“I heard Oro is pretty bad ass himself,” Lexi said.
“From what I understand, Oro is a stealth fighter,” Loretta said.
“Is it true that you helped him on his mission?” Lexi asked.
“I did. I’ve been involved with techno-drug pushers for a long time. It was the reason I joined the lottery in the first place. I just wanted to get away from that life.”
“You joined on your own?” Lexi asked.
“I did. Seemed like a pretty good deal. I got much more than I bargained for.”
Both of the other girls giggled.
“Being the fated mate of a Draconian male is out of this world,” Loretta said, ironically.
“It’s cool that you helped him with his mission. Most of us girls want to help make Earth a better place,” Lexi said. “We found a cure for cancer in the chemistry lab aboard the armada. I was one of the scientists involved in the discovery.”
“That’s awesome,” Tabby said. She couldn’t believe that she was sitting with somebody so smart.
“That’s nothing,” Lexi said. “Loretta here is helping buy out every corporation in the entire world.”
“What?” Tabby asked. “How is that even possible?”
“The Draconians are worth like a hundred trillion dollars,” Loretta said, laughing. “I have an MBA in finance so they gave me the job. If we own all the resources, then we get to decide what happens with them. The Draconians have decided to take it out of the humans’ hands, and we women are helping them. You might’ve put yourself in harm’s way, but you aren’t the only one who has had the desire to help. You’re in good company.”
“I had no idea. I was just going on instinct. I knew a guy who knew the guy that Oro was trying to take out, and I knew I could get close enough to let him know when he was alone.”
“From what I hear, you did a really good job,” Lexi said. “Even if my mate was a little testy about it. The overall mission here is to mate with human women. They need to revitalize their DNA, otherwise the race will die out. Each of us is extremely valuable to the Draconians as a whole. Our children will ensure the continuation of their species.”
“I know. I just wasn’t thinking about it at the time,” Tabby said. “I don’t think they’re going to let me do that kind of thing again. Although, Oro did mention me continuing to help take out the techno-drug cartels. I’m more than happy to help. The techno-drugs ruined my neighborhood. They took both my parents. They ruined my life, and the lives of so many other people I’ve known. To be honest, I joined the lottery because I just wanted to get the hell away from there. But when I realized I could do something about it, that’s when it became clear to me that I wanted to help more than anything else.”
“I’m sure your mate can find a job for you to use your valuable skills,” Loretta said.
“Like being in charge of a hundred trillion dollars,” Lexi said, laughing at Loretta.
“I never expected to be in charge of a hundred trillion dollars,” Loretta said, giggling.
Everyone quieted down as the game began. Tabby watched as Oro and the other men played the Draconian version of basketball. It was similar to human basketball in that there was dribbling and shooting, but that’s where the similarity ended. The men would jump in and out of dragon form, fly around the stadium, shift back, and dunk the ball. The NBA had never seen anything like this before.
The girls sat on the bleachers cheering for their guys as the game continued. Tabby saw Oro make some amazing stealthy moves with his quick, agile abilities. He could stay clear of any of the other players. They couldn’t even touch him.
Oro, Nash, and Mylash were all on the same team. Those three men together completely dominated the other team. When they had won, the guys came over to the bleachers and smiled at their ladies individually and altogether.
Lexi and Loretta began giggling and chatting with Nash and Mylash. Tabby felt so at home with everyone and so happy to be there that she threw her arms around Oro and hugged him tightly, even though he was covered in sweat.
“Why don’t we go down to the shopping district while these guys go wash off?” Lexi offered. “I’m not going get as many chances to go shopping in about a month when the baby comes. I’ll have to take at least a few weeks off.”
“We’ll come to visit you,” Loretta said. “Don’t worry about that.”
Oro gave Tabby a kiss on the cheek and all three girls walked out together. They took an elevator up to the top floor of the command ship.
The doors opened out onto what could only be described as a cute little shopping district. It looked like it belonged in some trendy tourist city. All kinds of shops and restaurants lined the street. There were even trees and hanging baskets of flowers. The dome overhead showed space, but the lights made it seem like the sun was shining brightly on the sidewalk.
Lexi and Loretta showed Tabby to all of their favorite shops. They tried on clothes and picked out handbags. When they were done shopping, they made their way to the other brides’ favorite café. They sat on the sidewalk patio, listening to the sound of birds chirping. It must’ve been a recording, because Tabby couldn’t imagine there were actual birds on the spaceship.
“How do you like our shopping district?” Loretta asked.
“This is exactly what I came here for,” Tabby said. A Draconian waiter brought them all cheesecake and lattes, and the girls ate their desserts while sipping their coffee.
“Life here is better than either of us expected,” Lexi said.
“Lexi didn’t want to be Commander Or’s mate,” Loretta teased.
“You weren’t any more thrilled about being mated to Mylash at first either, Loretta,” Lexi teased back.
“What changed your mind?” Tabby asked.
“The guy,” Lexi and Loretta said at the same time. They both looked at each other and laughed.
“I changed my mind, too,” Tabby said.
“We thought you chose to join the lottery,” Lexi said.
“I did. But I didn’t do it because I wanted to fall in love. I did it because I wanted to get off of Earth. It totally sucks down there.”
“What happened to change your mind?” Loretta asked.
“I don’t know what it was exactly. But while Oro and I were getting to know each other, and he was getting me ready to be his mate, something happened. Something magical. You know how the guys say that they have fated mates, and they can tell who they are? It was almost like I started to feel the same way he did. I don’t have a dragon roaring inside my head, but the more time I spent with him, the more connected I felt to him. And let’s face it, these Draconian men leave human men in the dust.”
Lexi and Loretta looked at each other. “Mm hmm,” they both said in agreement, nodding their heads.
“Well, I’ve had a long day. I already spent several hours at the lab. It’s time for me to go home and rest. Nash doesn’t like it if I exert myself too much at this stage in my pregnancy.”
“I’ll walk you back down to your apartment,” Loretta said to Tabby. “Help you find the way.”
The girls all left together.
“Had a great time today. I’m so glad you guys are so nice,” Tabby said to Loretta outside Tabby’s door. Loretta opened her arms and gave Tabby a big, warm hug. Loretta had the southern charm to match her southern accent. She might be a whiz with math and money, but she was also a really sweet girl.
“I did, too. Let’s do this again soon, maybe tomorrow,” Loretta said before saying goodbye and turning away down the corridor.
Tabby went into her apartment and sat in the living room, facing the big wall that looked out onto space. Her life was more complete than she ever expected it to be. It was strange and wonderful and exhilarating.
Oro stepped out of the bedroom, naked and with wet hair. She smiled at him, slightly embarrassed to see him that way. The Draconians didn’t seem to mind their nakedness at all. They had played the entire game of Draconian basketball in the b
uff.
He flicked the spot at the base of his neck and his uniform reappeared. She was glad that he covered himself, because she didn’t know what she would do if she had to look at him like that. His hard, chiseled muscles and thick, long shaft made her mouth water. After last night, she was still a little sore and wasn’t sure if she was ready for another round quite yet.
“I’m glad you’re back. I have something I want to talk to you about,” Oro said, sitting beside her on the couch.
“What is it?” she said, her curiosity piqued.
“You did such a fantastic job helping me with my mission, the commander and general have helped me come up with an idea of how we can utilize your expertise.”
“I wouldn’t call hanging out around gangsters expertise.” Lexi and Loretta were both experts. Lexi was a chemist and Loretta was a financial whiz. Tabby was just a girl from the ghetto who spent too much time with the wrong people.
“It is expertise. We would like you to head up a task force in researching the dark internet where the techno-drug users congregate. We want to infiltrate that world so we can pinpoint the source of the corruption.”
“The only way to get in there is to take the drugs,” Tabby said, shocked and appalled that he would suggest such a thing.
“We have a way of allowing you into the system without using the drugs. It’s completely harmless. We would never suggest anything that would hurt you.”
“Oh, okay,” she said.
“Since you understand and have experience with people like Leo Hendrix and Juan Norte, you will have more insight into their organization than anyone else. We have intel that can help you, but none of us have your experience.”
“So you want me to be like a virtual spy or something?” She liked the idea the more she thought about it. In fact, it was exactly the kind of thing that she wanted to do. “That sounds amazing.”
Tabby liked action. She wanted to be involved. She was at her best thinking on her feet and making quick decisions. Oro was offering her absolutely everything that her heart could desire. He’d given her a luxurious apartment, love, closeness, friends, safety, and now he was giving her the most kick ass job that she could imagine. She got to be a techno-spy. Awesome.
“I’m glad you agreed.” He brought her into his arms and she leaned against his chest. He explained to her more of the details of how her task force would work, and she listened to him speaking as they sat on the comfy couch and looked out into space. A few days before, Tabby never would have imagined that her life would be so complete and so full of love.
Stealing that motorcycle and joining the Draconian mating lottery had been the best decisions she’d ever made.
Alien General’s Wife
Draconians 4
He's her last hope ... and she might be his.
A devastated woman ...
When Indigo Robertson learns that her name has come up in the Draconian mating lottery, the timing couldn't be worse. The benevolent dragon shifter aliens need human women to replenish their DNA ... but their ancient enemy, the Mulgor, have followed them to Earth and invaded.
The news that she's been matched with a Draconian warrior comes just after the Mulgor kill Indigo's entire family. Filled with grief and guilt, she can't allow herself any happiness. Not even with a seven-foot-tall, sexy as hell dragon shifter.
A determined alien ...
Vlosh Torr can't afford distractions. The highest-ranking officer in the Draconian military, he is charged with driving the Mulgor invaders from Earth. But he cannot resist the lure of his resilient little wife, her sexy curves, and the roar of his inner dragon.
Two crucial battles
Vlosh must fight the Mulgor while he courts a mate who's fighting her feelings. But when Indigo makes an important discovery, will it mark a turning point in their relationship ... and the campaign to protect Earth?
Chapter 1
Indigo Robertson sat on the lumpy futon in her dorm room, reading a romance novel about aliens from far-off worlds. It had been written a decade ago when the idea of aliens had still been science-fiction. Everything was different now.
Her roommate Molly burst through the door and flopped on her bed across from Indigo’s. The willowy blonde was Indigo’s complete opposite. While Indigo was curvy with cocoa skin and kinky black hair, Molly was fair and skinny.
Indigo might be curvy, but she was on an athletic scholarship for tennis. She blamed the extra padding on her heritage, but the truth was, it was all muscle underneath.
Molly sighed. She had a date almost every night with a different guy. Molly wasn’t easy, but she did have a lot of guys buying her dinner. Not that Molly ever ate anything.
“I really liked this one,” Molly said. “Why do guys have to be such jerks?”
“I have no idea. I don’t even bother,” Indigo said.
She hadn’t had a boyfriend since high school and didn’t want one either. She was too busy with her schoolwork and tennis practice to get involved with the annoying dudes around campus.
Since the economy had gone into recession several years ago, the only guys who ended up in college tended to be entitled, self-absorbed jackasses. Unlike Molly, Indigo didn’t want to have anything to do with that scene.
“But don’t you ever get lonely?” Molly asked wistfully. She brushed a long strand of blonde hair out of her face and flopped on her back on her fluffy pink comforter.
“I have you,” Indigo said. Molly could get a little obnoxious with her flighty wistfulness, but she was a good friend and a sweet girl. At the end of the day, Indigo really did love Molly. They’d been roommates for two years and had become best friends despite their differences.
“Indigo, you’re so sweet. Any guy would be lucky to have you.”
“They’d have to catch me first,” Indigo said, holding back a snort. She set the romance novel down on her nightstand. Her book boyfriends were all that she could handle right now. Human men just couldn’t compare.
After the Draconians, the dragon shifter aliens, had landed on Earth and offered advanced technology in exchange for human cooperation in their mating lottery, millions of girls had lined up for their chance to win.
When Indigo had turned eighteen, she’d entered the mating lottery herself. The seven-foot-tall dragon shifters not only offered five hundred thousand dollars to the family of any girl who was chosen, they were also superfine in every way imaginable. Indigo had never seen a Draconian up close, but from what she’d seen on television, those guys left human men in the dust.
Since the advanced technology that the Draconians had brought to Earth had sent the human economy into turmoil, people needed the money from the mating lottery more than ever. Indigo’s parents certainly could have used the cash, but she hadn’t been genetically matched with an alien.
She was offered a tennis scholarship to her university, and she’d jumped at the chance to get a college education and play her favorite sport. Maybe after college she would even become a pro, who knew? For now, she was focused on her studies and planned to become a fitness trainer.
In the last several months, the Draconians had become more involved in Earth society after a series of terrorist attacks. But things still hadn’t improved all that much on a day-to-day basis for the average human. Molly clicked on the television with the remote and started flipping through channels until she landed on the news.
Breaking news: the Earth is under attack. The Earth is under attack. An unknown alien species has landed on the planet. Several cities have been bombed. New York. London. Paris. Stay indoors and stay tuned for updates.
“What the hell?” Molly asked. “Have the Draconians turned against us?”
“Why would they do that? They want to mate with our women. They need us to revitalize their DNA and save their own species from extinction. Hurting us would hurt them.”
“These are different aliens?”
“I guess,” Indigo said below her breath. Things had been bad enough sin
ce the Draconians had arrived. Human consciousness had to expand to incorporate the reality of alien life forms.
Not only did aliens exist, they were seven feet tall, hunky, and wanted to make babies with human women. There had been mass hysteria and fear of global nuclear war. When the Draconians offered advanced technology to humanity in exchange for entering the mating lottery, the gap between rich and poor had widened more with each passing year.
Now, humanity would have to contend with a new alien species who obviously wanted to do them harm. Indigo shook her head and bit her lip. This was totally messed up.
“Change the channel and see if there’s more information somewhere else,” Indigo said to Molly.
Molly flipped through the channels and landed on another news station showing a video of a group of aliens shooting up a university in Chicago. Indigo and Molly went to school in Los Angeles. Chicago was thousands of miles away, but that was nothing for aliens who had traveled across the universe to destroy them. Who knew how long it would take for the aliens to arrive at their door?
“Are those lizards?” Molly said, her face full of terror.
Indigo stared at the television as the video played over and over again. A group of giant lizard-men wearing skintight orange uniforms walked into the University of Chicago and shot up the students there. It was a bloodbath. The lizard aliens’ laser rifles were more powerful than any weapons humans had. Their skin seemed to be impervious to bullets. They were unstoppable.
“Why do they want to hurt us?” Molly said, her voice quivering.
“I don’t know, Molly,” Indigo said, standing from her own futon to cross the room to where Molly sat shivering on her own bed. Indigo put her arm around her friend and held her close. Molly seemed to be on the verge of a breakdown.
“Why is this happening? Why is this happening?” Molly repeated the phrase over and over again as she rocked back and forth in Indigo’s arms. Indigo patted her friend’s hair and tried to calm her down, but Indigo was freaking out, too. Just when she thought she was getting her life under control, a new species of aliens landed on Earth and started killing college kids.