Untamed Alien - Luna Kingsley Page 0,2

new beginnings, we gather our things and step inside.

Chapter 2

Brotak

“There is still no sign of them,” Dhacar says.

“Then either they are late or the council has gone back on our agreement.” I’ve climbed to the ledge to join Dhacar where we can see clearly out over the lands where the vehicles delivering the humans should be arriving at any moment.

“Chorlo will not betray you. He is greedy and would do anything to line his pockets, just like all the other council members. He will come through one way or another.”

“I still do not know if it was wise to enter into an agreement with them.” As the leader of my clan, I don’t discuss my hesitations with anyone but Dhacar. As my trusted second, my thoughts and opinions never travel beyond us. He is as tight-lipped as he is private.

“It was a necessary decision to ensure the continuation of our clan. Do not think any more of it. When did Chorlo say he would deliver the first female?”

“He said to expect her within three days of their arrival on Xavren.”

“And every three months after?”

“That is what we agreed upon.”

“Let’s hope this works.”

Dhacar exhales into the cold night air. The snow has slowed, but from the looks of the sky there’s another big storm on the way. If we’re lucky, the humans will arrive and the female will be delivered before the storm complicates things.

“Vrihith and Zuvath are on watch too?” I ask for clarification.

“Mmmhmm,” Dhacar says, chewing the root of a flamire plant.

When I glance at him he’s smirking at me, clearly amused by my nerves. But this is a plan unlike any I’ve ever attempted before. The other clans continue to impose on our territory, hunting our food and causing a shortage in supplies. Our alliances are already fragile, our clan especially susceptible to invasion. But it’s the councilors from the northern cities who pose the greatest threats and I’d never choose to enter into an arrangement with them if I had any other choice. They’re deceitful and greedy, never satisfied with the lands and riches they already have. They’ll sacrifice the clans to save themselves without a second thought. All of these worries rest on my shoulders, but above all, we need females. This pact with Chorlo is risky, but I did what I thought needed to be done for the good of our clan.

“What is it?” I ask, grumpily.

“Have you decided how we’ll determine who gets the first female?”

I exhale with frustration. “I’ve been so concerned with the details of her arrival I haven’t bothered to work out that important part.”

“Make it easy for everyone then. Claim her yourself.”

“The last time I met with Leader Thiku to discuss a stronger alliance between our clans, he proposed marriage between his daughter Ama and me.”

“She can marry another in our clan. It doesn’t need to be you.”

“Just as this human female can mate with another from our clan.”

“You are our leader, Brotak. If anyone is to procreate, it should be you first.”

“I will think it over, Dhacar. Who knows, perhaps once you see her, you’ll beg me to let you have her.”

Dhacar chuckles but we’re interrupted before we can finish our conversation.

“Brotak, the humans have arrived,” Vrihith says, breathing rapidly from his run to our position.

“How is that possible? We are looking out over the lands. Empty.” I motion with my arm to the lands in front of us which are deserted of everything but snow.

“Tangrux delivered them to the fortress.”

“He what?” The three of us stop and stare at each other for a moment. We abandoned the fortress years ago when it was no longer safe. “Chorlo and I agreed he would bring them closer to the caves where we could keep watch over them. The empty huts in the trees provide protection. They are exposed and vulnerable at the fortress. Why did they deviate from our plans?”

“Who knows why they do what they do? Chorlo remains there with a few other guards. The rest of the council members have already returned to the city,” Vrihith says.

I shout my frustration into the dark night. Already things are not going as planned.

“Do you want me to gather some men and move them?” Dhacar asks.

We’re staring at the small cluster of huts not far from our mountain. From this point we’d be able to keep watch over them without them knowing we’re here.

“No. The agreement was a female in exchange for use of our land for the human settlement. The