Beast Planet 1: Captive Surrender (9 page)

Training went on relentlessly. I was amazed at their stamina to train so long and hard.
Some of the fighters passed by the table to get drinks from the trough.
I shuddered at their lustful gazes, many of them looking more at me than the other women.

Best of all females.
Morrdrook words bounced around in my brain. Did my height and weight attract them? I shook my head; it was a stupid notion.

Seeing the water trough was vacant for the moment and feeling the need to stretch, I stood up. “I not used to sitting around, I’m getting a drink, want to come?”

Abby grinned and jumped off the bench. The line of women stared as we passed. I used the time to stretch out my neck and arms.

“I’m going to go bonkers if all we do is sit around and watch them work out.” Reaching the trough, I unhooked one of the jugs, handing it to Abby.

She dipped it in the water taking a drink before handing it too me. “Maybe we could do our own workouts. I used to visit a gym on Uni campus; I love to run, find it helps clear my mind.”

“I’m not much a runner, more a hands on person, given I’m a remedial therapist. My brothers got me into martial arts, for self-defence.”

“Wow, like Karate? Could you teach me, I think I could use a few moves against my guy if he gets too rowdy.”

I laughed. “Sure, I don’t see why not.”

One of the
Fraxi
walked up behind Abby, as I hung up the jug. He reached out touching her red hair.

She jerked away. Without thinking, I stepped in front of her, glaring at the
Fraxi
. His black lips twisted into what I could only describe as a sinister grin.

“Challenge me?” His voice held a higher, gravelly pitch than those of the
Zakiu
. It was strange I could understand him; I thought it might be a side effect of
Morrdrook’s
langue blood exchange.

“No, leave us alone.”

“Want that one.” His black evil-looking eyes slid to Abby. I felt her trembling, as I pushed her further behind me.

“No, not yours, go away.”

“Anna, let one of the
Zakiu
deal with him.” Abby whispered behind me.

“
Druel
give no female, I want.” He moved to shove me aside, but I blocked his
path again, he let out a low rumble of annoyance.

“Abby run, go get
Nular
.”

Abby darted out, and the
Fraxi
tried to dash around me, but I ducked low and threw my shoulder into his legs. It knocked him off balance, already in motion he tumbled onto the floor.

Roaring in rage, he jumped swiftly to his feet, I backed up in alarm, suddenly pinned between the water trough and the big
Fraxi
fighter.

“No have her, take you.” He grabbed for my wrist. I fisted my hand, yanking my arm upwards. The awkward angle of his arm forced him to release my wrist. With the muscular structure of these alien fighters, it was hard to tell what
were soft spots
. I took a chance, striking with my palms held sideways directly into the side of his ribs, with all the force I could muster.

He grunted in clear pain, stumbling backwards, before I could slip past him, a white hand landed on his shoulder, spinning the
Fraxi
around. In a blur of movement, a white fist connected with the
Fraxi
's
red face. I squeaked in fright
,
the force of the punch
throwing
the
Fraxi
back.
Someone grabbed my arm
,
hurling me out of the way and into a solid, warm chest.

“
Aunna
.”
Morrdrook’s
arms were tight around me. I glanced back to see
Nular
, standing over the
Fraxi
, his face a cloud of dark rage. Behind him, Abby shifted nervously from foot to foot.

“Dare to take my female, Pratt. For this I kill you.”

“I kill him first, he laid hand on mine.”
Morrdrook’s
chest rumbled
,
his arms were rigid with anger as he held me.

Pratt climbed to his feet spitting red blood onto the floor. “
Druel
did not say we could not touch.
Fraxi
have no females here.”

“
Nular
please, I’m frightened.” Abby gently touched his arm.

“Morrdrook, you’ll frighten all the women, if you kill him.” The last thing I wanted was to see someone die needlessly.

He glanced at me, then to
Nular
, who nodded and stepped back to scoop Abby into his arms.

“For my female, I do not kill you now. If you dare to touch or go near any of our females, then your red blood will flow in the sands.”

Other
Zakiu
stood around nodding in approval. “Rest time, come.” Morrdrook still looked tense and angry; he pulled me along beside him.

Too worried to protest, I stared at his face. Why did he still look so damn angry? Was he mad at me? What happened wasn’t my fault. A new fear ran down my spine. What if the sweet and caring Morrdrook was simply an act? I swallowed hard, only to find my mouth dry. Oh, god, I hope not.

“Why are you angry, I didn’t do anything wrong.”

I dug my heels in and tugged at his hold on my arm. He responded by halting to a stop, sco
o
ping me up and tossing me over his shoulder.

“Damn it, Morrdrook, you can’t keep hauling me around like some bloody sack of potatoes!”

“Silence.”
He growled. I heard the swat before I felt the sting of his hand slapping my ass.

I felt my face redden in shock.
How dare
he
! “
You hit me, you son-of-a-bitch!”

“No hit, tap.”

“I’ll fucking tap you, you bastard, put me down, now!”

Obviously ignoring my rage, he gripped me tighter despite my indignant struggles. Reaching his room in record time, he waited till the door slid shut, before dumping me firmly on the bunk.

The hard stare of his crystal blue eyes made be back up on the bed. I sucked in several slow breaths, trying to calm my hammering heart.

He crouched down, but didn’t make any further moves towards me.

He pointed a white finger at me.
“You no fight, ever.”

Confusion swam in my head
when
I recalled the events
in
the training room.

“I wasn’t fighting, damn it, I was defending myself and Abby… that red-alien thing, the
Fraxi
, was going to do who knows what.”

“I no let you get hurt. Only I protect you. I am best of all fighters.” His gaze softened,
while
I struggled to understand why he was so strongly against me fighting.

“I learned to protect myself before you, Morrdrook, and if some idiot thinks he can take whatever he wants from me, then I will defend myself and anyone else I think may get hurt.”

“No, you no understand.” He moved forward gripping my shoulders, pulling me forward half off the bed. Seeing the fear in his eyes, my anxiety drained away. “You fight, they will know, they will take you. You mine, will not let them take you.”

“I don’t understand why can’t I defend myself?” He sighed, sat down on the floor pulling me into his lap, cradling me close. I didn’t struggle, but lay my head against his chest, feeling the sudden, strange urge to comfort him. I listened to the rhythm of his breathing and the strong, steady beating of his heart.

“My race strong warriors, both male and female.
When our females refused accept our seed, refused to grow more
Zakiu
to use in
Druel
games,
Druel
instead used them as fighters. They strong, but no strong enough, all have been killed in games. They are no more. If
Druel
see you fight, they take away and use in games.”

Holy shit,
Morrdrook’s
anger stemmed from his fear of what the
Druel
would do to me.

I lifted my head. His eyes glazed over, lost in distant memories. Gently, I touched his face, bringing him back.

“I thought I was here to be a breeder not a fighter.”

He splayed his hand over my lower stomach. “If no grow bud, they will use you in arena, feed to beast for sport.”

I felt the blood drain from my face. I was grateful for having
Morrdrook’s
arms locked around me
;
the room spun and the force of what he was telling me sunk in. My stomach churned.

“T… they did it to the other females who they tried to breed you with, didn’t they.”

His grim nod confirmed my fears. I buried my head into his chest.

“No fight,
Aunna
,” his deep voice gentle, pleading.

“I won’t fight; you’re my protector. I’ll just have to make sure we’re never separated.” His arms tightened, kissing the top of my head.

“Never leave my
Aunna
, mine, always.”

Chapter Eight

“I want to do something.” I sat on
Morrdrook's
lap again, while he fed me more tasty cubes. “I mean if I have to sit around and watch you train all the time, I’m going to get bored and restless. Back on my planet I had a job, I was active. At least you get to do something.”

“No fighting.” I rolled my eyes and gave his meaty arm a playful punch.

“We’ve been over this, already, I won’t fight, but I have other skills, maybe I could be of some use.”

His grin made me sigh at how good looking the man was. “Very good use, make me happy.” He pressed a swift kiss to my lips, running his hands up the side of my neck, his fingertips pressing gently on my pulse point.

I melted under his skilful touch. “You don’t play fair.”

“Never.”
A deep, sexy purr vibrated from his chest, making me flush with a
sudden slow, burning need. He dipped in, capturing my lips in a longer, hungrier kiss.

“Forgive intrusion, Morrdrook.”

We broke apart to glance over the meal table.
Makkiu
stood gripping Joan’s upper arm. Both looked less than happy, tension practically vibrated off the couple. Joan directed a disgusted glare at me.

I smiled sweetly back, refusing to feel bad because of her disapproval.

“What be your need,
Makkiu
?”

“Help with my female; she still refuses to take my seed, refuses to listen to reason. Your female is obeying. How do you do it, Morrdrook?”

Morrdrook stroked his hand down my bare arm. “I won best of all females, she smart and understands.”

I felt my cheeks heat at
Morrdrook’s
praise.

“I should have fought harder for yours.” Morrdrook stiffened at
Makkiu’s
words, but relaxed when he continued with. “Still no want harm to come to my Joan.”

I exhaled a breath I didn’t realise I was holding, relief
sweeping
through me,
knowing the
Makkiu
wouldn’t stoop so low as to rape Joan.

“Maybe she not right in head.”
Morrdook
tapped the side of his head.

“Oh, shut the hell up,” Joan snarled, her face almost turning beet-red in rage. “Don’t talk about me like I’m not here.”

“What is your problem anyway?” I snapped, unable to remain silent any longer. “Is it just the whole alien thing
,
or are there other issues you’re dealing with, because right now I’m leaning towards
Morrdrook’s
assessment of you being mentally fucked up.”

Makkiu
blinked at me, before his face lit up in a wide grin. “Like your female, Morrdrook.”

“You shut the fuck up. There is nothing wrong with me!” If Joan’s glare could kill, I’m sure I’d be hung, drawn and quartered.

“Then fuck him for god sake.” I gestured to
Makkiu
.

Joan clenched and unclenched her fists, her arms stiff by her side. “I have standards, whether on Earth or not. I. Am. Not. Fucking that fucking alien and no one can make me!”

I stared at her in disbelief.
Standards?
I really had enough of this woman and her
pissy attitude. “Oh, you really do have a stick up your ass.”