Hope for the Alien Warrior (Treasured By the Alien #12)

Chapter 17

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

F elicity sat with Miraj in the small medical office, both nursing cups of a bitter but stimulating Eloran tea. The adrenaline of the medical crisis had faded, leaving bone-deep weariness in its wake. Through the observation window, she could see Luxor entertaining Nina and Bobby with some kind of card game while Carla helped tend to the recovering patients.

“You must have wondered why we’re hiding here,” Miraj said suddenly. “Why we didn’t seek help from proper medical facilities.”

She had wondered, but hadn’t wanted to pry. She’d seen enough fear in these people’s eyes to know their reasons must be serious.

“Our world was… beautiful once.” Miraj’s fingers tightened around her cup. “We were peaceful, focused on art and healing. Then the Vedeckians came, claiming to want trade relations. Instead, they wanted test subjects.”

A chill ran down her spine as she remembered her own brief captivity on the Vedeckian ship.

“They discovered something in the biology of a certain Elorans—a natural resistance to certain diseases. They wanted to experiment on us, to harvest it for sale.” Miraj’s voice hardened. “When we refused, they tried to take what they wanted by force. Those of us who escaped…” She gestured at the station around them. “We cannot risk being found. Even legitimate authorities might turn us over, for the right price.”

“That’s why you were so reluctant to accept outside help,” she said softly.

Miraj nodded.

“Yes, but Zythrak vouched for your mate and we had no choice. The illness was killing us.” She reached across the table, gripping Felicity’s hand. “I didn’t expect you, but you saved my people. We won’t forget that.”

“ We saved them,” she said firmly. “Both of us working together.”

Miraj inclined her head. “Perhaps.”

The other female’s gaze drifted back to Luxor. “He’s different now. When I first met him, there was such anger in him.”

They watched as Nina yawned and climbed onto his lap, completely at ease with him.

“The Cire are very proud,” Miraj continued. “Their honor means everything to them. Being falsely accused, imprisoned—it broke something in him. When he left, he took dangerous jobs, fought in those awful rings. Not because he wanted to, but because he believed it was all he deserved.”

The thought of Luxor believing himself unworthy made her chest ache. She’d seen glimpses of that lingering self-doubt.

“Zythrak found him half-dead after a particularly brutal fight. Nursed him back to health. When Zythrak left the circuit, he gave him work as a trader instead.” Miraj squeezed her hand. “But the shame never left him. He believes his people’s rejection defines his worth.”

“It doesn’t,” she said firmly.

“No, it doesn’t. But he may still try to push you away if he thinks it’s best for you.” Miraj’s expression grew serious. “Don’t let him.”

“I won’t.” She watched as Luxor demonstrated some trick with the cards, his face gentle as he explained it to the children. “We belong together.”

“Good.” Miraj’s eyes twinkled. “I have a surprise for you. Both of you.”

“A good surprise?” she asked, not entirely trusting the mischievous look on the other female’s face.

“Oh yes.”

“Miraj was right,” she told Luxor later that night as she sank into the large bath, her back pressed against his chest. “This is a wonderful surprise.”

Miraj had arranged to have the portable bath delivered to their residence in the settlement. Not only delivered, but filled with steaming, herb scented water. His tail draped over the edge of the tub, droplets of water sliding down its length. The warmth seeped into her tired muscles, easing the aches from long hours treating patients.

His hands glided over her shoulders, working out the knots, and she melted into his touch, her head falling back against him. His textured skin felt different underwater, smoother yet still uniquely him.

“Better?” His deep voice rumbled through his chest.

“Perfect.” She traced her fingers along his forearm, following the subtle patterns in his skin.

He nuzzled her neck, his breath warm against her ear. Her pulse quickened as his hands slid lower, skimming her sides and dancing lightly across her breasts. She turned in his arms, water lapping at the edges of the tub. His eyes had gone darker with desire.

She pressed her lips to his, savoring the unique taste of him. His tail curled around her thigh as he lifted her, positioning her in his lap. The friction made her gasp. She hadn’t had the energy for anything other than sleep for days and she suddenly realized how much she’d missed this.

“Need you,” she breathed against his mouth.

He carried her from the bath, not bothering with towels. Water dripped across the floor as he laid her on the bed. His powerful body covered hers, familiar and thrilling all at once. His hand slid up her leg and her legs parted instinctively. He groaned at the sight of her wet heat, then a thick finger slowly penetrated her. She whimpered and he froze.

“Does it hurt?”

“God, no. It feels perfect.”

“Yes, it does.”

She tried to stay quiet, biting her lip to hold back a moan as his finger pumped slowly in and out. Her hands roamed over the broad expanse of his shoulders, the muscles flexing beneath her touch, then trailed down over the hard ridges of his abs.

“I need you, Luxor,” she whispered. “All of you.”

“You are sure?”

She arched her hips until his cock was notched against her entrance, then wrapped her legs around his hips and pulled him closer. As the wide head breached her, he swore, his hand clamping down on her hip. He started to ease forward, then stopped, his eyes darkening with lust.

“So tight. Fuck, yes.”

She was so full, stretched almost unbearably, but it felt incredible. She rocked against him, needing more.

“Slowly, sweetheart.” His voice was hoarse, but his hands gripped her firmly as she tried to hurry, keeping her in check as each inch penetrated her until finally she was seated against him, her body stretched wide.

“Are you all right?” he asked again and she smiled at him, loving that he was so concerned for her.

“Yes. More than all right.”

“Good.” His tail tightened around her waist. “Then hold on.”

He drew back, the drag of his cock making her shudder, then surged forward, filling her completely. She cried out, then clapped a hand over her mouth. He did it again and again, and she writhed against him, her cries muffled by her hand, as he drove her towards orgasm. She could feel the pressure building, the pleasure coiling tighter and tighter until it burst, her vision going white as she clenched around his enormous shaft.

“Fuck,” he roared and then his knot was expanding, the intense pressure making her orgasm go on and on.

When the shudders finally stopped, she collapsed back on the bed. He rolled them to one side, his body still locked with hers, and pulled her against him. His tail wrapped around her waist as he cradled her.

“I love you,” she whispered, her heart overflowing. “So much.”

His arms tightened around her and his tail pulled her even closer. “I do not know what I did to deserve you, but I will always treasure you.”

She drifted off to sleep, completely content. When she woke the next morning, he was gone. What a pity—she’d had plans for him. She sat up, wrapping the blanket around her bare shoulders as a soft knock sounded at the door.

“Come in.”

Carla peeked in, Nina’s small hand clasped in hers. The little girl broke free and bounded onto the bed, throwing her arms around Felicity’s neck.

“Good morning, sweetheart.”

She hugged Nina close, breathing in her sweet, innocent scent.

Carla lingered by the door, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. She twisted her hands together.

“I know you need your rest. I hope we’re not interrupting…”

“Not at all.” She patted the bed. “Come sit.”

Carla perched on the edge, her eyes bright.

“I wanted to tell you something.” She glanced down at her hands. “It’s about Zythrak.”

“Oh?” Her heart warmed at the way the girl’s face lit up at his name.

“We’ve been spending time together, and…” Carla’s smile widened. “I think I’m falling for him. I know he looks kind of scary, but he’s really sweet. He’s so good with Bobby, and he makes me laugh.”

“That’s wonderful!” She squeezed her hand. “You deserve to be happy.”

“It’s just—if it works out, Bobby and I will be staying here with him.”

“I’ll miss you,” she said honestly. “But it’s not as if we can’t come and visit you.”

“I’ll miss you too.” Carla gave her a watery smile. “But this feels right.”

“And where is your new male this morning?”

“He and Luxor are working on some engine repairs.” Carla tickled Nina’s side, making her giggle. “Down in the maintenance bay.”

“What do you say, Nina?” She smoothed the little girl’s dark hair. “Should we go surprise Dada?”

Nina nodded eagerly, already tugging at her hand.

“Let me get dressed first, silly girl,” she laughed, scooping Nina up and heading for her small collection of clothing.

A short time later, she held Nina’s hand as they walked through the station’s dimly lit corridors. The little girl skipped beside her, humming a tune she’d picked up from Bobby. As they rounded the corner toward the maintenance bay, harsh voices echoed down the metal hallway. She froze, quickly pulling Nina back behind a stack of storage crates.

Two hulking Ruijin blocked the path ahead, their hairy bodies casting long shadows in the flickering lights. Her stomach clenched at the sight of them. She pressed Nina close, covering the child’s mouth with gentle fingers.

“…must be here somewhere.” One Ruijin’s gravelly voice carried clearly. “Those Eloran vermin always cluster together.”

“Station’s supposed to be abandoned.” The second one kicked a loose panel. “But someone’s been here recently.”

“Keep searching. The bounty on their heads will set us up for life.”

Her heart pounded. All those refugees, the children… The settlement was well hidden, but would it stand up to a determined search? She tried to calculate how long it might take the Ruijin to find the settlement. She had to warn them.

Nina trembled against her leg, dark eyes wide with recognition and fear. She scooped her up, pressing the little girl’s face into her shoulder to muffle any sound, and inched backward, careful to keep her footsteps silent on the metal floor.

As soon as they cleared the corner, she turned and started to hurry back the way they’d come. Her speed was her undoing. A loose pipe caught her heel and she stumbled, bumping into a stack of empty containers. The metallic crash echoed through the corridor.

“What was that?”

Heavy footsteps approached and her heart jumped into her throat. She spotted a maintenance hatch in the wall, just large enough for Nina. She yanked it open and lifted her daughter inside.

“Stay quiet, sweetheart. Don’t come out until you hear Luxor or me.”

She closed the hatch as Nina nodded, her mouth trembling.

She’d only made it a few steps down the corridor before rough hands grabbed her shoulders, but hopefully it was far enough for them to miss Nina. The Ruijin spun her around, their hot breath hitting her face.

“Well, what do we have here?” The taller one’s fingers dug into her arm. “A human female. Worth good credits in the right market.”

“Let me go.” She struggled against their grip, but they only laughed.

“Feisty. They’ll pay extra for that.” The second Ruijin produced restraints from his belt. “We’ll come back for the Elorans. This one will do nicely for now.”

They started dragging her toward the cargo bay. God, no. Her feet scraped against the floor as she fought them, praying that Luxor would find them if she could just delay them long enough…

A deep growl resonated through the corridor. The Ruijin froze.

Luxor stood at the intersection, his black eyes blazing with fury. His tail lashed behind him as he advanced, knife glinting in his hand.

“Release her.” His voice was deadly calm. “Now.”

The larger one shoved her aside, sending her sprawling across the floor, and Luxor launched himself at them. Metal clashed against metal as knives flashed in the dim light.

Her heart pounded as she watched Luxor move with lethal grace. His tail swept one Ruijin’s feet from under him while he parried the other’s strike. Blood sprayed across the corridor wall as his blade found its mark.

The fallen Ruijin scrambled up, pulling a wicked-looking weapon from his boot. Luxor spun, his knife slicing through the air. The blade embedded in the Ruijin’s throat. He dropped, gurgling.

The remaining Ruijin charged with a roar. Luxor met him head-on, their bodies crashing together. They grappled, trading vicious blows. The Ruijin’s claws raked across Luxor’s chest, but he didn’t slow. His knife plunged between the Ruijin’s ribs. Once. Twice.

The male fell just as heavy footsteps thundered down the corridor. Zythrak burst around the corner with three armed males.

“Luxor!” She pushed herself to her feet as he staggered, and his knife clattered to the floor. Dark blood soaked through his shirt, spreading across his chest and side.

She caught him as his knees buckled, but his weight drove them both to the ground. She quickly pressed her hands against the worst of the wounds as Zythrak roared orders.

“Stay with me.” Her voice shook as she felt the hot blood pulsing between her fingers. “Luxor, look at me.”

His eyes found hers, glazed with pain. His tail curled weakly around her wrist, and then his head lolled back and his eyes drifted shut.