Aria shook her head. “I heard the whole thing.”
“You don’t have anything to worry about, Aria,” Carmen went on. “We won’t let him take you.”
Aria took a step into the room. “It’s all right, Carmen. I'm going to go.”
Carmen spun around. “You can’t! You have to stay here, where we can be together. Didn't you hear Renier say they live in caves? You can't live like that. You deserve better. I know where we can find food here so we're not eating meat roasted over a lamp every night. We can have a decent life here. Just stay here with me.”
Aria smiled, but Donen cut her off before she could say anything. “The other factions say we live in caves, but we have cities inside the mountains as grand and as advanced as anything the Felsite ever built. The Avitras think they’re so advanced, with their chattering and their gossip, but we have technology no other factions has. We preserved it from antiquity. We have electric lights and computing systems for recording our history. We have advanced medical technology for curing diseases that used to wipe out thousands of our people. You will live a good life with us, and you have my word of honor I will treat you well.”
Carmen interrupted him. “Don’t leave, Aria. Stay here with me. We're the last two Earth females left together. We should stay together. You don't know what you're going to. He could be lying about all of it, and once he gets you into his mountain cavern, he'll be able to do what he wants with you.”
Aria smiled at her. “You know that’s not true, Carmen. These Angondrans live by their word. Tell me the truth. Have you met a single one of them, from any faction, that wasn't trustworthy? I believe him, and I know I'll be safe and well looked-after among the Ursidreans.” She exchanged a nod with Donen.
Carmen’s voice cracked with emotion. “But I’ll be left alone here. The others have gone to other factions. You're all I've got left.”
Aria waved her hand at Leroni and Renier. “You’ve got your own people here now. Penelope Ann is where she needs to be, and Marissa has found her own home, too. All of you found love and connection here. I want the same thing for myself. Is that too much to ask?”
“Aria….” Carmen sobbed.
Aria shook her head. “I need security after what happened with the Romarie. The Ursidreans can give it to me. I’ll have my own people and my own family and my own place. I can't ask for more than that.”
Carmen stared at her with tears streaming down her face. Aria crossed the room to Donen's side. “I'll go with you.”
He studied her. “Are you certain you do this of your own free will? I couldn’t take you otherwise.”
Aria nodded. “I want this. I want to go. I’ll make a good mate to you. I know something about medical treatment, too, so I might be more of an asset to your people than you realize.”
Donen nodded. “Good. Let’s go then. We have a transport waiting for you outside.”
Renier struggled to his feet. “That’s settled. Perhaps in the future you could find another way of offering your embassy instead of attacking us and destroying our city.”
Before Donen could reply, Aria faced him. “You wouldn’t seriously consider his offer if he hadn't done it this way. I don't think I would have seriously considered it, either. This was the best way to offer his proposal.”
Donen swelled with pride, and even now, he and Aria matched each other perfectly side by side. Her chocolate brown skin and tuft of hair contrasted with his heavy features and hulking shoulders. They looked good together, and they both wore expressions of satisfaction at the outcome of this adventure.
Carmen covered her mouth with her hand, but she couldn’t hold back her sobs. Wordless gasps of anguish broke from her throat, but Aria paid no attention. She smiled up at Donen, all her fear and hardship gone. They moved toward the door.
Carmen darted forward and seized Aria’s hand. She clung to her in desperate agony. She couldn’t let her go. She couldn't let go of this last shred of humanity slipping through her fingers. Donen paused at the door. Aria turned toward Carmen and with infinite care, pried her fingers loose.
“You stay here, Carmen,” Aria murmured. “This is your place now. You stay here and be happy with your food and your friends and...” She nodded toward Renier. “With him. I know you’ll be happy here.”
Carmen opened her mouth in mute protest, but Aria shook her head. “Take care of yourself, and don’t worry about me. I'm going to be just as happy as you.”
“But I’ll never see you again,” Carmen wailed.
Aria smiled. “You’ll see me again. I don't know when or how, but I'm certain we'll see each other again. We're friends, and we're the only human females on this planet. We won't be able to live the rest of our lives without seeing each other sometime.”
She broke free from Carmen’s grasp and followed Donen to the door. She smiled back over her shoulder. “Good-bye, Carmen. Don’t cry for me, and don't cry for yourself, either. We got lucky when we landed on this planet. We should make the best of it.”
The End
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UORIA MATES
A Sci-Fi Romance
Complete Series (Books 1 – 10)
Ruth Anne Scott
#1 Alien Romance Series on Amazon.com
Contents
Book 1
Book 2
Book 3
Book 4
Book 5
Book 6
Book 7
Book 8
Book 9
Book 10
*BONUS BOOK*
Book 1
Chapter 1
The hairs on my neck stood. It happened every time my boss was near. He gave me the creeps and on more than one occasion I had to politely remind him to keep his filthy hands to himself. Ever since I turned down his advances he made up his mind on giving me the worst cases and projects. I lifted my tired eyes to see him standing in front of my desk with a smirk. I knew that look. It meant he had something planned—and I wasn’t going to like it.
“Ms. Baines, I have a new assignment for you.”
Leaning back in my chair I nodded giving him permission to sit in the chair and waited for him to spit it out.
“You’re going on a trip.”
“Where to?”
“Uoria.”
I gulped. Out of all the places he could have sent me and it was to the planet full of the most temperamental species humans had ever studied. “What for?”
“We need to learn more about them, what’s in their blood.”
I gasped. “You know that’s against the rules, Ryan.” Everyone knew that the King and Queen made the rules. They still allowed us to do testing, but never of their blood. And I knew what happened to those who tried getting the blood of a Denynso. They never came back that’s what.
He shrugged. “You’re sneaky enough and no one pays much attention to you. We need to know what makes them so powerful.”
His eyes lit up and I shuddered. I knew exactly why he wanted a sample of their blood. It was the same reason every other scientist wanted it, and it was exactly why they had all failed.
“Oh, and preferably the blood from their strongest warrior is what you need to get. You’ve heard of him right?”
Of course I had. Everyone in my line of work had heard of the monstrous Denynso called Pyra. He was one mean son of a bitch and no one wanted near him. Well, besides all the women that vied for a place in his bed. But there was nothing scientific about that.
“You know I won’t do that.”
He shrugged. “The
n you’re job is as good as gone and so will your reputation. You’ll never work again. Not in this field!” He spun on his heel and looked over his shoulder. “Might as well practice saying, “Do you want fries with that?” because that’s the only work you’ll ever get. You know how much we need this information.”
“Wait,” I said and sighed. I couldn’t lose my job. It was all I had, my livelihood. I’d have to find a way to convince the leaders to let me have a sample and test it. Maybe fudge the results or something. I would find a way. “I’ll do it!” I prayed I live long enough to explain why I was asking for the one thing they’d refused since we learned of their species.
His smile widened as if he had won the biggest prize. He knew I wouldn’t be coming back and that was his plan all along. They’d kill me before I got close enough to the warrior, and if I managed to sneak by he’d break my neck with two fingers. I shuddered. This wasn’t going to be a fun vacation. I needed to form a plan and offer the Denynso something they couldn’t resist, but I didn’t have anything—not really. I only hoped I could get them on the off chance that they wouldn’t want me to lose my job. Maybe they’d feel sorry for me, throw me a bone or something. No matter how small it was, I’d take it.
“Good, I knew you’d see it my way. You need to be ready at four a.m.”
Then he left me stewing knowing he’d given me an impossible task. If I was going down, I was taking that piece of shit down with me. I smiled evilly. They were an angry species. It shouldn’t be too hard to piss them off and let them know it was all Ryan’s idea.
After he left me alone, I did what I was best at. I hacked the system and copied the surveillance from my office. Right there I’d be able to prove what was going on to the Denynso, if I could play it. I already knew there wasn’t electricity, but I’d charge my laptop for that purpose alone. Proof my boss was a scumbag and it was his idea to send me there to specifically break their rules. Maybe I’d have a chance to survive my stay there, but coming back home wouldn’t be so great.
Chapter 2
I was ready to go and waited for my boss well before four. I hadn’t slept at all. All night I planned how I would handle the situation my boss had put me in. I knew they would be expecting another scientist. I’d have to meet with them before I step foot on their compound. From what I had learned it was a very secure planet. Warriors scoured the land to keep watch over the humans, and be on the lookout for an attack from their enemies.
I shuddered and thought about what I’d heard about their enemies. There were several horror stories of the attacks on Uoria. The Klimnu were disgusting beasts. Luckily they hadn’t managed to make it to Earth yet or humans would be in big trouble.
Ryan strolled up to me at four on the dot and smiled handing over my paperwork.
“Here’s all the stuff you’ll need when you get there. I have you down as routine testing for plant and animal life. You’re there for up to six months. That should be plenty of time to get what I need.” He gave me a look and I didn’t miss the tone.
I nodded, but inside I was fuming. He was trying to get me killed. I was his competition, and the one that turned his ass down. He didn’t take rejection well, and now I was paying for it. But I was smarter than him and would come up on top.
“All right, well you know how to get in contact if you need anything, but I’m sure you won’t.”
I kept my mouth shut because this was all a fucking set up. I couldn’t believe he’d stoop so low, but maybe it had something to do with the fact that I was up for the promotion he wanted. Luckily I’d learned to control my Irish temper. My mother always told me one day it would come in handy to have self-control, and now I was learning.
Without a word I picked up my bags and boarded the ship. I was nervous as hell. This was the first time I was traveling to another planet, and I wasn’t too sure about it. I wasn’t the type of person who wanted to experience new things. I’d much rather stay in the lab by myself. I felt Ryan’s eyes burning into my back and straightened without turning back. He wouldn’t get a rise out of me. As soon as the metal door clanged closed I let out the breath I’d been holding and muttered, “stupid ass mother fucker.” He would get his.
The very human pilot chuckled. Apparently I spoke a little louder than I thought. Oh well. Everyone knew how I felt about Ryan so it wouldn’t be a surprise that I’d be cursing him. They also knew I had a temper and I held a grudge like no other. I glared at the man and he shrugged before getting ready to take off.
The ship shook and my stomach dropped. Leaning back in my seat I held my breath and closed my eyes. My hands gripped the arm rests and I clenched my teeth as I was lifted into the air at an unknown speed. My stomach rose back up into my throat and I nearly lost what little I had eaten. As soon as the ship leveled some I was able to relax but the speed hadn’t slowed and I kept my eyes shut hoping the medication I had taken would kick in soon knocking my ass out.
* * * *
I woke up to the pilot shaking me. I swung my fist and smiled when I heard the satisfying crunch of the bone in his nose breaking. I didn’t like being touched especially without permission.
“Shit!” he shrieked. “What the hell, I was only waking you up. I’ve been trying for nearly an hour. These warriors are starting to get antsy.”
I shot up and grimaced. “Sorry,” I replied sheepishly. Now I felt bad. “Sorry about your nose.”
“It fucking hurts. No wonder everyone is scared of you.” His eyes watered and he’d lifted his shirt to catch the blood.
I smirked. “Yeah, well next time refrain from touching me. Use a blow horn if you have to, but keep your damn hands to yourself.”
He nodded and winced. “You got it, but please get the hell of my ship.”
I stood and stretched knowing I’d just slept for probably five days. My body wasn’t ready to stand and I wobbled but caught myself before I fell. “Give me five.”
He didn’t respond so I took it as an okay and paced the small area while the rest of my body woke up. I needed to be alert when I met the King and Queen. My insides fluttered like butterflies. I wasn’t the biggest socialite and meeting people, human or not, wasn’t my thing. After the given five minutes I walked behind the pilot and laid a hand on his shoulder. He jumped and looked at me in fear.
“Thank you for the ride, and again, I’m sorry about your nose.”
He nodded curtly. The bleeding had stopped but his right eye was almost swollen shut. “I’ll remember the blow horn next time.”
I chuckled. At least he was able to find humor in getting his ass kicked by a woman.
I stepped off of the ship and gasped. It was so familiar, yet not. Everything was so alive. The grass waved in wind, and the sky was almost violet with pinks and oranges. It was breathtaking. I stood taking in the surroundings. The ship rumbled to life vibrating the ground. I didn’t even bother looking back. I was stuck here for the next six months. Life was about to get a whole hell of a lot more interesting.
My view was blocked by the largest body I had ever seen. Even I felt tiny to the beast in front of me, and instinctively I balled my hands into fists. I had to be in front of the warrior everyone spoke about.
“You’re the new one?” he asked in a gruff voice that vibrated along my skin. The sound shot right through my body.
I gulped and looked up, and then up some more before nodding. “Yes, I’m Eden Baines.”
He smirked down at me. “Come, you must meet the King and Queen.” His voice was a bit tenser, and I wondered why. Must have been that temper I had heard about.
Chapter 3
Pyra wanted to roar. The moment she spoke, something inside of him came to life. A heat so intense filled him he was barely able to hold back his gasp. It wasn’t acceptable. This measly human was not his mate. She was tiny. There was no way she’d be able to handle all seven feet, and three inches of him.
He wasn’t ready to be shackled down by the all-consuming love he’d feel for her. His body al
ready was going through the change, and they hadn’t even touched. He had this feeling for days. He was edgier than normal, though for him that wasn’t saying much. He flew off the handle more than once and fought five of his brethren. Now he understood why.
He stalked to the main house, not looking back. He couldn’t look at her, not yet. He wasn’t sure he’d be able to keep his hands to himself if he really saw her. From what he’d seen she was perfect. Fairly tall for a human woman, pale skin, fiery red hair, that he knew would match the glint in her bright green eyes. He noticed every tiny freckle that dusted her skin. He hadn’t missed the slight gap between her two front teeth when she spoke. He also didn’t miss the way she averted her eyes or didn’t offer her hand like most of the others did. She didn’t want to be there, he could tell right off.
She did well to keep up with him. She kept space between them, and it was only her heavy breathing that let him know that his pace was too fast. His mind automatically went to helping his mate and he slowed—too much because she slammed right into him and flew back from the force of hitting him.
She yelped and skidded on the soft grass. “Hey fucker,” she yelled.
He spun around surprised by the vulgar word coming from her sweet looking lips.
“You nearly killed me!” She stood and wiped her hands on her jeans. Her face was flushed from anger. When she realized all the warriors nearby stopped and she turned brighter and looked at the ground nibbling her lip.
Pyra wanted to brush her hair from her face, wanted to suck that lip, but instead he bowed his head. “I apologize.”
She glared up at him as if she thought he wasn’t serious, but she nodded and started walking again. He turned back around and turned to the path to the Great House.
Abducted by Aliens (Tales From Angondra Book 1) Page 9