Page 25 of His to Claim
“We’re here,” Tarek says with a smile on his face. “It worked.”
"Thank God," I reply. My heart fills with joy at the thought of seeing Dhakar. I didn’t exactly agree with his proposition of being his mate, but the idea doesn’t seem so ridiculous now. I hate to admit it, but he brings feelings in me I’ve not even thought I was capable of. I feel happy, safe, and loved just thinking about him.
7
DHAKAR
Ipull on the chains for a chance to release myself but I struggle in vain. They are too strong for me and I cannot break them. The fucking Valkryans got me and I'm now a prisoner on their planet. What happened to my little female? What happened to Emma? My heart aches not knowing if she is well. Is she alive or dead already? How did this happen? Did some asshole soldier rape her before taking off with her like a common criminal? Or maybe it wasn't one man at all…maybe there were several men involved! That thought makes me sick inside.
"I am Dhakar, leader of Bellaria. Release me, you fucking bastards," I shout from my prison cell. "Release me!"
My voice echoes around the room as I continue shouting until no sound comes out anymore. It doesn't matter though; I will never stop trying to get free. Never. Not while I still have breath in my lungs. This place is cold, dark, and damp. There isn't enough light coming into the room so I can barely see anything beyond the walls surrounding me. All I know is that I'm trapped within these four metal bars which prevent me from moving freely. And worse than that, I feel like shit. Like someone took away everything that made me whole. Everything that kept me going every day.
The door opens slowly and two aliens walk in. One tall alien wearing black leather armour with a mask covering his face walks towards me first. His arm is bandaged up and he limps slightly due to an injury. I don't recognize either of them but I sense something familiar about both of them. Something primal.
They stare at each other for a moment and then turn back to look at me. Their eyes lock onto mine as they approach closer, stopping just inches away. They stand silently staring down at me, unmoving except for their breathing. A strange sensation runs over my skin and I shiver involuntarily.
Their gaze seems piercingly intense as they study me. As if looking deep inside me and seeing what's hidden behind the surface. Then they speak.
"You're our enemy." The masked alien speaks first.
"What?" I ask confused. "How do you figure that?"
His head tilts slightly and his blue eyes seem darker somehow.
"Your kind attacked us and destroyed our home world."
"That's absurd," I reply. "My kind is your kind. We're the same species."
"No, we aren't. You are not pure Valkyran blood. Your DNA shows traces of other races mixed within you. Our ancestors killed those other people and used their bodies to create hybrids. Those hybrid children grew up and turned against their parents and started killing everyone. Eventually, they created a virus that affected the entire population. Now only a small fraction of the original race remains. Even the rest of the Valkyrans abandoned their own kind and fled to other planets. That is why there are so few of us left."
This makes absolutely no sense whatsoever. How could anyone ever think such a thing? Bellarians came from Valkrya. We're the same species. What the fuck are they talking about?
"So how does this mean I'm your enemy?" I ask again.
Both aliens move closer and stare directly into my eyes. I can smell their sweat and hear them panting heavily.
"As long as you and your people live on Bellaria, you're a threat to our kind."
I shake my head in disbelief. These guys are insane. Who would want to be part of a bunch of murderous lunatics anyway?
"We won't harm any of you. Release me right now," I say defiantly.
The masked one raises his hand to strike me across the face. My heart starts racing wildly and adrenaline rushes through my veins. But before he strikes me, he stops abruptly.
A loud bang echoes throughout the room as something explodes outside. Both aliens freeze mid-motion. Then they rush out of the prison cell. Seconds later another explosion happens and debris hits the walls of the building. Glass shatters everywhere and dust fills the air. The door of my cell slides open but I can't escape. I'm chained.
More explosions happen outside and the ground shakes violently. It sounds like bombs going off.
When the shaking subsides, I hear screaming coming from outside. More screams follow shortly after that. And more explosions. I can hear a female voice. She's scared. It can't be... it sounds like Emma... my Emma.
Then the sound of gunfire erupts from somewhere nearby. Someone yells. Gunfire continues for several minutes. Screaming, yelling, and shooting continue until finally silence reigns once again. There are no sounds, no voices. Was that really Emma? Is she dead?
Anguish, sadness, fear, rage, hatred, grief, despair. All these feelings flood over me at the thought of losing her forever. If she dies, I will never recover. Never. Not even death itself could stop my pain. I don't know what life is anymore without her by my side. No matter which way I look or turn, all I see is emptiness. Nothing else matters. Life means nothing without her in it.
* * *
It takesme a while to come back down from the emotional rollercoaster ride. I look up and see someone through the smoke and ashes. He looks familiar. A flash of recognition runs through me and then everything comes together. Tarek! Oh god, please let that be true. I pull on the chains trying desperately to get free so I can run towards him.
