Hunting Their Mate

by Stone, Piper

  “So disobedient,” Talyn huffed.

  “She will learn. Discipline. Training.” Zacon’s voice was huskier than normal, the beast from within clawing at the surface.

  “Yes,” Talyn agreed, chuckling as he positioned the tip of his cock just inside my pussy.

  I took quick breaths, locking my feet together as Zacon wiggled a finger between my ass cheeks.

  “Are you ready?” he asked.

  “Oh, yes, sir.” I clung to Talyn’s neck, holding my breath. The anticipation was insane, my heart racing.

  They thrust all the way inside at the same time and for a few seconds, I couldn’t tell between night and day, the electrifying, searing heat jetting like pure adrenaline.

  I was shattered to the bone, lolling my head against Zacon’s shoulder as they moved in perfect unison, plunging in and out. My muscles clamped around their delicious cocks, the sweet invasion creating prickles dancing down every inch of naked skin. Being sandwiched between the two sensational lovers, aliens, barbaric beasts was perhaps utter perfection, sizzling every cell.

  Talyn crushed his mouth over mine, darting his tongue inside. As he explored the dark recesses, Zacon smacked my bottom several times. The new wave of heat brought me to another orgasm with such ferocity that I screamed into the kiss. I could tell the way my muscles clamped around their cocks like a tight vise was bringing them closer.

  Clench and release.

  Clench and release.

  As Talyn broke the kiss, hissing under his breath and his eyes rolling back in his head, I repeated the move. Zacon’s ragged growl was my reward.

  “So bad. Such a tease,” Zacon managed, his wide palm peppering my bottom.

  “Yes... sir,” I managed, rolling my head from one chest to the other as I lost all sense of control.

  The hard fucking continued, two thick cocks spreading me wide open, ready to fill me.

  As both struggled to breathe, I squeezed one more time. Their roars of ecstasy sent quivers dancing down my back.

  Weak and shaking, I was barely cognizant that they’d switched positions until I looked into Zacon’s glowing eyes, his expression primal.

  “We’re not finished, little human. Our other cocks need complete attention.”

  A series of purrs and whimpers slipped from my mouth as Zacon thrust his nubbed cock into my soaked pussy. His wide girth filled me, sliding against my aching muscles. Only when Talyn slid his cock into my asshole did I feel fulfilled.

  Satisfied.

  I continued to shake as they rode me, both men rolling onto the balls of their feet as they fucked like wild beasts, taking every inch of me. Palming Zacon’s chest, I studied his beautiful eyes, the color changes and iridescent shimmer as he tried to hold back his climax. Everything about him was brutal, his actions and demeanor, but I caught a glimpse of another man.

  One much softer, even gentle.

  And I wondered if he would ever let that man out of the cage.

  He was just as haunted as Killer, as if something treacherous from his past had altered his life forever. If we were to survive as a... We were a foursome. And for some crazy reason, I preferred it that way.

  How everything had changed in such a short period of time.

  My musings were short-lived as their groans and guttural growls increased, their bodies slickened with sweat from the intense exertion. One last time, I tightened my muscles, lifting my head as they both exclaimed.

  Only then did I shift into pure bliss.

  * * *

  Clouds had rolled in, the shift in temperature significant. Only an hour had gone by, but the tumultuous atmosphere matched the fear that had crept back into my mind. Killer remained sulking, having left the house on his motorcycle. Hearing the first claps of thunder in the distance, I tugged the light jacket closer.

  As if the thin material could keep away the cold.

  I stood on the back deck, a steaming cup of coffee in my hand, a true luxury and one usually reserved for the upper echelon of society. Such was the devastation of the Great War that some plant species had never fully recovered from the raging fires. I’d seen what few pictures seemed to exist from that wretched period of time and they would forever haunt me. What the human race have endured and all for sake of power.

  And greed.

  I suspected the Cenzans had been given the best of everything, a peace offering from various governments. What little I knew about the king suggested he preferred sharing his wealth. At least one species had a decent leader.

  I sensed a presence and for a few seconds prayed that it was Killer, returning from his self-imposed punishment. “Zacon.” I whispered his name, as if acknowledging him was admitting my desire.

  “Am I disturbing you?”

  “No.” The word stuck in my throat. I shot him a quick look. He was back to the reserved and very structured Cenzan soldier, complete with armor attached to his side. Both he and Talyn were prepared for whatever horrors would come.

  Zacon inhaled as he gripped the railing, gazing up at the sky. “A storm in rolling in.”

  “Yes.”

  “I love the rain, a reminder of my planet.”

  “What was it like?”

  “Beautiful, much like Earth, lush with foliage everywhere. Instead of blue water, ours were vivid orange; our skies tinted in a tangerine hue were so clear that you could see two other planets on the perfect night. At least that’s the way I remembered as a teenager. Then everything changed.”

  “Why did Shandar’s father blow up your planet?”

  He tipped his head in my direction, searching my eyes. “He had no choice. The minerals buried deep within the mountains, what you call precious gems here, were very rare, capable of being used in the most horrific weapons. That’s why Cenzan was attacked by our enemies on a regular basis. Other planets were dying off and they needed our gems as an energy source and to take control of the galaxy.”

  “What about the disease?” As soon as I asked the question, his face clouded. “I’ve only heard bits and pieces.”

  “Devastating, taking so many lives.” He stared at the horizon as a single crack of lightning flashed across the sky. The same haunted look had returned. “I lost my wife and two children to the curse of the disease. By then, so many of our females were infertile. Having twins was what we thought proof that our world might survive, but as with so many others, our joy was short-lived, the disease ravaging every family. It came on quickly and I was on a mission. I never had the opportunity to say goodbye.”

  In direct contrast to the way Killer anguished over his loss, Zacon stated the words in a perfunctory manner. Perhaps this was the Cenzan way, keeping anguish buried deep inside.

  “Zacon, I’m so, so sorry.” As with Killer, tears rushed to my eyes. There were so many losses, so much sadness. “I can’t imagine. I just...” How could I comfort him? I was terrible at even attempting to do so.

  He slowly lowered his head. “When Talyn told me about overhearing Killer’s story, for some reason I was angry and I don’t know why. Maybe I didn’t want to experience another loss, even through the eyes of a human man who only tolerates my association.”

  “You and Killer are very much the same and not because of your tragedies. You are both alpha males, determined to take the lead.”

  Zacon snorted at my comment. “He would never allow me to take the lead. He’d rather kill me first.”

  “Killer obviously had reasons to desire certain levels of brutality, just like you do, but he is careful in selecting his enemies. Something we should all remember, I suppose.” As if I had any right to speak the words.

  He remained rigid, unyielding to any kind of comfort or appeasement. The Cenzan warrior had seen the worst of times, of that I had no doubt. I could certainly learn to have around the embattled man, but he was just as dead and cold inside as Killer. I waited for him to say anything, even draw me closer in a single manner.

  Nothing.

  Sighing, I winced, hearing anot
her clap of thunder as the wind picked up, rustling leaves until they began their slow descent to Earth. Dying. The thought sent a chill down my spine. Everything was wrong. Off. Yet all four of us were living on a razor-thin edge of reality. I squeezed his arm, trying to find the right words, as I’d obviously done so poorly with Killer.

  Only when he took a single step away, breaking our connection did the warrior girl personality kick back in, protecting my heart. “Fine. Have it your way, Zacon. I can’t take the yin and yang of your personality or your demands any better than I can Killer’s. I might seem like a hard girl to you, but remember, I was crushed by my own tragedy. We all deal with it differently but pushing everyone away who cares about you isn’t going to do anything but keep you alone and lonely for the rest of your life.”

  At that moment I realized I’d said the words even more to myself. I backed away, ready to head inside when he snagged my arm, jerking me against his chest, his massive hand immediately wrapping around my lower jaw.

  His chest was heaving as he took deep and ragged breaths, his eyes shifting back and forth. He exuded rage and sadness, the combination for a man like him lethal. I was afraid, not of the alien but only of his anguish. His fingers dug into my skin as he held me.

  “I don’t want to love you, human. I can’t love you.” His words were laced with sadness.

  “Why? Because I’m not worthy of your love? Because I’m some lowly human, Zacon, not worth your time or effort?”

  The smug look on his face drove me to madness. His grip tightened, pain sliding down my neck.

  “Don’t. You’re hurting me.”

  Zacon gulped for air but softened his hold, his fingers caressing my skin.

  “Why? Just tell me why, Zacon, and I’ll leave you alone. Trust me.”

  Nothing.

  This time I jerked away, storming toward the door.

  “Because I don’t want to lose another person I care about. I can’t lose you.”

  “Because?” I managed, blinking away tears.

  “Because... I. Love. You.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  Kristina

  Love. Oh, no. I wasn’t buying it. Not from him. Not from Killer or Talyn.

  And certainly not from myself.

  This was the way of tragedies and fear. People got closer together, as if pretending to love each other would matter. To what, God? I had no belief in a higher being, or at least I hadn’t until realizing aliens truly did exist. Their appearance had challenged everything I believed in.

  I was shaken, so much so that I had no words, no real emotion. I could see in Zacon’s eyes that he believed what he was saying, leaving the door cracked just enough and asking me inside. I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t or wouldn’t take the bait. Three men—one man and two beasts—might care about me, even love? No. Oh, no.

  So, I shut down, moving into protection mode.

  “You are a special man, Zacon. You deserve to find happiness.” I choked on the words even as I stumbled inside, knowing I’d have to face him soon enough.

  It was Talyn’s terse expression that broke through the moment.

  “What’s wrong?” I asked, moving closer.

  Zacon had already followed, the heat of his body far too close to mine.

  Talyn looked up at Zacon first. “It’s beginning. Jonas Bradford has already claimed victory.”

  “What? The polls have been open a few hours.” I walked even closer, the hard thumping in my head returning.

  “Yeah, well, the numbers are very one-sided. Come.” Talyn led us into a small office and toward what appeared to be the same kind of computer that I’d seen on the Comstar ship. “Take a look.”

  Jonas Bradford had certainly made certain he had the required look of a leader. A dark suit. A crisp white shirt. A red tie. The cameras didn’t have to pan in to let me know he’d been perfectly groomed, down to the shine on his expensive shoes. The poll numbers, if accurate, were horrific up to this point. He was winning by a landslide.

  “This can’t be.” I knew I’d whispered the words. “He must’ve rigged the system.”

  “Possible, but that won’t change the outcome for at least a week or more. I don’t know your system very well, but Shandar has mentioned that recounting votes is tedious.” Talyn folded his arms, moving closer to me.

  As Jonas blasted off some bullshit to his supporters, I felt sick inside, knowing that we would be forced into a war.

  “We should alert Shandar,” Zacon finally said.

  “I’m certain our king is watching the elections very carefully,” Talyn sighed. “This isn’t good.”

  “Jonas will destroy everything,” I said to no one in particular. “Where is Killer? We need him.”

  “I have a feeling I know where he’s gone,” Talyn said, reservation in his voice.

  “What does that mean?” I snapped my head in his direction.

  Exhaling, he took another glance at Zacon before moving to the telescan, moving his hand over the screen. Instantly dozens of pictures flashed up in vivid color. I moved closer, peering at them, another unsettling feeling jetting through my already frigid blood.

  “These are from the camera. That’s our village and one of the functions we had.” I noticed a picture in particular and hissed. “And that’s Damen Solomon.” Just seeing the picture of the man again did nothing but fuel the rage that had continued to build. A terrible knowing settled in, my gut telling me that Killer had left because of identifying Damen and... “No. Oh, shit.”

  “What’s wrong?” Talyn asked.

  “I have a terrible feeling that Killer knows Damen from the Marines.” I had difficulty saying the words.

  “Did I overhear that he caught a glimpse of the man who murdered his wife?” Talyn leaned down, staring at the pictures.

  “Briefly.” I looked up at Zacon, perhaps looking for sympathy or guidance. My instinct was never wrong. I heard the sound of rolling thunder in the background, could see a flash of lightning. The weather was the least of our worries.

  “You think he recognized this monster as the person responsible for his wife’s death,” Zacon said, his tone cold.

  “Yes. That would mean...” I couldn’t even finish the sentence.

  Talyn shook his head. “That would mean Killer is already on the hunt.”

  “We have to find him!” My exclamation was shrill, fear and worry shutting down everything else.

  “Have you found any coordinates of human camps that weren’t registered?” Talyn half demanded, his question directed at Zacon.

  “In truth, a few,” Zacon snarled. “Heat sensors indicated a new group formed recently.”

  “Then where the fuck is Damen?” I demanded. “Where is he?”

  Zacon narrowed his eyes, closing the distance. “You do not accost me, little human. You forget who’s in charge here. We will find this monster who murdered innocent lives but it will be under our direction and you won’t be the one leading the mission. Am I clear?”

  I gave him a nasty glare.

  “Do not make me have to punish you,” he growled.

  “She cares about Killer, Zacon. At least she’s willing to fight in order to save him,” Talyn snapped.

  “Back down, Lieutenant. You are under me, or have you already forgotten about that?” Zacon hissed.

  Talyn inhaled, finally giving him a nod. “As you wish, Commander Manoff.”

  Zacon clenched and unclenched his hands, finally backing down. “I’ve located coordinates sixty miles northwest from here. This information has not been verified. The heat source could be from other causes.”

  I thought about what I knew about past military operations, including those that were rumored to have survived. “There’s a military base in that direction. He could be holed up there.”

  Talyn shook his head, his brow furrowing. “Then we will hunt Damen with all the forces we have in this colony. If that’s all right with you, Commander.”

  Zacon looked away, clench
ing his jaw. “Under my direction.”

  “We need Killer. He thinks he can do this alone. That will get him killed. He doesn’t know Damen as well as I do, no matter if he’s the fuck responsible for murdering his wife,” I half whispered, continuing to fight the burning tears. When neither responded, I snapped, “We need to go, now!” I moved toward the door. I could hear the sound of rain on the roof, the wind whistling through the trees. The ominous feeling remained pooling in my stomach. I was sick with worry.

  For all of us.

  “This has to be a coordinated effort, Kristina. We need to try and communicate with Killer,” Talyn suggested.

  “If he wants to be interrupted at this point. You know him. He does everything entirely alone. He may have his communication unit off.” Zacon’s words rang cold in the room.

  Their wrist monitors they almost never removed, making certain they could correspond at any time.

  “He won’t allow anything to happen to Kristina. He will at least hear me.” Talyn yanked his arm in front of him, his finger ready to touch the small screen when a bright red flash occurred.

  “What is that?” I dared to ask, horrified of the meaning.

  Zacon exhaled as he lifted his arm, showing the same red flash. “It means another colony was attacked.” He issued a low-slung growl, his entire body tensing.

  As Talyn moved several feet, already communicating in the Cenzan language, I walked closer to Zacon. “We have to find him. Whatever your feelings are for Killer, I don’t give a fuck. He’s taken this task on himself, prepared to die in order to exact revenge for his wife and baby’s murder. That can’t happen. You can’t allow that to happen.” Seeing his pupils darken, I knew the fucking alien couldn’t care less.

  Once a Creeper, always a Creeper.

  Except he surprised me.

  Placing his hand on my arm, he gave me a single nod, his pupils returning to normal. “I won’t let anything happen to him, Kristina. I give you my oath.”

  Whether or not Zacon was offering his pledge for me or for Killer, I wasn’t certain, but I knew he was telling the truth.