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He chuckled, a rich, deep sound that resonated in the otherwise silent canopy. “Indeed, you did. Though you might want to work on your finish.”
Ignoring the jibe, I looked around, taking in the view.
From this height, the jungle spread out below us, a tapestry of green, punctuated by the colorful flora and fauna that called this place home.
It was breathtaking, the sheer vastness of it, and for a moment, I forgot about our dire circumstances.
Talan seemed to be lost in thought as well, his gaze distant.
Perhaps he was formulating a plan, or maybe he too was captivated by the beauty of the landscape.
Whatever it was, the moment was serene, a welcome reprieve from the chaos that had consumed our lives.
I leaned back against the trunk, allowing myself to relax for the first time in what felt like ages.
The gentle sway of the tree, the rhythmic chirping of the creatures below, and Talan’s steady presence beside me all lulled me into a state of calm.
“We must discuss this world more,” he murmured after a while. “But for now, let’s just enjoy the view.”
And we did.
For those fleeting moments, perched high above the world, everything else faded away.
It was just us, the tree, and the vast expanse of the alien jungle stretching out below.
* * *
As we sat high above the jungle canopy, Talan broke the silence. “Riley, there are things you need to know about this place.”
I shifted my gaze to him, my eyes searching his face. “Okay, shoot.”
Talan frowned. “Shoot? But I have no weapon…”
I couldn’t help chuckling. “I mean, go ahead.”
Talan’s jaw clenched, a visible sign of the turmoil he felt. “As you know, we’ve been abducted,” he started slowly, “and put here for the Malquarans’ twisted pleasure. It truly is a game for them. A show, really. There are other alien males here, all with one objective: to find you.”
I swallowed, unease prickling at the back of my neck. “Why me?”
He paused, his eyes piercing into mine. “For one purpose. ToClaimyou.”
The word felt foreign, heavy with some unspoken meaning.“Claim?What does that mean?”
For a moment, he just stared at me, his expression unreadable.
The weight of his gaze was almost suffocating. “Tomatewith you.”
“Oh…” The realization hit me like a ton of bricks and I felt a wave of nausea wash over me.
The implications of what he was saying were both terrifying andrevolting.
Talan continued, his voice grave. “If one of them succeeds in Claiming you three times, the Mating Game ends.”
I was horrified.“Three times?”
He nodded, as if that were explanation enough.
My mind raced, trying to make sense of the madness. “But… but why? What do they get out of it?”
