"The rest of the evening is all about enjoying each other's company and getting to know one another on a more intimate level. Have fun," the male Kea says, and I watch as the males begin to approach the females rather eagerly. Xia and Zuri get asked to dance almost immediately and disappear into the thick crowd. Jia and Krystal get asked next, and I start to get nervous. I don't find the idea of attempting to dance appealing, but I don't want to be left standing here, either. As I begin to chew on my bottom lip, I see something rather large out of the corner of my eye. I turn to see what it is, and I find a massive orange man looking at me with brown eyes. The fact that he was able to approach me so stealthy is rather alarming, but I try to keep the fear from showing on my face. I told Jali I would try, and I intend to uphold that promise. "Evening Fiadh of Earth, would you care to join me for a dance," he says, and I give him a forced grin before nodding. He offers me his elbow,
FIADH POV A small smile tugs at my lips as I watch the crowd of new pairs gets set. Everyone appears to be having a good time. There is no tension and no yelling. Most of the women are smiling, and none of the males seem to be in bad moods. I could really get used to this. "Good Evening, Fiadh of Earth. I was wondering if you would care to dance with me," a gentle male voice asks, and I turn to see a male from Glortinon. His striking appearance freezes the yes in my throat, so I just nod before taking his warm hand. When he positions us amongst the other couples, he moves his hands to my waist, and I blush. He is the most beautiful man I have ever seen. I can't believe I didn't spot him during dinner earlier. With his luminous yellow skin and white hair, he definitely stands out. "Thank you for agreeing to dance with me. My name is Terrax. Captain Terrax, that is. I heard you decline the offer from that champion from Frole last round. It surprised me. I don't think a
TERRAX POV "You dance beautifully," I say, and the stunning orange Kea in my arms smiles. "Thank you, Captain. I have taken dance lessons in preparation for the Harvest," she says in a soft voice, and I nod. I expected as much. Every one of my partners has been graceful and poised, all except the human. Fiadh...she has a natural rhythm but was as untrained as they come. "So, Captain, what are you looking for in a mate," she asks, drawing my attention back to her red eyes. "Someone with a kind heart and happy personality. I like the outdoors, so I want someone who is willing to be out of the house most of the time," I say, and she stares at me with a forced smile on her face. She nods to show she heard me, but I can tell from the look in her eyes she doesn't think that sounds appealing."What made you choose me for the final dance," she asks, poking to see how serious I am about this choice. I look away from her, and my eyes somehow land directly on the angel in white. Sh
FIADH POVI lean against my door as my heart thumps wildly in my chest.I can't believe I just accepted a man wanting me. He is so beautiful, and he wants me. He is sweet, and I feel like he is someone I could actually fall in love with. At no time did he make me feel scared or insignificant."Wow," I breathe as I look at the hand he kissed.The memory of how soft his lips felt seems to be imprinted on my knuckle, and I can't help but yearn for more. Before I can question myself, I bring my hand toward my face. I kiss the exact spot he did, and giddiness instantly feels my stomach. I smile and cradle my hand to my chest as if it is a unique treasure. Tonight has been more special than I ever thought it could be. Something new has been unlocked within me, and I never want it imprisoned again.I walk to my bathroom and begin removing my beautiful white dress. I wash my face and brush out my hair with a smile the entire time. Terrax has given me something to be excited for, and I don't s
I twirl the dress's skirt a little and sigh. The powder blue color is beautiful, but the style of this dress just isn't me. Not like the white one was. I loved that one. This one has a flowy skirt, but the top is weird. It fits well, and it does make my chest look appealing, but it isn't something I would have chosen. "You don't like it," Jali states from behind me, and I shrug. "It isn't my favorite. But the first two dresses did boost my expectations," I reply with a smile, and she stomps her foot. "I want you to feel beautiful. Each dress is meant to make you shine. I feel terrible," Jali says dramatically, and I spin around to grab her hand. "Jali. It is a beautiful dress. It fits me perfectly, and my body looks good in it. It just isn't my style. I still feel pretty. I have felt prettier this week than I have in my entire life. There is no reason to get upset," I say as I stare into her large eyes. She grins, and we hug each other as if on instinct. Jali has bec
RATED R VIOLENCE The crowd's aggressive chants echo inside my head as we approach our seats. They seem to be in an excited trance. The fact that we are coming in late means nothing to them. They are ready for violence and possible death. "Zuri, trade me," Krystal whispers, and Zuri nods. She switches with Krystal, which places Zuri on the end next to the mean Maksin and Krystal next to me. As we sit down, I spot two Coks already positioned to fight in the middle of the field, and I realize we were pretty much moments from missing the start. I look over the two fighters, and my stomach drops. I bite my lip as fear and anxiety rip through me. They look ready to kill. Nothing about their stances says friendly competition. This will be bloody, and I am not prepared for blood. I am not ready for violence. "Do they look bigger today," Krystal whispers as she leans toward me and I nod without taking my bottom lip from between my teeth. They look massive! Like giants bred to d
FIADH POV Terrax begins to square up against his rival, and the crowd begins their build-up. Anxiety flip-flops my stomach once more, making me feel sick and weak. I begin to twist my hands into the fabric of my skirt, and Krystal glances at me."Are you okay," she whispers, and I swallow the lump in my throat so I can answer her."I like him. The Glortinon, I mean...I am scared the Frole will hurt him," I admit weakly, and her eyes begin to sparkle happily.Krystal grabs my hand, and my skirt falls back into place."Have faith in your champion, Fiadh. He seems strong and confident, and even if he doesn't win...I am sure your feelings for him won't change, right? So that means no matter what, you know who you want. The Kea technology can heal just about anything. He will be fine. They are soldiers," Krystal says softly, and I bite my lip again before I nod.The crowd's growl stops, and I turn my head just in time to see Terrax become a blurred sunbeam. The Frole moves just as fast as
FIADH POV "Why do the champions move to the bottom if they lose to one of the beasts? Shouldn't the champions who lost to other opponents stay on the bottom," I ask as I watch Jali pin back one of my curls?She smiles, and my eyes curiously analyze her fangs for the millionth time. I have begun to envy the two pointy white pearls. I wish I had fangs like them."The beasts the champions fight are massive creatures, and they should not be taken lightly, but the males have been killing these types of animals since coming of age. They are familiar enemies, and most champions consider the beast round to be easy. They use it as a round to showboat. Since this is a well-known thing, if a champion loses, they are shamed by going to the bottom," Jali says, and my eyebrows furrow."Wouldn't they only know how to fight creatures from their home planet," I ask, and Jali chuckles before meeting my gaze in the mirror?"You are forgetting the transport system. Many males hunt on different planets al
TERRAX POV "She has been unconscious for hours," I whisper as I trail my fingers down my mate's creamy cheek. "She is safe here. You should go to Earth. You will return before she wakes," my father says as he watches from the wall. I stare at Fiadh's face and weigh my options. I really don't want to leave her weak like this, but it might be the best time. She is safe with my parents and she won't have to stress while I am away. I slowly bend forward and place a soft kiss to her small forehead. Desire and love course through me the moment her warm skin brushes my lips. As I stand up I give my father my full attention. "Father, I realize you have your own mate... And you are my father, but if...," I say before my father raises his hand. "I will protect her with my life. I will not fail you my son. Your sweet mate is safe here. I swear it," my father says as he lays his hand over his heart. I nod once as our matching eyes stare at one another. "I will return as soon as
FIADH POV I smile as Duya leaves the room looking rather smug.She always insists on helping me dress even though I have told her I am completely capable. But I must admit her help today was very much needed...and she knows it.I look down at my pale blue dress and bite my lip. I like my choice. The flowy material and modest neckline look lovely, but my nerves won't let up. Terrax has finally convinced me to meet his parents.After one whole week of pleading I agreed and now I am terrified. I know that my experience with my parents is a complete 180° from how Terrax was raised, but that doesn't erase my fear. They might hate me. They might be upset that their son chose a human at the Harvest instead of one of the other females. Not to mention the fact we haven't mated. All my friends have already sealed the bond with their mates. I am not even comfortable with sharing a bed with mine. "Fiadh," Terrax calls softly from behind me and I turn away from the mirror to see him standin
TERRAX POV The word has spread across the allied planets. Zor of Makskin is dead. Her father is being tried for treason, and Krystal of Earth...a female human, has earned the rank of gold. I glance at Fiadh's tranquil face again before taking another gulp of sukku. I hate this stuff, but it has helped me today. Between Fiadh's confession of abuse and Krystal's kidnapping, my nerves are fried. I couldn't close my eyes if I wanted to. I have too much to think about...too much to plan.Not only has my mate made it clear I must avenge her, but I must also avenge Burk's mate. Burk and I are not friends, but we are linked through our mates now. Krystal's safety matters to Fiadh, so Krystal's safety matters to me. All the humans who came through this Harvest are now tied to my life. I glance at Fiadh again before leaving the room.I have to set up meetings for tomorrow. One of our enemies has surrendered, and while that is joyous news, I feel like it is the turning point. Krystal
FIADH POV I sob as I listen to Terrax request a meeting with the Harvest professionals. I feel terrible for failing him. I am broken, and he shouldn't have to put up with me. I understand why he is requesting to speak with them. I wouldn't want me either. He begins to march away, and my heart cracks right down the middle. I thought we would be together forever. I thought he would protect me, not be disgusted by me and my weaknesses."Terrax," I sob as the pain becomes unbearable. I want to beg him. I want him to hold me. To my surprise, he turns around. He comes back to me instantly, and hope springs to life within me. "I am so sorry. I was consumed with hate," he whispers, and I search his face looking for the regret I know he feels. "I am sorry I am broken. You probably wish you chose someone else," I cry, and his mouth falls open for a second before he shakes his head. "I am the proudest male in the universe. I have the strongest, bravest female of all! I swear
TERRAX POV Pain. There is so much pain and fear in her eyes. I do not know what I have done to make her fear me, but I have to fix it. No female should look at her mate as if he is about to hit her."Fiadh, I know we are strangers, but I want you to understand that you may speak honestly with me. You never have to cover your feelings. Please, tell me what I said that bothered you," I say gently, hoping I can coax her into being honest with me. Her deep blue eyes begin to storm as if a battle is waging within her, and I grow nervous. Something in her past has affected her deeply."Fiadh, trust me," I plead, and she opens her mouth. "I am not ready to share a room with anyone yet. I have never been with a man, and we barely know each other. You said "our" room, and I guess I panicked. I don't have a healthy past, and men scare me," she says quickly, and shock slaps me in the face. I stare at her, unable to respond. I can not believe I didn't think of that. My sweet human has only
FIADH POV "Captain Terrax, it is your turn to choose a mate," the male Kea announces, and my heart practically bursts through my chest as hope overloads my internal systems. Every second that has passed and every couple that left here happy has reassured me that this tournament is truly magical. The courtship between the males and us is so brief I didn't think love could genuinely blossom, but every couple, not counting Zor's, has left smiling. The joy radiating from them is almost visible in the air, and now it's my turn. My eyes are glued to Terrax as he cuts across the empty space between us. More than half the champions have chosen their mates, but being chosen first was never something I was concerned with. I don't mind the wait if it's for him. "Fiadh of Earth, I offer you my hand and my heart. If you accept, you will control both until the day I die," Terrax says as he holds out his pale yellow hand, and my eyes widen due to the sincerity in his voice. I lick my lips
"The next champion is Lieutenant Oslo," the Kea says, and I watch as a champion from Glortinon walks toward our line to choose a mate. He looks like Terrax, but not. His eyes are a darker blue, and his hair is brown, not blonde. His jaw isn't as chiseled, and his cheeks are rounder. All in all, Terrax is cuter, and the only similarity is their luminous glow.I smirk at myself as he and his newly chosen mate wave to the crowd. It's gotten easier as the champions have chosen their mates. My nerves have left me, and I have grown comfortable with how the selection process is happening. Xiu and Jia have already left us, which wasn't sad...it was beautiful. Xiu smiled like a happy child when her champion offered her his hand, and Jia looked like a beautiful princess.As the glowing champion and his female disappear, I turn my attention back to the Kea handling the list. He looks excited whenever he calls a champion, and it warms my heart. Krystal is excited too. She has watched every fema
"Jali, do you think I will be a good mate," I ask as we begin to pull up the massive gown over my hips. My mind isn't even focused on the dress, even though it is magnificent. Besides the day my mother sent me here, this is the biggest day of my life. No matter how beautiful my gown is or how perfect my makeup is, I won't remember those details. In the years to come, I will remeber my mate choosing me and how I felt accepting him. I will remember how I began this new journey, not how I looked when it started. "I think you are like a flower about to bloom. Right now, people don't look at you, or maybe they don't notice you. You are shy and withdrawn, but with the proper care and growth...," Jali says softly as she zips the soft material and walks around to face me. I stare up at my tall colorful friend with a scared expression. The rest of my life is going to begin today, and I am so afraid that I will fail. Maybe I will cause Terrax to be violent. I might not be a good wif
"The Final day of the Harvest has arrived," the announcer says, and the crowd explodes as I shift a little in my seat. After watching the rest of the battles with the beasts and spending hours thinking, I am more confident than ever that I can have a happy life with Terrax. Putting my past behind me completely will be challenging, but I trust the people around me. I trust the male aliens more than I could ever trust a human male. "Each champion may challenge anyone they choose, and the fighting will continue until only one remains. Audience, join me one last time in welcoming this Harvest's Champions," the announcer says, and the sound around me becomes deafening. I place my hands over my ears right as the line of males come running onto the field, smiling. They wave at the crowd as they pass, and I smile when Terrax's eyes make a beeline for my face. He looks so beautiful, almost like a dream. His pale yellow skin and ice-blue eyes look too elegant to be paired with his manly