Page 62 of Taming the Alien Outlaw
Olivia
I’ve had just about enough of getting kidnapped. The city is in complete, but what feels like controlled, chaos. Buildings burn and the acrid smoke hurts my throat and lungs. Guards run down streets in front of us, but it’s clear they’re heading some place specific, because they don’t even glance our way. I cling to Quinn and, in front of us, Devon and Lindsey clasp each other’s arm. The other six women in our group all appear to be in various stages of shock. The remaining ten were separated from us and taken by more rebels god knows where.
Me? I’m pissed. I’m also worried about Mak. She’d gone crazy when I locked her in my apartment, but it was the only way I could keep her safe. Who knows what these fuckers would have done to her? No way am I going to tell Janik that I got his phinnek killed. I have no doubt I’ll see him again either. I just have to be patient and not let my mouth get me into trouble, because I don’t think the guys who took us would appreciate my sarcasm and snark like my man does.
“You doing okay?” I ask Quinn.
“I’ll be better when Horek comes and kicks these guys’ asses.”
I snort laugh. “You and me both.”
“They’ll find us,” she says.
“Oh, I know they will.”
We trudge through the city, surrounded by a contingent of rebels—ten by my count—but none of whom I recognize. Not that I was in their camp long enough to get to know any of them. Only one was familiar to me, and I still have no idea who he’s working for.
“It was Bannik.”
Quinn glances at me in question.
“He’s the one who snuck me out of the rebel camp and returned me to Preska.”
Her eyes widen. “What the fuck? He’s a rebel?”
I shrug. “Or a spy for Alik. I honestly don’t know, but I plan on finding out when I see Janik again.”
“Where do you think they’re taking us?” Devon asks over her shoulder.
They wouldn’t take us back into the rainforest. Not if there’s a chance Janik will lead Horek to the camp. Whoever’s in charge at the moment has to know that. “I’m not sure.”
We walk several more blocks, somehow still evading anyone who might be searching for us, until the lead rebel holds up a hand and we come to a stop. My head is starting to pound from the alarm that keeps blaring. I’m pretty sure the whole planet knowsthe city is under attack by now so if they could shut it off any second, that’d be great.
Suddenly, another sound slips past the irritating warning from somewhere behind us. I strain my ears, praying I didn’t imagine it. When it comes again, a smile curls my lips. It’s the most beautiful noise I’ve ever heard.
“Mak.” Quinn breathes out the name.
I’m not making shit up then if she hears it, too. “Hang tight, ladies. One angry phinnek is coming our way, which also means two even angrier Bohnari males are right on her heels.”
“Ooooh,” Devon coos. “These guys are about to get fucked up.”
Yeah, they are.
At last, the rebels must hear the same thing we do, because they glance around nervously. I don’t try to hold back my laughter. “You’re gonna be sorry, now.”
“Shut your mouth, female,” a rebel snaps.
That just pisses me off more. “Don’t call me female, you stupid fuck face. I have a name.”
He raises his hand, but the strike never comes. Instead, a flash of copper and teal fur blazes past and then a scream fills the air. It’s not the phony scream Janik released either when he and Mak were play fighting. This is a sound of pure agony that’s only more terrifying when it cuts off abruptly and a faint gurgle replaces it.
Bile rises in my throat, but I swallow it down.Don’t look. Someone else must, because there’s a retching noise followed by vomiting. Gross. Pounding flesh and groans surround us. I finally glance around and my breath catches. Janik and Horek—with the help of Mak—are taking on the remaining nine rebels and from the looks of it, they’re winning. Of course, they both are spurred on by the mating fever that races through them and the feral need they have to protect their mates.
I stare at Janik as he fights. He’s even more vicious than he was with Lorik the night he captured me. Then again, he didn’t know I was his heart’s fire at the time. His claws are out and he slices at the male who’s far too desperate or stupid to know he’s going to lose. I jerk my head to the side and squeeze my eyes shut as the blood sprays. While I hurt that he’s had to kill yet another one of his people, I can’t feel bad that the guy’s dead. Who knows what these rebels had planned for us?
Between the two mated Bohnari and the phinnek, our kidnappers don’t stand a chance, and it’s over before it really even got started. Ten males lie scattered around, either dead or severely injured. Horek comms someone and gives them our coordinates to send medical assistance. He also sends orders to continue searching for the rest of the humans. Then, his gaze zeroes in on Quinn who rushes forward and throws herself into his arms.
I seek out Janik and Mak and drink in the sight of them. They’re both covered in blood, but that doesn’t stop me from slowly walking forward. My mate meets me more than halfway and then I’m breathing him in as he envelops me in his tight embrace. I clutch him just as hard, my fingers digging into the taut muscles of his back. He’s my lifeline, and I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to let him go.
