Page 21 of Resisting the Alien Commander

“It’s a good thing that you won’t ever have to go back if you don’t choose to.”

“Yes, it is.”

Our gazes lock. Quinn’s eyes darken and the tip of her tongue flicks out leaving her lips shiny and damp. Beneath my uniform, my cock goes semi-hard. Her scent intensifies, and my body heats. The mating fever burns through my veins and my teeth ache with the need to bite her. Mark her as mine.

A rumbling noise shatters the moment just before the room rocks and trembles beneath our feet. Cracking sounds come from above and dust and pieces of ceiling crumble and fall. Quinn and I stumble and nearly collide with others around us. I pull her to me as more debris rains down and cover her body with mine. Females shriek. At last, all movement stops, but I hold onto Quinn a moment longer. When I’m sure whatever just happened is over, I release her.

“Are you all right?” I clasp her upper arms, not letting her get too far from me.

She nods. “I’m fine.”

I scan her from head to toe, confirming her state, and raise my head. Queen Veroneek is rushing around checking on the rest of the brides who stand in varying states of shock. She lifts her gaze and meets mine. I can read her without her having to say anything. I glance down at Quinn again. “Go to the queen. She’ll make sure everyone remains safe.”

With great reluctance, I tear myself away from her and snap out orders for the guards to follow me. I need to find out what just happened.

Chapter11

Quinn

Olivia rushes over to me, completely out of breath. “What the hell was that?”

“I don’t know, but it felt like an earthquake.” Is that even something that occurs on Bohna?

Bohnari males that aren’t part of the guards are still present, but they’re more focused on herding all the humans together. Several of the women clutch each other, while others stare blankly with faces that have lost all color. Tears swim in more than one pair of eyes. Devon and Lindsey join us.

“You two all right?” Devon wraps her arms around herself.

Olivia and I both nod. “You?”

She jerks her chin, but Lindsey’s quiet and pale.

“Linds?” Devon’s voice is soft.

The woman in question blinks and finally looks at us. “I’m good now.”

I’m not sure if she’s saying that for our benefit or hers, but at least her cheeks are finally starting to pinken. Queen Veroneek hurries forward with two armed guards.

“I’m not sure what’s going on, but everyone should come with me.”

We only dart a quick glance in each other’s direction before we follow the queen and her guards out of the room and down a long corridor. The rest of the men trail us. We barely make any distance when Alik bursts around the corner with a weapon in his hand.

“Mother, is everyone well?”

“I believe so.” She glances behind her. “I’m taking the females to the ancestral room.”

“Go, and be safe.”

Alik sprints away without another word.

“Come,” the queen commands and hurries along again.

Every corridor we travel is exactly like the one before it. They all bleed together until I’m completely lost. Finally, we reach a set of double doors that the guards wrench open. Once we’ve made it in, the doors slam shut and are barred from the inside.

There aren’t any windows, but a fire burns in the hearth built into the far wall. Considering all the technology the Bohnari possess, this room feels like something out of history. Colorful, beautifully woven tapestries hang from wooden rods mounted horizontally just below the ceiling and drape nearly to the floor. Besides the fire, light is given off by copper wall sconces interspersed between the tapestries.

Plush sofas and an abundance of chairs are scattered around the room as well.

“Please, have a seat wherever you feel comfortable,” the queen directs us. “Once Horek and Alik have discovered the source of the disturbance and made sure it is safe to return to your home, I’m sure they’ll come and get you. This is the most fortified room in the entire palace, which means nothing, or no one, is a danger to you in here.”

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