Page 61 of Taming the Alien Outlaw
“We’re taking the city.”
“On whose command?”
His confusion is evident. “Yours.”
I shake my head. “This is not my doing. Gather as many rebels as you can and get out.”
Without waiting for his compliance, I take off running again, desperate to reach my mate. A nearby explosion almost knocks me off my feet, but I regain my balance and continue running. It takes me far too long, but I finally reach the building that houses the females. Guards lie scattered on the ground outside. I wish I could stop and help, but fear for Olivia drives me.
I rush inside, yelling her name. Destruction surrounds me. Sofas and chairs lie on their sides. Potted trees have been knocked over as though a windstorm swept through. I stand in the middle of the atrium, turning in circles as I holler for my mate. My voice echoes in the vast silence.
“They’re gone.” An injured male stumbles through a doorway and I hurry to catch him before he collapses.
Blood spills from an open wound on his head. I gently set him down and wipe his face as best I can. “The females are gone?”
He nods slowly and winces. “Rebels took them.”
“How long ago?”
“Not long. They rushed the guards outside and then they swept every floor until they gathered all the humans,” he replies. “I was in the kitchen when one of them came in. We fought, but he was too strong.”
“Did you hear where they were taking them?”
“No, I’m sorry.”
A pounding sound reaches me, but the open atrium is far too cavernous to pinpoint where it’s coming from. That’s when I hear it. A mournful howl. It’s faint, but there. I glance at the male.
“The phinnek. Where would she be?”
The male clutches at his still bleeding wound. “Top floor. Last door.”
“Will you be all right?”
He waves me off. “Go. I’ll survive.”
I leave him then, and race to the lift near the building entrance. My body thrums with impatience as it carries me upward. Taking far too long, it finally stops and I squeeze through the opening of the door before it’s fully open. The plaintive howls continue and grow louder the closer I get to the end of the walkway.
“Mak?”
Frantic scratching and whining comes from the other side of the door that is clearly Olivia’s. I charge at the barrier, slamming my shoulder into, but it doesn’t budge. I do it again, and still, nothing. Knowing it’s pointless, but desperate, I palm the bio-scanner on the wall, but it beeps angrily. A roar of frustration erupts, and I bellow in rage.
The sound echoes back at me, but it’s not mine. I glance over the balcony to find Horek below. His agony is as evident as mine. The rebels have his mate as well. The commander disappears into the lift and moments later, he’s at my side.
“Move.”
I step out of his way as he keys in an override code into the panel. There’s a single tone and the lock disengages. I push the door open and Mak leaps forward, her whines breaking my heart. I clutch her tightly to me and stroke her head. My gaze shifts to Horek who appears to barely be holding onto his control.
“The rebels took the females.” Although it’s clear he already knows.
“If they hurt a single hair on my heart’s fire’s head, I’ll destroy each and every one of them.”
“I’ll help.”
He studies me a moment longer as though gauging the truthfulness of my statement. Then, he nods. “Let’s go.”
With Mak at my side, Horek and I take off in search of our mates.
Chapter 25
