Page 51 of Beauty and the Alien Beast
Stepping in, I swung my sword with all my might. It struck metal and bone. Its song became a harsh screech as it turned slightly on the rim of his steel collar and then slammed into his mask beneath his cheekbone.
He staggered back, holding his face, and I saw part of the mask drop off under his hand, revealing a bloody scowl. “You stupid, disgusting Gladiator.” He snarled. “Do you really want to die for some human whore?”
“You seem to forget who is losing this fight,” I snapped as I drove my knee up through his shattered armor and into his gut. He doubled over. I spun past him and brought one blade down two-handed on his spine—killing him.
There was a collective gasp from his team. One catcher raised his rifle, and Ella sat forward, shooting him through the heart.
I straightened, ribs hurting, arms covered in small cuts and bruises, and unslung my rifle.
I heard running feet crashing through the brush nearby. My heart sank, thinking Belland had more reinforcements. The handful of warriors left must have thought so, too, because they relaxed slightly and leveled their rifles at us again.
Before firing could start, a massive black streak bounded past me and slammed into two of the soldiers. Screams erupted. They were still attached to their wires, so they couldn’t run as Brax made short work of them.
Shouts erupted to accompany the running feet. I heard the battle cries of my pack and raised my voice to join them. I sighed with relief when a dozen of my brethren warriors burst over the rise on the backs of their riding dogs.
The battle was bloody but quick. The last of the slave catchers died without getting a single shot off.
I sheathed my weapons and hurriedly turned to Ella, who was slowly pulling herself to her feet along the tree trunk.
“Ella!” I tried to remember the correct words in her language. “You right?” Helping her up, I hugged her tightly, burying my nose into her hair and inhaling deeply. My female was safe.
She squeezed me back as hard as she could, careful to avoid my gashed ribs.
Ferion asked, “What is happening, Alpha?”
I was happy to see my beta and closest childhood friends.
I released Ella from our hug but clutched her protectively by my side so that my pack could see their alpha female. “There is much to tell once we get back to our sector,” I replied.
Ferion sniffed the air loudly, and his eyes widened. “You are now mated? To the human female?”
“Yes. She is my sheleki,” I said gravely, watching my pack exchange astonished looks. “The gods have honored me with my one true mate.”
My men bowed to Ella.
My mate waved at them but remained silent.
I started. “Her name is Ella. She has full memory of her time among the slavers. She could act as a witness against the Omers and their dirty actions.”
“That is good news, Alpha,” Ferion answered with a grim expression. “Because the elders have received distressing news about sectors one and two. Both alphas have gone against the council’s decision and purchased earthlings from the Omers. We’ve been informed that the females are currently en route to their packs.”
This was not good news. “And sectors four and five?” I asked.
“They have declared war on one and two.”
“I will deal with this problem when I get my mate back to our pack. She needs food, rest, and a translator unit. Hers is no longer working properly.”
I looked down at Ella, who seemed mostly recovered. I kissed the top of her head, and she smiled up at me before going back to considering my warriors and their pack of now quite curious riding dogs.
Brax padded over with his tail wagging and snuffled us both carefully, licking my wound—that was already healing—before crouching in front of us. He had fresh gear. I would have to go back for the cache I had left, but right now, I was too exhausted to care.
I gently helped Ella onto Brax’s back. Ferion looked between us and frowned.
“Are you telling me that you spent this entire time unable to speak, but you still managed to establish your mating? How?” He sounded completely baffled.
I slapped him on the back. “There are plenty of ways to communicate with a female that do not require words.”
His eyebrows shot toward his hairline, and a ripple of laughter ran through my brethren. “I need a mate,” Ferion replied, causing more laughter.
