Page 20 of Captured By The Alien Barbarian
She adjusts quickly, though, overcoming her initial fear and embracing the drolvden’s companionship with open arms. A twinge of jealousy runs through me as I watch her casually pat the creature’s fur. I wish she would touch me in the same way. Patience, I tell myself. She just needs time. I am convinced that I can be everything she needs.
“There is somewhere I can take you. It’s not far,” I say. My spirit lifts as I see the excitement spark in her eyes.
My gaze wanders over her body. She has only the fur blanket, which I hunted, wrapped around her. Although thrilled by the knowledge that she is bared and naked beneath them, she will require something else to wear outside. I silently lament the loss of her original clothing.
I approach a modest shelf containing a few spare pieces of my clothing. I managed to piece together this shirt with bits of fabric I traded for.
Handing it to Ariana, a rush of embarrassment washes over me. This garment is nowhere near suitable for her, and I know it. Still, Ariana takes the offering from me.
“Turn around while I dress,” she says, rolling her eyes.
I frown at her but comply, all the while wondering why she is acting as though I haven’t seen her naked in... what had she called it? Her birthday suit. I really struggle to understand what she had been talking about when she wore no suit or clothing. Perhaps my little mate isn’t as well as she seems.
More reason for me to stay close to the cave, to see to her needs.
“You can look now.”
My blood races with fierce satisfaction as I take in the sight of Ariana wearing my shirt. It absolutely dwarfs my little mate, hanging just above her knees, unfortunately hiding her tantalizing curves. And yet, she has willingly wrapped herself in my scent.
“Do you have a belt or something I can use?” she asks tentatively, her eyes searching my own.
Unable to speak, I gather some of my spare leather cording. She gasps, her hands shaking as they settle on my shoulders, when I kneel before her and wrap it several times around her waist. She is so small. So delicate. So mine.
“You mentioned a place you can take me?” she asks, her voice uncharacteristically hoarse.
“Come.”
We both hesitate at the entrance of the cave, neither of us quite able to take that first decisive step out of my home. Our home.
Ariana huffs and theatrically waves for me to go ahead. “Please, lead the way.”
Things feel awkward. Neither of us knows quite how to talk to each other, how to close the distance that spreads between us.
I stride gruffly out the door, resisting the urge to touch her. I doubt she would appreciate it. Not yet.
Ariana leaves her weapon behind, oblivious to the bow she has come to depend on. She might be unsure around me, but her instincts tell her she can rely on me for her safety.
I let my tail wrap around her wrist, ensuring I’ll know her whereabouts even with her out of my view. The planet teems with danger, and I’m not sure she fully grasps that. She has been lucky so far, but luck eventually runs out.
“I am not your prisoner,” Ariana huffs, trying in vain to free her arm.
I attempt to mimic her human smile, the one that shows I am friendly towards her. It still feels awkward to curl my lips and bare my teeth at my own mate.
“You are mine.”
Still, knowing she doesn’t want to be held, I release her.
As we begin our ascent along the cliffside path, I remain vigilant, keenly aware of Ariana’s presence behind me. Luckily, she has the grace of an elephant, allowing me to follow her clumsy steps with ease.
“Thank you,” she says, almost too quietly for me to hear. “You don’t need to be so overbearing, though.”
I raise an eyebrow, looking back at her in disbelief. Me, overbearing? This comes from the woman who has spent nearly half a solar listing demands.
Ariana narrows her eyes in response, though they lack their customary fire. “Alright, I confess that our introduction could’ve been smoother. I just don’t appreciate being treated as if I’m completely useless or untrustworthy.”
She lets out a heavy sigh, and her shoulders hunch defensively. I deliberately slow my pace to walk more comfortably alongside her.
“Back home, the men constantly acted as though I couldn’t do anything by myself. They always said I was incapable. It drove me mad. I mean, sometimes, I knew more than they did! Heaven forbid, should I tell them that. But, of course, no one took me seriously simply because I was a woman.”
