Page 13 of Taken By the Alien Merking

The idea of seeking help from Zetron’s people was a gamble, but it was one she was willing to take. She had seen the way they looked at him with respect. If they were half as honorable as Zetron, they would not leave a guest to fend for themselves.

With a final glance at the empty cavern, Brooke squared her shoulders and stepped forward into the dark passageway of the cave system. The path ahead was uncertain, but she was no stranger to adversity. She had faced down danger more times than she could count, and she would do so again.

“One foot in front of the other,” she encouraged herself, her voice barely above a whisper. “You’ve got this, Brooke.”

The cool air of the cave wrapped around Brooke like a shroud as she ventured into the labyrinth of stone and shadow. Her eyes,accustomed to the darkness, scanned the uneven terrain ahead, while her ears pricked at the faintest echo of voices. Relief washed over her; Zetron was near, his presence betrayed by the timbre of his voice, even if she couldn’t make out the words yet.

She moved with the stealth of a seasoned soldier, her bare feet barely whispering against the damp cavern floor. The spear she had snatched from the dwindling firelight served as her guide, its shaft cool and reassuring in her grip. She followed the sound, her heart beating a steady rhythm that matched the cadence of their distant conversation.

As Brooke drew closer, the murmur of voices crystallized into distinct tones. Two males, their voices rich with the same melodic undertones as Zetron’s. Her steps slowed, her curiosity piqued by the unexpected audience. She inched forward, the jagged cave walls closing in around her, until she found herself at the edge of a dimly lit alcove.

Peering around the corner, she caught sight of Zetron, his massive form illuminated by the soft glow of bioluminescent lichen that clung to the cave walls. He was speaking with two other Quxoni, their postures rigid with formality. The sight of him, unscathed and commanding, should have been a balm to her nerves, but the words that drifted to her ears sent a jolt of shock coursing through her veins.

“Your Highness,” one of the males addressed Zetron, his head bowed in deference. “The royal guard has been dispatched to secure the area. We feared the worst when we could not locate you at the palace.”

Your Highness? Royal guard? Brooke’s mind raced, the implications of their words crashing down upon her like a tidal wave. Zetron, the man—no, the alien—she had shared her body with, was not just any negotiator. He was their…

What exactly?

Who had she shared her most intimate secrets with? What had he been hiding?

“King Zetron,” the other male chimed in, his voice laced with concern. “The anti-alien faction’s attack was bolder than we anticipated. We must strengthen security around the summit proceedings.”

King Zetron. The title reverberated in Brooke’s mind, a mantra of sheer disbelief. She had sex with the Quxoni king. The weight of her actions settled heavily upon her shoulders, each breath growing more labored as the reality of her situation sunk in.

“Holy shit,” Brooke muttered under her breath, her grip tightening around the spear. “I slept with theking!”

The revelation was a punch to the gut. She had been so caught up in the heat of the moment, in the way Zetron’s touch igniteda fire within her, that she had failed to see the metaphorical crown that rested upon his brow. How could she have been so blind?

As she stood there, hidden in the shadows, a myriad of emotions washed over her. Fear, embarrassment, and a twinge of anger at Zetron for not disclosing his true identity. But beneath it all was a nagging sense of responsibility. What would this mean for the negotiations now? For Earth’s future?

“You idiot,” she chastised herself quietly. “You’ve compromised everything.”

The voices echoed in the alcove as the Quxoni continued their discussion, oblivious to Brooke’s turmoil. They spoke of threats and strategies, of the importance of the summit, and the potential for a new era of peace. But all Brooke could think about was the potential fallout of her indiscretion.

“Your Highness, we must consider the possibility that the human delegation was involved in the attack,” one of the males suggested, his voice grave.

Brooke’s heart lodged in her throat. The suspicion cast upon her people was a bitter pill to swallow. She had to act, to clear the names of her crew and ensure the success of the mission. But how could she face Zetron now, knowing the truth of his identity and the potential ramifications of their night together?

Zetron’s response was quick and measured, his tone carrying an undercurrent of authority that left no room for doubt. “We will investigate thoroughly before jumping to conclusions. Captain Brooke Harris is not our enemy.”

Captain Brooke Harris. At least he remembered her name, even if he had omitted a crucial detail about his own. She leaned against the cold cave wall, her mind whirling with potential courses of action. She needed to confront Zetron, to demand answers and to set things right. But first, she had to escape the confines of her self-imposed exile and step back into the light.

With a fortifying breath, Brooke stepped out from the shadows, her resolve hardening with each step. She would not let her mistake jeopardize the future of her people. She would face Zetron as she had faced every challenge before him—with courage and determination.

As she approached the alcove, the conversation ceased, all eyes turning to her. Brooke met Zetron’s gaze, her expression unyielding. It was time to address the king.

They said men always held a soft spot for their first. Time to put that to the test.

Chapter 9

Zetron

Therustlingechoedoffthe cavern walls like a siren’s call, drawing Zetron’s attention to the shadowed corner of the alcove. The murmuring of his general and science advisor hushed abruptly as Brooke emerged, a vision of defiance wrapped in thesoft glow of the bioluminescent lichen. Her gaze met Zetron’s, a silent challenge hanging between them. Her expression, a mask of resolve, spoke volumes more than words ever could.This is unfortunate,he thought, a wry twist to his lips. The revelation of his kingship was now as inevitable as the tide.

With a flick of his wrist, Zetron dismissed his attendants. The general, a seasoned warrior with scales as hard as the armor he donned in battle, hesitated, his eyes flicking to Brooke and back. The science advisor, ever the scholar, bowed his head and retreated without a sound, his curiosity about the human female as palpable as the humidity that clung to the cave’s walls.

Zetron’s glare held the general until he too vanished into the labyrinthine tunnels, leaving the king alone with the enigmatic captain. The heaviness of the silence was a tangible force, pressing in from all sides. Zetron felt the heat of Brooke’s gaze upon him, a fire that threatened to consume the careful aloofness he’d wrapped himself in.

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