Read Alien's Innocent Bride: A Sci-Fi Alien Paranormal Shifter Romance (Mail Order Human Book 1) for Free Online Page A

bear form and bounded through the forest. He roared again, hoping his approach scared off whatever creature was bothering Tara, if it was another animal. Fear gripped him. What if she was afraid because she had taken a fall or gotten wounded? But the scent of an egrra cat reached him in the wind, and he realized she must have come face to face with one of these deadly animals.
    Following Tara’s scent, as well as the snarls of the egrra cat, he burst through the thick underbrush and into a small clearing in the forest. He ran on all fours and put himself between Tara and the cat. Ruffling himself up to intimidate, he released a deep growl that had the cat immediately shrinking back into the forest, retreating slowly before turning to run away. The creature disappeared into the trees, and after a few moments, Sev no longer detected the scent of the cat in the breeze. He only smelled Tara. His mate.
    Behind him, he heard her erratic breathing. He turned to face her and transformed back into his Zaxxumian form, then rose up on his feet. His clothing had torn off his body during his shift, and he stood before her completely naked.
    Her eyes widened and she shook her head, muttering to herself that she must be dreaming, before her eyes fluttered shut and she started slipping to the forest floor. He caught her before she hit the ground, swept her up in his arms, and began the long journey back to his abode.
    Anger bubbled up within him. When he had awoken to discover her missing from his bed, he had only been consumed with worry for her wellbeing. But now that he’d found her and she was once again safe under his protection, it riled him that she’d tried to escape him.
    Hadn’t they shared an enjoyable night together? She wore his markings on her arms now, and nothing would erase them. They marked her as his mate, his woman, and yes, his property. But being owned by a Zaxxumian male, especially one as wealthy and respected as Sev, was considered an honor. Her rejection stung and shattered his hopes.
    He ground his teeth together as he carried her through the forest. Even if she didn’t like him, they were still mated and she wouldn’t be permitted to leave the mountain. He had bonded with her and now that she bore the markings of his family line, it was his sacred duty to keep her as his mate, safe and happy for the rest of their lives. The keeping her safe part he could handle. After her little escape stunt today, he planned to lock her in his abode until he trusted she wouldn’t run off again. But the happy part? Worry moved through his heart, making his chest ache.
    How did one make a female human happy? He thought of his relatives and friends who had taken human mates and frowned. He hadn’t met any of their human females until months after they had been mated. Perhaps there had been a reason for that. Perhaps happiness with one’s mate took time and patience.
    She stirred in his arms as they entered his abode. Not putting her down, he slammed the door and locked it with his handprint, making sure she wouldn’t take another foolish run through the forest by herself. Yesterday, before he’d chased her through the woods, he had patrolled the area for the entire day, making sure no dangerous animals lurked nearby. Today was different. If he hadn’t reached her in time, the egrra cat would’ve made breakfast out of her. Foolish human female. His jaw clenched and he sat down on the sofa with her still in his arms.
    Tara blinked up at him, her gaze full of questions and fear.
    “All Zaxxumian males can shift into the animal of their family line. My ancestors have always shifted into mountain bears. Other Zaxxumian family lines shift into catlike creatures or large, fierce dogs.”
    Some of the color returned to her face, and when she attempted to sit up, he placed her next to him on the sofa. “Why didn’t you tell me this last night?” She shook her head and held a hand up. “Wait, never mind. It doesn’t matter.