Alien Bond

by Tracy Lauren

  “We were just trying to talk to her. This is pertinent information! We need to know what these aliens are capable of doing to us,” Gabby insists.

  These aliens? I want to remind her that these aliens rescued us, but I feel obligated to give everyone an opportunity to find peace here. Even Gabby. If I attack her now, she’ll feel even more isolated. So, while my temper rises at her words, I push myself to remain calm and even.

  “Give V space. Now.”

  Gabby hesitates, but her friends listen. At least they have the good sense to be wary of V’s internal weapon system. I take a step back to let them pass. In my peripheral I notice one of the Vendari, the one named Kellan, lingering nearby. While he’s giving us a wide berth, it feels like he’s hanging around to see if we need back up. And I’m grateful to have him and Mire both watching my back. Not that we couldn’t handle Gabby. Right now I’m actually more afraid for V.

  “Gabby, if you have questions for V they can be asked in group.”

  “Can they? Seems like not even group is safe anymore,” she says, cutting her eyes to Mire.

  “Wrong alien, idiot,” Reagan chides.

  “Whatever. They’re all the same.”

  “Gabby, you’re scared and angry. I get it. But you’re creating a wedge where there doesn’t need to be one. Everyone here is safe. These are our friends and neighbors. All of these people, they’ve been through hardships just like us.”

  “Somehow I doubt that,” she replies.

  “Look, take a few days to reflect. When group rolls around next week we can talk about this in a safe place. I know we can work this out. Until then, can’t we just call a truce?”

  Gabby huffs and slips from the room, leaving me in the doorway with Mire, Reagan, and V.

  “She’s not going to let up,” Reagan says plainly.

  “We have to give her a chance to, Ray.” I shrug, feeling helpless. “You okay, V?”

  She nods but looks shaken. Waves of liquid metal ripple down her arms. “Just trying to control my emotions.”

  “Come on, let’s go see April. You two can namaste or whatever until you feel better,” Reagan urges as she pulls V away. It must be time for dinner, because as I watch my friends disappear down the corridor, the rest of Beacon begins to fill the courtyard.

  “What do you think?” Mire asks, quietly.

  I sigh, looking out at them all, feeling the weight of my friend’s burdens, while my own get pushed into the background.

  “I think I could use a drink.”

  Chapter 12

  Mel

  I wait until dinner is over and the courtyard is clear before I make my way to Kate and Rennek’s door. I hate coming to them for something like this, but I feel like Gabby’s vendetta against all that is alien is starting to become a significant problem. She’s creating this ever-widening fissure within our group and while I feel protective over all the women here, Gabby included, I can’t shake this sense of worry she’s inducing.

  I knock quietly and a moment later Kate opens the door. Inside, her fire glows luminous and warm. “Hey Mel, what’s up?” she asks brightly.

  I give her a tight smile. “Hi Kate. I hope I’m not coming at a bad time. I was wondering if you guys had a minute?”

  “Actually it’s just me right now. Rennek’s up in the temple with Tennir. Is something wrong? Should I get him?” she asks, seeming concerned.

  “No, nothing’s wrong, per se. Or nothing pressing at least. I’m just kind of worried about the tension that’s been brewing in the village and thought it might be good to fill you in.”

  “Oh! Of course, come in!” Kate says, welcoming me into the room she shares with Rennek. “Take a seat. Honestly, I’m glad you’re here. I’ve been out of the loop for so long I’ve started to feel guilty about it.”

  “Oh Kate, don’t feel guilty. We all see how hard you and the others are working.”

  She smiles sadly at me. “Still, I miss spending time with you guys. I never know what’s going on anymore. Like the other night when Reagan and Gabby got into it.”

  “Yeah, that’s kind of why I’m here.”

  “Oh no, are they still fighting? I love the girl, but I know Reagan can be a little hotheaded when it comes to conflict.”

  “Yeah, she can be. But the problem isn’t so much Reagan as it is Gabby.”

  “What is the problem?”

  “Well, today Gabby cornered V in the pantry and tried to, I don’t know, activate her TASE or something.”

  Kate gasps, her hand flying over her mouth. “What happened!”

  “I got the impression she was trying to set V off by making her emotional. Luckily Reagan was there to deflect Gabby’s attempts, but still…it felt dangerous in the moment. I don’t know what Gabby’s goal was, but someone could have gotten hurt.”

  “Jesus…” Kate sighs, rubbing her forehead. “What the hell is her problem?”

  This is the part where things get murky. It’s the question everyone has, but no one voices. Where is Valerie? “She doesn’t trust anyone here. Some of the humans, maybe. But anyone mated or any of the guys…big nope. I get the impression she thinks there’s some kind of conspiracy going on.”

  Kate frowns, she knows what I’m tiptoeing around. “This is about the other woman, right? Her name was Val?” Kate never met her. The Red King stormed the room on the UPC ship, brutally killing all of our captors before curling up next to Val and falling asleep. Only then did the others come in, the Vendari, and Mire and Gile of course. They brought us into the safety of their ship, but Val never followed and we never saw the Red King after that either.

  “I think that’s what it comes down to, yeah. You have to understand; the Red King was terrifying when he rescued us, Kate. Vicious and terrible. And to Gabby all she saw was another alien. Then she comes here and half the men look just like him. I don’t think she can separate the two in her mind.”

  “I see what you mean,” she says thoughtfully, considering my words. “You’ve been close with everyone lately, Mel, you see what they’re going through and what they need. Tell me, beyond making the Red King and Val suddenly materialize, is there anything I can do to fix this?”

  I should have an answer to this. Guilt swims in my stomach. I should be paying better attention. I should be solving this problem, or I should at least have an idea about what might help. But I feel as if I’ve been turning away from my duties as the “caretaker.” It’s been my identity my entire life, but somehow, more and more I keep thinking about what I want and my own happiness. Perhaps I shouldn’t feel so guilty about that and maybe if we were on Earth I’d have the right to indulge in me a little bit more. But we aren’t on Earth. And distractions here, no matter how delicious and golden they are, can be just as Reagan predicted: distracting.

  Chapter 13

  Mel

  Though it’s late, I’m not shocked when I hear a knock at my door. I take a deep breath, hoping to see gold on the other side, but when I open it Reagan is standing there instead. I smile at my friend and push the door wide, welcoming her in.

  “How are you doing?” I ask her.

  “Nope, I’m not here for that,” she tells me, heading for the mugs. “You constantly have ceata on, don’t you?” she accuses, pouring us fresh cups. She isn’t wrong.

  “You never know when friends are going to come over needing a hot cup of something and a little conversation.”

  “Anyone ever tell you you’re too much of a caretaker?” she asks.

  “Only constantly.”

  “Just as long as you know,” she tells me. “And as long as you don’t forget to take care of yourself while you’re at it.”

  “I’m working on that, believe me.”

  “Which is exactly why I’m here,” she says, taking a seat at my table, a wide grin spreading across her face.

  “What do you mean?”

  “Dish, girl. Day before yesterday you spent the night with Gile and today you’re suddenly hanging out with
Mire. Literally no one hangs out with Mire and I want to hear all about that.”

  I can’t keep the smile from my face as I slide into my seat at the table. “I thought you weren’t interested in all the alien dating stuff.”

  “I’m not into it, but that doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy hearing about your wild ride. So is that what you’re doing? Dating the golden boys. One of them or both?”

  “Oh my God, imagine? You think any of the other women would be pissed if I snatched up two of the bachelors in one fell swoop?” I laugh at the absurdity of it.

  Reagan raises her brow at me expectantly, still waiting to hear what’s going on between me and the Sovolians.

  I sigh and stare down into my mug, my smile still on my face. “To be honest I have no clue what’s up with them. The best I can figure is that they’re lonely since Gorrard got with Holly. And I’m the caretaker, right? I think they just see me as a safe person to interact with. Which is cool, because I get to perv out on them all I want. I figure it’s a fair deal.”

  “You really think those guys just want to be friends?” Reagan asks, her voice heavily laced with skepticism.

  “Oh yeah. I’m in the friend zone for sure.”

  “Bullshit, you and Gile stayed up all night just talking. Friend zone my ass.”

  “I thought there was something there too, but then he sent me out with Mire today and had zero interest in joining us. Hell, he seemed so eager to have us get along I almost thought he was trying to set us up.”

  “Maybe he was.”

  “Nah. That’s just wishful thinking on my part. I’ve been alone with both of them, yet neither have hit on me…not really anyway.”

  “What do you mean, not really? Did they kind of hit on you?”

  “There’s been little things, especially with Mire today. When we were on their ship alone together he got really close to me, but then we heard Gile coming and he backed off super quick, and there was this thing he did during our shooting lesson…”

  “What was it?”

  “I don’t know how to describe it… I guess he sort of just ran his hand down my side and gave me a little squeeze. I’m probably overthinking it. It’s been so long since I’ve gotten any action they could sneeze in my direction and I’d think it was a come on.”

  “So, you’re into Mire then?”

  “I mean they’re both insanely attractive. And each of them is cool in their own ways. Gile’s just so easy-going and charming and Mire is super intense.”

  “Yeah, but do you like one more than the other?”

  “Like I said, they both have enticing qualities,” I reply with a smirk.

  “Uh oh. Girl, I don’t know much about relationships, but I know one thing for certain—you never get between brothers.”

  “Please, I don’t have anything to worry about. There’s nothing to get between when you’re firmly in the friend zone.”

  Chapter 14

  Mire

  The week passes slowly and the tension between the females only seems to grow more fraught. Gile and I decide to spend more time in the village. I tell myself it is to keep an eye on the troublemaker, Gabby, yet my eyes keep seeking out Mel.

  I worry over her. She works hard to keep the peace amongst the others and I know it must take a toll. She gets that look about her again, the one where her smile does not reach her eyes. Gile seems to be the only one who can snap her out of her fog. He’ll catch her eye sometimes and wave at her like a happy fool and that will be all it takes. Then her eyes light up and her smile glows sincere. It makes me happy that he can do that for her, while I focus on her safety. There is something I do not trust about the human Gabby.

  Luckily, I sense a brother in Kellan. I know he sees the same turmoil brewing amongst the humans. Some of the other Vendari are too blinded by their mates to notice the discord in our midst. But Kellan and I hover on the outskirts of the village, and while we do not speak, we protectively watch for signs of trouble.

  “Come to group,” Gile urges.

  “I have no desire to court Mel in front of an audience.”

  “This part is not about courting brother, it is about…personal growth.”

  I narrow my gaze at Gile and scoff. “I have things to do,” I tell him and I take a seat on a bench in the courtyard, one that gives me an optimal view of Mel’s door. I will not go to group, but I will remain close enough to watch over my woman.

  “As do I,” he sighs, making his way over to Mel’s.

  I make no pretense about what I’m doing here and I stare intently at the humans gathering at Mel’s door. The one called Gabby looks at me with disdain. I do not care. I have no interest in coddling those who wish to harm that which I care about. And I care for Mel, our community here in Beacon, and for all who wish to find sanctuary here. Sovolians are a loyal race and for as long as I am here, these people are my family. I will do whatever it takes to protect them. In my opinion, this Gabby should leave. Clearly she is not content with the life we are building here. I see no reason for her to remain.

  Everyone ambles inside Mel’s room and the courtyard grows silent. Kellan disappears and I assume he will return once their group time is over. But I will stay and listen for signs of trouble.

  Sure enough, only a few short minutes pass before Gabby bursts angrily from Mel’s room, a few of her humans trailing behind her. I stiffen as I watch them retreat, but it does not seem as if they will be back to cause more trouble.

  Sometime later I’m shocked when I see Kellan hop down from the rooftop, landing in the courtyard. He nods to me but says nothing as he strides off in the direction of his room. At first I think it is odd behavior, but then I realize he must have found a place to listen in on their discussion and inwardly I commend him on his ingenuity. I am glad someone else sees what I do and is making an effort to curb the problem before it escalates further.

  Chapter 15

  Gile

  From the moment the females enter Mel’s room I know there is going to be trouble. Gabby and her friends do not take a seat, instead they stand with arms crossed over their chests, frowning at the rest of us—particularly at me.

  “This is supposed to be a safe place for us to talk, yet here he is again, spying on us,” Gabby lashes out.

  “You’ve got to be kidding me,” Reagan groans, sliding off of her perch on the dresser.

  Mel is quick to interject. “This group is about safety, Gabby. But it’s also about inclusion. If someone needs to talk we don’t stifle that and we certainly don’t make people feel like they aren’t welcome.”

  “What about how we feel?” she counters. “How are we supposed to talk with one of them here?”

  “Gile is not here to spy on anyone!” Mel insists.

  I stand, feeling uncomfortable. “It is fine,” I tell them. “My intention was never to make others feel uncomfortable. I can go.”

  “Absolutely not,” Mel tells me, her voice so stern I drop back down into my seat. “These were the rules we all agreed upon when we began this group and we will uphold them. If you have a problem with that, sit down and let’s discuss it like healthy adults. But we will not be kicking anyone out.”

  “What do you think you’re doing to us?” Gabby demands. “You need to choose. It’s either humans or aliens. Whose side are you on?”

  “You have my answer, Gabby. I won’t exclude anyone. If you leave, that decision is on you, not the rest of us.”

  “Yup, you’re free to make all the stupid decisions you want,” Reagan tells her.

  “Who are you to talk about stupid decisions? From what I remember, you let one of these monsters fuck you,” Gabby spits. Reagan dives for her and it takes two of the humans to hold her back. Mel steps protectively in front of her friend.

  “You’re crossing a line here, Gabby.”

  “No, I think you’re the ones crossing lines and we aren’t going to stick around waiting for the consequences to kick in,” she tells the other women vehemently. She turns th
en, storming from Mel’s room. Lo mutters a quiet apology before she and two others follow Gabby out into the courtyard.

  Mel stares after them, but Alessandra and April are quick to assure her she did the right thing.

  “We don’t need all that negative energy in here anyway,” April points out.

  “I just wish it didn’t have to be like this,” Mel laments.

  “Fuck it, that bitch is freaking nuts. Let her leave, she obviously doesn’t want to be here,” Reagan puts in.

  “I just feel like I’m doing her a disservice. I was supposed to find some way to ground her and instead I cut her loose,” Mel tells us.

  “Hey, it’s not on you, Mel. You said yourself it was her decision to make. You gave her every opportunity, but you can’t make her choices for her,” Alessandra points out.

  I rise, feeling uncomfortable. “I did not mean to cause problems—”

  “Stop,” Mel says, placing her hand on my chest. “Gabby’s issues have nothing to do with you.”

  “They have nothing to do with you either, yet still you blame yourself,” I counter. This seems to shake Mel from her sad thoughts and she smiles warmly at me.

  “You’re right.” She nods. “If she changes her mind maybe she’ll come back.”

  “Yeah and maybe Hell will freeze over too, but let’s not waste time waiting for it to happen,” Reagan adds.

  Mel sighs, but takes her seat, as do the remaining group members. “Who would like to start today?”

  “I’m just going to jump in, between Gabby’s shit and my own I feel like I’ve earned it,” Reagan starts.

  “Go for it.”

  “Okay, so last week you asked why I hooked up with Rad. And I keep wondering the same thing. Why did I do that? Why did I try to repeat the same old relationship pattern I was stuck in on Earth? I feel like if I can understand that, then maybe I can move on and figure out what really makes me happy. Maybe then I can see when I’m taking that old path and instead choose something different.”