Page 39 of Captured By the Alien Captain
What about those left behind? It doesn’t sit well with me, but now is not the time to start an argument. Not when one of the members of his group calls out Runar’s name.
Flora will kill me if I let her boyfriend die. There’s no point in lingering around here any longer. We’re done here.
I’ll have to send out a message to the colonies and tell them what happened. I won’t lie, not to any of them. They deserve to know the truth and why the Medarians have continued their onslaught.
“We need to take all this equipment with us,” I explain as I step over the bloody scene. “When we return, I’ll send the order to cease fire. We can call an end to this war.”
I’ve seen enough death today. I might be able to rest again knowing no one else has to die.
He leads me toward their group. I immediately notice one is missing.
“I’ll fill you in at a more appropriate time,” he explains softly. His expression is grim.
Seems we both lost more than we wanted to today.
Needing to move along to get Varrum the help he needs before our group takes another blow, we make our way back to the ship for a quick escape back to the vessel.
To the place I may call home if everything goes smoothly.
With everything going on, I work overtime to keep my troubled thoughts written all over my face. Runar, as always, keeps his attention on me. If there’s anyone I feel like I should convince I’m fine, it’s him.
However, there’s something about that knowing look of his that makes it feel like I’m going to be fighting one hell of a challenge to keep him from interrogating me later.
* * *
Runar leads me straight to his quarters as soon as we make it to our destination. We’re both looking pretty rough. Our outfits are ruined and he’s practically shirtless.
I’m pretty sure he’s growled at anyone who tries looking my way.
With the stains of dried blood on our skin, we draw way too much attention.
Oddly enough, he barely touches me. With everything going on, he has the excuse to be distracted. However, once we’re left alone in his home, the shift between us doesn’t change.
Maybe I stink? My skin feels sticky. I need a shower so I can wash away all of the events today.
“I’ll be quick,” I promise him as I head in the direction to steal the bathroom first. In a similar state, I’m sure he wouldn’t mind a quick shower either.
Once I’m inside, I get a good look at my reflection in the mirror. No wonder why so many people were looking our way. Ilookrough. The edges of my hair are stiff, darkened with more dried blood. Exhaustion is written all over my face with the way bags cling to my eyes.
Grimacing, I let out a sigh. I look disgusting. Vile, really. Will a hot shower be enough to rinse away everything that happened today?
I’ve seen people die. Plenty of them ever since we started fighting for our survival. Something about today takes the cake.
Looking at the perfect skin beneath the ruined clothes makes my brows furrow.
I should be dead. I should be, and I think I’m struggling to process this whole soulmate bit. Tomorrow, I’m meant to have a speech that will end all this fighting. At the moment, it feels like I’ve got whiplashed hard enough to make my head spin.
Can’t complain to Flora because her alien boyfriend is injured. I don’t have anyone else to talk to and get some of this off my chest. My crew wouldn’t understand right away and I’m not even sure if I’d be allowed back onto that ship before tomorrow.
Tearing my eyes away from my reflection, I strip away the tattered clothing and fiddle with the shower knobs. Getting the water to the right temperature, just hot enough to distract my thoughts with a slight burn, I turn my brain off. Shutting my eyes, I focus on how the water feels as it rolls down my body.
Then I hear the door open and my short-lived peace is over.
“Couldn’t have waited a few minutes for your turn?” Noticing his dark form moving about through the blurred glass, I don’t bother getting all shy. There’s the shuffle of his clothes and the thump of them hitting the ground.
He’s seen me at my most vulnerable. Naked in a shower is nothing in comparison.
Pushing the door open, he doesn’t answer me. Instead, he stands there in his naked glory.