Alien Brute - Luna Hunter

Chapter 1

Sasha

The ominous black Aegir castle turns into a speck in the distance as the wooden carriage takes us further and further away from Olivia and Xak. And then the bony horses turn the corner, and it’s gone, replaced by a view of the distant, snowy mountain peaks.

The six-legged beasts trod slowly through the winding, treacherous mountain paths, the sounds of their hooves the only thing penetrating the tense silence in the carriage.

It’s just me, Ciara, and a gigantic and gorgeous Aegir here in this cramped space. The massive deep blue alien takes up half the carriage, his horns nearly scraping against the high ceiling.

He’s so different from Xak. Xak was scarred, beast-like, savage. Kozus reminds me more of those ancient marble statues. He’s hewn to perfection. His jaw is chiseled, his shoulders broad, his forearms veiny. The black form-fitting armor he’s wearing leaves nothing to the imagination — I can count every single ab he’s got. He’s a bit too perfect for my taste, actually. Even his long black hair is shiny, and his eyes are a crystal clear blue that seem to peer deeply into my soul.

I turn my gaze away and stare out the window instead, ignoring the heat rushing to my cheeks. This moment will be over soon. A shuttle will take us to The Banks, and then I won’t have to deal with aliens for a long time. I’m happy for Olivia, but I long to be back on familiar ground.

“I don’t believe we’ve been properly introduced yet,” the alien says as he lowers his horns to us in greeting. “They call me Kozus. I am the High Prince of Kar.”

His voice is a low grumble, and as smooth as silk at the same time. The kind of voice you can just close your eyes to and let it whisk you away.

“Ciara! Nice to meet you!”

“Sasha,” I answer and I offer the prince my hand.

He looks at me quizzically.

“Human greeting,” I explain. “You’re supposed to shake it.”

He grabs my hand with his big blue claws the size of dinner plates, and shakes my entire arm up and down. “Like so?”

“Good effort, but not exactly.” I say. Is this really the best diplomat the Aegir could find?

Ciara can barely hold back her laughter. “Let us show you how it’s done!”

“Good idea.” I turn to Ciara and offer her my hand. To my surprise, she leans in and kisses both my cheeks. I wasn’t expecting that — nor am I a big fan of people getting all up in my space — so I sit there, stunned.

“That’s how we say hi in our family!” She exclaims.

“Interesting approach. I will try this inventive new greeting method,” Kozus says.

Before I have a chance to protest, Kozus grabs both my shoulders in his strong grip and the imposingly tall warrior leans over me.

I look up at him, my heart suddenly in my throat as his musky scent envelops me.

His clear blue eyes stare into my soul, the outside world fading away in an instant. His forked tong wets his thick, perfectly shaped lips in anticipation.

I didn’t sign up for this — but I’m powerless to stop him.

Kozus leans in. His hot lips kiss my right cheek, and then my left.

The moment he touches me, a shiver runs down my spine, as a strange feeling takes hold of my entire body. It’s the feeling of waking up on Saturday morning, with the whole weekend in front of you. The feeling of freshly brewed coffee and delicious croissants for breakfast, with strawberries dipped in chocolate on the side because why not? This is my perfect daydream, and my perfect daydream calls for strawberries dipped in freaking chocolate.

It’s like that feeling, times ten. I want to freaking soak in this feeling, while sipping champagne, naked from head to toe. Preferably with those strong, hot, perfect lips of that Aegir prince somewhere down south…

“Sasha?”

Kozus’s growl calls me back to attention. I open my eyes. Him and Ciara are both staring at me.

“Yes?” I say.

“Are you hurt?” He asks. “You were moaning.”

Moaning?! That’s embarrassing.

“You must have misheard,” I stammer. “We must have hit a bump in the road. Or something.”

“No girl, that man’s right,” Ciara says. “You were moaning. Like, deep, guttural, kinda sexy even. Bravo.”

“Whose side are you on?!” I hiss to my friend.

“The side of true love — this has been thoroughly established Sasha, try to keep up, will ya?”

I look back up at Kozus. He still has his hands on my shoulders, and