Page 16 of Captured By The Alien Barbarian
“Whatever you want, my Nika,” he whispers. As he closes his eyes, the sorrow etched on his face is so palpable that my heart goes out to the guy.
My perception of this alien—this creature—keeps getting muddled; I’m constantly on edge because he’s unlike anyone I’ve ever come across. I keep fearing him simply because he’s different from me, overlooking how similar we actually are. He’s done more for me than the folks back at the colony, who pretty much outright said they didn’t care if I was alive or dead. Even when he didn’t have to, he came after me when I fled from his home, blinded by my fear.
“Why?” I ask him. “Why did you bring me here? Why stop me from returning to my people?”
“It’s my duty and honor to protect and provide for you,” he says, as though it were the most self-explanatory thing in the universe.
“I don’t understand.”
“Because you are my mate,” he says, presenting his limbs and giving them a twirl to show off the tribal ink that adorns them.
Bafflement written all over my face, I blurt out, “What’s any of this got to do with your blasted tattoos?”
Taccit looks at me for a long moment. “When my people find our mates, our skin changes color—just like this. It’s proof that we were blessed by the gods. I was hoping that your skin would change too. But each species shows their bonding marks differently. This much I’m aware of.”
The wistfulness in his eyes is both heart-wrenching and strangely endearing. I can’t really stay mad at the guy.
“Look, buddy, I didn’t agree to be your mate,” I tell him. I mean, I’m not a total hermit—I’ve heard the term “mate” thrown around in those vids about glitzy human celebs meeting with extraterrestrials. It’s akin to holy matrimony, and, frankly, I’m not in the market. Taccit doesn’t snarl; he doesn’t even growl—though I can see the hurt.
“Why me?” I can’t help but ask. “You must have your own people—your own kind—to marry or whatever?”
He swallows several times, his throat bobbing. “There are very few females here on our planet. All of the ones I’ve heard of are mated already or are kept safe and treasured by their tribes. There’s no way that I would ever come across them.”
His admission stabs me right in the heart—it’s never pleasant knowing you’re someone’s last resort, especially when they latch onto you, refusing to let go, because they’re convinced there aren’t any better options. Walter didn’t want me either.
The only person who cared for me was Maya, and I don’t want to bring this sort of drama to her home.
It suddenly dawns on me how desperately I want to belong—not just to a place but to someone... someone who genuinely cherishes and appreciates me for who I am. Someone who doesn’t want to change me.
As the realization sinks in that I can’t possibly bow out and head back to the colony, my sight blurs.
I truly have no place to call home.
“I’m tired, Ariana,” Taccit says with a deep sigh. “I’ve been alone for so many cycles now, without my tribe. I’m tired of having no one to talk to, no one to love. I’ve prayed to the deities for cycles to have a mate, anyone, to spend my time with. Anything to end this lonely existence. And then there you were.”
He lifts his arms again, checking out his tattoos with awe. He can’t help but be amazed by them.
After a moment, he closes his eyes, looking absolutely miserable. “If my mate doesn’t want me either, then maybe I don’t deserve to live.”
I stare at him, aghast. How can he believe that? I might not have agreed to be his one and only, but to want to kick the bucket just because I turned him down?
His life can’t be that bad, can it? Sure, he doesn’t have luxurious modern amenities like auto-cookers and space heaters. But join the club—neither did I! On my own, I couldn’t pull off big enough harvests to cover the costs of replacing my broken gizmos. The fireplace makes the cave feel all warm and cozy, despite the sub-zero temps outside. If I’m honest, it’s a step up from the dome tent I used to call home. It just needs some homey touches—some flowers and whatnot to brighten the place up. He’s already made a good start with that furry canvas hanging on the wall.
“Don’t say that,” I say, lowering the bow to rub my hand at my sternum, feeling a pang of sympathy for the alien. After all, I know firsthand what it’s like to be the odd one out, to not be wanted.
His eyes flicker open, brimming with hope. “You’d actually take me as your mate? Stick with me?” he asks, his eagerness almost palpable, and I find myself at a loss for words. I glance around the cave. What other options do I have? I can’t survive out in the wilds by myself. Vivid memories of gnashing teeth flash through my mind, and I shudder at the thought of being left all alone in this alien world that’s anything but friendly. Heading back to the colony is a no-go. That chapter of my life is over.
“I’d devote every waking moment to trying to prove that I’m the right one for you, that I am worthy of you,” he says as he leans towards me, looking as sincere as they come.
Would it be so terrible to live with this beast? Taccit hasn’t caused me any physical harm. Maybe if we lay down some ground rules, set some boundaries, I could stay here. At least until I can come up with a better game plan.
I point to the furs. “Toss me a blanket, will ya? It’s kinda hard to have a heart-to-heart when I’m in my birthday suit.”
In a flash, Taccit scoops up the blanket from his lap.
“No, not that one!” I squeal.
His movement has given me a front-row seat to what’s hiding between his legs. I try to look away, but curiosity gets the best of me. My eyes are glued to the scene. His soft green manhood is most definitely bigger than a human’s, even when it’s just chilling. As I stare, it quivers, starting to grow. It’s covered with ridges and bumps, and I can’t help but wonder what it’d feel like if…
