Nebula Book 1: His Breeder
4

Nebula ate so much that she couldn’t tell if she felt groggy because of the fever or her stuffed stomach. The alien kept talking, although he knew that she couldn’t digest his words.

Her skin became itchy under her wet clothes, but she refused to reveal even a shoulder. She didn’t want to replace out what would happen if he saw a hint of vulnerability.

After tossing the peel of the fruit into a bush, she crawled out of the small shelter that her captive made. The fire was calling her name. Her movements were slow and disoriented, but she pushed on.

Plucking a leaf from the shelter, she placed it on the ground and sat atop it. The jungle was curiously quiet. It was unnerving, but nothing in comparison to having Ak’s stare on her.

What was he waiting for? Gratitude?

She scoffed.

He had sheltered her from the rain and fed her, but he also stormed terror. She would never forget his intention of forcing her, and she doubted she’d ever forgive him. No amount of leaves and fruits would compensate for the horror that chilled her when he pinned her down.

She stretched her legs out to allow the heat of the fire to dry her jeans. A terrible headache had crawled up her spine, but all she could do was roll her neck in search of relief.

It took a few hours, but the growling fire managed to dry her clothes. As soon as she was dry, she strumbled back into the little cottage and collapsed. A fever was cooking her, but the only medicine she could offer was sleep.

Nature, it seemed, was out to get her. The next time she woke, her stomach was cramping. She twisted and turned in an attempt to escape the pain. She hated this. Every time her menstrual cycle came around, she would be terrorized with cramps until she finally started bleeding.

She stared at the sky, knowing that her pain medication was sitting in her bedroom on planet Earth.

Utter desperation led her outside. With her fingers digging into her abdomen, she marched around the small camp. The mud was cool under her bare feet but did nothing to calm the fury in her belly.

“Goddamn it. Fuck,” she raved.

Ak stood and eyed the female squirm around the fire. Her brow was pinched with pain, and her lips were slashing the air with vicious words.

Last time he tried to inspect her, he found that massaging her belly gave her some relief. This was no longer an option. He could already hear her screams as she fought his touch.

He observed their surroundings. According to what Vrox taught him, a specific family of plants was needed to make a paste to treat pain. None of those plants could be found in this area.

Picking up his sword, he walked to her side. Her pacing halted immediately. With alert eyes, she clenched her fists. The subconscious preparation for fight made him sigh.

“Come. Follow me.”

He pointed to the left, and she eyed the direction.

“Come,” he repeated.

With a wipe to her brow, she stepped forward. She had no other choice but to follow his instructions. Without his guidance, she wouldn’t be able to survive in the wilderness.

Ak eyed her mud-thick feet, suddenly realizing that she was barefoot like he was. He would need to make her foot-coverings, then. He doubted that the soles of her feet were as thick-skinned as his.

As he led the way, he remained attuned to the sounds around them. His trusted sword was heavy in his palm but ready to decapitate any threat that charged their way. Behind him, the female breathed heavily and occasionally groaned. The fever and pain were overwhelming her senses.

“Bear with it for only a few minutes. I am looking for the plants needed.”

He grabbed a branch and lifted it so she wouldn’t have to duck. When they passed an area that had thorns teething out of every plant, he cut down everything in their way.

Where were those plants? Did Vrox use the yellow, dotted flowers? Or the orange mushrooms?

He grunted, unable to spot either.

They walked until they came across a great, fallen oak. He bowed his head for a few seconds, offering his respects to the giant. Then, he threw his sword across and clawed his way up the trunk. When he was kneeling atop it, he extended a hand. The female looked unsure, and it took her many seconds to build the courage to accept his hand.

Her petite, smooth silk mixed with his rough one. Ak blinked, taken off guard by the duo.

Lifting her felt about as strainful as lifting a feather. With no effort at all, he had her sitting on the trunk. He jumped off and then reached for her waist.

Both of their breaths paused when he encased her hips. When her feet were on the ground, Ak made quick work of releasing her. The last thing he needed to swell her fear.

He avoided her eyes and continued leading. Three footfalls later, something snared around his foot. He was barely able to push the female away before the rope snatched him.

Nebula gasped from the ground, staring up at the dangling alien.

A hunting trap?

In his surprise, Ak dropped his weapon. It now kept her company on the ground. She eyed the sharp silver, gulping.

Leave him here. He deserves whatever is coming. Kira is probably coming after you. Just replace a safe place to camp until then.

He deserved it, didn’t he? He had contemplated rape. He deserved abandonment.

She held his gaze as the rope held hi,. He was eyeing her with a smoky silence. All of his limbs– including his terrifying cock, were reaching down.

Although he was vulnerable, his lips weren’t racing to ask for mercy. Why? Did he think that pleasing was below him?

If she left, a man could stumble upon him and slay him. An animal could replace him and devour his screaming body. Did she want to live with that? Did she want the responsibility of manslaughter?

Did she want to live with that? Did she want the responsibility of manslaughter?

No. She didn’t want to become as rotten as him.

Fuck.

Rising to her knees, she grabbed the sword. It took a great effort to lift the thing. Then, she raised it to return it to its owner.