Vivian

Vivian tried to smile when Blaidd placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. Abruptly the room flickered, and Vivian felt like she was falling. The room was spinning, making Vivian nauseous. A strong pair of arms steadied her, before she could collapse on the floor. Vivian’s eyes widened when she finally caught her bearings.

I’m seeing things.

Vivian attempted to rub the eye that wasn’t swollen, while cradling her injured arm, but it didn’t help. She stared at the bank of windows revealing a giant metropolis dotted with towering high-rises. Somehow, she was no longer in Harper’s spare room with the bare mattress and roll-top desk.

“What’s going on? Where are we?”

Vivian’s head swiveled when she heard growling nearby. Her swollen jaw gaped as she focused on the creature standing several feet away.

It’s a werewolf!

The massive growling werewolf had fangs, clawed hands and a tail. Vivian spun around when she heard the responding rumble behind her. She gasped, seeing Blaidd was the one who’d been growling at the werewolf. His hood had fallen back to reveal his face. Vivian stared wide eyed at the pointy ears standing up on his head, and the long sharp canines that filled his mouth. His amber eyes radiated an inhuman golden glow.

He’s one too. Oh god!

 

Blaidd

Vivian’s eyes widened as she pulled away from Blaidd. The piercing scream that tore from her throat, was deafening.

Koyat’g fate.

Blaidd hadn’t thought through the repercussions of bringing Vivian to his tower on Torvus. All he thought about was getting her away from danger, and finding a medicus to heal her injuries.

“Calm. I help,” Blaidd tried to speak the human words that eased her before, as he moved toward the frantic female.

Vivian stumbled off the limen platform, and fell. Blaidd swiftly moved to help, but she scrambled back, terror twisting her face.

“No,” she screamed, warding him off with her good arm.

“Primitus,” Lyr said in confusion as he attempted to aid Vivian.

She was hurt, and the male was attempting to touch her. The possessive rage, Vivian’s traumatized screams, and her overwhelming scent of fear, snapped Blaidd’s sanity. His furious roar echoed off the portal room walls as he lunged for Lyr. Lyr’s eyes widened in shock when he was suddenly thrown back, striking the limen console. Lyr crouched, baring his throat, but not even the submissive display cooled Blaidd’s rage.

Vivian screamed louder, as her panicked eyes darted between Blaidd and Lyr.

“Get out!” Blaidd bellowed at Lyr, who scrambled off the floor and swiftly left.

The primal part of him blamed the male for Vivian’s terror, but as Blaidd approached the traumatized female, her eyes grew wild. She scrambled backward, till she hit the wall. When Blaidd realized he was the cause of Vivian’s unbridled fear, an uncharacteristic whine passed his lips. He chuffed, trying to calm himself, and crouched low, to appear less threatening. But as Blaidd gingerly crept forward, Vivian’s eyes rolled back in her head, and she slumped to the floor.

Palpable pain gripped Blaidd seeing Vivian like this, knowing he was to blame. Gently he scooped up Vivian’s unconscious body, careful of her broken arm as he cradled her. When he left the limen room, he saw Lyr anxiously waiting in the corridor.

“Contact Galen. Tell him the human has a broken arm. Have him come to my chambers,” Blaidd snarled in frustration.

“Yes, Primitus.” Lyr nodded, trying not to flinch at Blaidd’s curt tone.

A twinge of guilt speared Blaidd for the way he treated his friend. But a part of him still bristled at the male.

“If you can’t reach him on the utor, you can probably find him with Phaedra.”

Blaidd was thankful the medicus decided to live in Setmar, to be near Phaedra. There was no one he trusted more to treat Vivian.

His pack forgot themselves and rudely stared at Vivian, as Blaidd traversed the corridor to his private lift. He growled menacingly at anyone who strayed too close, or studied her for too long. Blaidd was glad when he finally reached his chamber, and gently deposited Vivian on his bed.

She looked so peaceful as he stared at her face. The scent of terror had thankfully abated, and his sanity returned. But her pain still lingered. Her skin was a pale pink hue, similar to Harper, except Vivian had a smattering of little spots on her cheeks and dainty button nose. Blaidd frowned when he noticed she still had smears of blood on her face, and matting her dark brown hair. The sight of it angered him. Blaidd swiftly retrieved a warm wet cloth from the bathing salon attached to his chamber. When he returned, he scented Zora.

“I heard a rumor you returned with another exotic female.”

Why am I not surprised? The Lupercalia were social to a fault.

“Mother,” Blaidd greeted her with a respectful nod.

He sat and started cleaning the dried blood off Vivian’s face. He’d never been this close to a human female. Blaidd noticed that although the two swaths of fur on her brow were thick and dark, there were also fine invisible hairs covering the rest of her skin. It almost reminded him of the down on a fledgling cub. When Blaidd lightly dabbed Vivian’s swollen lip, he saw that her teeth weren’t entirely flat either. She had little canines. Unlike his, they were even with the rest of her teeth, and not nearly as sharp.

“We have deltas who can do that. The Primitus shouldn’t be bothered with such things.”

Blaidd ignored Zora’s comment, as he washed Vivian’s good arm. His eyes fixated on a dark bruise. Vivian had clearly tried to fend off the abusive male, with both arms. She was lucky they both hadn’t been broken.

So delicate, he noted as he washed between her long thin fingers. Blaidd pressed gently on the pad of her thumb, but her blunt nails didn’t extend. Her nails were covered in fresh, wet looking blood. He attempted to wash it off, only to discover it was some sort of paint. It was odd, but fetching, how she adorned her useless claws.

“Did you do this?” Zora asked with a frown.

Blaidd glanced sideways at his mother. He was mildly annoyed by the distraction, and angered by the accusation. His mother already knew the answer to the ridiculous question.

“Sorry. That didn’t come out right. I know you wouldn’t do this intentionally. But how do you expect such a frail thing to withstand you, let alone bear an heir?”

Blaidd stopped what he was doing. His mother had a point. He knew human females were dainty, but feeling Vivian in his arms drove home that point. Her bones could easily snap if carelessly gripped in the heat of passion. And she was so light, she’d be crushed. Blaidd repressed a snarl as he suddenly wondered if Vivian’s mate had been starving her. His gaze drifted over her body, then sighed in relief. Blaidd could see by the way the fabric pants stretched across Vivian’s waist that she wasn’t unhealthily skinny. Although she was considerably slight when compared to a Lupercalia female, her hips were ample. There was more than enough luscious flesh to grip, and cushion a male’s thrusts. Blaidd shook off the wayward thoughts, ashamed he was thinking such things about the injured unconscious female

“That’s a little premature,” Blaidd replied to his mother. He hadn’t claimed Vivian.

Had he?

Blaidd took a deep breath, his nostrils flaring. Vivian wasn’t in heat, but still she smelled enticing. Her perfume reminded him of wild flowers after a rain. It linked to the memory of when he first emerged from the Hold, and once again smelled the outside world. It was overwhelmingly exciting and calming, all in the same breath.

“Uh huh,” Zora snorted dubiously, making Blaidd cringe. He’d again become distracted by the exotic treasure.

“I discovered the female being abused by her mate.”

His mother’s eyes narrowed, a growl vibrating in her chest, as her tail stilled. Zora didn’t put up with males mistreating their mates. She wasn’t known for being forgiving, but that drew her ire above all else.

“Did you take care of this male?”

“I did.” Blaidd nodded. “But there was a complication. The male was a guard for the human authorities, and his fellow guards arrived. We were holed up in Harper’s dwelling, since humans fear other species. I brought Vivian here, so Galen could treat her arm.”

“It’s a good thing you did.”

Blaidd turned, hearing Galen’s comment as the medicus entered. Galen swiftly approached Vivian, and the senseless anger surged again. A growl rumbled in Blaidd’s throat, bringing the old Torvus male to a halt. Vivian whimpered in her sleep, and Blaidd’s eyes swung toward her. She needed help, and Galen was here to do that. The rational part of his mind knew this, forcing back the side insisting he guard the injured female from the encroaching male.

“She’s been passed out since we arrived.” Blaidd forced himself to move out of Galen’s way, but he didn’t stray from the bed.

“Her mate did that to her,” Zora interjected in Blaidd’s defense.

“She’s gone into shock. I need to fix this fracture.” Galen quickly pulled equipment from his bag and went to work.

“We couldn’t get her to a clinic on her home-world,” Blaidd growled in frustration, then quieted when Vivian flinched.

“She should be fine soon.” Galen ran the medical device over Vivian’s broken forearm.

Blaidd bit back a rumble, when she whimpered in pain. His claws pierced his palms as he made a tight fist.

Galen is helping her, he repeated to himself.

Even though Vivian was unconscious, Blaidd wished he could speak soothing words to her.

“Can you give her a translator cuff?”

Galen nodded.

“Thank you.”

Blaidd needed to be able to speak to Vivian when she awoke. He knew he was frighteningly foreign to her, but hopefully he could explain he meant no harm. The thought of Vivian’s terror incensed him.

“I will find her something clean to wear and food,” Zora said as she looked at the bloody clothes Vivian wore.

Blaidd appreciated the gesture. He hated smelling Vivian’s blood, knowing what had caused it. But the scent of her vile mate had him walking the knife’s edge.

“Mother, make sure they’re Torvus clothes. Vivian doesn’t have a tail.”

Blaidd recalled the fit Harper pitched about wearing the Lupercalia outfit with the slit in the back. His mother waved her hand at him in acknowledgement as she left.

Slight mumbling captured Blaidd’s attention, and he turned back to Vivian. Her dark eyes were open, staring up at him.

“Werewolf,” she said groggily then drifted again. Harper had called him the same a few times.

“I gave her something to help with the pain, fixed her arm, and the gash above her eye. After she gets some rest, if anything else pains her, I can come back,” Galen said as he began attaching the translator-cuff to the shell of Vivian’s ear.

“Thank you, Galen,” Blaidd reiterated as he watched the male work, completely enthralled.

Unlike the Torvus, Vivian’s ear was rounded at the top. Blaidd recalled the human’s poor sense of hearing. It was no wonder. Vivian’s ear was so small, laying flat against her head, hidden by her dark hair. They couldn’t possibly work efficiently like that. He suddenly had an irrational urge to nibble the cute little appendage.

Vivian’s eyes rolled open. She sluggishly reached up and played with Galen’s hand, as he installed the translator.

“Come now, let me finish, child,” Galen chuckled as he brushed her hand aside.

Vivian giggled back and shook her head. Something inside Blaidd jumped hearing the sweet bubbly sound.

“Try not to move. Almost done,” Galen attempted.

“Vivian, let the medicus work.”

Vivian’s eyes lazily swung toward Blaidd when she heard her name. She smiled, and it lit up her face. Her button nose and big dark eyes scrunching up adorably. If he wasn’t sitting on the bed, his knees might have buckled.

“Go, Team Jacob,” she giggled, then closed her eyes and started snoring.

The happy sound followed by a snoring rumble to rival a torak, was as unexpected as it was amusing. Blaidd’s eyes widened, as he barked out a hearty laugh.

“Do you have any idea what that meant,” Galen asked, equally amused.

“Not a clue.” Blaidd shook his head, then grinned at how charming Vivian was as she slept.

He knew the shift in her mood was drug induced, but still it eased the beast within.

 

Vivian

Vivian stretched in the bed and rolled over with a yawn. She groaned from the lingering soreness in her jaw. Vivian stilled as her hand smoothed over the sleek sheets.

We don’t own satin sheets.

Everything that happened since she found herself in Harper’s home flooded back in an instant. Vivian slowly cracked open her eyes. The sheets weren’t just silky, they were an unusual pearlescent hue that shifted from white to blue whenever she moved. The puffy bed with its built-in pillows cradled her like a dream. Except this was anything but a dream. Vivian’s eyes drifted around the palatial room, then landed on the figure sitting cross legged on the floor.

It wasn’t my imagination.

Vivian felt like she’d fallen down the rabbit hole as she stared at the werewolf. She didn’t dare make a sound to distract him from what he was reading. Vivian took the opportunity to study the fearsome, strange creature, wondering how in god’s name she could get away.

The striated brown hair on his head was several inches long, and styled into a spiky hairdo. His pointy ears stood up, high on his head. Jagged bangs hung in the werewolf’s face, obscuring his amber colored eyes. Vivian shivered as she recalled how they glowed ominously. The werewolf wasn’t fully covered in thick fur, like a dog. Instead, his hair thinned to a velvety layer as it extended down his temples, where it dusted his face and neck. It grew thicker again along his jaw, and at the neck of his sweatshirt.

Even though his face was tipped down, Vivian could see his nose was broader than hers, and his jaw seemed to jut out to accommodate upper and lower fangs, hidden by a full pair of lips. He wasn’t quite like the nightmarish werewolves Hollywood depicted, but he certainly wasn’t human. And he definitely wasn’t cuddly. Vivian started to hyperventilate as she recalled the menacing way he snarled and gnashed his fangs, when he attacked the other werewolf.

This can’t be real. Steve finally knocked a screw loose in my head.

Vivian realized there wasn’t a cast on her injured arm when she attempted to shrink to the far side of the bed. If it wasn’t for the slight ache, she would’ve thought she imagined it broken.

How is this possible, she wondered, as she flexed her fingers beneath the sheet?

“Are you hungry?”

Vivian’s eyes darted back to the werewolf. His voice was a deep growling sound, but she understood him perfectly. The realization stunned and distracted her, till the werewolf stood and approached the bed. He was positively huge. The large sweatshirt did nothing to hide his impossibly broad chest. Vivian quickly bolted upright and moved backward.

“Please don’t scream. I won’t hurt you.”

He said he wouldn’t hurt her, but the way he slowly stalked toward her with predatory grace, made Vivian feel like she was being hunted.

Don’t show any fear. Vivian bit her lip. It would be supremely unwise to provoke the strange man, by losing her shit.

Vivian attempted to calm herself, drawing in several gasping breaths. She stared at the gray sweatshirt, instead of his daunting unwavering golden gaze, and remembered he was the one who rescued her from her crazed husband.

He didn’t have to do that. Why did he? Maybe he’s not some mindless beast, preparing to pounce.

“Blaidd,” she said hesitantly, recalling his name.

“Yes.” He nodded. “And you are Vivian.”

Again, she was distracted by the rumble of Blaidd’s voice, and that she could understand him. The way he said her name, it sounded like Vi-Vi-Anne. She nodded and smiled hesitantly.

This is too weird.

“Where am I?” Vivian quietly asked, recalling the foreign cityscape.

She wanted to ask how werewolves were possible, but it seemed like a moot point, since he was very very real. However, Vivian still hadn’t ruled out a complete mental breakdown. That would certainly explain everything.

“We are in my tower, in Setmar.”

Vivian’s brows furrowed. That told her absolutely nothing. She was hardly a geography scholar.

“I will explain everything, if you promise not to panic,” Blaidd said, seeing her confusion.

Vivian took several deep breaths, trying to slow her rapid heartbeat, as she nodded. Whatever Blaidd was, and no matter what he told her, she had to remember he saved her from Steve’s wrath, and apparently healed her arm. She truly feared for her life when her husband lost his temper this time.

“I understand your people fear others,” Blaidd said. “But with your authorities surrounding Harper’s dwelling, I saw no choice but to bring you too my home-world to heal your arm.”

“Home-world?” She squeaked the incredulous question. Despite Vivian’s attempt to remain calm, her breath came out in rapid pants. Vivian promised not to freak-out, but that was easier said than done. “You kidnapped me? We’re on another planet! Where are the others?” Vivian asked, her voice getting increasingly higher, as panic ensued.

I’m on an alien planet. I’M ON AN ALIEN PLANET!

Somehow that was more terrifying than the concept werewolves were real.

“I didn’t abduct you, you needed a medicus. And the others are on Earth, although I’m surprised they haven’t returned to chew my tail for taking off so suddenly,” Blaidd rumbled.

Vivian shook her head in disbelief, while her eyes fixated on Blaidd’s tail. She had so many questions. Her mouth wasn’t nearly big enough for them all to come out. Her mouth opened then closed again, like a fish out of water. Her brain couldn’t even latch onto a single rational thought, with the way it ping-ponged around frantically.

“Easy,” Blaidd spoke soothingly as he held out his giant hand.

Vivian pulled back. Her gaze darted from the long fangs in his mouth to the sharp nails that tipped his fingers.

“Maybe now’s not a good time to explain everything,” Blaidd sighed in frustration and pulled back his hand. “You should rest.”

Vivian realized she was letting her fear get in the way of learning what was going on, and tried harder to tamp it down.

“No. I’m sorry,” Vivian stammered.

“Don’t apologize. I know this is frightening for you,” Blaidd insisted with an empathetic grimace.

“Please continue.” Vivian did her best to keep the pathetic sob from lacing her voice, but failed. She desperately needed to understand what was happening to her.

“Alright,” Blaidd began again. “Harper was brought to Torvus several moons ago. She was taken by our former Kral, to mate his son, Serus. You met Serus, he was the light-haired male.”

“Okay.”

Vivian tried to quiet her mind, so she could follow along. Blaidd was kind enough to go slow. The way he spoke calmly, while crouching by the edge of the bed also helped.

“Harper refused, and Kral Nox threw her into the Hold. It’s a prison where the tyrant left his enemies to rot. That’s where I met Harper and Nameless. He was the other male, Serus’ twin.”

“You three were in jail together?”

It was horrific to think her neighbor had been abducted, and not just taken to a foreign planet, but thrown into an alien prison.

“Yes. I am the Primitus for the Lupercalia on Torvus. The Kral wanted to work my people to death in the mines, but I refused his decree. Anyway, I was tossed into the Hold for five seasons.” Blaidd shook his head in disgust.

“I’m sorry. That’s awful.” As freaked out as she was, Vivian felt sorry for Blaidd. He’d lost five years of his life as a political prisoner.

“It could’ve been worse. Nameless grew up in the Hold.”

“This Kral person sent his own son to prison, as a child?” Vivian asked in horror.

“It’s a long story, but basically there’s this belief that one of Nox’s twin sons is fated to kill him. Nox thought he took care of the problem, but Nameless is a tough bastard and refused to die. When we got free, I helped Serus and Nameless overthrow their sire. Unfortunately, the tyrant fled to your Earth.”

“I think I understand. You were bringing Harper home, and looking for this Kral.”

It was freaky to think aliens were hunting each other on Earth, while everyone went about their lives in blissful ignorance.

Everyone except for me.

“Sort of. Harper is mated to Nameless. She’s now the Kralova of Torvus, and ripe with young. We were going to bring her parents to Torvus, after we located the old tyrant.”

Vivian couldn’t imagine moving to another country, let alone another planet. And that someone she knew was pregnant by an alien, and now some sort of foreign princess was unfathomable.

“So, how did you find me?”

“We just arrived. I was tracking Harper’s runaway pet, when I heard your mate hurting you,” Blaidd paused, a frightening growl reverberating in his chest. “You don’t need to worry about that male anymore,” he snarled.

Vivian shrank back, seeing Blaidd’s fierce expression. The amber color in his eyes started to glow brighter, like they were on fire, and his lips curled back from his gleaming sharp fangs.

“What did you do?” Vivian asked with rising trepidation.

“I brought you here to heal your arm. I hope it no longer hurts. Are you hungry?” Blaidd asked, refusing to answer her question.

He swiftly turned his back, and headed toward a tray of food sitting by a pair of large double doors. Vivian watched the way Blaidd’s tail swayed, counterbalancing the swagger of his narrow hips.

“My arm is fine, thank you. And no, I’m not hungry. Answer me, please. What happened?” She asked with growing agitation.

Vivian didn’t know if it was wise to raise her voice to the frightening werewolf, but the picture forming in her mind was terrifying.

“Your vile mate is dead,” Blaidd growled without bothering to turn around.

The news hit like a ton of bricks, and snippets of the incident surfaced in her mind. There were horrific gurgled screams, as a shadowy figure lashed out at Steve. Except she wasn’t the one who’d been screaming. Vivian started to pant, as she desperately attempted to shove down the brutal memory.

“Oh, god. Why did you kill him? You shouldn’t have done that. Do you have any idea what you’ve done?”

Blaidd spun to face her, looking frighteningly angry. His calm patient demeanor was gone, as if it never existed. He savagely killed Steve, and attacked one of his own people. And now Blaidd’s anger was directed at her. Vivian tried to shrink into the mattress.

“That male deserved to die. You were cowering on the floor, and still he struck you. He was going to kill you, yet you defend the koyat’g bastard,” Blaidd raged, making her tremble.

“I’m sorry.” Vivian held up her hands, hoping to ward Blaidd off. “I have to go back; the police will be looking for me. If I’m missing, they’ll assume I murdered him. They don’t go easy on people who’ve killed one of their own. They’ll lock me up and throw away the key,” she explained with a sob.

Vivian didn’t know if reasoning with Blaidd would work, but she had to try.

Can you reason with an enraged murderer?

Vivian felt sick to her stomach and dizzy. Steve was a bastard, but this was the worst possible thing that could’ve happened. This was not how she wanted to be free of her abusive husband.

“Then you will stay here,” Blaidd replied imperiously.

“What?” Vivian’s mouth hung open.

“You. Will. Stay. Here,” Blaidd enunciated each word. She hadn’t misheard.

“I-I can’t stay on some alien planet! Earth is my home.”

“You just said your authorities will assume you killed your mate and lock you up. I am sorry, Vivian, but I must insist. End of discussion,” Blaidd rumbled.

He set the tray of food on the bed, as Vivian stared at him in utter shock.

End of discussion? I murdered your husband and kidnapped you. End of discussion!

“I have business to attend to. Eat and rest,” he mumbled, then quickly left the sprawling bedroom.

Vivian stared dumbfounded at the door as it closed behind him.

I’ve escaped an abusive asshole only to land in the clutches of a savage, kidnapping, alien werewolf, Vivian reeled, as she burst into tears, her chest wracked with heaving sobs.