The Zoran's Baby (Scifi Alien Romance) (Barbarian Brides) Read online

  The Zoran's Baby

  Barbarian Brides

  Luna Hunter

  Contents

  Also by Luna Hunter

  Foreword

  1. Aria

  2. Dost

  3. Aria

  4. Dost

  5. Aria

  6. Dost

  7. Aria

  8. Dost

  9. Aria

  10. Dost

  11. Aria

  12. Dost

  13. Aria

  14. Dost

  15. Aria

  16. Dost

  17. Aria

  18. Dost

  19. Aria

  20. Dost

  21. Aria

  22. Dost

  23. Aria

  24. Dost

  25. Aria

  26. Dost

  27. Epilogue

  Afterword

  Preview of The Zoran’s Bride

  Preview of The Zoran’s Mate

  Preview of The Alien Prince’s Captive

  Also by Luna Hunter

  About the Author

  Also by Luna Hunter

  Zoran Warriors

  Alien General’s Baby

  Alien Warrior’s Baby

  Alien Soldier’s Baby

  Alien Guardian’s Baby

  Galactic Mates

  Thabo

  Fenrir

  Bojan

  Novak

  Dusan

  Zivan

  Vukan

  Drakan

  Barbarian Brides

  The Zoran’s Bride

  The Zoran’s Mate

  Celestial Mates

  The Alien Prince’s Captive

  Copyright 2017 Luna Hunter.

  Published by Luna Hunter at Amazon.

  This work of fiction is intended for mature audiences only. All characters represented within are eighteen years of age or older and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. This work is property of Luna Hunter, please do not reproduce illegally.

  Foreword

  The Zoran’s Baby is the third entry in the Barbarian Brides series, but it can be read as a complete standalone.

  If you want to completely submerge yourself in a universe filled with imposingly tall alien warriors, I’d suggest starting with my Zoran Warrior series and reading your way through. However, it’s not needed to enjoy this book!

  Never want to miss another book? Sign up for my newsletter at http://lunahunter.com/newsletter-tzb/

  You’ll also get Zoran Wedding for free! It’s a short story that takes place between the events of the Zoran Warriors and Galactic Mates series.

  Happy reading!

  1

  Aria

  The Invasion

  “Need any help with that, babydoll?”

  I slide out from under my hover bike, wrench in hand, my face smeared with oil. I’m thousands of miles away from home, but some things never change — like men assuming they know more about fixing engines than I do.

  The man is about six foot tall, tussled black hair, strong jawline. He’s rocking a leather vest and jeans, and his fire-red Solaris is parked right behind him. His piercing brown eyes scan my frame as he rests one hand on his side.

  I bet he sees himself as my savior in need, my knight in leather armor. I can see it all in that cocky smirk of his. Normally I’d send him packing with a snappy comeback, but it’s nice to hear someone speak Universal for a change.

  “First off; you did not just call me that,” I answer, twirling the wrench in my hand. “Secondly; if you think you can get her running again, be my guest.”

  “My apologies,” he nods as he steps forwards. “Name’s Burt, by the way. Federation pilot.”

  The smug smile, condescending attitude and the expensive bike all make sense now.

  “I’m Aria, and honestly, I don’t give a flying fuck what you do, Burt, if you can get her to run.”

  “Don’t worry, I’ll fix her up in a jiffy.”

  He takes off his leather jacket and goes to work. I take a step back and cross my arms as I wait for him to see it’s hopeless. A few minutes of tinkering later he looks up again, frowning.

  “Not so easy as it looks, hm?” I say.

  “Your engine is busted,” he answers.

  Yeah, I knew that an hour ago.

  Burt stands up and wipes his greasy hands on his expensive jeans. “Seems like you’ll be stuck here for a while.” He glances over his shoulder at the dark clouds in the distance. “Looks like rain. Want me to give you a ride?”

  I’m not keen on leaving my bike behind, but in this condition, it’s not like anyone’s going to steal her. If I had my com with me, I could order a spare part and have a drone deliver it to me like that, but I was stubborn enough to want to do this trip the old-fashioned way. No coms, no augmented-reality helmets that tell you what road to take… just me, my bike, and the road.

  That was the idea, anyway.

  Now there’s Burt, the Federation pilot, who undoubtedly wants to get in my pants. I know pilots, and they’re all the same. I’m surprised that even with my face smeared with oil and my shirt sticking to my back the hotshot is interested in me, but it doesn’t matter; I’m not having it. I came here looking for a bit of peace, not to be another notch on Burt’s belt.

  “That depends on where you’re headed.”

  “South, down to Nagasaki. You?”

  I shrug.

  A flash of lightning in the distance illuminates the mountain range. The low, threatening growl of thunder soon follows. If I wait long enough, nature will make my decision for me.

  “You must have some place you’re going. What are you doing out here in Japan all by yourself anyway?”

  “Just trying to get away from it all. What about you?”

  “Visiting the memorials; My great-great-great grandfather was a prisoner-of-war here. So you’re out here all by yourself, huh?”

  I’ve gotten that question countless times already. Is it really so strange for a woman in her mid-twenties to travel solo? For once I’d like to do my own thing, travel at my own pace without having to worry if everyone is having a good time.

  “Yeah, just me.”

  And I had to fight like hell to keep it that way. I’d been planning this trip for months, working extra shifts at my dad’s shop to save up money, and a week before my flight he drops a bombshell on me: Grace is going with you. I don’t want you to travel all alone, you’re so young. Take your sister!

  Hell no. I did all the work, I planned the trip, I saved the money… why should I? I don’t owe her a vacation.

  Don’t get me wrong, I love my sister with all my heart. But sometimes, you need some time away from family. This is one of those times.

  Grace didn’t take the news very well. Told me she hated me, that I was being selfish. I don’t blame her. She’ll get over it.

  Can’t say I’m happy about how it all played out, though.

  “Come on, hop on,” Burt says as he pats the back of his Solaris. “Rain’s coming.”

  I take one last look at my trusty bike and sigh. I’ll be back for you girl, I promise.

  I slide onto Burt’s bike and he kicks off. Seconds later we’re whizzing through the air at high speed, and none too soon, for the rain starts a moment later.

  The sky grows darker by the second, until it is pitch black. Burt slows his bike down and we come to a halt on the side of the road, thick droplets of rain pouring down on us.

  “What’s wrong?” I ask, having to yell over the storm. “Don’t tell me your engine is busted too!”

 
“Look,” he says, pointing up. His voice is shaking. “They’re here.”

  My eyes travel up — and my breath falters.

  The sky hasn’t been darkened by the storm, but by countless alien ships flying overhead. They’re all headed east.

  Towards the US.

  Towards home.

  2

  Dost

  The Betrayel

  “Father!”

  I storm into his office, shoving the doors open, adrenaline pumping through my veins. I’ve never entered without knocking and waiting my turn, but this is no ordinary time.

  Earth is under attack.

  My father looks up from his desk which is filled with stacks of parchment. Remnants from the old world, our old home. The glory days, as he calls them.

  “Why do you disturb me, Dost?”

  His voice is as cold as ice. There is little Admiral Bast appreciates more than protocol, and I am breaking it.

  “We’re under attack!”

  He stands up slowly. “Nonsense.”

  “Look outside and see for yourself!”

  My father’s patience and calculated manner is one of his greatest strengths, but right now I’m ready to shake it out of him. Why is he not acting?! Every second counts!

  He strolls to his window at a leisurely pace and taps a button. The shutters roll up, providing an eagle eye view of the Nezdek invasion of Earth. From our flotilla of Zoran warships which orbits Earth, we have a perfect view of the conflict.

  Countless alien vessels, shaped like tridents, are advancing towards the blue-green planet. The sky is filled with explosions, lasers and missiles as Earth defends itself — but the Nezdek are with too many.

  “We are not under attack,” my father says. “They are.”

  “What are you talking about?! The humans are our allies!”

  My father’s yellow eyes suddenly erupt with rage.

  “Have you learned nothing of what I have told you? Have I wasted my years training you?! We are not them! And we will never be! To them, you will always be an alien. Remember that!”

  I push my shoulders back. I know my father has always insisted we Zorans forge our own path instead of entrusting our fate to the humans, but I can not believe he’d sit idly be as our closest allies face annihilation.

  “If you won’t do anything, then I will,” I say.

  His strike is so fast that I can’t dodge it despite my years of training. I stagger back, surprised, shocked. Furious.

  “You will do nothing,” he spits venomously. “The Nezdek are not invading Earth. They are raiding. They are vultures, slavers, pirates. They will take what they can find, and they will leave. It’s not worth risking our warships on.”

  “And what will the humans say when they see your cowardice, father?!”

  My father cracks his knuckles. “Not another word, son. Not one more. I had hoped you’d be ready to succeed me when the time comes, but it’s clear to me you still have much to learn.”

  I can’t hear another word of this. Finally there is glory to be had in battle, but father would rather sit and do nothing!

  I turn and head for the exit. There are plenty of cruisers in the lower decks; I will take one and fight for what I know is right.

  Bam!

  A well-placed strike hits the back of my neck.

  The world turns dark.

  Fuck.

  3

  Aria

  Three months later

  “Please, Aria, don’t go. I’ve already lost one daughter. Don’t make me lose another.”

  “I’m sorry, dad. I have to do this.”

  My father’s voice breaks as he pleads for me not to go, but it’s too late now. The HF Boomerang is prepping for take-off, and within the hour we’ll be launching into deep space.

  “Don’t go. Please. You can’t bring Grace back, honey. I’m begging you.”

  My finger hovers over the red button. Disconnect holo-call. I can’t do that to my dad, but it’s simply too late now. I’ve made up my mind long ago. The moment I learned those Nezdek bastards took my sister, I vowed to do whatever it takes to get her back.

  “I love you, dad.”

  My father runs a hand through his white hair, his eyes red and puffy. I haven’t seen him in this state since my mom died, eighteen years ago. I remember every detail of that morning: The apologetic look on the doctor’s face. My aunt’s sharp cry. I was too young to really understand what was going on, but even I knew something was very, very wrong.

  The Nezdek invasion was a sickening déjà vu. The chaos, the panic, the sheer desperation and helplessness…

  I couldn’t save my mom, but I can save Grace.

  If I had taken her with me on holiday, the aliens wouldn’t have taken her… that thought weighs heavily on my mind. It’s all I can think about. The last thing she ever told me was that she hated me for being so selfish.

  I have to make this right somehow. I have to.

  The door to my quarters whizzes open and my supervisor, Mr. Woods, peeks his head around the corner.

  “Yo, Winters! Get your ass down to engineering, stat. Final inspection time!”

  “Yes, boss! I’ll be right down.”

  I turn back to my father after my supervisor has left.

  “Well… you heard the man,” my father sighs. “Go do your duty.”

  “Thank you, dad. I’m going to bring her home. I promise.”

  My dad shakes his head. “You’re so stubborn, Aria. Just like your mom. Please, be careful out there.”

  “I will.”

  I fight to hold back the tears as I end the call. The holographic image of my father disappears, and I’m left alone in my small, cramped quarters. I run my hands down my gray Federation uniform as I take a deep breath.

  Never thought I’d wear one of these in my life. I railed against the Federation at every opportunity, and now I’m serving on one of their ships. Funny how those things go.

  Time to pretend I actually know what I’m doing.

  I make my way down to engineering, only getting myself lost twice on the way down. The ship is a hub of activity as everyone is getting ready for take-off.

  “There you are!” Woods snaps the moment I find the engine room. “I’ve been waiting for you!”

  “Sorry,” I say. “What did I miss?”

  “Nothing yet,” my supervisor says, “but that Zoran could be down here any minute. They say he’s a real hard-ass, so I don’t want to give him any reason to complain about us. You understand?”

  “Z-Zoran?” I stammer.

  I wasn’t aware there were any Zorans on board. I’m not a fan of the tall alien warriors. If they had never come to Earth, we’d never have a Nezdek invasion, and my sister would still be safe.

  “Yes, don’t you read your memos?”

  “Of course I do,” I lie. I haven’t had the time — I had to brush up on my starship-engine skills.

  “His name is General Dost. After what happened last time, they’re sending a whole squad of Zorans along.”

  Makes sense. If anyone can fight the Nezdek, it’s the Zorans. Still, I’m not looking forward to sharing my spaceship with a whole squadron of alien warriors…

  “Attention!”

  Everyone around me snaps to attention, raising their stretched out hands to their temples. I stand around confused for a few seconds, bewildered, until Wood’s glaring eyes pull me back to reality.

  Right. Saluting. I’m in the military now.

  I do my best imitation of a salute — I’m still brand new to this — and hope I don’t attract too much attention.

  Heavy boots stomp down the hall. The door to the engine room opens, and my breath falters when my eyes land on the tallest man I’ve ever seen in my life.

  Even surrounded by Zorans, the general stands out. He’s at least seven feet tall, if not more, and his beautiful skin has a fiery red glow to it. His eyes, as yellow as the sun, land right on me.

  I’ve never felt anything like
this — I’m trembling under his gaze. His eyes narrow.

  Does he know I’m a fraud?

  The Zoran general strides towards me. His jet-black suit hugs his many muscles perfectly, leaving very little to the imagination.

  I close my eyes and swallow the lump in my throat, wishing with all my might that the moment would pass. Even with my eyes shut I can feel his presence, the warmth radiating of his skin, the heat of his breath. It feels like he can see right through me, see me for what I am, see right through my lies.

  I try to think of baseball, of hover-cars, of anything other than the fact that I know next to nothing about starship engines and that I blatantly lied on my resume in order to get this position.

  It’s not working.

  4

  Dost

  A fated meeting

  The curvy human in front of me trembles in fear. Her eyes are shut tight, her nose wrinkled up. My eyes landed right on her the moment the doors opened, and a strange feeling grips my chest.

  There is something special about this human female. I don’t know how, what, or why, but I feel it in my gut.