Table of Contents

Title Page

Copyright

THE WORLD OF OUTLAW PLANET MATES

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Epilogue

Author Note

More Outlaw Planet Mates

Alien's Surrender

A Sci-Fi Alien Romance

By

Harper Rosling

Copyright © 2023 by Harper Rosling

Cover by Kasmit Covers

Edited by Picky Cat Editing

All rights are reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher, except for the use of brief quotations in book reviews.

This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are fictitious or have been used fictitiously, and are not to be construed as real in any way. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locales, or organizations is entirely coincidental.

THE WORLD OF OUTLAW PLANET MATES

Reazus Prime is a hard planet. Once a prison, it was abandoned once the mines dried up and the Overlords could no longer turn a profit off the prisoners. Now it's a haven for outlaws, pirates, and anyone holding a grudge against authority.

It's isolated, alone, and the only ships coming are the worst sort. One such ship carrying a cargo of abducted human women, explodes in orbit. A lucky few were ejected in pods, only to crash on the outlaw planet.

Now the race is on to find and claim the human females.

Chapter One

Becky Ann

B right light burned into my eyelids while my head pounded as if I'd been on a three-week bender. That couldn't be right though. I hadn't a drop of alcohol since Pap's wake three months ago. Turning on my side brought me up short as my nose pushed into a hard flat surface. At least the light wasn't as bright.

An orange light flashed, burning into my retinas, as I cracked my eyes open slightly. My eyelids closed in self-defense against the irritating flickering. A groan escaped as the pounding of my head made itself known. Deep, throbbing slashes of pain pierced my brain. All I wanted to do was sink back into the anonymity of sleep, but that wasn't happening anytime soon.

I opened my eyes again, the flashing orange light not quite as sharp as it was a moment ago. It seemed to be fading as I tried to take in what my eyes were seeing. My face was pressed up against a control panel of some kind with all kinds of lights flickering on and off even as the orange light faded. It made no sense to my sluggish brain.

Rolling onto my back, I lifted my hand to the pounding of my head, only to come up short as it hit something solid above my head. Sunlight faded as clouds obscured it for a moment, even as the rays of the double suns glinted against the clear dome above my head. Understanding was slow to dawn as my brain caught up to what I was seeing. Two suns.

High in the sky above, burned two suns with a blue cast to them. Pinkish clouds played hide-and-seek with the two orbs. Even as my brain tried to wrap itself around that knowledge, my hands pushed against the dome.

Panic thrummed through me as it refused to budge. There was a reason I spent most of my time in Pap's woods. Too many bad memories I refused to think about from my childhood had left me claustrophobic. The space inside my prison seemed to shrink even as my panic ramped up.

My heartbeat accelerated as my fists beat on the dome. A futile endeavor as the dome refused to give way without even a crack to show for my now bruised hands. Rolling to my side, I eyed the lights warily. Nothing was labeled to give any indication as to its purpose.

Pushing a light, I waited, but nothing happened. I pushed another and then another. Still nothing. Maybe they weren't buttons like I'd hoped but just lights. I had no clue. I was trapped and I didn't like the feeling at all.

My breathing rate escalated until soon I knew I'd pass out if I didn't get it under control. I was well on my way to hyperventilating and I knew it. Where was a paper bag when I needed one?

I closed my eyes so I couldn't see how little room there was to the small space, concentrating on my breathing. I was brave. I would do this.

My breathing slowed. My heart rate settled into a more reasonable pace even if it still beat faster than normal. I could do this. All I needed was to calm down and take stock of the situation.

My prison moved, startling me. At first, it rocked back and forth as if someone had given it a gentle push. The container or whatever I was in rocked again before it had settled. This time with more force.

My fingers clawed at the dome, the lights, anything that might help me. I needed out of here!

Suddenly, my prison went rolling. Over and over again. It was all I could do to steady myself in the small space so my face didn't smash into the dome above it. The rolling slowed and I breathed a sigh of relief before the rolling started up again. The world tilted and the rolling increased. Panic came back as it felt as if I was rolling downhill. I didn't even want to know what would happen when the rolling finally stopped.

That stop came sooner than I expected, as my prison crashed against a hard surface with a jarring halt. The sound of rushing air surrounded me like gas escaping from a carbonated beverage being opened.

Moaning filled the small space and it was a moment before I realized the sounds came from me. Opening my eyes, I blinked at the lights as they flashed on and off at a faster pace than they had previously. It was the crack above them that caught my eye with a sense of relief.

Sunlight poured through the small sliver that ran the entire length of my prison. The dome must have popped open during the tumble. I pushed more forcefully than I perhaps should have. Escape my only thought as I practically fell out of the opening onto the ground outside.

Or more precisely, fell onto the body of the creature sniffing the outside of my prison. It gave a startled squeal as it scooted away from me. If the two suns hadn't been enough of a clue that life as I knew it was over, the strange creature cowering before me would have clinched it.

I didn't know when my sluggish brain had finally caught up with my observations, but it had. I wasn't on Earth anymore. The creature in front of me was a cross between a miniature elephant and a pig. Crazy combo, yeah?

With ears half the size of an elephant and a snout almost as short, a squat round figure with a pot belly looked at me like I'd just crawled out of its worst nightmare. Okay, so yeah, I might have. I know it was my worst nightmare so far, and I'd lived through some crazy nightmares.

With big flat feet shaped almost like that of an elephant, the creature sat on its rump looking at me. Two short tusks sprouted out of its mouth on either side of a snout that was shaped like a pig, but longer. A snout that sniffed at me as if I was a tempting morsel it might want to eat. The thought gave me pause.

I didn't know anything about this world. Was this animal carnivorous? Omnivorous? Were humans a tasty morsel as yet untried in this world or had this animal gotten a taste of humans before and decided he'd like more? Was I about to be his next meal?

So far, he wasn't aggressive, just curious. That is if you didn't count the fact that he might have been the reason my prison had suddenly decided to defy gravity by rolling downhill until its sudden stop. With no one else around, it was a safe bet this creature had been curious and investigated. Animals were like that. Any strange object was an open target to curious minds. I knew animals well enough to know that if you put a toy in front of it, even the most laid back animals liked to play.

With one eye on the animal and another on the surrounding terrain, I stood up. Behind me sat my prison. The cylindrical pod looked like something straight out of a sci-fi movie. Hazy images flashed through my head of little green men with nasty attitudes. Mostly, my brain felt like Swiss cheese. Full of holes.

In a lot of ways, the landscape looked like any forested place on Earth. At least, it was until you looked closer. The colors were different. There were plenty of greens and colors that looked familiar, but there were others I didn't recognize as typical for the flora and fauna I'd studied my whole life.

There wasn't any one thing that stood out as odd unless you counted the two suns shining overhead. It was the culmination of a lot of little things that added up to one big revelation that this, wherever this was, wasn't Earth.

A cold, wet nose bumping my ass had me squealing like a kid as I turned around to face the elephant/pig hybrid I'd turned my back on. The creature snuffled at me, making me realize for the first time I was naked. My brain stumbled over the fact I wasn't wearing clothes.

Images flashed in my head like a movie reel skipping over scenes so nothing made sense. Me in the outdoor shower at my cabin. Lots of bright lights. A big white room with hundreds of containers like the one I woke up in lining either side of the walls. Some were empty, but others had women in them just like me. Then nothing but blackness.

The memories made my head hurt, so I shoved them to the back of my mind. I had more important things to worry about than where I had been or how I got here. I needed to concentrate on the here and now.

Survival was my first priority. So I fell back on what I knew best. Surviving.

Focus, Becky Ann. What do you need to do right now? I could almost hear Pap talking to me, making me smile. He was the ultimate bushcrafter, and he taught me everything he knew. So I wasn't on Earth anymore. The skills I knew would still help me here.

This planet, wherever it was, was still a wilderness. The land wasn't some sinister force to be frightened of. It gave a person everything they needed to survive. I needed to figure out what this land had to help me survive.

My brain turned to the basic needs of survival. Signaling, personal protection, shelter, water and food, stay alive. Signaling tended to be the first thing taught in any survivalist course. While that didn't help me because I didn't know how or what would answer my signal, it made me stop and think. I looked at my prison with new eyes. It had kept me alive. But why? How?

An image of the spaceship or whatever that room had been flashed into my head. Some type of sleep chamber filled with lots of those same containers? Were they also some type of escape pod for when things went wrong? Because obviously something had gone wrong. Did the ship crash or were we all ejected from the ship for some reason?

More importantly were our captors going to want us back? If that was the case, the last place I wanted to be was with the pod that had brought me here. I looked inside the pod but found nothing useful at first glance. Some lights still flashed, making think it might have some kind of tracking signal. I might not want to signal anyone to let them know where I was yet, but that didn't mean the pod wasn't broadcasting a signal anyway.

It was time to take stock of what I had and get the hell out of Dodge. Looking down reminded me I didn't have any clothes. So I'd need to do something about that. While clothes were nice, it wasn't my main priority at this precise moment. I was more concerned with the fact I didn't have shoes than clothing. If I lost the ability to use my feet, I might as well give up. So something on my feet, then clothing to protect me from the elements. I didn't know what kind of weather I'd be dealing with. The sun burned hot, but I didn't know what happened once the sun, or rather suns, went down.

I was relieved to see I still wore my survival bracelets. I had one on my wrist and one on my ankle. I'd made a how-to video showing how to make them a few years ago. It was the most watched video on my YouTube channel. I never took them off because you never knew what could happen when you least expected it. They didn't look like much, just some paracord bracelets, but they had everything I needed to survive being lost in the wilderness on Earth woven in through the cords. Hopefully, the same could be said about this new planet I'd landed on.

I squeezed the buckle on the bigger bracelet on my ankle to unhook it. A small knife was part of the latch. While it didn't look like much, it was sharp. I used it to cut away the one thing in the pod that might help me, the material covering the base of the pod where I'd lain. The material was soft, but it was tougher than it looked and there was enough of it for some makeshift shoes and clothes until I found something better. My knife slid through the material until I had it completely removed from the pod.

Sweat pooled on my back as the suns beat down on me. A few more swipes of my knife and I had a pair of crude sandals lashed onto my feet with some thin strips. The rest of the material served as a makeshift sari. It was short, but it covered all the important bits. I would have preferred pants, but there wasn't enough material to fashion any type of leggings.

Turning around to survey my options, I decided to head toward the trees. I had no idea where I was going, but the trees offered some protection from the suns while also providing cover from anyone who might be looking for downed pods. Being out in the open wasn't safe until I figured out the dangers this new world was going to throw at me.

I took a few steps but stopped when something butted me in the thigh. Looking down at the creature that had inadvertently helped me escape, I'd almost forgotten about the animal. Even though he had sharp tusks, I didn't think he was dangerous. I'd fallen on top of him and yet I didn't even have a scratch where his tusks had grazed me. He'd been almost gentle with me with every interaction.

I took another step toward the tree line. Again, the creature butted me in the thigh. As crazy as it sounded in my head, I couldn't help the words that slipped out of my mouth.

"Okay. You live here. Show me where to go then."

Unbelievably, the elephant/pig creature lumbered away as if he knew what I'd said, looking back once to make sure I followed. Shaking my head at the absurdity of what I was doing, I trailed after the creature. I hoped he knew where we were going because I sure as hell didn't.

We followed the tree line for a few hundred yards before the creature headed into the trees. I could only assume there was something dangerous near the other trees. Animals had a unique ability to sense danger on Earth. I had to assume the animals on this planet had those same unique survival skills. If I wanted to survive this world, I'd have to learn from the animals that lived here.

I admit I felt better now that we walked under the cover of the big canopy of leaves overhead. It already felt several degrees cooler in the shade than it had out in the sunlight. While it didn't feel any stronger than being out in the sun on Earth, I had no idea what living under two suns was like. I didn't want to experience a sunburn firsthand on this planet.

So next on the priorities list. Shelter, water and food, stay alive.

You aren't in West Virginia anymore, Becky Ann.

Chapter Two

Devkon

A nother grunt escaped me as a fist landed on my jaw. That frackin' pod was going to be the bane of my existence if things continued as they had been since the thing fell from the sky two days ago. This was the second male I'd found on my land in search of the pod.

I sidestepped another blow and countered with a blow of my own, clocking the big brute with a force that sent his head snapping back. The barbed coils on his head snapped at me as I tried to follow up with second blow with my other hand, forcing me to pull back before the hit landed. I didn't know enough about his species to know what kind of damage those barbs would do. The last thing I wanted was to find out if the barbs were just dangerous or if they were deadly. There were enough species with poisonous appendages to make me wary.

"Just tell me where that pod landed."

"Don't know, don't care. You breached my territory. If you want the frackin' pod so bad, go around."

The brutish being growled in frustration as his next blow missed me. It was time to end this. I hated beings in my territory. In frustration, I leaned over and rammed the big brute's center with my head. The hit to my horns felt good in a way hard to describe as I relished the gasp of air the being released at the impact before the brute fell to the ground. There was nothing quite like ramming my horns into something to release the tension I'd been feeling ever since that pod fell from the sky.

"Get out of my territory." I left the being laying on the ground. I never should have turned my back on him. I knew that as soon as I reached down to grab my pack. Only the glint of sunlight flashing off metal warned me to turn around. I reacted without thinking, swinging my pack at the hand with the knife while my claws lengthened, swiping at the being's throat. Blood spurted out as I pulled back, leaving the brute to fall to the ground, bleeding.

Squatting long enough to wipe my hand in the tall grass, I spit out the last words this being would ever hear.

"Never fuck with an Angorean if you want to live. Today was your day to die."

I stood, turning my back on the brute as he took his last breaths. Soon enough the land, and the beasts who roamed it, would take care of what was left of him.

That was the way this frackin' planet worked. I should know. I was born here.

A noise in the bushes grabbed my attention. I prepared for another attack until an essapug ambled from behind a bush, his elongated snout sniffing at the ground. This beast was familiar to me, often visiting my home looking for scraps. We had this game where I pretended not to feed him and he pretended to be scared of me whenever we saw each other. At times, the beast was the only living creature I saw at times. I would never admit how lonely I was whenever the beast failed to visit.

We stood there for a moment, watching each other. A strange scent filled the air, something floral and musky. The pleasant aroma filled my airways for a brief moment before the wind shifted, taking the scent with it. I looked at the bush behind the essapug, thinking for a moment I saw something out of place. I almost took a step until the essapug gave a grunt and shook his head, moving off into the bushes behind him out of sight.

Shaking my head at such silliness, I headed in the direction the pod had landed. It was time to find out what was so special about the pod and if it had landed in my territory. It took half a day to find the long black pod. I knew as soon as I saw it, the escape pod meant trouble. It was a popular model because it had a tracking system. A slave trader could get rid of cargo if they feared getting caught by the authorities. The pod could be tracked later to wherever it had landed.

In this case, the pod had landed on Reazus Prime. Not the best place for a slave to land. No one left this planet easily.

The pod showed signs of damage, likely from rolling down the slight hill, landing into the rocks at its base. As I approached, a slight floral scent with hints of musk filled my airways. The scent was faint, more than a day old. I knew even before looking the pod would be empty. What surprised me was the torn up interior of the pod. The mattress covering was missing. Lights blinked, one in particular flashing at a steady beat, indicating the tracking signal was still active.

Feeling along the inside of the pod, I found the access panel, popping it off. When I reached inside, I grabbed a fistful of wires and pulled. When the tracking signal still beat, I pulled more wires and then even more until the lights in the pod were all dead.

The slavers would still come, but it would be more difficult for them to track down this pod. Never make it easy for the slavers was a motto I could embrace. They were the scourge of the universe. Even worse than the Alliance, who I had no love for.

At least the pod wasn't in my territory. It skirted the edge where my territory ended. The slavers would find nothing but trouble if they attempted to track their escaped property on Reazus Prime. I protected my territory fiercely as did many of those who lived here.

My closest neighbor was a Dragorian. I looked up the hill toward the tree line where the he resided. We had a truce of sorts since our territories butted against each other. We gave each other space, each of us ignoring the other most of the time. However, we'd each given the other aid when needed. I had a healthy respect for the being, not wanting to do battle with such a fierce warrior. While I could fight when needed, I wasn't positive of the outcome should I have need to fight the Dragorian. It was better to be friendly when the occasion merited it.

Kneeling near the pod, I wasn't surprised to find tracks belonging to an essapug. That same floral scent I'd smelled earlier made sense now. Near the essapug's tracks were smaller footprints, humanoid tracks indicating a youngling or possibly a female. Given the floral scent, I'd wager the being was a female and the essapug was leading her, directing her toward my home. The tracks veered away from the Dragorian's territory and straight to mine. Shaking my head, I cursed my luck as I followed the tracks.

Chapter Three

Becky Ann

"I   hope you know where you're going," I said to my sidekick as we trampled through the undergrowth.

I'd been on this damned planet for a whole day and nothing looked familiar. From the birds flying around to the smallest creatures, none of them looked like anything on Earth. Just more reminders that I wasn't in West Virginia any longer.

As the day heated up under the two suns, I followed the elelphant-pig-like creature, wondering if I wasn't better off just hunkering down in one spot so I could study the land and take stock of my options. Instead, I followed the strange creature through the woods like he was Lassie sent to rescue me.

I'd found a pretty good spot to make camp the night before and made myself a small dugout shelter to sleep in. Well not so much a dugout shelter as a dig-in, considering I didn't have a shovel. I'd managed to find enough plant material to create a small cave.

I'd intended to be the only one sleeping in it, but someone had decided their big hairless ass had to be cuddled up next to me the whole night. It made for a tight fit in the incredibly small space I'd created. The body heat the creature put off had been nice even if he snored loud enough to wake the dead. It had gotten colder at night than I'd expected for a place that had two suns.

My stomach growled, reminding me I hadn't had a decent meal in forever. While I'd managed to snare a small animal the night before, the fluffy rat-like creature I'd caught tasted like shit. I didn't mean it was bad as in the meat was a touch too gamey. Gamey, I could deal with. No, I meant it literally tasted like shit. I'd taken one bite and known immediately why my sidekick had turned up his nose at it when I'd offered a small bite. He'd immediately turned over a fallen log and went to town on the bugs he'd found there.

After spitting out the one bite I'd tried, I tried to ignore the emptiness in my stomach. So far, I hadn't found any food I deemed safe to eat while traipsing after my companion. Bugs were considered good protein back on Earth when in a survival situation. Hell, I'd eaten more than my fair share of bugs when demonstrating survival techniques. But even I had to admit, I wasn't fond of them. I wasn't desperate enough to go down that road on this planet yet.

If I didn't find food soon, I'd probably die on this planet. While death was indeed probable, I wasn't ready to give up yet. I for damn sure wasn't ready to survive on bugs already.

Voices drifted toward me, making slow steps. I ducked behind a bush near a clearing as two big-assed, honest-to-God aliens came into view. If I'd had any doubts that I wasn't on Earth any longer, the sight of the two aliens cinched it. One big ugly brute had this wild hair thing going on kind of like Medusa with dreadlocks that looked like it had barbs running through them. The other had horns that reminded me of my favorite ram when I was a kid. Long and curled, they were a pretty teal color that made me smile. Teal had always been my favorite color.

What surprised me more than anything, which was a lot considering everything surprised me on this planet, was that I understood every word that drifted across the clearing. I didn't know how it was possible that I understood the growls and grunts that seemed to pass for language between the two. And yet, something in my head translated each one I heard into almost perfect English. It was scary and comforting all at the same time.

The aliens argued back and forth. From what I could hear, the curly horned alien owned the land we were on and didn't like the other's intrusion. I almost gasped out loud when I realized Mr. Ugly was looking for me. Or at least, he was looking for the escape pod that had fallen from the sky. An escape pod I'd recently vacated, thank you very much.

In the blink of an eye, things turned nasty when Mr. Ugly attacked the teal colored alien with the horns. It was like watching a fight scene out of a sci-fi movie. For a moment, it looked like Mr. Ugly was winning, but Teal Horns countered with a powerhouse of a slam with his horns into the solar plexus that sent Mr. Ugly to the ground in a crumpled heap. I thought the fight was over. So did Teal Horns because he turned his back on Mr. Ugly. Before I could take a breath to warn Teal Horns, Mr. Ugly went after him with a wicked looking blade.

I don't know what made him turn, but Teal Horns spun around, swinging a right hook, or rather claw, that left Mr. Ugly gasping for breath as the blood literally drained out of the newly formed gashes at his throat. His hand clutched at his throat as he slammed to his knees before tipping over in one shuddering alien mass to the ground.

Teal Horns squatted as Mr. Ugly took his last breaths, wiping his bloody claws in the grass as he spoke, his voice carrying over the slight wind.

"Never fuck with an Angorean if you want to live. Today was your day to die."

A shiver ran down my spine. The raspy deep voice sent shivers down my spine, not all of them in fear. I didn't know what it was about this alien that appealed to me, but something about him comforted me. In that moment, he sounded like every backwoods mountain man I'd grown up around. Brusque men with hearts of gold who didn't take kindly to strangers traipsing on their land. In that moment, the feeling of loss was so intense I didn't know quite how to handle the emotions swirling inside me.

When I looked up, I could have sworn Teal Horns was looking straight at me. For a moment, I thought my fate would end like Mr. Ugly's. I was trespassing on Teal Horns' land, after all. It probably wouldn't matter that I hadn't had a choice about where I'd landed.

My sidekick took that moment to snuffle out from behind the bushes and into the clearing, taking Teal Horns' attention off me. I took in a shallow breath, willing my heart to stop racing. Alien and beast stared at each other as if having some private conversation. I didn't know what to make of the interaction and before I knew it, the whole thing was over as the beast returned to the bushes, walking past me into the forest. Teal Horns didn't even look my way before turning to stride off in the opposite direction.

I waited for the longest time, debating what my next steps should be. Mr. Ugly had stopped breathing, and I was sure he was dead. Well as sure as I could be, all things considered. Laying on the ground near the body, the knife which hadn't had a chance to sink into its mark glistened in the sunlight. It was long and sharp and exactly what I needed to help me survive this land I'd found myself in.

With cautious steps, I crept closer, almost afraid Mr. Ugly would leap at me the moment I drew close. Yet the alien never stirred as I grabbed the knife. I held up the blade, evaluating the cutting edge. No dull spots or nicks marred the shiny surface. It was well honed and in pristine condition.

Looking at Mr. Ugly, I crept even closer until I was within reaching distance. Still, the big alien didn't move. Holding my breath, ready to retreat at the slightest movement, I reached for the blade's sheath strapped to Mr. Ugly's big thigh. It took a moment to figure out the clasps before it fell into my hand.

My heart pound in my chest as I reached out to Mr. Ugly's body. Blood rushed through my ears, deafening me to everything except the terror I felt as I rummaged through the big alien's pockets. I didn't find anything I thought would help me survive this planet, but there were some coin-like things I thought might be some type of currency. That could come in handy if I happened to need it.

Behind Mr. Ugly, I saw a pack lying on the ground. Cautiously circling the body, I avoided the wicked looking barbed dreadlocks that looked dangerous even in death. I'd touched Mr. Ugly enough as it was. While I'd never been the squeamish type, I'd never had to ransack a dead body before either. It wasn't something I wanted to ever have to do again. I reached for the pack, opening the closures to reveal clothing and what looked like some type of protein bars.

My growling stomach reminded me I still hadn't eaten anything worthwhile since I'd woken up. Tearing open the bar, I sniffed it. The smell wasn't great, but it wasn't horrible either. A small nibble confirmed my suspicions that the bar was indeed food. Sinking to my butt in relief, near a dead body, I ate the surprisingly tasty treat with a moan. The bar filled the emptiness of my stomach even as my tastebuds rejoiced at eating something that didn't taste like shit. In that moment, landing on a strange planet in the middle of nowhere didn't seem quite as bad as it had mere moments before.

As I chewed the last bites of my treasure, I searched through the bag to find a small flask within. A sniff of the container revealed a strong alcoholic aroma that was surprisingly familiar. It was almost like the scents of home and Pap's still at full tilt during moonshine season when the corn mash was plentiful and the whiskey flowed. The small sip I took burned its way through me in an all too familiar way. For the first time since waking up on this cursed planet, I smiled.

Life might be hard. Survival suspect at best. But I wasn't dead yet.

I shifted the pack onto my shoulder, sheathed the knife, and walked back into the woods to find my sidekick. I wasn't ready to give up. Not by a long shot.

Chapter Four

Devkon

T he longer I tracked the being in my territory, the more the being's scent hooked me. Each whiff grabbed hold of my koesh, making it hard. I was almost certain the being was female. Not that it mattered much. My species didn't draw clear lines between gender and attraction. We were a complicated race, but sex wasn't. While individuals had preferences, leaning more toward one gender or another, Angoreans mated with any gender. Until today I'd never had much of a preference. Now my preference was the source of the hints of the musky floral aroma drifting on the air as I tracked.

The being was smart. I'd found evidence of several small traps. Unfortunately, the only small beasts suitable for traps that size weren't edible. The small creatures on this part of the planet generated a natural enzyme, making their flesh taste unpleasant. While it wasn't poisonous, it was usually enough to ensure the creature's survival. Unless one happened to be a visiting being who didn't know any better.

The being had learned their lesson based on the next trap I found. It was bigger, almost catching me in its snare. Grumbles escaped my throat as I dismantled the trap. This was my territory and I did not like having to watch my step as I traversed it. Despite my ire, my koesh grew even harder in my pants as the next whiff of that floral scent hit my nose.

I blamed the distraction of my erection on what happened next. I should have been watching my feet closer, but that wonderful floral scent wafted through the air again, stronger this time as if it had been mere hours since its being had left it there.

Something snapped around my ankle, dragging me up in the air. I hung there, bouncing in the air. Roars tore out of my mouth in rage as I twisted and swung about. Closing my eyes, I forced myself to take a breath. Then another until calm flowed through me. I hated the feeling of not being in control.

My eyes snapped open and I looked up. A vine wrapped around my ankle. From there, the vine hung from a branch. Still unsure what had happened, I looked to the ground. The bouncing slowed, my stomach which had churned with each bounce, settled. The ground wasn't that far away. I could almost touch it if I reached my hand out. It was a wonder I hadn't bashed my skull.

Tightening the muscles of my legs so they remained rigid, I clenched the muscles in my center, curling myself in half. I grabbed the vine above my ankle, extended my claw and slashed at the offending vegetation holding me captive. As soon as my ankle was free, I dropped to the ground, landing solidly on my feet.

Looking around, I spied the place where the trap had been set. It had been well hidden and effective. This being I tracked was smart. That fact only made me angrier. This was my territory,

I had a brief warning before the next trap. Hearing the rumble of rocks as they rained down on my head, I stepped back. Too late, I learned the rocks had merely been the trigger to the next trap. As I fell backwards, my arms clawed through the air trying to stop my fall. I landed on my back, the breath knocked out of me.

It took me a moment to realize the trap had failed. A vine net swung above my head as I lay on the ground, staring up at the sky above. The net was small, not intended for a creature my size. The tattered edges dropped bits of vegetation down on my head, forcing me to close my eyes. This being was going to be the death of me.

A branch snapped and that lovely floral scent crept into my nose. Keeping my eyes closed as the footsteps drew closer was the hardest thing I'd ever done. Patience had never been easy, but a calm settled over me as the being I tracked drew closer. This time, the being would be caught in my trap.

Becky Ann

Deep, rumbling roars alerted me one of my traps had sprung. After leaving the clearing where the dead alien lay on the ground, I swung back around to the area I had used for a camp the night before. I'd set two traps in hopes of snagging something more edible than the small creature I'd caught the night before. Nasty didn't even describe what I'd put into my mouth, spitting it out as fast as my taste buds had caught up with my brain.

In the end, I'd been forced to forage with my sidekick, snacking on bugs and a few fruits. Not my most favorite of meals, but my body felt better after the protein the bugs provided. The sweet juice of the berries helped to wash everything down. Water collected in large leaves quenched my thirst.

So far, I wasn't liking this new planet I found myself on. The severe lack of knowledge about my surroundings didn't sit right with me. As a girl growing up in the mountains of West Virginia, raised by a man who didn't leave his mountain but four times a year, I'd learned everything I knew on that same mountain.

My pap taught me everything I knew about survival. The mountain had been our home and it provided everything we needed to survive. Food came from the land and the gardens we grew. When Pap needed money, his still cooked the best moonshine in three counties. Folks paid a premium for Pap Brewer's white lightning, knowing they were paying for the legend as much as they were for the whiskey.

Even after the state legalized small distilleries, Pap kept brewing corn mash for a while until it got to be too much for him. Then he did something I never thought he'd do. He sold his recipe to Melanie Grisham's dad who had opened a small distillery the year before. Pap said the money was my inheritance for putting up with him all those years.

Tears welled up, thinking about Pap. Not two months after the deal was done, I had a nice tidy sum in the bank and Pap was gone. Died in his sleep one cold winter night. I would much rather have had Pap than the money he left me. Not that the money did me any good now, considering it was probably light-years away from wherever the heck I was now.

The only thing I had was the knowledge Pap instilled into my brain growing up. Every folklore, tall tale, and mountain wisdom about surviving and living off the land. I'd even made a career out of teaching others how to do the same. If only my viewers could see me now.

The roars quieted as I stepped closer to the trap. A gasp escaped me as I saw a big alien laying on the ground, the vine net I'd spent hours knotting together nothing but tatters as it swung from the tree branch. The net had not been intended to capture anything so large.

Stepping closer with caution, I looked at the big male. Unless there were a lot of aliens exactly like him, this alien was the same big alien with horns I'd seen fighting earlier in the day. Up close those horns looked even more dangerous. There was a beauty to them though. Big horns that curled in an impressive display.

Large and teal in color, the alien reminded me of how much I didn't know about this planet. Capturing a person had not been my intention. I stood for a second, not daring to step closer. Fear I had injured the big alien moved my feet forward even as my brain told me to be careful. This male was dangerous. I'd seen proof of that in the big dead male I'd scavenged supplies from.

A quick glance at the male's chest assured me I hadn't killed, but the male lay so still. The trap had injured him. My brain told me I should run. My heart told me I couldn't leave the male if I could help.

My fingers trembled as I reached out to touch my first contact with an alien species. His skin was softer than I expected. A fine coating of fur covered his skin that was unnoticeable from a distance. The teal color wasn't one color but several shades of blue-green that blended together beautifully. Almost mesmerizing.

Soft breaths sent whispers of air over my fingers as I counted the rise and fall of the big male's chest. I didn't know what was normal for an alien, but I counted anyway. The familiar act looking for the ABCs of first aid comforting.

Tingles raced up my arms as my fingertips grazed the fine fur on the male's chest. My heartbeat sped up. My breathing almost ceased as something I'd never felt before whispered along my nerve endings straight to my core. Arousal curled into me and I felt my pussy slick. Shock barreled through me.

A gasp escaped my lips even as I drew back my hand. My fingertips still grazed the male's chest when he reached out with such speed I barely saw him move. In the blink of an eye, I went from leaning over the big alien to laying on the ground, the large male towering over me, his face menacing even as my brain wondered how someone so alien could look so beautiful.

"Now you are in my trap."

Looking into vibrant blue-green eyes, my only thought was "Yes, please."

Chapter Five

Devkon

L ife as I knew it changed the moment I looked into a pair of warm brown eyes. The being splayed beneath me was unlike any creature I'd ever set eyes on before. Pale skin devoid of hair with the exception of a wild, tangled mass on her head. As her floral scent wrapped around me, I verified the creature was female. A gloriously curvy female with two full breasts squished between us, our bodies tangled in a heady display that has my cock hardening.

Something about this female appealed to me in a way I've never experienced before. Admittedly, I've had no experience with females. Very few females resided on Reazus Prime. Not that I've never experienced a coupling. Those of my kind weren't affected by gender when it came to couplings, having bonds form between any of the genders of my race.

Still, the attraction to this female hit me with a force that was unexpected. As I tried to decipher what it was about this being that affected me so, an elongated snout snuffled between the two of us, breaking the strange hold the female had on me.

"Be off, beast, before I dice you up and put you in the cookpot, " I said, never once looking away from the female splayed out under me.

"You wouldn't! He's my friend. Sort of. At least, I think he is. He hasn't killed me yet." The female looked into my eyes, struggling in my grasp, eyes full of wariness. "Why can I understand you? It's weird. I hear you talking in strange sounds, but in my head I hear the words in my language."

"Translator. The slavers probably implanted a translator into your head. Behind the ear most likely. It's a common practice."

"So what? Someone bored a hole in my head and fiddled around in there? Gross. What else did they do in there?"

"It's not like that. Translators only go just below the surface of the skin near the ear somewhere. It's a simple procedure. No holes involved. No brain manipulation."

"So you planning on letting me up or were you going to hold me under you all day? You're kind of heavy."

"You're kind of soft and squishy. I haven't been this comfortable in a long time. I might decide to stay like this until I decide what to do with you. You've been laying traps on my land."

"Hmmm, not that it's done me much good. The only thing I've gotten wasn't edible. Do you have any animals on this planet that don't taste like crap?"

I turned my head to look at the essapug snuffling in brush a short distance away.

"No, I'm not eating the only friend I have on this planet."

"But they are very tasty creatures," I said, barely able to refrain from smiling.

The female huffed at me, her curves inciting a heat in me I had never felt before. My koesh swelled against her curves, the desire to rut with the female strong within me.

With great reluctance, I stood, pulling the female with me. "Come with me, human. I will take you to my home and feed you."

The female gasped as I pulled her up, throwing her over my shoulder.

"You know I'm human? Does that mean you know where I'm from? I can get home?"

A grunt escaped me as my feet moved in the direction of my home. "No one knows where Earth is except the slavers. They have been stealing humans from your planet for a long time. The location is a fiercely guarded secret among slavers."

"Why? What's so special about humans that we're worth all that trouble?"

"Because humans are known as universal breeders. At least, the females of your kind are. I have no idea if there is any value to the males of your species."

"What does that mean? Universal breeder?"

"It means you can bear the young of almost any species in the galaxy. Rumor has it that stasis pods with humans have been falling all over Reazus Prime. I found your pod and disabled the tracker. I don't know if the slavers bothered to put a tracker in you or not. I can scan you once we get to my abode."

"A tracker? Inside me? Get it out!" The female squirmed in my hold, almost dislodging herself from my shoulder.

"Settle. We do not know if there is a tracker yet. I will scan you for one. If there is one, we can disable it. Removing it might be difficult depending on where they placed it. Slavers don't always go to the expense of tagging slaves. That is usually left up to the buyer. There is a good chance you don't have a tracker."

The female stopped moving, making it easier to follow the trail. The essapug followed a short distance behind, snuffling the underbrush seeking tasty treats.

"I can walk you know. I've got two perfectly good legs."

"Yes, I can see that. Strong legs with a nice shape to them." A quick glance at those legs had my gaze following up the smooth length of them to the fabric covering the curve of the female's ass. That answered the question about the pieces missing from the pod. Smart human.

"So Reazus Prime? Is that the name of this planet?"

I grunted in agreement.

"Is there like an airport or some place that could help me get home here? Someone besides the slavers has to know where Earth is, don't they?"

"I doubt it. As I said, it's a closely guarded secret. Trafficking in humans is expressly forbidden. Your planet isn't considered evolved enough to interact with other species so it's on the list of forbidden planets. If the location was known, then officials would get involved. There would be crackdowns. Slavers would be in more trouble than they are in now. As long as the Planetary Alliance doesn't know where Earth is, it doesn't care what the slavers do."

"The Planetary Alliance? Who are they?"

"They are assholes who run most of the galaxy. They don't govern Reazus Prime anymore. This was a prison planet until the mines became less profitable to mine. They abandoned us and left us to survive on our own. Now the place is filled with outlaws or people trying to leave the planet. There is no leaving Reazus Prime though."

"So no airport?"

"I don't know what an airport is. There is the Hub. That's where most of the trading happens. Not a lot of ships come here. We've learned to survive on our own."

"Sounds like a fun place."

A smile played on my lips at the irony in the female's voice.

"We have arrived." I lowered the female from my shoulder, turning her around until she faced the place I had called home for as long as I remembered. It wasn't a big place, but I had built it with my own claws from the ground up. Pride filled me as I showed the female my most prized possession.

Chapter Six

Becky Ann

F ear was one of those emotions people hated, but it helped in dangerous situations. A little fear was a good thing. A lot of fear could be debilitating. I'd never shied away from fear, learning to use it to my advantage whenever possible. So it was a curious thing for me to feel absolutely no fear at all while being carted through strange woods on an alien planet by a big strong handsome alien.

Instead, I enjoyed talking to him. There was something about the big brute that appealed to me in a way that no one else ever had. I couldn't explain it.

When the alien set me down, announcing our arrival, I wasn't sure what to expect. I hadn't seen any buildings on this planet yet. When I learned this had been a prison planet and the inmates had been abandoned, I hadn't expected much. I gasped at the sheer beauty of the large stone structure.

The house was made of stone, various sizes held together with mortar. The waning sunlight hit specks inside the stone, making it sparkle in a rainbow of colors. The stones themselves were varying shades of blue from almost purple to turquoise. It was beautiful. I'd never seen anything like it before.

The building was two stories tall with a balcony wrapping around the second story. Plants in containers decorated the rough-hewn wood of the balcony. The bottom level had a porch that also wrapped around the building. A wide chair sat to the side of a double-door entryway made of some type of metal and glass. Instead of being square, the doors were curved to fit into an arch cut into the stone.

The only visible windows were on the upper level, the bottom level completely devoid of any openings save for the door. Though it was an odd look by Earth standards, it seemed to fit the landscape of this planet I'd only just started to explore. Trees surrounded the building, providing shade, but not close enough to provide cover for anyone trying to sneak up on the house's occupant. I guessed that was intentional based on the little I'd already learned about this world.

It seemed no one trusted easily on this planet. I could understand the sentiment. Trust wasn't something mountain people gave easily either. It was why Pap had lived up on the mountain away from people. When I'd gone to live with him after my parents died, the man had taught me to be wary of outsiders. Mountain folk stuck together and they didn't cotton to outsiders coming up onto the mountain to show them how backward they were.

"It's beautiful," I said, not sure what else to say.

"There's a mine not too far away. It's abandoned now, the ore that was mined all dried up or too expensive to get to. There's lots of rocks." The alien's face carried a sadness I didn't understand when he looked off into the distance. "There's death there, too. Too many died trying to dig that ore out of the ground."

Now that I understood. West Virginia was a mining state. A lot of men died digging out the coal the state was known for. It was a dangerous job. Even if a miner survived working in the mines, the black lung took too many good men.

I guessed it was the same no matter where you were. Those in charge didn't care about the people who did all the dirty work. Didn't care about safety precautions as long as the ore made it out of the ground and into someone's pockets. Suddenly, this big alien standing next to me didn't seem quite so alien after all.

"You built this place yourself?" I asked, trying to divert the alien's sad gaze onto something else. It worked as a small smile graced his lips.

"I did. I carried each stone and placed each one in its proper place. It took many years. I fought off others who sought to claim this land. In the end, I was the victor." A shrug of the shoulders that was, in some ways, so human caught me off guard.

"I just realized I don't even know your name."

Big blue eyes stared down at me, a darker ring of teal hinting at the edges. Nostrils flared as if trying to inhale my scent in a way that was not so human. Then there were the horns. How could I forget the horns. Big curvy things that curled around, ending in sharp points. I wanted to touch them. So badly.

"Devkon."

For a moment, I didn't understand what that meant. I lost myself in those eyes as they pulled me in. Made me want to spend a lifetime sinking into their intensity. Shaking myself, I wondered where that thought had come from. I spent a lifetime closing myself off from people. Not once had I ever thought I wanted to spend a few weeks with anyone, let alone a lifetime.

"My name is Devkon."

Embarrassment flooded me as I realized I'd been staring. Internally shaking myself, I pulled my thoughts together to respond. I held out my hand.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Devkon. My name is Becky Ann." At Devkon's confused look, I pulled back my hand. "Sorry, it's a human custom to shake hands when meeting new people."

"Touching is very personal for most species. For some, it is something reserved only for bondmates."

"Bondmates?"

"The being one chooses to spend the rest of their days with." Again, Devkon's nostrils flared as if drawing in my very essence. It was unnerving in a way I couldn't explain, and yet I wanted to lean in and inhale his scent as well. It was an enticing aroma of cinnamon and musk that got stronger the longer we stood there in front of his dwelling.

Heat pooled in my core, my pussy slicking up as desire for this alien filled me. Embarrassment filled me as those nostrils flared again. I was so not going there. Two or three days on an alien planet was not enough time to go all Robinson Crusoe and fall for the natives.

Okay, well, maybe Crusoe didn't exactly fall for Friday, but they did have a thing even if it wasn't romantic. My thoughts stumbled and tripped all over themselves as that thought ripped through my head. Huh, that actually gave an all new meaning to the book. All those authors writing gay romance could have a field day with that concept. Yes, I read gay romances. I'll admit to that being a guilty pleasure. So sue me.

Pulling my thoughts together, I looked at Devkon's dwelling. Anything was better than staring into those eyes and losing myself again.

"So we just going to stand here all day or were you planning on showing me the inside?" I could almost feel a blush taking root, turning my face red.

Devkon didn't say a word, simply stepping up to the doors and pulling them open. They didn't appear to be locked, but I had the impression, from everything I'd seen on this planet so far, that looks were probably deceiving. Devkon had carved out this space for himself. Fought off others who had tried taking it from him. I didn't think he'd walk away from his home and leave it vulnerable.

As I stepped into the lower level, cool air enveloped me. I hadn't realized how hot it had been outside until stepping into the cooler air. It felt good, causing my whole body to relax when I hadn't even realized how tense I was. It was almost like coming home, which was such a stupid idea. This wasn't home. At least, not my home. I needed to remember that.

This alien. This dwelling. This planet. This wasn't home. Even if a small part of me kind of wished it was.

Chapter Seven

Devkon

A  piece of me I didn't know was missing settled into place as Becky Ann stepped inside my home. The sound of the door closing behind us startled her. She jumped, but didn't turn around. Her head turned as she took in the large room we walked into. It wasn't much. Shelves filled the room, each stacked with the food I hoarded.

"My pap would be impressed. He was a firm believer in being prepared, but I don't think he'd ever stored this much food." Becky Ann picked up a container, a picture of its contents pasted on it. Clear jars with grains in them the next shelf to capture her gaze. "Some of these look like grains we have on Earth."

"There might be some similarities. Some of those grains were brought from other planets when the planet was first being occupied. Scientists wanted to see what plants grew well here and what didn't. It was supposed to be a self-sufficient planet once the prisoners began arriving here. The prisoners were expected to fend for themselves, but we were given some resources. Not that it helped much. Very few of us were farmers. Some learned the skills needed to survive. Others didn't.

"You must have learned something. You're still here."

I shrugged, looking anywhere but at Becky Ann as I admitted my shame. "I didn't have a choice. I was one of the few who was born here. My omegin had me shortly after he was sentenced and brought to this place.

"He? You were born to a male?"

"An omega, yes. My species has three genders. Omegas are usually male and can bear younglings. Unfortunately, my omegin trusted the wrong alpha. My sire had no wish to become a parent. Sending my omegin here was the quickest way to rid himself of the embarrassment."

"Is your omegin still here?"

My gaze met Becky Ann's. "No. He was killed when I was only eight cycles." Before the female could ask any questions, I turned toward one of the two doors on the north side of the room. "This is the cold room. Food stored here is frozen. Most of it is meat. Some are things that I've grown myself. I don't have the resources to properly preserve food for long-term storage without the cold room."

"And the other room?"

"Roots and other foods that can be stored for longer periods of time without the need for a cold room. It is climate-controlled to optimize storage length, but it is not the same as the cold room."

I moved toward the stairs, holding out my hand. "Come. I will show you the rest of my home."

Becky Ann hesitated, looking at my hand as if afraid I would attack. The female showed her bravery when she placed her hand in mine. Her eyes met mine, determination mixed in with a hint of fear. It was a start. Fear was the last emotion I wished to see in her eyes.

The upstairs was different. After working years in the mines, I didn't like feeling closed in. Large windows took up most of the space on each wall, affording me a view of the outside no matter where I looked. Glass doors opened out onto the balcony from each room, so that no matter where I was in the house, I could easily step outside to breathe.

"It's beautiful. You built all this yourself?"

"Yes. It took a long time. I camped outside until the second story was completed." I waved a hand toward the middle of the room. "This is where food is prepared. It wasn't easy, but I was able to source the cook surface and the hot box from an abandoned building after the planet was abandoned after the mines tapped out. This is a smaller cold box where I can store foods without going downstairs as often." I pushed my claws against a panel in the wall, opening the hidden storage. Cold air blasted into the room. Inside, more meat and other foods were stored. My claws opened the panel next to it. "This is smaller climate controlled box for roots and vegetables."

Becky Ann picked up a long cylindrical root, smiling. "It looks like a sweet potato. What does it taste like?"

"That is a zaro root. It is native to this planet. The taste is sweet. I don't know what a potato is. The zaro root is used to make some deserts. It is one of my favorite foods, so I store a lot of it."

Becky Ann smiled at me, brilliant and beautiful. My heart beat faster under her gaze. My koesh swelled with desire. It had been a long time since I'd wanted another being as much as I wanted this female.

Stepping closer, I lifted a claw to trace the curve of Becky Ann's jaw. She was so tiny, almost delicate. There was also a strength to her that impressed me. Not many females could have survived being kidnapped from their planet, tossed from space, only to be faced with the harsh terrain of this planet. Yet survive she had. It was a testament of her ability to survive even the harshest of conditions.

Becky Ann's heart beat a fast staccato under my claw. Whether from fear or desire, I didn't know, causing me to step back and give her room to breathe. There was no need to rush despite the hardness of my koesh. Pain was a daily occurrence on Reazus Prime. I had waited a lifetime for this moment. I could wait a little longer.

Becky Ann

While the world outside was completely alien, the inside of Devkon's home could have almost been any custom house on Earth. The upper level had an open concept with a kitchen area in full view. A seating area near one of the floor-to-ceiling windows sported furniture so similar to the handmade chairs my pap had made it was almost spooky. The chairs were simple designs made from logs, smoothly sanded until the natural brilliance of the honey-colored wood shown.

A large slab from some type of tree had been turned into a table. About four feet across, the grain was an unusual mixture of swirls and patterns I'd never seen in trees on Earth. Just one more visual showing how far from Earth I'd traveled. The table was beautiful. Sanded smooth, the surface shone with a glossy finish.

For as rustic as the furniture was, the rest of the place sported high-tech appliances. I didn't know what any of them did, but they looked impressive. The area off to the side that looked similar to a kitchen area was all stone countertops and metal boxes. Some of the boxes had bright blue digital readouts in a language I couldn't begin to decipher.

The most startling aspect of the whole room were the floor-to-ceiling windows. At first glance, they appeared to be made of some type of glass. On closer inspection, the windows shimmered as if alive. When I reached out to touch a window, my fingers tingled as the shimmering surface pulsed under my digits. It didn't hurt, but it wasn't pleasant either.

Curiously, I saw no visible doors anywhere on this upper level. There were only walls of shimmering lights, allowing unobstructed views of the scenery beyond the house. A scenery so alien, it was unlike anything I'd ever seen before. Walking in the forest was nothing compared to seeing the expanse of it from this upper level of Devkon's home. Mountains off to the left rose in rocky peaks, but instead of Earth's greenery, brilliant shades of purples and reds sprawled out before me. Trees as tall as redwoods rose off into the distance. Below me, a blanket of flowers spread out in colors I'd never seen in plants before. Shades of purple were almost iridescent as they shimmered under the twin suns.

"It's beautiful. So different from my home, but beautiful."

"Beautiful is not a word I would have associated with Reazus Prime before. However, I might have to rethink my thoughts on that."

When I turned to look at Devkon, he wasn't looking at the scenery outside. He was looking at me. Blushing because no one had ever thought me beautiful before, I turned my gaze back to the world outside. It was safer than exploring the feelings I was suddenly experiencing as I stood in Devkon's home.

Devkon stepped up close to me. He fiddled with something on his wrist and one of the windows shimmered brightly before disappearing into the floor and walls, making me gasp. I reached out my hand, watching as it passed through the opening.

"It's a force field. Nothing gets in unless I allow it. It can withstand high winds and protects against projectiles. It also allows me easy access to the walkway surrounding the upper level."

"That's incredible. We don't have anything like that on Earth."

"I'm thinking Earth has many things we don't have on Reazus Prime." Devkon's fingers lifted a stray curl from my forehead. "So soft."

Devkon's voice came out almost as a growl, deep and sexy. The sound did things to me I never experienced before. Tingles raced up my spine and heat pooled in my core. Goosebumps broke out on my arms as desire overwhelmed me. Breathing became difficult as I stood next to this alien man. From his horns to his teal-colored skin, everything about him screamed alien. Yet the gentleness of his eyes and the gentle way he caressed my hair had my girly bits melting in a puddle of goo.

"Do you have a mate, sweet little Earther female?"

"Mate?" Shaking my head, I tried to decipher words when all I wanted to do was curl up into strong arms and never let go. I didn't know where these feelings came from, but they were stronger than anything I'd ever felt before. "Uh, no. No mate. No boyfriend. I don't trust easily. That kind of puts off some guys."

"Trust is difficult to give freely. I understand. Growing up on Reazus Prime is not easy. There are few beings I trust."

Devkon stepped even closer. "Trust takes time. I hope we can learn to trust each other, little Earther female," Devkon said, right before his lips sank onto mine in the lightest of touches. Sparks went off inside my head, leaving me gasping. Devkon took advantage of my parting lips, exploring my mouth with his tongue. Instead of pulling away, I met each exploration with a thrust of my own, tasting the very essence of this man who didn't seem quite as alien.

When Devkon lifted his head, I chased his lips, causing the frustrating man to chuckle. I could feel my skin heat as a blush raced across my cheeks. Before I could speak, Devkon's lips were on mine once again and all thoughts fractured and skittered about in my head. I didn't want this moment to end. And wasn't that a scary thought.

Chapter Eight

Devkon

S oft. So soft. Becky Ann's mouth surrendered to mine with a sigh. My tongue swept in as her lips parted, seeking out her flavor. The texture of her tongue was smoother than mine, meeting each thrust with exuberance. Becky Ann sought to conquer every bit as much as I did. My female was not a passive participant, but a seductress wooing her male.

I surrendered to Becky Ann as much as I took from her. A fire flared up inside me, sending a pulse of need to my koesh. My pants became uncomfortable as my koesh swelled inside, urging me to make this female mine. A need like none other swirled inside me.

The kiss broke apart before I was ready to leave the sweet depths of Becky Ann's mouth. Only her slight gasps for air settled me, her need for breath outweighing my needs.

Becky Ann's eyelids fluttered as she looked up at me. Heavy-lidded, they settled open at the halfway point, her smoky gaze wavering between passion and bemusement. Her lips twitched at the corners as if trying to smile.

"Wow. Your lips should come with a warning label. I've never been kissed breathless before." Becky Ann's words came out soft, her voice barely above a whisper. But I heard them.

"Never have I felt as much need inside me while kissing as I do at this moment. The urge to rut with you is strong, my female. I burn for you."

"I'm feeling kind of hot myself. What are you doing to me?"

"Nothing more than you are doing to me. The entire time I tracked you, your scent called to me. I could no sooner have walked away then as I can now. Even knowing I can't keep you, I still want to sink into your body and give all of myself to you."

"Not that I'm saying I want to stay on Reazus Prime, but why can't you keep me?"

"Even though Reazus Prime is a dangerous place to live, most seek out the Hub. That is where most of the merchants have their stalls. The Hub is where those wishing to get off the planet have a slim chance of catching a ride on one of the pirate ships out of this sector. Getting off Reazus Prime comes at a high price, yet some still attempt it."

"Would there be a chance of getting back to Earth if I were to go to this Hub?"

"No. Even if the slavers don't come after you, there is no one who knows where Earth is. It is a highly guarded secret. Ever since the first females captured from Earth were found to be universal breeders, slavers have kept Earth's location a secret. There is much profit to be made selling females from your planet."

"Do you want to keep me?"

"More than anything. However, I live a simple life. I keep to myself here. It is not what females want, to be isolated in the middle of nowhere."

My life was lonely, but that loneliness had been one of my own choosing. Females were rare. While my kind were attracted to either sex, I had never seen myself living long-term with another male, no matter the species. There was something about the soft curves of a female that appealed to me even if I had never experienced it before.

Tracking Becky Ann had tapped into that loneliness, a small part of my mind wondering if I could find her and keep her. It wasn't a rational thought. Females didn't want to live in the middle of nowhere. They craved the shops and loved the bright lights of the Hub. Something I couldn't give to a female. Going to the Hub made my skin twitch. I didn't like the crowds. They made me nervous.

Whenever I had need to visit the Hub, I went there, did my business, and got back to my home. This place was my comfort zone. A place I carved out of the forest that was mine and mine alone. They could try, but no one would take it from me.

"Ah well, you've not met the right female then. I can't imagine anything better than living in the middle of nowhere. I've never fit into places with lots of people. I enjoy living off the land, learning from her, exploring her. I can do that just as easily here as I could on Earth."

"You would do that? Give up everything to stay with me?"

Becky Ann took a long time answering. Her brow creased in thought. I turned away, not ready to hear this female I already felt so much for didn't return my affections. She would wish to go to the Hub and find a way off Reazus Prime. It was what any sane being would wish. Was I the only being who had no wish to leave this cursed place? It was my home. Had always been my home. Even if I could leave, where would I go?

A small female hand stopped me. Those delicate fingers gripping the muscles in my arm as if she had the power of the universe in her small hand. Her next words slayed me and almost brought me to my knees. Perhaps the power of the universe was indeed inside this one small human female. Becky Ann stepped forward, the scent of her arousal almost overpowering.

"It's not giving up if it's what I want. Earth was getting kind of boring anyway." From the look in her eyes, I could tell what Becky Ann said wasn't as truthful as she made out. Her eyes held a trace of fear. But there was bravery there as well, a determination to not let circumstances get the better of her.

Becky Ann would need that determination. Life on Reazus Prime was not easy. I would do everything in my power to keep her safe. However, I learned a long time ago that nothing in life is guaranteed.

"If staying with me is what you want, I will be your protector. My home is your home for as long as you wish." My female surprised me as she wrapped her arms around me and squeezed. She was tiny, her arms barely able to reach my back. Instead, she squeezed my sides for all she was worth.

I couldn't remember ever being on the receiving end of a hug. It was warm, comforting. While my koesh was still rock-hard, pulsing in my pants, a different kind of warmth spread throughout my body. It was a gentler warmth, one that wrapped around my heart. It settled me in a way I couldn't explain even to myself. All I knew was I would do anything for one of Becky Ann's hugs.

Chapter Nine

Becky Ann

D id I want to stay? That was a complicated question. The thought of never returning to Earth left me feeling a little queasy. Earth was my home and all I'd ever known. Yet what was really there for me? Pap was gone. I had my YouTube followers, but I didn't have any real friends. That was one of the drawbacks of growing up wild in the mountains with an old man. My pap loved me, but he didn't do well with outsiders. He didn't like going to town. I had learned not to trust anyone from a young age.

So would I want to go back? I didn't know. There wasn't anything left for me in West Virginia anymore. It sounded like it was almost impossible to go back to Earth anyway. I should be freaking out more than I was at the thought of staying on this planet millions, probably trillions, of miles away from Earth. For all I knew, I could be light-years away from Earth. That was a thing, wasn't it? Science fiction wasn't my thing.

I'd read an alien romance once. At the time, I'd thought it was silly and couldn't get into it. I mean aliens? Seriously? The heroine had practically thrown herself at some big alien monster, and I was supposed to think the whole idea was plausible? Come on.

But now, I'm finding myself attracted to my own big brute of an alien, and I could sort of see the appeal. Devkon was beyond attractive. Sure he had big curly horns and his skin was a tad more teal in color than anyone on Earth. Like ever.

Devkon also had muscles for days. Big strong ones that felt warm under my fingers. Broad shouldered and lean hips, I was more attracted to Devkon, an alien, than I had ever been to any man I had dated in recent years. However few and far between those might have been.

I should be freaking out. Why wasn't I freaking out? Because of the memory of Devkon's lips on mine and how they made me feel. In the few minutes our lips were locked, I'd felt so many emotions.

Safety. Passion. Homecoming.

As difficult as it was to process, being in Devkon's arms was like coming home. I couldn't explain it. I briefly wondered if those fucking slavers who had apparently kidnapped me hadn't done something to my brain, making me more receptive to wanting an alien. After all, they'd put some kind of translator thing in my head. What was to stop them from also doing other things with my brain.

At the moment, did I even care? Did it matter? All I wanted to do was kiss Devkon again and feel that warmth only he made me feel down in my core. I'd never been as attracted to any human as I was to this large alien in this moment.

What was the alternative? Go to this Hub place and hope I can find a pirate ship willing to take me away? Somewhere? Anywhere? Nope. That was a big fat no!

I was so in my head, Devkon had turned away. His shoulders slumped as if he thought I'd made up my mind to leave. I reached out, my hand grabbing his arm. His muscles flexed under my fingers, reminding me of how strong he was.

"It's not giving up if it's what I want. Earth was getting kind of boring anyway." Stepping closer, Devkon's musky scent assaulted my nose. That scent did strange and curious things to me. I wanted to rub myself all over the big alien and wrap myself in his scent. Shaking my head to clear my thoughts, my fingers clinched ever harder on Devkon's arm. "I think I want to stay. Here with you, I mean. I'm sure this Hub of yours is nice, but I don't do well with places like that. I'm more comfortable out in nature. Cities have too many dang people in them."

Devkon looked at me, a look of hope in his eyes. I didn't know how or why, but I already knew this alien better than I ever knew any man I dated on Earth. Again I wondered if those aliens did something to me while I was unconscious. Something that made me more amenable to dealing with aliens. The thought that I should be freaking out more ran through my head before I pushed it aside.

In the end, it didn't matter if it was something my kidnappers did or if it was Devkon himself. This was the situation I was in. I looked into Devkon's eyes, seeing a vulnerability there that called to me. Stepping closer, my arms wrapped around Devkon's waist. My arms didn't meet at his back, but that was okay. He allowed me to hug him and pull him closer. He lost the stiffness in his shoulders as we stood there. His arms wrapped around me and we stood there, soaking in the feeling of being in the other's arms.

A soft rumbling sounded in Devkon's chest. It wasn't a scary sort of rumbling, more like a soothing sort of sound. The vibrations traveled from the tips of my nipples, which had gone achingly stiff, all the way to my clit. If I'd been wearing panties instead of a cobbled together skirt, they'd be soaked.

Looking up, I discovered Devkon watching me. His gaze was steamy. His lips parted and the sound rumbling in his throat and chest grew louder. My body responded to those vibrations as if directly connected to my clit. An orgasm was only moments away and Devkon hadn't even touched me yet.

A moan escaped me as my hips gyrated against Devkon's legs. My head barely came up to his chest which put the thick pole in Devkon's pants even with my stomach. So not where I wanted it to be. I didn't want to talk about Earth and how I was never seeing it again. I didn't want to talk about this Hub place. I wanted to chase Devkon's lips again and have that gentle rumble sound light me up as we moved our bodies against each other.

I wasn't that girl who jumped into bed with a guy the first time we met. In that moment, I wanted to be. And why the hell not? I was on an alien planet with a hot alien I wanted to climb like a pole. If this wasn't the perfect time to let go, when was? Again, the thought that those slaver aliens had messed with my head tickled at the back of my head, but I didn't even care.

In that moment, I felt cool air as the knot on my makeshift sari fell away. I wasn't the least bit sorry as the itchy cloth sank to the floor, leaving my body on full display. My thighs were slick with the evidence of my arousal. Devkon's nostrils flared and I swear his pupils dilated until all I saw was the barest hint of color in his irises.

Devkon lifted me up, his mouth claiming mine once more with a growl mixed into the soft rumbles which only grew louder as he kissed me. My legs wrapped around Devkon's hips and then my clit was rubbing against the hard ridge of his erection, exactly where I wanted to be. The long length of it surprised me, but it was the wide width of Devkon's erection that almost had me double thinking the wisdom of sex with an alien. But what a way to go? Yes, please shatter me with your overly large alien dick.

Without breaking our kiss, we moved, each of my big alien's steps sending flares of heat straight to my clit as it rubbed against the rough cloth of Devkon's pants. I could only hope the end of the line led directly to my sexy alien's bed.

Chapter Ten

Devkon

H aving Becky Ann in my arms, her legs wrapped around, our lips fused together, sent shivers of pleasure racing down my spine. My fingers tingled where they sank into her ass, tight globes that fit my hands to perfection.

My koesh hardened in my pants as Becky Ann ground her pussy against me. Little moans of pleasure escaped my female's sweet lips and I drank them down, sipping at her lips like the finest liquor. My steps moved on pure instinct as I made my way to my bed. Each step made my koesh harder until it felt as if it would burst from my pants.

Lowering Becky Ann down on the bed, I pulled away to look at her. Her lids were heavy over brown eyes; flecks of gold and green shot throughout though the black centers had grown larger, attempting to crowd out the deep brown. A soft blush of pink dotted her cheeks, traveling down her skin to dip under the remaining bit of cloth hiding her breasts. With a flick of the finger, the cloth fell away, revealing the firm globes of Becky Ann's breasts. Her nipples hardened under my gaze as she watched me remove my own clothes.

My female's breaths came a little faster as she watched me fist my koesh. My eyes surveyed curvy hips with a tiny triangle of dark fur at the juncture of muscular thighs. Slick moisture clung to the skin.

The aroma of Becky Ann's desire caused my koesh to grow even harder to the point of pain if I didn't bury myself into her soon. My head dipped down, drawing closer to that scent that drove me crazy until my nose buried itself into her center. A swipe of my tongue had flavors that were all Becky Ann exploding in my mouth. I explored her soft velvet folds, more moisture flowing with each lick.

When my mouth found a hardened little nub at the apex of Becky Ann's pussy, she released a keening wail of need. Her fingers grasped my horns, pulling me closer as her hips gyrated against my lips. Shards of pleasure wrapped around me from my horns straight to my koesh as the sensitive skin there reacted to my female's soft touch.

Wanting to give my female pleasure, I worked that hard little nub, sucking hard one moment while burying my tongue deep inside her slick pussy the next. The more I explored her, the slicker she became, her hips grinding against me as words that didn't translate fell from her lips. Her voice grew huskier with each passing moment. Only the fact she kept pulling me forward prevented me from stopping. I would worry about the translator later. There were bound to be some words not in the database. It happened with every language.

When her grip on my horns tightened and her legs clamped around my head, I knew Becky Ann was close. I wanted to feel that, feel her go over the edge. As if bringing her pleasure was my lifelong goal, I worked my tongue deeper as I brought a finger up to caress and flick against that little nub, bringing more moans of pleasure to Becky Ann's lips.

A rush of liquid flowed over my tongue as Becky Ann's inner muscles clamped down around me. An explosion of flavor even deeper than before hit my taste sensors as my female's whole body tensed up. Moans of pleasure echoed through the room, filling my ears with an erotic music that drove me crazy.

Rising up over Becky Ann, I looked at her, lying on my bed, hair draped over the bed coverings in a wild display of soft silk. She was a wanton display of erotic pleasure. A smile played at her lips, her skin flushed an even deeper pink than before. She made my heart ache with how much I wanted her.

"You've got the biggest cock I've ever seen. Not sure if it will fit, but boy, do I want to give it my all trying," she said with a sultry smile that pulled at my desire until all I could think of was sinking balls deep inside her.

Becky Ann spread her legs in invitation, and I took her up on it, sinking my koesh, my cock, into her warm heat. She groaned as she wrapped her legs around me when I bottomed out inside her. Her muscles clamped around me like a vise, squeezing me to the point of pain so pleasurable I thought I'd burst before I could move.

Only the desire to see Becky Ann come on my cock had me moving. Thrusting in and pulling out in an ageless rhythm, I sank into Becky Ann over and over again. Her heat strangled my cock in the best way, making me wish I could stay forever within her warm depths. That wasn't how this was supposed to go though. The pleasure built with each thrust and retreat.

The flush on Becky Ann's skin grew impossibly deeper until it was almost a bright red. Her hips moved with mine, matching each thrust and parry with one of her own. She wasn't a passive female. She chased her pleasure as I chased mine until our orgasms exploded in a fiery blaze. My balls drew tight, my cock grew harder, and with one last thrust inside her warm heat, my cock released inside my female.

Becky Ann's inner muscles fluttered around me as a part of my cock I'd never experienced before locked the two of us together. More liquid seeped from her pussy as my female took her pleasure around my knot. As an alpha of my race, I'd known it was possible I have the ability to knot. That it had never happened before wasn't surprising. Most alphas only knotted when they found their fated mates.

"What is that?" Becky Ann moaned as she shifted, causing jolts of pleasure to center where the two of us connected. "Feels so good."

"My knot," I said in amazement. A knot I never thought I'd experience on this cursed planet. A knot that said I'd found my fated mate. A human. A beautiful, sexy human who stole my heart with each breath she took, each little moan that escaped her lips as she squeezed her legs around me, pulling me in deeper.

As impossible as it seemed, I'd found the one thing I had given up hope of ever having. I'd found the one being made just for me. Before she could question me more for answers I didn't have, my lips crashed down on Becky Ann's. I kissed her, giving her my breath and taking hers until my knot receded, allowing me to slip from her folds. Folds that clung to my cock as if they never wanted to be parted from me any more than I wished to part from her.

I rolled onto my back, pulling Becky Ann with me until she lay on my chest, her arms wrapped around. Her breathing softened and fluttered until it evened out as sleep pulled her under. She deserved to sleep.

She'd been on the go since her pod had crashed. Had it only been a few days? It seemed like a lifetime had passed since I'd discovered it and the scent inside. Had I known even then that my life was going to change? Had some deeper instinct known I'd found my mate and that's why I couldn't stop tracking her? I didn't know. I only knew I was grateful she had landed on Reazus Prime, near my home. She could have landed anywhere and I never would have found her.

She was mine. I knew it with every molecule of my being. Now all I had to do was figure out how to keep her.

Chapter Eleven

Becky Ann

A fter waking up on another planet, survival was the goal that filled my days. One foot in front of the other, discovering the lay of the land became a necessity. Even times of rest were fraught with fear of the future and what I might find. For the first time in days, I felt safe. Strong arms wrapped around me like bands, but they didn't feel restricting. There was comfort in waking up in Devkon's arms.

Memories of the night before shifted into place as my brain woke up. If it weren't for the slight ache between my legs, I might have wondered if it had happened at all. Sex with Devkon was out of this world, in more ways than one. Had I really woken up on an alien planet and had the most incredible sex of my life or was I dreaming? If so, I didn't want to wake up.

While the idea of never seeing Earth again was disconcerting; there was nothing there for me. I had started a YouTube channel to fill my days after Pap passed. It had been a way for me to reconnect with the lessons he had taught me growing up. Living off the land, learning to be a good steward of it and all that it provided. Lessons I could teach others. Gaining thousands of followers had never been the goal.

Devkon's musky scent, that almost smelled like freshly carded wool, penetrated my awareness as I came more fully awake, my nose schmooshed into his armpit. Even as my brain woke up, my body tried to get even closer to the solid male who had his arms wrapped around me like he'd never let go. I did the only thing that made sense in that fuzzy time between waking up and full awareness, I snuggled closer, inhaling the addicting smell of a man. Well, this man, ur, alien.

I didn't want to lose the peaceful feeling that settled into me. As strange as the last few days had been and as weird as it sounded in my head, I felt as if I had come home. I was right where I was always meant to be, snuggled close in Devkon's arms.

Fine hairs tickled my nose and I couldn't resist rubbing my cheek against the soft strands. While I had thought Devkon didn't have any body hair, every place my body touched his was a superfine layer of ultrasoft fur resting close to his skin. Not visible from a distance, its existence both surprised me and reinforced how alien Devkon was from humans. To my surprise, it didn't detract me from the attraction I felt for the huge alien holding me close. It only made me snuggle in closer.

"Are you awake?" The words were spoken with a low rumble as I felt the vibrations in Devkon's chest.

"No, not yet."

"I can hear you thinking."

"I might be thinking I don't want to move yet."

"Perhaps. Or perhaps you are thinking you made a mistake last night?"

"Not even close. I'm thinking I don't ever want to wake up. I want to stay here in your arms forever." It was such a scary admission to make after knowing Devkon for only a day. I snuggled closer, afraid of what would happen once the world intruded and we really did have to get up and face the day. "Don't get weird or anything. I'll try my best not to get clingy."

"What if I want you clingy?"

My eyes popped open then, only to find Devkon staring at me with a look I couldn't quite decipher. There was an intensity to his eyes that drew me in and made me feel as if I was someone important.

"Yeah?"

"Do humans have mates?" Devkon took a breath before letting it out slowly. "Fated mates? Mates you know as soon as you see them that they are the one meant for you and only you?"

"No. I mean, we know the concept. There are romance authors who write about things like that. But it's only made-up stuff that never happens in real life."

"My people have fated mates. Not everyone is lucky enough to find their one. I didn't think I'd ever find my one. Not here on Reazus Prime. It's the last place I ever thought it would happen."

"Me?"

Devkon smiled and it lit up his whole face, his horns twitching in the low light. I didn't know horns could do that. I had to fight an irresistible urge to reach out and touch them.

"Yes, you. A scary little human who tried to kill me with rocks and a trap or two. After the first trap, I tracked you. Your scent called to me. At first, I didn't know why."

"To be fair, I only made small traps that weren't meant for someone your size. They never would have killed you. And I did try to help when I thought you were hurt." It was my turn to take a breath. "And now, you know why?"

"It is because you are my mate. The one being in the universe who is meant for me."

"How can you be so sure?" The idea of fated mates was dreamy and romantic, but things like that didn't really happen. At least, not on Earth.

"I didn't know at first. I only knew that your scent called to me like no being ever has before. Scenting you made my cock hard. I am not an untried youth with no experience in rutting. I can control my body even when aroused. Yet I cannot control my cock around you. I am always hard."

"Always?"

"Always." Devkon pushed closer, his hips lining up with mine until I felt the hard bar of his erection against me. It was large, its pulsing beat matching the beat of Devkon's heart against my palm where it rested on his chest.

Unable to resist any longer, I reached out and touched those horns. The base where the horn met skin was softer than I expected. Devkon groaned as my hand traced around the curled appendages. They were smoother than I thought they would be. As my hand explored, Devkon shifted his erection lower, the head pressing into my welcoming core.

It was my turn to groan as my sensitive folds dampened with my arousal. I never thought playing with an alien's horns could get me so hot. There was something about the stark difference to humans that appealed to me. It surprised me how much I wanted this. Wanted Devkon.

The world outside faded away as the two of us gave in to our passion. Devkon slid into me, stretching me more than I've ever been stretched before. My hips met his as we found a rhythm together. My hands left those glorious horns to dance over strong muscles covered in fine fur. It felt like velvet, and the feel of it only pushed my excitement even more.

My climax rushed at me before I was ready. I wanted this to last longer. But I couldn't help thrusting my hips up to meet Devkon's each time he thrust into me. We were like liquid fire together, burning up the sheets.

Devkon bore into me one last time, his breath catching as he stiffened above me, almost growling in my ear. Warmth flooded inside, heating me up. The base of Devkon's cock grew larger, stretching me impossibly more than I've ever been stretched before and that was all it took to push me over the edge. My orgasm slammed into me, leaving me breathless at its intensity.

I wrapped my legs around Devkon, holding him closer, not wanting to lose what I was feeling inside. It was a sense of belonging like I'd never felt before. It was like coming home.

A low grumble tickled my ear, as Devkon whispered my name and something more. "That right there is how I know you're my one. Only a fated mate can trigger a male's knot."

Well, damn. How was a girl supposed to argue with that?

Chapter Twelve

Devkon

T he small drone followed Becky Ann. I watched the recording, tracking her movements even as she tracked the beast she hunted. It had been several weeks since she had stumbled into my life. In some ways, it felt like a lifetime had passed since I found that pod and first inhaled her scent. She shared my bed each night and we rutted each one of them. During the day, we explored the land I claimed as my own on this piece of rock known as Reazus Prime. Becky Ann was full of questions. She loved being outside and learning everything she could about the world around her.

I didn't always have answers to all of her questions. Some things she was curious about I never gave much thought to. Others, like medicinal herbs, I showed her what I knew. It was hard to grow up on Reazus Prime and not learn a thing or two about the plants that had healing properties or could help reduce an infection when needed. There weren't any healing facilities close by, the nearest one being at that hub. I was lucky enough to have a small medical scanner. It was programmed for most of the species in this sector. It also had the capability of learning for those species that might not be in the database, like humans. The first thing I did when Becky Ann started asking about medical facilities was scan her. I wanted to keep her safe. Scanning her was the first step in making sure I could do that.

Following Becky Ann with a drone was another way I kept her safe. I didn't like the idea of my female out in the wilderness tracking a beast that could turn on her. She didn't even have a proper weapon. She had insisting on creating a human weapon made from a thick branch and some thin twine. She called it a bow. Small sticks with sharp points were flung from it. She claimed it was a deadly weapon, but all I could see was how flimsy it looked. When I first mentioned tracking down this particular beast, it never crossed my mind that my female might wish to try her hand at hunting it down. Not that females weren't capable. Though females were few on Reazus Prime, there were some. They were fierce and more than capable of surviving the harsh conditions found here.

Humans seemed so much more delicate. Becky Ann was such a small creature. She barely came up to my chest. She had fine bones I could easily crush if I weren't careful. The idea of her hunting a beast the size of the heasag was unsettling. Part of me wanted to wrap her up in my arms and never let her leave the structure I'd built as my home. Becky Ann assured me that was an unreasonable idea when I first broached the topic. She said I couldn't protect her from everything. But oh, how I wanted to try. Each day, I scanned the perimeter of my lands, making sure there were no more beings tracking the downed pod. So far, the few that had come close hadn't found where the pod had landed. Lucky for them, they hadn't stepped on my land.

I had to laugh the one time a being had ended up on my neighbor's land while searching the area. That was an encounter I would remember always. My security system had recorded the incident at the edge of our borders, making me happy as I watched a Slastorn run for his life. As a species, they feared little, being fierce warriors. As fierce as they were, even they knew they were no match for an angry Dragorian defending his lair. It paid to have a healthy respect for beings like my neighbor.

The drone darted through the trees, keeping pace with Becky Ann as she followed the trail of the beast she tracked. My heart fluttered as she strayed from my land onto the Dragorian's land.

No. No. No.

She knew better. I had drilled into her where our borders met. Had reiterated many times how important it was not to cross over into the Dragorian's territory.

Racing toward Becky Ann's position, I cursed that I had allowed her out of my sight. If she was hurt, it would be all my fault. It was my job to protect her.

As I trampled through the underbrush, a loud roar echoed through the woods. A scream rent through the air; high-pitched and very female. Becky Ann!

My heart stuttered and skipped a beat as I pushed through shrubs and trees to get to my female. Branches tore my leg coverings as I crashed through them, but I paid them no attention. My only thoughts to get to my female. Desperation clung to me like a thick blanket, making it difficult to breathe.

What if I was too late? What if Becky Ann was injured because I gave in to her wishes by allowing her to hunt the beast? I would never be able to forgive myself if I lost her now that I'd only just found her.

A growl escaped me as I pushed myself for more speed. I would not lose my female now. Becky Ann was my mate and I would not lose her. Life on Reazus Prime would not be acceptable after knowing the sweetness of her lips, feeling her tight channel around my koesh as I plunged into her. Hearing my female's cries as she found her bliss.

I would get to Becky Ann in time, and I would make sure she knew she was mine. She needed to know what she was to me. She was my life.

I lost track of the drone, the images no longer transmitting data to the receiver I wore over my eye. In frustration, my hand clawed at the useless piece of tech, crushing it in my fist before tossing it to the ground. Never again would I trust my female's life to tech from a distance. Cuffing her to my wrist and locking her down sounded good at this moment.

After finally emerging from the woods, I pulled up short, my mind not able to process what I was seeing as I took in the scene before me. Becky Ann sat in a vast mud puddle, the essapug clasped in her arms. The Dragorian stood a short distance away, mud dripping from his vast wings, smoke emanating from flared nostrils. He looked moments away from sparking the flames I knew he could reign down on the unsuspecting. Thankfully, he was not aiming at my Becky Ann.

No, the Dragorian was aiming those potential flames at the beast that lay at his feet, one of my female's sharp pointy sticks sticking out from its eye as it took its last labored breaths. The Dragorian also sported a sharp pointy stick in his wing. Blood dripped from the wound.

Becky Ann turned toward me as I moved my feet forward, my mind trying to understand what had taken place. All thoughts of the Dragorian and the beast left me as my female's bright smile lit up as she saw me. Happiness glowed on her face as she stood up, still clasping the essapug in her arms even though the creature was too heavy for her to carry.

"Devkon! I got him. Did you see it?"

Shaking my head, I could only stare at my female in wonder that she was not shaking in fear as she stood near both the beast she had slayed and the Dragorian who could strike fear in most beings on Reazus Prime, perhaps even in the galaxy.

"No, something happened to the drone and it stopped communicating," I said, my breathing still ragged from my run through the forest.

"Oh, that was probably when the big winged alien tried to roast it. I think it fell to the ground over there somewhere if you need it back." Becky Ann attempted to wave in a direction, but stopped mid-wave as the essapug slipped from her arms. She hugged it tighter before she lowered it to the ground. It was only then that I saw one of the essapug's tusks had broken off, leaving him with a short stump on one side of his snout. "Did you know there were aliens who could turn into a flamethrower? It was impressive. I bet those flames shot out at least fifteen feet."

A growl escaped me as my female described in great detail the impressiveness of my neighbor and his flames. Jealousy reared its head inside me at the thought Becky Ann might decide the Dragorian was a better choice for a mate. Despite the fact I was at a disadvantage, I was prepared to fight for my female if needed. I was not giving up my female to the Dragorian.

"Devkon, does this female belong to you?" I turned as the Dragorian spoke. Smoke no longer emitted from his nostrils and the blood had slowed to an ooze. He looked at Becky Ann with confusion as if he had never seen anyone like her before. Of course, the fact she was human made her different, but I didn't think that was what had caused his look of consternation.

The Dragorian must have seen something in my expression because his next words put me at ease and stopped my growl. "Relax, Angorean. I do not want your female."

"She does belong to me. I apologize for her trespass. It won't happen again."

"Quite alright. The female is welcome anytime. She thinks she saved me from the heasag."

"Did she not kill the beast?"

"Oh yes, she did indeed. I would not have thought it possible with such a flimsy weapon, but it is very dangerous, that weapon your female wields. Very painful as well. It's a good thing I heal quickly." The Dragorian reached for the stick still sticking from his wing. He went to pull it out before Becky Ann stopped him.

"Wait! It's less painful and damaging if you push it through instead of pulling it out."

The Dragorian sighed, pushing the stick through his wing with a grimace. A shudder rippled through both wings as the stick dropped to the ground. They were an impressive sight as they spread to their full wingspan before folding together behind the large alien's back.

"I would have killed the beast if not for the fact your female's first projectile had met my wing. It was a momentary distraction. Even as I went to put down the beast, your female was firing her weapon again and the projectile seated perfectly into the beast's weak point, right through the eye and to the brain. It was quite impressive for such a weak looking weapon."

I did not want my neighbor impressed with my female. Jealousy reared its head again even as the Dragorian's next words distracted me from that same emotion.

"Human? From the downed pod, I assume. She was not the only one. Rumor has it there were many more pods. They dropped all over Reazus Prime. Rumor also has it not all the females survived. Whether that is true or stories made up by beings wishing to keep their females safe, I don't know. I would keep your female close to your lair. Those wretched slavers don't give up easily. If not now, at some point they are sure to attempt tracking down their lost property."

Nodding, I agreed. A few more words were exchanged before Becky Ann and I headed home. We split the meat from the beast with the Dragorian, taking half to replenish my meat stores. My hand held Becky Ann's on the walk home, her touch soothing me even as my senses spread out, keeping alert to any dangers. The infernal essapug trailed behind, keeping close to Becky Ann.

Chapter Thirteen

Becky Ann

T he hike back to Devkon's home was quiet. He wouldn't let me help carry the beast he'd dressed and split with his neighbor, and he was silent the whole walk. I wasn't sure what to make of it.

Was he angry with me? I hadn't meant to cross the boundary between the two properties. The heasag Devkon had allowed me to hunt was injured, forcing the need to hunt him down. Heasags were kind of like weird alien wild boars with massive tusks. They could be a dangerous adversary on a normal day, but injured, they turned deadly. Devkon and his neighbor hunted them to keep the population down to a reasonable number and any time they found evidence of one that was injured, they did everything they could to track it down.

Heasags weren't cute and cuddly creatures one could capture and nurse back to health. The most humane way to deal with the injured creatures was to put them out of their misery since they became a hazard to any beings in the area. I was lucky Devkon had agreed to let me hunt the creature down, but I went and messed everything up by doing what I'd agreed not to do. I'd traveled off Devkon's territory.

Except when I saw the injured creature tracking the little friend I'd made, my essapug, I couldn't not cross over into the Dragonian's territory. Devkon had been reluctant to let me hunt, but he gave in to my assertion that I was an experienced hunter. And I was. On Earth.

Things were so different on Reazus Prime. I mean, aliens. How had I forgotten there were aliens? Not just any aliens either. No, Devkon's neighbor spewed fire from his mouth. Somewhat cool and very, very terrifying.

The silence was killing me. The walk home, silence. Butchering the heasag, silence. Packing up all the meat and storing it in the cold room, silence. Walking back up the stairs to the main living space, silence.

I couldn't take it anymore.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have left your territory."

Devkon looked at me and his lips twitched. It was as if he was only now noticing I still carried the essapug in my arms. A very heavy essapug. He was injured and I couldn't put him down. I didn't want to put him down. He was the first friend I'd made on this planet and he was hurt.

My huge alien took the essapug from my arms, inspecting the creature's broken tusk. The blood had been minimal, and it had stopped bleeding on the walk back. I couldn't tell if the essapug was in any pain or not. Animals on Earth had high pain tolerances and I thought it might be the same for animals on other planets. It was a guess since I didn't know the first thing about alien animals. I was operating on fumes at this point, mostly guessing as I got a feel for what Reazus Prime was like.

Despite all the questions I'd asked Devkon, I had so many more. A lifetime of questions about both the planet I'd ended up on and the alien I had fallen for. Past tense as in it was a done deal.

When it came to the hunt, I messed up. I had so much to learn and while I got lucky this time, there was no guarantee that I'd be successful next time. If I wanted to survive on this planet, I was going to have to take a step back and learn the lay of the land. As much as it injured my pride, I was the newbie alien on this backwater planet.

No longer the expert teaching thousands upon thousands of people how to survive off the land, I was now the student again. It was both humbling and frustrating. I had learned once, though, at the knees of my grandfather. I could learn again as long as Devkon wasn't ready to wash his hands, er claws of me.

I watched as Devkon wiped the little bit of blood on the essapug's broken tusk. With a flick of the wrist, the cloth snapped and the blood stains disappeared, leaving the cloth fresh and ready for the next time it was needed.

Self-cleaning cloths? Yet another question to add to my list.

"The creature will live. The root is still intact. The tusk might grow back eventually. If it does, it might be shorter than the other."

"So you're saying our friend here might be a little lopsided? I was thinking of naming him Ellie because he sort of looks like one of my favorite animals back home, an elephant. Only smaller. Much, much smaller." I couldn't resist smiling at the funny little creature with the short stubby legs and the even shorter trunk. For all he looked like a miniature elephant, he had a charm all his own. "Maybe I'll call him Loppey instead."

I couldn't resist cuddling with the essapug in Devkon's arms, laughing when the animal snuffled his elongated snout along my cheek, hot air blowing through my hair.

"I will take him outside."

"Oh, but... we could set up a little space for him to recuperate in here. Maybe spread some blankets on the floor?"

Devkon shook his head even as he made his way toward the stairs. "He would not be comfortable in here. And even if we allowed him to stay, he is not trained to be an indoor animal. He might be small, but essapugs leave a lot of waste. Good for the plants, not my floors."

Sighing, I nodded my head. Friendly though he might be, the small creature was definitely a yard animal. That didn't mean I couldn't still spoil him. Perhaps I could create an enclosure for the animal. A place he could feel safe when he visited, but gave him the option of coming and going at will. I'd have to brainstorm some ideas.

When Devkon came back, I took a deep breath. It was time to see where I stood with my big alien. I didn't like disappointing him. If I wanted him to let me hunt in his territory again, I'd have to work to gain his trust. An apology was my first step.

"I'm sorry I ignored your instructions. Loppey would probably have been fine. I know that. He's from here and he knows how to survive. That big alien would have been able to kill the beast. He hadn't needed me to save him." My alien snorted at my words. "I have to remember this isn't Earth. Things are different here and I need to forget everything I think I know about wilderness survival and start fresh."

"Not everything," Devkon said, shaking his head. "I am sure there are some similarities. However, please remember I have lived here my whole life. Crossing into another's territory without permission is tantamount to a declaration of war. We don't have much on Reazus Prime, but when we do -- when we carve out a space that is ours and ours alone -- we protect what is ours with everything we have."

"I can understand that. Today worked out well. I know I can't always expect things to be easy, but I'm trying my best to fit in here."

"Yes, it worked out well today. You slayed the beast and survived an encounter with a Dragonian. Not many beings can claim that right. It helped that he recognized you as a human female. Things could have gone much worse." Devkon inhaled a deep breath, before speaking again. "You scared me. I thought I had lost you. When I heard you scream, my heart stopped for the briefest of moments. I do not wish to feel that way again."

I stepped up close to my alien lover, wrapping my arms around him the best I could. "You can't wrap me in bubble wrap to keep me safe. I'm going to make mistakes and I need to learn from them."

"It is my job to protect you. You are my mate. The thought of losing you now that I have found you is incomprehensible."

I smiled at his use of the word mate. I still had a lot to learn about this new world I'd found myself in, but I couldn't imagine being anywhere else, learning them with Devkon at my side.

"I love you, my big alien. My mate."

A smile broke out on Devkon's face and it transformed him. There was a lightness to him that only I was allowed to see. Every moment with him was precious and I couldn't wait to see what life with my mate would bring.

"My mate. I love you, Becky Ann. You are my life and I willingly surrender to you, traps and all."

Laughter bubbled up out of me as Devkon picked me up, throwing me over his shoulder and heading for the bedroom. I couldn't remember the last time I felt so light, so loved. I might not be on Earth anymore, but I was right where I belonged.

In Devkon's arms.

Epilogue

Devkon

Three years later...

G iggles rang out across the yard, lighthearted sounds that brought a smile to my face. Stepping out onto the raised platform around the top story of my abode, I looked at the scene below me. Becky Ann supervised as Loppey played with our offspring who walked on shaky legs as he attempted to chase after the essapug.

While Markon looked like me in most ways, he had a surprising amount of hair on his head. Dark like his mother's, it curled in fascinating ways around my digits when I held him. Today marked his second year and it was difficult to imagine my life without him. I had thought I would never have this life. Thought I would always be alone. Instead, I had so much more than I ever dreamed possible.

We still waited for the slavers to come. So far, none had shown up on this part of Reazus Prime, though I had heard rumors they looked for their human slaves on other parts of the planet. Reazus Prime was big with many parts still unexplored. Some areas more wild than others. If there were other human females on the planet, they could be as well hidden as my Becky Ann. There was one thing I knew, anyone who was as lucky as I to have found a human mate, they would guard them with their life.

Ever vigilante, security drones monitored all of my territory. I had spent a good number of credits getting the best equipment possible from the Hub. Now that we had Markon, that security was even more important. I would protect my family with everything that I had.

"Devkon! Come play with us." Becky Ann spotted me, smiling up at me. Smiling back, I leaped off the upper platform, landing nearby. The first time my mate had seen me jump, she had shrieked in terror, thinking I had hurt myself. While it was a fair jump for her short human legs, the height was nothing for me. It had posed a problem that had taken me some time to figure out.

Becky Ann needed a way to escape the upper level should the lower level be compromised. It was not something I had thought of when I built my domicile. Now there was a hidden elevator of sorts that was human-sized. Becky Ann could come and go from the upper level as she pleased.

Living with my mate wasn't always easy. She was very independent. But I had learned how to let her have her freedom while still keeping her safe. Now I was also tasked with keeping my offspring safe. It was a job I cherished.

Becky Ann threw her arms around me as I stepped close, her face all smiles and happiness. I held my mate close, my arms welcoming the feel of her strong body within their embrace.

"It's a wonderful day, my mate." Becky Ann looked up at me with eyes bright with love for me. It was a moment before I was able to speak past the lump in my throat.

"It is. A very wonderful day, my mate." I lifted Becky Ann up even as my head tilted down, our lips meeting in a gentle exploration that caused my koesh to fill in my leg coverings. The heady scent of my mate's arousal filled the air. It was a long time before I lifted my head to take a breath.

A tug on my leg had me bending down to pick up Markon. His horns had not come in yet, still small little stubs barely visible in his dark hair. I didn't know if they would ever truly come out. As far as I knew, he was the first of my kind with a human mother. Whatever happened, though, horns or no horns, he was my son and I was grateful each day to have him in my life.

I looked at my mate with all the love I had within me. "It is the most wonderful of days."

Dear Readers,

This book has been a long time coming. I know that many of you were expecting it to be released when the first batch of Outlaw Planet Mates books released. When I took on this project, I expected to do that. I was so excited when we first started talking about this project. Being a part of it during the whole world-building phase was so much fun. I had a blast brainstorming with all the other authors writing in this series to create the world that is the Outlaw Planet Mates.

Unfortunately, as I sat down to write my book, my mother got sick. Travel restrictions or advisories were still going strong, and I hadn't been vaccinated. I was still waiting to be eligible in my state for the vaccine. I didn't want to go see my sick mom and possibly expose her to something that could make the situation worse. Everything seemed so serious back then. I don't even have words.

I won't go into everything because, at this point, it doesn't matter. What does matter is that I lost my mom before I made the drive across several states to get to her. She was my best friend and my biggest champion and cheerleader. And I couldn't even make it to her funeral in person.

I'm lucky technology is at the point where I could "attend" the funeral virtually. It wasn't the way I wanted to say goodbye to my mom. I couldn't be in the same room with my sister and give her a hug as we paid our last respects. To this day, I still have some unresolved feelings about that.

What followed were feelings of guilt, long talks with my sister over the phone, and lots of waiting. When it came to dealing with the aftermath of my mom's death, Covid didn't help. Because of the epidemic and government offices being shutdown during the height of everything, getting death certificates took months instead of weeks. A change in estate laws in West Virginia made things even more difficult. And then there was finally traveling to West Virginia to sort through my mom's things and decide what to do with it all.

It was an exhausting year and I'll admit; I didn't get hardly any writing done. I wrote a chapter or two a month instead of several chapters a week. It was slow going. Both my Harper Rosling and Corie Rosling pen names had books delayed. Between the travel and my emotions, I was a mess for most of the year. The holidays and the anniversary of my mom's death were especially rough.

And when I thought I was finally getting through all the grief, I was hit with another tragedy. I lost my cousin, who was diagnosed with cancer. It was sudden, and it was swift. He didn't even have time to start treatment before he was gone. I'm still trying to wrap my head around the fact he was taken so quickly. The fact he was younger than me by several years has me more motivated than I've ever been to lose weight and get healthy. As his only living relatives, my sister and I are once again trying to settle an estate that isn't straightforward.

If I can offer one piece of advice to you, dear reader, is make sure you have a will. Because not having one creates a mess for those left behind.

Now it's over a year later and I'm back to writing. This book was a long time coming and even as I write this, I'm not even sure if it's any good. I'll let you, dear reader, decide that. All I can say is that I'm sorry it's taken so long for me to get back to where I can now write again.

I love this world we've created. My plan is to sit down and write more stories set in this world. I think a certain fire-breathing, winged alien deserves to find his own human. Don't you? If you allow me, I would love to spin you more tales for the Outlaw Planet Mates.

Sincerely,

Harper

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