Chapter 12

Chapter

Twelve

ZOE

" I 'd like to take this opportunity to officially welcome you to The Alien Hotel," I announce. Professionalism is all about maintaining that clipped and distant vibe, hiding the fact you're dead inside at all times. It's pretty hard to emulate when you are so excited. I've got to keep myself in check though; we do have an image to maintain—one where we aren't crazy running around like headless chickens, screaming and laughing, or apparently shooting ships out of the sky. "And of course, welcome to our very first official event!"

Before me, the crowd that's gathered roars with approval. Aliens of all shapes, sizes, colors, and textures are crushed into the hall. And did that guy at the back try to fly? I'm sure I saw him just casually flapping his wings, hitting those around him, in a space that's crammed full like sardines.

"Has everyone got their weapons?" I ask, raising my gun into the air before me. The noise in the room crescendos as aliens whoop and stamp their feet…appendages.

During my dramatic pause, I smile down politely at Rathdalia. He's holding dual guns, looking like a kid on Christmas Day, and every bit a wild-west oil tycoon with his white suit and his over-large fedora hat. Another positive review for the hotel, it seems.

"Remember, each Yum-Yum captured counts as a single point. The team with the most Yum-Yums in their designated cages wins! Let the competition begin!"

It took forever to get so many aliens into one room—turns out some species aren't that friendly with others, and asking them to squish side by side… It takes less than a minute for the packed hall to clear out, leaving only a few discarded pieces of paper floating by a bit like tumbleweed on the wind.

"This is quite ingenious," Taruk tells me. He turns his gun this way and that, admiring it. Males and their weapons.

"If you aren't careful, you'll shoot yourself in the eye," I tell him, just in time to witness a stream of water shoot out of the nozzle and splash him across the face.

"Are you ready for team-girls to win?" Elana practically squeals as she slams into my side.

"Yeah we are!" I high-five her.

Jennifer rushes over to join us, joining in the premature celebrations. I've barely ever had time to hang out with her since she doesn't live permanently at the hotel like the rest of us. She arrived hours ago on a spaceship with her mate Valtair, and as soon as she heard our event plans she was all in. The next thing I know is that both she and Elana are dressed up with a variety of leather belts, each dangling a ridiculous number of water guns from hooks and straps. They both look like knock-off pirates. Not that I'm going to tell Jen that, given that her mate is an actual pirate.

"Are you sure this is okay? It's not going to hurt them, is it?" Another girl asks, joining us as she ties her brown hair up in a bun. She tries to look confident, but her eyes radiate nervousness.

I shake my head as I reply, "Water just makes them slow and sleepy. We tested it on a couple we caught earlier. What we determined is that it's evolutionary based. Most species breed at the start of spring, alongside rains and fresh plant growth. Yum-Yums prefer after the rain stops because, of course, food is plentiful by then. I'm guessing it's got to do something with them separating like cells and not actually breeding… Don't ask me how, I'm no biologist. I'm putting it down to creepy, weird alien behavior."

"I don't see how that helps us stop the infestation," the girl comments with a frown.

"Spray them with water and then just scoop them up as they have a nap. Plus, the water stops them multiplying. It's a bit like a birth-control drink."

"See, it's fine Kayla." Elana wraps her arm around the girl, dragging her into the group huddle. "They're really a bit like cats; hate water and sleep all day."

This all started because I wanted a pet cat, I realize.

"Yeah, if cats have like six legs and multiply faster than rabbits," Laura calls out from across the room. We all dissolve into a fit of giggles.

"You sure you can handle all that?" I ask Laura, indicating the table before her that's covered in cups and bowls. Refreshments. Because nothing makes you hungrier than running around shooting at things, apparently.

"It's a safe room," Laura replies. "And hey, I'm used to serving a huge family. This isn't very different. I mean… tall brother, tall monster… the same, right?"

Despite her joke, she looks at us with a tight smile. She's still nervous around the aliens.

"I'll be here to keep her company," a tall Volscian male answers, stepping up beside her. Nolan glares down at her assortment of homemade snacks as if they've personally offended him. As the resident Cyberchef, they probably have. Why cook with your hands when a machine can do it for you to perfection?

I, for one, embrace my robot overlord… ah, servants.

"You know, you guys can take Nolan with you if you like," Sophie offers. "I'm sure he can find a way to, you know, be actually useful for once."

"And that's our cue to leave," Elana says, herding our team towards the door. "Let those love birds sort themselves out."

"Love birds," I snort. "I'm pretty sure they are going to bludgeon each other with rolling pins first."

"I'm pretty sure Laura would like Nolan to bludgeon her with his tool if you get what I mean."

Half of us laugh, the others moan.

"I've heard worse dad jokes before!" someone comments. With such a big group I'm losing track of who's talking. Besides, my mind is on one thing: winning. I'm going to prove to everyone that I'm worth having around. I know that I've got to ditch this kind of thinking, that it's not healthy… but it takes a while to change ingrained habits. One day at a time. Besides, who doesn't want to win a competition? That's the point of them, isn't it?

"Okay, I vote we hit the stables first," I tell the group. "Everyone else is heading towards the kitchen and storage rooms, but they've forgotten entirely about the animal feed Taruk keeps there. I bet we'll be able to snatch up a whole bunch of Yum-Yums and those juicy points."

As a group, we rush through the hotel towards our destination. Already there is pandemonium around us as aliens race back and forth. Only this time, instead of fleeing from the Yum-Yums, they chase them willingly. The sound of laughter, cackles and a few outlandish roars is music to my ears. I kind of feel like a kid again. We all do. There's a joy to the air, and an excitement to participate in fun and games with friends.

I'm happy, I realize. I thought that being abducted by aliens was the worst possible thing that could happen to me. Turns out, I found my mate and my happy ever after.

I laugh as I bust through the stable door, lifting my water gun, and shooting anything that moves…

And shoot Taruk in the face.

"What the hell? Taruk?" I gasp. "How did you get here before us?"

"Secret passage," Sutek replies.

"We have a secret passage?" Elana gasps.

Sutek smirks at the water dribbling down Taruk's chin. He's enjoying this moment far too much.

I shoot him in the face too. Just for good measure.

"Don't laugh at my mate," I tell him off, attempting to look vicious and angry… and utterly failing as every second word is preceded by giggles. Sutek's face… he looks absolutely stunned that someone actually managed to shoot him at all. I guess for a security guard that walks around with dangerously glittering weapons strapped to him all the time, he probably didn't expect anyone to challenge him. He does look pretty bad-ass.

"Wait… Hold up," Elana states beside me, holding her hand up in the air between us. "Is this a free-for-all right now? Or am I going to have to get payback?"

"Payback," Sutek answers, glaring at me.

"Fine…" Elana sighs, as if it's the hardest part of her day. Then she shoots Sutek in the face.

Water drips from his soaked hair as he stares at both of us, jaw hanging open.

"Hey! Sisters before misters," Elana shrugs.

"You were supposed to shoot her!" Sutek growls, pacing towards Elana. She's not frightened by his towering size in the very least. No, she grins up at him like this is fun. Crazy girl.

With a grunt, Sutek picks her up and throws her over his shoulder. Elana just laughs.

"Female down!" She cries out. "Go on without me, girls. Make me proud!"

"You know… I think they suggested here for a reason. Let's go. We got some beasties to catch," one of our team members says as the group heads towards the door. I never get to see who spoke. "If the security cameras are accurate, most of the Yum-Yums have already been caught. Soon there won't be any left for us to catch at all! These aliens work fast."

These aliens do work fast. Once they've set their mind to something, nothing will stop them. It's why my attention is completely on Taruk as he stalks slowly towards me. His eyes pin me in place, his attention leaving a scorching burn across my skin. My breath comes in short pants, and I feel my nipples pebble in my bra. He looks so strong and capable. With his scars, he looks deadly. Most people are terrified of the Beast, but right now I'm more terrified of what he's going to do to me… with me.

"You defended me," he says, looking down at me. Despite his overbearing presence, the touch of his claws on my cheek is light. I shiver at their caress as he tucks a strand of loose hair behind my ear.

"Of course," I tell him. "You're my mate. I'll always defend you."

He grunts, and swallows heavily.

"I'm the luckiest male in the universe," he tells me. And then he kisses me. His lips press against mine, hungry and ravenous. Soft, yet firm. His tongue sweeps into my mouth, claiming me. I can't do anything but moan, wrapping my arms around him. I'm distantly aware of my water gun clattering to the floor.

Taruk's arms wrap around me, drawing me close into his firm embrace. He's so warm. Being this close to him… I feel safe. He might have been rubbing it on thick about being the luckiest male in the universe, but he certainly makes me feel very lucky. I guess I can't comment; the chance of our meeting across the galaxies is so small… we've both won the love lottery.

I jump and wrap my legs around his waist, deepening our kiss. Taruk grabs me easily, holding me as if my weight doesn't bother him at all. He does grunt though when I roll my hips, feeling the delicious friction at my core as I press against his hard length.

"Taruk," I groan into his mouth. "Please."

"I do like it when you beg," he replies as he walks the short distance to his bedroom door. In moments we are inside, with it swinging shut behind us.

I'm already tugging at his clothing, trying my best not to lose my precarious balance without hanging onto him. Not that he'll ever let me fall.

I yelp when I do. Then laughter spills out of me as my back lands in a soft bed. Taruk climbing over me, his lips slamming down, quickly puts a stop to that. I whimper into his mouth as his fingers graze up my ribcage. I cry out when his claws rip through the fabric of my shirt and bra, tearing it free from my body. The cold air hits my sensitive flesh, and my nipples harden impossibly more. It aches.

"Is this what you want?" Taruk asks, running a tip of his claw around the stiff bud. I nod, staring at the way his red skin circles. My back's already arching as I try to push my breast into his hand.

"You'll have to beg me," he tells me with a smirk.

"Two can play at that game," I tell him. I reach down, my hand sliding beneath the waistband of his trousers. My fingers brush heated flesh, and I grip him hard. Taruk hisses with pleasure, his eyes scrunching closed with a tortured expression as his hips buck against me.

"If this is a game," he tells me. "Then I will win. You'll be begging before I'm done with you."

His mouth latches onto my breast, sucking hard. I cry out, nearly losing my grip on both his cock and my sanity. I swear, I'm already seeing stars.

I squirm beneath him, my hips rolling, as one hand plucks and squeezes and his mouth sucks and licks. How can it feel so impossibly good? I'm right at the edge and… I'm so close…

Taruk's hands disappear, and I whimper at their loss. Relief floods through me when he starts to shove my pants down over my hips. In moments we both find ourselves naked, bodies pressed against each other. His member glides through my folds, finding me already soaking wet. I'm so ready for him.

He lines up at my entrance, the pressure reminding me of how large he is. His hips jerk, and he enters me with a pop, sliding in several inches. And yet, not enough. I glance at where we are connected, his large member barely entered. He pulls out of me, small sparks as the ridges across him slide across sensitive nerves, and then pushes in deeper. I watch in awe as my body takes him in, inch by inch. It shouldn't be possible. My eyes flutter with each of his thrusts, his strange shape touching me in all the right places. Soon I'm crying out, my hands wringing the bedsheets beneath me as I attempt to keep my hold on reality.

"Taruk! Please."

"That's it, my little one. Take me. All of me," he says. His gaze locks onto mine, a feral grin across his face. He looks… victorious. He knows he's won.

His hand skates across my hip, and then his thumb flicks over my clit.

I explode. That one small touch is all it takes for my orgasm to hit me, hard. My back arches and I scream out my pleasure, his name on my tongue. Electricity shoots across my body, tingling every nerve ending. My core clenches around his nubs and ridges, and my pleasure is just amplified as his hips slam aggressively into me. He bucks, losing his rhythm for a moment… and then liquid heat fills me.

Eventually I find myself fully in his bed, my head pillowed by his bicep.

Somewhere in the distance, someone hoots. Life from outside our room is slowly entering back into my world, reminding me that there's a competition still going on. One I was determined not to lose.

"I think we are both going to have to agree on something," I tell him.

"What's that?" He rumbles.

"We're both winners."

His laughter rumbles out of him, my body bouncing against him. His partially hard member is still deep and every small movement I make causes it to twitch.

Taruk rolls us, so that he's looking down at me softly. "Yes, we are, Zoe. We are both winners."

I smile up at him, happiness filling every fiber of my being. "I love you, Taruk."

"I love you too, Zoe. For now, and always. You are my mate."