MINE! [New World Book 8] (3 page)

But why would the replicator have chocolate?

Tonans weren’t known for kindness. It didn’t matter. Survival was the number one priority. The six men and she went from planet to planet finding what they needed to survive. Some planets were more hospitable than others. Inhabitants were watched first for signs of hostility. The edgy intense feeling in her guts told her to get out while she could. The next room she gave only a brief glance, it was, for the most part, empty. A mystery. Becky walked back to the replicator letting her hands rest on the square object. She decided she could watch the shuttle from outside. It would be easy to detect a Tonan warrior. Tonans wore form fitting grey pants with no shoes or socks or most importantly no shirts. They were without nipples, a dead giveaway.

Who the fuck has no nipples?

For a brief second she lingered, wondering if she should grab serviceable garments while she had the chance. Her clothes were clean but threadbare and torn. A thud on the outside of the shuttle made her decision for her; the noise was too close to the door, barring her escape. Becky ran to what had appeared to be an empty room and saw she missed a single bed in her hasty first scan. She dove under and pressed back against the cool wall. She tucked her legs as close to her chest as possible trying to make herself smaller. A hand pressed to her mouth to try and cover the sound of her frantic breaths.

The vessel rocked, she presumed when whatever entered jumped aboard. She heard a strange hiss then silence for a moment. The padding of feet as the occupant went from room to room could be heard. Goose bumps dotted her arms, from her position she couldn’t see anyone. A fine bead of sweat trailed lazily down her temple. It wasn’t long before two bare feet stopped by the bed. Grey form-fitting pants hugged ankles and calves. Becky swallowed hard as her heart hammered.

A Tonan warrior.

Thump thump,
pounded in her ears. Knowing she was as good as dead if she didn’t act fast, Becky scooted down the length of the bed on the floor. As soon as she reached the end she shot to her feet and bolted. Around the corner she skidded, the worn rubber of her soles squealing out a protest. The Tonan, if he followed, was unhurried. Becky discovered why. Her eyes widened in disbelief as she stopped dead in her tracks. Without even feeling the shuttle move, space stared back at her from the window. They were no longer on the planet. She was trapped. More goose bumps peppered her arms. Tonan warriors had long talons on each hand. Talons that could be rammed into tender flesh, ripping internal organs. It was only a matter of time.

As if in a dream, she turned; the breath she held expelled in a whoosh. Her gaze settled onto the warrior’s bare chest, void of nipples, and rose higher. The alien wasn’t shielded. He was the biggest male Becky had ever seen. Ebony short dark hair caressed his ears and curled in wisps at the top and sides. Glacial blue eyes bore into her. His face had the slightest hint of a shadow but was bare of hair. Dark, perfect eyebrows graced his sculpted features.

She was told Tonans and Castian warriors were hot as sin, with the Tonans being deadly. The grey form-fitting pants were a dead giveaway, Tonan colors. Death was staring her in the face, or worse. The bastard was grinning at her with pure white perfect teeth surrounded by full pink lips. No doubt waiting for her to cower and shake and beg for her life.

This girl begs for nothing.

The scowl crept across her features as her eyes narrowed. Without further thought she strode to him and shoved her finger into his rock hard chest looking way up into his face.

Fuck me, he’s a huge ass bastard.

“You’re gonna turn this tank around and take me back right now or you’ll be sorry, Tonan,” she said in her most menacing tone. She wanted him to understand she knew exactly what and who he was and she wasn’t afraid.

“Or what, little human female of childbearing years?”

He sounded amused and Becky tried not to swallow hard, cringing.
Child bearing years.
The warrior took her hand in his and pulled her close. Becky gripped his wrist, took a deep breath and yelled a war cry and flipped the stunned bastard onto his ass.

Holy fucking heaviest creep in the world.

Huck lay at her feet, eyes wide, as the female scooted back.
What the fuck happened?
He jumped up and shook his back and shoulders. He was by no means hurt, but stunned as hell. For a second he thought there must be another person on board who had actually tossed him, but no, they were alone. The female was glaring at him with big brown, dry eyes, not crying and cowering as he assumed she would be. She did clutch a wrist to her chest for a split second before taking a stance. She was as little as every human female he had seen, but her posture was different.

All females Huck encountered bowed their heads or backs in a submissive side gesture, hands splayed. They didn’t stand ramrod straight like this, chin raised in open defiance, an elbow tucked near her side sporting a fist, the other stretched out and also fisted. Did she think to topple him again? An odd female to be sure. Her features were filled with outrage. Smug outrage. She should be terrified. She was
supposed
to be scared shitless of him. She
would
cower. It was for her own good and it would make Huck feel better. He was a huge warrior after all and she was, well, she was female.

“Your name, female.”

“Becky fucking ass kicker.”

“Interesting and long. I presume Becky is the most believable. You took me by surprise, it won’t happen again. You should be afraid.”

“Yeah, cupcake. I’ll get right on that.” She tossed her long dark hair back with a raised fist.

Huck blinked.
Cupcake? A sickly sweet treat? Me?
Her sneer was derogatory. “Don’t call me cupcake.”

The female was breathing heavily but Huck scented minimal fear. Him lying on his ass feeling stupid hadn’t been picture perfect. Her fists were now waving in the air in front of her as she did some odd duck dance. The female now assumed she could best him. She would think again. Huck called up his shield.

“Holy fuck,” Becky screamed and took a step back.

That’s right human female, be afraid, little ass kicker, I’m a bigger ass kicker.

“Oh, my God, are you ever ugly.”

Huh?

“You’re not just ugly, you’re U-G-L-Y. Butt fuck ugly, nasty bad ugly. Shit ugly. I bet when you were born the doctor slapped your mother.”

“We don’t have doctors, why would anything hit me? The baby shield wouldn’t have allowed it,” Huck replied confused.

“I bet your mom said, ‘what a treasure,’ and your dad said, ‘fucking bury it.’”

Huck growled,
that
was something he understood, the female was being insulting. Rudeness, to a Tonan warrior? Blatant open insolent remarks would not be tolerated, especially since this was
his
female. Becky fucking ass kicker would need a new name. He grabbed her by the throat and she squealed in terror when he lifted her effortlessly to her toes.

“That’s right human female, cower from me,
cow-er.”

“For the love of God, turn me around. I don’t want to be looking at something so ugly when I die, my last image will taint heaven.” Her words were suppressed slightly but understandable.

“I demand you be afraid of me,” Huck boomed and hefted her higher.

“Yeah, I’ll get right on that, cupcake.”

“Don’t call me cupcake,” Huck grouched. For a moment she was completely off her feet and turning color.

Mustn’t kill a presumed mate, human females are hard to find.
His shield had a point.

The female had her hands together thrusting up under his arms in a manner that made holding her hard. Huck dropped her and she landed in a heap at his feet. She stuck two legs out to wrap around his ankles and jerked, then groaned. Huck dropped his shield and squatted on the balls of his feet. He scratched his head in confusion.

“I’ve seen dogs do this to humans. Is it some ritual of submission?”

“I’m not humping you, ass hat. You should be on your butt right now. Damn, you’re heavy,” she said and groaned.

“We will mate now. Remove your clothes. Prepare yourself, I’m huge.” Huck said.

“Go fuck yourself.”

“I can’t mate me.” Huck blinked. “My luck, I get a stupid female. You’re lucky, you’re cute and I’m out of time or I’d find another.”

“With your charm, I’m certain women will be falling all over you. All but me.”

Becky kicked at his shin, groaned as she made contact, and jumped to her feet and fled for the room deemed captive quarters, her one foot now limped. Huck stood and followed. Perhaps he shouldn’t have mentioned he was huge, a slight oversight on his part, she’d find out soon enough. She was paused at a wall, her breath was frantic. When she turned he was prepared for tears. Her face was screwed into a snarling growl.

Huck scrunched his nose. “Not a good look on you, female. I’d guess something crawled up your ass and died.”

“Take—me—back.”

“No.”

Huck wasn’t prepared for defiance. She should be crying and begging him to be gentle. Cobra would know if he took her by force. This situation was a dilemma. He could be gentle but she wasn’t asking him to be, she was demanding to be returned to the pidly human males. Five of whom handed her over on a silver platter.

“They left the planet without you,” he stated. “The human males. They took off. Even if you’re returned you would have no one.”

“Back.” She stomped her foot and pointed behind him.

Huck strode to the controls grumbling. This venture wasn’t supposed to be so hard. Part of his plan involved the female letting him mate immediately. The longer he stayed out roaming the galaxies the faster were his chances of being noticed by rogue Tonan. If he was caught and they saw no tail he’d be in deep shit. If he was caught with a female it would mean their death. The shuttle should already be on its way to Cobra’s. He couldn’t go to Cobra unless he mated her.

Huck could see her image reflected back through the window when he looked up. Huck shifted slightly to face her. Insolence stared back. He couldn’t force her; he couldn’t remain where they were. Drastic measures were called for.
We must mate.

“You leave me no choice. I’m pressed for time now that I have a human female.”

Huck turned, his fingers flying over the console. The shuttle had been hovering in space and took off. Becky was tossed backward and landed against a wall with a thump.

“Where the hell are you taking me?” she demanded.

“A place so deadly you’ll be screaming for me to save you and mate with me. You’ll beg to do as I say.”

“Not fucking likely,
cupcake.”

Huck growled. “Don’t call me cupcake.”

Becky slumped into a sitting position with her knees drawn up. Huck went and crouched before her.

“I owe you nothing, female. Not at this very moment in time,” he said. “Not even life. As my mate you will be protected. Trust me; the most protection from me is me. There is nothing more frightening in the universe.”

He blinked when she stuck her tongue out at him and crossed her eyes. Huck had no idea humans could look so strange. He stood and sauntered over to the window and when she ignored him he stuck his tongue out. Huck almost laughed at his reflection. The strange face held no purpose except to annoy.

What was a real annoyance was the throbbing in his cock. Being around a female brought on urges while in must. He could have had her twice in the time they were in the air. Instead, she was using her tongue inappropriately. Wet, and warm her tongue should be gliding over him. A female had sucked his cock before. Huck knew what sex was.

When human females were discovered and Cobra moved heaven and earth to break free and find mates for his warriors, Huck knew immediately who would win the war. Cobra, Castian leader, was on a mission. Huck’s planning had to be perfect. For years, he bided his time getting to know strategies, opponents, allies and enemies. Weakness and strength. Everything pointed to Cobra being the victor. Chaos loomed during battle a few months prior and Huck took off during the midst of a skirmish. He was no traitor, Tonans weren’t loyal. It was ludicrous for a Tonan captain to demand allegiance.
Cobra
would demand loyalty.

Stupid loyalty.

Too many emotions were necessary to join with Cobra, and Huck still wasn’t positive he could fit in. For months he and his shield fought pros and cons. Worse was if he mated, he’d be stuck with a stupid female who tasted air with her tongue. Huck glanced at Becky. She was staring at the ceiling. Huck glanced up, there was nothing there. He and his shield didn’t plan on her disobeying, that point had never come up. All human females Huck encountered were terrified and begged to do as they were told. Granted, they were beaten into submission by other warriors. Huck never needed to raise his hand, his size alone brought compliance.

He glanced back at Becky ass kicker. The words made him groan. There was no need to beat her; something nagged within that physical violence wouldn’t be tolerated with Cobra toward females. Regardless, if he touched her in anger, she would be damaged. Mating with a damaged female wouldn’t bring about the best results.

She must be terrified of him, or come to him when terrified of something else. Huck shook his head;
nothing out there is scarier than me
. That was what the other human females thought. When they feared him or another warrior, they complied immediately to every demand. Huck never demanded sex; the other females were injured or used enough. After the last female on board their vessel was killed, Huck was furious. She was innocent, the scent was unmistakable. So unmistakable the captain killed her for sport before Huck could even blink. It was then Huck realized he couldn’t fight an entire ship of Tonan warriors for a single female. As the human innocent fell to the ground amidst warrior laughter, Huck knew he witnessed the death of a race. Evil Tonan warriors were near their demise. The human female growling under her breath in his shuttle was Huck’s salvation—if he could control his evil half’s tendencies.