Alan
Alan watched as Catalina walked out of the room with Toran. The loss was immediate, and when the door shut behind them, he let the tears fall freely from his eyes. Hastily, he swiped them away. Real men don’t cry, but dammit, how many people did he have to lose?
His sister was ripped from his side, and now he let Cat go. But what choice did he have? He couldn’t expect her to traipse across the universe with him.
But he missed her already, and tonight, he would grieve the loss of family.
Again.
After a fretful night’s sleep, Alan woke to a brand new day. He vowed to train hard so he could be in the best shape of his life. He needed to be if he planned to survive this new world of space.
One day turned into two, then three, and before Alan knew it, a month had passed by. He’d almost given up hope of finding his sister.
A loud explosion, and the ship rocked violently.
Alan headed for the bridge. He and Toran had become good friends, and Toran allowed him access to the ship. Maybe it had something to do with the fact that Toran also searched for Human females. They suspected that Humans were compatible with Curazins, and he wanted as much information as possible.
When he entered, he found Toran sitting in the captain’s chair.
“What’s happening?” Alan asked as he stood behind the chair and stared at the view screen.
“Two Turei ships are firing at one of the Azziarin vessels. We have a long-standing treaty with them and have decided to join the fray.”
Another blast rocked the ship before Toran ordered, “Return fire.”
The battle lasted only minutes. When the Azziarin’s face filled the screen, Alan’s eyes slid to the human next to him. His breath hitched. She was the first Human female Alan had seen since Catalina. Seeing her renewed his hope of finding Krista.
“Thank you for your help, Commander,” the Azziarin commander said as he stood like the leader he was.
“You are welcome. I am Toran.”
“I am Zekke, prince of Azziar.”
Toran glanced at Zekke, but most of his focus remained on the female. “As payment for our assistance, an invitation to visit your ship would suffice.”
Alan spoke from the corner of his mouth, knowing they couldn’t hear him. “Thank you.”
Toran knew the Azziarins now owed them a debt. He hid his smile when Zekke inclined his head briefly and asked, “Will you join my mate and me for refreshments?”
“Accepted. We will see you soon.”
Alan faced Toran and asked, “Is she with him?”
“Yes, I imagine she is. I have heard rumors of Zekke. He is strict military all the way and would never allow a female on his ship unless she was his mate.”
Alan followed them onto a shuttlecraft. He had so many questions he wanted to ask. Time slowed to a snail’s pace as he waited to face the female.
When they finally landed and stepped out of the shuttlecraft, they must have stared at the female a little too long.
Zekke stepped in front of her and said in a stern voice, “You will show my mate respect.”
Toran’s eyes shot to Zekke’s, and then he bowed his head. “My apologies if we made your mate uncomfortable. We have much to discuss.”
Zekke’s eyes landed on Alan. “I agree.”
The Azziarins escorted them to the meeting room. Refreshments were served as the two groups sat down at the table and faced each other.
The human stared at Alan as much as he stared at her. He didn’t know if he was allowed to ask questions. Finally, she broke the ice and said, “I’m Ava. I was living near D.C. when everything happened.”
It was then he noticed that silence filled the room. Everyone wanted to hear the two humans talk. It didn’t bother him; he wanted to talk to her and find out everything he could.
“My name is Alan. I’m from Nashville.”
“How did you end up with the Curazins?”
His smile was sad as he thought about the events leading up to this moment. Losing his sister, being held prisoner, and then letting Cat go. “I might ask you the same question.” His eyes darted to Zekke and then back to Ava.
“I don’t mind,” she smiled. “I’m a sergeant in the army. Only a handful of us made it out alive when the Tureis attacked. I patrolled with my squad each night. The Azziarins showed up to help,” she smiled at Zekke, “and here I am.”
That sounded so simple. And to think the Azziarins were on Earth to help. Hope flared inside as he asked, “You’re happy?”
“Yes, I am. Now it’s your turn.”
“My sister and I retreated to a cabin when the first attacks came. For months, we isolated ourselves. One day we decided to drive into town, see if the Tureis were still there.” He shook his head and swallowed hard. “It was my fault; I knew better. The Tureis were everywhere. I crashed the car and knew that it was the end of the line for me. I was dead.” He drew in a ragged breath. “I woke up on one of the Tureis’ ships and was later rescued by the Curazins. I know the Tureis took my sister, and Toran has agreed to help me search for her.”
Toran finally spoke up. “The Tureis had started a new breeding program. There was one other human there, a female. She was held in a separate area at first and then moved into the same cell as Alan. We think they were trying to impregnate her.”
“Did they?” Zekke inquired.
“No.” Toran leaned back and crossed his arms.
Zekke leveled his gaze on Alan and stared in silence. He was a prince in his own right. Power radiated from every pore in his body. He finally spoke. “We have several human females on Azziar whom we rescued from the Tureis. Your sister, what is her name?”
“Krista. She looks like me. Same hair color, eyes, light skin. Have you seen her?”
Zekke studied the human male, not giving anything away. After a few tense moments of waiting, he said, “She thinks you’re dead.”
Alan swallowed hard and refused to let tears fall from his eyes. These are strong males, and he would not be weak. With his chin held high, he asked, “You know her?”
“I do. My brother rescued her from the Tureis.”
“Thank God!” He blew out a huge breath, unable to hold it in any longer. “I’ve been so worried about her. Can you take me to her?”
“We are headed there now, and you are welcome to join us,” Zekke offered.
“I have a request,” Toran interjected.
Zekke turned his attention to him. “I’m listening.”
“Although he is from planet Earth, he cannot tell me its location.”
“You want Earth females?”
“The Earth female we rescued is living with a male of her choosing. She carries his young.”
Zekke smiled. “You have found a compatible species.”
“Yes. Do you have the coordinates?”
“Yes. But know that the Tureis are still there, and our fleet is there to help the humans fight.”
Toran laughed. “We will also send ships. If the Tureis want a fight, we will give them one.”
“The planet is located in the Dreama sector. I’ll send the exact coordinates over to your ship.”
“The Dreama sector? I didn’t think any life existed there.”
“Neither did we.”
Both groups stood, and Zekke and Toran clasped forearms. “Thank you for the information,” Toran said warmly.
“Thank you for your assistance,” Zekke added.
Ava stood in front of Alan. “Do you need to get anything before we leave?”
He shook his head. “I don’t have anything.”
The time it took to reach the planet crawled by, and more than once, Alan paced in the quarters that were assigned to him. Either that, or he would do sit-ups and pushups. At least they left him a bottle of liquor to help pass the time before he went to sleep. It kept the nightmares away.
Ava tried to engage him in conversation, but he remained solitary. Not that he didn’t appreciate the offer, but he refused to get close to another female right now. He still doubted that the Krista Zekke spoke of was the right person. Time would tell.
This is it! They had landed and were headed toward a shining black castle. On the outside, Alan remained stoic, but on the inside, he was a bundle of nerves.
There were a few other human females talking to Zekke, but Alan ignored them. He stretched his neck trying to look around them and see who else was in the room.
Krista had just come out of a room carrying a plate stacked high with cookies. “What? I wanted more. These are so good!” she said in a playful tone.
Alan felt every emotion rush forward with the sound of her voice. He couldn’t breathe.
It is Krista.
She is here.
He’d found her.
“Krista?” Alan stepped around Zekke and got his first look at his beautiful sister.
Krista froze when she heard his voice. Looking up, she saw him standing there. “Alan?” she dropped the plate of cookies on the floor and sprinted toward him. He caught her in his arms and lifted her off the ground in a bear hug.
“I was so worried about you!” he said, not bothering to hide his tears.
“I thought you were dead, and it was all my fault.” After a long embrace, she leaned back and wiped the tears from her eyes. “How can you be here? I watched you die!”
“It’s a long story. What about you? What happened?”
A very large Azziarin walked up behind her and placed his hand on her shoulder. She smiled lovingly at him and said, “This is Kollin, my mate. He was taken by the Tureis, and when he escaped, he took me with him.”
“Your mate?” Alan raised one concerned eyebrow.
“Yes, my husband.” She smiled up at Kollin and told him through her happy tears, “My brother’s alive!”
Krista turned her attention to Zekke and his new mate. “Glad you’re back, Zekke. Welcome to the family, Ava.”
“Thanks,” they both said in unison, and shared a quick, loving look.
“I think we will head up to our rooms. I have a lot of catching up to do with my brother,” Krista said. “Come on, Alan!”
Alan kept glancing at the big Azziarin with suspicion. Everything had changed since the last time he had seen his sister. Not only was she married, she had a baby on the way.
When they shut the door behind them, Krista turned with a huge smile. “I just can’t believe you’re here! How is that possible?”
Alan dropped down onto the chair, leaving the two of them to share the couch. “I don’t know. I woke up on their ship alive and well.”
Krista lowered herself down on the couch, as Kollin filled two mugs with alcohol. The Azziarins called it Fire’s Breath; Alan called it medicine that soothed his troubled soul.
When Kollin handed him the mug, Alan gladly accepted. “Thank you.”
Alan sat back in the chair and took a sip of his drink. “Now tell me what happened to you.”
“It’s a long story.”
He raised an eyebrow. “I think I have time.”
Alan’s gut twisted when Krista and Kollin smiled at each other. He felt like a third wheel on a motorcycle.
“The Tureis kidnapped me, but before they got a chance to do any harm, my knight in shining armor came to my rescue. I didn’t have a translator and couldn’t understand anything Kollin said.”
Kollin smiled at his mate. “But I could understand you.”
She swatted his arm. “Don’t remind me.” She shook her head and murmured, “That was so embarrassing.” Looking back to her brother, she finished, “We were stranded on another planet, unable to talk to each other, but I fell in love with him anyway.”
Kollin leaned over and gave Krista a peck on the lips.
Alan smiled and drained his mug. “I’m glad I found you and that you’re happy.”
“I am.” She leaned her head against Kollin’s shoulder. “I am so glad you’re alive.”
“Me too.”