Captured by the Alien Warrior by Hope Hart (best pdf ebook reader for android TXT) 📕

“I’m guessing you don’t want them to know what you are.” I stare at him, hoping he’s picking up what I’m sending. I’m aware that I’m being unforgivingly rude and likely still look constipated with the effort it takes to send my message as the other women watch. “If you want to go now, it’s okay. As you can see, I’ll be fine.”

I give him a shaky smile, and he studies my face. Then he shakes his head.

“I am Dragix,” he says. “And Charlie is under my protection. Anyone who harms her will answer to me.”

Zoey frowns at that. She’s a small woman, about my height, and she’s standing alone while a Braxian warrior hovers near her, occasionally glancing at us but always returning his gaze to her face. “I’m not sure I understand,” she says softly.

“It’s a bit crazy,” I admit. “I’d never have believed it if I hadn’t seen it for myself. But there you go.”

Dragix shifts on his feet, a slow roll of his muscles. Suddenly, it’s clear that he may have been pretending to be unthreatening, but in reality, he’s the biggest threat here.

The Braxians are instantly alert, studying Dragix as if they’re weighing up killing him now.

Shit.

I did this. I let them see that he has a more vulnerable form.

I step in front of him, glaring at Rakiz. Nevada seems to find this amusing because I can see her grinning out the corner of my eye.

“Not only is Dragix the only remaining dragon after your people slaughtered his family, but he is my friend. If anyone here even thinks about hurting him, I swear I’ll make them pay.”

I glance around, meeting the eyes of every warrior around us. More have joined us, obviously drawn to the tense group who are currently staring at me as if I have two heads.

The warriors don’t exactly look scared at my threat. That’s okay. I’ll still kill them if they hurt him.

I blink at that. I’m a pacifist. Other than Ben, I’ve never thought about hurting anyone in my life. But for Dragix…for Dragix, I’d burn this whole world to the ground if I had to.

“I am…your friend?”

“Of course, Dragix. You’re more than that. You know that.”

He’s silent for a long moment as everyone around us gets tenser. “I haven’t had a friend since…”

Since his family was slaughtered. By these people. Oh, I know it wasn’t these Braxians. But I never should have brought him here, amongst people who have always been his enemies.

“You know what,” I say, “this is a mistake. I shouldn’t have come here.”

“Wait,” Ellie says. “It’s just a lot to take in, Charlie.” Her voice is low and soothing, and I realize I’m acting like a crazy person. But I won’t allow these warriors to look at Dragix like they’re wondering how difficult it would be to kill him.

It’s not that they necessarily want him dead. I can tell by the way the Braxians are slowly shifting their bodies so that the women are behind them. They think they need to protect the human women from him.

The problem is that Dragix has always been the bogeyman to these guys. The huge beast flying overhead. Now I’ve shown them that he has a much more vulnerable form.

“I need you to shift.”

Dragix turns his gaze to me. He doesn’t look at all worried. Maybe that’s why the Braxians are acting like he’s a threat. He’s surrounded by enemies, and he’s as cool as a cucumber, safe in the knowledge that he could kill them all in moments.

The only way to resolve this is to make them see that he’s not prey. That he could easily kill them but he’s choosing not to. Because if they ever do attack him, even if they think that they’re doing it to protect their women, Dragix will turn this place to ash.

“They will be frightened. Is this what you want?”

“They’re not frightened enough right now. They’re spooked, but they’re wondering if they can kill you before you shift forms. I want them to see that you came here in your most vulnerable form and didn’t attack. That you can either be an ally or an enemy.”

“This will make it difficult for the other females to trust you.”

“I don’t care.”

His gaze is steady on my face, and then he finally nods.

“You guys need to back up,” I say aloud. “You don’t believe this is Dragix? He’s going to prove it.”

“It’s okay,” Ellie soothes. “We believe you, Charlie.”

I shake my head. “Your warriors are already reaching for weapons, wondering if they can kill him before he shifts. Maybe they need to see how fast that shift happens.”

“Charlie,” Nevada says, and her face is pale. I ignore her and turn to Dragix.

In the blink of an eye, he’s a dragon. People stumble back, and the entire camp comes to a halt. Swords are drawn, and I step in front of him.

“Move, little two-leg. They cannot hurt me in this form. Their swords will not penetrate my scales. But I do not like you shielding me.” His voice is gentle, soothing, and my eyes heat. What’s wrong with me? I’ve somehow made this entire situation worse.

His shift was faster than I’ve ever seen it. I didn’t realize he could shift within a second, and I’m guessing he had to reach deep to do it.

Dragix runs his gaze over every face around us. The air is tense with fear, the women pale as they stare at him. The Braxians are baring their teeth, ready for his attack.

He lies down, curling up like a cat. He even places his head on the ground, looking for all the world like he’s about to take a nap.

Some of the tension eases.

“Were you expecting him to slaughter you all?” I ask, eyeing the Braxians, the swords still in their hands.

“That’s enough,” Nevada tells me, elbowing Rakiz aside. He growls at her but allows her to step closer. “I understand that you’re