Page 2 of Taken By the Alien Merking

“What other option do we have?” Brooke glanced at him with a brow quirked.

Before Zetron could respond, the ground trembled beneath their feet. A cacophony of explosions filled the air, followed by the staccato zing of phaser fire. The tent walls shuddered but held firmagainst the onslaught, protecting them fully despite their gauzy appearance.Handy. Brooke’s heart thundered, instincts screaming for action.

Her hands itched for a weapon and she glanced around the space searching for one, but the tent was sparse save for a few ornate cushions and a low table. Zetron’s eyes met hers, a flash of concern crossing his features.

“Seems we have unwelcome guests,” he remarked, his tone betraying no panic, only a calm readiness.

Brooke’s mind raced. “Who are they?”

Zetron’s gaze darkened. “The anti-alien faction, most likely.”

“The anti-alienwhat?”

Another explosion rocked the tent, closer this time.

“Now is not the time,” Zetron yelled, betraying a hint of the worry in his voice.

Brooke’s survival training kicked in and she dropped to her knees, sweeping the ground with her hands, searching for anything buried within the sand that she could use as a makeshift weapon.

But she came up empty-handed.Dammit.

As phaser fire continued to rain down, Brooke knew their initial meeting had taken an unexpected turn. The fate of her people and the potential alliance with the Quxoni now hinged on their ability to survive the onslaught together. She locked eyes with Zetron.

Zetron’s voice sliced through the chaos, a command rather than a request. “We must move, now!” Before Brooke could fully process his words, he bolted to her.

“Wait!” she yelled, but it was no use. Within seconds, she found herself cradled against his chest, his powerful arms securing her against him. In another few seconds, Zetron hoisted her over his shoulder effortlessly and ran from the explosions.

The world blurred as he bolted toward the rear of the tent, the fabric parting before them.

Brooke’s heart pounded in time with Zetron’s strides, the erratic rhythm of phaser fire echoing in her ears. She caught glimpses of the battle raging around them—the seven species that had come to meet them clashing with unseen assailants.

They quickly reached the ocean’s edge, the waves lapping at the shore. Zetron didn’t break stride, his gaze fixed on the horizon as he entered the water. Brooke’s breath hitched as the cool liquid enveloped them, a stark contrast to the heat of battle.

“Hold your breath,” Zetron instructed, his tone leaving no room for argument. She complied, filling her lungs with air just as they submerged.

Underwater, the world transformed. The sounds of battle muted to a distant hum, replaced by the serene gurgle of the ocean. Schools of iridescent fish darted past, their colors a vibrant testament to the life thriving beneath the waves. Brooke’s eyes stung from the saltwater, but she refused to let go of the awe that beheld her.

Zetron’s pace never faltered, transforming from a rapid gate to a racing swim as his legs transformed into a glittering tail. His arm muscles and tail worked in harmony to propel them forward. Brooke’s lungs began to burn, the initial lungful of air rapidly depleting.

This is it, Brooke thought to herself.The grand plans of humanity to resurrect itself are about to be blown.

Just as she teetered on the edge of panic, Zetron halted, his lips meeting hers in a kiss that was as startling as it was lifesaving.

Air flooded her mouth, a precious gift that eased the ache in her chest. The kiss was clinical, devoid of passion, yet Brooke couldn’t ignore the undeniable spark that ignited within her. Zetron’s eyes held hers, a silent promise that they would survive this ordeal.

Beneath the surface, the world was a shimmering dance of light and shadow. Zetron’s arms and tail, powerful and sure, continued to propel them through the water with an ease that spoke of his aquatic nature. Brooke clung to him, her heart racing from the adrenaline and the unexpected intimacy of their escape. Each time her lungs screamed for air, Zetron’s lips found hers, offering sustenance in a kiss that was more a lifeline than a lover’s caress.

The kisses were quick, efficient—but not without effect. With each shared breath, Brooke felt a connection grow, a realization that they were in this together. She couldn’t deny the thrill that coursed through her, a heady mix of fear and excitement, as they moved as one through the alien ocean.

Finally, the water around them lightened, the deep blues giving way to the vibrant turquoise of shallower waters. Zetron angled them towards a sliver of sand that cut through the ocean. The island was small, fringed with palm-like foliage that swayed gently in the breeze, a deserted paradise that seemed untouched by the chaos they had left behind.

As they neared the shore, Zetron’s hold on Brooke shifted. He waded in the shallow water as he guided her onto the shore. She stumbled, her legs unsteady after their underwater journey, but his grip was firm, supporting her until she found her balance.

“Almost there,” he assured her, his voice a low rumble.

Brooke nodded, her gaze locked on the beach ahead. She took a step, her booted feet sinking into the soft sand beneath the water. Another step, and another, until her knees buckled and she fell forward, crawling the last few feet onto dry land.

Brooke collapsed onto the sand, her breaths coming in ragged gasps as she recovered from their ordeal. But as her breathing steadied, a sudden sense of urgency compelled her to turn back, to see the man—or rather, the Quxoni—who had saved her life.

---