Axall: Vaxxlian Alien Mail Order Brides #4 (Intergalactic Dating Agency) Read online

  Now that Axall and his brothers had accomplished all this, there was only one thing left to do—travel to Earth and take possession of the human females matched to them by Vaxxlian Alien Mail Order Brides.

  The three of them had signed up for the service only a few days ago. They’d awoken this morning to news that each of them had been matched with a human female. Axall’s blood heated when he imagined arriving on Earth and meeting his mate for the first time. He would claim her as soon as possible, take her under his protection, and bring her directly back to New Vaxx.

  He could hardly wait.

  What would his female look like? He wished a picture had been included by Vaxxlian Alien Mail Order Brides, but they had simply sent him a listing about his randomly chosen mate that included her name, age, and interests. A scattering of words on a screen wouldn’t help him get to know her, however, and he longed to finally meet her, take her in his arms, and stare into her eyes.

  He’d once heard his friend Rozar’s mate, Nadia, say that a person’s eyes were the window to their soul, and he thought it was a perfect turn of phrase. As he continued imaging what his mate might look like, he found himself thinking most about her eyes and wondering whether they would be a shade of blue, brown, or green, or perhaps another color he hadn’t yet glimpsed in a human.

  The sound of footsteps brought him out of his reverie. He turned as his brothers approached, giving them both a sharp look. He didn’t like to be kept waiting.

  “Apologies, brother,” Myadd said, holding up a small black box. “We had to make one last stop for supplies before our departure.”

  Axall felt his scowl deepen. He noticed Khann was holding two black boxes, both the same size as the one in Myadd’s hand. A low growl escaped his throat.

  “Our ships are fully fueled, and we have plenty of supplies on board. Medical supplies, food, and weapons. We also have both food and material replicators, in case a need arises for an item we don’t have readily on hand.”

  Khann cleared his throat and handed one of the boxes to Axall. It was light in his hand, though something slid around inside when he tilted it. He couldn’t imagine what vital item the box contained that necessitated a late departure.

  “Gifts for our mates,” Khann said in a formal tone.

  “Gifts?” Axall asked, taken aback. “Is it a custom for newly mated humans to exchange gifts with one another? If so, Vaxxlian Alien Mail Order Brides should have informed us of the custom.”

  Myadd grinned, shook his head, and elbowed Khann in the ribs. “I told you we’d have to explain it to him.”

  “Explain what?” Axall’s patience with his brothers was becoming thinner by the moment. They could’ve been a quarter of the way to Earth by now if they’d departed New Vaxx on schedule.

  “Don’t you recall how Father would occasionally give Mother gifts?” Myadd asked, his tone laced with both humor and exasperation.

  “Of course,” Axall replied. He thought back to their childhood on Vaxxlia, their beloved home planet, which had been tragically destroyed by the Irrcons during the war.

  Their father, a prominent leader, had traveled frequently between the continents on Vaxxlia, and many times after returning from a long absence, he brought their mother a gift of some sort. Rare gems or jewelry, most often, or perhaps a trinket.

  Axall gave the small box in his hand a shake and again heard something sliding around inside. He raised his eyebrows and looked from Myadd to Khann. “Ah, very wise of you, brothers. I suppose a gift will make a good impression on our females. Gifts from Father always made Mother smile.”

  “Indeed,” Khann said.

  “It’s past time we depart,” Axall announced, turning to his ship. “If we hurry, we’ll arrive on Earth before the sun has yet risen in Starzzia.”

  They had decided to travel on their own ships, rather than journey to Earth on one ship together. Each of their mates lived in different locations on the human planet, and there was also no telling how long it would take to collect their respective mates. Many areas of Earth were experiencing episodes of violence and unrest, several countries were at war with one another, and weather conditions on the planet could also change rapidly.

  Axall placed his hand on the blaster at his hip, just to ensure he still had his preferred weapon at the ready. He was prepared to fight his way to his mate, or even fight his way off the treacherous planet if he must. From what he’d heard about the deteriorating conditions on Earth, it was no wonder human females were signing up in droves for Vaxxlian Alien Mail Order Brides.

  After wishing one another good fortune, Axall and his brothers boarded their respective ships. He strode onto the small bridge of his vessel and checked his navigation system, ensuring the fastest and safest route to the Eshunna Passage, the newly discovered wormhole that would spit them out conveniently close to Earth. Thank the Star God for the discovery of the passage, for it used to take half a year just to complete a round trip from New Vaxx to Earth.

  His ship hummed to life and he abruptly experienced a rush of bloodlust, the urgent need to vanquish the enemy. He blew out a deep breath and scrubbed a hand over his face. Though the war had ended, sometimes he felt as though he remained in the midst of battle.

  A deep growl left him, echoing off the walls of the ship. He reminded himself that he wasn’t about to head into battle, even though the vibration of the ship under his feet provoked memories of war and loss and vengeance.

  He sighed. Would he always be stuck in the past, unable to move on? Perhaps the ache in his soul would never cease, even after he and his brothers secured their mates and started families. This thought startled him more than he would like to admit. He wondered if his brothers felt the same emptiness interspersed with the urge to go to battle. It was difficult to tell, even though he saw his brothers every day. Khann was quiet and reserved, while Myadd had never ceased being his cheerful self, though Axall knew very well that an individual could hide an immense amount of sorrow behind a quiet façade or a cheerful demeanor.

  Sometimes he thought if he killed one more Irrcon, or another Vaxxlian enemy, the violent act might finally quell his secret pain. But the Irrcons had been driven far from the surrounding sectors and the Vaxxlians were currently at peace with all other nearby alien races. At the moment, there was no one Axall could fight, unless he departed New Vaxx and went on a search for the Irrcons who’d fled after their leaders’ surrender.

  But he couldn’t abandon his brothers or his people right now. They needed him. He was one of the most skilled mechanics, capable of repairing damaged ships in record time. And he was young and virile, capable of claiming a human female and starting a family. He needed to focus on the future and all he could do to help his fellow Vaxxlians.

  With another growl, he guided his vessel upward and through the atmosphere of New Vaxx to open space. There was a flash of green as he passed through the planetary shield, a recently installed feat of technology that safeguarded New Vaxx from virtually any weapon or enemy ship. The flash of green always brought Axall a bit of comfort when he passed through the shield, for it meant the same tragedy that occurred on Vaxxlia would not happen here.

  The radar screen showed his brothers following close behind, the three ships a small fleet of Vaxxlian warriors off to claim their mates on Earth. He navigated toward the Eshunna Passage, wondering if the storm inside him would ever cease raging. Out of habit, he scanned the surrounding sectors for any sign of an Irrcon vessel, though he only detected Vaxxlian ships. Also out of habit, he verified his weapons system was online.

  Once he was satisfied that all was well, he refocused his thoughts on his mate. He was prepared to retrieve her from any situation on her planet, even if she was located in a current warzone. Again, his hand ventured to the blaster at his hip.

  He would not leave Earth without her.

  Chapter 3

  The breeze changed and an odd shudder filled the air. Rachel set the designs she was working on aside, crossed he
r bedroom, and walked out the open balcony doors. What the?

  Her mouth dropped open as a Vaxxlian spacecraft descended from the clouds. Another one? This ship appeared slightly larger than that of Shayna’s mate, and the new couple had departed Earth a few weeks ago, in any case.

  She made a quick mental list of all the female neighbors, particularly those who were in the age range the Vaxxlians desired—ages eighteen to forty. While she didn’t know everyone who lived near Karla’s Kove, she knew none of the houses closest to the bed and breakfast contained any eligible women. All the other houses around here were occupied by married couples.

  Hm. Maybe this guy was lost.

  The ship hovered for a moment, then quickly veered around the side of the building, out of sight. With a sigh, Rachel went back inside and returned to her clothing designs. Sometimes she sat on the balcony while working on the sketches, but one of their current guests, Mr. Thomas, was rather high maintenance. Rachel wanted to keep one ear on the goings-on in the bed and breakfast, just in case Karla needed her help placating the grumpy old man.

  After finishing the series of designs, Rachel set the sketches aside with an air of dreamy satisfaction. She’d recently ordered a sewing machine, as well as a huge quantity of fabric, and couldn’t wait to start making the gowns and outfits she’d designed on paper. She had her eye on a vacant building in town that would be perfect for opening her own boutique, when the time was finally right.

  She stretched and yawned. A glance out the balcony doors revealed the sun was just setting, a beautiful splash of orange on the horizon which reflected on the rippling water. She stood for a minute, absorbing the gorgeous view, before heading for the bathroom to get ready for bed.

  She took a quick shower, dried off, and wrapped a towel around herself. She exited the bathroom while brushing her teeth, heading for the armoire that contained her pajamas. But a sudden noise in the corner of the room—a sharp intake of breath—made her freeze.

  Heart racing, she spun in a slow circle, the toothbrush hanging from her mouth. She’d locked her door, hadn’t she? And even if she hadn’t, this was supposed to be a safe area. Not everyone around here locked their doors, or so Karla claimed.

  A large figure loomed against the wall, the man so tall his head nearly bumped the ceiling.

  No, not a man. But a Vaxxlian.

  Rachel gulped hard and then immediately started sputtering as she choked on toothpaste.

  The alien’s green gaze shone with concern and he moved toward her. She put up a hand to ward him off and hurried back to the bathroom, where she slammed the door and locked it behind her. She tossed the toothbrush aside, spit into the sink, and wiped her face off. Her coughing had subsided, though her face was bright red. She stared at her dazed reflection and tried to think what she should do next.

  Why the hell was a huge Vaxxlian male in her bedroom?

  A knock on the door startled a gasp from her. She practically jumped out of her towel. She placed a hand over her thumping heart and backed away from the door.

  The alien’s deep voice reached her, but she couldn’t comprehend his words.

  “Um, I’m sorry, but I don’t speak Galactic Common.” I’m from another century entirely, one in which aliens were only a fantasy. She waited, clutching the towel around her, again wondering what the huge Vaxxlian was doing in her bedroom. She supposed she ought to be grateful he hadn’t barged into the bathroom during her shower.

  “Hello, pretty human female,” he said in heavily accented English, his voice a deep rumble that somehow left her with goosebumps. “Are you Rachel Walters?”

  “Um, yes?” How the heck did he know her name?

  “Ah, I am pleased I got the correct bedroom,” he said. “I am honored to meet you. I am Axall, your mate.”

  My what? Rachel felt her eyes widen. When she’d seen the Vaxxlian spacecraft descend from the clouds, she hadn’t thought the male piloting the ship would be looking for her.

  She cleared her throat. “There must be some mistake. My name is Rachel Walters, but I most definitely didn’t sign up for Vaxxlian Alien Mail Order Brides. May-maybe you have the wrong address?”

  There was a long pause before he replied, so long that she started to wonder if he’d quietly left her room. “Rachel Walters. Age twenty-one. No children. Current residence—Karla’s Kove, Bitterroot Lake, Montana, in the United States of America. Interests are reading, inventing new recipes, clothing design, and kayaking.”

  “That sure sounds like me,” she said, confusion sweeping through her, “but there must be some mistake. I swear I didn’t sign up for Vaxxlian Alien Mail Order Brides. You, um, might want to check with the dating service.”

  “I do not understand,” he said. “The human female who answered the door told me you were expecting me.”

  “You mean Karla?”

  “Yes, she welcomed me and told me where to find you. Please, will you come out so I may look upon you again? You have the most beautiful blue eyes, Rachel. I long to stare into your eyes once more.” His voice was gentle but eager, and to her surprise she found herself leaning against the door, if only to be closer to this handsome otherworldly stranger who’d appeared in her bedroom.

  But she couldn’t just walk out wearing nothing but a towel. She stepped back from the door and looked frantically around the bathroom. Relief washed through her when she spotted the dress she’d worn today, along with her panties and bra. She hurried into her bra and dress, but pushed her panties under the chair, thinking it better to go commando than put on an old pair. Besides, Mr. Hunky Alien wasn’t going to find out whether or not she was wearing panties, that was for sure. What was his name again? She thought for a moment. Ah, Axall. Pleased that she’d remembered, she stood in front of the mirror and ran a comb through her long, damp hair.

  Had Karla signed her up for Vaxxlian Alien Mail Order Brides? Given the information Axall knew about her, it seemed likely. Rachel couldn’t wait to give that silly old woman a piece of her mind. But first, she needed to send this Vaxxlian male on his way.

  As she worked the comb through her tangled locks, she told herself she wasn’t prettying herself up for him and that she simply wanted to look presentable. The sooner she faced this alien, the sooner she could send him away. Once she was satisfied with her appearance, she took a deep breath and flung the door open wide.

  But when she looked into his eyes, which seemed to be glowing now, she couldn’t form a coherent thought, let alone words. She could only stare. When she finally tore her gaze from his, she couldn’t resist checking him out, though she tried to be casual about it. She didn’t want to give him the idea that she liked what she saw. Even though she happened to like it very much.

  He was extremely tall. Probably over seven feet. His shoulders were exceedingly broad, and the tight black shirt he wore accentuated the well-defined muscles of his chest. His shirt was sleeveless, too, which gave her a nice view of his bulging biceps. A shock of black wavy hair topped his head, the untamed locks curling around his ears. She fought the urge to stand on her tiptoes and reach for his dark hair.

  God how she wanted to touch him. His hair or his chest or maybe just stroke the side of his face. It didn’t matter. She wanted to place her hands upon him, if only to verify she wasn’t dreaming this whole thing. She curled her right hand and stuck her nails into her palm, pressing hard and deep, but the pain didn’t cause her to rouse from some fantastical dream. This was really happening.

  An alien.

  A real live alien was standing directly in front of her.

  In her freaking bedroom.

  Oh and not only was he amazingly sexy, but he was under the impression that she was his mate.

  To her surprise, he slowly reached out as if to touch her. She didn’t retreat from his advances. She couldn’t even take in air, let alone manage one step backward. So she remained perfectly still, standing in front of him and waiting for that first touch, anticipating it with more eagerness than sh
e would’ve ever imagined.

  When his fingertips trailed along her face, a shiver of awareness affected her all over. It was as though all her nerve endings came alive at once. She forced herself to expel the breath she was holding and then take another one, though even after a good minute of steady breathing, she still felt lightheaded.

  Drunk was more like it. She felt entirely drunk.

  “Your skin is as soft as a flower petal,” Axall said, his expression so tender that it made her want to cry.

  No man had ever looked at her that way before, as if she meant something to him. But how could that be possible? They’d just met, and the first time he’d looked upon her, she’d been wrapped in a towel and brushing her teeth. Not exactly the sexiest introduction, in her opinion. She flushed at the memory.

  “So soft,” he continued, “but you’re shaking, pretty human. Are you cold?” The look of warmth in his gorgeous green eyes transformed to one of worry. “If you are cold, I will help warm you up.”

  “I’m not cold!” she blurted. But he was right. She was shaking, and no matter how hard she tried to stop the involuntary movement, she couldn’t seem to hold still.

  “Are you frightened, then?” His concern deepened as he continued stroking her face with his large warm fingers. “If so, you have nothing to be scared of, my mate. I will never, ever harm you. It is my duty to protect you, and I swear on the Star God that you are entirely safe with me.”

  “I-I’m not frightened,” she squeaked out, wishing it wasn’t such a struggle to find her voice. She sounded frightened, though in truth she wasn’t. She decided to go with honesty. “You’re only the second alien I’ve ever seen in my whole life. In person, that is. I’ve seen pictures of all kinds of aliens, of course, but you’re only the second alien I’ve seen in the flesh.”

  “I see.” His head tilted to the side and he studied her, his gaze growing intense as his eyes glowed brighter. “Are you ready to leave now, Rachel? I would like to depart your planet as soon as possible. We are over a thousand miles from the nearest warzone; however, the course of war can change as rapidly as the wind changes direction, and I would prefer to get you to certain safety.”