Alien’s Fire – A Sci Fi Alien Romance

By Lynnea Lee

Copyright © 2022 Lynnea Lee

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or used in whole or in part, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of the publisher.

This is a work of fiction, and the characters and incidents found within are products of the author’s imagination and are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to persons, living or deceased, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

Contents

Contents

Alien’s Fire

About Outlaw Planet Mates

Chapter 1: Coal

Chapter 2: Vivian

Chapter 3: Coal

Chapter 4: Vivian

Chapter 5: Coal

Chapter 6: Vivian

Chapter 7: Coal

Chapter 8: Vivian

Chapter 9: Coal

Chapter 10: Vivian

Chapter 11: Coal

Chapter 12: Vivian

Chapter 13: Coal

Chapter 14: Vivian

Chapter 15: Coal

Epilogue: Vivian

Also In Series

Alien’s Fire

Alien’s Fire

VIVIAN

What does it take for a chubby, socially awkward girl to get all the attention? Easy peasy. Just get kidnapped from Earth and thrown onto an alien planet. Since landing here, I’ve been fought over by every single alien I’ve met. Even the local wildlife want a taste.

The one who has me now is terrifying. He’s huge, red, and looks like a demon—complete with a pointy tail! His touch does strange things to my body, and that’s even worse than being scared.

COAL

All I wanted was to get the human female off my mountain. I'm not interested in having a mate; I’m very happy living alone. But the more time I spend with Vivian, the more I realize I can never let her go.

What starts out as a chore to get back my peace and quiet becomes a race to win my mate. I might not be the warrior I once was, but my mate makes me whole, and I’ll do anything to keep her.

About Outlaw Planet Mates

Reazus Prime is a hard planet. Once a prison, it was abandoned when the mines dried up and the Overlords could no longer turn a profit off the prisoners. Now it’s a haven for outlaws, pirates, and anyone holding a grudge against authority.

It’s isolated, alone, and the only ships coming are the worst sort. One such ship, carrying a cargo of abducted human women, explodes in orbit. A lucky few were ejected in pods, only to crash on the outlaw planet.

Now the race is on to find and claim the human females.

Chapter 1: Coal

I tracked my friend Xadren and his new human mate, Lily, as they left my territory. Now that I was alone again, I sat down to check for updates on the stasis pod that had crashed into the side of my mountain.

Xadren had found Lily in one such pod just a few days ago. My old friend had been on this planet hiding from a guarding job gone wrong. Being a planet of outlaws, Reazus Prime was the perfect location. He hadn’t been looking for a female, and definitely not for a mate, but fate gave what it gave.

I wasn’t looking for a mate either. I didn’t like company much, which was why I lived alone in the mountains in the wilds of an outlaw planet. It was hard to reach me, and I liked it that way.

The pod that had crashed into my mountain was on a neighboring slope, but it was still too close for comfort. With a much sought-after human female inside, that pod would have my quiet sanctuary swarming with unsavory types in no time. I had to get her away from my home, and fast.

An update flashed on my screen, and the image of the once-intact stasis pod appeared. It was no longer whole. It seemed some idiot had shot it up, and the pod had exploded. It was nothing but a smear of black char against the rock wall behind it.

Below that was another, earlier, image of a Nakkoni male bent over the still-intact pod. The scaled and frilled reptilian male concentrated hard as he maneuvered a pink-haired human with light brown skin through a half-opened hatch.

She was small, like Xadren’s mate, and her features delicate. My eyes gravitated to the bright pink of her hair. I’d never seen a human with pink hair before, not that I’d known many. Human females were rare and worth a fortune, as they were known as universal breeders.

The channels were suddenly all abuzz with talk about the rare, pink-haired specimen. Apparently, the Nakkoni male had perished in the explosion. Just moments after sending the image of the incident, the drone had been knocked out of the air by the shockwave and decommissioned. Someone out there had the valuable human in their possession, and the channels were full of fortune-seekers and mate-finders alike itching to relieve this someone of the burden.

I huffed out a frustrated breath. Why couldn’t she have been ugly? Now, even more idiots would swarm my mountain looking for her. I couldn’t have been the only one who’d focused on the rare hair color either.

The broadcast image of her proved there were already plenty of drones scanning the area and invading my privacy. That was unacceptable. I had to do something about this.

I needed to get a hold of this female and make sure the entire planet witnessed her leaving my mountains and entering the nearby port of Hague. Usually called the Hub by the outlaws of this planet, the port was a bustling place, a place where a human female could get lost.

Once they realized she was no longer here, everyone would leave and I’d be alone again. Just the way I liked it.

I strapped on my weapons and headed toward the location of the now-defunct stasis pod. I didn't have the ability to track the female down by scent as some of the other species here did. However, my tracking skills were well-honed after years of hunting for myself in the wilderness.

Ever since I’d left my job as a mercenary, I’d lived alone. That didn't mean I didn't occasionally trade in the Hub, but if everyone on the planet suddenly disappeared, I’d still live quite comfortably.

I’d never liked others much to begin with, and after a life of dealing with untrustworthy people who’d sell their own mothers for riches, I’d decided that being alone was best. There were a few people I tolerated and a couple I even called friends, but I spent most of my time by myself.

Besides, I’d originally come here to plan a mission of revenge, and that was best done alone. I never quit the lonesome life, even years after my chance for revenge had gone and past.

I only took note of what was happening around the planet if it affected me. This was why when the crashing slaver ship had scattered the numerous stasis pods containing valuable merchandise, I’d ignored it. I had no interest in human females. Or any females, for that matter.

Voices alerted me of others as I approached the charred remains of the stasis pod. I ducked behind a tree and watched the two males as they dug around for clues. Looping around the area and keeping a wide berth, I kept my eyes on the lookout for tracks.

Whoever had taken the female hadn’t hidden their tracks well at all. They’d blazed a way through to the pod, cutting straight through the brush, unlike the dead Nakkoni male who had been more careful to leave as little sign as possible for others to follow.

They’d taken the female down the same path they’d come in but had ducked into the woods when they’d run into the two newcomers who were now analyzing the wreck. The twin suns were both still high in the sky on this bright afternoon, and the broken branches and crushed plants where they’d stepped into the forest were so obvious I couldn’t believe the others hadn’t noticed them.

I’d lived on this mountain long enough to understand how the plants grew and the regular tracks the animals living in this forest left. None of them left a trail as if they’d crashed through the woods like drunks on their way to take a piss. This was almost too easy.

Following their trail, I found them quickly, just in time to hear the female demand to be let down. She didn’t want to be carried. I didn’t blame her; these thugs stank. I’d have been able to track them by scent, even without my acute sense of smell.

Hidden under the stench of her two captors was the floral scent of the female. I closed my eyes, trying to separate it from the sweaty, unwashed males. She reminded me of the flowers of my home world, Kadri, a place I’d never visit again. Not with the usurper empress in charge.

I might not have the nose some other species did—my species, the Kadrixans, hunted by sight—but the human female’s scent was unmistakable. She reminded me of the delicate weeli blooms; the small pink flowers were the harbingers of spring. I tailed the trio a little longer, following her faint scent instead of the swath of destruction the two males left in their wake.

It soon became apparent that, unlike my friend’s mate, this female did not have a translator. Alternatively, her translator could have been damaged by the blast at the pod, if she’d been close when it happened. There was also the distinct possibility that she was pretending not to understand so as to ignore the orders she was given.

Though, with the nasty and inappropriate things the two thugs were threatening to do to her, it would be challenging to keep a straight face if she understood. The longer I followed, the more I knew I had to get her away from them.

At first, I’d thought I’d let them take her down the mountain and away from my home. They were making such a ruckus the entire planet would know she was no longer here. But the thought of the little pink-haired female in their grubby paws made me sick. They planned to sell her for credits, but not before they’d sampled the goods very thoroughly.

The only things they’d be sampling were my fists.

Moments after being let down to the ground, the female yelped as she tripped over a haphazardly-thrown branch one of the males had tossed behind him. That was when I noticed her ridiculous footwear. She wore what looked like small animals on her feet! Each one complete with a pair of perky, upright ears and a white puffy tail.

Even with the warm, dry air and bright suns, her strange animal shoes looked wet, most likely having been dragged through the damp underbrush. They must not be made from a real animal, despite the way they looked. If they were made from real fur, they would protect her feet much better.

The same small animals were printed all over her garments. Prey. They looked like prey animals. She had food printed all over her body, and she wore them on her feet. Was this her favorite meal?

“Get up.” One of her captors tapped her with the toe of his boot. “We don’t have time for this.” He reached and grabbed her by the hair and started dragging her along.

I couldn't stop the angry snarl that erupted from my throat, giving away my location. The idiot released the female though, so it had the intended effect, and I didn’t mind.

“It’s that hermit we were warned about,” said the other male.

“He should have been warned about us instead.” The first one cracked a toothy sneer and pounded his fist into his palm.

As the male stepped away from the female, she got up and hid behind the nearest tree.

Good. I didn’t want her to get hurt.

With her safely out of the way, I rounded on my two opponents.

Chapter 2: Vivian

I backed up against the trunk of a tree as the aliens fought on the path in front of me. The two hog-nosed aliens had been taking me down the mountain. I didn’t particularly like or trust them. In fact, they gave me the heebie-jeebies, but the new alien was almost worse.

The new guy looked like a demon, or at least the way a demon had been portrayed by my Sunday school teacher back in my youth. His skin was red and leathery, and he had horns jutting out from the sides of his head. Even his eyes flickered yellow and orange like hell’s flames.

The only things that were missing from his demonic form were wings. He wore a dark, fitted shirt that couldn’t possibly hide a pair of wings underneath.

Well-fitting leather pants showed that his legs weren’t human-shaped at all; he had the whole goat-shaped leg thing going on. Except these weren’t cute billy goat legs; they were monstrous. Finally, below where his pants cut off at the shin, his feet were giant and clawed.

One of the Pigfaces threw several punches at him, and he deftly avoided them. In the process, he turned his back to me. He had a tail too! The red appendage even ended in a flat triangular point.

This alien’s ancestors must have made it to Earth in the past, because he looked exactly like medieval drawings of demons.

I shuddered.

He was terrifying, and if I thought the aliens who had found me first were bad, I was wrong. Surely if this new demon alien won the battle, he would roast me over a pit and eat me for dinner.

Pigface Number One pulled out his blaster and the demon guy easily dodged the energy blasts sent his way, moving so fast his body turned into a blur of red. He leaped at one of the pigs with his claws extended and slashed across his face. The claws didn’t cut, but the pig-alien squealed, sounding very much the way he looked.

Fire Demon picked him up and threw him so hard against a tree the entire mountain shuddered. A branch fell from above, crushing the pig.

Fire Demon turned to the second pig and roared something. The translator in my head buzzed ever so slightly. I braced myself for a shock, but none came.

At first, I’d thought the memory of little green men putting something in my head was just a dream. Then when the first lizard-like alien had pulled me up out of some kind of stasis pod, I’d understood him. It hadn’t been a dream after all. They’d put a translator of some kind in my head. I vaguely remembered inoculations too, but not much else.

At least I wouldn’t die of some alien disease. I’d just be spit-roasted over a fire by a demon.

Too bad that translator had malfunctioned just a few short steps away from the pod. It had happened when a pair of pig-like aliens started shooting at us, or rather, at the lizard guy who had pulled me out of the pod. They had hit the craft several times instead. It had hummed and vibrated with energy, and the lizard guy had pushed me out of the way as it exploded.

As it did, I’d heard a loud pop in my head, and it felt as if I was being shocked inside my brain. For a moment, I’d thought I died. Everything had gone black. When I woke, one of the pig-aliens was carrying me, his stench making me want to puke. When he spoke, I didn’t get a translation.

The explosion had fried my translator, and I was lucky to be alive.

It still buzzed occasionally, so it wasn’t completely dead. Every time it buzzed, I feared it would shock me again and fry me for good.

Instead of continuing to fight, the pig alien turned tail and fled, leaving me with the fire demon.

Shit!

The demon turned to me and growled something vicious-sounding. I backed up, only to realize I was already right against the trunk of a large tree and had nowhere to go.

The demon leaned in close, sniffing at me. His body made a growling noise.

Was that his stomach? Was he hungry?

“Please don’t eat me,” I blurted out.

The red alien frowned and growled some more. Then he pounded once on his chest and repeated the growling.

Was that his name? If he was offering his name, did that mean he wasn’t planning on eating me?

I tried to repeat the sound and failed miserably. He did not look happy about it. Instead of trying again and possibly upsetting him even more, I said, “Look, I can’t even begin to pronounce your name. Can I call you Red instead?”

He mumbled something, but of course I didn’t understand. He pointed to me, and it was clear he was asking for my name. The lizard guy and the pig-aliens hadn’t asked for my name at all.

“Vivian. My name is Vivian.” Then, while I had his attention, I said, “My translator is fried. It doesn’t work.”

Even though my translator didn’t work, his did. They all understood me; I just couldn’t understand them.

He grunted as if he already knew, and then he motioned for me to follow him. When I didn’t immediately fall-in, he turned back, grumbling something angrily. Then, before I could even say boo, I was tossed over his impossibly wide shoulder as he strode back the way he’d come.

“Hey! Let me down. I’ll follow, I swear.”

But he didn’t let me down. He just tightened his arm around my legs as my upper body hung against his extremely well-muscled back. He wore a thin silky shirt, and I felt every ripple of his muscles under it.

His tail swished in front of me, and I followed it back to a tight pair of glutes.

Damn! This guy was built! He must be the alien equivalent of a gym rat.

A loud squawking sound had me covering my ears as the translator in my head buzzed again. This time, it gave me a tiny shock. I gasped as my whole body went rigid.

I quickly found myself sitting on the giant red alien’s knee as he carefully brushed back my hair to look at my ear, or rather my temple. He held my head in his large hands, and where we touched, my skin heated up, drawing all my attention.

Suddenly I couldn’t help but notice how wide and manly his chest was and how broad his shoulders were. His forearms, displayed by his rolled-up sleeves, were thick and sinewy. His hands were strong too. I swallowed hard at the completely inappropriate reaction my body had to the virility on display.

This was totally wrong. Just a few minutes ago, I’d been sure this guy was going to eat me.

I squeezed my legs together, begging my body to stop. Why the fuck was it reacting like this? It was completely inappropriate.

I didn’t even know if this alien wanted me for food, sex, or labor. Though how much labor I could do compared to him was questionable; this guy looked as though he could lift a freight train if he wanted.

I focused on his fingertips, which ended in trimmed, neatly dulled claws instead of nails. No wonder he hadn’t been able to cut through the pig-alien with them. Yeah. Look at that, I told myself. He isn’t human. He looked like a demon, for goodness sakes; I couldn’t possibly feel any attraction to him.

Oh, but I did.

Maybe I’d knocked my head coming down to the planet in that weird alien pod. Maybe those little green men had given me a breeding drug that made me want any guy I came across. But then, I hadn't felt this way about any of the other aliens who I'd met so far.

Maybe it was Red. Maybe he cast some sort of spell on me.

He growled something as his fingers gingerly traced the side of my face. I closed my eyes, hoping to block out his perfectly-formed body. It backfired. With my vision cut off, I now noticed his spicy, masculine scent.

Mmm, yummy. A rush of moisture had me crossing my legs. I was going to hell.

That was how it had happened, wasn’t it? Somehow, his people had come to Earth and turned all the women into lustful hussies, and that was how the whole demons turning into incubi to tempt women rumor started. If I could believe I was abducted from Earth by little green men, then that theory wasn’t too farfetched.

I didn’t realize I had my face pressed against his palms, my lips open suggestively, until something hard and insistent pressed up against my ass. My eyes popped open and were instantly held captive by the swirling flames of his.

Instead of taking advantage of my weakness, he grumbled something and stood, pushing me off his lap. Then he stomped ahead angrily, and I followed behind, confused. If I had to admit it, I was a bit offended he’d walked away from me so easily, though it made no sense at all.

Still, I followed him close, not wanting to get left behind. Who knew what lurked in the trees?

At least I knew now by his reaction that he didn’t want me for food. Food wouldn’t elicit such a reaction, right? Unless it was some sort of aphrodisiac. Didn’t the little green men mention something about human females being universal something or another?

Stop! I had to get a hold of myself. I marched on, following Red through the alien woods.

My poor bunny slippers were getting ruined by this dreaded forest. At first, I’d been glad to have been abducted in comfortable clothing. I vaguely remembered catching a quick glimpse of another woman wearing a prom dress back in the slavers’ ship, the poor girl. Now, I wished I had better shoes.

And with this planet’s two ridiculously hot suns beating down on me, my matching fleece pajamas, also covered in cute bunnies, were effectively cooking me. I was sweating from every pore.

I thought of Cottonball, the bunny I’d lost last month. My house had been so lonely without him hopping around, leaving his pellets and bits of hay everywhere. I’d had him for almost a decade, and we'd gone through everything together, from messy breakups to equally messy breakdowns.

It had taken me a few weeks to finally check the local breeder’s website for their selection of Holland lops. I hadn’t been ready for a new bunny until I’d come across the cutest little cream harlequin with a brown patch on the side of her face. She’d stared through the screen at me, and I knew immediately she’d be a troublemaker. It was love at first sight.

I was supposed to pick up my new cutie tomorrow, or what should have been tomorrow. I had no idea how long I was passed out in the alien pod. Who knew? I could have been asleep in there for years.

I wasn’t even sure I was really awake now. I pinched myself. Hard.

Ouch! Yup, I was awake. If I wasn’t dreaming, then I must be going crazy. That was the only explanation.

That bunny must have gone to another owner. A cutie like her, she’d have no trouble finding a home.

Me, however? I wasn’t so sure. I looked up into the strange alien sky, with its strange alien clouds and two suns, and wondered how I’d ever get home.

Chapter 3: Coal

I stomped through the forest of Reazus Prime, hardly believing my reaction to the little human. I’d known human females were universal breeders, but I hadn’t expected her to have me secreting my pheromones with just one touch.

I’d been away from my own females for so long that I’d forgotten how it felt. During our yearly rut, the males of my kind turned violent, sometimes even attacking each other if females were not present. During this time, we secreted this hormone in the presence of any compatible female. But during the rest of the year, it only happened for a female deemed worthy of being our life mate.

How our bodies chose our life mates was something we’d never figured out, but it never chose wrong.

I was not looking for a mate, and most definitely not with a human female. This must be an error.

Here on this outlaw planet, I’d shut myself in my remote mountain abode to endure my rut every spring. It was ten full days of torture, which began with me destroying my home and then hunting down any males, sentient or beast, who dared enter my territory.

It meant I’d learned how to rebuild and craft my own furniture from the most durable trees on the mountain. It had also given me a reputation for being vicious and deadly. Most avoided my territory now, even outside rutting season. I preferred it that way.

I’d also prefer if Vivian and I did not touch any more as we made our way to the Hub. I didn’t trust my body and its inexplicable reaction not to further complicate matters.

I had an idea who I might be able to leave her with. There was a male in town who collected oddities. From what I’d heard, he took great care of his prizes. His lavish home was filled with treasures he’d acquired with credits made from crooked dealings. Vivian would fit in there among the other treasures and be well cared for.

“Wait up.” Vivian puffed behind me. “Your legs are too damn long!”

Stopping to let her catch up, I narrowed my eyes at her short but shapely legs. “No. Your legs are too short.”

She huffed at me as if she understood me, though we both knew she couldn’t. Then she did a double-take. “Is your tongue forked? Or did I just imagine that?”

I stuck out my tongue and she gasped.

My tongue was bifurcated. It wasn’t that uncommon.

“Are you sure your people didn’t come to Earth during the Middle Ages and stir up trouble?”

I grunted noncommittally.

When it was discovered that human females were universal breeders, many species had visited their planet. That was before the location had been wiped from general star charts. According to rumors, a contingent of Kadrixans had been stranded near the planet during their rut a while ago.

At the time, human civilization had still been pretty primitive. But by the way Vivian had reacted to star travel, stasis pods, and technology in general, it seemed humans had made much progress since.

How much of it was due to slavers accidentally leaving traces of technology, I wasn’t sure.

The human’s puffy footwear got caught on an outstretched tree root, and she tumbled forward. I caught her before she hit the ground, then I righted her and grimaced at the ridiculous things on her feet.

They made traveling difficult and did not fit her properly. They were too large and offered no support at the ankles. But as long as we made it to Lethin’s home, it wouldn’t matter. He would be sure to clothe her in the finest things he could afford.

I resisted the urge to pick her up and carry her, even though that would make our travels much faster and reduce the chances of anyone bumping into us in their search for her. Despite her clothing fully covering her limbs, I didn’t want to risk any more skin-to-skin contact.

Occasionally, a drone flew overhead, most likely taking images of us and reporting back to its owner or even broadcasting them for all to see. I didn’t mind. I traveled on the established paths between the trees for good reason: I wanted them to see the human female leave the mountains.

Lethin had the credits and power to keep her safe. I doubted many would attempt to breach his home in search of Vivian—universal breeder or not.

Just the thought of her had me noticing that wonderful, floral fragrance again. The way she’d pressed her face to my palms, her eyes closed and lips opened in invitation, was etched into my brain.

I knew her reaction was mostly due to my pheromones, but her effect on me was completely genuine. I’d frozen there with her on my knee for those few seconds, unable to think about anything else but the portrait of utter perfection in my arms.

I’d wanted to capture those lips, taste them, devour them, own them. Then, when she was thoroughly pliant in my arms, I’d do the same to her nether lips before I—

Fuck! I grunted as my shins kicked something sharp and wiry.

I should have been paying attention to my surroundings instead of thinking about the delectable morsel walking behind me. Even now, I could smell the stench of an unwashed male in the trees. I’d walked into a trap and had no one but myself to blame.

I flailed my arms uselessly as the wire tightened around my ankle and lifted me into the air. Behind me, Vivian cried out and hopped backward.

From the trees, a blue male stepped out into the open, a sneer on his face as he took in my plight. Vivian snatched a stick up from the ground and wielded it in front of her, but it was no use. The newcomer knocked it out of her hands.

He grabbed her by the wrists and started marching her down the exact same path we’d been traveling, leaving me up the tree.

How rude. He hadn’t even bothered to exchange words.

Vivian looked back at me as she was pulled away, panic filling her features. This was the same look she had given me when I’d first sniffed her. She’d worried I’d consume her, as if anyone would waste a human female for food. The slavers must not have explained anything.

I grabbed a knife from my belt and started sawing away at the snare. The wire was tough, and by the time I’d freed myself, the blue male and Vivian were out of sight. I hurried down the path. With Vivian’s short legs, I’d catch up in no time, unless the male had a shuttle hidden nearby.

Why was I so bent on retrieving the female? We were already most of the way down the mountain. If I wanted peace and quiet, all I had to do was make sure this male brought her to the Hub and I’d achieve my objective.

I didn’t know what this male wanted her for, though. He might keep her for himself, or try to sell her for credits. By the looks of it, this male was hungry for credits. Vivian could end up in a much worse situation.

If I could help her get to a safe location, I should.

The zing of energy weapons firing broke through the natural sounds of the forest. It seemed they’d run into trouble already.

I ran down the path as more blaster shots sounded, followed by the loud screaming of the male. I skidded to a halt at the sight before me. The blue male was dead, his body torn apart by a pair of the dirk-toothed predators that hunted these mountains.

He hadn’t lasted long at all. He hadn’t been ready to face the beasts prowling these woods. It served him right for not even facing me in an honest fight.

The ironfangs, named for the slight reddish tint to their fangs, hunted in pairs deep in the wilderness and often wouldn’t attack those walking a cleared path. They were particularly dangerous after their mating season, when they had extra mouths to feed, but that had already passed. They must be ravenous or extremely tempted by Vivian’s scent to have ventured out from the densest part of the forest.

Perhaps the presence of so many fortune seekers swarming to the mountains had roused them from the depths of their cave home, the same as it had done to me. These creatures had enough intelligence to be curious, and so many new scents in their territory would have them on high alert.

The pair of ironfangs had left the blue male alone after he fell, and the only reason for them to leave their kill was if they were after juicier, more delicious prey. Luckily, their trail was easy to follow. Being apex predators, they had no need to hide, especially when their prey was so near and already knew they were coming.

The human female’s trail was just as apparent. She’d stirred up the leaf litter on the forest floor with her ridiculous prey-shaped shoes. I followed them, worried I’d not get to her in time.

A shrill scream pierced through the crisp mountain air.

Vivian!

Chapter 4: Vivian

My heart pounded wildly in my chest as I pumped my legs as fast as I could. Alien velociraptors with giant fangs were after me, and I doubted the big blue alien would hold them for long.

The creatures were something out of a nightmare. They had huge curved fangs like the historic sabretooth tiger but were scaley and reptilian-looking. They walked upright on their hind legs and had huge talons on their front limbs and their feet. They had quills sticking out the sides of their heads that looked like primitive feathers.

They were clearly after me and not my blue abductor. They’d known I’d be easy to catch though, so they’d let me run while they turned on Blue.

As I ran into the forest, putting as many large tree trunks between us as possible, I’d heard strange noises that must have been some kind of high-tech alien weapon. That had given me hope for a moment. Surely alien technology would be enough to take down a couple of primitive beasts in a forest.

My hopes were dashed quickly when more blaster fire sounded off, and I heard screaming and shouting from Blue.

Crap! That didn’t sound good at all.

If these creatures were anything like the way velociraptors were portrayed in movies back on Earth, then I knew I’d never be able to outrun them. I glanced around the forest. Maybe I could climb.

The feel and smell of decaying leaf litter under my now-soaking wet bunny slippers reminded me of home, but nothing else about the alien forest was familiar. Especially not when I took a closer look.

The trees had big trunks that were impossible to climb, but some had vines hanging down from the forest canopy above. I could use those to get up.

I approached one of the vines and touched it gingerly, hoping it didn’t turn out to be some sort of snake. This was an alien planet after all; for all I knew, it could have been tentacles of an arboreal monster. When the vine didn't spring to life, I grabbed hold and tugged. Nothing happened.

Satisfied that I wasn't, in fact, holding onto an alien monster, I grabbed another vine, braced the bottom of my soaked slippers against the trunk, and started up the tree. Just in time too, as the two fanged and feathered velociraptors prowled into view.

One of them called out a strange warbling noise, something I didn't expect out of such a ferocious-looking creature. If I'd heard that in the forest, I would have gotten all Disney princess and tried to find the cute little bird that had made that sound. Cute little bird indeed. I would have been lunch.

The second creature warbled right back, and then the two started toward me with murderous intent in their eyes. I hurried up the tree as fast as I could, but my waterlogged slippers, which squished with every step against the bark, weren't doing me any good. Neither were my shaking biceps.

Why were my arms so weak? I really should have gotten off my ass and gone to the gym more often instead of Netflix-and-chillin’ with Ben and Jerry.

One of the creatures lunged at me, and I kicked at it wildly, flinging my bunny slipper in its face. It grabbed my poor slipper in its mouth and shook it like a dog with a new stuffed toy. The other monster snapped at it, wanting a bite too.

With the two distracted by the mass of wet stuffing and rubber sole, I started up again with one bare foot. It gave me much better purchase on the rough bark, and I kicked off the second slipper, deciding to go barefoot instead. I moved up the trunk much quicker.

But not quick enough. The pair of wild beasts had realized there was nothing of substance in the fluffy footwear. The one with the more ornate head feathers leaped up, having no trouble getting to my height. Lucky for me, a branch blocked its way, and it got a mouthful of leaves instead.

It spat them out and screeched, not sounding too happy. I guess it didn’t like vegetables.

I looked up at the next branch and realized there was no way I could make it. Not with the way my arms were shaking. Even if my biceps held, my hands wouldn't. Even now, they were slipping on the smooth vine, and I doubted I could hold on much longer.

There was an opening, a hollowed knoll in the tree just a little farther up. I heaved myself upward one more time, my arms burning with the exertion, and threw my weight toward the hollow. For a moment, I thought I wouldn't make it, but my arms caught and I landed hard on my chest against the rough bark.

The bark stuck to my fleecy pajamas, making an annoying scratching sound as I crawled into the hollow. I tucked my arms and legs in just as the raptor-like creature leaped up and snapped its jaws together. Its teeth closed on nothing.

Our eyes connected for just a second before gravity pulled it back to the ground. I wasn't sure how protected I was in this hollow, considering the creature could jump high enough to reach it. With its short arms, I wasn't sure if it could climb, but that wouldn't stop it from leaping again and again.

Loud scratching started at the base of the tree. Were they trying to climb it? I poked my head out and sure enough, the creatures were trying ineffectively to climb the tree. One of them noticed me and hissed. I ducked back into the hollow.

A few seconds later, another toothy snout appeared outside the round opening. This one didn't snap at me; it just glared with an intelligent spark in its eyes that made me uneasy. It held my gaze as it disappeared back down, where it landed so silently on the forest floor that I wouldn't have noticed if I hadn't been listening for the sound.

Damn! These creatures were stealthy when they wanted to be.

Then for the longest time, nothing happened. It was quiet, all except for my own ragged breathing and the pounding of blood through my veins. No more heads popped up. Nothing scratched at the bark.

Something told me, however, that they were still there.

I didn’t dare poke my head out to check. The two intelligent hunters were probably waiting for me to do exactly that. They couldn't get inside the hollow, but anything sticking out was fair game. I imagined the two beasts below the tree, their vertically slitted eyes staring up. Waiting. Watching. Ready.

For the first time, I realized I hadn't even taken a look at my refuge before I crawled in.

Please don't be covered in bugs. Please don't be covered in bugs, I repeated in my head.

I looked around and blew out a breath in relief. Oh thank god! It was not covered in bugs.

This must have once been a home for a small animal or animals. I was sitting on a pile of cracked and empty shells. Nuts? Whatever they were, they were old. There was also dried scat along one wall, but it was old as well and didn't stink. At the edges of the hollow were tufts of old fur.

I grabbed a handful of the empty shells from under me and tossed them out of the opening. Sure enough, two toothy grins appeared, springing up from the ground below to snap up the shells. Then, after landing, one of them leaped again, this time snapping at the bark at the entrance of the hollow, just inches from my feet

Heart pounding again, I tucked my feet in under myself and backed up against the far wall. I better get comfortable; I had a feeling I’d be in here for a while.

The arboreal cavity was barely big enough to fit my body, and I had to keep my arms and legs tucked in tight, or else they’d stick out and be within reach of the big jaws waiting outside. So much for taking a nap while I waited for my predators to get bored and leave. 

Perhaps if I closed my eyes and wished really hard, I'd wake up back on my bed in my room on Earth. I pulled myself into a tight ball and closed my eyes, thinking about home and the baby bunny that I’d pick up tomorrow morning when I awoke from this dream.

I tried to block out all the input around me, from the feel of the half decayed nutshells cushioning my hips to the scent of the alien forest bombarding my senses. But no matter how hard I tried, reality filtered in.

This was my life now, no matter how foreign and unbelievable. And my warm bed back home? That was just a dream, a memory of the past. There was no home, and there was no baby bunny.

A low voice sounded outside the safety of my tree hollow. My heart jumped at the growly sound. Red!

The two beasts under my tree shrieked in reply.

I was filled with both relief and worry. If these creatures had taken down the big blue alien so easily, did Red stand a chance? I wanted to believe that he did. He was bigger, tougher, and scarier. And he seemed comfortable in this forest, as if it was his home.

The two wild animals called again, this time sounding farther away from my tree. Taking a risk, I peeked out of the narrow opening.

Red stood several trees away. The blaster he carried was still on his belt. Instead, he approached the deadly beasts empty-handed. 

What the hell was he doing? He was going to get himself eaten!

He took a step toward the two snarling beasts and made a motion with his hands as if he was shooing away squirrels from his bird feeder. The creature with the larger plumes sticking out of its head snarled at him, and Red snarled right back.

The sound was terrifying, making my heart speed up. If he hadn’t been trying to save me from certain death, and I weren’t stuck wedged in a tree, I'd have run for my life. 

Red took a few more steps toward the two fanged velociraptors, and to my surprise, the two backed away from him and away from my tree. Then, as if deciding I wasn't worth the fight, the creatures fled, relinquishing their prey to the new red-skinned predator.

Red had chased off the predators through intimidation alone. Had he been communicating with them through his growls?

He approached my tree, motioning for me to get down. Instead of climbing down slowly the way I had gone up, I jumped down into his waiting arms.

I wrapped my arms around his neck. "Oh my god! Thank-you! You saved me."

Thick, brawny arms wrapped around me too, and the heat of him penetrated right through our clothes, warming me. Not just his heat but that tingling, needy sensation I'd felt earlier when we touched. This time, I didn't want to let go.

There was something more this time around, not just lust. I closed my eyes and pressed my cheek into the side of his neck. I felt safe and happy, though I couldn't explain why. Red had an aura around him that made me feel protected and cared for, especially when we touched.

I thanked him with an impromptu smooch on the side of his face, not caring if it was appropriate or not. I'd escaped being eaten for lunch by wingless alien bird lizards, and I was just happy to be alive.

Chapter 5: Coal

I growled and turned my head, covering Vivian’s sweet lips with mine. Humans had mating and sex rituals similar to our people’s. This mating of the mouths wasn’t done in all species, but it was done in mine.

Vivian moaned into my mouth as she reached up to clutch at my shirt. I deepened the kiss, sliding my tongue across her lips, silently begging for her to open her mouth. She parted her lips, and I immediately slipped my tongue into her warmth, seeking and claiming.

Her body sagged in my arms as if completely relinquishing control to me. Her body molded against mine perfectly, her soft curves pressing against my skin and lighting my body on fire. Perky nipples tightened under her fleecy clothing, and she whimpered into my mouth when I pulled us together.

She was straddling my hips now as I knelt on the forest floor. My throbbing shaft jutted out between us, pressing eagerly against her belly. I grabbed handfuls of her round, fleshy buttocks and ground her pelvis against mine.

If this was the way all human females were built, curvy and lush, then I understood why they were in such high demand. It was enough to drive a male mad with need.

Moving one hand to support her upper back, I left her delicious lips and tilted her head back to expose the delicate line of her neck. Her eyes were closed as she leaned back on my hand, so trusting of me to care for and support her. I traced a path down her throat, and the soft sound that came from her lips was enough to drive me insane.

I wanted this female, needed her. I wanted to entwine us together so that our futures meshed and she became a part of my life forever. I wanted my cock inside her, pumping, claiming.

It was a soft whirring in the sky that had me pulling away. A drone.

Vivian looked dazed, unable to hear the drone as I had. She reached for her red, swollen lips with the hand that had been gripping my shoulder. She frowned as if confused by what had transpired between us. It was adorable, and I wanted to cover her lips again to show her how good it could be.

But now was not the time.

I separated us, though what I really wanted to do was hold her in my arms forever. I couldn't let the drones pick up this scene. Anyone witnessing this would no longer believe that I’d leave her in the Hub.

Many of the residents here believed the violent hermit Kadrixan living in the woods had no want or need for a female. This was why they’d believe I’d left her in the port. If images of us sharing a kiss reached these people, it would ruin my plan completely.

“Come, we must go,” I said, completely forgetting she couldn't understand me.

She hissed and covered her ears before looking to the sky. That broken translator must be bothering her again. We needed to get that removed or fixed as soon as we could.

The drone flew in to view through the thick foliage as we started back toward the trail down the mountain.

I kept a hand on her arm as we walked, not wanting to separate from her completely.

I was confused. I no longer wanted to leave her in a lavish home as some powerful criminal’s pet, not after what we’d just shared. It didn't make sense for me to keep her though. I wasn't looking for a mate. I lived out in the woods with none of the niceties Lethin would be able to provide for her.

My water was pumped in from the lake next to my house. I hunted and foraged for food from the forest around me. My home was even heated by firewood, and despite all the technological gadgets I owned, I lived a primitive life. A simple life, away from everyone else.

I couldn’t possibly force her to live in solitude with me just because my body insisted she was a good match.

I had to get her to Lethin’s mansion as soon as I could, before her effect on me grew too strong.

We never got close to Lethin’s mansion. I had all the intention of heading there the moment we entered the Hub, but my feet had taken us to the market instead.

Vivian's eyes had grown wide as we traveled through the port, and when we entered the busy bazaar, they looked ready to pop out of her head. I grinned at the display of childish wonder, wishing I could see the galaxy with fresh eyes as she did.

As usual, the open-air market was bustling with activity. I walked us through the short tunnel connecting the rows and rows of stalls. The many large buildings shaded the sprawling market it was built around.

Originally, this market and the trade buildings around it had been haphazardly thrown together by escaped prisoners who had formed the backbone of this planet's underground trade. Even though this was no longer a prison planet, signs of it remained, indelibly built into every aspect of the port.

One male ventured too close to us, and Vivian stiffened before clinging tighter to my arm. He was the same species as the two who’d had her when we first met. My chest puffed out, knowing that she clung to me for safety.

Here, most of the denizens would assume Vivian belonged to me, though that didn't necessarily mean that they wouldn't fight me for her. This was, after all, a mostly lawless planet, filled with outlaws who scoffed at authority anyway. If anyone recognized her as the human from the stasis pod, however, we would be in trouble.

I was a good fighter, but I couldn't take on the entire Hub.

That was why we were now standing in front of Hookin’s stall. We needed clothes and disguises, and this acerbic harpy of a female was just the person to sell them to us. She owed me a favor anyway.

I suspected that was how Hookin had survived all these years. Rumor was that she owed many people favors, and as a result, they kept her alive so that she’d repay them one day. Too bad many males never lived long enough to collect.

Hookin hunched over her cane, the years showing on her body but not on her shiny black skin. She frowned at me and hobbled over.

“Finally got off that mountain of yours?” she asked, cracking a toothy grin. Her eyes went to Vivian. “Another human. Why do you males keep bringing them to me?” She leaned in, still smiling, with all two hundred of her sharp teeth on display.

Vivian shrank back, half-hiding behind me. Her hands tightened on my shirt.

“You are one of the few with a selection of human wares.” I looked directly into her wise, knowing eyes. “And you owe me a favor.”

“Of course I do,” she grunted. “At least this one doesn’t stink.” She inhaled and made a face. “I couldn’t say the same about you.”

She glanced down at Vivian’s feet.

Vivian’s animal slippers were torn up, and stuffing was spilling out from one of them. I’d softened a piece of dried vine and used it to tie the wretched things to her feet. They looked ridiculous and couldn’t be comfortable, but they’d held. Not only had they absorbed all the dew from the forest floor, but they were now stained by walking through the market as well.

Then Hookin looked up at Vivian’s pink hair. “I didn’t know they came in pink. She’s the one everyone’s looking for.”

“We’ll need something to hide that. And clothes, and footwear.” I glanced down at the red skin of my hands. There weren’t many Kadrixans on this planet. “Maybe something for me as well.”

“Yeah, yeah,” she grumbled, throwing garments and supplies into a bag for me. “I’m already ahead of you. It’s all in the bag. Just make sure you march her away from my stall in plain sight so everyone knows she’s gone from here. I don’t need trouble.”

Hookin shoved the bag of items at Vivian. Vivian just stared at her, her heart pounding so loudly I could hear it from where I stood. I took the bag instead.

“Is your human defective?”

“Her translator is broken,” I explained. “I hoped you’d know where we can get that fixed safely.” I was sure most places would try to steal my female, especially here in the Hub.

“I'll send you some info through an encrypted file.” Then she grabbed a small device from the long table of wares behind her. “You're in luck.” She held an old-style translator in the air for a moment before holding it out.

The thing looked older than me, and it probably was. Did it even work?

“There. We’re even,” Hookin snapped. “I don't want to see your face again, Coal, unless you're coming to spend some credits.”

Considering I really hadn't expected to call on this favor in my lifetime, I shrugged. “That's good enough for me.”

Chapter 6: Vivian

Coal. That impossible to pronounce alien word he’d said while pointing to himself translated to Coal. It suited him, considering the fiery eyes and red skin, but it wasn’t his real name. He’d looked briefly away when I’d asked if it was the name he was born with and then told me it was a nickname and that no one called him by his birth name anymore.

The translation device made communication much easier between us, though there was still an awkward pause before it spat out the words in broken English.

I shuddered at the thought of the surly merchant with the shark-like mouth. I had no idea what she’d said, but even if my translator had been working, I doubted I’d have been able to pay attention. Not with those rows of super sharp teeth in my face.

I leaned back into the seat as Coal dumped the rest of the items in the bag onto the table. We were in some sort of motel, or the alien equivalent.

Coal had hidden me in nearby bushes as he went into the building to get us a room. Then we’d stayed hidden in the brush together for a while before Coal picked up a rock and threw it at a small orb sticking out the side of the building, smashing it.

A camera? Satisfied, he’d hurried us over to a door halfway down the side of the building.

The first thing Coal had done when we got in was lock himself in a small room. He’d come out smelling and looking clean. He’d also walked out shirtless, his muscular pecs and shoulders out on display.

It had taken a lot of effort to tear my eyes away. After our kiss on the forest floor, I hadn’t been able to get him out of my mind. Something had changed for him too, and he looked at me differently now.

When we’d first met, he’d looked at me with a bit of disdain, as if I was a chore he had to finish. Things were different now.

I’d gone into the room to clean up after he came out. As much as I loved my comfy PJs, I was glad to be out of the things. It was much too hot to be traipsing about in polar fleece.

My bunny slippers were a write-off. The one that had been attacked had de-fluffed almost entirely and was held together by a piece of vine. I would miss them dearly, but they had served their purpose.

The thin slip of fabric that had been in the bag the merchant had given us had seemed much too big to fit me. When I put it on though, the alien fabric started molding to my body. What wizardry was this?

The shoes she gave me worked similarly. They looked like thick, oversized socks but formed to my feet, stiffening just enough to protect my soles.

With us both cleaned, Red—I mean, Coal—and I sat down to check out what other goodies the merchant had thrown into the bag. He picked up a strange device and fastened it to his belt while he grumbled.

“This will have to do,” translated the device on the table.

“What is it?” I asked.

He pressed a button on the device, and after a quick flash, his skin turned purple. I gawked at the change, my mouth hanging open awkwardly.

“It’s supposed to turn me blue, but it’s old and can only project color without hiding my skin.” He frowned and turned the illusion off. “It will do.”

He put his communication device on the table, and there was a photo of him and me in the woods. That had been taken right after the most amazing kiss I’d ever had in my life. That must be why he’d stopped.

“They will not recognize you if we change your hair color.” He picked up a package.

By they, I assumed he meant the other aliens looking for whatever had crashed into the mountain. It hadn't escaped my notice that they were all after me. I’d never had so much attention in my entire life.

Chubby girls who got along better with animals than with people didn’t get noticed much back home. Even my mother had left me the moment she was legally allowed to, remarrying once I left the house.

Coal opened the package. I expected a bottle of hair dye, but instead, he took out a plastic and metal bar. Coal reached for a piece of my hair and ran the bar over the test strands. A beam of light passed over my hair, and the bright pink I’d worked so hard to get was now a dull brown.

Wow! That was so much easier than burning bleach and smelly hair dye. I took the lock of hair from his hands and rubbed it between my thumb and forefinger. None of the color came off.

Coal leaned in. “Your hair is not pink naturally.” He traced a fingertip along the part where my roots were the most obvious.

“Well, no. I dyed it. Humans don’t naturally have pink hair.” I held up the strand of mouse-brown hair. “This is much closer to my natural color.”

“Humans do not come in pink. I will let Hookin know.”

He pulled up a chair and sat down to change my hair color section by section. I closed my eyes, enjoying the attention. It reminded me of having my hair played with, something I hadn’t experienced in years.

“So we change our looks, and then we sneak out somehow so they can’t find us.” That had been the plan; at least, it was how I understood it from the translator’s horrible wording. “And then what? Can you get me back to Earth?”

Behind me, Coal's hands stopped moving. “No. I cannot.”

“Do you know anyone who could?”

“Anyone who knows the location of your home planet would never bring you back,” he said solemnly. “Human females are rare and highly sought after. The location of your planet used to be widely known, but it has been wiped from most databases. Only a few, such as the slavers, know the location, and they guard it jealously.”

I thought of the little green men who’d taken me from Earth. I only had vague memories of them. Being inside the stasis pod had made everything before it seem like a dream.

“Why are we so sought after?”

“Human females are universal breeders. Many races can breed with humans.” He continued dying my hair as if he hadn’t just told me I was a unicorn.

A sinking feeling in my gut made me want to retch as I remembered the sneers the pig-aliens had given me. They were thinking of—I blocked out the mental image.

“Many want to capture you to sell to the highest bidder.”

I swallowed hard, not wanting to ask the next question, but I did anyway. “What about you? What are we going to do after we leave here?”

Coal paused again, and as if sensing the dread growing in my stomach, he put a soothing hand on my shoulder. Calmness radiated from his touch. He was silent for a few seconds as if still finding the right words.

What did I want? I wanted to go home. But if I couldn’t go home, I wanted to stay for as long as I could with Coal. He made me feel safe. Even now, every fingertip that brushed against my scalp made me feel a little closer to him.

I couldn't explain it. Maybe he'd put some sort of spell on me. He did look like a demon, a fact I'd almost forgotten now that I’d spent most of the day with him.

“Once those following us have lost our trail and no longer believe you are in my possession, we will head back to my mountain,” he finally said. “Few head up there of their own accord, and there’s plenty of privacy. I have a home by a lake and live mostly off the land. It’s a simple life, but I’ll be able to protect you.”

“That—” Was that what I wanted? “—that sounds good.”

“But first, we need to get the translator in your head fixed. A malfunctioning device is dangerous.” He pulled me up from my seat and sat me down in his lap to reach the other side of my head.

I closed my eyes and inhaled the masculine scent that surrounded me. I couldn’t focus on anything else but him: his thick, powerful thighs under my hips, his deft hands working on my hair, and the overwhelming presence of him that couldn’t be ignored.

I didn’t know when he finished, but he didn’t push me off his lap. Instead, we sat there with each other, my head resting against his chest. For the first time since waking up on this strange planet, I believed that I would all be alright.

I stretched and pushed myself up to sit on the lumpy, uncomfortable bed and looked around the room. Was it morning? I didn’t even remember falling asleep.

Coal was up already. He stood next to the bed, strapping a knife onto his belt. His back was to me, and his tail hung just a few feet from my face, sticking out of an opening at the back of his pants.

The base of his tail was as thick as my arm but narrowed down to a thin strappy length. I fought the urge to touch it as the triangular tip flicked close.

I reached out, but a sharp buzzing had me bolting up straight. My hands went to my ears instead.

The only times the translator had shocked me enough to be a nuisance were when there was a loud sound, such as the velociraptor squawking, or when one of the drones was near. I'd gotten a shock every time before one showed up.

Coal turned and pulled me up by the arms, concern on his face.

“The drones,” I said. “One must be near. The translator acts up when they get close.”

He peeked out the window, and sure enough, one of those drones was buzzing around outside.

“We must go.”

He triggered on his temporary disguise, turning himself purple, and threw on some new clothes that made him look like a pirate, complete with a tricorn that covered his pointy horns.

Then, instead of taking me out the way we’d come in, he led me out the door at the opposite side of the room, where it led into the hallway of a sprawling building.

I was on the move again, this time with my very own swashbuckling purple pirate. Arrrgh.

Chapter 7: Coal

I’d chosen these rooms for a reason; they were part of an interconnected maze of plazas and buildings, and many of the hallways connecting them had no surveillance. I’d gotten rid of the camera out in front of the exterior room entrances, so they’d have no idea which of the numerous rooms we’d used until they came down in person to sniff out the scene. By then, we’d be far gone.

Besides, we no longer looked like the couple they were searching for. They’d be looking for a Kadrixan with red skin and a human with bright pink hair, not a sunburnt purple merchant with his brown-haired breeder. It would have been better if the illusion was at full strength and I was blue instead, but purple would have to do.

I’d made sure to pack up Vivian’s broken footwear, our old clothes, and any sign that we’d changed her hair color.

With her hand in mine, I led her through the twists and turns of the buildings, weaving through a live market at the lower levels.

“Ugh!” she exclaimed. “What’s that smell?”

I didn’t need to reply as she stared at row after row of butchers and their wares. I couldn’t have told her anything anyway; we couldn’t use the translator without drawing attention.

At this market, one could find all sorts of meat, even those I preferred not to think about. I didn’t plan to stay here long, however; I only came this way so the stench of offal would mask our scents from any pursuers.

The meat market opened up to the regular bazaar, where the hustle and bustle of the morning filled the air. As we ducked through a row of trinkets, I noticed a table filled with glittering cuffs and collars. Considering our current disguise, my female was too bare of any marking jewelry.

Now was as good a time as any to test our disguises. I stopped by the table, looking for something that wasn’t too gaudy. She might not like it if she found out the jewelry on the table was meant for pampered slaves, so I wanted to find something that wasn't too obvious.

My eyes settled on a delicate gold chain with a flower pendant and a thin tag; the tag was meant for inscribing the owner’s information. With a little work, the flower petals could be bent to look like the weeli flower of my home world, the very flowers Vivian scented of. It was perfect.

“A new trinket for your female?” asked the merchant. She looked me up and down, recognizing my trader’s outfit, and then she eyed Vivian. “She must be a new acquisition.”

The merchant’s top pair of arms rearranged the merchandise on the table while her lower pair stayed on her hips. Despite her trying her best not to gawk, I caught Vivian’s round eyes on the vendor’s double pair of upper appendages.

“Yes. Even with all my contacts, I needed to come to Reazus Prime to find a human,” I said, switching over to the intergalactic language commonly used by traders. It came naturally, considering I spent much of my life speaking it.

I silently begged Vivian not to speak. I’d instructed her on how to act as we left the room. If people found out that her translator was broken, they might link it back to the pod that had crashed on my mountain.

Vivian made no sound; she just bowed her head and kept her eyes downcast.

“I heard human females talk a lot. The last one that came by almost talked my ear off. That does not seem to be the case for yours.”

“I enjoy silence during my travels,” I lied, imagining Vivian's ire if she understood what I said. “This one is mute. I got her on a discount.” Ooh, she would be so angry.

“And what inscription should be on the tag?” the vendor asked when I pointed to the delicate piece on her table.

“Red,” I said, not wanting to give the nickname I used on this planet. There weren’t many called Coal here.

“That is all?” the vendor asked. Usually, a name and a contact were provided.

“Yes. She will not leave my ship.”

“I bet she’ll not leave your quarters,” the vendor mumbled as she made the inscription.

I paid for the fine chain with the untraceable credits from my old life, then carefully put it around her neck. There. This was something a trader like the one I was pretending to be would do when they splurged on a human. Even if she was a bargain, they’d put a mark of ownership on her.

The faintest of smiles lifted the corner of her lips.

“A very fine choice for a human. The leia flower is a symbol of fertility and bounty. I wish you luck with your breeder.” The merchant pressed her two pairs of hands together in farewell.

Despite knowing very well that human females were universal breeders, the mental image of tiny dark red versions of Vivian and myself caught me by surprise. I had thought it would turn me off, but it didn't. Maybe it was time to start a family after all. I'd lived a long life and left the dangerous job of my youth behind.

But would Vivian be happy with me? She had yet to see my back and the remnants of what used to be. I’d made sure to face her when I was shirtless yesterday at the inn. I was not whole; a part of me was literally gone and I would never get it back. That was why I lived here on Reazus Prime, and dried up prison mine, and not on my home planet.

It wasn't just my failure that kept me away from Kadri, however. There was an ongoing uprising there. It was best for me to cut ties, though it wasn't as if I’d been close with anyone.

I guided Vivian toward the coordinates Hookin had sent me. Whoever was there was supposed to help with her malfunctioning translator. The only reason I trusted Hookin was because she’d already paid me back, and I doubted the old hag would fuck over a future client.

We left the market and entered a row of residential buildings. According to Hookin’s message, our contact was somewhere here.

We stopped in front of a beat-up metal door. I didn’t see any way to contact the person living inside, so I did the only thing I could and pounded on it.

“Go crash into a star!” was the surly reply.

“Hookin sent us.”

Moments later, the door opened and a Nakkoni, this one much bluer than the one who had pulled Vivian out of the stasis pod, greeted us with a frown. The Nakkoni changed color depending on their health; this one was much healthier.

“Come in then. Don’t just stand there.”

We stepped in, and the Nakkoni scanned the sky before slamming the door shut behind us.

“Let’s see this malfunctioning equipment,” he said, getting right down to business.

He reached for Vivian, and I growled, putting my body between them.

The Nakkoni sent me an exasperated look, the frills on his neck pressing back in irritation. “I can’t fix it if you don’t let me see it, Kadrixan.”

Realizing he could see right through the illusion, I turned off the device. It was on its last leg anyway, and I needed to save it for when we were in public.

I grumbled as he sat my Vivian down and ran a small handheld device over first one ear and then the other. He made hmming sounds every so often.

“It’s shot. I can’t fix it, but I have an extra translator if you have something to trade. I only deal with barter or untraceable credits.”

“I have the latter.”

“Make the transfer while I work on your female.” He got up and guided Vivian to a door.

“Where are you taking her?” That sounded overprotective, even to me. I didn’t understand why I’d gotten so possessive over the little human.

“My work table is back there.” He held open the door to show a room just big enough for a bed-like table and room to work. “The last thing I need is to have you breathing down my neck as I work.”

Reluctantly, I transferred the credits as Vivian disappeared into the small room. She looked back at me warily, unsure about being separated, and I smiled encouragingly at her.

Every minute that ticked by felt like an eternity as I waited for the two to return. The Nakkoni hadn’t given me any reasons to doubt him, and besides, where would he go? I had to get this ridiculous possessiveness under control.

This female was turning me into an illogical fool, something I couldn’t afford if I were to keep her safe. I needed every ounce of wit I had available to me, especially since physically, I was handicapped.

She didn’t know it yet though. Why would she? Humans couldn’t fly, and she had yet to meet a flying alien in person, though we’d seen plenty of winged patrons at the market. She hadn’t once suspected that I used to be among them.

After much too long, the door opened. Vivian walked out first with a smile, the Nakkoni behind her. The rush of jealousy that crashed in at the sight of her smiling with the other male disappeared the moment she met my gaze.

“Say something, Red!” she demanded excitedly.

I didn’t miss her use of her nickname for me. “How do you feel?”

Her smile widened. “It works! And I feel great. I can finally hear you now, in your own voice, not from a robotic-sounding translation with shitty English.” She skipped over to me and grabbed my arm, holding it as she’d done on the way here.

She glanced back at the Nakkoni. “Thank you for the new translator.”

The Nakkoni checked his screen. “And thank you, Kadrixan, for the untraceable credits.”

“I never caught your name. I’m Vivian.” She held out a hand to him and I grunted, snatching it up before he could take it.

Vivian glared at me, but the Nakkoni didn’t react.

“I don’t give out my name. And if I found a female who accepted me despite my obvious physical flaws, I’d be possessive too.”

“Flaws?” Vivian looked me up and down, confused.

“Thank you, Nakkoni,” I said before the male could explain. “We should be on our way.”

“So that’s how it is,” he said knowingly. “On your way then.” He would keep my secret, though I doubted I could keep anything a secret from Vivian for long.

“Wait,” Vivian said. “Do you know anyone who could bring me back to Earth?”

She was still looking for a way back home. I didn’t blame her.

The Nakkoni grunted. “There is no way back to your planet.”

Vivian didn’t seem too upset. “I didn’t think so. But it was worth asking.”

“But,” the Nakkoni said, “there is a human-friendly settlement in the mountains. Not his. If you find your Kadrixan isn’t as you thought, you can always go there.”

I stared the male down menacingly but couldn’t say anything without giving away my secret. I’d tell her soon, but not here.

“Umm, thank you. I guess.” Vivian gave him a curt nod.

I was glad to be finally leaving, taking Vivian as far away as I could from the meddlesome male.

Chapter 8: Vivian

I stretched lazily in the warm morning suns. I’d fallen asleep last night the moment my head touched the pillow. I vaguely remembered waking in the middle of the night and finding myself burrowed into Coal’s side for warmth.

My stomach complained loudly at how empty it was. I hadn’t eaten since yesterday back at the market. After getting a new translator installed, Coal had walked us back to the sprawling bazaar, and I’d gotten a taste of my first alien street food.

Imagine my surprise when the shish-kebob-looking skewer had ended up being a sweet, doughy dessert instead of the meat and vegetable I was expecting. Then there’d been the dish that looked like chicken and dumplings, but it was served in an edible cone, and the dumplings moved.

Yes, they’d moved. I’d hesitated on that one until Coal assured me the movement was due to trapped gases propelling the pieces in the gravy.

It had all been very delicious, considering all I’d had to eat until that point were some sort of bland alien nutrition bars. Coal had warned me not to eat too much though; he didn’t know what humans could stomach.

We’d walked so much yesterday I was surprised my feet weren’t covered in blisters. We’d walked until the sun went down and the market lit up with millions of artificial lights. Did the markets on this planet ever sleep? And how large were they? It felt as if I could walk all day and night and still never reach the other side.

Coal had assured me there was a method to his madness. He was looping around the stores, ducking into and out of side streets, going through tight corridors filled with stalls, and weaving through the floors of interconnected buildings for a good reason. He wanted to lose anyone on our tail.

The giant market was like a maze. If it weren’t for Coal, I’d have gotten lost many times.

He wasn’t fully convinced the blue lizard dude who’d fixed me up wouldn’t sell us out. He kept checking his phone-like device, looking for more reports or sightings of us. Only when he was sure our trail had gone cold did he find us a place to rest for the night.

We’d gotten into the alien hotel quite late, and I’d passed out almost immediately, exhausted from all the walking.

My stomach growled again. It didn’t help that I was dreaming about food. Even now, the smell of something delicious still lingered in my head.

I blinked when I realized I wasn’t dreaming. Something did smell very good, like pancakes and chocolate. I rubbed my eyes and pushed myself to sit up. There was a bowl of what looked like porridge on the table. I sagged. It smelled great but didn’t look too appetizing.

I’d never been much of an oatmeal girl. Not even if I put chocolate chips in it.

I searched the room for Coal, but he was nowhere to be seen. I did spot a darkened alcove with a door set in it. The moment I stood, something on the table next to the food flashed. Triggered by my movement, the tiny device projected a holographic image of Coal, his skin red again and his horns on display without his disguise.

“I must go find another disguise. The one Hookin gave me no longer works. Enjoy the meal and relax, but do not go near the windows. I will return soon.” The message ended, and the holographic image blinked out.

When I stepped out of the alcove, feeling fresh and clean, my morning business done, Coal was already back. By the dark look on his face, he hadn’t had any luck finding another disguise. He brightened when he saw me.

“We’ll have to stay here longer than expected. At least until the buzz dies down and they’re no longer looking for us.” Coal sat down on the nearest chair and patted the seat next to him. “Come eat. I can hear your stomach from here.”

I barely had my ass in the seat when he pulled me to nest right up against his body and held up a spoonful for me. Not expecting him to feed me like a child, I opened my mouth to protest and ended up with a mouthful of bland-looking porridge-like substance.

Mmm. I closed my eyes as flavor exploded in my mouth. Looks were deceiving; this was not bland at all, and it was closer in texture to a softened cheesecake than to oatmeal. It was sweet with a touch of salty—not too sweet, with a dash of sea salt. It wasn’t quite chocolate and caramel, but something more delicate. There was a fragrance, a spice I couldn’t recognize, but it gave a pleasant, warming sensation.

I moaned and Coal grunted in reply.

I opened my eyes to see him squirming in his seat, the flames in his eyes dialed up to eleven.

Oops. I hadn’t meant to be a tease and moan so suggestively while I ate. I cleared my throat. Oh boy. Was it ever getting hot in here.

It wouldn’t be so bad to follow my body and heart and give myself to him, would it? He did save me from the sabretooth raptors. And he’d gone out of his way to find new clothes and shoes for me, and found someone to fix my translator. He’d also been a complete gentleman this entire time.

I hadn’t decided if I wanted to go home with Coal as originally planned, or to head over to the human-friendly settlement I’d found out about, but I did know that I wanted to spend more time with him.

I slid my hand that was between our bodies up his back as he fed me more, enjoying the silky feeling of his shirt.

Coal froze suddenly, his body stiff and awkward. He turned away so I couldn't continue touching him. Then he pushed up from the table and walked awkwardly to the darkened bathroom alcove, slamming the door behind him.

Did I do something wrong? Maybe I’d read this all wrong. Just because humans were universal breeders didn’t mean he’d automatically want me. He’d explained yesterday that he’d originally set out to find my pod just to get everyone off his mountain; he hadn’t been looking for a female.

But after how possessive he’d acted at the lizard guy’s shop, I’d thought maybe I’d grown on him.

I huffed and served myself another spoonful of alien chocolate pudding, letting the decadent meal soothe my confusion. This delicious dish better be a specialty of this fancy hotel, because if this was typical breakfast food here on this planet, I was screwed. I’d be waddling around in no time.

But even alien chocolate pudding couldn’t get my mind off the red-hot demon man in the other room. His body sure reacted as if he wanted me. Was something holding him back? Could my devilish-looking savior really be a saint?

The lizard guy had mentioned something about him being flawed. What was that about?

I stared down at the empty bowl. Wow! Did I eat all of that already?

What was there to do in this alien equivalent of the Marriott? There must be entertainment of some kind. I got up, feeling perfectly full, and walked around the room.

Unlike the hard tiled floors of the room from yesterday, this floor was plush, the soft, bouncy surface cushioning my feet as I explored.

There was a screen of some sort on one wall that blinked on when I walked by. On it was an assortment of what looked like food choices, I recognized the porridge I’d just eaten. I stepped away from the screen, not wanting to accidentally order anything.

There was a chest against the wall, which was empty, and a desk with a few buttons on it I was afraid to press, lest I accidentally call room service. The room was beautiful, with fancy-looking furniture, but there was essentially nothing in it unless you counted the bed.

I sighed. It was going to be a boring few days. At least I was alive.

I gasped at the two angry white scars on Coal’s back, just under his shoulder blades. How had I missed them before? Now that I thought about it, he’d always made sure to face me whenever he had his shirt off.

Coal got up from the floor—he’d been doing some bodyweight exercise to pass the time—hiding the scars from me. He had a guilty look on his face. “I thought you were asleep.”

“What happened to your back?”

I could tell by his reaction he didn’t want to talk about it, but I was in a mood and needed to know. I’d been stuck in this room all day with nothing to do but sleep, eat and look over Coal’s shoulder when he checked his communicator for any sightings of us.

Coal had angled his back from me every time. Was this why? He’d rushed into the facilities when I’d touched his back at breakfast.

“You were hiding it,” I accused. I didn’t know why it hurt to find he was actively trying to hide something from me. It wasn’t as if he owed me anything, much less an explanation for the scars on his back.

His face darkened, looking menacing, and I realized I had no idea who Coal really was. I had no idea what he did for a living. I didn’t even know what his real name was. I could be hanging out with a serial killer for all I knew.

For a moment, he looked as if he’d ignore my question, but then his face crumpled. “I can’t lie to you, little flower. They are the mark of my dishonor.”

The way he said it broke my heart.

“Dishonor?”

“A Kadrixan with no wings is not a worthy male.”

Wings? Those scars were all that was left of wings? Unable to stop myself, I reached up and touched them. The white scars were two slashes that marred the perfection of his well-muscled back.

“How? I—” I swallowed hard. “Were you able to fly?”

The look of pain on his face had me regretting my question immediately. “I’m sorry. You don’t have to answer that.”

He shook his head. “I should not have tried to hide it from you. You would have found out sooner or later that I am flawed, less than whole.” He sat down on the bed next to me.

Was this why he’d been avoiding me since breakfast? Because he didn’t want me to find out about his missing wings?

“Flawed?”

“I cannot fly you to our aerie and claim you there as my mate.”

Aerie? Mate? I didn’t know what to say.

Losing the ability to fly must have been devastating. But clearly, Coal was more than capable, even without his wings. He’d proven that by protecting me the past few days.

“I understand if you prefer to join the human settlement instead of returning home with me,” he said, shoulders sagging.

This was what the Nakkoni had hinted at before we left.

I frowned. Did they believe that finding out about Coal’s lack of wings would change the way I viewed him? Nothing had changed. I hadn’t known he could fly before, and he still couldn’t fly now. So what if he once could? That was before I knew him.

I picked my words carefully. “If I go to the human-friendly settlement, it won’t be because of your lack of wings.” I glanced over my shoulder. “If you haven’t noticed, I don’t have wings either.”

“You are a female,” he stated, as if that explained everything.

I guessed females in his culture didn’t have wings? That would mean he’d lost his masculinity. He had said it meant he was not a worthy male. That didn’t matter to me, though.

“I’ve never known anyone who could fly, man or woman, so it makes no difference to me whether you can or not.” I reached out to touch his forearm, then leaned against his body. His touch always soothed me, so maybe mine would do the same for him. “I don't know much about you, except that you live alone in the woods and you rescue damsels in distress. Tell me more about yourself.”

I wanted him to open up. I wanted to have all the information so I could make the right choice. Of course, I wanted to return to Earth, but if I couldn't, and my only choices were to stay with Coal or join the settlement, I wanted to make the right decision.

Coal leaned into me, his body relaxing. Then he told me his story.

Chapter 9: Coal

I told her everything. Vivian now knew about my past life as a mercenary. She knew about the last mission I'd ever taken and how I'd been captured.

I’d relived these memories in my head so many times, I thought the words would come easier, but I found myself stopping to take deep breaths. My Vivian was patient with me, though, which helped.

She'd listened as I recounted the loss of my wings, taken from me during an interrogation that hadn’t proven fruitful to my enemies. I had exposed nothing. Once my wings were gone, they had nothing else they could do to me; it was a fate worse than death for a male of my species. They’d let me live, thinking I would end my pathetic life on my own.

I starred down at my hands, remembering how I’d considered ending it all.

“But you didn’t.”

I met her gaze, wondering if she’d some how peered inside my head, or if I’d spoken the words out loud.

“I did not. I hid on this outlaw planet instead, plotting my revenge.” I huffed. “Much good that did. I can't even take my revenge now; my enemies no longer live. Someone got to them before I could.” I tilted my head to look at Vivian. “And here I am now; living alone in the woods and rescuing damsels in distress,” I finished, using her strange wording.

“Or one single damsel in distress.” She looked up at me, and I couldn’t see any disgust or pity in her eyes.

“One is all I need.”

She smiled shyly, ducking her head, the light brown of her cheeks reddening just the slightest bit.

Cradling her cheeks in my palms, I tilted her face up to mine. I needed to see her reaction to my next words.

“On my planet, my race, the Kadrixans, rose to dominance because of our males’ ability to carry our mates and offspring to nests we’d built high in the mountains. Our aeries were unreachable any other way, and our families were safe from predators and enemies. I cannot offer you this.”

She frowned. “But you still have a home in the mountains. And you've kept me safe so far.”

“I’ve tried.”

“What about the—” she paused, her face reddening “—funny feelings I get when we touch, it that part of your species too?”

“It is. Generations ago, it was common for males to fight over females during our rut.”

She put out a hand as if telling me to stop. “What’s a rut? I’m seeing a bunch of red guys puffing out their chests and charging at each other and humping every female in sight.” She hid a giggle behind a cough.

“You would not be wrong. I’m sure those things have happened during ruts. Once a year, as Kadri moves closer to our sun, the weather warms and brings about our rutting season. We become overwhelmed with the need to breed and become violent when that need is ignored or when rival males make females scarce. Even away from Kadri, the rut grips us all at the same time.”

“Oh boy. That must be chaos. That’s like an entire planet of men hitting puberty all at the same time, once a year, every year.”

I grumbled, not liking the comparison.

“Does that mean you guys don’t, you know, do it the rest of the year?”

Despite her strange words for sharing sex, I understood her. “I am fully capable of bringing us both to ecstasy now.” I watched her while I murmured the words, and she squirmed delightfully as the air filled with her lust.

“Oh.” Her mouth stayed in an O as her cheeks turned even redder.

I continued my explanation. “But I am only fertile during the rut. During the rutting season, our male pheromones release for any female available. It is a way to soothe the females so they will not fear us. We produce hormones that encourage oxytocin production, a hormone your species shares with mine and many others across the galaxy. Touch accelerates it.”

“Oh, that makes sense. Your touch both excites me and calms me. Does that mean what I feel when you touch me isn’t real?”

“What do you feel when I touch you?”

“Safe. Happy.” She looked away from my eyes. “But also horny.”

“I feel the same. The hormones affect the male as well and carve the way for a mate bond. When we are not in rut, we only produce these pheromones if we are in the presence of a mate-worthy female.”

She furrowed her brows. “What’s the difference? I mean, if you win a female through combat during your rut, doesn’t she become your mate?”

“Many pairings made during a rut become matings, but not all. If a male knows in his heart the female is likely to be his mate, he’ll fly her to his aerie for the rut and try to force a bond.”

“What do you mean?”

“The hormones we produce encourages feelings of love and connection. The cost of stealing the wrong female to our nest is great, however. If the male is wrong and the bond does not form during the ten days of rut, he must build another nest if he wishes to try again.” It was rare, however, and before law and order were established throughout Kadri, some males had simply never let the unmated female back down to the ground.

“And I’m guessing a nest takes a long time to build?”

“It is the cumulative effort of a male’s entire life. He fills the nest with treasures and riches, things he finds beautiful, useful, or that show he can care for her and their offspring. These items cannot be reused.”

“Wow. That’s a huge risk, but I see why it’s needed. But that still doesn’t answer my question. If your hormones are producing these feelings in me, are they real?”

A question often debated by our scholars. I told her the most accepted theory. “Our hormones can only promote feelings of connection and lust. They do not replace your ability to think and decide for yourself. I could not, for example, convince a female who finds me repulsive because of my lack of wings to believe otherwise. It could only help so much.”

She made a face. “Well, they’re missing out. I think you’re a great catch.”

“You think so?” I grinned at the thought that a female as perfect as Vivian would find me acceptable even after knowing my flaws.

“I know so.”

I couldn’t believe I’d hidden from her, worried about her reaction to my status. To my people, I was nothing. A male Kadrixan without wings might as well be neutered. They had expected me to fling myself off the nearest cliff, finishing the job for them.

Instead, I’d focused on revenge. I’d failed even that, but it had bought me time and the will to live. It had also brought me here to this outlaw planet, so I could be at the right place and the right time to find my mate.

I’d been silly to think I could leave Vivian with someone else. She’d had my heart the moment I’d seen her.

I might not have the mansion and the guards Lethin had, but Vivian looked to me as her hero and trusted me to protect her. I’d never be able to fly to the highest peaks and construct a nest for our mating, but she didn’t need that of me. I’d start with my home, renovating it to suit her needs.

I’d hoarded credits from my old life, not having anything or anyone to spend them on. She would want for nothing.

There were other humans on Reazus Prime, and if she got lonely, she could spend time with them. If she wanted to travel, I’d be up for that too. There were many places I could take her, not just here, but around the galaxy.

I still had my ship, tucked away in that shed behind my home. I’d dug out part of the mountain to hide the vessel, then built the shed on top of it. Instead of helping me exact revenge, it would now show my mate the stars.

“You are not going to the settlement, Vivian. I claim you. You are mine.” I said the words with conviction, knowing them to be true. “I do not have an aerie to which to steal you away, but I will protect you to my last breath.”

I slid my fingers into her hair, gripped a handful carefully but firmly, and pulled her head back until her face was tilted up to mine. Her eyes were round and her lips trembled.

Our eyes met, and I knew with all the certainty in the universe she was the one. Now it was up to me to convince her of the same.

Chapter 10: Vivian

My body exploded with need, just as it often did when we touched.

I barely had time to process his words, but I had a feeling things just got very serious between us. I reached for him, pulling myself up to straddle his lap. This mating bond, from the way he talked about it with such reverence, wasn’t just sex.

It sounded like forever.

I should be worried about that. I should be running the other way. I barely knew him. But I couldn’t push him away; not with the way he made me feel so cared for and wanted. I didn’t want to run from him. Instead, I wanted to bind him to me forever. I wanted to wake up every morning with him by my side.

It was crazy. I’d always thought of myself as a logical person, but none of that mattered now. Was this what people meant by love at first sight? Impossible! I didn’t believe in silliness like that.

But here I was, wanting this stranger, this alien, more than anything in the world. Or maybe it was more than anything in the galaxy, since I wasn’t on Earth anymore.

The yellow flames of his eyes no longer looked frightening. They were warm and welcoming like a campfire. Even the horns sticking out of his head didn’t faze me. They were part of Coal, and he had shown me nothing but gentleness since we’d met.

He growled low before our mouths clashed in a fiery embrace; each stroke of his forked tongue had me ready to burst into flames. He squeezed my ass as he lifted me into the air, stumbling toward the bed. We didn’t quite make it. He pressed me up against the wall instead, guiding my legs to wrap around his waist.

Tugging up the simple self-conforming shift dress I wore, he slipped his hands under the hem. He stroked my skin as he continued to plunder my mouth with his.

I moaned into his mouth, and my hips ground of their own accord against the thick leather pants covering his crotch. His cock was hard underneath, and I bumped up against it with each movement of my hips.

He rubbed against my mound through the thin fabric of my panties and I hissed.

“More, please.”

He growled, the sound vibrating our bodies. “Impatient little flower.” He gripped the crotch of my underwear and, with one tug, tore them from my body.

Fuck! That was hot. I’d need to find a replacement or maybe a hundred replacements, so he could do that again and again.

My hands did their own exploring, first over the mass of muscles covering his shoulders and back. While the scars looked white-hot, they barely felt any different than the rest of him. His armored skin covered the hardest physique.

I explored the muscles of his thick, corded neck and up over his scalp. Unlike me, he had no hair there. Not even frills or quills like the lizardmen I’d seen on this planet. Without any hair to run my fingers through, I gravitated to his horns.

He hissed when I wrapped my fingers around them. I pulled away, worried I’d done something wrong, but he tilted his head searching for my hands with his horns.

“Does it feel good? Tell me if I’m doing anything wrong.” This was all new territory for me; I knew nothing about Kadrixan bodies.

“It feels fantastic. You’re not doing anything wrong.” He took my hands and put them back on his horns, closing his eyes. “Please. Continue.”

I grinned. It must feel good to have his horns touched if he was this eager for me to keep touching them. As I explored the texture, rubbing him sensually and paying special attention to the bases, which had him groaning, his tail did some exploring of its own.

It slid across my thighs and down between my legs, leaving a trail of tingling sensation where it touched. The flat triangular tip teased at my slit, and I gasped at the intense sensation that had me shaking.

His hands reached down to spread my nether lips as the tip of his tail slid up and down, gathering my juice. Then he pushed in, the flat tip rolling up as it penetrated me. I tossed my head back, my hands coming down to brace against his shoulders.

Then it started.

Oh my god. Not only did the very touch of this tail feel extremely pleasurable, it also vibrated!

Coal found a spot inside me that had me gasping for air it was so intense. But that wasn’t enough for him. As his tail worked its magic, he explored me with his thumb. I cried out when he found my clit.

I squeezed my eyes shut as the pressure built, my nails digging into the skin of his shoulders so tightly they left little crescent marks. My hips moved on their own, grinding and rolling.

Just as I was about to crest over the edge, he stopped.

“No,” I whimpered in protest.

“Be patient little flower. I will have you shaking under me soon,” was his deep, barely audible promise.

He carried me the few steps to the bed and lowered me onto the mattress, licking his lips with his bifurcated tongue. His long tail stayed inside me and started stroking again as he positioned himself between my knees.

Then he dove in, licking, teasing, and swiping over my clit with that magic tongue of his. It almost felt as if the two sections moved separately to hug, squeeze, and massage me until I was quivering and shaking with the need for release.

My channel pulsed, the pleasure radiating out from my belly to saturate every finger and toe. It overwhelmed me, and I felt as if every bone had turned to jelly.

Coal separated from me, and I opened my eyes just in time to see him toss the pants he’d taken off to the side. He’d done all that with his pants on!

My jaw dropped at the weapon he wielded. His cock wasn’t just big; it was massive. It had a thick, flared head above a shaft with vertical ribs that twisted around in a spiral. I’d heard of ribbed for her pleasure, but ribbed and spiraled?

I’d never wanted anyone so much, and I was more than willing to take it on, especially since I was still drifting on cloud nine from what his magical tongue and tail had done.

I reached for him, curious about the texture. His skin was smooth despite the spiral and stretched over the hardest bar of iron. I pumped his length, twisting with the spirals, and he groaned loudly.

“You’ll be the death of me, little flower.” He pushed me down onto the bed. “And it will be worth every moment.”

He crawled over my body, caging me, making me feel safe, protected, owned. The scent of him, spicy and masculine, surrounded me as he lined us up. I clutched onto his shoulders and wrapped my legs around his hips, eager to feel him inside me.

So hard and hot, he was almost too much, his thick head pressed against my opening, and I moaned as it parted my folds and pushed in. I cried out and gyrated my hips, easing him in inch by inch. I wouldn’t let something like size keep us apart. I could take him, and I knew I could. And it would be wondrous.

“Slow, my little flower,” he murmured. “I do not wish to hurt you.”

“You can’t. I need you. Please.”

It must have been the please that did it. He reached down to massage my clit, where he pressed in using short, quick strokes. Each movement sank into me a little deeper, impossibly deeper, until I was so full of him, I wasn’t sure if we were two separate entities anymore.

Then he slowed, thrusting into me in long strokes. With this slower movement, I felt every single spiraled ridge as they teased and tortured my insides. It was exquisite.

“Yes, Red! Don’t stop.”

Chapter 11: Coal

I grinned when Vivian called me by her nickname for me. I suspected to her, I’d always been and always would be Red. I loved it. I loved that I had a name just for her that no one else would use.

She was so wet and tight I almost came the moment I entered her. I gritted my teeth and focused on her pleasure, trying hard to ignore the perfect feel of her silken channel wrapped so snugly around my cock.

Her cunt tightened around me with every thrust until it was like a vise and I had to struggle to move. She whimpered and threw her head back as her hips met mine with each movement. She was perfect, beautiful, wild. Everything I’d ever wanted and needed.

I claimed her lips, swallowing the cries that filled the room. I angled my hips and pistoned faster, barely able to contain my own pleasure as she writhed and keened under me. My tail joined in again, this time covering her clit.

I didn’t vibrate it on purpose. It occurred naturally as lust and need took over my body.

When her pussy convulsed around me, it was too much. As she crested over the edge, her muscles twitching and pulsing, I poured myself into her. Claiming her with finality.

Vivian was mine, and next rut, when my seed was viable, it would fill her belly with my young. She was my future. She was my everything.

Spent, I collapsed to the side, careful not to crush her tiny frame. I held her still-shaking form to my chest and closed my eyes, wishing this moment could last forever.

She snuggled into me, her body relaxing. “You cuddle too. Bingo!”

“There is no where else I’d rather be.”

After a long moment together, just listening to each other breathe, I got up to grab a towel to clean her up. She was still limp and satisfied when I returned.

“We are good together,” I stated as I admired my female on the bed. Soon, I’d have her in my own bed. I bet she’d look perfect there.

“The best,” she said through a yawn.

“Is that all I need to do to tire you out?” I asked. “Keeping you thoroughly blissed out so you cannot escape from my home will be an easy task. I do not need an aerie to keep you captive.”

She giggled, the sound music to my ears. “Okay, Big Red.”

“So it’s Big Red now? I have been promoted.”

“Yup!” she said, popping the P.

Then more seriously, I said. “I have been promoted to the highest position I’ve ever wanted; I am your mate. And you are mine. Next rut, we will spend it together connecting in all the ways possible. We can spend every day until then finding the best positions.”

“Mmm,” she hummed. “I can’t wait.”

I spent the next few days making up for the fact that I'd spent the last several years alone. I wanted to learn her and her body inside and out. We didn't even leave the room, having our food delivered to our door.

We woke in the morning with the rays from the twin suns warming our bodies through the window. As we enjoyed a light morning meal, I scanned the networks for any information or rumors regarding our whereabouts. Then we worked off all the food we’d eaten, on the bed.

Once she was completely exhausted, her body limp with how hard and often she’d come, we’d spend some time talking. We talked until she got sleepy then we took a nap. When we woke, it started all over again.

I’d learned about her love of small animals. The creatures her footwear had been modeled after weren’t prey at all but pets, though some humans did eat them.

I’d learned about the things she called demons. It turned out the contingent that had found her planet long ago had made quite an impression. And it hadn’t been a good one.

I’d asked if she’d left anyone behind there and was saddened but also relieved to find out she was very much a loner. But unlike me, who’d chosen this life, hers was due to happenstance. Her father had died when she was young and her mother had dreaded raising a child alone who reminded her daily of her late mate. When she was grown, her mother had mated again—humans did not form life-long mate bonds—and had left her old life behind completely.

There wasn’t much on Earth to tempt her back. This meant it was that much easier for her to build a life here with me.

Despite our connection and the fact that I knew she was mine, I also understood it would take time for her to put aside the idea of returning to Earth. She might miss her home planet for the rest of her life. I knew I did.

There were memories of Kadri I’d always hold dear, and sometimes during the coldest, longest nights, I still wondered if I’d ever again see the place where I’d grown up.

“When are you going to bring me home?” Vivian had asked on our second evening here. “This place is nice, but I want to see this mountain home you speak so fondly of.”

“Soon,” I’d promised. “Some have given up on their chase, but others still search for us.” Then I’d pushed her onto the bed and licked her until she forgot about anything else.

I’d started an anonymous rumor on our first day here about her leaving with a human sympathizer for the friendly settlement. It was in the opposite direction of my home, on a completely different mountain range. Somehow, the rumor had stuck, and there were even some who claimed they’d heard the same.

However, there were still those who searched in the Hub for us. I was eager to get her home, but it wouldn't do to invite trouble to our door during what Vivian called our “honeymoon phase.”

Xadren had contacted me late last night with the news that he was leaving the planet soon with his mate, and Lily wanted to meet the female who had fallen from the sky onto my mountain. They knew I had Vivian, despite the fact that I’d told them I was not interested in the female.

The pair had insisted on bringing me a disguise hologram as a mating gift so that I could return home safely and enjoy my honeymoon.

Kadrixans had a term for the early days of a new mating. We called it “nest binding,” and it differed from spending a rut together because of the mate bond, though for many couples it happened simultaneously.

Despite not having a nest, I still planned on enjoying to my fullest this phase of mutual learning and connection. I didn’t need flight on this planet to hunt her every meal, procure the best nesting material, or bring her to ecstasy multiple times a day.

I’d had too many interactions with people these past few days, and I was ready to hide in my home with my new mate. I was well stocked and I wouldn’t need to leave her side for a while. We could spend our days and nights together.

I couldn’t wait to get back. The hologram would make our trip home much safer.

Vivian paced the room nervously. “How do I look?”

Her lips were still red from my kisses, and her hair was mussed, though she’d taken the effort to finger comb it. She was dressed, but I’d ripped the small scrap of fabric that covered her crotch on that first night here.

She sat down on the bed, crossing her legs to hide her lack of coverage.

“You look thoroughly pleasured, little flower.” If Xadren and Lily weren’t due to show up at any moment, I’d have taken her clothes off again so I could see all the marks of love I’d given her. Even now, a few showed on the tops of her breasts.

She pushed herself back up from the mattress and paced again. She was nervous about meeting new people, especially another human.

“Calm, my mate.” I collected her into my arms, stopping her from wearing a trench into the plush floor. “Lily will not judge you for your choices. She is mated as well.”

My communicator lit up with a message from Xadren. They were here.

Chapter 12: Vivian

“Oh my goodness! It’s adorable!” I knew I probably sounded a little crazy, but in front of me was the cutest little fluff ball I’d ever seen. “I need one!”

My crazy bunny lady was showing. Red would’ve found out eventually. I’d always gravitated to small animals, and even on an alien planet, I didn’t plan on changing. Now that I knew such a cutie existed, I knew what I wanted.

I was committing the largest faux pas possible when it came to owning a pet: deciding on a pet before knowing its care instructions. But could you blame me? I’d missed out on a bunny, been stolen from Earth, crash-landed on a planet, and had been hiding for days from aliens who wanted to steal me away and sell me. I was allowed to break a few rules.

Lily’s giant gargoyle-like alien exchanged a look with my sexy demon as the little puff ball greeted Coal by jumping on his leg and humping it.

“What?” I asked. “What was that look for?”

“You might want to know what that tiny thing grows up into before you decide to keep one.” Then Coal showed me a recording on his device. “The locals call them wildling demons.”

I blanched, not at the sight but at the sound of the creature on the screen. The thing let out the most horrific shriek and looked like the product of a rabid raccoon and a Tasmanian devil. That cute and tiny little thing turned into that? It looked possessed, especially with its hackles all raised and shrieking like a banshee. Coal must be pulling my leg.

I turned to Lily. “He's joking, right?”

“Nope! Xadren had to fight off this one’s mother so we had a safe place to stay one night. We didn't know this little one was in the nest. We thought it would stay in the nest when we left in the morning and wait for its mom to return, but we found it following us instead. It's been following us ever since.” Then she turned to Coal. “You should show her one that's not protecting its family. They aren't nearly as scary when they're calm, even the adults.”

Coal grumbled something about false advertising but showed me a still image of the wildling demon anyway.

“Oh, it's not that bad.” It was still cute but in an ugly sort of way.

“They aren't kept as pets often, but some tribes use them as guard dogs. I looked it up. And besides, they stay young and cute for a very long time.” Lily frowned. “But it would be kind of mean to go around stealing them from their mothers.”

“Oh no, we can't do that.”

Coal squared his shoulders as if making a decision. “There is no need to steal a wildling demon pup. There are more wildling demons in the forest at the foot of my mountain than there are homes for them. Every year, mothers with their pups fight for the best nesting sites. Many times, the losers are severely injured, leaving their young to their fate.”

I grimaced. Damn you, nature. You brutal!

“We shall wait for the change of the season and rescue one of these pups,” Cole finished.

“That’s perfect! Then I'll have two demons to call my own.”

He made a face. “I am not this demon thing you refer to. My understanding of your culture tells me it is a human religious construct.”

“Well, you are devilishly hot,” I said.

He calmed, mollified. Men were easy to please, no matter where in the galaxy.

The two menfolk compared notes they’d collected about those still searching for the humans who’d landed in the pods as I caught up with Lily. I learned about these trees she called bower trees where she and Xadren spent many of their nights. They sounded magical, and I made a note to one day get Coal to show me one.

“So where are you two off to now?” I asked. I was a bit disappointed that the only human I’d met so far was leaving the planet so soon.

“Now that Xadren has defeated the assassins after him, we need to leave the planet before the Prince sends more to look for him.” She explained that Xadren had originally come to this planet to hide from some trouble he'd acquired.

“I’m sorry you are still on the run.” Having been on the run for the past few days, I was tired. I couldn't imagine doing it more. All I wanted was to get to Coal’s home without anyone noticing us. Then it’d just be him and me living a quiet life.

“Xadren thinks the Prince doesn't have anyone else to send after him, not for a while at least, but we can never be too sure. I don’t mind seeing the galaxy.” She glanced over at the giant stone man with admiration in her eyes.

Xadren sat so still and quiet that for a moment, Coal looked as if he was speaking to a statue. Then the living gargoyle turned his head and the illusion was broken. He grinned, a smile full of sharp teeth, before turning his attention back to his screen.

After a brief moment, the two hulking males—a big red demon and an even bigger grey gargoyle—stood from the table.

“Stay here, and do not open the door for anyone.” Coal pulled me against his chest the best he could with me still in the chair and held me there for a moment before kissing the top of my head. “We will return shortly.”

He activated the illusion and turned completely blue. This one functioned properly and didn’t leave him purple. Then the two aliens stepped out of the room, leaving the two of us ladies alone.

“Do you think about going back to Earth?” I asked. No harm in asking, though the thought of leaving Coal behind had me rubbing absentmindedly at my chest. “Or hiding in the human-friendly settlement I heard about?”

“Hiding in the settlement would only bring trouble to the settlers,” Lily said. “And Earth? Believe me; I've thought about it, but I don't think there is anyone who could take us back. Most people don't know where Earth is. And the people who do? I wouldn't trust them enough to get on their ship. And besides—” she smiled, clearly thinking about her giant gargoyle “—couldn't bring Xadren there, could I?”

“I suppose not.”

To be honest, just thinking about heading back to Earth made me feel guilty, especially after what Coal and I had shared. But a part of me still wondered at the possibility, the annoyingly logical part that didn’t believe in love at first sight and together forever.

What if all this was too good to be true?

What if I was given a chance to go home? Could I leave my Big Red behind for Earth? I wondered if he would come after me. Not that I would want him to. I doubted Earth would be kind to a demon alien.

“I'm glad Coal went after you,” Lily said.

It took me a moment to realize Lily was talking about here on this alien planet and not Earth. She wasn’t reading my mind.

“He claimed he wasn't interested in a female at all, and Xadren and I couldn't come after you ourselves.” Her face softened. “I'm glad he isn't all alone anymore. He thinks he doesn’t need anyone, but I’m sure his life is infinitely better with you in it.”

My face heated up. I was just thinking about Earth while Lily was talking about me spending my life here with Coal. It felt awkward, and I had to be honest with her.

“I…I'm not sure how I feel about this whole mating thing yet.” I held both palms up. “Don't get me wrong. I like Coal. A lot. He's brave. And nice. And honest. And he's everything I'm looking for in a man. But this is so much to take in.”

I took a deep breath and faced Lily, expecting to see judgment on her face. Instead, I saw understanding.

“I get it,” she said. “Things are moving really fast, and you don't know how to feel. I felt so at home with Xadren that we did it on the second day.” She held up a hand. “I know, I know. TMI, but this isn't something I usually do. With him, it feels right in a way I can’t describe. I've just come to terms with the fact that not everything needs to make sense.”

“Thanks for understanding,” I said, glad to have someone to talk to about all this. “It's not just the mating part, either. It's everything. Finding out that aliens exist and that they've been stealing women from Earth to use as breeders. It's so messed up. And my brain just—”

“Let me guess. A part of you thinks you’re going to close your eyes tonight and wake up tomorrow on your bed on Earth.”

Lily really did understand. “Yeah. And if I let myself fall for Coal, then, then…”

The idea that Coal was just a silly dream made me choke up. Holy hell, I was falling for him already, wasn’t I?

A sound at the door had us both turning. Was it the boys? We kept quiet just in case.

Tiny, Lily's little wildling demon, growled at the door, sounding much bigger than it looked. The thing looked like a pompom and wasn't much bigger than one. But by the sound of it, I would have thought there was a fully-grown Rottweiler behind the door.

"What the fuck is that?" whisper-shouted a male's voice from behind the door. “Did we get the right place?”

“Of course we did.”

“Are you sure the males have left? That doesn’t sound like human females to me.”

Having a wildling demon for protection was looking better every moment.

“Just work on the lock like you’re supposed to.”

Lily and I exchanged a look as we got up from the seats and stood behind our chairs. Someone was messing with the lock on the door and they knew we were inside.

Tiny lunged at the door and Lily pulled her pet back, holding it in her arms. It might sound big and scary, but it was still a tiny thing.

There were grunting noises coming from the opposite side of the door and then a click. Then, it opened.

Oh no! I recognized that face. It was the porcine alien who’d had me when Coal found me; he was the one who’d run off instead of fighting. Next to him was another one who looked just like him, two big piggies.

He eyed the two of us before focusing on my hair. “Do you think a change of hair color and some illusion can fool me? You and that grounded Kadrixan might be able to fool everyone else, but not me. I even helped spread the rumors that you had left the Hub.” He leered at Lily. “I was only expecting one of you.”

His friend elbowed him with a salacious grin on his face. “Looks like we don’t have to share after all. I hate sharing. And we’ll get paid double when we return them to the slavers.”

The two prowled toward us, and, unable to find another weapon, I picked up the chair and held it in front of me. The chair was much heavier than I’d thought it was, however, and all I could do with it was attempt to push them away.

One of them leaped for Lily, who was closer to them than I was. He latched onto her arm and pulled her toward him.

“Let her go!” I yelled. Realizing I couldn't wield the chair like a weapon as I’d first thought, I searched the table for something to use. All I saw was the alien fork with two prong-like tines. I picked it up and stabbed it at the arm holding Lily, hoping I didn't stab my friend instead.

The prongs hit paydirt, and the guy alien squealed in rage as he released her. By now, the other alien, the first one I’d met back on the mountain, had rounded the table and reached for me. I struggled in his grasp as Lily stumbled to the other side of the room toward a fancy but also heavy-looking piece of decoration.

I still had the fork in my hand but wasn't able to stab at the male holding me. Instead, I flung it at the one who was still nursing his hand. It stuck into his arm and he howled again. Tiny chose this instant to attack, latching onto the male’s leg and gnawing on it. Lily slammed the heavy object over the male’s head.

I watched her hit him again, then the male crumpled to the ground as the one holding me dragged me out of the room.

“Fuck the other one,” he snorted. “I only promised the slavers one of you.”

“Vivian!” Lily stumbled out of the room, still holding her makeshift weapon. Tiny jumped up and down around her feet, trying to keep her inside and away from danger.

I tried to slow my attacker down, but he just got pissed and tossed me over his shoulder, which let him move faster down the hallway. Before I knew it, we were out of the fancy-looking inn, and I was being shoved into the back of a vehicle.

The door slammed in my face, and everything went dark.

Chapter 13: Coal

No one reacted to my disguise. This was one of the reasons why I’d wanted to step out on my own with Xadren first. The other was because we needed to check for any information on the human females’ whereabouts in person.

I mostly trusted what I found posted on the network, but nothing would beat heading to the nearest pub, sitting down at the bar, and listening to live, first-hand stories and rumors. I wanted to make sure that most of those looking for Vivian thought she was elsewhere.

We stopped off at several locations, pretending to be two males searching for an ever-elusive human female. We fit right in. The first bartender had already spoken with numerous others looking for the same. He confirmed what Xadren and I had already found ourselves.

At the next location, we heard of a group who were heading toward the human-friendly settlement since they’d heard the pink-haired one was on her way there. The pair we heard it from planned on heading there as well.

The little rumor I’d seeded had taken root much quicker than I’d thought it would.

Then we chose to walk around the busy market, our ears open to any talk. Everything we heard confirmed what we already knew. No one mentioned that the female’s hair had changed, and most believed the Kadrixan who’d brought her into the Hub had parted ways with her, pocketing his well-earned credits for himself.

I was glad I'd cultivated a loner stereotype. Since coming to this planet, I had shown no interest in females, not even during my rut. I knew that some believed, quite wrongly, that my race's maleness was tied to our wings. It was, when it came to societal standards, but it did not make us eunuchs if our wings were gone. Many, however, believed otherwise.

Many also knew about Kadrixan mating rituals and knew that I had built no aerie. This helped solidify their belief. In this case, it was to my advantage.

Satisfied that no one would look for Vivian on my mountain, we headed back toward the luxury rented room where we'd left our females. I stopped by a clothing stall meant for youngsters and found a cloak for Vivian to wear as we traveled. I didn't plan on parading her around the market as I had the first day we were here.

On our way back to my home, I planned to take the quietest route possible. Under this cloak with the hood over her head, from afar she’d look like a child.

I knew something was wrong the moment we entered the inn. My sense of smell wasn't as good as Xadren’s, and my friend’s hackles were raised. Xadren sped up, moving quickly through the hallways to our room.

The lock to the door was broken. Xadren slammed open the door, a look of panic on his face.

A teary-eyed Lily stared back at us, the heavy ornament from the side table still in her hands. There was a male knocked out on the ground, and the human female looked ready to hit him again should he wake.

“Oh my God!” Lily got up and ran to Xadren, who enveloped the distraught-looking female in his arms.

I searched the room, but Vivian was nowhere to be seen.

“The other one took Vivian,” Lily sobbed into her mate’s chest. “I couldn't stop him. I tried.”

“Does the other one look like him?” I asked. I had a feeling it was the same male I'd let get away earlier.

“Yes. He said something about not being able to trick him. And that he helped spread the rumors that you guys had left the Hub.”

Yes. It must be him.

Lily's eyes were wide. “You have to find her!”

I growled low, and for the first time in a very long time, I wished I still had my wings so I could take to the skies and search for my mate. I’d find her, alright, and whoever had taken her would feel the brunt of my rage. First, I had to find out who had her and where they’d gone.

“Did they say anything else?”

“That one there,” Lily said, pointing at the one on the ground, “said something about returning us to the slavers.”

That narrowed it down. They were probably still in the Hub, most likely at the port where the slavers could find another ship or wait for a pickup.

The male on the ground moaned, and Lily started to reach for the heavy decorative piece she’d dropped on the ground beside her. Xadren stopped her. There was no need now that we were here.

The male moved, and Tiny, who had been lounging quietly on one of the chairs, sprang to life, growling and hissing and daring the male to move again. It jumped off the chair and got between Lily and the stranger, even though it was so small I doubted it could do much harm now.

That was when I noticed the stranger’s shredded pant leg. It was in tatters and soaked in blood. Despite his small size, the pup had done some damage. Give it a few more years, and Tiny would be a force to be reckoned with.

It would be resourceful to find one for Vivian, after all. The sounds it was making would be enough to scare off the faint of heart. Even as a youngster, it might be enough for Vivian to get away from an attacker. As an adult, it would be even better protection.

I was glad the male was still alive. Now I'd have no problem finding out where his friend had taken my mate.

The male, now awake, made a motion as if to kick the small animal, and I growled a warning. He glanced up at Xadren and me, his eyes growing wide as his unfortunate situation became apparent.

I took a step toward him and he scuttled backward until he hit the wall.

“You should take your mate elsewhere,” I warned my friend. Things were about to get ugly and I doubted his female would want to stay for the interrogation.

Xadren scooped up his small but protective pet, handing it over to Lily, who cradled it in her arms like an infant. The snarling animal calmed immediately. It was, after all, still a pup.

"I will leave you to find the location of your mate. Lily and I will retrieve the short-flight shuttle from my ship. Contact me when you have her location." The large Balvanite nodded to me. "You helped me once. I will now return the favor and get you both home.”

Chapter 14: Vivian

I woke to a pounding head, dry mouth, and a sore body. It felt as if I’d been tossed side to side in a trunk for hours, and considering the last thing I remembered was being shoved into the back of a strange vehicle, that analysis probably wasn't too far from the truth.

The right side of my head hurt, and I was pretty sure there was a giant lump there, though I couldn’t verify because my hands were tied behind my back and I was lying on my side. Whatever I was lying on stank like it hadn’t been washed for a century.

The room I was in wasn't much better. The place was dimly lit, but there was just enough light to show that the walls were peeling and stained with water damage. The air was stale and stuffy.

Someone was speaking in the background, and he didn't sound very happy. It took me a moment to focus on my translator so I could understand the words.

“That wasn't the deal,” the male voice said with a snort. “You wanted the female, and I'm bringing you what you want. I want the full price you promised. I lost two of my recruits retrieving her.”

“The human female I tasked you to retrieve had pink hair. This one does not.”

I recognized the strange-sounding language. He was speaking to one of those little green men that had kidnapped me from Earth.

“So she dyed it,” grumbled my captor. “It's still the same female. I want my full payment.”

“Take what we offer, or someone else will. We will send them after you.”

My hog-nosed captor grumbled something I couldn’t interpret, then said, “You leave me no choice. I will send you the coordinates now. Come by our arranged time, or else I will sell her to the next buyer.” Then he ended the communication before letting out a stream of expletives.

As he turned around, I stayed very still, hoping he wouldn't notice that I was awake. I squeezed my eyes shut and counted first to ten, and then to twenty. I heard him moving around in the room and then the door slamming shut.

When I opened my eyes again, the room was empty. I struggled to free my hands from their bindings, which only caused them to cut into my wrists.

I eyed the only window in the room, unsure if it opened to the outside world. I knew one thing; I wasn't just going to sit here and do nothing. I rolled out of the disgusting bed, then snuck around the room, looking for something to cut my bindings as I made my way to the window.

All I found was a sharp, jagged edge at the side of the cabinet. This would have to do. I turned around and worked the bindings against the edge.

Come on! Hurry up!

Every moment that passed felt like an eternity and I worried my captor would return at any moment. Finally, after a lot of rubbing and sore arms and wrists, my hands popped apart. I brought them to the front, removing the frayed rope.

My wrists were red and bruised and the skin was raw. I blew on the tender flesh.

Now for the window. There didn't seem to be a way to open it. Did I dare try the door?

I hovered by the door for a moment, listening. There was a voice on the other side. What if that was my captor? No I couldn't try the door. The window it was.

Since there didn’t seem to be a way to open the window; my only option was to smash it open. That would make a loud racket, which meant I had to work fast. I picked up the cushion from the nearby stained couch. I would have to use this as a buffer over the sharp glass when I crawled out the window.

Then, steeling my nerves, I picked up the thing most likely to break the window: a metal chair. I threw all my weight into it and smashed it against the window.

It bounced off harmlessly.

What the fuck?

I pulled the chair back and slammed it against the window again. Nothing. It made an almost plasticky sounding noise and bounced off.

Pissed off and not thinking properly, I bashed the window with the chair again and again and again. I had to get out of here.

The door opened, and Pigface frowned at me from the opening.

The creep took one look at me and snorted. “You will not get free that way. This place is too cheap to have glass windows.” He stomped angrily toward me and ripped the chair from my hands. “Stop before you hurt yourself and reduce your value even more. You are already worth less now because of whatever you did to your hair.”

He grabbed me and I struggled, pushing and kicking at him.

One lucky blow hit him in the snout.

“You little bitch. This is how you want to play?” He shoved me hard, and I landed on the smelly bed. “Since I'm only getting half of what you are worth, I will take my pay directly from you.”

He gripped the hem of my sheath-like dress and ripped it up over my head.

I gasped, covering myself, since I had no bra or underwear, as he leered at my body.

He reached for me again, and I fought him tooth and nail as he straddled my naked body. I screamed and shouted, punching, kicking, and biting at anything I could get.

“Yes,” he hissed. “I like my female lively.”

Fingers wrapped around my neck as a fat, grubby hand moved down my body. I felt like I was going to puke.

Then he was gone. Pulled away from me and thrown hard against the wall, my attacker crumpled on the ground. A big, red form bent and lifted him up into the air, holding him by the neck. Stubby legs kicked ineffectively at nothing as Coal drove him against the wall again.

Red! He was here for me!

Coal turned his head to glance at me and rage filled his features.

“You dare touch my mate?” He shook the alien’s body as it dangled like a rag doll against the wall.

“I haven’t touched her yet,” Pig-face protested. “She’s yours. She’s yours. You can have her. Please just let me go. I’m just doing my job.”

“He’s trying to sell me to the slavers. I heard them talking,” I said. “They’re on their way.”

One pigheaded idiot was nothing compared to my big, bad demon, but I didn’t know if the slavers would have backup. We were so close to safety, and I just wanted to get out of here.

Coal saw my wrists and growled. “You are hurt.” He lowered his victim slightly.

Pig-face moved suddenly, reaching down and slapping a device attached to the side of his leg.

A strange light surrounded him, enveloping him like a see-through bubble. A forcefield?

Suddenly, Coal was repelled back by an invisible force, unable to hold on to his victim.

The pig-alien shook himself off, a look of glee on his face. “You fucked up, you wingless freak. You can’t hit me now.” The pig alien took a step toward me.

I scrambled to put Coal between him and me. The alien glowered as Coal blocked him.

“Get out of my way, you neutered has-been.” Pig-face punched Coal, the protective light following his fist through the air.

Coal dodged out of the way and sent a fist flying of his own, but his fist bounced off the shield harmlessly.

“You can’t even fuck her! Why do you even care? Everyone knows wingless male Kadrixans are as good as castrated.” The idiot continued toward me, shoving Coal aside.

Coal reached for his blaster and Pig-face cackled.

“Why don’t you shoot me and find out what happens?” he taunted. “I’d love to see you killed by your own weapon.”

So the shield reflected blaster shots too. Shit!

I glared at the device on his leg. That thing needed to go. Coal couldn’t touch it, but maybe I could. If Pig-face wanted me, he’d have to let me get close.

Coal aimed, ready to test whether the shield really did deflect his shot. He looked desperate.

“Wait!” I cried. “Don’t shoot.” I thought fast; I needed something to let Coal know I was deceiving our enemy. “He’s right. What’s the point of being half a mate when we both know you can’t fuck me because of your condition? I don’t want to be kept just to raise your status.” I stared Coal in the face, begging him to understand. We both knew how very much he could fuck me, and I doubted Coal ever thought once about his status.

I dared a quick, hopefully not noticeable, glance over at the device on our enemy’s leg.

Understanding flashed in his eyes, only for me to see. “You slut!” Coal growled, playing his part. “Go then, if that’s so important to you.”

Pig-face looked pleased with himself as I inched toward him. When I reached the bubble, he hovered his hand over the device. I tested the shield with a finger and it let me in. Power resonated around me, making the hair on my arms stand on end.

Pig-face pulled me into him with grubby paws, and I tried not to react. “I can fuck you good, if you’ve been deprived,” he said lewdly.

I’d taken a good look at the device. It looked simple enough, just a single switch. I moved quickly before he could suspect anything, hitting the switch. The strange feeling in the air disappeared.

It was working. I gripped the device, covering the switch with my hand, and held on for dear life.

“Attack now!” I yelled.

Chapter 15: Coal

I roared and leaped at the dead male who even now pulled on my brave and intelligent mate’s hair. I wanted to kill him slowly, make him suffer. But I also knew the quicker this was over, the faster my mate would be safe.

Grabbing him by the head I twisted hard until a sickening crack split the air. He collapsed forward, trapping Vivian's body under his. I heaved it out of the way and threw it against the wall.

Pulling my naked mate into my arms, I checked her thoroughly for injuries. “Are you harmed?”

I smelled blood. Her blood.

“I’m fine.” Vivian looked around, worried even though she was safe now in my arms. “Let’s get out of here.”

“You are not fine. You are bleeding. Where?” The scent of her blood agitated me. I needed to fix it now.

She showed me her hands. Her wrists had already been chafed from the ties he had used to bind her. There were also claw marks along her arms and hands from his hands trying to remove her grip from the device.

I snarled, frustrated I didn’t have anything to heal her with.

“Ignore it for now. I’m fine. We need to get out of here. The slavers are on their way, and they will have reinforcements.”

“I will destroy every last one for you.” I meant every word. The scent of her blood made me crave violence. I’d killed the male too quickly and craved a fight.

“That’s really sweet, Red, in a very bloodthirsty sort of way.” She sniffed and looked up at me with a wry smile. “And I appreciate it. But right now, I just want to go home.” She paused and reached for my face. “With you.”

I grunted. I’d been so set on revenge I hadn’t thought of her comfort. Of course she’d want to avoid violence and danger. She’d suffered through enough already.

I detached the shielding device from the dead male and scanned it with my communicator. It was simple, borrowing technology from a ship’s shield. It would come in handy to protect my mate.

She was already dressed when I turned to her.

She frowned at the portable computational unit on the table. “I think someone’s trying to call in.”

A message blinked on the screen. The slavers were near.

Fuck. If I wanted a clean getaway, we needed to leave now.

I clipped the shielding device onto Vivian’s dress. “We must go now.”

I triggered my illusion, and we left the run-down building and wove through the streets to the empty lot where I’d told Xadren to meet me. He hadn’t arrived yet when I’d gotten here, and something had told me I couldn’t wait. I’d gone in after Vivian alone, and I was glad I did.

Now, my friend’s shuttle sat hidden in the dark at the back of the lot. The door slid open to reveal a mass of stony gray. “You made it just in time. A ship is coming in fast on my radar, but I don’t think they saw you. Come in.”

By the time the slavers found out the room was empty save for a single dead male, we were long gone. Flying up to my mountain home, cloaked in Xadren’s shuttle, was the best option.

Now that I had a female to care for, I should take my ship and the attached short-flight shuttle out of storage. I had no problem going by foot, especially with my slow-paced, live-off-the-land kind of life. But trips to the Hub and the other settlements would be safer from now on with a vehicle.

“Thank you for the lift,” Vivian said, as she gave the other Earthling a hug. “Visit when you can and keep in touch.”

I nodded my thanks to Xadren. He had more than made up for the help I’d rendered him previously. During the flight home, he’d offered Vivian the use of his healing gel. It had helped seal off her injuries and start the healing process.

I didn’t have many friends, but I considered Xadren one I’d keep for life. I invited him in, but he couldn’t stay. He had to continue moving before his enemies sent someone else for him. He flew back to dock with his larger, space-faring ship. By nightfall, the two would be gone from the planet.

Finally safe in front of my home, I turned to my mate, nervous about what she’d think of the place where I lived. “Welcome to my home. Our home.” I pushed open the door, suddenly feeling inadequate. “It isn’t much. Just the bare minimum.”

“It’s cozy.” Vivian peered in but didn’t step inside.

I lived mostly off the land, except for the technology I needed to keep myself safe and entertained. There weren’t any fineries, unlike in Lethin’s mansion—the place I’d originally thought I’d leave her.

“It’s not much, but the lake outside is mine, too, and the forest around the home. There is a shed out back and buried under that is my old ship. I also have a shuttle, but it needs maintenance.” I tilted my horns over to the shed, but kept my eyes on her face.

How the females reacted to our nests was important, and our males often decorated their nests with valuables and riches and lined them with the softest materials. I had not done this, though I had enough credits saved up to do so. I simply hadn’t expected to return mated.

I looked around the simple, one-room home, wishing I’d prepared for my mate properly. “If you wish for a bigger nest, I can have extensions built. And if you—”

She tip-toed and put the tips of her fingers over my lips. “It is perfect. I love it, and I’m sure I’ll be happy here.”

“You will?”

“Yes. Because you are here, Big Red.” She grinned up at me, her smile brighter than the two suns themselves. “I don’t need a bigger nest. This is perfect the way it is. Now carry me over that threshold, my mate.”

That must be part of her human custom. It was very similar to the Kadrixan custom of carrying our mate up to our aerie. Perhaps the contingent who’d visited her planet had left behind some of our customs. This I could give her. I bent and picked her up, sweeping her into my arms, before walking us through the door and into our home. I didn’t stop until I dropped her onto my sleeping platform.

I was a large male, and the bed was similarly big. She looked perfectly tiny in it. Her light brown skin contrasted against my pale-colored sheets, and I longed to remove the stench of the other male and replace it with my scent.

I fell to my knees on the bed in front of her, ripping her dress over her head to gaze upon her perfection. I pressed my face against her, rubbing, touching, connecting skin to skin.

Her scent changed as contact with my skin turned on my pheromones. I stripped quickly without stopping my nuzzling and kissing of her body. I needed more contact with her to convince myself she was safe and mine.

Vivian’s little hands were everywhere, touching me where they could, and her lips were equally eager. She kissed every inch of skin she could reach, namely my shoulders and pecs, and every touch stole my control.

“Stop,” I growled, as I pushed her down on the bed. “You are driving me crazy.”

“Good,” she said with a mischievous grin. “That’s my mission.” She licked her lips suggestively, then reached down to stroke at my shaft, which strained against her belly.

I groaned and caught her hands in mine, careful not to hurt her healing wrists. Since I couldn’t hold her by the wrists, I threaded my fingers through her fingers instead and then pressed her hands against the mattress. She struggled, pulling hers away, but her lust blossomed thickly between us.

With her hands held captive, I devoured her mouth, tasting her until she was moaning and wiggling her body against me, trying to make contact.

My tail joined the exploration, sliding up her legs and between her thighs. Her legs tightened, pressing together, and I wedged my knee between them, forcing them apart so the tip of my tail could slide between.

My tail inched up the inside of her leg until it found her pussy. I pressed the flat end against her, and she mewled, rolling her hips.

“Please,” she begged. “Fuck me.”

“Not yet,” I whispered into her ear. “I wish to taste you. I want to lick you until you’re screaming for me.”

“Oh god.” She closed her eyes. “Yes. yes, please.”

I kneed her legs apart as I trailed tiny bites and kisses all along her skin, starting at her cheek and moving down her body. Down and down, I inched lower, teasing her as I aimed for her core.

By the time I faced her mound, she was trembling and shaking, and a whimper of need escaped her lips. I loved how reactive she was, and how her body answered every action with undeniable desire.

I nuzzled at the dark pink petals before surrounding her little bud with my lips. I tugged at them lightly, and she hissed. I covered her with my mouth and flicked at the sensitive nub with my forked tongue, enjoying how she keened and moaned under me.

I moved lower, thrusting my tongue into her channel as I moved my thumb in rhythmic circles over her clit. My tail replaced my thumb, the flat triangular end covering her clit and vibrating.

She screamed. Her channel tightened around my tongue, squeezing it as it would squeeze my cock soon. Her whole body shook, and her breath was ragged as I moved to cover her body, the tip of my tail never disconnecting from her.

“You are mine, little flower. All mine.” I enclosed her in the hardness of my body.

I lined us up and pressed in, slowly stretching her dripping wet pussy with the wide head of my cock. I rocked my hips and sank in deeper with each movement until I was buried to the hilt.

“I’m going to fuck you until you forget life ever existed before me.”

“Yes,” she hissed. “Please.”

I pulled out before driving into her hard. She keened under my body, and I focused my attention on her clit, rubbing my tail in small circles. Her fingers dug into my arms, the dull nails doing no damage. She was sobbing now, her whole body poised at the edge of bliss.

A few more thrusts were all it took to push her over. Her channel pulsed around me, making stars explode across my vision. I thrust into her wildly, abandoning any semblance of control.

There was nothing else in this galaxy but her and me. I bathed her with my seed as we shook from our orgasms, then I held her in my arms, protecting her, loving her.

“If this is the rapture, I’ll take it any day of the week,” she murmured sleepily.

She referred to something from her culture, but I had to agree that this was rapture, and I, too, wished to experience it every day.

“Then I will make it so,” I promised. “I love you, my mate, my little flower.”

“You do?”

“Yes.” I was not afraid to proclaim it to the universe.

Her eyes turned glassy. “I know your hormones make me all lovey dovey, but I think I love you too. I can’t imagine my life now without you.”

“Then I have done my job well.” This was just the beginning; I looked forward to doing this job every day for the rest of my life.

I pulled my blanket around us and enclosed her in my arms. I might not be able to wrap her in my wings, but she didn’t seem to mind. This was enough. I was enough.

For the first time in a very long time, I felt truly whole. I’d found the part of myself that had been missing, and it wasn’t my wings or respect from my people. And it sure wasn’t revenge. It was my mate.

Now that she was in my arms, I was complete.

Epilogue: Vivian

I giggled as the adorable wildling demon pup stole the biggest bone from Coal’s plate the moment he turned around. Chewie was learning to be sneakier every day.

“My food!” Coal roared when he turned back to his plate. “You little thief!”

He started a mock chase around our tiny home, which I was pretty sure Chewie knew was fun and games. Red wasn’t actually upset. He knew that if Chewie was preoccupied with a juicy piece of meat attached to a big bone, she’d be more likely to ignore his furniture.

Chewing up the furniture, and every corner in the house, was Chewie’s favorite pastime, which had earned her the extremely fitting name. Recently, she’d found joy in demolishing the building supplies Coal had hauled in to build the new extension.

When he’d offered to build it, I hadn’t expected him to go traipsing off into the woods to bring down his own lumber and cut his own stones. He’d been so happy doing it that I didn’t comment. Perhaps this was his way of making up for not building me a nest, even though I’d assured him many times it didn’t matter to me.

He also worried that I missed Earth. To be very honest, I did to a degree, but I didn’t miss being on Earth, just the idea of it. I didn’t have any real friends, just acquaintances—work friends—who’d probably forgotten me after they got over the fact that I’d gone missing overnight. My mom probably didn’t even realize I was gone; she was too busy with her new life.

Now I had a new life, too.

Right here on this gorgeous mountain with Coal, with the beauty of the land surrounding us, and with Chewie too. I couldn’t forget Chewie.

The little demon hefted the meaty bone up onto the couch where I sat.

“Ugh. No, Chewie. Down.” I pushed her off the couch. We had a strict rule about bringing her food onto the couch or into the bed, ever since we found a raw, half-eaten leg buried in our blankets.

Wanting to stay close to me, Chewie settled down at my feet with her prize.

“She stays beside you often now,” Coal noted.

“She’s been doing that since after the rut. I think she knows I’m pregnant and is protecting the baby.” I reached down to scratch behind Chewie’s ears, and her hind leg twitched happily, thumping on the floor.

The rut had been something else. Two whole weeks of horny Coal and lots of toe-curling, mind-numbing sex had ended with me thoroughly happy and pregnant. I wasn’t complaining; I was ready to be a mother.

From what I’d learned about Kadrixan childrearing, it was done as a partnership. I looked forward to it; Coal would be an amazing dad. Though, I had no idea how we’d deal now that we knew it would be a boy.

Kadrixan boys grew their wings when they were toddlers, and by the time they were old enough to get into trouble and talk back, they were also able to fly off. This was one of the reasons Kadrixan fathers had to be part of the childrearing. We’d cross that bridge when we got there.

Coal frowned. “I will protect you and our child.” Was he getting jealous of a wildling pup?

“I bet you will, Big Red!”

Coal strode over and lifted me up from the couch into his arms. Even with my swollen belly, he never failed to make me feel tiny in comparison.

“Hey! I was getting comfy,” I protested, though I was just as happy in his arms.

“You can get comfortable in the bed.”

Oooh! I liked that idea very much. I grinned.

“Alright, take me to bed and ravish me!” I exclaimed. “I’m all yours.”

And my big red demon did.

THE END

Also In Series

Looking for more in the Outlaw Planet Mates series? Check them all out on Amazon! With offerings from exciting names in science fiction romance, you’ll be sure to find more to enjoy.

Alien’s Mercy (Leslie Chase)

Alien’s Treasure (Elin Wyn)

Alien’s Challenge (Nancey Cummings)

Alien’s Stone Heart (Lynnea Lee)

Alien’s Fate (Eden Ember)

Alien’s Sacrifice (Cady Austin)

Alien’s Jewel (Ava York)

Alien’s Wild Mate (Sonia Nova)

Alien’s Power (Eden Ember)

Want to know when we’ll be adding more? Check out the HUB on Facebook, where we’ll announce upcoming releases.

ALSO BY AUTHOR

TALLEAN MERCENARIES

A Deal for Zeylum

A Chance for Arus

A Promise for Vore

A Claim for Calix

A Minx for Ryek & Holden

A Captive for Kean

A Future for Zharor

TALLEAN MATES NOVELLAS

Becoming Mrs. Claws

Space Pirate’s Treasure

Space Merchant’s Jewel

Space Mercenary’s Prize

XARC’N WARRIORS

Claimed by the Hunter

Wanted by the Hunter

Taken by the Hunter

Cherished by the Hunter

Rescued by the Hunter

Stolen by the Hunter

Captured by the Hunter

Protected by the Hunter

XARC’N WARRIORS: MOUNTAINS

Hunter’s Quest

OUTLAW PLANET MATES

Alien’s Stone Heart

SHORT STORIES

Short stories available through Mailing List only.

Captain Bax’s Stowaway

Casch’s Runaway Mate

Pursued by the Hunter

Hunter’s Fate