Page 70 of Captured By The Alien Barbarian
Before she can get far, I scoop her up into my arms. "Ariana! Oh, Nika! I am here. I have you."
My hands frantically search her body for any signs of injury, desperate to ensure the health of my beloved mate.
"Taccit," Ariana shoves my hands away and buries her face in my chest. Tears pour down her face as her whole body trembles with each sobbing breath. Pulling her closer, I do my best to offer comfort by rubbing her back and whispering soothing words.
Through her sobs, she finally chokes out, "I thought you were dead. Walter said he..." Fresh tears spill from her eyes, coursing down her cheeks as her voice fails her.
Realizing how close we both were to death nearly sickens me. I hold her closer, cherishing the feel of her body pressed against mine. We are perfect together — her softness complementing my strength. She brings out the tender side in me. She is my weakness, and yet because of her, I am strong.
"I am fine. I am now that you are here," Ariana whispers, pushing herself slightly away from me. Reluctantly, I release her, feeling the ache of her absence as soon as I do.
Frustration laces my voice as I say, "I should punish you for leaving home. I'm never letting you out of my sight again. If I have to tie you up to keep you safe, I will, my mate." Gently, I caress her cheek, my touch filled with love and adoration.
Her eyes widen at my words before she unexpectedly begins giggling, the sound interwoven with tears. She clutches onto my shirt tightly as she says, "I think we should leave now. I want to be anywhere but here, please. You can punish me later."
Thoughts of various punishments flood my mind, stirring an undeniable arousal within me. But she's right — now is not the time or the place. Her safety and comfort come first. Her complete submission to me can wait.
"Let us leave this place," I say while lifting her into my arms. She feels so light and fragile as I carry her against my chest. I promise myself never to take this moment for granted.
Our escape route has already been secured by Melvall and my tribe members, and so we swiftly leave the human village behind. We make our way into the surrounding forest, heading home.
My raiding party trails behind us at a respectful distance as I continue to cradle Ariana in my arms, safe and secure.
"I will find you every time you run. I will claim you every time. For you are mine. You are my prisoner."
Despite the intensity of my words, she gazes up at me with soft, loving eyes and reaches out to tenderly stroke my cheek. "I like the sound of that, my love."
ChapterNineteen
ARIANA
Iwake slowly, cocooned in a level of warmth and safety I never want to abandon. Pressed against me is my mate, Taccit, his skin deliciously toasty against mine.
It’s only then that I realize we’re not in our usual cave dwelling. There’s an actual roof above my head.
I must have passed out yesterday after Taccit found me and carried me off.
“Where are we?” I say. My voice carries and I flinch. Paranoia creeps in. I just don’t want to be discovered and torn apart from him again.
“We are with my tribe. This is a spare home that we can use until I can build one for you,” he says.
I stare into his eyes, the cogs in my brain whirring. “Your tribe? But you...”
Suddenly, memories come flooding back—the rescue mission, the others who had come to save me, even Melvall making an appearance.
His lips quirk. He tenderly cups my cheek, his thumb ghosting over the bruised flesh. He’s so gentle with me that I don’t feel even the slightest hint of pain. “Some wounds are good to reopen if for the right reasons. I needed help in getting you back. You were my reason.”
As if on cue, tears well up in my eyes. I thought I had cried them all, yet somehow they keep welling up.
Taccit’s eyes widen when he sees my tears, and he panics. “We are safe here, my mate. Our drolvden are being taken care of by Zoran, we have food aplenty. You can just relax.”
I grip hold of my mate’s cheeks, forcing him to look me in the eye. “I love you, Taccit. I didn’t get a chance to say it before, so I’m saying it now.”
His smile is slow in coming and utterly terrifying. I’ve never seen him look so possessive. Or so sexy. “I love you too, my Nika. I always have.”
Taccit gently kisses me, nothing like his usual forcefulness but more like a butterfly caressing my lips. He kisses me with reverence.
My hands trace his body, his firm muscles. I thought I lost him. I still can’t believe he is here.
