Predator and Prey: Amara

Amara

I've never been invited to meet the parents before. And it's worse than what I expected it to be.

With Liam as my translator, I endure menacing hisses and growls from the mother. The angry clicks and rushed words agitate me more than scare me.

Raw, bloody meat's served. The smell alone induces a few light gags that have my body convulsing slightly.

To make matters worse, she invited the one that hates me. The female from the hunting planet. The one who argued with Vata.

Her squinty-eyed glares cause me to sigh out loud. Another row of quick clicks and a nod in my direction before my translator responds.

Vata seems offended, responding with barely concealed indignation.

"She says that if they bore you, you are more than welcome to leave. She has a rule about pets being at the table."

Omg... the insults are neverending. "I'm not bored. I'm tired."

He answers for me, and I get a snort riddled with contempt in response.

"How do you say, eat shit?" I ask Liam.

He's shocked, and Aduih chokes on his food.

All eyes are on me. And as Aduih clears his throat, he chuckles heartily.

"Are you sure that you won't part with her brother? I think that I can handle her."

Oh shit! He speaks human.

Tomorrow, I'm learning all of the alien fowl words so that I can practice them on Vata for bringing me here.

I'm escorted back to the colony by Vata. Liam and I are both shocked at the scene before us. Naked bodies are strewn about in weird positions, and couples are cuddled up on tables. We missed something.

I receive a light caress on the cheek from Vata, and he departs. Glances were exchanged between us before I left Liam to fix this mess by himself.

Going home, there's clothing leading up the stairs. A woman's soft moan assaults my ears. No, the hell he didn't.

"Dominic...!" She cries out his name in pleasure.

Yes, the hell he did.

Heading to Giselle's, Liam stops me. He informs me that she has company. "Do you have room?"

"Travis has the other room. You can have mine."

"I wouldn't dare. We can share."

"No, I'll be fine."

"It's okay, I trust you."

"It's not that. You're Vata's wife, and It's no problem."

"Oh," I state, understanding.

"Okay, so anything that tastes bitter or soapy, don't eat it. Shiny leaves, plants or leaves with groups of three, or umbrella-shaped flowers are a no-no."

Our guide shows us the edibility test. Rubbing a toxic plant on his arm results in red formations in clusters and small blisters.

I'd decided to take the survivalist training. I ran into Travis while I was looking for edible plants and game.

"Hey, how are you holding up?" I ask, concerned. He looks like a frightful mess. His hair is mussed, and he looks smaller than when we first arrived.

He's nervous and unsure.

"What's wrong?" I ask.

"I... we..."

"Hey."

Travis leaves without another word. I watch his retreat before I give our intruder a look filled with acid.

"Sorry, what did I interrupt?"

"Did you see him?"

"Yeah, the man's fading fast."

Dominic's sleeves are rolled up. Sweat glistens on his skin. I'm tempted to touch the tanned muscles, begging to be caressed.

I distract myself by searching for some more plants. "Maybe you should talk to him," I state, absentmindedly going for a pod-like plant.

Dominic's hand on mine stops me. I pull my hand back immediately. "Toxic." He says as an electric spark shoots up my arm.

His gray eyes search mine as I'm frozen in place at his nearness. That sexy smirk is going to be my undoing. A few from our group amble by noisily, and I'm pulled from my trance. I reclaim my hand instantly.

"Who were you entertaining last night?"

It takes him a minute to respond, and I let my anger have full reign.

"Do I hear a hint of jealousy?"

"Please, of what?"

"It was Joy. She offered, and I accepted."

That bitch.

"Did it ever occur to you that she did that to piss me off?"

"Yeah, but I didn't care."

"You're an ass."

"What was I supposed to do, wait for you?"

The truth is I shouldn't expect him to be loyal to me when my body's not loyal to him.

"We both know our roles. I'd love to have you to myself. But we know that that's not going to happen as long as we're here."

Allowing him to retake my hand, he applies a kiss. Those beautiful eyes of his hints at mischief. And I'm on the verge of swooning.

I want this man badly, and he knows it.

Our so-called romantic make-up interlude's interrupted by a scream, which merges into three more.

Leading me quickly to the screams, we come upon someone strung up in the trees. It's hanging upside down. The skin's been removed. And the body's hanging by the feet, with its arms stretched wide.

My breakfast exits my body fast and hard.