Freeing Luka: The Clecanian Series Book 2 Victoria Aveline (story read aloud TXT) 📖

A soft sky-blue garment caught her eye. It was similar to a romper but was made of fabric that felt like silk and breathed like cotton. Perfect for a hot summer day like today.

Alice didn’t think it was the most appropriate piece of clothing for a top-secret meeting with the Queen, but she found she only cared whether Luka liked it or not.

“Hey there, lady friends!” Vanessa entered without knocking and dove onto the couch, her legs resting across Daisy’s lap. “Fashion show?”

Daisy waggled her brows. “Alice is trying to figure out what to wear to a meeting Luka might be at.” She glanced back toward the front door. “Where’s Rita?”

Vanessa rolled her eyes. “Rearranging the furniture again.”

“Do you think this is too revealing for a meeting?” Alice asked after changing into the romper.

“Maybe on Earth, but it doesn’t seem like they care about that stuff here,” Daisy said.

She was right. Of all the alien women she’d seen, there seemed to be no one style or standard. Some women like Metli wore high-fashioned structured garments while eating breakfast. Others wore baggy, shapeless clothing, and a few confidently strutted in pieces that were little more than modest bikinis.

Alice activated the hidden mirror on the wall and gave herself a once-over, fluffing her shining, chocolate brown hair, which only a few days ago had been brittle and damaged. A short romper might not be entirely appropriate, but it did show off her perfect, unblemished skin and new golden tan. Since learning that this planet had protected its ozone layer much more effectively than Earth, she’d lounged joyously in the sun, allowing her tan to deepen every day.

No more worrying about skin cancer and sun damage!

“How do I look?” Alice asked, spinning toward Daisy and Vanessa.

Daisy’s smile widened. “You look great, but I’d recommend bringing a sweater or something.”

I want to take off clothes with Luka, not put them on! “Why?”

Vanessa spoke. “We all know you want to show Luka your headlights, but maybe whoever else you’re meeting doesn’t want to see them.”

Alice blinked at her for a moment. “Headlights?”

Daisy pointed to her chest, and Alice looked down to see her nipples were jutting slightly through the thin material.

She threw her hands in the air. “Well, what am I supposed to do if they don’t provide bras?”

Alice moved back to her wardrobe, intending to change but finding nothing better. Each woman had been allowed to purchase clothing, but they’d felt guilty about spending money that wasn’t theirs and only picked out a few items each.

“So, Lucy might have a lead for me,” Vanessa called, drawing Alice’s buried head out of the wardrobe.

Ever since Metli had explained to Vanessa that she wasn’t allowed to return to Earth, Vanessa had been determined to do just that.

“That’s awesome! Let me know what she says.” Secretly, Alice had been relieved to learn that going back to Earth wasn’t an option.

“You really should get a move on. That guard is waiting for you,” Vanessa said, walking over and rifling through Alice’s clothing. She pushed a soft sweater into her hands. “Just wear this.”

“But—” Alice started.

Vanessa began herding Alice toward the door. “Luka was obsessed with you when you were smelly, dirty, and living in a cell. I really don’t think he’s going to have a problem with a sweater over a dress. You’re overthinking.” When Alice continued to argue, Vanessa pushed her through the doorway. “Or don’t wear the sweater. If these aliens don’t believe in bras, then they’re probably used to nipples anyway.”

Daisy dashed forward and lingered in the doorway. “Remember to ask about the girls again. I asked a few days ago if they’d been found, but still no luck.”

Alice nodded and felt a small prick of guilt. The day after they’d arrived at the Temple, they’d decided it’d be best to tell someone about the two women who’d run off into the woods. A search party had been formed to find the women, but to their disappointment, the two humans had seemed to vanish without a trace. At this point, Daisy was the only one still holding out hope they’d be found.

Alice lowered her eyes and solemnly agreed. “I will.”

A tall guard appeared next to her, startling her and forcing her to haphazardly shove the sweater over her head.

“Let’s go,” was all he said before walking ahead of her.

Alice waved goodbye to her friends and followed, examining the man. He was tall and handsome and looked eerily familiar. She’d seen him patrolling around The Pearl Temple, along with a handful of other guards. He was quiet but had always acted very professionally in front of them, unlike some of the guards who she’d caught openly staring at her and the other women on several occasions.

She increased her pace, attempting to keep up with him. “What’s your name?”

He glanced at her sidelong. “Auzed.”

“Hi, Auzed. I’m Alice. Um, do you have an update on the two missing humans from where I was rescued? Have they been found? Is there any sign of them?”

His lips thinned and he picked up speed. “There hasn’t been any sign of them, but we’re still looking.”

Poor girls.

His long strides made it difficult for Alice to keep up without running. The soft material of the sweater felt stifling in the sun, and she cursed herself for not choosing a more appropriate outfit to begin with. “Auzed,” she panted, “Would you mind slowing down? I didn’t run on Earth, and I don’t intend to run here.”

He stopped and turned to face her, taking in her sweat-glistened forehead. Suddenly, his eyes darted behind her toward the tree line, and his large shoulders stiffened.

The feeling of being watched settled back over Alice, and she spun, attempting to scan the tree line