Viper's Hope (Anguis Defenders Book 1)

by Stephanie West

  Hope grinned as the usually subdued Anguis scientists cheered when the small amount of cold virus she'd introduced to Viper battled the Morbo and won.

  "This is amazing. I always hoped to see this day." One of the scientist choked out, clearly overwhelmed.

  It almost made Hope cry to see it. Countless people throughout the universe had suffered, and now there was hope for a cure. Hope felt humbled that her people could come to their aid. They had certainly banded together to help her fellow humans and each other.

  "We need to return to Earth. I have an interesting feeling that what we'll find there will be greater than we could have ever hoped." Viper turned to a mended Ophidian who stood at the door smiling subtly at Tara. "Contact our allies, let them know a cure is on the horizon. Do not let them irradiate Earth."

  Hope's eyes widened. She'd almost forgotten. This meant Earth wasn't doomed after all.

  Hope smiled as she snuggled next to Viper on the sofa. The days that followed their discovery had been crazy.

  Tara helped the scientists breed the cold virus. It was a disgusting process since every human in the colony was asked to spit into a sample cup. All the allied species sent several representatives to test the simple vaccine. Only the avian species reacted poorly, but they were able to counteract the adverse affects with extra oxygen till the subject's body acclimated. All in all it was a shocking success. People that had previously hated their presence now blessed their very existence. Not just Anguis but the vast universe erupted in celebration.

  Best of all was the day Adder's body was pulled from the stasis mausoleum and brought to the lab. He was placed in quarantine and injected with all the chemicals that would revive him, including the fledgling vaccine.

  Viper and Hope stood back as Hyla pressed herself to the glass. When Adder coughed and cracked open his eyes Viper had to catch his mother.

  "How was the afterlife?" Viper had asked his father as they watched the machine send samples zipping through the equipment. They didn't need to hear the results it was plain to see.

  That was a very good day.

  Viper and the other allies sent ships back to Earth. Only those who had been vaccinated went, so it was safe for them to land. They discovered that the Morbo virus had swarmed the planet in mass but had died off when their efforts to reproduce failed. Although Earth wasn't dying it was left in confusion and chaos by the attack. Earth was even more shocked to be 'invaded' again. But they needed help with clean-up in the confusing aftermath and humans were bound to learn eventually they weren't alone in the universe. It was best if they got over it and made friends because who knew what else lurked in the universe.

  Hope shook her head. Such was the excitement that never seemed to cease. What the hell happened to her vacation all those many weeks ago when she was supposed to recharge and commune with nature.

  Thankfully all was calm this evening.

  Hope sat quietly with Viper at her side relaxing after dinner on the couch. Actually he'd been too quiet all day.

  "Why are you so quiet?" Hope asked him as she studied his face.

  Viper looked at her seriously, his brow creased. He seemed hesitant to tell her what was on his mind. Finally he sighed.

  "I'm planning to announce that any colonist who wishes to return to Earth can do so starting as soon as this week."

  That was a good thing so why was he so disturbed?

  "And?" Hope pressed.

  "And that also means that you and your family have the option to go home too." Viper looked so nervous he could puke.

  What an idiot! Did he seriously think the only reason she was here, was because she didn't have some place better to go?

  "You know maybe I should go home." Hope replied perturbed, then watched as Viper hung his head. "Because clearly my mate is a moron!"

  Viper's head popped back up.

  Hope stood up and looked down at him, which was more like eye level as tall as he was even seated. With her hands on her hips she lit into him.

  "Seriously Viper!"

  "I had to give you the option." He replied defensively.

  "And you let it bother you all day long!"

  "I'd do anything for you." He tried to reason.

  Her sweet man would give her up if it would make her happy. Did he seriously think she'd be happy without his giant ass?

  "So the trip takes six days, we'll go there on vacation!" Hope shook her head in amazement as Viper pulled her onto his lap, sniffed at her hair and rubbed against her neck. "I love you. Wherever you are is home." Hope sighed.

  "Yes Amare. I'm sorry I worried for nothing."

  "Well you can make it up to me." Hope wiggled on his crotch, feeling the hard bulge in his pants grow.

  The next morning after the announcement was made, Hope was amazed at how many humans decided to stay on Anguis Minor. She was sad when JP opted to go home, but she understood. Tara, Faith and Cody wanted to wait till after the wedding to decide, giving them time to think about it. It was a big decision. Viper reassured everyone that no matter what they chose he would assure they could communicate and visit with Hope at anytime. God she loved their technology.

  Viper

  Viper stood up on the dais and looked out at the crowd. It was an exceptional day, not too hot. The daytime moon hung low, glowing a pale red. The birds twittered happily in the trees as if they too celebrated.

  His fellow Anguis had come out in full force. The uncertainty regarding the humans had quickly morphed into a fondness that centered on his precious Hope. She'd become a symbol of hope not just for the people but for Viper as well.

  Viper looked at his smiling parents with overwhelming joy. They were so much closer than he ever remembered them. They had been affectionate before, in a way that Anguis generally were, but now they couldn't seem to keep their hands to themselves. In his youth he would've found it disturbing.

  Charity walked down the aisle wearing a pink dress, tossing out flowers. Little Justice followed holding a pillow with two rings. His head was held high and proud like a little mercenary.

  When Viper looked up he saw the vision of a goddess.

  Hope was robed in a diaphanous floor length white gown that pooled at her feet. A long swath of fabric trailed behind her. Hope's pale hair was pulled back, golden ringlets fell around her face, and atop her head was a crown of flowers. She was ethereal in her delicate shining beauty.

  Viper almost stepped down and swept her up in his arms. When she reached his side and took his hand Viper had to resist kissing her full smiling lips. The temptation to run off with her slung over his shoulder was great.

  Viper heard nothing of the traditional mating ceremony as the cleric spoke, he'd heard it all before, instead Viper stared at Hope. It wasn't until Justice was nudged forward with the rings that he snapped out of it. Hope took the large golden band and as she placed it on his finger she spoke.

  "With this ring I thee wed. Please accept this as a symbol of my eternal love. Viper the day we met I knew that my life would never be the same. You swept me off my feet and stole my heart." Hope smiled as she teased him about the way he'd absconded with her, and Viper grinned back. "You showed me the stars and gave me a love worth fighting for. Without you in my life I might continue to go on, but the stars would cease to twinkle as brightly. You have filled a void in my heart that I never knew existed till I met you. I promise to love, honor and cherish you for as long as we both shall live." Her vow was simple and beautiful and it meant the world to him.

  This wasn't part of a traditional Anguis ceremony and yet Viper cherished it the most. The mating bond brought them together, but the expression of Hope's love was why she stayed. Viper picked up the small ring, the simple symbol of eternity, and placed it on Hope's finger.

  "Hope please accept this ring as a symbol of my eternal amare. When I met you I knew that you were mine. But I had no clue that you would teach me the true meaning of strength, bravery and unbridled passion. You also taught me how to hope when
all hope seemed lost. I promise to protect you although you do a pretty good job on your own. And I promise you my undying amare."

  With those words Viper reached down and pulled his tearful Hope into his arms and kissed her deeply.

  This was a new thing for the Anguis to witness, but the cheer that went up from the crowd said they approved.

  The cheering was almost as loud when Hope shoved a piece of dessert into Viper's face then took off running as she giggled. It was her hysterical laughter that got her caught in the end as Viper chased her down. He couldn't help but laugh as he spun her around in his arms, smashing his confection covered mouth against hers.

  Hope licked his lips as she opened up for him, giving and returning his passion. Viper never imagined when he traveled a galaxy away on a rescue mission that he'd be the one to find salvation. He never fathomed that he'd find Hope.

  Epilogue

  Tara stood in the infirmary examining Ophidian's injury. It was healing nicely despite the fact the man insisted on overdoing. Her fingers moved tentatively over his scarred chest. He had come so close to death.

  "Have you made a decision to return to Earth or not?" Ophidian asked as he looked at the small dark haired female.

  "Viper said I could contact Hope and even visit at any point." She looked up at Ophidian. Tara should've been happy at the prospect of returning to her planet, yet her smile seemed to say otherwise. "So I don't really know why I shouldn't go back home."

  Ophidian could only think of single reason Tara should stay, but it was a big one.

  Author's Note

  Thank you, I hope you enjoyed Viper's Hope (Anguis Defenders Book 1.) Please find my other stories Arica's Inferno, Biting Back (Shifting Steel Book 1), Charge (Shifting Steel Book 2), The Warrior's Pet (Cadi Warriors Book 1), and Warriors' Providence (Cadi Warriors Book2) on Amazon.

  Keep an eye out for my next standalone book Nameless Hold about Harper, our heroine, who finds herself abducted from Earth and imprisoned on an alien planet after refusing to fulfill a prophesy by mating the alien leader's son. Harper turns to Nameless, a dark and imposing prisoner, till she can find her way out of the Hold. The question is can she pay the price he demands for her protection?