Paige's Warriors (Bondmates Book 3) (11 page)

“Paige, are you all right?”

Before Tren could touch her, she regained her balance and held her hand out. “Did you drive here?”

“A friend gave me transport.”

She tossed her keys at him, absently noting the way he snatched them out of the air with lighting speed. In the eerier pre-storm lighting of the sky she gestured to her late model, but well kept, pale blue Toyota sedan. “You need to drive. I’m sick.”

Tren knelt before her. “Do you need medical help? You do not smell ill. You smell delicious.”

When he audibly inhaled, she smacked his shoulder, hard, which he probably barely felt. “Get up. God, stop kneeling all the time.”

“I do not wish to intimidate you. I am aware of our size difference, and I do not want you to think I would ever harm you. There is no one in the Universe that I would subject myself before other than you.”

“I don’t want you subjecting yourself to me. I just want to go see Casey.”

“As you command.”

She decided to let that one slide and got into her car after he opened the locks. The interior smelled like coconut suntan lotion, and she relaxed back into the seat of her car, looking out the window. As soon as Tren got in and shut the door, the smell of his cologne filled the humid air, and she closed her eyes. “I’m so tired.”

“You have been…ill. It is to be expected. Sleep.”

She knew she wouldn’t sleep a wink on the ten-minute drive to Casey’s place on the outskirts of the town, so she took the opportunity to return all the texts pouring into her phone with the news that Casey was okay. Someone had even taken a picture of Casey out front of her house, hugging her mom while two incredibly gorgeous guys looked on with what could only be described as loving gazes. She recognized the tall blond man as Lorn, so the burly redhead must be Nast.

“Two,” she whispered as she looked up while Tren took the turn leading to Casey’s gravel drive. “Two husbands.”

Tren abruptly stiffened, then looked at Casey’s home. “We should wait.”

“What?”

He reached out and settled his hand on her thigh, making the most delightful—and annoying—shivers race through her. “We should wait.”

“For what?”

He cleared his throat. “I promise you, it would be best if we wait.”

A nervous tic was going through his jaw, and she swore she could feel his distress. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing—it is just best if we give them a minute.”

“She’s not here, is she?”

“What? Of course she is here, as are her husbands.”

“Good, then I want to see her.”

His hand clenched on her thigh as she got out of the car, but she jerked her leg away and marched up the steps. Her knocks weren’t answered, and with a sickening feeling in the pit of her belly she flung the door open, tearing through the living room as the sound of Casey’s voice came from her bedroom.

Angry and relieved, Paige yelled, “Where the hell have you…”

Her voice died a quick death as she tried to process what she was seeing. First, two amazingly hot, one blond and one redhead, totally naked and aroused guys. Second, her friend sandwiched between them, also naked. Third, both men were endowed like freaking horses.

She was sure her eyes were going to fall out of her head as Casey tried to pull up the covers over them. “Mind turning around so my husbands and I can get dressed?”

“Husbands?” She blinked rapidly, but the sight of two naked, now smirking, men had her completely thrown for a loop.

Tren’s voice came from behind her, “Paige? Where are you? Are you hurt? I feel so much distress from you.”

The two men with Casey suddenly scrambled to their feet and said at once, “Commander Trenzent.”

Commander?

Despite her requests not to, Tren of course went to his knees and took her hands. “
Alyah
, I told you they needed privacy.”

“I’m sorry.” She looked back over at Casey, relief filling her at the sight of her friend looking alive and very well. “I was worried about you.”

Finally able to reach the sheets, Casey jerked them up to her chin, her cheeks flaming red. “Well, as you can see, I’m okay. I already went to see my parents, and I didn’t think I needed to lock the door.”

Guilt hit her hard, and she nodded. “I’m sorry, Casey.”

All at once the anger left Casey, and she gave Paige an apologetic smile. “I’m so sorry for worrying you, sweetheart. But I promise you I’m extremely satisfied and happy.”

Tren began to stroke her cheek, drawing her attention back to him. The caress of his thumb over her skin both soothed and aroused her. His scent was mixing with the obvious musk of sex filling the air, and she was embarrassed to admit she found the smell very sensual. While she found Casey’s husbands attractive, they had nothing on the scarred man kneeling before her. Wanting more of his touch, she cuddled into his caressing hand, her heart beating harder as he sucked in a slow breath.

Knowing she owed Tren an apology, she said to Casey, “He said you were fine, and I wanted to trust him, but I had to know.” She looked back at Tren and wished she was bold enough to kiss him. “I’m so sorry, Tren, I had to know.”

With his attention totally focused on her, Paige found herself trapped by his silver gaze. “You owe me for doubting me, Paige.”

Biting her lower lip, she gave him what she hoped was a flirtatious look. Now that she knew her friend was safe, she could explore this insane thing happening between her and the older man. “I suppose you want to collect your prize now.”

His response had her wide-eyed as he snarled out, “I do, but not here.”

When he scooped her up into his arms in a bridal hold, she let out a little gasp, then frowned at him. “This doesn’t mean I’m going to kiss you.”

“We will see about that.”

Without another word, he spun around and walked out of Casey’s home with Paige held tight, his muscles flexing enticingly all around her, surrounding her with his strength.

Paige clung to Tren’s thick neck as he carried her through Casey’s house, her cheeks burning at the thought of the scene she’d just witnessed.

“
Alyah
”—Tren halted outside of Casey’s house, his body showing no signs of fatigue from carrying her around— “prepare yourself.”

Puzzled, she looked up at him, liking how the full moon now hanging low in the sky picked up the silver threads in his short, dark hair. Even with his scarring he was an incredibly handsome man, and she traced his jaw, her fingers absorbing the texture of his rough, then smooth skin without a hint of stubble. The look on his face was serious, and the vibe coming from him was an odd mixture of nervousness and anticipation. Then again, that’s pretty much what she felt like. Nervous because of how fast and intense things were between them, but full of anticipation for more.

“Prepare myself? For what?”

“Close your eyes.”

She did as he asked, then lifted her head to him with her lips slightly puckered, anticipating another one of his delicious kisses.

Instead she tried to scream as the most disconcerting sensation filled her, like her entire body was buzzing.

It only lasted a moment, but in those few seconds she had no control of herself, no awareness of it, and she had the horrifying thought that she might be trapped in this nothingness forever.

Abruptly the darkness turned to bright lights and a cacophony of sound that had her burrowing her face into Tren’s wide chest.

The sounds continued and as her hearing adjusted she realized there were hundreds of people around them, all speaking some weird language she didn’t understand.

Tren started to walk with her in his arms, then paused. “Paige, open your eyes.”

She did, and would have dropped to her knees if he hadn’t already been holding her.

As it was she went limp in his grasp, her jaw hanging open as she took in the amazing, and terrifying sights around her.

Hundreds of people filled an enormous metallic room that was big enough to house two Walmarts, filled with enormous men dressed in formfitting, armored bodysuits of different colors. A few women walked around here and there, dressed in either robes that matched the color of the men’s armor or amazing gowns like she’d never seen. The men had a variety of hair colors ranging from what looked like brass to bright blue and every shade in-between, while the women had hair colors Paige was used to.

Unable to focus her thoughts, she blinked heavily as Tren firmly grasped her chin and made her look at him. “Welcome to the Reaping ship, my bride. Now cover your ears.”

“What?” she whispered.

He cupped his large hand over the side of her head, then pressed the other side to his chest. She struggled against him for a second before he let out this great, animalistic roar that vibrated through his entire body and into hers. Her scream was drowned out by the sound of hundreds of men roaring back at them in some language she didn’t understand. Tren said something in return then lifted his hand from her ear, the sudden silence making her look around in worry.

To her shock, every man had turned in their direction and dropped to one knee, their heads bowed and one fist pressed to the floor.

Pride filled Tren’s voice as he said, “They honor you, my bride.”

Tears burned in her eyes as she looked from the kneeling men, back to Tren. “What is going on?”

He frowned down at her as the men rose and conversation resumed in the enormous room. “You are upset?”

“Why would she be upset?” a woman’s warm voice came from behind Tren’s broad back. “I mean, it’s not like you took her from her home planet then dropped her in the middle of something out of a science fiction movie. And if you’re anything like the other Warriors I know, you probably didn’t
explain
anything to her once you found out the conversion was successful, just swept her up and got her to the ship as quickly as you could.”

Tren turned with her in his arms, and she stared in surprise at the sight of a lovely black woman with an enormous head of shinning dark curls and a brilliant smile. She wore a green gown with black piping that dipped low in the front, showing off her tattooed cleavage. Paige pushed at Tren’s chest, wanting to get down, but he was having none of it.

“Matriarch,” Tren said in a low, but irritated voice. “I thank you for your wisdom.”

“Sure you do.” The woman smiled at Paige. “My name is Jazmine Brooks, but you can call me Jaz. Your friend, Casey, asked me to help with your transition. This is one of my husbands.”

“Greetings, bride of Commander Trenzent, and welcome to the Reaping ship. My name is Mavet and I am one of Jaz’s husbands.” A tall man with long dark hair and dressed in green armor moved up behind Jazmine then gave Tren and Paige a smooth bow. “Commander Trenzent, may I wish you eternal happiness with your bride. Congratulations.”

An odd sensation of pride teased her as Tren rumbled out, “Thank you, Healer.”

Paige didn’t want to admit it, but being in Tren’s arms helped her keep her panic at bay as she grasped onto the only thing anyone said that made sense. “Casey? You know Casey Westfall?”

“Yeah, she’s a friend of mine. I helped her adjust to Kadothian life after she bonded her first husband, Lorn, and we’ve stayed in touch.” Jaz smiled. “She contacted me about you and Commander Trenzent and asked that I give you a hand settling in. I’m also from Earth and my job is to help you become comfortable with your new home.”

“New home? What do you mean, from Earth?”

Jaz’s dark gaze grew serious, and she glanced up at Tren before returning her attention to Paige. “Honey, you’re not on Earth anymore. You’re on one of Jupiter’s moons, on an alien spaceship. They call it the Reaping ship.”

“Alien…then you mean Tren is…”

Jaz reached out to comfort her, but Tren swiftly moved back. “Do not touch her.”

Instead of being offended, Jaz merely smiled gently. “Of course. Forgive me, Commander.”

“She wasn’t going to hurt me,” Paige muttered and shifted in his arms, getting tired of looking at people sideways.

“No one touches you but me.” His hands gripped her possessively as he raised her to him for a kiss.

She was going to protest, should have turned her head away before their lips met, but the moment his full, firm mouth brushed her own she was lost. The kiss quickly deepened and she cupped his face, drawing him closer, sucking on his tongue with a greed that surprised her. His groaning response only further inflamed her, and she pressed her suddenly aching nipples against his chest, turning in his arms until she was trying to straddle his waist. He must have sensed her intent, because soon his wide hands were beneath her less than small buttocks, squeezing her rhythmically there as he kissed her back.

The sound of laughter broke their kiss, and she jerked away, embarrassment filling her as her mind began to cope with the shock of what had happened.

“Put me down.” She thumped his shoulder. “Tren, I mean it.”

With a grumble of discontent, he lowered her slowly to her feet. “I wish to carry you.”

“And I wish to know what in the heck is going on!”

She fisted her hands and placed them on her hips, glaring up at him for all she was worth before taking a quick glance around.

Without a doubt, it had to look hilarious to those watching them so closely. They were surrounded by a circle of privacy for about seven feet all around them, but people clustered close by, some openly watching while others pretended to just be loitering in the area. Curiosity tugged at her as she slowly scanned the area, staring right back at the exotic, and not so exotic, people around them. There were a few…beings that were humanoid looking, but had glaring differences.

Like a beak.

She tried to control her expression as she glanced over a woman who appeared to have a glossy black beak instead of a mouth. Though her face was alien, there was an undeniable beauty about her flowing movements and lean body. Instead of fingernails she had talons, and they looked wicked sharp. She wore a black suit similar to the one the vast majority of the men wore, but hers had delicate silver scroll work on the arms and legs. When she strolled out of sight, Paige found her gaze drawn to an even more unusual sight.

Near the edge of the crowd stood a green woman with four arms, her surprisingly pretty long black hair up in a high ponytail. Her features were square, but well put together, and she wore the most interesting dress that appeared to be made of strips of light brown leather held together by stones that resembled fist sized rubies. Her long, muscular legs were bare, and she wore feminine sandals that matched her dress. The woman boldly met Paige’s no doubt shocked eyes, and she forced herself to give a small wave before wrenching her neck around the other way to scan the crowd to her right.

More handsome, enormous men and a few women gathered around them, and she returned her attention to Tren. “Why are they watching us?”

Letting out a loud growl, Tren looked around them and abruptly the crowd melted away. Paige easily read the look of fear on many people’s faces and wondered why they seemed honestly terrified of him. Yeah, he appeared scary as hell with his scars, enormous build, and deadly aura, but his heart was filled with so much warmth it practically radiated from him. He was a good man, who thought about protecting those weaker than him above all else. She knew that as surely as she knew her own birthday and she didn’t like him getting agitated as he growled louder at the crowd.

That growl was more animal than human, as was the menace radiating off of him. His whole body seemed to grow slightly bigger and to her shock, when he bared his teeth his canines had grown longer. He was so angry that they had scared her, so worried about how she was feeling. The muscles of his neck corded, and he let out another low, warning growl. Sensing that things could get quickly out of hand, she took a deep breath and let go of her own fear and anger.

“Easy,” she whispered and laid both her hands on his chest, craning her neck to look up at him. “It’s okay. I understand why they’re looking. I mean, to them I’m the alien, right?”

He studied her then shook his head. “You were scared.”

“Well, a little bit, but not like a debilitating amount. Fear is a normal and healthy reaction in a situation like this.”

A small smile curved the edges of Tren’s firm lips, then he gently traced the tips of his fingers over her neck. “You are correct, my bride.”

“Right, that bride thing.” She took a deep breath, then let it out slowly, reality beginning to sink in as she watched the woman with the beak she’d spotted earlier hold hands with a beaked man. Holy crap, she was on a spaceship with aliens. So many questions raced through her thoughts, but she was beginning to become uncomfortable with so many people listening to their every word. “Is there somewhere we could talk?”

Abruptly a chagrined look came over him, twisting his scar as he grimaced. “Of course. Come with me.”

The bright lights caught the scars on his arms, and she took his calloused hand, noting how small and pale her fingers looked clasped around his giant paw.

She couldn’t help her grin as she followed behind him, resisting the urge to stop and stare every five seconds.

A freaking spaceship!

“Tren, Jaz said we’re on a moon off of Jupiter?”

He ignored the men doing this odd salute that included their fist thumping over their heart as Tren passed. “Yes.”

Quickening her step, she walked beside him as they neared an edge of the room where a bank of doorways interrupted the sleek metallic surface. “The space anomaly is by Jupiter. Did you have anything to do with the Event?”

“No. That was a random, or not so random, action of the Universe. It is a wormhole that opened between my galaxy, the Bel’Tan galaxy, and your own.”

“Wow.”

He tugged her after him as her mind spun. If he’d sprung this on her before she’d lived through the Event, she’d be having a different reaction right now—one that probably involved screaming and sobbing. But she’d been slapped in the face a couple months ago by the fact that the Universe was a big, huge, amazing, and scary place that affected the little blue ball she lived on. It certainly made her more accepting of the thought of aliens.

Like Tren.

They stepped into a small white pod like vehicle with two separate cabins. Taking a seat in one, Tren closed the panel behind them with a wave of his hand and something said in a language she didn’t understand. There was the slight feeling of movement, but she had no problem standing while he sat. It put them closer to being on eye level, and he smiled slowly up at her.

“Hello,
alyah
.”

Tucking a stray wisp of her dark hair behind her ears, she tilted her head and studied him. “What planet are you from?”

“Kadothia.”

“And you got here through the wormhole?”

“Correct.”

The slight hum beneath her quieted then the door to their pod opened. “And we’re on a spaceship?”

“Yes. It is called a Reaping ship. The interior of this particular vessel has been designed with Earth Matriarchs in mind.”