The Alien Pirates' Treasure (Star Pirates Book 1)

by Charity Wells

  A wince crosses her face. She lets out a small gasp and cups the side of her stomach. Rubbing the surface, she puffs out a breath of air and grunts. It’s small and silent, but still a grunt.

  “Are you okay?” I ask worriedly.

  “Yeah. One of the babies just kicked me in the ribs,” she replies, then a little grin tugs at her lips.

  “You mammals are so weird,” Messa comments, shaking her head. “I can’t believe you grow your young internally. It must feel so bizarre. What does it feel like? No...nevermind. Don’t tell me. I don’t want to know.”

  Polly chuckles at Messa’s indecision, then quickly pulls her web-fingered hand onto her belly. I watch wistfully as Messa’s expression turns from shock to awe when the babies kick and push under her hand.

  “Not so weird now, huh?” she asks Messa and gives her a smug grin.

  “Well hello there! Can I grope the new female too?”

  We all jump in surprise at the sudden interruption of Kuma’s loud voice. He stands in the doorway, smiling suggestively at Polly. Surprised, I tense. My ears flatten in distaste. I do not like the possessive urge to growl at the Shirshen, but I can’t help it. I know I shouldn’t worry. Polly is not mine, nor will she ever be, but that doesn’t change the fact I’m now brimming with irritation.

  “Kuma! Don’t be so ill-mannered,” Messa scolds, then snorts.

  Kuma chuckles and walks in. He comes straight up to the table, leans over, and offers his hand in greeting. “I am Kuma, the ship’s gunner and resident ‘badass’ as you humans would say.”

  I find I do not like the flirtatious gleam in Kuma’s eyes, nor the appreciative awe on Polly’s face. In fact, I hate it.

  ∞∞∞

  Polly

  I stared. It’s rude and terrible I know, but I couldn’t help it. Kuma is exceptionally pretty for a male. Shirshens as a race were known to be extremely attractive, and Kuma certainly is no exception.

  Four jewel-bright, sapphire blue eyes crinkle merrily at me and his smile is warm and sexy. He has full lips and straight white teeth with sharp little fangs peeking from the corners. His head is shaved on the sides and braided into dreads on top, which gather in a tail that hangs down the back of his neck. Woven into his dreads are a collection of medallions and beads that stand out from the dark locks.

  A series of scars had been clawed down one side of his face, where they just barely miss taking out his left eyes. They don’t detract from his appeal though. Instead, they give him a dangerous air of roguish intensity, whereas Ca’lek and Va’naar’s fluffy exteriors hide their predatory qualities.

  Like all the males on this ship, he towers over me, but he still isn’t as tall as Ca’lek or Va’naar. His shiny skin glows warmly, inviting a person to touch him. Oddly enough though, it doesn’t quite hold the appeal of the Mephidaean males and their silky-soft fur. With no pupils, it’s hard to tell if all four of Kuma’s eyes are looking at me or somewhere else, whereas Van’naar’s gaze was obvious and warmly attentive.

  Kuma’s smile falters and some of the warmth leaves his expression. The hand he extended still hangs in the air in front of me and I quickly realize I’ve been ogling him this entire time. His gaze shifts to Messa and Va’naar, who have been quietly watching this awkward exchange, then he starts to drop his hand.

  Crap, he must think I’m an ass. Grabbing his hand, I hold tight to his fingers. “I am so sorry,” I blurt, trying to hide my embarrassment. “That was rather rude of me.”

  “I am used to females being unnerved by my scarring. It is of no consequence,” he says, his voice just as stiff as his tight posture.

  “What? No, that’s not why I was staring! Oh God, I can’t believe I gave you that impression.” I slap a hand over my face, while still gripping his fingers with my other.

  “It’s not?”

  I can hear the surprise in his voice. It makes me wonder what kind of person would be so cold to someone over a scar. “No. No, I was staring cause you are really hot and I was a little flustered. Heavens, I’m so sorry.”

  “Why do you say he is hot? Shirshens don’t have higher body temperatures than other species,” Messa says, confusion lacing her feminine voice.

  “Humans have many funny phrases. I think she is saying she finds me attractive,” Kuma explains, his smooth smile returning. He returns his attention to me “Do you?”

  Blushing, I release his hand. “Well, yeah. As a whole, your people are very attractive, but as an individual, I find you unique and intriguing,” I admit with an embarrassed smile, hoping he doesn’t think I’m hitting on him.

  “I often encounter females who find fault with my face.”

  “There’s nothing wrong with your face. I think the scars do make you look badass and tough.”

  “Badass enough that I may hope for the future of my line?” he teases, flirtatiously winking.

  I laugh and roll my eyes at him. “Oh please, I’ve gotta get these two moved out before I even consider more!” I pat my belly with one hand while wagging my finger at him with the other.

  “Very well, if I must wait, I will. Now!” He gleefully rubs his palms together while eyeing my swollen belly. “I wish to grope you as Messa has.”

  I get to my feet and shake my head over his silliness, then waddle around the table, smoothing my new dress. Messa was a total sweetheart and fabbed about a dozen of them in different colors. Not knowing my size, she went with an adjustable design that is easy to put on and super comfortable to wear. She also promised to show me how to program the fabrication unit so I could make some underwear and a few nightgowns to sleep in.

  Va’naar watches Kuma reach for me with a glare in his eyes. Strangely, I see his upper lip twitch, flashing the barest hint of a fang as the Shirshen’s hands come to rest on my curves. There’s a menacing growl, and then Kuma is yanked away from me.

  I gasp at the sight of Ca’lek pinning the golden male to the nearest wall, baring every fang in his mouth as he snarls aggressively at his crewman. I don’t understand what’s going on, but Va’naar is halfway out of his chair like he’d intended to attack Kuma as well. He doesn’t look the least bit bothered by Ca’lek’s strange behavior.

  “Ca’lek!” I cry in astonishment. The big male freezes, eyes widening in horror at his actions.

  ∞∞∞

  Ca’lek

  All I see is red, but a faint voice calls out to me. I shake my head, eradicating the distraction. My claws are out, circled around my enemy’s throat while I growl a warning.

  “Ca’lek! Let him go, he can’t breathe!” Polly orders. Her shocked voice calls my name again, pulling me back to awareness. My hands relax a fraction.

  “I meant no offense,” Kuma chokes out, wide eyed and gripping my wrists.

  I abruptly snap out of my aggression. What in Vren’s name? I attacked Kuma as if he were a rival male encroaching on my mate. For his part, Kuma falls silent, waiting for me to release him. Guilt-ridden, I stumble back, retract my claws, and breathe heavily while I struggle to sort my thoughts.

  Then it hits me.

  There’s that smell again. It’s been bothering me all morning, teasing and distracting me. For reasons unknown, it makes me tense and irritable, but I don’t understand why. I had prowled the ship for some time, searching out the source of the scent when it brought me to the mess hall. But when I stalked in to see Kuma with his hands on Polly’s body, then smelled Va’naar’s anger and distress souring the scents in the air, I lost it. I reacted instinctively to protect my secondary and our female.

  But she’s not our female.

  “Ca’lek?” Polly says my name again, gently this time, like she’s worried about me or what I might do. Her warm little fingers touch my sleeve and I flinch, pulling out of her reach and releasing Kuma.

  Kuma smirks, eyes flashing from me to Va’naar to Polly. His knowing grin makes me snarl at his smug expression. Polly gasps at the sharp sound and I immediately cease. My fingers curl into fists and I resist l
ooking in her direction as I storm out.

  Va’naar follows me out, his footsteps slowing briefly as he passes Polly. His pause means he has to rush to catch up with me. When he does, he grabs my arm and I whirl, snapping at him.

  “What is wrong with you?” he demands, unfazed by my temper.

  “Nothing!” I snarl, turning away from my secondary, irritated by his intrusion. I had left the mess hall to remove myself from the disturbing presence of the human and wanted some space.

  He reaches out and grabs my shoulder, stopping me. “Wait, Ca’lek. You can’t tell me there’s nothing wrong. You just attacked Kuma for no reason at all.”

  “And you weren’t about to do that yourself? Don’t forget I can smell your emotions just as easily as you smell mine. Your claws were out, and you were just as distressed by Kuma’s actions,” I challenge, while looking back over my shoulder.

  Several tense moments pass as he considers my accusation.

  “I...I don’t know.”

  “She is causing problems,” I say through gritted teeth

  “Polly isn’t the one causing problems. You’ve been on edge ever since we found her yesterday.”

  “I wouldn’t be on edge if everyone would stop touching that female.”

  Va’naar stiffens at the edge in my voice. As my secondary, he knows me better than anyone else in the galaxy, which is why I’d rather not discuss my reaction. I can’t fault him for demanding an answer, but he’s walking on a fine line right now. I disapprove of his behavior of late and would rather not admit that mine was just as deplorable.

  “Why does it bother you?” he asks, determined to provoke me.

  “It doesn’t!” I insist, the lie tasting sour on my tongue.

  “Kuma is a worthy male. He would be good for Polly,” Va’naar says unconvincingly.

  “You say that, but even I can tell you didn’t like his hands on her.”

  “No, I didn’t, but I can’t help it. I don’t want another male touching her,” Va’naar blurts out, scrubbing at his mane in frustration.

  “You’re spending too much time with the female. I warned you this would happen, but you let your foolish instincts take control.”

  Va’naar huffs, his tail swishing back and forth before he finally mumbles. “There’s something about her that draws me in despite our agreement with Sa’rin.”

  “And this is exactly why I have ordered a change in your duties, so you can’t keep seeking her out.”

  “I wasn’t seeking her out! She was just there when I walked into the mess hall. It’s a small ship. It will be impossible to avoid her when she’s roaming around freely.”

  “That’s irrelevant,” I say, crossing my arms over my chest. “If you can’t follow my orders, I’ll restrict her to her quarters until we reach Rissa V.”

  “You can’t just lock her up like the Viktoids did!”

  My gaze narrows while I digest his words. They catch me off guard. He’s right, it would be unfair to lock her up after such an ordeal. “Then I will lock you up if I have to!”

  “I’d rather have that, than you locking Polly up!” he snaps, thumping his fist against the wall, which leaves a dent in the flimsy panel. Agitation practically crackles in the air around him.

  I huff, throwing my hands in the air. “You are impossible!”

  Turning to storm away, I pause. I can smell it again, just barely, and I growl in annoyance. My fingers pull the grate off the nearest air duct and I stick my head inside, inhaling deeply as I try to determine if the source of the smell is coming from the ship’s environmental controls or just somewhere on this deck.

  “What in Vren’s unholy hells are you doing?” Va’naar asks as if I’ve lost my damn mind.

  “Trying to detect where this blasted scent is coming from. It has been driving me mad all morning. Do you not smell it?”

  I back out and knock my head against his. Apparently he had leaned in while I was distracted.

  “Of course I smell it!” He rubs his face where we collided. “My nose is better than yours, but I don’t know what it is or where it’s coming from. I was following it myself when I arrived in the mess hall. Must you whack into me?”

  “I wouldn’t have knocked into you if you gave me some damn space! The scent was stronger just now and it’s fading already. What the hell is it?”

  “I just said I don’t know,” he gripes, scowling. “Have your ears stopped working along with your other senses?”

  “Just see if you can figure it out.”

  “Fine!” He storms away with a dramatic huff, no doubt on his way to the command deck to take his turn watching the sensors for anomalies.

  As he leaves, I find myself alone with my thoughts. It’s not just this damn scent that’s plaguing me, it’s Polly too. Messa appears around the corner, likely heading down to her workstation. Her curious eyes gloss over me as she approaches.

  “You okay boss?”

  I give a light scoff. “Yeah, just fine. Listen. Va’naar and I smell something strange. See if you can run a scan of the environmental systems and isolate it. I want to know where it’s coming from and what’s causing it.”

  “Sure thing Cap. It may be time to clean the air filters again. I’ll get right on it.” She strides past me, pausing briefly to glance at the dent in the wall, then continues onward.

  Sighing, I turn towards the command center. Despite the trouble the human has caused, I still have a delivery to make.

  Chapter 5

  Polly

  Only two or three days have passed since I was rescued from the Viktoid medical ship, but I’m still settling in. I know I’m going to be here for a while because we’re still in deep space, heading to Rissa V to deliver the serum to the colonists who are dying without it.

  I tried reaching out to my friend Carissa, but we’re so far away from Ildunin Station. It’ll be days before she gets it and even longer to get a reply as we travel further from that quadrant everyday. At least I have something positive to look forward to. I can only imagine her surprise when she finally receives my message after being gone for so long.

  For the most part, it’s been a quiet journey. Messa, Duresh, and Ha’dir talk to me when they’re not working; Kuma flirts with me, but very lightly, and never when Va’naar and Ca’lek are nearby. The bonded Mephidaeans avoid me as much as possible. Or at least it feels that way.

  I’m actually hurt by their behavior. I miss Va’naar, even though I probably shouldn’t. He watches me sometimes, when he thinks I don’t notice. His eyes are sad and hungry, like there’s something he wants for me but he can never have.

  Ca’lek is still a growly, hot mess, but there’s a big softie under there somewhere too. He’ll hand me a cup of krek if he's in the mess hall when I walk in while he’s there in the mornings. I was complaining under my breath about my cold feet as he walked by one day; that night I found thicker socks on my bunk, along with a fluffier blanket. And I also suspect he was the one responsible for the dorlian toffees I found on my side table just this morning. I distinctly remember telling Messa I liked that particular sweet when we talked yesterday.

  So far, these so called pirates haven’t been very piratey. Just yesterday, we veered off course to answer a distress call from a brellian ship having engine trouble. It was an easy enough fix. All they needed was a few minor parts and Messa’s help to install them.

  I got to watch from the hall just inside the airlock while the crew met the Brellian crew. Ca’lek was a little antsy, but composed himself despite the delay, even though I knew from Messa that he wanted to get to Rissa V quickly. For a pirate, he didn’t seem all that worried about profit. He treated the brellians with dignity and it was nice to watch him interact with the gentle species.

  There is a lot more to the grumpy Alpha than I’d first noticed and now I can see through his hard exterior to the compassionate male hidden underneath. I can’t help but envy Sa’rin even more. She’s lucky to be getting both Ca’lek and Va’naar as
her bonded mates. One was an attentive, super sweet guy; the other an outwardly gruff male who was probably secretly snuggly under all that grumpiness.

  Despite the detour, it hadn’t taken long to get back on course for Rissa V. Everyone returned to their normal routines. Yet I was left to putter around the ship in boredom for the remainder of the day before putting myself to bed.

  I throw my blanket onto the floor, then sit up and glance at the clock. Groaning, I grab a pillow and cover my face with it, uttering a loud, frustrated shriek. It appears I’ve been tossing and turning for hours in my attempt to get comfortable and fall back asleep.

  Sighing my annoyance, I give in to my cravings and struggle out of bed in search of a snack. I’m hoping a sweet treat will help my mood. Maybe the walk will help me sleep. If nothing else, at least I’ll get my snack. Though, if I keep eating the way I am, I’ll no doubt be as big as the ship soon. The thought still doesn’t stop me from heading down the corridor towards the mess hall.

  There just happens to be a bowl of lotchka stashed in the back of the storage unit that’s calling my name.

  As I walk, a burst of hard kicks thud into my ribs and bladder, making me wince and grab the wall to steady myself. I blow out a heavy breath, rubbing the newest pain in my stomach. I’m looking forward to having these babies, but this part of being pregnant really sucks. The babies have decided to be extremely active tonight. It feels like I have a pair of gladiators duking it out in my belly while someone is trying to break my ribs. This means that everything is extra sore. I also think I may cry if someone looks at me wrong.

  “Thank you pregnancy hormones,” I say and sigh, shaking my head.

  The mess hall is dark when I arrive, save for the dim light from the corridor. I fumble around, trying to locate the control panel. Cursing because I must have missed it somehow, I work my way back to the door. Unexpectedly, my foot catches on something and I trip, losing my balance.