Venomous: Erotic Science Fiction Romance (Alien Warrior Book 1) (50 page)

Our differences had become nothing to be afraid of, or repulsed by; they were attractants that made us value each other because we were unique.

I loved Venomous with all my heart, and he’d earned my loyalty through blood.

He was tied to me physically and emotionally.

I’d made him feel with more depth, and in a way that made him feel secure and appreciated.

Fiercely had bound himself to me as well.

As much as he annoyed me, as much as we fought, I was falling in love with him because he truly cared and tried his best to make me happy.

Tears welled in my eyes at the thought I may never see them again.

Venin Stings the Sweetest loomed over me. “Do that again and I will cut that
thing
out of you.”

Rendered mute by the horror of it, I nodded woodenly.

“Even if you managed to get past us with that oral weapon, where would you go? You cannot operate this transport.” She pointed towards the sand dunes. “There is nothing but death out there for a weak one such as you unprotected.”

“You would not survive,” the a’Rä affirmed.

Scared out of my wits for myself and my baby, I choked on a sob, and covered my stomach as best I could with my hands.

“Cease your noise and fidgeting,” Venin Stings the Sweetest ordered. “Conserve your energies. You need them.”

“W-What for?”

“The Verak who has bought you was kindred to the one Venomous killed in pursuit of you on the L’Odo slave planet.” Her attention drifted. “He is aware you are mated. He will want to cover you many times to establish his dominance, and remove their scent. It is their way. Be still. Prepare yourself.”

Aghast, I gaped at her. “You can’t do this to me! I’m your daughter-in-law! I’m pregnant with your grandchild!”

She grimaced. “The Verak will get rid of the aberration.”

A shiver of disgust raced through my body at her callous words, followed by a mind-numbing bolt of terror.

I couldn’t even wrap my arms around my stomach to protect the fragile life inside.

Venomous was overjoyed we were having a hatchling.

To him, it was a sign our mating was as natural as any other.

He was vocal in his belief we were destined for each other as his people believed mates were.

News of our child reassured the fears of many people who withheld their approval.

It allowed them to accept an alien as part of the Rä, and to see me as not a big deal, or someone to fear.

My participation in the bonding ceremony was the last step in setting most of those objections to rest.

“Venom will never forgive you,” I whispered. “He’ll hate you.” My face heated. “Don’t force him into that position. He’ll choose me and our
aberration
.”

Venin stared me in the eyes, hers hard and uncompromising. “He will not find out.”

“Don’t be stupid. He’ll piece it together and know you had to have something to do with it. If not him than Fiercely.” I had a thought and smiled triumphantly. “Singing Water will tell them we came to the space spot not the Empty Quarter.
Now
do you see this won’t work?”

Venin snorted. “That Rä’Na wants rid of you as much as I.”

Paling, I whispered, “What?”

“How do you think I was able to bypass the planetary shield? She has connections.” Venin paused then snorted. “She did not like the way her Rä’Vek stared at you. She is to corroborate the story I took you to the Empty Quarter to show its unusual beauty and warn you of its dangers. She will further rumours you were flighty and unstable. My heartfelt testimony will be believed.” She made a dismissive gesticulation. “You wandered off and were killed. Simple, believable.”

Betrayed.

It cut deep, yet I didn’t let doubt cast me into despair.

Venom and Fiercely will work it out then come after me.

I had to stall for time.

“No, he won’t. He knows me. He knows since my argument with Fiercely I wouldn’t wander alone. I promised them I’d be careful.”

“He will believe.”

“You’re wrong.”

“I am his life giver. I know my offspring.”

“
And I am his Rä’Na
. I know him! I know the strength of his mind, the depth of his honour! I am telling you he will
never
forgive you this.”

“You overstate your worth. My son will call forth a new Rä’Na, and you will be nothing more than a sordid memory. He will be glad to have rid himself of you. Fiercely Comes the Night will return to his home, and that will be the end of it.”

Infuriated by her short sightedness, I stomped my foot. “Lady, I didn’t want to get nasty, but you are a screaming bitch.”

Afraid for the life of my unborn child, I was beyond pissed, but out of ideas.

All I had was the hope my males would come bounding to the rescue.

Wonderingly, I hadn’t broken down as I had when snatched from Earth.

I’d grown and matured, was stronger emotionally.

Venomous would be proud if he could see me.

Fiercely would somehow make this out to be
all my fault
, but he’d hug me tight while he did so.

Venin’s eyes burned with anger.

The female Rä’Na sneered at me as if I were goodbeast droppings she stepped in then scraped off on the doorstop.

Whatever.

After dealing with the despicable L’Odo on the slave planet, and the violent Dei San pirates, the bigoted Rä’Na didn’t scare me.

A sleek spaceship dropped from the upper atmosphere, silhouetted by the sun.

The machine throttled then slowed as it lowered to the hot sand, sending a gust of burnt ether billowing out on a chalky cloud.

Burning sun rays glinted off the hull of the dented ship, and glimmered with vapour from the vast cold of outer space.

The spaceship settled with a hiss of air and groan of metal.

A circular hatch in its underbelly spiralled open, a ramp lowered then a trio of predators prowled forth.

Their feline grace and long, flowing hair almost suited the desiccated environment.

Loose trousers and tunics were embroidered with lustrous thread and jewels.

The biggest, behorned Verak slinked closer.

A feathered eyebrow rose, astonishment clear in his expression.

That was swept away by a dark look as he took in how I was bound.

Muscles bulged under his clothing, and the long cape he wore fluttered in the breeze.

Tufts of smoky fur sprouted from the deep collar of his thigh length tunic, and engraved metal bracelets encircled his thick wrists.

Chains and medallions hung around his thick neck, and silver studs pierced the curve of one pointed ear.

He wore animal-skin boots that kicked up sand as he loped the sloping dune.

The power of his golden gaze intensified as he drew nearer, and it was possessive.

Trembling, I broke eye contact.

I had to admit, if my heart wasn’t consumed by my Rä warriors, I might have found the advancing male enticing.

He exuded raw sexuality and masculine virility.

I peeked at the Veraks following a protective, yet respectful distance behind.

They stared back with curiosity, and a glimmer of lust.

“Greetings, Great Alpha,” Venin said. “Here is the female as promised.”

The Verak tore his gaze from me to She, Venin Stings the Sweetest. His head cocked. “This is the female my kin lost his life for?” His voice was gruff, holding an underlying silkiness akin to a lover’s caress.

“Yesss.” Venin waved a hand. “She has sustained no damage, as was agreed.”

“She appears whole. Angry, but unharmed.” His eyes flickered over me. His attention snagged on my restraints and caused a frown. “Is she violent?”

Venin Stings the Sweetest hesitated. “Wilful. A great warlord such as you will have no problem breaking her to your hand.”

“Why sell her?” His tone revealed he was not persuaded by her attempt to stroke his ego. “Her mates are displeased?”

“The human creates trouble among my kindred. She bends minds into accepting her strange offworlder ways. My son partakes in clutch many times a rotation.” Venin’s lip curled. “Noises come from their lair, frequently, at all moons, loud and crude.”

I blushed, but lifted my chin when the Verak’s eyes returned to me.

I wasn’t ashamed of wanting my male and making him want me.

Besides, we didn’t even have sex that often, not with him worried about knocking the hatchling, and Fiercely staring hungrily when we did get hot and heavy.

Most of what we did was tell stories of our pasts, plan for the future, talk about the hatchling, laugh, and fool around.

“So bold,” he murmured. It wasn’t disapproval. His eyelids lowered in thought then lifted as he pinned She, Venin Stings the Sweetest with a glare. “I shall take her.”

My lips pressed together.

I lowered my chin to my chest to hide my anger.

There was no point yelling.

I needed to stay quiet, and think my way out of this, for the hatchling.

For Venomous and Fiercely.

If I got myself killed, they’d never forgive themselves.

The Great Alpha Verak jerked his head at his subordinates.

They moved with military precision to secure me.

Feline features set in scowls, their eyes narrowed, and they bared sharp teeth at the a’Rä who stood silent and menacing either side of Venin Stings the Sweetest.

The second largest Verak, a male with a silver-white mane that hit his knees, and snowy chest fur, clasped my bound wrists in one of his huge hands with an expression of distaste.

Was his expression displeasure at my appalling treatment, or of my otherworldliness?

The shortest Verak, standing only seven foot high or so, tossed a sealed pouch at Venin Stings the Sweetest.

It clinked and chimed as it landed in her outstretched palm.

She clutched the offering then ripped open the purse, eyes gleaming.

Her brow scales rose in appreciation as she poured out a dozen multicoloured jewels. “Superior quality.”

“You expected different?” the Great Alpha said, dismissive. It was clear he held little respect for her judging by how he kept his distance.

“Our transaction is complete. Do not forget to dispose of the crossbreed offspring.”

The Great Alpha blinked. “We are done here. She no longer concerns you.” Turning, he walked back towards his ship.

She, Venin Stings the Sweetest didn’t look at me, or offer a farewell. “Come, Roam,” she ordered when one of the a’Rä hesitated.

Expression unhappy, it turned then left without a second glance.

Stumbling when the white-maned Verak tugged on my restraints to get me moving, I followed behind them.

I kept quiet and mentally prepared myself for what happened next.

It’s not like last time.

Last time you were alone.

This time you have two mates who will move heaven and earth to find you.

Stay calm and stay in one piece.

I was guided into the spaceship with more care than expected.

A gentle humming and vibration amplified beneath my feet.

Knowing the craft left the ground as I marched meekly to my new fate, I whimpered a protest.

I was taken through the luxurious hallways to a plush sleeping chamber, which had a viewing screen that acted as an outer hull wall.

As we left the planet atmosphere, I watched Rök become a whitish sphere then a shining speck as the blackness of space closed around me.

I stared after my new home world long after it winked from sight.

Would Venomous know to look offworld for me, manage to get the truth from Venin Stings the Sweetest, who I knew would withhold who she sold me to, even if her evil plot was discovered?

Would they figure out Singing Water played a part in it?

Behind me the portal hissed open then in strode the Verak Great Alpha.

The hatch twisted closed behind him, circular panels shrinking to a knot in the centre.

The mechanics of the portal were entirely different from
the haze
, and I stared dumbly before starting then refocusing on the living, breathing threat stalking closer.

Pausing, he studied me with unnerving intensity.

The glory of his burnished mane was brilliant in the light.

He tilted his head inquiringly, motioned to my restraints. “If I remove these will you attack?”

My lips worked silently on a response.

The male had yet to hurt me, but the truth was the second I figured out how to get free of him, I’d do it.

If attacking him meant I’d be safer, damn straight I’d go for the balls and have him talking soprano for the rest of his life.

Veraks were taller than the average Rä, not more muscular though.

After spending months in the presence of big males, I was able to hold my own without feeling insignificant.

I wasn’t fooling myself, his hulking size was dangerous.

However, it didn’t intimidate me into a quaking mess, as I’d been when I first met Venomous.

Instead of giving a reply that would see me tossed into the bowels of the ship, I asked a question of my own.

My chin lifted in defiance. “Are you going to rape me now?”

He sucked in a breath. His head drooped. “It chills me one so delicate must ask such a question of the male she should expect to care for her.”

“Pretty words.” My face was as hard as my voice. “You didn’t answer my question.”

The Verak’s lips curved. “I see why Obryn wanted you.”

I stared blankly.

“My cousin,” he clarified. “Such spirit you have.”

“If your cousin is who I think he is, he fought after seeing nothing more than my skin. He didn’t
know
me.”

After a long pause where his face turned scary, he blew hard through the wide nostrils of his muzzled nose. “I fear you have seen the worst of my kind in that place.” He slowly drew closer to make sure I knew he wasn’t attacking.

Reaching out, he ran a finger under one of the manacles.

They snapped open then fell to the floor with a solid
clunk
.

Experiencing a cool swell of relief, I checked out the damage.

My sore wrists needed a bandage.