Page 65 of Captured By The Alien Barbarian
Balroth turns to our youngest brother, scowling, “I bested you in battle just weeks ago.”
“I have trained since then. I can take you,” Zoran retorts.
Beside me, Melvall’s eyes shine with glee. I can tell that he’s struggling to hold back his laughter. Of course, the male has a poor sense of humor and finds this bantering humorous.
Balroth shakes his head as if he’s tired of Zoran’s banter, yet his eyes crinkle with his own amusement.
My heart drops when he turns to face me with a serious expression. He sits taller, his shoulders back. In that moment, he looks like a younger version of my sire, and I find myself wondering just who took over leading the tribe.
“I am not a youngling anymore, Taccit. You cannot tell me what to do,” he says firmly.
I wince at his words. He is correct. I left his life cycles ago, and I have no authority to dictate his actions.
Balroth must notice my pain, for his expression softens. “If you wish for the support of our clan, then each available warrior will accompany you. If the humans came and took my mate, I know I would want my family at my back. Besides, my Eve can provide us valuable information about the colony so that we can plan out our attack.”
“You are mated?” I frown. It is a stark reminder of how long I have been absent from my tribe and their lives.
Then, I understand his words. “How does your mate know about the human village?”
Balroth grins and beckons to someone behind me.
I am stunned when a small human scurries up to him, slipping under his arm.
“You have... but that’s a human!”
“Hi,” the female Eve greets me, flashing her teeth as my Ariana did when we first met. Her eyes widen, and she quickly covers her mouth, looking horrified.
Despite everything, I can’t help but laugh. I return her human greeting by baring my teeth, even as my brother stiffens beside his mate and glares at me. “You are just like my Ariana. I am honored to meet you.”
Eve’s voice fluctuates with emotion as she exclaims, “Wait, did you say Ariana? Seriously? She’s your mate?!”
Eve’s cheeks turn pink, and I immediately recognize that she is embarrassed by her outburst. “I’m sorry. It’s just Ariana was one of my best friends on the ship. I never thought I would get to see her again. To know that she is alive and well…”
Her voice trails off, acknowledging that while my mate is indeed alive, her well-being remains uncertain. We don’t know the intentions of the human males who took her.
With determination in her eyes, Eve raises her chin, reminding me of Ariana. “Okay, so I’ve never been inside the colony since it was constructed, but I was part of the team that helped design it. Here’s what I think we should do...” With her help, we devise a strategy to attack the human settlement.
ChapterSeventeen
ARIANA
My knees slam painfully to the ground as I collapse. The edges of my vision turn black as adrenaline tingles across my scalp. My trembling fingers slip over my mouth, trying in vain to block the sob that escapes.
Several large men are walking through the colony gates. Green men. Carrying axes, spears, and swords.
Led by Taccit.
It doesn’t seem possible. It can’t be. But there he is. He strides with pride, standing tall and his chin high. He’s gone for the shirtless look, showing off his impressive muscles and tattoos. Fresh scars mar his chest, shoulders, and stomach. Anger flares through me at the sight, knowing he took each of those grueling wounds for me.
His expression is dark—a vision of fury, of vengeance. His eyes burn with an intensity that I’ve never seen before. His lips are curled back, baring his sharp pointed teeth to the crowd. There’s no denying just how dangerous my alien is at this very moment.
And all I want to do is run to him. I understand now that he’s no threat to me. In his arms, there is no danger, only safety and happiness.
His gaze scans the crowd like a laser, and against all odds, he actually spots me amidst the sea of faces. I cry out, my heart soaring. He’s alive. And he came for me.
The crowd doesn’t quite share my joy, however.
A woman screams. Then another, like some kind of contagious outburst. Suddenly, the air fills with shouts and panic as chaos sweeps through the marketplace.
