Enticed by the Alien Warrior Hope Hart (the giving tree read aloud .TXT) 📖

I swallow. “Well, that’s depressing.”

Alexis shrugs. “You know what else is depressing? Getting off Agron only to end up being blown to pieces or lost in space.”

“She has a point,” Sarissa mutters, and I sigh.

We’re even quieter on the way back, all of us deep in thought. The guards are tense, and Korzyn insists on going ahead a few times so he can check for any potential ambushes.

The fresh air seems to help clear my head, and I feel slightly more alert when we get back to camp, although I’d give almost anything for a nonfat vanilla latte. We head straight to Nevada’s tashiv, where the guys have been kicked out and most of the women are congregating.

Beth smiles as we walk in. “Viv, I have a favor to ask. Will you—”

“Help you get ready?” I finish with a grin. “Of course.”

Sarissa frowns slightly at that, and I realize she hasn’t been here for any of the other mating ceremonies. Ivy grins from where she’s sitting in one of the low chairs near the fire, a cup of noptri in her hand.

“Hair of the dog,” she says at my raised eyebrow, and I laugh. She turns to Sarissa. “Vivian is our unofficial makeup artist and hair stylist. She works miracles.”

Sarissa nods, a weird look crossing her face, and I slump into one of the empty chairs by the fire, opening my mouth to ask her what’s up. Nevada takes the opportunity to hand Danica to me, laughing as I freeze in place.

“You’re looking at a baby, not a firing squad. Relax.”

I glower at her, but I lean back in the chair, sniffing at Danica’s head.

Ivy leans closer, and we both inhale. “That new baby smell is addictive. Better make sure you’re being careful with that hot king.”

I groan as the other women crack up. The door opens, and Ellie waddles in, a deep scowl on her face.

“What’s wrong?” I ask, and she gives me a half hug in greeting, wrapping her arm around my shoulder as she coos at Danica.

“I’m still pregnant! That’s what’s wrong!” she wails, and Nevada laughs.

“It’ll happen.”

“It feels like I’m going to be this big forever!”

“How many women do you know who’ve just stayed pregnant for the rest of their lives?”

Ellie scowls. “I don’t need your logic, Miss I Have a Cute Little Bowling-Ball Belly, and I’m Going to Have My Baby Early So She Doesn’t Ruin My Vagina!”

Nevada simply grins, raising her eyebrow. “That name has a certain ring to it. You know I didn’t exactly plan any of that, right?”

“I’m the size of a house!”

I kiss the top of Danica’s tiny head, hiding my smile. Ellie is short, and right now, she’s all belly.

“I’d be pissed too,” I say. “You got pregnant before Nevada. Trust her to beat you to the push.”

Nevada smirks at me. “I can’t help biology.” She turns to Ellie. “Maybe you need to relax. You know, light some candles, hang out in your kradi…bow chicka wow wow.”

Ellie stares at her. “Yeah. Because I feel so sexy right now.”

We crack up as Charlie walks in. She obviously overheard Ellie, because she’s also grinning. “Are you seriously telling me Terex wouldn’t jump you if you raised an eyebrow his way? He looks at you the way I used to look at candy.”

Ellie blushes at that. “It’s hard to feel sexy when you’re so large you could have your own zip code.”

“Well there are no zip codes on Agron,” Nevada says. “And Terex has made it clear he can’t get enough of you. Sex can bring on labor—everyone knows that. Have a few orgasms, eat some spicy food, and the baby will be here before you know it.”

Ellie sits down, looking a little more relaxed. “I’m sorry, you guys. I know I’m being ridiculous.”

Nevada snorts. “Don’t let Zoey hear you say that.”

“Too late,” a voice says, and I glance over my shoulder as Zoey walks in.

“You know, that’s becoming a habit,” I murmur.

I glance at Ellie, and she blushes again.

“A few weeks ago, I had a meltdown. There were rumors going around that human women weren’t large enough to birth Braxian babies. I was convinced I was going to die. Don’t worry,” she says at the look on my face. “I feel much better now.”

I scowl. “And who exactly started these rumors?”

Because I’ll make them pay.

Nevada grins at me, leaning over to check on her daughter as she gurgles. “I like where your mind’s at, but Zoey already gave them a verbal beatdown.”

I glance at Zoey, who turns an even darker shade of red. “Seriously?”

Ellie’s lips twitch. “Yup. I heard it was something to see. And hear. She alluded to the fact she’s in charge of poisons, so people shouldn’t piss her off. Apparently, it was glorious.”

Zoey smiles as we all stare at her. “Oh, it was.”

“Wow, I’ve missed a lot.” My heart pangs.

But I wouldn’t take my time with Arix back for anything.

“Right.” I turn to Beth. “Let’s get you ready so you can blow your man’s mind.”

Arix

Vivian looks like a queen.

I know I should be looking at Beth, the female who is currently walking toward her mate, her joy almost blinding. Zarix stares at her as if it takes all his willpower to not stride across the large clearing and pull her into his arms.

But my gaze is continually drawn to the female next to me, her hair falling below her shoulders in soft waves. She has done something to darken her eyes, and they practically glow as she swipes away a tear, laughing as Zarix forces his hands behind his back in an obvious effort to prevent himself from dragging his mate to him.

Beth’s smile widens, and she steps onto tiptoe, pressing a kiss to Zarix’s chin. Vivian sighs, and I force my attention away from her, glancing around the large clearing instead.

Beth isn’t a member of this tribe, but she and Zarix are obviously well liked. Not only have tribe members traveled from