SEVEN
Un-freaking-believable.
The overwhelming sadness she’d felt just moments before dissipated like a mist meeting a hot sun.
This guy was the most high-handed and arrogant male she’d ever met in her life. And he had the balls to say that she would bend to his will? Yeah right. No, thank you, asshole.
Last night, he’d tried to comfort her. He’d given her the most incredible pleasure and put her to bed, wrapping his arms around her like he never wanted to let her go. And for a moment, a brief vulnerable moment, she’d wondered what a life with a companion like him would be like.
She’d been half in shock yesterday. Her only priority now was to find a way to get home and this alpha asshole alien was standing directly in her path. She needed to remember that.
“I will not leave these quarters without you, female,” he said, caging her in against the wall with those massive arms. She tried not to inhale his scent. She remembered the crazy things his pheromones had made her feel the previous night and the last thing she needed right now was to hookup with the alien keeping her captive. “You either walk to the meal deck with me or you will be slung over my shoulder like last span. You decide.”
He was threatening her.
He was threatening her.
Kate narrowed her eyes. She did not want to be tossed over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes again. It had been humiliating. She considered her options, but even she could admit that there weren’t a whole lot. He was easily ten times stronger than she was. He was at least seven-feet tall and the big guy had muscles on muscles. There was no way she’d be able to stop him from picking her up and carrying her out of here.
Sometimes you had to lose the battle to win the war. But oh, would she fight…
“Fine,” she bit out, nibbling on the inside of her cheek in irritation. “Do you have anything for me to wear then?”
In his defense, he didn’t gloat over this minor victory. He simply pushed off the wall. As if to taunt her, his muscles bunched and flexed across his now-silver skin.
“You are wearing something,” he pointed out, his gaze zeroing in on her chest, at her nipples that were no doubt poking through the light, thin material.
“This is a shirt,” she said slowly, looking down at it and refusing to blush. The hem hit just past her knees, but she wasn’t wearing a bra or underwear or anything to cover her legs. “I need actual clothes.”
“My ‘clothes’ will not fit you,” he said.
“No shit, Sherlock,” she mumbled.
“What is this ‘Sherlock’?” he asked, frowning.
Kate blew out a breath. “Forget it. Let’s just get this over with.”
She adjusted his shirt so that her nipples didn’t poke through as much, hunching her shoulders a bit. What she wouldn’t give to have a good pair of jeans and a cardigan right now. Her best friend back on Earth, Beks, had always teased her that she dressed like a grandma. So sue her if she had a collection of cardigans in a variety of colors. She loved cardigans. They went with everything.
“We will get you proper coverings once we reach Luxiria. We have no textile worker on board this vessel,” he informed her, crossing to the hidden shelves on the far wall. He pressed a button and out sprang a drawer. He lifted a clean shirt and slid it over his chest. Kate told herself she wasn’t disappointed that his perfect, rock hard abs and nipple piercings were covered. She wasn’t.
Okay, maybe a little, she begrudgingly admitted to herself. She chanced a peek between his legs when he was distracted and her mouth went dry. His monstrous cock was still as hard as ever, perfectly silhouetted against his tight leather pants. God. She swore that she could see the outline of those hard knobs lining the underside.
Kate blew out a shaky breath, clearing the sudden lump in her throat, and reaching a trembling hand up to push back a strand of loose hair.
“Female,” Vaxa bit out, tugging down his shirt swiftly and meeting her eyes. Uh oh. His irises were turning gold again. “Have mercy on me among my men.”
“What?” she asked innocently. Maybe he didn’t smell her yet.
He approached again, leaning down, nuzzling the tip of his nose against her ear. “My female has claws. I like that. I like that you fight me. But to know that your cunt is wet after a fight will be my undoing.”
Her mouth dropped open. Don’t blush, don’t blush, don’t—shit, she thought, resigned as she felt her cheeks warm. “I—I am not—,” he cut her off.
“But I am the Prime Leader. My men expect a level of control…control that I cannot give them when my female tempts me with her scent and when I can think of nothing else but mating her.”
Kate set her jaw, cocking her head to the side. “Then maybe I should stay here,” she suggested, her voice sugary sweet and yet still mocking.
Vaxa did the strange purring/growling noise again. His horns looked a bit straighter than they had a few moments before. Did that mean he was angry…or turned on? Or both? She didn’t know.
“Or maybe you wish for me to lick your cunt again before we take our meal.”
Kate sighed, trying to ignore the tingling in her spine at his suggestion, trying to ignore the memory of last night when her legs had been wrapped around his face like a vice and she’d screamed so loudly that she’d worried the entire ship had heard her.
It had been worth a try at least.
* * *
The meal deck was near the command center. Vaxa’an knew word had traveled about his victory at the Pit. Most men that they passed only glanced at his female with curiosity, not surprise. Vaxa’an supposed that carrying her around completely nude last span hadn’t been his greatest idea. But he’d been eager to get his female onto his ship so they could depart for Luxiria. Now, he was wondering how many of his men had seen his female’s enticing backside and he couldn’t keep the scowl off his features.
Luxirians’ might be liberal with sex, but they certainly didn’t share their Breeding partners or mates. Just imagining his luxiva with another male made his scales bristle in possessiveness and jealousy.
Kirov was stepping out from the meal deck just as they reached the entrance.
“Prime Leader,” his friend greeted before turning his attention to his female. He inclined his head respectfully. “Lavrix’an.”
Something tightened in Vaxa’an’s chest. Lavrix’an. He hadn’t heard that word since his mother was alive, since before she was taken by the Plague. That title would be his mate’s title from now on, not his mother’s.
Kat’s face, he was finding, was quite expressive and her confusion showed. She tried to repeat the word back to Kirov but had trouble with the last syllable. “Lave-ricks-eu-non.” Clearly, she thought the word was a greeting.
Kirov’s lips twitched, but his features remained blank. Vaxa’an tugged her closer and said, “Lavrix’an. It is your title, Kat. Kirov is showing you respect, as you will be my luxiva.”
His female glanced up at him, her eyes narrowed a bit as if she was angry. “You should tell him that I will not be your lucks-zi-va or whatever that means because I will be returning home at the first opportunity.”
A sharp exhale blew threw Vaxa’an’s nostrils. His stubborn female… “You may tell him yourself. He has your Ang-lish implanted.”
Kate whirled on Kirov, who had been watching the exchange with interest. “You speak English?”
Kirov glanced at Vaxa’an as if trying to gauge his position in this conversation. “Yes, lavrix’an.”
“Can you help me get back home?” she asked without delay, taking a step closer to his technology advisor. Vaxa’an growled, not liking her proximity and Kirov took a step back.
“We are going home, lavrix’an,” Kirov wisely said. He switched languages and asked Vaxa’an, “She does not wish to go to Luxiria?”
“She is not taking the change well,” Vaxa’an admitted to one of his closest friends. Only a few in his life would have the varx to ask him a direct question like that and Kirov was one of them. “She will adjust with time.”
Concern touched Kirov’s tone. “We will be home in two spans. Hopefully that will be enough time for her adjustment. If she does not wish to be your lavrix’an, our people will reject her as well. The fact that she is human…it is already a mark against her.”
“I know,” Vaxa’an growled. “She is my luxiva. I feel it. It goes beyond even the Instinct. They will accept her.”
Kirov inclined his head. “Birth right or no, you may be challenged by those who do not want a human lavrix’an. You will be busy. It will be easier if she wishes to be claimed by you.”
Vaxa’an sobered. He knew that well enough. “If I am challenged, then I will meet them. It has been too long since I’ve had to prove my right to rule. Perhaps this will be the reminder my people need.”
“I will stand with you,” Kirov said. “As will Lihvan, Rixavox, Cruxan, and Vikan.”
Vaxa’an clasped Kirov’s shoulder. All six of them had gone through military training together. Nothing formed stronger bonds than that, except blood and matehood.
“The Fates watch over you, my friend,” Vaxa’an said and then he stepped away. He cast a glance down to his female, only to find her observant eyes watching their exchange, taking everything in. He would deal with his people once they reached Luxiria. Most would accept her, but a small faction most likely would not and those were the warriors that would challenge him. “Come,” he said to her.
Kirov left them, making his way back to his post at the command center. The hallways of the spaceship were brightly lit, but the meal deck was dim, emulating the communal meal hall on Luxiria. Only a few of his men lingered on the deck from the night watch, already finished with their meals but taking the time to socialize with one another. All three stood from their seats when he entered, giving him the proper greeting.
“Why did they stand?” Kat questioned once they’d taken a seat at one of the tables, her eyes roaming the meal deck. She seemed so curious about her surroundings that she seemed to have forgotten her anger towards him, if only briefly. Her gaze flitted from his men, to the dark amber light sconces on the wall, to the silver pad installed into the table.
Vaxa’an relaxed. He had the urge to pull her to him so that she could perch on his lap, but there were eyes watching. It wouldn’t be appropriate. He settled for resting a hand on her bare thigh under the table, feeling his Instinct purr in contentment.
Kat shot him a sideways glance and pushed his hand off, flicking a gaze over her shoulder at the men that remained. His lips twitched.
“They stand to show their respect,” he answered.
“Why? They don’t stand for each other,” she observed.
“I am the Prime Leader,” he said, feeling his chest swell with pride.
“The Prime Leader. What does that mean? You’re like…the captain of the ship or something?”
Vaxa’an leaned forward, pushing into her space, and his female’s breath hitched, her eyes flickering down to his lips although he didn’t know why. His nostrils flared and he gritted his teeth when he smelled the faint traces of her arousal. It was light enough that the others would not sense it yet, but his Instinct didn’t like the idea that they would know eventually. He wanted no other male to scent his female except him.
“Leave us,” he rasped in his language to the other men, knowing they were done eating. Immediately, they stood from their tables and left the meal deck, the doors whooshing closed behind them.
Kat frowned at him but then gasped when he plucked her from her seat and placed her in his lap, her shapely thighs straddling his waist.
“Hey, put me back!” she said, struggling against his hold. His cock reacted, engorging with even more blood, and he pushed into her, his hips moving with a mind of their own before he forced himself to cease. When she felt his stiffened cock, she stilled.
Vaxa’an slid his palms up from her hips, marveling at how small her body was in comparison to his. He brushed the sides of her breasts, watching her nipples stiffen to points beneath his tunic. He rumbled in satisfaction. The Fates had blessed him with a fine, lush mate, indeed.
“I am the leader to our people,” he said, leaning forward to scent her exposed neck. He was rewarded with a breathy sigh and he was pleased, thinking that he was already forgiven for their argument earlier. When another dizzying wave of her arousal hit his senses, he growled, his Instinct urging him to bend her over the table and mate her now.
Vaxa’an pushed a hand up her exposed thigh until he reached the seam of her cunt. His mouth watered, wanting another taste of her perfect vaxix. Every span, he vowed. He needed a taste of her every span or surely he’d lose his mind.
Kat trembled when his fingers found her wetness, and he sought out the small little bud she’d called her ‘clit.’ She liked it when he touched her there.
“Ohh,” she breathed softly when he nudged it, drawing moisture from her slit as lubricant. His female softened for him and he smiled, beyond pleased that she was a sensual creature, one that appreciated physical pleasure. For all of her stubborn words, she seemed to forget herself whenever he touched her. He wondered if he could use that to his advantage when convincing her that she would stay with him on Luxiria.
As if she could hear his thoughts, she began shaking her head, her cheeks flushed that enticing color. Kat pulled his hand away from her cunt and pressed it against his chest.
“No,” she said, her voice wavering a bit, her strange eyes slightly glassy. “No, Vaxa. We need to talk. No touching. Put me back in my seat. Right now.”
His brow bone shot up. “You do not wish to orgasm?”
“Not right now,” she snapped. “Put me in my seat.”
Vaxa’an leaned back in his chair, studying her, but he was in no rush to do as she’d commanded him. She needed to learn that he was the one in charge. “You will stay here,” he said. Her eyes narrowed and he blew out a breath, sensing a needless fight. “But we will talk. I will not touch your vaxix. You have my word.”
A compromise. It tasted almost as bitter as a defeat, but the pleasure of having his female perched in his lap made it all worth it. Besides, he had a feeling that there would be a lot of compromises in their future…he had better get used to them early.
His female processed his words, the scent of her cunt still lingering in his nostrils, firing his blood, spurring on his Instinct.
“Fine,” she said, shifting her thighs. Immediately, he regretted his words. How could she expect him not to touch her? She inhaled, as if trying to calm herself. “Now, what do you mean you’re the ‘leader of your people.’”
Vaxa’an huffed out a breath. Leaning forward, he placed his palm on the silver pad installed on the table. He ordered two servings of the first meal, wondering how much sustenance his female required. A moment later, a compartment opened on the metal table and two heaping plates of food appeared. They were travel rations, having already been prepared, and simply heated on board the ship. Vaxa’an reached beyond Kat to pull them close and plucked off a piece of meat.
“My sire was the Prime Leader, as was his sire, and the sire that came before, and so on. When my sire passed from this world and into the next, I took his place as leader. I am not just the ‘captain’ of this ship, luxiva. I am the ‘captain’ of my species.”
“So,” she whispered, “I landed myself royalty.”
He frowned, pressing the chunk of meat to her full lips. It pleased him to feed her, to provide for her. “I do not know what that means, female. Now eat.”
“I can feed myself,” she murmured.
“I know,” he said. “But it is my desire to take care of you.”
She held his gaze for a moment longer—he would give anything to have a look inside her mind, to determine exactly what she was thinking behind those green eyes—and then she slowly opened her lips.
Vaxa’an felt like he’d won in the Pit all over again as he placed the food on her small pink tongue. Satisfaction surged within him as he watched her chew.
“They are just travel rations,” he felt the need to say. “On Luxiria, the food is better. Fresher. This is nothing compared to what you will have.”
“You and I both know I will not be going to Luxiria, Vaxa,” she said.
Vaxa’an lips twitched. “We shall see about that, female.” He held out another bite for her and changed the subject. “Do you like it?”
“What kind of meat is this?” she asked instead of answering.
“It is…” he started, but then realized there was no translation in her language. “It is trixava. A mammal that lives on the plains of the Ravrax’tor. It is not far from our home. We will go there soon.”
His female sighed and Vaxa’an smiled. She eyed his lips again and then looked away. “You are persistent. I’ll give you that.”
“As are you, luxiva. I believe we are well-matched. I like that you stand up to me.”
“I suppose, as Prime Leader, not many people do,” she noted. “It’s a novelty for you.”
“Novelty,” he repeated, drawing a blank. The Krevorags seemed to have missed a word in their upload, had probably missed thousands now that he thought about it. Even with the implant he had much to learn. “What does this word mean?”
“New,” she said. “Something different. Doesn’t that thing in your head tell you what it means?”
“There is no ‘thing’ in my head,” he said, stealing a bite for himself. He was starved. He hadn’t eaten since before his fight at the Pit last span, had opted to skip the last meal for his female’s company. Luxirians needed a lot of food throughout the day. They took pleasure in their meal times. “It was like…an upload, I believe you call it. A stream of code. We have a way of transferring this code to our brain, where it is processed just like everything else.”
She made a face he couldn’t understand. “Sounds like it hurts.”
“It is not pleasant,” he admitted. He tilted his head at her, “But it is very convenient. And sometimes, necessary.”
Kat caught his eyes and held and he didn’t break her gaze. He wondered if she too felt the pull, the call of something more between them. It couldn’t just be his Instinct that felt it. Life mates were completely compatible on all levels. If only he could convince her that he would make her happy, that she would never want for anything again, that he would give her offspring, a home, whatever she desired.
“How far are we from Earth?” she asked.
His lips pressed together. “I do not know.”
“How can you not know?”
“Because Earth is rumored to be in the Fourth Quadrant. No Luxirian has ever ventured there.” He paused, an idea emerging. Perhaps he could use this to his advantage. “We do not have the technology to travel there. Or else we would have already. I have never seen Earth. Nor will I in my lifetime.”
Kat’s face fell and it felt like a vice was gripping his heart, preparing to pop it as he had done with the Nusseer in the Pit. A lie. Luxirians could travel anywhere in the galaxy. At least, anywhere that was already known. But perhaps, this would deter her from trying to find a way home. Perhaps this would give him time to convince her to stay with him. He could show her his planet, his home. He could show her a new destiny, one that she had never even imagined, but one that she was meant for.
“What?” she asked, her voice suddenly small.
“Our ships run on a limited power cell,” he lied further. His Instinct struggled against the untruths and he clenched his jaw. “The energy it would take to travel to the Fourth Quadrant…it is not possible with our current vessels.”
“But—but we can find a ship that has the power,” she cried out. “Those, those aliens that took me…can’t you use one of their ships?”
Vaxa’an swallowed. “It is possible,” he said slowly. “But unlikely. The Krevorags do not have trading ties with us. They like precious metals, crystals. They are motivated by greed.”
“Then pay them,” she pleaded, gazing up at him. “Please, Vaxa,” she whispered. “Pay them. You said you had money. If you do, then please do this for me. I belong on Earth, my home. I just want to go back.”
No, luxiva, he thought, dripping in guilt, hardly able to meet her gaze. You belong with me.
“For me to do this, I request one lunar cycle from you,” he rumbled.
“What do you mean?”
“One lunar cycle where you live on Luxiria, where you assimilate into life…as my mate. I want you to give it a chance. In exchange, if after one lunar cycle you still wish to return home,” Vaxa’an’s heart squeezed, “then I will organize safe passage back to Earth for you.”
He didn’t know if he really meant it or not. He could not bear the thought of parting with her…but the Luxirian in him would demand that he honor their agreement if she asked it of him.
“Really?” she breathed, eyes wide. “One lunar cycle…one month, you mean?”
“Tev,” he said, nodding. Yes. “Are these agreeable terms?”
Her whole body relaxed, like a huge weight had just been lifted off of her.
“You won’t do…maybe a week or two instead?”
“No. One lunar cycle.”
Kat blew out a breath, meeting his gaze. “Okay…okay. It’s a deal.”