Captured By The Alien Barbarian: A Sci-fi Alien Romance series (Planet Atraxis Warriors)

Chapter 6

Warmth. Blessed warmth. For the first time in what feels like an eternity, I am no longer cold.

For months, I have been fighting the chill, constantly moving or huddling under blankets, trying to find even a shred of warmth to cling to.

But now, I am almost too warm—not that you will find me complaining. A heavy, cozy blanket envelops me, and the warmth of a fire heats my side.

Being half-asleep, my thoughts wander, reminding me of the harsh reality I face. Apparently, everything in life is out to get me.

Will I return to a life of captivity, forever a prisoner to an alien?

I dig in my heels. Enough is enough. Life has dealt me a bad hand, treated me poorly for years. If I am going to rough it out here in the wild, away from the colony, it will be on my terms. Easier said than done, though, with a hulking alien breathing down my neck. Ironic, when just the other day, I feared Walter doing just that.

I squirm and discover, to my relief, that I am not tied up. Excellent. I do a quick inventory check of my limbs, giving myself a reassuring pat-down. There is an ominous grumbling inches away from me, and I freeze. That is not just heat—that is something alive.

My eyes zero in on the furry lump beside me. Green-tinted skin, a mop of dark hair—that is not just any lump, that is Taccit.

I bolt up, scooting as far away from him as humanly possible. Clawing my way out of the pile of furs, I scramble across the room, pressing my back against the cave’s cool, rocky walls. I cannot tell if I am panting because I am terrified or just really out of shape.

Taccit grunts, eyes snapping open, but does not move to catch me.

My gaze drifts toward the door. Outside, the world is bathed in a hopeful, irresistible light. It shines like a beacon of hope. It beckons me. I could run, but with my track record? Not a chance. Sure, I can farm, but a wilderness survival expert? No way.

I cannot do this alone. I need Taccit, whether I like it or not. Because one thing is for sure, I am not returning to the colony. Not anymore.

If I cannot run, then I will have to put up a fight. Assert myself. Stand my ground. I will stand up for myself, and for once, I will get what I want.

Suddenly, I spot salvation—my bow and arrows, neatly arranged on a nearby table. I do not stop to ponder their miraculous arrival; I just lunge for them. As I grab them, the sound of movement behind me makes my heart race. I turn to find Taccit propped up against the rocky wall.

I raise my bow, nocking an arrow and pull the string taut. I am so scared that I am honestly surprised that my hands are not shaking more. He is as naked as I am. Unlike how I stand in front of him in my birthday suit, he has a small fur draped strategically across his muscular thighs, hiding his manhood. I can’t tear my eyes away from his chiseled chest and washboard abs, which form a tantalizing pathway down to... uh, his fur. He’s like a living, breathing, muscle-infused sculpture. Captivating? Definitely. Absolutely terrifying? You bet. The amount of strength this alien must possess!

A bizarre tingle forms in the pit of my stomach. Is my sudden interest in alien anatomy a side-effect of my abject fear, or is he really that sexy? Chills—definitely not him—make my nipples stand at attention. As his gaze sweeps across my body like a warm, possessive touch, my innards do a little dance.

Damn him.

“Don’t move!” I yell at him. My voice bounces back at me in the deathly quiet room.

The big green brute obeys, keeping his distance while studying me with an intensity that’s almost unnerving. It doesn’t look like he’s going to try rushing me. Taking a wary step closer, I notice there’s no trace of malice or fury on his face—dare I say, is that... resignation?

Bow quivering between us, I make eye contact. His gaze flicks from the weapon back to my face. And there we remain, sizing each other up like a couple of alley cats.

“Whatever you want, my Nika,” he whispers. As he closes his eyes, the sorrow etched on his face is so palpable that my heart goes out to the guy.

My perception of this alien—this creature—keeps getting muddled; I’m constantly on edge because he’s unlike anyone I’ve ever come across. I keep fearing him simply because he’s different from me, overlooking how similar we actually are. He’s done more for me than the folks back at the colony, who pretty much outright said they didn’t care if I was alive or dead. Even when he didn’t have to, he came after me when I fled from his home, blinded by my fear.

“Why?” I ask him. “Why did you bring me here? Why stop me from returning to my people?”

“It’s my duty and honor to protect and provide for you,” he says, as though it were the most self-explanatory thing in the universe.

“I don’t understand.”

“Because you are my mate,” he says, presenting his limbs and giving them a twirl to show off the tribal ink that adorns them.

Bafflement written all over my face, I blurt out, “What’s any of this got to do with your blasted tattoos?”

Taccit looks at me for a long moment. “When my people find our mates, our skin changes color—just like this. It’s proof that we were blessed by the gods. I was hoping that your skin would change too. But each species shows their bonding marks differently. This much I’m aware of.”

The wistfulness in his eyes is both heart-wrenching and strangely endearing. I can’t really stay mad at the guy.

“Look, buddy, I didn’t agree to be your mate,” I tell him. I mean, I’m not a total hermit—I’ve heard the term “mate” thrown around in those vids about glitzy human celebs meeting with extraterrestrials. It’s akin to holy matrimony, and, frankly, I’m not in the market. Taccit doesn’t snarl; he doesn’t even growl—though I can see the hurt.

“Why me?” I can’t help but ask. “You must have your own people—your own kind—to marry or whatever?”

He swallows several times, his throat bobbing. “There are very few females here on our planet. All of the ones I’ve heard of are mated already or are kept safe and treasured by their tribes. There’s no way that I would ever come across them.”

His admission stabs me right in the heart—it’s never pleasant knowing you’re someone’s last resort, especially when they latch onto you, refusing to let go, because they’re convinced there aren’t any better options. Walter didn’t want me either.

The only person who cared for me was Maya, and I don’t want to bring this sort of drama to her home.

It suddenly dawns on me how desperately I want to belong—not just to a place but to someone... someone who genuinely cherishes and appreciates me for who I am. Someone who doesn’t want to change me.

As the realization sinks in that I can’t possibly bow out and head back to the colony, my sight blurs.

I truly have no place to call home.

“I’m tired, Ariana,” Taccit says with a deep sigh. “I’ve been alone for so many cycles now, without my tribe. I’m tired of having no one to talk to, no one to love. I’ve prayed to the deities for cycles to have a mate, anyone, to spend my time with. Anything to end this lonely existence. And then there you were.”

He lifts his arms again, checking out his tattoos with awe. He can’t help but be amazed by them.

After a moment, he closes his eyes, looking absolutely miserable. “If my mate doesn’t want me either, then maybe I don’t deserve to live.”

I stare at him, aghast. How can he believe that? I might not have agreed to be his one and only, but to want to kick the bucket just because I turned him down?

His life can’t be that bad, can it? Sure, he doesn’t have luxurious modern amenities like auto-cookers and space heaters. But join the club—neither did I! On my own, I couldn’t pull off big enough harvests to cover the costs of replacing my broken gizmos. The fireplace makes the cave feel all warm and cozy, despite the sub-zero temps outside. If I’m honest, it’s a step up from the dome tent I used to call home. It just needs some homey touches—some flowers and whatnot to brighten the place up. He’s already made a good start with that furry canvas hanging on the wall.

“Don’t say that,” I say, lowering the bow to rub my hand at my sternum, feeling a pang of sympathy for the alien. After all, I know firsthand what it’s like to be the odd one out, to not be wanted.

His eyes flicker open, brimming with hope. “You’d actually take me as your mate? Stick with me?” he asks, his eagerness almost palpable, and I find myself at a loss for words. I glance around the cave. What other options do I have? I can’t survive out in the wilds by myself. Vivid memories of gnashing teeth flash through my mind, and I shudder at the thought of being left all alone in this alien world that’s anything but friendly. Heading back to the colony is a no-go. That chapter of my life is over.

“I’d devote every waking moment to trying to prove that I’m the right one for you, that I am worthy of you,” he says as he leans towards me, looking as sincere as they come.

Would it be so terrible to live with this beast? Taccit hasn’t caused me any physical harm. Maybe if we lay down some ground rules, set some boundaries, I could stay here. At least until I can come up with a better game plan.

I point to the furs. “Toss me a blanket, will ya? It’s kinda hard to have a heart-to-heart when I’m in my birthday suit.”

In a flash, Taccit scoops up the blanket from his lap.

“No, not that one!” I squeal.

His movement has given me a front-row seat to what’s hiding between his legs. I try to look away, but curiosity gets the best of me. My eyes are glued to the scene. His soft green manhood is most definitely bigger than a human’s, even when it’s just chilling. As I stare, it quivers, starting to grow. It’s covered with ridges and bumps, and I can’t help but wonder what it’d feel like if…

Hold up.

I snap my eyes back to his face. He looks way too pleased with himself right now, if you ask me.

“Listen, if I’m gonna stay here, we’re gonna need to have some house rules in place,” I say.

* * *

“Ground rules,”I repeat firmly.

This is my chance, and I’m not about to let it slip away. He will accept me. I know how much he wants me here now, and I’m not going to squander this opportunity. I am still mad at him for calling me his prisoner.

Before I know it, I’m rattling off one ground rule after another—I never thought that I would be a difficult person to live with, but apparently I am. Just when I think I’ve exhausted my list, fresh demands spring to mind.

Taccit stares at me with an almost unerring intensity, his eyes glittering with happiness. And lust. I can’t ignore the way his gaze roams up and down my body, as if the blanket I’m draped in is transparent. I hate how my skin heats under his gaze, attributing it to the embarrassment of being seen naked. I should be more freaked out, but the blatant inspection has me feeling things that I shouldn’t be.

And Taccit certainly has his charms. He’s quite the looker if you can overlook the claws, tail, and bodysuit-colored skin—actually, even those give him an air of otherworldly exoticness. An intriguing otherness that entices me like never before. He’s like that forbidden candy that your mouth waters to just lick.

“Enough, mate. Enough,” Taccit says. “We have plenty of time to decide how you want your bed furs arranged.”

Perhaps I am being a tad excessive and pedantic with my ground rules. He’s right, who cares if the bed is made each day or not? Okay, so I might be a bit of a neat freak. Yet, all I want is some semblance of control in my life right now, even if it hinges on the trivial.

“I will go hunting. I will gather you fresh food. I suspect you are as hungry as I am,” he says.

With that, Taccit casts off his bedspread and proudly stands before me, naked as the day is long. I find myself unable to tear my eyes away from his... anatomy. My thighs clench at the sight, and I suck in a breath involuntarily.

“You will stay here. You will not leave,” he says, in a no-questions-asked manner.

I glare back, indignant. Did he not hear a single word I said?

“No,” I reply, my chin lifted defiantly. “I refuse to be your prisoner. I will come and go freely.”

Taccit slowly pivots towards me, his face darkening in a scowl.

“You will stay here,” he says, unfazed. “You will not leave without me.”

And damn, doesn’t his expression cause a stirring low in my belly. What is wrong with me? Why does this stubborn, infuriating man have the power to set my heart aflutter? Unaware of my actions, I raise my bow toward him. In response, Taccit closes the gap between us, apparently unconcerned by my hostile gesture. In a flash, he snatches the weapon from my grasp, tossing it aside. Startled, I stumble back, only to have him encircle me in his embrace, pulling me to his chest.

“What are you doing?” I ask with surprise. As I look into his eyes, I watch as his pupils expand. His arms feel like metal bands encasing me, as solid as steel, and they tighten ever so slightly, drawing me even closer against him.

A small voice in the back of my mind whispers that being held like this isn’t entirely awful. A warm ache starts to radiate low in my belly as he confidently asserts his presence.

That is, until the not-so-little reminder of his arousal bumps against my stomach.

Oh, crap.

“I’m naked.”

Taccit chuckles, his lips curving into a dazzling smile. “Yes, little Nika, you are.”

His fingertips draw circles on the bare skin of my lower back, leaving a trail of goosebumps in their creative wake. I shiver, and it’s not because I’m cold.

His scent swirls around me, intoxicating. It’s that earthy scent that I find so calming, soothing my frayed nerves. My hands find a comfy resting place on his firm pecs. I sway, caught between the desire to shove him away or yank him even closer.

Licking my suddenly parched lips, I inwardly question whether I’m more afraid of him or my own reaction to his presence. His eyes latch onto the movement, boring into me with a smoldering intensity.

He swallows heavily, and I get the distinct sense that he’s contemplating kissing me. To my own surprise, I’m not entirely objecting to the idea.

I never imagined myself as the type to dive headfirst into a relationship like this, but when was the last time someone gazed at me with such hunger and desire? His controlling nature may chafe, but at the same time, my body responds to him like it never has before.

Then, in a surprising twist, Taccit drops to his knees before me, leveling his face with my chest. I squeak, hastily trying to cover myself with my hands.

But all he does is scoop up the discarded blanket and drape it around my shoulders. Am I disappointed or impressed by his display of self-control?

“Nika. You will obey me on this,” he says, his deep voice sending shivers down my spine. “Outside is dangerous. Do not leave without me by your side. I do not wish for you to be harmed. Understand?”

With careful scrutiny, he watches me. It suddenly clicks that he’s actually scared of me leaving the cave. Maybe he could’ve communicated that earlier, instead of just barking demands.

Heat floods my cheeks in embarrassment. Oh, well now I feel a bit silly. Of course, he’s thinking of my safety, not just throwing out orders for the fun of it.

“You don’t need to order me about,” I say. “I’m not your prisoner.”

“Ariana? I need you to agree.”

“Yes! Fine. I’ll stay here,” I say with a grumble. The thought of attempting another escape seems pointless now. Besides, I have nowhere else to go.

For just a moment, his face softens. His thumb tenderly brushes my cheek, a caress so contrary to his rough demeanor. This unexpected display throws me emotionally off-balance. Yes, he’s tough, but maybe it’s a necessity for survival in the untamed wilds of Atraxis, not a sign of heartlessness.

Turning away, Taccit quickly dresses. As he pulls on his clothes, he glances over his shoulder at me. When he spots me watching, his tail starts wagging at turbo speed. I struggle to stifle a giggle.

He ambles toward the door, hesitating next to an enormous ornamental axe mounted on the wall. The thing is gargantuan, and I’m pretty sure I couldn’t lift it even if my life depended on it. The metal catches the glow of the dying fire, revealing an intricate, embossed pattern adorning the blade’s cheek. It brings to mind those ancient Celtic designs I’d once seen in a museum back on Earth.

Taccit bares his teeth at me in what I am starting to recognize as his version of a grin. It is all too clear why he’d been baffled when I first smiled at him. It’s going to take a while to get used to some of his alien features.

“I’ll return soon,” he says. In a bold display of brute strength, he yanks the wooden door aside as if it weighs nothing.

And that’s when the monsters attack.

* * *

I let outthe most ridiculously loud shriek as three wolves burst into the cave, making a beeline for Taccit. I don’t even have time to scream a warning to him. These beasts are gigantic, practically my height, and they move like clumsy, white-furred tornadoes. Before I know it, they’re all over Taccit with audible teeth clacking and some seriously unpleasant growling.

Throwing modesty out the cave door, I whip the blanket off of me, make a pirouette, and grab for my trusty bow. With one hand, I snatch it from the table, while the other hand is already lifting the arrow and lining up the shot.

Taccit, however, seems determined to steal the spotlight. He drags himself to his knees, looking at me with wide eyes and an expression that asks, “Did you really just do that?”

His tail does this sassy flick and snap, so loud that it echoes off the cave walls like a round of applause.

Well, would you look at that? All three not-so-cuddly monsters collapse to the floor.

I stand there with my jaw agape and an arrow ready to fly, but my brain’s not sure what to do. Do I shoot? My aim isn’t that great. What if I hit Taccit by accident?

Drama quenched, Taccit glides over, hands raised oddly, palms facing himself. With a casual swipe, he bats aside my bow and wraps me in his warm, spicy embrace.

“You are safe, my Nika,” he says. His hands stroke over my hair, caressing my shoulders, back, and arms.

Being the emotional wreck that I am, tears well up and spill out. I can’t stop it. I’ve been through too much, and I hate crying like some princess that needs to be rescued.

“The monsters,” I say between sniffles. “They attacked you.”

“No harm will come to you, Nika. I promise,” he says. His voice is calm and comforting. “These drolvden are my pets. They were just trying to play with me. They have been locked out all night long and are unused to the separation.”

“Drolv... what?” The wolves were just trying to play with him?

“Drolvden,” he patiently repeats. “They’re my companions and guard my home. They will keep the frightful beasts at bay.”

I gape at him. “Are you saying these beasts are your pets?”

Struggling to process this madness, I gaze past him at the not-so-dead drolvden, which have now become sentient carpets, staring back with equal parts curiosity and judgment.

“I promise I will protect you, Nika. I will always stand between you and danger,” Taccit says, all chivalry and assurance. He speaks in such a confident manner that I don’t find myself doubting him.

“Come, let me introduce you,” he says. He holds his hand out to me.

I glance warily at his outstretched hand. Can I really trust him? Taking a deep breath, I place my hand in his. His skin is warm, and I can’t help but shiver as his calloused thumb brushes my knuckle.

I have to stretch my neck upward to see him clearly. His body radiates heat and his spicy scent envelops me like a comforting and safe cocoon. I breathe it in, seeking it, wanting it. I sway towards it.

One of the drolvden whines, and the tension between us breaks. I quickly step back, my gaze finding the ground rather than his eyes.

Taccit, however, doesn’t let go of my hand. Instead, he pulls me toward the beasts without warning. I attempt to dig my heels in, but stopping Taccit is like stopping a boulder rolling down a hill—nearly impossible.

He kneels before one of the monstrous creatures. Just as I assume he’ll force me to do the same, he surprises me by pulling me into his arms. This, however, places me right between him and the creatures I fear. I don’t even think twice about retreating into his embrace for safety.

It’s ironic that I seek his embrace for safety now; only a day ago, this guy tried to capture and keep me as his prisoner.

He captures my hands and guides them to his face. My eyes widen at the intimate position. He guides my fingers to cup his cheeks, to caress his jaws.

“I am placing my scent upon you so there can be no mistaking that you are mine,” he says. Why does that sound so dirty? I am weirdly flattered by his claim.

As my face grows warm, I bow my head once more, giving him permission to continue. Our fingers entwine in a move that, despite its simplicity, feels as intimate as a cinematic slow dance.

I bite my lip, trying not to squirm as our bodies press close together. Visions flicker through my mind of him wrapping his arms around me, pulling me close, pressing his lips to mine in a possessive kiss.

My surprised squeal pierces the air when he pushes my hand toward one of the wolves’ faces. Completely distracted by his closeness and alluring aroma, I’d managed to forget about the furry predators. But now, there’s no avoiding the fact that I am uncomfortably close to a beast I wouldn’t normally pet, even if you paid me money to do so.

“You are safe, Ariana. I will not allow anything to hurt you. Trust me,” he says. With his body acting as a protective shield around me, I know I can’t escape, and this is happening whether I want it to or not.

The drlovden sniffs our joined hands, and I nearly jump out of my skin when its tongue slips out and laps at us, the rough surface nearly as startling as the action.

“They recognize you. They know you are mine now,” Taccit’s breath tickles my neck as he speaks, his words feeling more erotic than anything at that moment. “You should pet them. Get them used to your touch,” he says. His hands find their way to my hips, holding me ever so gently. He lets me take the lead on my own volition without any pressure or prodding. A rush of gratitude washes over me as I lean against his reassuring presence. I somehow know that if something goes wrong, he will keep me safe. If I were alone, I would never be able to face this fear.

My hands quiver as I stretch them out towards the drolv. Nightmarish visions of gnashing teeth and excruciating pain fill my head. My heart races, and I can’t draw breath.

I can’t do this.

Just as I am about to yank my hand away in panic, the softest fur brushes against my fingertips. Gathering my courage, I push my fingers deeper into the fluff. Responding to my touch, the drolv wiggles ever so slightly before letting out the longest, most peaceful sigh. Its tail swishes back and forth.

A soft giggle wheezes through my lips. It’s an oversized puppy! The other two wiggle forward, and, despite myself, I am forced to admit it: these are basically just big ol’ space fluffballs.

Gaining confidence, I pat the creature with more enthusiasm, and its tail whips even faster as it revels in the newfound attention. Another drolv inches closer, and I jerk back so violently I send myself tumbling onto my behind. Instead of attacking, the furry creature scoots its head across the ground like a vacuum cleaner and nuzzles against my leg. It then looks up at me with those big, soulful eyes and almost seems to beg for attention.

I glance back at Taccit, who hovers nearby, gazing down at me with warm adoration.

Laughter bubbles out of me for the first time in what feels like forever. I feel lighter. If I can conquer these beasts that once filled my nightmares, then nothing can hold me back from living the life I desire.

It’ll be hard, I’m sure, but I can imagine myself living out here among the wilds—right next to this mysterious alien man.