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

Chapter 13

The last time I hunted this frequently was back when I was just a youngling. Back then, it took days and multiple hunting trips to actually catch anything. Now, I need to provide for two mouths. I fear I don’t have enough food stored to last us the entire bitter season.

An amused smile crosses my face as I consider the possibility of soon having three mouths to feed. My little Nika’s body has ripened, and her scent indicates that she might be nearing her fertile season. If I am a lucky male, she could be carrying our offspring by the time the bitter season ends.

Worst case scenario, we will undoubtedly enjoy many attempts at creating new life together.

With a snort, I refocus on my task. Walking around with an erection isn’t exactly comfortable. The distraction might cause me to lose my prey, wasting precious moments I could be spending with my mate.

My feet tread softly as I examine the leaves and soil, searching for animal tracks. This task would be simpler with drolvden and their keen sense of smell, but I decide to leave them guarding Ariana.

I find evidence of a drear passing through recently, stripping leaves from low-hanging branches. The creature’s trail is not hard to follow. As my familiarity with the beast grows, I can track it faster and faster. Its heavy imprints into the soft soil suggest an adult. Its hind leg is stiff and occasionally dragged, perhaps having been damaged from a fight. If it is a male, it most likely is old and has lost its territory to a younger male. If it has been injured, the hide will be damaged and would not serve to make Ariana decent clothing. I could use it, though, and the scraps would prove useful for various other projects. The abundant, tough meat would be perfect for storing and tenderizing in stews if we were to become snowbound.

I hurry after the creature, intent on the hunt. Nothing will stop me from bringing the beast down.

Except for that.

My steps halt, and my heart skips a beat at the sight of new tracks. They bear the unmistakable shape of human footprints, like the shoes my little mate wears to protect her delicate feet. Never have I seen humans venture this near to our home.

Could they be searching for Ariana? I thought they had given up their pursuit.

A cold dread seeps through my clothing and chills me to the bone. Would Ariana abandon me in favor of her own people if they presented her with the opportunity?

Recalling our conversation from a previous day, she shared that humans choose their mates, but she never explicitly chose me.

These men, threatening our home and Ariana, will find me a formidable opponent. They will not find it so easy to bring me to my knees. However, Ariana has the power to utterly destroy me if she decides to leave willingly. Her loss would undoubtedly be my downfall. I wouldn’t survive.

She wouldn’t leave me, would she? Hunting is now the furthest thing from my mind. I need to find Ariana. I need to know she is safe. I must confirm that she is at our home where I left her. She needs to know that she is mine, that she belongs to me and me alone. I will not share her.

I sprint towards our dwelling, abandoning any semblance of subtlety. Leaves and mud fly up in my wake, splattering against my legs and leaving a clear trail behind. Ducking branches and leaping over boulders and logs with powerful strides, the forest’s obstacles don’t slow me down.

My pace is relentless as I push myself beyond my limits just to know Ariana is alright. I long to lay my eyes on her, to take her into my arms.

When our home finally comes into view, I am nearly breathless, my heart pounding so powerfully that it feels like it might burst from my chest. Gasping for air, I search for her.

She isn’t in the clearing in front of the cave where she likes to sit during the day. She isn’t perfecting her aim with her weapon.

Panic sets in as I glance around wildly, searching for the smallest sign of her presence. My hands twitch, yearning to pull her close and breathe in her comforting scent. Only she can calm me down, pull me back from the madness of being alone.

Stumbling up the path towards the cave, my feet feel almost numb. Somehow I manage to kick almost every rock on the path, tumbling like a youngling just learning to walk. Fear threatens to overwhelm me. I shouldn’t be this affected, this afraid. Yet all I can think of is discovering that Ariana has left me. I can’t go back to that lonely existence, days passing by merely because the world will keep spinning without me.

With trembling hands, I push open the door to the cave.

She’s not here.

The fire has died down, embers barely smoldering. The bed furs are neatly made, untouched.

“Ariana!” I scream, the sound tearing through my throat.

I need her.

I need her to live. Without my mate, existence is utterly meaningless. More so than the days before I met Ariana. For at least then I had some semblance of hope that I would one day be happy.

On the verge of despair, I cry out my pet name for her, “Nika!”

My mind races while considering where she could be. My only consolation is the absence of any other scents in the area, giving me hope that no one has taken her away from me. Such a small thing, she would be easily dragged off. Even the males of her species would be able to carry her away.

My drolvden hear my pleas, and their answering howls bring a glimmer of sanity back to my frayed nerves. With renewed hope, I rush to the garden—her garden.

“Taccit?” Ariana’s eyes grow wide as I storm into the clearing. She drops the little shovel she is using and springs to her feet, moving towards me.

I gather her into my arms, embracing her tightly against my chest. Burying my nose in her hair, I inhale her calming scent. “Why did you leave the cave?” I demand, pushing her back and holding her at arm’s length. “I told you not to leave without me!”

“I just wanted to do some gardening. My plants need to be—”

“I don’t care!” I roar.

She flinches back from me. Immediately, guilt washes over me. Yet, I can’t help but reiterate, “I told you that you’re not allowed to leave the cave.”

Ariana’s face momentarily goes pale, but soon enough she raises her chin, defiant. “I’ve been coming to my garden for days, and you’ve never had an issue with it before.”

Despite the circumstances, I’m proud of her. There was once a time when she shied away from me. But she doesn’t realize that now is not the time to fight me. She doesn’t realize the danger she’s in or that she could be taken from me. In a panic, I say, “I said no, Ariana. No more! You will stay in the cave and not leave until I give you permission.”

Ariana attempts to extricate herself from my grasp, but I won’t allow it. If she tries to run from my sight, she might run straight into danger. She needs to be protected. My tail reflexively snaps out and wraps around her wrist, dragging her closer.

“I’m allowed to do what I want, Taccit. You can’t control me.” Her anger is evident. “First, you declared us married without even asking me! And now, you want to tell me what I can and can’t do. You can’t do this!”

“I will keep you safe,” I say. “You are my mate.”

“Well, maybe I don’t want to be!”

The clearing is silent. None of us move.

Ariana’s face crumples, and she looks at me with such a desolate expression that it breaks my heart.

If only I could find the right words to help her understand, she might not be so upset. I’m sure she didn’t mean those words... right?

I sigh, knowing a long and overdue conversation is ahead of us. If I have to take precautions to keep my mate safe and unharmed, then I will do so. If she finds faults with my methods, then so be it. As long as she is safe.

“Come, let’s go back to the cave.”

“Can we pick some fruits first?” she asks timidly.

I glance around her small garden, assessing the trees. We harvested most of the ripe fruit the previous day, and whatever is left isn’t ready to be picked yet. It pains me to deny my little mate something she clearly wants, but I have no choice. Eating the fruit before it’s ripe could cause her to sicken.

“No,” I say firmly.

Ariana flinches but remains silent.

I want to comfort her, but as I step closer, she withdraws from my touch.

Taking in my surroundings, I remember why I rushed back to Ariana’s side in the first place—the human hunter’s footprints. The thought of them lurking nearby in my territory, just out of sight, has my hands clenching. A primal urge to protect my mate consumes me, the need to chase away others that might want to take her from me—an instinct as old as time that I have no intention of denying.

“We will go inside. Now.” I feel the unrelenting gaze of hidden eyes from behind the trees and within the foliage. No matter where I look, I see imagined faces staring back at me. I’m aware of my growing paranoia, but isn’t it natural for a newly mated male to become protective of his partner?

Ariana gives a nod, and with a swift gesture of her wrist, she signals me to take the lead. I would prefer to have her within my sight at all times, but her lack of stealth assures me that she remains close behind. If she wants me to lead, I am honored to fulfill that role. I’m more than willing to face any dangers or obstacles on her behalf, clearing a safe path for her to follow.

Yet, the underlying fears within me continue to grow. It’s clear that Ariana is unhappy with me. Despite everything I have done to ensure she is provided for, I can’t help but wonder if she would choose her own people over me.

* * *

I hurt Ariana,and I despise myself for it. Ever since I discovered her in the garden, the once-enticing fragrance she emanates has become tinged with fear and anger. The shift in her demeanor disturbs me to my core.

Over the previous days and nights, Ariana willingly shared her time and affection with me. We even found pleasure in one another’s company. It was a pleasure to bring her to ecstasy. She even approached me during the long, dark nights. Now, however, she remains distant, maintaining a physical and emotional boundary between us.

Attempts at conversation are met with evasion. Every time I try to talk to her, Ariana shyly backs away from me. She wants nothing to do with my explanations. What she doesn’t realize is how crucial her safety is to me.

To make amends, I want to properly court Ariana, as is customary in her culture. She explained this tradition to me one night when she couldn’t sleep. How could I have been so foolish as to demand so much from her so quickly? My little mate knows nothing of my people or our ways. She doesn’t feel the same pull that I do. I know that now.

She mentioned once that her tribe celebrates the joining of partners with the exchange of meaningful gifts. She talked about metal rings, but I lack the skill to create something so fine.

I decide to find a gift that truly embodies the depth of my love for her, something she will cherish. I remember the way Ariana’s eyes sparkled when she first saw Melvall’s beautiful stone. I used to think his gem collecting was a bit absurd, but now I consider him a genius.

Indeed, a stunning stone would make the perfect gift. Many people in her community spend their time exploring caves and mines in search of these precious gems—clearly, the stones hold great value to them.

“Stay here. Don’t leave the cave,” I say. I can’t risk Ariana leaving the cave, especially not with the hunters around. She will not succumb to curiosity and venture out.

I won’t be gone long. Just long enough to retrieve the gift.

I will keep an eye out for any tracks and deal with any threats accordingly. Ariana will never have to fear for her safety while I am around. She will never need to fear the males that hunt her. I will confront each danger head-on and act as the warrior I was raised to be.

I sweep from the cave, calling my drolvden after me. I pause only to look back one last time to see Ariana resting in our bed, clutching the furs to her delicate frame. Her wide, innocent eyes follow my movements closely, revealing her vulnerability. Moving forward, I vow to be even more vigilant in my pursuit of potential threats, both from humans, the other tribes, and from beasts. Nothing will be allowed to harm my mate.

I maintain a swift pace as I leave the cave, pushing myself as much as I can without completely exhausting myself. My plan is to get to the river—to trade with Melvall—and back as soon as possible. I don’t want Ariana to become fearful while she is alone.

I’m not far from the cave when I come across human tracks. The footprints are left in the soft soil of the creek’s bank, as if several individuals have gathered here. I wonder, were they filling up their water skins?

I lean closer to examine them, trying to determine their age. The creek’s proximity to the river means that it will be affected by the river’s tides. The footprints closest to the creek are filled with tiny puddles of water, and as I watch, small waves lap at them. The water level on the bank is low, so these footprints must have been made quite recently.

There are humans in the area.

They are close.

I raise my nose and sniff, searching for any unfamiliar scents that do not belong in my territory. The odors that assail my nose are repugnant enough to make me want to sneeze. There are too many to pinpoint a single source, but the situation is clear enough.

“Well, lookie here, boys. I don’t think hunting has ever been so easy when the prey comes right to you.”

I close my eyes in dismay. How could I have let the humans sneak up on me? I considered them as mere bothersome pests, posing a small threat to my mate. It appears I have underestimated them.

I rise slowly, avoiding any sudden movements. There is a chance that they do not want to fight, given that they have made their presence known. If I were hunting an enemy, I would use every advantage at my disposal to eliminate them successfully.

Six men enter the area and surround me. Each moves with a quiet, confident step that reveals they are experienced hunters. Their positioning effectively traps me against the edge of the creek, my back against the water, leaving me with no hope of escape considering its depth.

Their attire is similar to what my Ariana wore when we first met: long pants, jackets over form-fitting shirts, and thick, heavy boots. Each piece of clothing is made from a dark fabric that clings to their bodies more closely than anything I could ever weave. Could these garments be traditional among her people? The human males may be small, but each one of them holds an object pointed in my direction with a clear threat. These devices fit snugly into their hands, and I can hear a faint hum emanating from them. I have seen humans wielding these weapons before—Ariana called them laser pistols. I know from experience that they are far more dangerous than they appear, akin to a hidden, sharp blade. The urge to fight, to charge at my foes, surges within me, but even I must admit that there are too many men for me to combat alone. For now, I treat them with the cautious respect befitting predators. It will not take much for them to realize that I am the one who should be feared in this situation.

I quietly scoff at the situation. Some of them are wiser than others and smell of fear. After all, it has taken two handfuls of human warriors to capture just one of me. Just how long do they expect me to stay a captive?

One of the men steps forward, and my attention rivets to him. Unlike some of his comrades, his footsteps crunch on the branches and rocks beneath him, the shiny shoes ill-suited for walking through dense greenery. This man doesn’t belong here.

“You have no idea how long it’s taken me to track you down,” he says. “How much of my time you’ve wasted.”

He runs a hand through his hair, pushing back a loose, dark strand. Some hair product makes his hair cling unnaturally to his head, not even stirred by the gentle breeze. He looks out of place in this environment.

“My name is Walter Sullivan.” He tucks his hands into his pants, and my eyes follow cautiously. Is he hiding a weapon, or is he foolish enough to imprison his hands in a potential fight?

None of us move. Everyone in the clearing stands still, waiting. I watch him, ready for whatever excuse he has for trespassing in my territory. He observes me with an inflated sense of self-importance.

A bright red crimsonthorn water bug takes flight from the creek’s surface, zooming between us. Usually harmless, it flies straight for Walter, curious about the stranger. Walter retreats from the bug, eyes widening in alarm. His hand emerges from his pocket, swatting the air around his face with a grimace.

I repress a laugh at his terrible aim. If he had lived here in the area long enough, he would know the crimsonthorn water bugs are harmless.

Fleeting moments pass, and the bug flies towards one of the other men stationed behind Walter. He doesn’t bother shooing it away when it lands on his shoulder, eyes still locked on me. I see his other hand gripping a metal rod at his side, his fingers flexing when he notices my gaze.

This is one that I must be wary of. A real warrior. Not this Walter Sullivan.

“You can speak. You aren’t the only one with a translator. Let”s get this over with; I’ve spent too much time out here in this barbaric place.” Walter practically spits the final words, his lips curling with disgust. My focus returns to him as he points toward me, calling, ”You beast!”

My body twitches at the insult, but I hold my position. I resist the urge to reach out and grab hold of the offending finger that hovers in the air in front of my face, wishing to snap it in two.

Breathing deeply to try and calm my nerves, I’m reassured that the scent of fear has increased the longer these men are in my presence.

“You’ve encroached on our lands. You’ve taken my woman. Hand over Ariana, leave, and we’ll let you live.”

“Ariana is my mate,” I say, baring my teeth at the foolish man. This is definitely not one of the human smiles. “I’ll never give her up.”

His face goes pale, retreating as if struck by my words. “Mate? You actually fucked her?”

I take a menacing step forward. The whites of Walter’s eyes show.

A hunter steps up beside Walter, hoisting his metal stick higher in preparation. Walter manages to recover his composure, bolstered by the presence of his companion.

“We just need her. We don’t need him,” the hunter mutters under his breath. I tilt my head, puzzled by the comment. Surely the humans must know that I can hear their voices from this distance? Is their hearing truly that weak? No wonder Ariana startles so easily when I return to her; she never hears me approaching.

“If she’s dead, we need her body to take back,” the same man whispers to Walter.

I barely suppress a growl, disliking the way the human men show so little concern for my mate’s welfare.

Taking a deep breath, Walter straightens up and adjusts his shirt, smoothing the fabric against his gaunt frame. “Last chance, beast, hand over the female.”

I let out a dry, bitter laugh. “You are fools if you think I will ever willingly just hand over the one I love. If you want her, you need to demand a formal challenge.”

I am not a beast, despite what Walter may think. My people have laws and traditions that are unforgivable to break. If this man believes he has a better claim on my Ariana, then I must recognize it. The only way he will ever get Ariana from me is through a formal mating challenge—and over my dead body.

The only downside is that I have no support from my own tribe in case he is a sore loser. He has far more friends than I do, and a part of me fears how they will behave should they lose in a fair fight.

Walter glares at me, hatred dripping from his eyes. He scrutinizes me, and I tense my muscles in anticipation of a fight, showing him the threat that I pose. He would be a fool to challenge me.

“Fuck it. Kill him.”

My eyes widen in shock. I had expected a sore loser, but a male with no honor at all? He would send his soldiers against me, without even raising his own hand in the fight?

Panicking, I scramble to grab my axe from my tail’s grip. The man beside Walter rushes toward me with a cry. The tip of his weapon suddenly glows blue, sending small zaps of lightning from its end. He raises the weapon high in the air and brings it down in an arc.

I deftly dodge the attack, taking advantage of the opening to move away. The weapon swooshes past my chest, the rush of air against my skin indicating just how close I am to getting hit.

Before I have a chance to react, a second man attacks me. I grip the handle of my axe just in time to block his blow. Despite his smaller size, the impact sends a vibration through my arm. I curse as I nearly lose my grip and drop my weapon.

Meanwhile, the first man regains his balance and swipes toward me with the tip of his lightning weapon. I know all too well the pain these weapons can inflict and how they can hinder my body’s movement. If it touches me, it’ll all be over.

I quickly shove the second man off balance and parry the first man’s attack. Better prepared, I kick him as his attack misses, causing him to slip in the mud at my feet.

I raise my axe, and the man’s eyes widen in fear. I’ll show no mercy for one without honor.

Suddenly, my body jolts backward as something hits my shoulder with surprising force. I glance at the wound and see my flesh blistering around the hole. A small tendril of smoke drifts up from my skin as blisters quickly form around the wound. The pain is slow in coming, but once it does, it’s significant. I roar at the burn that restricts my muscles from moving. My flesh feels like it’s on fire, but I refuse to drop my axe.

Somewhere in the distance, my drolvden howl, signaling their return, but they’re too far away to help me in this fight. No doubt they heard the commotion, and now my roar. I worry for their safety. If these humans wield such powerful weapons, these laser pistols, I am not sure I want my drolvden to become targets.

I spin to face the shooter in time for a bright flash to fill my vision. I am hit squarely in the chest, causing me to stumble back and into the cold stream.

The world tilts as searing pain hits my side. And then another. The warriors with the metal rods stand over me, jabbing me relentlessly. My vision starts to blur from the lightning shocks, and I struggle to stay upright.

“Oh, just die already!” Walter says, grinning maliciously as he stands behind his warriors.

He leads them. If I can just get to him, they will surely disband. My Ariana will be safe. Desperately, I try to crawl out of the water onto solid ground, tearing up plants in the process. But I can’t seem to pull myself out of the water.

Furious, I roar. My axe is long gone.

Walter looks down at me disdainfully as I cling to the creek bank. “It’s a shame you wouldn’t give up the female,” he says as he walks toward me. “You would have made a good soldier. Maybe Earth can find a use for your kind in the future.”

With a casual shrug, he places the toe of his boot against my forehead. “Good riddance to this trash.”

I plunge into the water, its cold embrace enveloping me and pulling me deeper into the darkness.

How has my life come to this? I have just found my Ariana. I finally have something to look forward to. But it’s all being ripped away from me. Even worse, I’m leaving my mate vulnerable without my protection. I won’t be there to save her.