She blushes. I love seeing the soft peach color flash across her full cheeks. I want to taste her tears and smooth my thumbs across her skin. I want everything from her, but I need her to want me, too.

  “I’ve always Chosen you, Layla,” I continue. “And though you have said it before, I ask you now, honestly. Do you Choose me?”

  She licks her lips, eyes dancing around the room. Have I said enough? Does she still need more from me? Perhaps, she wants me to sing the song again. I barely remember the words, but I do remember how to ‘air-guitar’ as the one called Phoebe explained to me. I would do it all over again for her. I can barely take the tense silence. All eyes in the Gathering Room are locked on us. If she says no, will Hujun tell Prince Korben right away? Will I receive one more chance?

  No. If Layla rejects me now, it is over.

  “Layla,” I croak, annoyed with the vulnerability creeping up into my voice. “Please.”

  CHAPTER TEN

  Layla

  I swallow hard, staring at the striking alien kneeling before me. I’ve never seen him so humbled and calm. He’s seething at Sloane, but I can’t blame my friend. She was only saying what I was too frightened to say myself. And though I hate that she had to stand up for me, I like that for the first time; someone’s honestly got my back.

  Dolan isn’t the only being I need to survive now. I have friends. I have a family. These past few days without Dolan have taught me that while things will be difficult, I can survive.

  I will survive.

  But I also want to do more. I want happiness. I want to build happiness from scratch.

  I’m only twenty, but the idea of being a mom and watching Dolan grow into the role of being a father fills me with so much joy I can barely contain myself. These past few days I’ve paid close attention to Ellis, Blythe, and York. They’re all dealing with pregnancy in their own ways, but they all also have one thing in common – a partner who helps them through hardships. I never had that before. Dad a
lways said I was worthless unless I was helping him deal with Shep, and Shep always needed me. I never needed him.

  Needing someone for the first time in my life is amazing.

  And Dolan needs me. He apologized. Shep and my father never apologized for anything. Life was life, and if harsh words were said, they’re in the past, so I had to forget them. And while Dolan’s words still sting, I see in his eyes that he’s genuinely sorry for making me feel anything close to how my father and brother made me feel.

  My father and brother aren’t bad people. They aren’t. They always expected me to deal with things. Handle my shit and keep quiet about it. And that was fine! I’m happy to handle difficult situations, I thrive in them. But Dolan doesn’t want to latch on to me. He wants me to latch on to him sometimes.

  I take in a deep breath and squeeze my alien’s large, scaled hands. “Dolan,” I all but whisper as he leans closer to catch my words. After all, despite our audience, this moment is only for us.

  “Of course. Of course, I Choose you.”

  He breaks out into a goofy grin, rising to his full height while wrapping those incredibly sexy, bulky arms around me. He lifts me off the ground like I weigh nothing and my heart pounds against my chest like it hasn’t in years. Maybe ever. It’s so hard to focus as he twirls me around like something straight out of a telenovela. I wrap my arms around his neck to give myself some leverage, no longer caring about who’s watching us. I’m happy to have him. I’ve fought against it for so long, and I’m done fighting for now.

  I’ve fought tooth and nail for everything my entire life. My dad. Shep. School districts. Aliens.

  Now, it’s time for me to embrace happiness.

  And oh, Dios mío, Dolan’s not a bad alien to find happiness with. He’s broody and mysterious in his own way, but he lights up when I wander into a room. No one’s ever done that before. He smiles at me and follows me around. Fuck, he sang an Eric Clapton song at the top of his lungs for me because he thought it would show how much he’s willing to do to earn my love. He’s strong and determined, and yes, he’s damn arrogant for sure, but I don’t mind if he’s brave enough to apologize. That’s the sexiest thing of all — a humble alien.

  A year ago, I never would have thought such a thing existed, and yet, here I am in the arms of a sexy Sidyth and he’s proven me wrong. Mr. Manly Man wants a family with me. Me. Layla Sullivan. My heart’s about to burst, and that’s before he’s even kissed me.

  As though she can read my mind, Sloane steps forward and brushes her hand against my hip.

  “Maybe you two should get a room before this escalates into something… not all of us want to see.”

  Her voice is teasing, but she’s not wrong. My body’s screaming at the top of its lungs that it’s time to get down and dirty, and I’m not about to do anything in front of all the girls. Hujun would never let it get that far, and I’m pretty sure Lacey would shoot us both if she had a gun hidden somewhere in the Gathering Room. I try detangling myself from Dolan’s arms, but he only tightens his grip, reminding me of his strength. He’s arrogant for a reason, I suppose.

  “What are you worried about?” I dare to tease. “Think he’ll ravish me right here?”

  “Ravish?” Dolan asks.

  “It is a root vegetable,” Hujun rumbles from behind us.

  “That’s radish,” Ellis hisses.

  “Then what does she speak of?”

  “Okay, that’s enough!” I scream before the entire conversation gets out of hand. “Dolan, put me down.” He shakes his head. “No?”

  Another shake. “No. I wish to hold my mate in my arms.”

  I wiggle my ass around in his grasp. “You sure I’m not too heavy?”

  He rolls his eyes, and my stomach explodes with butterflies. “You are a perfect weight, Layla. I love your shape.” He squeezes a single cheek of my butt to prove his point, and I yelp in surprise, feeling my thighs growing tingly and my pussy tightening. Dolan inhales deeply, but as his lips part, I slam my palm over his mouth.

  “Don’t. Even. Think. About. It.”

  He grins, lowering his voice. “I cannot help it. I am so happy to have my Chosen at last. And though she cannot squeeze me, I am sure we can come up with alternatives.”

  I blush at his shameless words. But Sloane does have a point. “Well, we’re not going to be able to try out any of these ideas here in the Gathering Room, will we?” His cock bobs against my ass. “See what’s happening down there? I don’t want anyone to see your glorious cock but me.”

  “Oh God,” Lacey grumbles.

  “Shut the fuck up, Lacey!” Sloane squeaks, shocking the entire room. I have to look away from my gorgeous alien to widen my eyes at her. Her pale skin is striped with bright pink. “I’m sorry! You guys are happy, and I didn’t want it to be ruined.”

  “Nothing shall ruin this moment for me,” Dolan says. “Not even a lonely, grumpy female.” He shrugs off Lacey’s words despite her huffing loudly and exiting the room. “We should go as well before my cock shoots off into the stars and the females are scandalized.”

  I can’t help snickering against his shoulder as he perches me higher in his arms. It feels like we’re newlyweds about to close the deal.

  “I see things have gone well.”

  Dolan stiffens, and sure enough, when I spin in his grasp, there’s a familiar face, hidden behind a mask. Come to think of it; from this close; I finally see the resemblance with the two of them. At least in the eyes. And despite his furrowed brows, Azan looks pleased. Why shouldn’t he be? His brother has what he has. A mate. A partner. A chance to find and build happiness despite the exile they’re all resigned to. I can’t help but sit a little higher in Dolan’s arms. I want Azan to see how much I want his brother. He doesn’t need to be wary of me anymore.

  I want Dolan as much as he wants me.

  “She is mine,” Dolan says proudly. “I have Chosen her. She has Chosen me.”

  “I heard.” His eyes lower to the ground as though he wants to say more but isn’t sure if this is an appropriate time.

  “If you have something to say to me, go ahead,” I offer carefully, and his eyes flash up to mine.

  Azan clears his throat, and I catch a glimpse of a swollen York by his side. She elbows him. “Go on. You know you’re happy.”

  He nods at her. “I am happy, Dolan. And Lay-lah, I am happy that you have Chosen my brother. He is a good male. I am happy for both of you.”

  “So we’re all happy!” Ellis jeers, clapping her hands as Hujun shakes his head. “And it’s about time too; we need another member in the old pregnant ladies club.”

  “Hey!” York snaps, laughing. “I’m four years younger than you and Blythe!”

  “Well, Layla here will be the youngest. Unless she’s already…”

  “I’m not!” I squeak. “We haven’t…”

  “I am going to fill her with my seed right now,” Dolan says proudly. I slap his chest, but it's halfhearted. Looking at Ellis and York, I finally feel like I’ve been inducted into their club. I’m not pregnant yet, hell, Dolan and I haven’t had sex yet, but something unfamiliar washes over me. A feeling of belonging and being part of a family. It’s so overwhelming that a hiccupping sob escapes me.

  “Oh, that’s normal,” York offers, waving her hand. “Early pregnancy hormones at work.”

  “She’s not pregnant yet,” Ellis adds, chuckling.

  “Oh, but I have a feeling she will be soon. It didn’t take Azan too long. But we, uh, practiced a lot.”

  Azan beams proudly. “It was an honor to fill you with my seed.”

  “Okay,” I giggle, waving my hands around. “This is seriously the weirdest conversation I’ve ever had. I feel like I’m going to prom, only instead of girl talk, the parents are lurking around.”

  “Hey, I’m not that old!” Ellis says. “Besides, we’re family. Blythe isn’t feeling well, but her words from back on the ship, resonate with me even now. We need to stick together. We’re a
family.”

  Sloane appears with Exer. He’s still smiling down at her like she’s the most gorgeous display in an art museum. Is she next? Will she finally admit her feelings for Exer, whatever the hell they are? I suppose that’s not something I need to worry about right now. Besides, when Exer lowers himself down to whisper in Sloane’s ear, she doesn’t react the way I expect. She frowns and bites a harsh whisper back at him before he straightens and edges past Dolan and me.

  Huh. That’s weird. But I shouldn’t focus on that too much — not today. I have my friends. I have Dolan. My handsome, overly confident scaled alien. I have a family — the girls. Most importantly, I can have a combination of all three.

  A family of my own with Dolan.

  I can’t wait to get started.

  ***

  Dolan can be so caring and gentle at times, but when he’s looking for pleasure, something erupts inside of him. His kisses on the way back to his room are rough and delicious, and he slicks his tongue across mine the entire way. His erection pushes up against my ass. I’m moaning and slick with need, surprised that we’ve waited this long to get it on. But it was never that easy. Being with Dolan was never about a one-night stand. Having sex with him would have changed everything, and though Dolan was so secure with his decision, I wasn’t, and it took me a long time to get here.

  I’m sure as shit here now, though.

  Pushing the curtain aside from his lair, he keeps me balanced in his arms, sucking in deep breaths whenever he can before plunging his tongue back inside my mouth. He’s salty and masculine, mixed with something that can only be called Dolan.

  “I have waited for this moment for so long, Layla. I apologize for anything I said that ever made you feel less than you’re worth. For ever making you feel as though I was trying to control you. I was wrong. You are incredible,” he hisses between kisses. Damn. “But,” he warns softly, laying me out on my back on the floor, staring down, “I don’t know if I can be gentle this first time. I want you so badly, but humans are fragile—”