Chapter 4
Luna moaned and struggled to sit up in bed. Her abdomen was really hurting. Given the location of the bandage, she suspected they’d removed her liver, gall bladder, or maybe her pancreas. How long would the lab-grown replacement last?
She finally managed to sit up against the pillows. Wincing, she reached for a cup of water. After taking a long drink, she set the cup down and gazed out the window. Morning had arrived. Would Balarr come for her soon?
Her stomach gave a sudden growl, and she glanced at the clock. Hm. It was a few minutes past the time breakfast was usually delivered.
A strange noise in the hallway reached her—an abrupt gasp followed by rapid footsteps. Then the lights started flashing red and an ear-piercing alarm blared. But just as quickly as it started, it stopped. She heard more people running by her door, as well as a few distant shouts.
Though she was curious about whatever was happening, she didn’t think she had the strength to get out of bed. Not until a nurse arrived with more pain medication. She prayed they gave her something strong. She blinked back tears and tried not to feel sorry for herself, but it wasn’t easy.
She was in so much pain, and she was so fucking lonely. While some of the nurses and doctors were nice to her, they were still complicit in her captivity. She was suffering medical abuse at their hands. They weren’t her friends. In this dark place she had no one.
She suspected the emails she’d sent to old friends and several senators had somehow been intercepted. The VAMOB program was her only hope.
Balarr was her only hope.
If he rescued her from this terrible place and helped her obtain the medical care she needed—whatever treatments might help her lab-grown organs remain strong—she resolved that she would be a good wife to him.
Even if she somehow managed to escape this facility on her own, there was nothing left on Earth for her.
An only child, her parents had died during a rebel attack on their hometown when she was seventeen.
She didn’t have any living relatives. Even if she thought she could reach a friend who might take her in, she didn’t want to be a burden.
But perhaps she needed Balarr as much as he needed her.
In the aftermath of a brutal war, his people needed females so they could increase their population, and she assumed that meant he would want to impregnate her as quickly as possible.
Despite the pain shooting through her chest, a spasm of warmth afflicted her at the thought of being bedded by a huge Vaxxlian warrior.
Still curious about whatever had set the alarm off briefly, Luna tried to peer out the small window at the top of the door, but she couldn’t see much. With a defeated sigh, she sank back against the pillows.
Heavy footsteps approached her door, and her stomach clenched. It sounded like someone was in a hurry to reach her room. One of the doctors? She hoped it wasn’t the mean, white-haired doctor who tended to shout at her.
She stared at the door, bracing herself to be strong. But when the door burst open, it wasn’t a doctor or a nurse. Nor was it the person who usually delivered her meals.
Instead, a huge Vaxxlian warrior stood in the doorway.
His green eyes met hers, and she instantly shrank back at how livid he looked.
She gulped past the sudden dryness in her throat.
Was he angry that she’d applied for the VAMOB program?
She knew she didn’t appear very healthy.
As much pain as she was in, just walking out of this place would prove a challenge.
Once he realized the state of her health, would he leave her behind on Earth?
She studied the alien male, stunned by his massive size and his rugged beauty. Well over seven feet tall, he had broad shoulders and legs like tree trunks. He wore an all-black outfit, and the material clung to his body, accentuating his muscles.
She’d never seen a male so large and powerful before, and she couldn’t help but pull the blanket higher over her body.
She hadn’t expected her Vaxxlian mate to look so… terrifying.
But he’d obviously fought his way to her. She recalled her failed escape attempts. He must’ve taken out dozens of guards just to reach her. She tried to push away her sudden doubts about him, including her fear.
He was a large male from a race of alien warriors. Perhaps he couldn’t help how scary he looked.
He entered her room and slowly walked to her bedside. Some of the anger left his eyes, and his features softened just enough that she was able to take her first full breath since he’d appeared in the doorway.
“My name is Balarr,” he said in a deep, rumbling tone, using Galactic Common. “Are you Luna?”
“Hello, Balarr,” she replied, also in Galactic Common. “Yes, I am Luna.”
His gaze swept up and down her body, and his nostrils flared as he took a deep inhale. “You are hurt, aren’t you?” The concern in his eyes deepened.
“Um, you could say that.” She glanced out the open door, but thankfully, there was no one in sight. He really must’ve taken out all the guards. Had he killed any of them? She shuddered at the thought, then her eyes widened when she noticed the weapons affixed to his waistband.
Balarr kneeled beside her, reached for the blanket, then gently pulled it down her body.
She allowed him to uncover her. A quick glance down showed she’d bled through her bandage.
There was a large splotch of red on her shirt.
God, no wonder she was in so much pain. Perhaps she’d rolled around too much in her sleep and caused the stitches to tear open.
“I want to be completely honest with you, Balarr.” She met his vibrant green eyes.
“This place—Zalora Biotech—is a government-funded organ-harvesting facility. I’ve been here for two years, and I’m being held against my will.
During the past two years, they’ve stolen five of my organs and replaced them with inferior lab-grown organs that will eventually fail.
” She watched his expression carefully, and to her relief, he continued gazing at her with a look of concern.
Seconds later, however, his entire body tensed, and his visage turned murderous. A steady growl rumbled from his throat. She drew back and lowered her head, wishing the blanket was still covering her.
Oh God. What if she was too defective to claim as a mate?
What if his people didn’t possess the medical technology needed to save her?
He’d signed up for the VAMOB program because he needed a human female who would give him children.
If she couldn’t do that, she wouldn’t blame him for rejecting her, but oh how she hoped they could work something out.
She prayed that even if he rejected her, he still helped her escape this facility.
“Who took your organs, Luna?” Balarr eventually asked, his voice tight. “Give me their names and I will vanquish them from this life.”
Surprise rushed through her. She hadn’t expected him to want to go on a murderous rampage on her behalf. Maybe… maybe it meant he still wanted her.
She shrugged one shoulder. “I-I couldn’t tell you all their names. I never remember much when it happens.” She glanced at the blood on her shirt. “This time, I don’t even remember them coming for me. I just awoke yesterday morning feeling confused and sore.”
His nostrils flared again, and he issued what sounded like a curse in his native Vaxxlian under his breath. “I must get you to my ship immediately. I must tend to your injuries.” He gently scooped her into his arms and stood up, holding her as though she weighed nothing.
Luna marveled at how tenderly he was treating her. She’d barely felt any pain as he’d lifted her from the bed. Her throat burned because she relished the closeness of his warm, solid body. She hadn’t been held by anyone in a long time.
She tried to thank him, but her throat was burning too much for her to speak, so she leaned her head against his chest and savored the feeling of safety that he’d surrounded her with.
Please let this work.