Aron: A SciFi Alien Romance (Alien Shifter Force)

by Maya Kane

  Athena nodded. “Maybe that’s why we escaped attack. But even so. We have no way of communicating with other bases without attracting unwanted attention. It’s just us and whoever we can convince to join us from our base.”

  Kate stood. Athena recognized the look on her face—she always set her jaw like that when she was determined to achieve the impossible.

  “Where are you going?” Athena asked, though she had already guessed the answer.

  Kate shrugged. “We’ve got to wait for the others to return anyway, right? Might as well see if the commander has had a change of heart.”

  Athena turned and relayed all of this to Aron, working hard to ignore the throb of desire that pounded inside her at the sight of him. There was something about him that she hadn’t noticed before—something that made him seem even tougher than Redon, the Dreon commander.

  To her surprise, it didn’t frighten her. No, she found it drew her to him even more.

  11

  “No,” Aron grunted without conferring with his commander.

  Athena rolled her eyes. “Come on. It’s worth a try.”

  “You’re not going in there alone,” he said, standing up to his full height and brushing the desert dust off his thick legs.

  He turned and said something to Redon who barked something back at him in their language and marched to Kate’s side. Athena watched as he wrapped his arms around her protectively. She felt a pang of jealousy. She’d give anything to have Aron touch her like that.

  She glanced back at him. Her stomach flipped over when she found he was watching her intently. But he made no move toward her—she didn’t get it.

  “No,” he repeated. “We must accompany you.”

  Athena rolled her eyes, relieved that they wouldn’t have to argue. “Sure. No problem. I thought you objected to seeking help.”

  He sighed, golden eyes still riveted to hers. “I don’t think they’ll agree to help. But if we must wait for the others to return…”

  Athena closed her eyes as they marched briskly across the desert toward the base. She pictured them out for a stroll in Baltimore, her hometown. Or in one of the cities on Dreon. With the heat beating on her face, it was almost possible for her to believe that they were on a leisurely summer date. Almost.

  She tripped on a rock and the whole illusion was blown. Aron lunged forward and caught her around the waist, sending shooting stars of desire rocketing through her. She turned and stared up at him, like a rabbit caught in headlights.

  “Are you okay?” he asked.

  She nodded, momentarily speechless. She was too stunned to be angry at herself. She was a soldier; a member of the elite United Earth Forces. It was just days since she had defied direct orders from her captain and in doing so saved her own life.

  And now she was all tongue-tied over a guy? She shook her head. Was this what it was like? Athena had never felt like this before. She’d been more interested in perfecting her cartography skills and learning new and obscure languages.

  She was a geek, according to her high school classmates. Even her college classmates had looked at her funnily before asking her if she’d be willing to tutor them.

  Athena cleared her throat, aware she was staring at him like a crazy person. “Yeah… sure…” she said haltingly. “Good.”

  She heard a sniggering noise up ahead. She turned and found Kate doubled over with laughter. She was saying something to Redon and struggling to get the words out.

  “Oh now you’re the Rosetta Stone,” Athena snapped, before storming off past them.

  Aron called out after her. Athena heard Kate mutter something to him. Moments later, her crewmate had rushed ahead and caught up with her.

  “What’s up?” she exclaimed. “What’s gotten into you?”

  “You guys,” Athena muttered. She knew she was being childish but she couldn’t help it. She was trying to deal with feelings that she’d never encountered before. “Laughing at me.”

  Kate threw an arm around her and laughed. “We weren’t laughing at you.”

  Athena glared at her. “I saw you. And you’re still laughing now.”

  Kate sighed, her voice still tinkling with laughter. “We weren’t laughing at you,” she said, before shaking her head. “Look. It’s so freaking obvious that you’ve got a major thing for Aron.”

  “Is it?” Athena groaned. She supposed it must be. Every time she focused, she realized she was staring at him. Of course the others would have noticed.

  “So?” Kate demanded. “What’s wrong with that? You’re human after all. I was beginning to wonder.”

  Athena laughed despite the awkwardness. “It’s not like anything’s going to happen. Can we just forget this? It’s embarrassing enough as it is.”

  “What do you mean?” Kate asked, sounding strangely exasperated. “Why would you say nothing’s going to happen?”

  They were almost at the gates of the base, Athena noticed to her great relief.

  “Because,” Athena said slowly, so her friend would soon run out of time to interrogate her. “I’ve seen him. I recognize the signs. He’s either got the mating call for somebody else or he’s so disinterested that he hasn’t made a move. Remember the way Redon was when he had it? He fell out of the sky. Now, I’m not saying I want that, but it didn’t happen with me. Trust me. I wouldn’t have climbed up on his back and flown with him if I’d had any doubt.”

  She felt strangely empty now that it was off her chest. But it was true. At first, she’d wondered why he wasn’t saying anything when it was clear that those ridges were going crazy for somebody. But he hadn’t.

  Kate surprised her by bursting out laughing.

  “What’s so damn funny?” Athena hissed. “Am I being stupid? I knew it could be down to the stress of the situation, okay? I just… I’m sharing this with you as a friend. I thought it was the mating call.”

  Kate laughed even harder.

  “Fuck, Kate. Way to go make me feel even dumber.”

  “I’m not,” Kate gasped as they reached the gate. “I’m not. It’s just that… Redon told me that Aron is reacting differently to normal. They think it’s because he had a mate before.”

  Athena froze and immediately tried to hide her reaction.

  “She died a long time ago,” Kate whispered. “But that’s the only explanation they have for why the chemical surge is making him stronger instead of weakening him.”

  “It’s what?” Athena gasped, glancing back at the two Dreon behind them.

  “Yeah,” Kate muttered. “Apparently it’s taking every bit of resolve he’s got to stay away from you. He thinks it’ll give him an advantage in the fight against the invaders.”

  Athena’s heart seemed to soar and plummet at the same time, if that was even physically possible. “I…” she stopped. She had no words. Was it better this way? At least she knew he felt the same, but…

  She didn’t know.

  And she didn’t have time to think about it either. Kate reached forward to press the buzzer.

  12

  Athena tried to gauge the commander’s reaction to their return. It was impossible. He stood at the open door to the base waiting for them to be escorted over. Athena looked around, trying to stay as aware as possible of her surroundings. She had no idea if the commander planned to have them all arrested for treason.

  She wasn’t scared, though; not of the commander. Not when Aron was just a few steps behind her.

  Commander Jessop didn’t even acknowledge them when they reached the door. He turned and walked into the building. They followed along in silence, escorted by some of the troops who had tried and failed to arrest Kate before. None of them would even meet Athena’s eyes.

  And yet, with all of that, Athena felt like she was soaring on top of the whole world. It was crazy; totally illogical. But she couldn’t help how she felt.

  Finally, they reached the large conference room. One of the commander’s aides opened the door and stood aside as they
all filed in one-by-one. Athena sat beside Kate and Aron plonked himself down on her other side, immediately sending a tingling sensation through her body.

  “We should stay together so you can translate their words,” he said.

  Athena nodded. “Yes, good idea.”

  Beside her, Kate snorted with laughter.

  Athena kicked her under the table and glared at her. “Now’s not the time,” she chided, but not before she felt a blush spread up her chest to her neck.

  What was going on? Now she was blushing. What next? Passing him love notes under the table?

  “You wanted to speak to me,” Commander Jessop said suddenly, after taking his seat at the head of the table.

  “That’s right,” Kate said, nodding. “We have new intel on the attackers.”

  The commander tilted his head to one side. “Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t lock you up for treason right now.”

  Athena’s heart rate accelerated.

  “What did he say?” Aron muttered beside her.

  A few of the soldiers around the table glanced up in surprise on hearing his fluent Uniton. Athena ignored them.

  “He said he wants us to explain why he shouldn’t lock us up for treason,” she answered in Uniton.

  Aron growled. “Because he knows what I’ll do to him if he attempts to take you,” he snarled.

  This time, the table’s reaction wasn’t so subtle. The commander looked more shocked than any of them.

  Athena cleared her throat. Aron’s show of power was the hottest thing she thought she had ever seen, but it would do none of them any good if they wasted their time flexing muscles instead of coming up with a workable plan. She put her hand on Aron’s huge arm to try and calm him.

  “Everyone,” she said in Uniton. “Please. I know tensions are high but we must remain calm. We face an enemy much more powerful and more advanced than we are. If we don’t cooperate then we’ll be destroyed.”

  “You’re a traitor,” Nick said from across the table.

  “You’re a coward,” Kate snapped back before Athena had a chance to respond.

  “Guys, please,” Athena hissed. “Come on.” She turned her focus back to Commander Jessop. “We split into teams. Kate’s team found one of the ships alone. They managed to destroy it.” Athena’s heart sank as most of the table turned to Kate and stared at her in astonishment. She knew then that she should have led with the bad news first—there was still a lot to do. She cleared her throat and continued quickly. “That’s not all. My team found another fifteen. Plus numerous smaller ships whose function I couldn’t determine.”

  The momentary high spirits evaporated before her eyes.

  “And Danni Chambers?” the commander asked.

  Athena shook her head. “Still to return. They’re searching the Northwest as we speak.”

  Commander Jessop steepled his fingers and glared at them. “Why are you telling me this? What is it you want me to do?”

  Kate was first to react. “We want your help, sir. We know their location but we can’t coordinate an attack alone.”

  They watched him. It was like Athena could see the cogs turning in his brain. She crossed her fingers under the table. Commander Jessop was their only hope.

  And boy did he know that.

  After what felt like an eternity, he turned to Nick. “What do you think?” he barked. “They said before that I was too conservative. You agree?”

  Athena’s heart sank. Apart from the commander, Nick was the most conservative officer at the base. Not only that, but he was the commander’s lapdog. He never uttered an opinion unless he was sure it was what their boss wanted to hear.

  “No, of course not, sir,” Nick said, turning his waspish face toward Athena and Kate. “No, I think you’ve been very pragmatic. And lenient.”

  “How so?” the commander asked.

  Athena’s heart fluttered. Without thinking about it, her hand sought Aron’s. She interlocked her fingers with his even though the size of his hand made it as awkward as it was comforting.

  “Well, letting them walk back in here like this and order us around,” Nick replied, clearly enjoying his moment in the spotlight. “They’ve made a mockery of you.”

  The commander’s brow furrowed.

  Athena turned to Kate in astonishment. “Do something,” she hissed. Kate had a long history with the commander—he was her godfather and had been a close friend of her father’s. If anyone could convince him, it was going to be Kate.

  But Athena didn’t have a lot of confidence—he was looking at Kate not as a fond family friend but as a source of irritation to be silenced.

  “Please, Commander,” Kate said. “I know we were insubordinate, but the fact is if we don’t do something about these attackers, it’s not going to matter. Because they’re going to find us sooner or later, and when they do we’ll all be vaporized. We need to act; we need to find them before they find us. No—we’ve found them. All that’s left to do is destroy them.”

  Athena looked around. Some of the other soldiers around the table appeared to be roused by Kate’s heartfelt plea. Athena watched the commander hopefully. Surely he had to agree that this was the best way forward. She couldn’t read his expression.

  She sucked in a breath and held it until her lungs begged for relief. He still hadn’t responded. There wasn’t a sound in the room. Everybody was watching him; waiting to see what he would do. Athena was struck by a thought—he held the fate of the whole world in his hands.

  “Please, Commander,” she blurted. “Without you we’ll all perish.”

  He turned to look at her, seemingly surprised that she had spoken up. Aron gripped her hand under the table.

  “What did you say?” Aron murmured.

  “I’ll tell you in a moment,” she whispered, never once taking her eyes off the commander.

  Commander Jessop smiled. Actually, it was more of a grimace—his thin lips twisted up. Athena’s pulse pounded in her temples.

  “I’ve decided,” Commander Jessop said, turning and looking at each person around the table in turn. “I’ll allow you two to leave this base and return to your alien stronghold.” He said the last word in a way that made it clear he thought their alliance was some sort of embarrassing joke. “And I won’t charge you with treason. How’s that?”

  Athena jerked around to look at Kate. Her ally looked shocked beyond all comprehension. Athena swallowed. “Sir, I don’t think you realize.”

  The commander snorted. “Of course I realize. We’re minnows compared to this enemy.”

  “But you said before,” Athena continued, aware of how whiny she sounded but knowing no other way to get the urgency across. “You didn’t want to act before we located them and identified them. Now we know where they are.”

  Commander Jessop tilted his head to one side. “And you know who they are? Their powers? Their natural habitat?”

  Athena shook her head. “No. No, that’s something we’re still trying to figure out. But we know where they are. It’s too risky to go back and investigate the ship that Kate destroyed. But I can draw plans of the ones I saw. They’re about three hundred feet in diameter, with a gap in the center that seems to go all the way to the ground. There’s a humming sound. And as well as the base near Philadelphia, there’s an area in the east of the state where the ground is… vibrating. We think it’s a power source.” She looked at Aron and then snuck a glance around the table. The other UEF officers were watching her—all but Kate looked half terrified and half intrigued. Athena took a deep breath.

  “If they have a power source then it stands to reason that they’re going to get stronger. The time to act is now.”

  There. That was it. All of her bargaining chips on the table. She watched the commander hopefully, wondering how he could refuse to join on those terms.

  But he just shook his head and flashed them that menacing smile. “I’ve already given you my offer. You’d better agree to it before I rescind and have
you all arrested.”

  13

  Aron eyed the others. They looked as forlorn as he felt. By now, they had briefed the rest of the crew on the meeting with the humans. Aron had wanted to pulverize the humans’ leader. It was most uncharacteristic of him. Only Athena’s pleading had made him walk out of there without blood on his hands.

  “I still say we should have killed the commander. The others would have fallen into line,” he growled.

  Athena glanced at Kate and then looked back at him. “No. Look, we need to find another way. Killing the commander would only freak out the rest of the unit. You think they’d have let us out of the base unharmed if we’d killed him?”

  Aron puffed out his chest. “You think they’d have been any match for our Drayon?”

  “Blind aggression isn’t going to get us anywhere,” Athena snapped.

  Aron bristled. If he didn’t believe that his new-found aggression was an advantage, then he would have dragged her to his cabin several hours ago. Maybe that was why he objected so strongly to her statement. “It’s the only thing that’s going to get us out of this situation,” he countered.

  On the other side of the room, Redon sighed. “Why don’t you just mate her, Aron?” he said in Dreon. “That way we won’t have to listen to you two argue.”

  Aron narrowed his eyes. “How do you know we’re arguing? We’re just discussing—”

  “Your tone,” Redon said. “And the fact that your ridges are the most aggressive I’ve ever seen them. You should be in your cabin.”

  Aron glanced at Athena, as if confirming she couldn’t understand him. Her head was bowed and her attention taken up by a map she was drawing on the back of an old Dreon map. He shook his head.

  “I told you before,” he growled.

  Redon shrugged. “It’s better than falling out of the sky, I suppose.”

  “Is it?” Aron snapped. “Is it? You think it’s easy to be around her when she’s the only thing my body wants? I can barely stand it.”