I scowl into the darkness.
Was I wrong?
I huff out a breath and turn on my heel. “Fine.”
Whatever. I don’t care. He can stalk me all the way back to the colony. They’ll sort him out. He can’t zap all the soldiers.
No, but I’m sure they’ll all shoot him. Then he’ll be dead, and I’ll be home.
As much as I want to be home, and I hate him for kidnapping me—though he calls it saving me—I don’t want his death to be my fault.
The whole screamer thing was a mess. No one knew what was going on and if the aliens hadn’t interfered, there’s a good chance all the women they captured would’ve been killed.
I don’t want to be dead either.
But the aliens should’ve taken us home.
I don’t give a shit about their laws that allow them to take unmated women and claim them.
That prickly sensation remains on the back of my neck. I know when I’m being watched, and I don’t like it. I didn’t like it in the colony either. I never wanted to play the games the men did. They were well aware they could pick and choose, and after being caught in one mess where he tried to play me and another woman against each other, I vowed never again.
The leaders want to make this colony a success, but no one stopped to think what it might be like for those setting it up with so few men and so many women. Wombs. That’s all we are. Wombs to breed up the next generation.
The alien is good, I’ll give him that. Silent. But he’s there.
“If you’re going to drag me back, just knock me out and do it.” My voice lifts with each word. But the anger and fear that had driven me to run has left me cold.
I’m thirsty and tired.
But I can’t stop in the middle of the forest. I need to reach some higher ground and locate the colony. And at some point, I’ll need to stop and sleep.
Is that when he’ll attack?
“Are you too scared to fight me?” I spin, expecting to see him there, or to see him creeping closer. All I’m doing is shouting into the night.
Around me the forest goes quiet, which is a lot creepier than when it was noisy.
Something moves in the trees that line the path and then he steps into the starlight.
I cross my arms and glare at him. I knew he was there, and that I wasn’t imagining it.
“I don’t want to fight you,” he says.
“Then what are you doing?” Though if he was going to fight me, why not do it already? Why hunt me? Or is this a game to him?
My heartbeat quickens. It’s from fear. That’s the only thing it could be.
“I’m protecting you. I don’t want you getting eaten.”
The way he says eaten is far more suggestive than it should be. I take a step back. I’m fairly sure he is the most dangerous creature around. At least to me.
“If you want to protect me, help me get home.”
“I can’t do that.”
“Won’t,” I counter.
He lifts his shoulders. “You are unmated and have no children. By laws of—”
