Step Alien: A Sci-Fi Alien Romance (Reestrian Mates Book 1) (4 page)

She squinted and lifted her head, scanning for the palace. “All I see are Reestrians.” She laughed. “I’m not as tall as you, remember?”

“We have a view of the palace from my family’s home. The balcony off my chambers shows almost the entire clan city.”

“This is so overwhelming,” she said, giving him an uncertain look.

The fire rushing through his veins burned hotter, reminding him of his predicament. Again, he hoped he wasn’t too rough with Kira. She meant everything to him and the last thing he wanted to do was cause her any amount of pain. Then, as they approached the hovercraft that would take them directly to his family’s home, a question blasted through his mind.

Was Kira a virgin?

Fuck
. She was twenty-three years old, but she’d mentioned she hadn’t really had any boyfriends, thanks to him. Unless she’d indulged in a one night stand, she probably didn’t have any experience. This thought both thrilled and terrified him, but mostly, it pleased him to know he would be the first man to touch her.

The only experience he had was with a night woman his brothers had invited over on his birthday one year when their parents were visiting another clan on the other side of the planet. They’d had a wild party and he’d lost his virginity to a beautiful Reestrian courtesan twice his age.

He shook the thoughts away, wanting to focus on Kira. The past didn’t matter, and even if she wasn’t a virgin he’d love her all the same. He’d want to throttle the man who had touched her of course, but it wouldn’t change his feelings for her one bit. He’d been gone for six years, and as she’d declared earlier a lot could happen in six years. But thank the heavens above her feelings for him hadn’t changed.

They boarded a small hovercraft, which were basically the Reestrian version of a taxi, and the pilot navigated the sleek craft toward his family’s home after welcoming him back. Kira ohhed and ahhed over the scenery below and didn’t seem to mind the slightly bumpy ride.

“I’ll take you on a long walk through the clan city soon.”
Once I’m done claiming you in every possible position.
He refrained from adjusting his perpetual hard on and wrapped an arm around her.

Minutes later, they reached his family’s massive home on the outskirts of the clan city. He thanked the pilot and escorted Kira from the hovercraft, then led her up the stone walkway and into the cavernous entrance hall.

His oldest brother rushed toward them with a wide grin.

“Welcome home, Earthling,” he said jokingly. Interest lit in his gaze when he looked at Kira. “Welcome home,
Earthlings
, I mean. Hi, I’m Joseph.” He offered his hand to Kira, and after a moment of hesitation she reached out and they shook in a very human manner.

“Hi, Joseph. I’m Kira.” She looked from Alex to Joseph several times, her brows narrowed. “So Joseph, were you an Earth-raised Reestrian too?”

“No.” He punched Alex in the shoulder playfully. “My little brother here is the only Earth-raised Reestrian in our family.”

“Forgive me for asking and I hope this isn’t a rude question, but why is your name Joseph? You’re Reestrian.”

Both men laughed. “Earth names are quite popular on Reestria,” Alex explained.

“Mother and Father had to journey to the Fenna Clan City again, and I’ve cleared everyone else out of the house, even all the servants and security guards,” Joseph said. “When I heard Reestrians were being evacuated from Earth, I had hoped you would be bringing your mate back with you, and I know you’ll want your privacy.”

Though Joseph had pissed Alex off plenty of times, especially the time he helped lock Alex up during one of his growth spurts when he’d wanted to return to Earth, he was grateful for his brother’s assistance and understanding. From what Alex had heard, there was nothing quiet about the mating bond taking place. Reestrians weren’t any louder than humans while having regular everyday sex, but when the mating urge struck? If you were in the same house you’d better put on ear muffs. “Thank you, Joseph. We sincerely appreciate it.”

“I’m going to spend a few days at the palace. You two have fun, and try not to break any windows.” He gave a mocking bow and strode out the door, closing it behind him and sealing Alex and Kira alone in the house together.

She let go of his hand and walked slowly down the entrance hall, pausing now and then to look at the paintings decorating the walls. The stairs at the end of the hall led to the top floor where Alex’s chambers rested, and he had the urge to sweep her off her feet and carry her up to his bed. A wave of dizziness assaulted him, and he steadied himself with a hand on the wall before continuing to follow Kira.

“Joseph seems nice. Where is his wife? I mean, if he’s older than you, surely he’s mated?”

“His mate died several years ago. The mating urge won’t come upon him again until he’s done grieving for his first mate.”

“That’s so sad.” She walked for a bit. “This place is huge. Where do all these hallways lead to?” she asked as they passed several openings that branched off from the entrance hall.

“Recreation rooms, the kitchen, various dining rooms, and so on. I’ll give you a tour later, sweet Kira. After we’re able to leave my chambers, perhaps we’ll have a wedding ceremony in the gardens out back.”

Before she could reply, a loud melody played throughout the mansion.

Dammit. Who dared to bother them right now?

“What is it?” Kira tensed, probably sensing his frustration.

“Someone is at the door.” He trailed a finger down her bare shoulder. “You wait here, babygirl. I’ll send whoever it is away and be right back.”

She nodded and twisted her hands in a nervous fashion in front of her. As he irritably stalked to the door, he wondered what his little mate looked like without the shimmering silver gown. He imagined she was soft and lovely, and another wave of heat pummeled him from the inside out. The unrestrained need of his mating urge was upon him and someone just had to ring the fucking doorbell.

He flung the door open, ready to bite the head off of whoever had dared to bother him and Kira, but found the doorstep empty. Frowning, he stuck his head outside and looked around. Within the tall bushes and trees surrounding the mansion, he saw no one.

Sighing, he went back inside and slammed the door, intent to find Kira. Perhaps the doorbell was malfunctioning, or perhaps one of his brothers had rigged it to ring as a prank.

He started walking down the entrance hallway, only to stop and scan the inside of the house. Where had Kira gone?

“Babygirl?” He took off and rushed by the pictures she’d just been admiring, peering down each separate hallway he passed. He ran through the house, shouting her name. She didn’t answer, the only response coming from his panicked voice echoing off the walls. “Kira! Kira!”

He checked every last room upstairs, then hurried downstairs and out into the gardens, thinking perhaps she’d gotten curious and gone for a walk outside.

But instead of finding Kira, he discovered a Reestrian woman standing near the fountain in a sparkling red dress that left little to the imagination. She smiled at him seductively and adjusted her cleavage.

“Hello, Prince Alex. I’ve missed you.”

Rage threatened to consume him as he glared at the female who’d flaunted herself before him time and time again. She was the oldest daughter of a nearby family and his brothers had warned him to stay away from her, claiming she had propositioned all of them a time or two. According to the gossip, her family was facing financial ruin and she was trying her best to marry well. “Ennta,” he hissed. “Where is Kira?”

“My my, you look like you’re burning up.” She slid the straps of her dress down, revealing her breasts while she gave him another smile. “I’m so glad I’m not too late.”

“Where’s Kira?” he demanded, coming to stand over her.

Ennta shrugged. “I don’t know who this Kira is,” she said, stepping forward, “but I’m here right now, and I will accept you as a mate, Alex.”

A hovercraft lifted up from beyond the bushes on the street outside his family’s property, but it didn’t fly smoothly away. It zigzagged, revealing the pilot was probably inexperienced. Before the craft shot off toward the Pani Mountains, he caught a glimpse of golden hair in the window.

Kira.

“Tell me how to land this thing!” Kira shouted at the Reestrian woman who lay bleeding on the floor of the hovercraft.

The woman sneered at her and tried to sit up, but Kira leveled the gun-like weapon at her head. She slumped back on the floor with a grimace. “You weren’t supposed to have Alex. My sister was.” She grinned. “I bet he won’t be able to resist her. Yes, I bet they are mating at this very moment.”

What the fuck kind of alien soap opera had Kira walked into? She had been staring at the paintings when someone had struck the back of her head just enough to disorient her, then grabbed her and carried her outside. By the time she’d gathered her courage and her wits enough to fight her captor, the hovercraft had flown outside the clan city. She hadn’t seen another Reestrian during the attack, but from the little conversation she’d had with this bitchy woman, she supposed this Reestrian’s sister was currently trying to seduce Alex.

Oh hell no
. She wasn’t about to let some jealous Alien Hoochie Mama move in on her man. Not after missing Alex for so long and then finally having him back in her life. It couldn’t end this way.

The hovercraft jolted and sputtered, but Kira managed to keep from hitting any of the large buildings. She had turned the craft around to head back to the city, but after her struggle with her now bleeding and subdued captor, she hadn’t a clue which way to go. If she managed to land the hovercraft though, perhaps near a well-traveled street, she could always hail one of those taxi-like hovercrafts and give them Alex’s name.

Finally she spotted a massive structure that could only be the emperor’s palace. Alex said his family’s home had a perfect view of the palace, at least from the balcony off his chambers, and she thought his home had been on the outskirts of the clan city. She aimed the hovercraft for the large properties that rested miles away but straight across from the palace, hoping it was the right direction.

“Tell me how to land this thing,” she said, shoving the weapon in the woman’s face, “or we’re both probably going to die, because I’m fucking going to try landing soon.”

Some of the anger left the woman’s face, and she sat up against a seat, wiping the blood from her face. Kira had slammed her in the nose with a fist several times. “Look,” the Reestrian said, “my father told my sister she had to land a rich mate soon.”

It was then that Kira realized the woman wasn’t exactly a woman. She was taller than Kira, but her eyes held the innocence of youth. A teenager, perhaps. Kira decided to attempt reasoning with the girl.

“I knew Alex on Earth,” she said, omitting the fact that he was her stepbrother. “He was my best friend for a long time and eventually I came to love him. He loves me too, and that’s why he left Reestria before his mating urge struck him. To ask me to be his mate and join him on his home planet. I don’t know anything about you or your family, but I’m sorry your father and sister have put you in a difficult situation.”

The girl covered her face and started sobbing. “I’m sorry!” she cried. “I’m sorry I whacked you on the head and kidnapped you.”

A pang of pity resounded inside Kira for the young girl. Kira had come from a loving family, not including her sperm donor of a father, and she couldn’t imagine her mother, stepfather, or Alex ever asking her to harm another person for their own gain. This girl seemed to have a conscience though.

“My name is Kira. What’s yours?”

“Renga.”

“Renga. That’s a pretty name. You know, you’re one of the first Reestrians I’ve ever met. I’m sorry I punched you so many times. Geeze Louis, I thought you were a grown woman.”

The girl flushed. “I’ll be of age next year. Well, sixteen is of age on Reestria. I’ve heard it’s eighteen on your planet.”

Kira smiled at Renga. “My husband’s family is very powerful. I’m sure he can help you, if you’re in a bad situation.” She probably shouldn’t make promises she wasn’t sure she could honor, but there had to be something Alex could do for Renga, even if it was merely giving her a place to stay away from her conniving family.

“I have a friend in another clan city I’d love to visit. I’m sure his family would allow me into their home, if only I could arrange for travel there.”

A ride to another clan? Easy Peasy. Kira figured a prince had more than enough influence to arrange something like that. Heck, as a princess, she probably did too.

You’re not a princess yet.

“Renga, I’m sure Alex can help you with that. Now please, we must go back to his home. Do you know the way?”

The girl nodded. “I can get us there very quickly and land if you let me drive. I promise not to trick you. I’m done with my sister’s schemes.”

Kira stared into the girl’s light blue eyes for a moment. Unless Renga was a better actress than Julia Roberts, she was telling the truth. She slid out of the pilot’s seat, keeping her hand on the wheel control until Renga took over.

True to her word, they soared over the clan city and landed smack dab in the middle of the garden, rather than on the street where the hovercraft had been parked earlier. Before Kira ran out of the craft, she turned to Renga.

“Thank you, Renga. You can wait here if you’d like. I’ll talk to Prince Alex about your situation as soon as I can, and I’ll be sure to tell him about how you brought me back safe and sound.”

“Thank you, Kira,” the girl said, flushing once more.

Kira ran through the gardens and into the house, her heart pounding. Was Alex still here? Or was she too late?
Oh God
. What if Renga’s sister had managed to seduce Alex and they’d mated already?

Tears stung in her eyes at the thought. From the way Alex had described the mating urge, there were no do overs. Reestrians mated for life, and right now Alex was burning up and ready to mate. His skin had been flushed and he’d been sweating bullets when they arrived on Reestria. And how could she miss the massive erection that had tented his pants for the last few hours?

“Alex! Where are you?”
Please be here. I need you. I love you
.

~
~ *

Alex pushed Ennta toward the head officer. The tall Reestrian attached manacles to her wrists and one of his subordinates led her away.

“Her name is Ennta,” he said. “She says her sister kidnapped Kira, my intended mate, on a stolen hovercraft. I need to find her. It’s urgent. Kira, she’s… she’s human.”
She’s not as strong as a Reestrian, and I need to find her before The Madness takes over.

He ran a hand through his hair and his gaze swept urgently around the mansion, as if Kira would magically appear if he just kept looking for her. The stolen hovercraft could be anywhere by now. Kira was out there somewhere without him to protect her. He doubted Ennta’s sister would kill her, but that didn’t mean she wouldn’t end up hurt, especially if she fought back. And if he knew Kira, she was probably kicking and screaming up a storm right now.

“We’ll begin searching the clan city for her immediately.” The officer gave him a sympathetic look. “Do you have an alternative plan if we don’t find her in time, Prince Alex?”

“Unless you want your entire family to be exiled from the Galattak Clan, I suggest you find her and soon.”

The officer paled and nodded. “Yes, Prince Alex. We will find her.”

Alex wanted to go out looking for her himself, but his vision kept blurring and his fever rose with each second. He could hardly walk and breathe, let alone venture out into the city in search of Kira. The officers were well-trained and were the best shot at finding her. The royal guards Joseph had sent away had been contacted, and they along with all of Alex’s brothers were out searching too.

“I found her!” the officer suddenly announced.

Alex glared at the Reestrian. He wasn’t in the mood for games. “What?”

“The woman with the golden hair running behind you. Is that her?”

Heart pounding in his ears, Alex spun around and his eyes locked on Kira.

He rushed to her and gathered her in his arms. “Kira. Are you all right? How did you get back here?”

She tried pushing him away as he inspected her from head to toe. “I’m fine! Did that witch hurt you?”

“I’m fine too, Kira.”

“She didn’t…
you know
?”

“She tried to lure me into her mating trap but wasn’t successful. Don’t worry, babygirl. Crazy biological urges or not, I only want you.”

She put a hand on her chest and sighed. “Whew! Well, that’s a relief. Um, perhaps the cavalry can leave?” she asked, and a second later he heard the door shutting behind him. The officers were gone, and he was finally all alone with Kira. Most importantly, she appeared unharmed. Aside from a small bruise on her arm, she looked perfectly healthy.

“What happened, babygirl?”

“Your girlfriend’s sister had a change of heart and brought me back.” She held up her hand to still his speech when he started to interrupt her. “Now you will listen to me. The girl who took me off in the hovercraft isn’t as evil as her sister. Her name is Renga and she says her father and sister put her up to this, but she really didn’t want to help them. I don’t want her to get into any trouble for this. She’s waiting out back in the hovercraft, and I promised her you would provide safe travel arrangements for her to another clan city so she can escape her family.” Kira crossed her arms. “I want her to leave today.”

Alex stared at her in silence for a long minute. He had almost forgotten how stubborn she could be sometimes. “Very well. I’ll contact my brothers. One of them can take care of it and clear her name with the authorities.” He twirled a finger in the air. “She has officially been pardoned by Prince Alex.”

Kira stood on her tiptoes, bounced upward, and planted a kiss on his lips. “Thank you, thank you, thank you! She’s waiting in the garden. I’ll go give her the good news and then we can
you know
.”

Oh he knew. He found her adorable way of referring to sex… well, adorable. He followed her down the hall, watching as her hips swayed back and forth in the tight gown. He’d have to track down the designer of this dress and buy her one in every color. She disappeared down another hall and out into the gardens, where he watched at a distance while she spoke to a young Reestrian female. While they talked, he pulled a communicator from his pocket and sent a brief message to his brothers, giving them the details about Ennta’s sister. Joseph immediately messaged him back saying he’d personally deliver the girl to whatever clan city she wished to make her new home. He put his communicator away as Kira approached him.

She took his hand and led him back into the entrance hall and toward the stairs. “I believe you were just about to take me upstairs, your royal highness.” Mischief danced in her eyes, and her lavender scent filled his body with awareness of her. She was about to become his mate, and he couldn’t think of any other woman he’d rather spend the rest of his life with. She would make a fine wife and a wonderful mother. In fact, he couldn’t wait to see her grow heavy with his child.

Just before they reached the stairs, he swooped her up and threw her over his shoulder.

“Hey! Alex! Put me down! What are you doing?” She wriggled around, and he smacked her bottom once.

“I’ve decided to go all caveman on you after all.” Taking the steps two at a time, he soon reached the top, enjoying her squirms and protests the whole way up the stairs.

He burst through the door to his large chambers and headed straight for the bed. He tossed her atop the covers and gazed down at her with a look that probably bordered on smug. His vision wasn’t blurring so much anymore, but he still felt heated all over and his cock pressed against his uniform pants.

Knowing time was running short, he stripped off his clothing while keeping his eyes trained on Kira. She peered up at him a bit nervously, and once he removed his pants and underthings, her mouth dropped open and she gasped.

“Holy crap, Alex, just how many growth cycles did you go through after you came to Reestria?” Her eyes grew large.

“Six growth cycles.”

“Did you gain an extra inch during each cycle? I mean, wow.”

He crawled onto the bed, pushed her gown up, and forced her legs apart. “Don’t be afraid, sweet Kira. I promise not to hurt you.”

“See that’s the thing, Alex. I’m sort of a… virgin.” She cleared her throat and glanced away, her hands trembling at her sides.

He swallowed hard. “Well then it will only hurt this first time.” At least that’s what he thought. He’d never deflowered anyone before.
Fuck
.

She parted her thighs further and slipped the silver gown off her head, tossing it on the floor. Now it was his turn for his mouth to drop open. She hadn’t worn any undergarments, and she was now completely bared to his gaze. And gaze upon her he did. Stiff pink nipples tipped her large breasts, begging to be squeezed and teased. Her hips lifted as if she was seeking out his cock and inviting him to enter the sweetness between her thighs. She was as perfect as he had imagined, her skin soft and glowing under the lamplight. And oh how she tasted divine.

He leaned down and captured her mouth, thrusting his tongue between her lips and taking total command of the kiss. He cupped her face and held her in place as he explored and tasted. She groaned and whimpered, and her noises of pleasure went straight to his cock. His balls tensed and he ached for her with more intensity than ever before.