4. Chapter 4

Chapter 4

Chloe

I try to swallow, but my mouth's as dry as a desert. This is really happening, isn't it? I'm about to play the starring role in some intergalactic version of Tarzan meets The Terminator, and I'm not so sure about Tarzan's chances, no matter how buff he might be.

My gaze turns to my supposed "protector," the infuriatingly handsome Vornas. As I study his exotic features, my eyes catch on a scar across his cheek, eerily similar to my own. For a moment, I wonder how he got it. Was there some epic tale, some ferocious beast he defeated?

I'm sure it's not as dumb as my own scar story.

I resist the urge to touch my face, a habit I've never quite shaken despite it always bringing attention to my worst feature. Not that he'd notice. He's too busy being locked in a verbal sparring match with the Host, his tail swishing in what I can only assume is amusement.

Jeez. Doesn't he realize we should be kissing up to Tin Man, not antagonizing him?

But no, Mr. Whiskers is too busy showing off. And I get it—this guy's apparently jungle royalty after all, and I'm sure he's not used to making nice with dweebs like the Host.

Still, he needs to realize we're both far from home, and we're not getting out of here unless we play nice.

I take a deep breath, trying to center myself. The last hour has been a hurricane of "holy crap" moments. Murderous robotic hunters? Check. An alien cat guy as my only chance at survival? Double check. Learning that if he wins, I'm his to do with as he pleases?

Yeah… I'll worry about that one later.

A massive arena door grinds open with an ear-splitting screech, jolting me from my thoughts. I squint against the alien sunlight that floods in, illuminating a sprawling jungle that looks like it was plucked straight out of a fevered dream. Neon foliage glows in impossible hues, while ominous mist curls around tree trunks thicker than redwoods. The humid air carries scents both familiar and utterly foreign.

As the arena doors finish their dramatic reveal, my stomach does a nervous flip. I glance at Vornas again, my confidence faltering.

Like it or not, this cocky cat is my lifeline in this insane game.

God help me.

I take a hesitant step toward the jungle that lays before us, my eyes taking in every detail. Lush foliage crowds the entrance, twisted vines snake up trees that seem to touch the sky, and strange animal calls echo in the distance.

It's beautiful and terrifying all at once.

I glance at Vornas, who looks perfectly at home on the edge of this deadly paradise, while I'm over here, feeling like a lamb being led to slaughter. It's then that Vornas's gaze locks with mine, pinning me in place, like a predator eyeing its prey.

My heart races, every instinct telling me to bolt, and my muscles tense, ready to sprint into the jungle's embrace. It takes all my willpower not to give in to that primal urge to flee.

Then, out of nowhere, I'm hit with a flash of inspiration.

Killer robots are going to be hunting me down, Terminator-style. If there was ever a time to channel my inner badass action heroine, it's now.

And Vornas? He's the Kyle Reese to my Sarah Connor.

I square my shoulders, trying to muster up any bravery I can. I need to make this alliance happen fast, before I can second-guess myself, so I stride right over to him, my heart pounding in my chest.

"Hey," I call out, surprising myself with how steady my voice sounds. "Looks like we're in this jungle book together, huh?"

Vornas cocks his head, his exotic features twisting in surprise. His gaze lingers on my face, and I fight the urge to turn away, to hide my scar. Not that it's hard to keep my eyes off him, with those rippling muscles under his striped fur…

Dammit, I need to focus. Survival first, alien eye candy later.

"I've got a proposition for you," I continue, not giving him a chance to speak. "You're clearly the apex predator here, and I'm the squishy human with the big brain. How about we team up? You keep me alive, and I'll be your secret weapon against whatever nasty surprises this place has in store."

I see a flicker of interest in his eyes, and I press on, channeling every ounce of sass and wit I can muster. "Think about it. You get a brilliant sidekick, and I get to not die horribly. It's a win-win." I hold out my hand, praying he understands the gesture. "So, what do you say?"

He stares at my hand, his ear twitching in that way I've seen cats do before trying to bite a chunk out of your arm.

My heart races as I realize the precariousness of my situation. I mean, who am I kidding? This guy's a warrior king, probably used to getting whatever he wants. He doesn't need my help. It'd be a favor on his part, to have me tag along.

My palms are sweaty, and I'm acutely aware of how small and vulnerable I feel next to him. But I can't let him see my fear. I have to play this smart if I want to survive.

I hold my breath as Vornas's golden eyes flick from my outstretched hand to my face. Then his lips curl into a predatory grin, revealing gleaming fangs. "Well, well. The little human has claws after all."

His voice is a low purr that sends tingles through my body. I fight to keep my expression neutral as he leans in close, his breath hot on my cheek.

"I accept your proposition, Chloe," he says, my name rolling off his tongue like silk. "But I have conditions of my own."

I swallow hard. "And those are?"

"You will obey my every command without question. Your survival depends on it." His eyes narrow. "And in return for my protection, you will be mine. Completely."

My heart races, but I stand my ground. "I'm not some alien mail-order bride, buddy. How about we start with ‘temporary allies' and go from there?"

Vornas throws his head back and laughs, a rich, rumbling sound that makes my knees weak. "Oh, I do enjoy a challenge. Very well. Let's see how long you can resist my charms."

Before I can retort, a deafening roar echoes through the arena. The jungle beyond the doors seems to come alive, leaves rustling ominously.

"Shall we?" Vornas extends his arm, as if the roar was an invitation.

I roll my eyes, but my voice shakes slightly as I reply, "After you, Tarzan."

We step into the jungle, and immediately the humid air envelops us. The ground is soft and spongy beneath my feet, and I struggle to keep my balance on the uneven terrain.

Vornas, however, moves with fluid grace. His eyes dart around, noting every detail of our surroundings. Suddenly, he tenses, his ears swiveling toward a sound I can't hear.

"Hold on tight," he growls, before wrapping an arm around my waist.

Before I can protest, he leaps, powerful muscles propelling us upward. I bite back a scream as we soar through the air, my stomach dropping like I'm on the world's most terrifying roller coaster.

Vornas's free hand snags a vine, and we're swinging through the canopy at breakneck speed. The jungle blurs around us, a dizzying kaleidoscope of colors.

I cling to him, my face buried in his chest. His fur is surprisingly soft against my cheek, though I can feel the rock-hard muscles beneath. The scent of him overwhelms me—a mix of damp earth, sun-warmed fur, and crisp leaves.

We land on a thick branch high above the forest floor, and Vornas sets me down gently. My legs wobble as I grab onto the trunk to steady myself.

"That was… intense," I gasp out, trying to catch my breath.

Vornas grins, clearly pleased with himself. "Impressed?"

I laugh. "It'll take more than some fancy vine-swinging to impress me, Jungle Boy."

His golden eyes glitter with amusement as I struggle to wrap my limbs around the thick branch. "Do they not have trees where you come from?"

I glare at him, taking offense on behalf of my ape ancestors. "Excuse me, but I'll have you know my people are very evolved. We're, like, way past the discovering fire stage, okay? Climbing trees is so passé."

I watch as Vornas's ears flatten against his head, his golden eyes narrowing in annoyance. His tail lashes back and forth, reminding me of an irritated house cat—if house cats were seven feet tall and could bench-press a car.

"My funny, furless little female," he purrs, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "If you find tree-climbing so beneath you, perhaps you'd prefer to take your chances with whatever made that charming roar we heard earlier?"

I let out a nervous laugh, shaking my head vigorously. "Oh, no. I'm good. I'll stick with you." My fingers dig into the rough bark, betraying my bravado.

Vornas gives me a smug grin as he rises to his full height, balancing effortlessly on the branch. It barely even quivers under his weight. He extends a massive, clawed hand toward me, his golden eyes glinting with amusement.

"That's what I thought," he purrs. "Shall we continue? Or would you prefer to become one with this tree?"

I glare up at him, torn between annoyance and grudging admiration. How does he make standing on a branch look so damn graceful?

I glance down at my thick thighs squeezing the branch below me, then back at Vornas's lithe form. A wry smile tugs at my lips as I'm hit with the absurd reality of our situation. Here I am, a clumsy, lumpy earthling, trying to keep up with a living, breathing jungle god. The contrast between us couldn't be more stark if it tried.

I take Vornas's hand, trying to ignore how my heart flutters at his touch. As he pulls me up, I wobble precariously on the branch.

"Whoa there, Tarzan. Not all of us have built-in tree-gripping technology."

Vornas tilts his head. "Tar-zan? You keep saying that name. Is he some human deity?"

I try not to laugh. "I mean, sort of. He's this guy who was raised by apes and swings through the jungle. But he's got superhuman strength and a heart of gold." I choose to omit the fact that Tarzan is entirely fictional. I mean, Vornas is unimpressed enough as it is by my species.

Vornas scoffs and cocks his head. "Well, I'm sure I could best him in the jungle any day."

Wait… Is he… jealous?

No way. He'd have to be attracted to me to care what I think, and that can't possibly be the case…

Vornas shakes his head, seeming to banish the thought before turning to survey the dense foliage around us. "We must find water and shelter before nightfall. Our hunter will have difficulty tracking us in the canopy."

As we move through the trees, I try to keep up with Vornas's graceful leaps. It's like watching a panther in motion—all fluid strength and deadly precision. Meanwhile, I'm over here clinging to branches like a koala with vertigo.

"You know," I pant, hauling myself onto yet another branch, "on Earth, we have these things called hiking trails. Much easier on the ol' hamstrings."

Vornas glances back at me, amusement in his eyes. "Perhaps you'd like me to carry you again?"

Um, yes, please?

But instead, I say, "Hard pass, Simba. I can manage."

"Simba?" He growls, clearly frustrated by another reference he doesn't understand.

"Never mind," I mutter, focusing on not falling to my death.

I guess between my graphic design classes and barista gig, I've been hanging around art kids too much and should really cool it with the pop culture references…

After climbing around for what feels like ten hours but was probably only twenty minutes, we finally reach a small clearing with a bubbling stream. Vornas drops from the trees with feline grace, while I more or less tumble to the ground.

"Ow," I groan, rubbing my bruised backside—and ego.

To my surprise, Vornas is at my side in seconds, concern etched on his face. "Are you injured?"

I wave him off, trying to ignore how my skin tingles where his hand hovers near my arm. "I'm fine. It's just that my usual workout routine involves a lot more Netflix and a lot fewer near-death experiences."

His brow furrows. "Are you attempting to be humorous?"

I can't help but laugh at his serious expression. "Sorry. It's a defense mechanism. I guess I'm nervous."

His eyes soften, and for a moment, I see a vulnerability that catches me off guard. "There is no need to be nervous, Chloe. I will protect you."

My heart skips a beat at the sincerity in his voice. "Thanks," I mumble, averting my eyes. "So, uh, what's next on the survival checklist?"

Vornas seems to sense my discomfort and thankfully doesn't push. He stands, scanning the area with keen eyes. "We should construct a shelter and gather food before darkness falls. Though the sun here is artificial, I suspect the creatures that prowl in the night will be very real."

I nod, grateful for the distraction, then watch Vornas as he gathers materials for our shelter, his movements a mesmerizing blend of grace and purpose.

Eager to feel useful, I start gathering some smaller branches. "Hey, where should I put these?" I call out.

Vornas whips around, his eyes narrowing. "No, stay where you are," he commands, as if I'm some wandering toddler. "You'll just create more tracks for the hunter to follow."

I freeze, the twigs still in my arms. I mean, okay, he makes a good point. But he could at least be a bit more polite about it.

I'm reminded then how he said earlier that I was ‘his' in exchange for protection.

I never had a chance to circle back to that…

"So," I start, trying to keep my voice casual despite the irritation bubbling up, "about that whole ‘I'll be yours, completely' thing you said earlier, back at the arena? Care to expand upon that a bit?"

Vornas pauses mid-task, his tail swishing in what I'm starting to recognize as annoyance. "It means precisely what I said. In exchange for my protection, you will belong to me."

A disbelieving laugh escapes my mouth. "Yeah, that's gonna be a ‘no' from me. I don't ‘belong' to anyone."

He tilts his head, those vertical pupils contracting as he regards me. After a moment, a smirk plays at the corners of his mouth, revealing a hint of fang. "Is that so? Tell me, little human, what other options do you have?"

I open my mouth, but the words die on my tongue. He's right, of course. But still… "Look," I say, trying to keep my cool, "on Earth, we have this thing called ‘consent.' You can't just claim someone because you're the only game in town."

Vornas's brow furrows, but there's a glint in his eyes that tells me he's not as clueless as he's letting on. "Interesting concept. However, I fail to see how it applies to our current situation."

With that, Vornas turns away, clearly considering the matter closed.

What a bastard.

A big, beautiful, sexy bastard.

Before I can muster up a suitably scathing retort, he suddenly goes rigid. His ears swivel like fluffy satellite dishes, and he slowly scans the darkening jungle around us.

The artificial sun sinks lower, stretching shadows across the clearing. A chill runs over my skin that has nothing to do with the temperature. Whatever Vornas heard, I'm pretty sure I don't want to meet it.

"What is it?" I whisper, my heart rate picking up.

"Something approaches," he murmurs, his voice low and tense. "Metal. Unnatural."

My blood runs cold. "A hunter?"

Vornas nods, his eyes never leaving the tree line. "We must prepare. Quickly."

I scramble to gather what meager supplies we've collected, my mind racing. "Okay, so what's the plan? Run? Hide? Fight?"

"I wouldn't count on being able to outrun it," Vornas says, his voice tight with concentration. "And hiding will only delay the inevitable, if it's already on our trail. We must face this threat head-on."

"Great," I mutter, "because I was totally hoping for a life-or-death battle today."

Vornas shoots me a look that's half exasperation, half amusement. "Your sarcasm is not helpful, Chloe."

"On the contrary," I retort, "it's the only thing keeping me from having a full-blown panic attack right now."

A metallic whirring sound cuts through the jungle, growing louder by the second. Vornas crouches low, his muscles coiled like springs. I try to mimic his stance, feeling about as graceful as a newborn giraffe.

Jesus, is Vornas's plan really to just stand here and wait for our doom?

To offer ourselves up as a feline-human combo platter?

I mean, really. I want to grab him by his big beefy shoulders and shout, "What's the plan here?"

Not that I have any better ideas, besides maybe sparing everyone the trouble by dying of a heart attack first.

The whirring intensifies, and I catch a glint of metal through the leaves.

Then the mechanical hunter bursts into the clearing, all sleek metal and glowing red sensors.

And to think not that long ago my biggest concern in life was how I was going to afford both textbooks and ramen in the same month.