Page 11 of Invasion of Sorority Z

His pointed ears are decorated with two piercings each, all of them red and metallic like his arm. There’s two small hoops, one larger on his lobe, and one smaller on the top. None of the other guys have them, from what I’ve seen, but he wears them well, like he’s had them for a long time.

I’ve noticed that he favors not wearing a shirt, but always having tight tactical-style pants on with his big boots. Some of the aliens wear shirts that look like nylon fabric, but the same pants as Marrec. I find myself ignoring their appearances though, much more interested in continuously examining the big guy in front of me.

Everything about him is big. His features are large obviously, but there’s also a softness to them. He’s really quite beautiful. Huge, but beautiful.

“I’m okay,” I croak, hopefully not blushing.

“Do you need a mender? To fix you?”

Sheesh. I know I’m a bit of a mess, but does this man think I’mbroken? “Mender? Fix me?”

“They have medical equipment on their ship,” Cayte explains. “Like scans to check out the inside of your head.”

“I’m totally cool with no one ever seeing the inside of my head,” I say immediately.

She snickers. “Like an MRI.”

Oh. Duh. “Um, I don’t think I need that.”

“It might be better to be safe than sorry,” she cautions. “A hit to the head killing you while zombies run around would be kind of lame, huh?”

“Killingher?” Marrec gasps. “You candiefrom this?”

Dammit, Cayte. Way to scare the guy.

“It isveryunlikely in this case—” I start to say, only to have him cut me off.

“I will take you to the ship to have your head mended.”

Megan grumbles next to me about being lucky. Again.

“I don’t really want to be a bother.”

“Hu-nims say this a great deal,” the blue one pipes up. “I do not wish to burden you. We are not wanting to be selfish,” he teases in a feminine accent. “Why is this?”

“Humans aren’t known for selflessly helping each other, especially when there is chaos.” Cayte sighs, pinching the bridge of her nose. “It is a good idea for people—women especially—to choose who they trust carefully. We don’t want to take too many favors from you, and have you expect things in return.”

Terum, who I have learned is their leader, grunts in understanding. “We will expect nothing of you. We do not feel burdened by protecting your pack. Where we are from, females are the core of life. We honor them for this. You have our guard, without payment desired.”

“Ugh,” Megan groans. “I want to be on planetWomen are Gods.”

I snort, patting her hand. “Maybe they’ll take you if you show them your backflip.”

Her eyes sparkle, and I see a flicker of the bubbly cheerleader I once knew so well. “Maybe indeed!”

“I will take you to the mender now,” Marrec says, interrupting the small moment. I’m not about to protest again—not with how concerned he seems. It’s really sweet, I think.

I don’t expect to be picked up again, yelping as he pulls me off the couch and into his arms. A shiver wrecks down my spine with a huge force, feeling his hot skin against mine.

“I will return,” he tells the others, storming toward the back door.

Oh boy.

5

Rutabaga: A cruciferous plant with a thick bulbous edible yellow root.

Stevie

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