Auctioned to the Alpha Read online

  Thiago rolled his head around his neck as he picked up his clothes and stuffed them into the congested hamper, which was in danger of exploding at any minute. As he moved to the steps, intending to fix himself another snack, Eden hemmed loudly behind him. He turned back to face Eden, her glistening, naked body nestling under the covers of the bed.

  "Where are you going?"

  "Downstairs, to get something to eat. Sorry. Are you hungry, too?"

  "No." She patted the space next to her.

  Thiago was baffled but decided to play along. In his previous sexual encounters, there had never been a need to stick around after the deed. He didn't understand how Earth girls would be any different, but he thought it wouldn't hurt to humor the touchy-feely human.

  He lifted the sheets and climbed into bed next to her, laying perfectly, awkwardly still. Eden lay her head on his warm chest. His heartbeat intensified under her weight. Thiago could feel his tough exterior begin to soften. Slowly and carefully, he slipped his hand around her neck and held her close to him. He began petting the side of her head, threading her coppery curls through the spaces between his fingers.

  Within moments, the pair was fast asleep and snoring in each other's arms.

  Chapter 12

  "Are you sure you want to go through with this?"

  Thiago clipped a pair of aviator sunglasses onto the bridge of his nose, shielding his eyes from the glaring rays of the sun. Eden stood opposite him, clad in an all-black jumpsuit. Her flattened curls peeked out the bottom of her full-head helmet, bunched to one side in a long, tight ponytail.

  She craned her neck upward, gazing through the blue tinted visor of her helmet. Five heavy sacks of millie flour painted with bullseye targets hung from the branches of a strapping, leafless tree. Thiago moved behind the trunk and prepared to change the positions of the sacks. Eden grunted, wielding a powerful weapon on the ground next to her.

  The steel rod glinted as it caught the sunlight. The top consisted of a foul metal ball fitted with serrated spikes and the thick, upturned ends of screws and bolts. As she raised it high above her head, her sore arm hurt from repeatedly lifting the weapon.

  "I'm sure. Bring it on."

  The sacks of flour began dropping sequentially at varying lengths, with Thiago orchestrating the flow from behind the tree. Eden swung forward, her arm burning with fatigue and the repeated exertion of force. She missed the sack to her left on her first try. Her blow fell flat on the target behind it. As she froze momentarily thinking about her failure, a sack in her blind spot swung directly at her. The bag smacked Eden in the visor, knocking her backward and onto the ground.

  "Do you still think the helmet was a bad idea?" said Thiago slyly, extending his hand.

  "Gloating's unattractive," Eden snapped back. She accepted his hand, allowing him to help her off the ground. Dusting off the dirt from the legs of her jumpsuit, she removed her helmet and held it against her waist. "I think I may have bitten off more than I can chew. My legs are sore from running with you every morning this week. I've fallen on my ass more times than I can count. I feel like I've got the brittle bones of a 90-year-old. What was I thinking?"

  "The 90-year-olds on this planet are at the height of their physical abilities. What other excuses do you have?"

  "I know, I know," Eden said miserably. She looked around at the makeshift training arena Thiago had meticulously constructed over the past few days. "When I asked if we could do a little one-on-one training session, I was expecting a couple of punching bags. Maybe I could run through some tires while you cheered me on from the sidelines."

  "Are you giving up so soon? I knew it would be difficult for you, but I thought you'd last a little longer."

  "I didn't say I was giving up," Eden interjected with a raised eyebrow. Her face glowed with determination. "I just need a little break."

  "Good," said Thiago, a knowing smile settling on his lips. He handed her a flask filled with water from a satchel strapped across his back.

  "Thanks," said Eden as she start taking huge gulps of water. She tipped the container back and splashed the rest of the water over her sweaty face. "Did you go to a bounty hunter training academy? Where did you learn to do everything?"

  "Most bounty hunters are self-trained. I hauled in my first captive when I was fifteen. I've grown accustomed to being alone all my life. I guess I figured it was always better to be safe than sorry. I observed and learned from watching others – how to swim and scale obstacles. I've never needed anyone else. Hercules was sufficient company. He's taught me more than anyone else could."

  "I can believe that," said Eden. Her heart warmed at the glisten of affection in Thiago's eyes every time he mentioned the name of his beloved companion.

  "You need to be vigilant. You can never be too prepared for whatever's out here. Even the most out-of-shape schmuck on this planet has twice the upper body strength than that of a 'fit' human."

  "Does this mean you're going to let me tag along on your next mission?"

  "No," said Thiago bluntly. He was unmoved by the disappointed expression on Eden's face. "Your training is in case you ever have to defend yourself in the spaceship. You'd be more of a burden than a help to me right now."

  "Thanks for the vote of confidence," mumbled Eden. She glared at the sacks of flour hanging above her. They were all completely intact. "What am I doing wrong?"

  "You need to adjust your stance," said Thiago, enclosing her in a half-embrace from behind. He placed his hands gently over her fingers, closing them properly around the weapon. He guided her hands forward in a straight, swinging motion. "Raise the windsor above your head and strike down for the most powerful strike. For you to hit the targets, it's important to be aware of the placement of the windsor's head at all times. Do you think you can try again?"

  Eden exhaled deeply, nodding. Thiago went around the tree and picked up the loose ropes off the ground, looping them around his fingers. Eden pulled her helmet over her head, her breath fogging up the visor. As she counted down internally, she made a thumbs-up sign with her hand.

  "Ready!"

  The sacks began dropping, taunting her as they dangled in front of her. An uninhibited war cry sprang from her lips as she charged forward, the weapon raised high above her head. Her eyes were glued to the sacks like she was a hungry predator. In swift, hacking motions, the spikes of her windsor pierced through each and every one of her moving targets. Adrenaline sizzled through her veins as she jumped up the tree. The ridged soles of her boots locked into the trunk. She lifted off the ground for only a moment, yet it was enough to bludgeon the last bag of millie flour to oblivion.

  Eden landed on the ground, gawking at the scene around here. Coffee-colored grains leaked out of perforated holes in the bags and covered the ground in pools. Deflated sacks lay in the dirt like they'd been vigorously trampled by a stampede of horses. Thiago emerged from behind the tree, pride bursting from a toothy grin on his face.

  "Not bad for a beginner. I'm impressed."

  "Not bad?" Eden repeated giddily, breaking out in a victory dance. "I was magnificent! I didn't know I could do that! What are we going to do next?"

  "Don't you want to take a break? Maybe get some lunch?"

  "No!" Eden's eyes darted around the clearing of the training arena. "Let's do one more thing, and then I promise we can break for food."

  "Whatever you say. Your shooting skills need a lot of work," Thiago agreed. He looked back at Hercules, who was chasing a couple of avians around the parked spaceship. "I'll be right back. I need to pick up some practice targets and fix Hercules a meal."

  Eden placed her helmet on the ground and slowly wandered off to a cliff at the edge of the clearing. She unzipped a few inches from her jumpsuit, fanning her hands and welcoming a fresh draft onto her body.

  A sense of vertigo gripped her as she gazed at the breathtaking violet and marigold scheme of the Runic territory fringe. The landscape was free from the pollution and smog in the city. A body
of sparkling, flawlessly cerulean water was in the center of the land, surrounded by purple rock formations the size of small hills. Beyond the dreamy landscape were additional mountains and cliffs similar to hers. Slanting her head to one side, she began to relax.

  Eden thought she could see the distinctive facial features of her sister Janine carved into the natural creases and crags on the side of a distant mountain. Of course, it was only a trick of her mind. In fact, she couldn't even see the resemblance unless she had her head positioned at a particular angle. Still, Eden tilted her head to the right again, a sense of nostalgia compelling her to take one step forward.

  Mesmerized by the rock formation, she didn't notice she had stepped over a broken line on the cliff's edge. The ground began shaking from her weight. By the time she realized the danger, it was too late. The floor crumbled under her feet. Her twisting stomach churned at the sudden plunge.

  Eden's arms flapped forward, managing to grab the jagged edge of the cliff. She kicked her feet as they dangled underneath her uselessly. Her voice sounded strange to her ears as she screamed and the color drained from her face. Terrified, she glanced up at her reddened fingers and white knuckles.

  "Help! Thiago! Hercules! Help!"

  Her fingers began to slip.

  "Anyone..."

  Chapter 13

  Eden's palms clung to the ragged edge of the cliff. She winced, rivulets of blood oozing from her palms and down her arms. Her feet swung helplessly underneath her. As she kicked out her legs in desperation, her loosened left boot wriggled completely off her body. She glanced down and immediately regretted her decision. The boot plummeted through the air, bouncing against the edge twice before disappearing in a bed of saw-toothed rock formations below.

  "I'm slipping..."

  "Take my hand!" The delicately feminine hand of a woman appeared in front of Eden. Ornate rings studded with glowing moonstones and the planet's precious rocks embellished the stranger's fingers. The subtle gray tone to the woman's flesh was nearly translucent, displaying a network of veins under her skin.

  The particulars of the hand flew right past Eden, who was overjoyed to see any assistance. Without a second to waste, she reached for the woman's fingers, her frantic cries slowly fading. The hand yanked her up the edge like a rag doll until she crashed onto the solid ground. She scuttled backward urgently, pushing with the raw palms of her hands.

  "I'm alive," said Eden, cackling manically. She patted herself down, staining her jumpsuit with faint smears of blood. "I'm okay."

  "Your hands are a bit scratched, and you're missing a shoe, but you'll be fine."

  Eden's eyes focused on her savior. She pushed herself off the ground, splaying her arms to ward off her double vision. With her hand clutched over her heart surging with emotion and gratitude, she gushed, "I don't know how I can begin to thank you. I'm grateful you came along. I didn't think it would be right to die out here in this dirty place. I don't even like hiking."

  "Slow down. You're still a little rattled. It's understandable, of course," said the stranger lightly. Her tinkling chuckle was pleasant to Eden's ears. "I think anyone would have done the same thing if they were in my position."

  Eden wasn't sure if it was the close call or if she was simply under the influence of post-trauma hero worship. As she gazed up at her savior, who was at least 6 feet in height, there appeared to be a soft, golden radiance around the alien woman's figure.

  The stranger had humanoid features, apart from the glittery gray of her thin skin, and she reminded Eden of a glamorous mermaid. Her glossy, light pink hair ran straight down her shoulders, stopping around her waist. Additionally, her savior was drop-dead gorgeous. The alien woman was aware of her beauty, flaunting her generous curves in a skintight jumpsuit with a narrow neckline that plunged down her stomach, revealing hints of her buxom chest.

  "On this planet? I highly doubt that," said Eden darkly. She blinked, squinting her eyes at the familiar marking on the woman's forehead. Her eyes widened in realization. She had seen the same set of twin northbound arrows on Thiago.

  Eden quickly concealed her inquisitive gaze, stepping forward with a sheepish smile and outstretched hand. "I'm sorry, I've been rude. I never had my life saved before, so I'm unfamiliar with the proper etiquette. My name's Eden."

  The alien shook her hand and opened her mouth to speak. Before she could say anything, Thiago's gravelly voice came rumbling from behind them.

  "Arleda!"

  Both women turned to see Thiago jogging towards them and Hercules loping alongside him. The woman's peach-stained lips stretched out into a broad grin. She smoothed a lock of hair over her shoulders, waving animatedly at the approaching pair. Thiago dropped his bulky satchel onto the ground next to him. He frowned as his thick, blonde brows met in the middle of his forehead while he scanned the woman up and down.

  "Thiago," the woman replied. She jutted out one foot and playfully placed a hand on her hip. "Well, look at you. You're even easier on the eyes than before."

  "I look the same," said Thiago evenly. He made a face like someone had just shoved a can of tuna in his face without warning. "What are you doing here? Eden, what happened to you? I only left you for a few minutes."

  He looked back at Eden, whose unruly tangles of ginger hair looked even wilder than usual. They stuck to her sweaty cheeks in clumps, which were flushed red and scuffed with dirt. A filthy sock with a loosened garter was all that remained from her left boot. When his eyes landed on her swollen fingers, he saw open gashes speckling her knuckles and palms. Thiago dropped the amused smile from his face.

  "Are you okay?" Thiago asked. He grabbed Eden's wrists to examine her cuts. "What happened?"

  "It looks a lot worse than it is. I might feel it later," said Eden. Her shoulders shrank forward as she confessed. "I fell, and Arleda here showed up just in time and pulled me to safety. You could stand to be more polite to the woman who saved my life."

  "The girl makes a lot of sense," Arleda piped up, cocking a pink eyebrow.

  "Fell where?" said Thiago, ignoring the woman's remarks. He reached into one of the many pockets in his satchel and produced a large tube of salve.

  Eden gagged as he unscrewed the cap, releasing a stench that smelled like a mixture of excrement and gym socks. Thiago squeezed out a coin-sized dollop and began applying it to Eden's cuts. She sucked in her teeth sharply at the burning sensation. Her breath slowly returned to normal as the burn turned into coldness.

  "I was by the cliff," Eden answered as she massaged her wrists. She motioned toward the edge where she'd fallen. "It serves me right for trying to appreciate nature. In hindsight, it was probably a dumb idea to wander close to an edge without a fence or rail. I don't know how long I was screaming before Arleda showed up."

  "Arleda saved you out of the goodness of her heart, huh?" said Thiago bluntly. He took a long, hard look at Arleda as if he were trying to figure out her end game. "How many credits are we talking about here? What are you looking for?"

  Arleda tossed her head back in laughter as she gave Thiago's arm a squeeze. "Oh Thi-ger, don't be silly. Let's not give your new friend any incorrect impressions."

  The three jumped back in shock as Hercules lunged at Arleda. Thiago jammed his arm between the angry creature's snapping pincers. Eden sprang forward and wrapped her arms around one of Hercules' legs. Her attempt to hold him back failed when she started gasping in pain. She released Hercules as the creature's hair began to dig into her wounds.

  "Come on, Hercules," said Arleda, the smile on her face fading. She took a few steps back, raising a hand slowly. "You remember me, don't you, boy?"

  "Hercules, heel," Thiago commanded, clicking his tongue comfortingly. He wiped the slime of his pet's drool on the side of his pants, his face scrunching up in disgust. "Damn it, Herc. Look at this mess."

  "I don't know why Herc is misbehaving. I've never seen him randomly attack like that," noted Eden aloud. Feeling the heat of Arleda's gaze, she added helpfully,
"My sister and I used to have an iguana when we were kids. They shed a lot when they're growing, and they can get cranky. Maybe that's why old Herc is upset." She paused. "I don't know what I'm saying."

  "You could be right," said Arleda, the sweet smile on her face making a reappearance. "That's okay. I'm sure Hercules didn't mean it. You're sorry, aren't you, boy?"

  "Maybe it's the vile boisenflower perfume you insist on swimming in every morning," said Thiago. He unpacked a small container from his satchel and opened it, flinging a slab of meat into the distance. The creature instantly perked up, nearly sliding off-balance on its eight feet before chasing after the treat.

  Arleda stuck her tongue out. She gestured with her thumb and pointer finger, the local equivalent of flipping the bird at Thiago.

  Eden wasn't sure why, but she felt a brush of jealousy at the history between the two. She cleared her throat as she drummed her fingertips against each other. Trying her best to portray careless nonchalance, she commented, "You two seem to know each other well."

  Arleda batted her long lashes as she winked in Thiago's direction. "We're well-acquainted, aren't we, Thiago?"

  "She dabbles in bounty hunting too. We used to do missions together and split the reward," he explained.

  "I'd say I did more than that. Admit it, we made a pretty good team, didn't we?" Arleda insisted. She peeked at Eden, crinkling her nose. "Of course, that was quite some time ago."

  "You weren't half bad," said Thiago flatly.

  He placed two looped fingers in his mouth and whistled for Hercules. The creature trotted back to his owner, licking off the blood from its mouth. "I guess we should pack up and hit the road. I assume you've completed training for the day?"