Page 8 of Oh No, I Stole An Alien Furball And Kissed A Beastmaster

I realize in that moment I don’t want her to run from me. I kind of begrudgingly want her around.

“I’m going to take this net. I mean, if you’re not using it,” Zoe says as she points at the multi-weave cloth folded neatly on the wooden tabletop.

“It’s not a net, it’s…” I hastily stuff my cock into my waistband, hiding the action by strapping my tool belt around my waist. Only then do I turn to her. “That’s a specialty fabric meant to hold cargo in place when being shipped across terrain. It’s made out of various alloys that are nigh indestructible when exposed to a variety of elements.”

“So you use it to throw over something and hold it in place,” Zoe nods dramatically towards me. “That’s the definition of a net. So, can I use it?”

I open my mouth to correct her, again, but I force myself to reconsider. It is a net. True, its purpose isn’t meant to be used to catch beasts, but there’s no reason why it couldn’t be used that way.

“Hey, so look, I know we didn’t get the best introduction,” Zoe says as she gathers up the lightweight cloth. Her eyes stay pinned on her hands, for once unable to meet mine. “I’d really like it though if we could have a fresh start. We are both adults, we should be able to do that, right? We’re stronger working together as a team, after all.”

“You want to hunt the beasts together?” I ask her, somewhat shocked that she truly wants to undertake this endeavor. Most females I’ve ever met would demand this task of their mates, though I guess Zoe doesn’t have a mate… So why does that thought make my blood pump and my chest soar? I swore off females a long time ago. I swore to keep my distance from everyone, didn’t I?

“Friends?” Zoe steps in front of me, holding her hand out, palm facing sideways. The scent of her anxiety fills the air, souring my stomach. I have no idea why this is so important to her, that we can work together, but for once I want to believe that it comes from a genuine place. If anything, these humans have proven themselves different from Volscian females. All she is asking for is friendship.

“Sure, friends,” I tell her as my heart hammers in my chest. I can’t decide if I am equally thrilled or terrified, of this tiny little human. A strong, virile male like me shouldn’t be afraid, and yet here I am.

Zoe’s face shines. Her eyes brighten and a large smile splits her face. Before I can react she throws herself against me in a furious hug.

“Thank you,” she says, her heated breath somehow ghosting through my clothing and brushing against sensitive skin. “You have no idea what it means to have a friend here.”

As if suddenly realizing what she’s doing, she pulls away just as abruptly as she came. Her face flames bright red, and my throat seizes at how she starts to remind me of a Volscian female. “I mean, I’ve got the other girls as friends, but most of us are friends only because we are in the same situation. Not because we get along, you know? It really means a lot to me if we can be real friends.”

As I stare down at her, I realize she is being genuine. Nothing about her scent or expression suggests otherwise; she truly wants a friend.

Friends…

I hate to admit it, but I am lonely. I haven’t been able to look Sutek or Rist in the eye since… I breathe out a heavy sigh, trying to dispel the unpleasant memories. It would be nice to be around someone that doesn’t remind me of my failings. Of course, I can’t get too attached or comfortable around her. But to be friends—I can do that.

Chapter

Six

ZOE

Istill can’t believe Taruk accepted my offer of friendship! My entire body hums with happiness—so much so that it’s almost impossible to sit still like he instructed. I perch at the top of a large wooden cabinet in the middle of the deserted hallway, waiting impatiently. I clench the net tightly, flexing my fingers every so often against the cold and stiff fibers. I thought it was made from cloth, but Taruk explained it’s made of some sort of indestructible metal.

“Incoming!” Taruk’s voice echoes down the hallway. My breath catches in my throat as several dozen Yumz suddenly appear around the bend, rolling across the floor. Behind them, Taruk takes the corner with speed, sliding across the smooth flooring with grace without even slowing down. It would almost be comical to watch this huge warrior chasing after a dozen creatures ankle height, if the situation weren’t so dire. Since they’ve escaped, we’ve been getting reports of them popping up all over the hotel, including guest suites.

I throw my net out, cursing as a couple duck beneath the mesh and escape.

Suddenly, my body is pulled from the cabinet by the combined weight of the Yumz attempting to flee.

One moment I’m looking all cool like some badass heroine in an action movie, the next I find myself sprawled on the floor, air gushing from my lungs as I land heavily. I wheeze as I attempt to breathe, my side smarting. Of course, before I truly get a chance to, I’m being dragged across the floor. To be honest, I’m glad the floor isn’t made of carpet but some weird metal rubber-like material, as I’d otherwise have some serious rug burn right about now.

“Human, let go!” Taruk curses behind me, chasing after my body.

“I can’t,” I cry, “my wrist is caught!”

My eyes widen in horror as I glance up and realize that the Yumz are running straight towards the outdoor balcony. Are these things freaking lemmings in disguise—using a double-story drop rather than a cliff? I get being in a net sucks, but jumping off a height like this does not equate to freedom.

“Taruk!” I squeal. I struggle, trying to get my feet beneath me, but the slick floor just slides beneath me without any traction.

Outside light washes over me as I’m dragged from the hallway onto the balcony.

The edge looms closer.

With a roar, Taruk throws his body over mine. As in, literally over mine. Suddenly his weight is pinning me down, squishing air from my already starved lungs.

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