Grumpy Alien King by Celeste King
Heather
My mind sputtered to a stop. As heated as I was, I couldn’t just out Dahrial like this.
Xxuric was staring at me with a smirk on his face like he had me trapped, which only enraged me. I ground my teeth, trying to find a way to knock him down without exposing his son.
“Isn’t everything a secret?” His grin started to slide off his face. “How often are you even around Dahrial to know what’s going on his life?”
His eyes narrowed. I could tell that it stung, but I didn’t care. He was crossing a line with me.
How dare he act like my own life was none of my decision? He made no effort for a wedding, to talk to me, to keep me around. Of course I would want to leave.
I was done sitting around at everyone’s beck and call, and I was done being nice.
“You are an absent father who pushes everyone away but expects them not to leave.”
I knew I was being cruel at this point but I was so angry. His pacing intensified, and I was sure he was going to start ripping the shuttle apart soon.
“You are just a piss poor mail order bride that I bought to take my son's virginity.”
The insult fell flat as I was caught up on what he had said about Dahrial. “So I could do what?”
My stomach twistet at the thought of being with him, and I thought the possibility of my sleeping with him had already been addressed. Still, Xxuric continued on.
“My son needs to become a man. He’s never been with a woman. I asked for the best woman Teshie’s had and they sent you.” He glanced towards me and seemed to falter. “I just didn’t know they had this good.”
“I thought I was piss poor. Now, I’m this good?”
He growled, visibly growing frustrated once again. “You are making me crazy! This is why I’ve been avoiding you!”
“I thought it was because of work?”
“This is what I mean! You make me insane. Being around you makes my whole body go haywire, and I can’t say it’s a good thing.”
I knew what he meant. My whole body came alive around him. Not always with rage or arousal, but just in general. However, I knew he was trying to be rude.
I rolled my eyes. “You sound ridiculous. You can’t even keep your story straight.”
“I have my story straight! You are to be my son’s bride. That is final! Dahrial will become a man with a beautiful woman at his side, and you should both remember who is in charge!”
Even as my temper grew, I couldn’t help but admire how hot Xxuric was. I loved how he took charge. My body started to grow hot with lust, and I had to shake my head to clear it.
“You really want me to be with Dahrial?”
He grit his teeth, nodding. I knew it wasn’t true, but he was just being too stubborn.
“Dahrial doesn’t want to be with me, and as my future husband…” I let the word hang in the air for a second. “I think he has more of a say.”
Xxuric scoffed. “Without me, Dahrial would die a virgin. “
“That’s not true.”
His eyes narrowed. “What makes you so sure?”
I was floundering. Should I tell him? Should I not? It wasn’t my secret to share but I wouldn’t be able to live with him forcing anyone on his son, who was so clearly in love.
To tell him would shock him. He may even be proud that Dahrial had done this on his own. He needed to know his son was much more than he thought.
“He’s a very handsome and sweet man. He would find a bride in no time. I’m not convinced he hasn’t already with how resistant he’s been to me.”
Xxuric shook his head furiously, storming towards me. He jabbed one finger deep into my sternum, poking me accusatorially. “What do you know that I don’t know?”
I shook my head, mouth gaping. “I don’t know what you mean.”
“I’m not stupid. Clearly there is something I need to know about my son. What is it?”
I bit my lip, looking down at the ground. Should I tell him? I wasn’t sure.
He growled, moving his face closer to mine. Honestly, being so close to him sent electricity through my body, but clearly, he wasn’t feeling the same thing as he said, “tell me.”
I opened my mouth, finally full of conviction. I thought it best for everyone if he knew. Just as the words were about to come pouring out, he jerked back.
I heard it a beat later. A faint noise was echoing from the other end of the shuttle.
We both took off, storming through the airlock to where his control panel was located. Xxuric reached it first, sliding to a stop before all the monitors. He quickly scanned the data flashing on his screen, locating the problem.
I shoved him back so I could see, but his system was slightly different than mine. I was struggling to comprehend.
“Heather,” he whispered, and I turned to face him.
He looked pale, uncertain. Then, all at once, his characteristic rage came flooding back in, taking over his features. He growled, grabbing me by the wrist.
“Hey!” I snatched my arm free of his grasp. “What’s going on?”
“There is no time for this. You have to go back to your shuttle.”
“No. Tell me what this is.”
He looked between my face and the screen, finally blowing out a breath. “You’re so difficult.”
I offered a sweet smile.
“It’s an alarm system to alert me if there’s a problem on the ground.”
My heart sank a little. “What is happening?”
He sighed again. “My compound is under attack..”
