Page 1 of His Human Rebel

Chapter 1

Stella

The tall, satanic-looking female opens the exit door and smiles down at me.

After the way I shrieked and almost fainted in her presence, I suppose she can hardly wait to get rid of the odd human.

What else was I supposed to do when confronted by a group of beings who look like creatures from my darkest nightmares?

My body reformed on this distant transporter disk, on an entirely different planet. The moment my vision cleared I saw the nearby Hyrrokin staff members and did something I’d never done in my entire life—screamed so loud I hurt my own ears and then grew lightheaded and swayed on my feet at the sight of this new-to-me species.

I’m still so embarrassed.

“Wait here.” She points with a sharp, silver claw. Despite her gruesome features, this Hyrrokin female is surprisingly kind. A flash of white fang causes a sickening wave of fear again to blossom in the pit of my stomach. I do my best to ignore the terror I’ve constantly felt in her presence and listen to her gentle words. “We messaged Rake Flagstone about your arrival and your bound is on his way, arriving directly from his ranch.”

“Ranch?”

“Yes. Rake Flagstone is the owner of the third section of the Flagstone Fire Ranch. It will take him some time to arrive because of the distance, but not too long. Have a nice day. If there’s anything you need while you wait, open this door again and let us know. We’d be happy to help.”

I quietly thank the female for her epic kindness during my freak out on the transporter disk. “I’m so embarrassed about how I reacted when I first saw all of you. I’m so sorry, but I couldn’t seem to help myself.”

A puff of white smoke escapes from her nostrils. “Do not worry, human. Our appearance can be terrifying for other species, and we are trained to deal with newcomers. Welcome to the planet Tarvos. All of us in this outpost are excited that you’ve chosen to move here and mate with one of our males. We are looking forward to getting to know you better in the future.” She flashes a cheerful wave and then closes the door to return to her work.

Through the windows I can see the other Hyrrokin staff whispering and pointing at me. They asked my name and the reason for my trip. I handed them the chip with my info and they were surprised to learn who was picking me up.

Hopefully this guy I was forced to marry in absentia realizes he’s getting a human.

I exhale, trying to settle my nervous stomach. I’m alone and pregnant and life has been crazy lately so it’s good to slow down for a moment.

My wheeled suitcase bumps behind as I pull it further onto the platform.

The perfumed air of this world smells wonderful. Blue skies arch overhead, and an impossibly tall, green mountain range spikes in the distance. This small town is located on the edge of their wildlands.

A few Hyrrokin stroll down the streets, going about their business. Some of them drive vehicles that look very much like the ones on New Earth, but only larger, to fit their more powerful bodies and the height of their horns.

I’m in the town of Fire Creek on the planet Tarvos, populated by the Hyrrokin species who look terrifying but are in fact nothing but nice.

At least there’s that.

They might all have large, crooked noses, red skin, black horns that burst out from their foreheads and barbed tails. But so far, I can confirm that amongst the small group I’ve met, their outside does not match the inside.

A passing Hyrrokin female, who looks particularly alarming, gives me a welcoming wave as she goes by in her vehicle and I force myself to wave pleasantly in response.

Nice. Nice.

The weather today is spectacular, so at least I’m not left standing in the rain and cold. I inhale a deep breath of clean air. There’s a comfortable bench nearby and they handed me water and some sort of meat stick to nibble on as I wait, which was very nice of them.

But as I sit down and look around at this foreign setting, I can’t help but wonder yet again: how is this even happening to me?

I’ve arrived on the other side of the four sectors, married in absentia to some stranger who isn’t even human named Rake Flagstone? I’m on a planet I’d never heard of until today, holding a single suitcase, standing on a platform, waiting for my new alien husband to arrive.

This is bizzarro.

I bite my lip as I wait because there’s one serious problem with this whole marriage in absentia situation.

After a best forgotten one-night stand gone wrong, I’m three months pregnant and obviously this baby won’t be his.

Jeez. I cross my legs.

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