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He left me here by myself.
I’ve been on my own before.
He doesn’t want me in his life.
Fine.
No. It wasn’t fine.
It was devastating.
I will not pine for a man, correction, man or alien ever again.
Well. Maybe she would pine a little bit. An hour tops.
Payton turned from the closed door and made her way down the hall to the bedroom then fell face first on the mattress and cried.
* * *
PAYTON COCKED OPEN an eye. She was met with blurry darkness and a headache.
Ugh.
Crying for...
Wait, what time was it anyway? She maneuvered to view her new comlink. Great. She couldn’t read the time icon. Just another thing she had to learn on her own. She didn’t know how many hours in the day there was on Cleaprea. She’d been in such a state of shock that she hadn’t thought to ask.
Sunlight streamed through the window. A tell-tale sign it was still daytime. She groaned and closed her eyes again. She was alone and hadn’t a clue what to do next.
She made the executive decision to pine for a few hours more. She curled into a ball and cried again.
* * *
PAYTON WOKE TO A SOFT humming. She pried open swollen eyelids. The room was dark and eerie. She reached out blindly and found Jack. With a firm hand on his collar, she pulled him close. He grumbled in his sleep at being jostled. She wrapped her arm around him and spooned his back. Tears flowed again.
* * *
THEMBA STAGGERED DOWN the hallway. He’d left the infirmary against the advice of the medics. They’d wanted to run more tests to figure out what ailed him, but he couldn’t take the questions or poking and prodding any longer. He’d been there ever since returning from Cleaprea.
As the distance between him and Payton increased, he’d gotten sicker and sicker. His skull felt like it was squeezing the blood from his brain. His eyeballs throbbed. His vision was blurry. His stomach was a mess. And he had to keep swallowing to stop from throwing up.
The sick feeling had originally started after he’d claimed her. He thought it would feel good to rescue his mate from The Hunt. And it did. But with that rescue came the realization he would leave her to live her new life, while he fulfilled his duties on Ipakethe.
Payton had been so afraid while the game warden’s assistant took care of her. But true to her courage, she had taken the treatments in stride. There’d been one moment when he’d thought she would crumble under the strain of the events, but she’d taken one look at him and he’d known right then that she felt the same way about him that he did about her.
Payton not only loved him. She trusted him.
He should’ve told her then of his plans, but he’d been too afraid she would refuse to leave Turolois with him.
He’d also kept quiet about what needed to be done while on they travelled from Turolois to Cleaprea. She’d been so full of hope and joy that he hadn’t wanted to ruin the moment for her. She’d expected them to start a new life together. He couldn’t bring himself to say the words. Instead, he’d talked himself into believing Payton would be fine without him. In time she would forget about him.
But could he forget about her?
Never.
The moment he’d stepped into the house he’d bought her, he’d known that he would spend the rest of his life thinking about her. There wouldn’t be any relief for him.
Then she’d poured out her heart and he hadn’t been prepared to hear those words.
“Now I know I can do this and I don’t want to be afraid of how I feel about you anymore.”
Everything he’d prepared to do before he left was forgotten about. He’d meant to tell her about the years’ worth of food he’d stocked up on. He’d wanted to show her how to order more. He’d intended to program the date, time and location of the universal language and writing classes he’d signed her up for in her calendar. He’d also wanted to show her how to shop for the things she would need such as clothing, personal items and additional furniture using the credit account he would keep balanced.
But at hearing her words, he couldn’t do any of that. He’d taken one look around the structure and wasn’t prepared for the hurt that burned his chest. In his heart, he knew that instead of it being her home, it should’ve been their home.
He had to leave immediately. He couldn’t bear witness to her planning a life of domestication that didn’t include him.
The ride to Ipakethe had been one of numbing silence. If the pilot spoke to him, he hadn’t heard a word. He’d done the hardest thing that he’d ever had to do in his life.
When the shuttle had touched down and the pilot saw just how sick Themba had become, he’d called for help, immediately. Themba had tried to convince the pilots he would be fine in time, but they’d insisted he visit the infirmary anyway.
Now, hours later, he still didn’t feel any better and the medics hadn’t been able to determine the cause.
But Themba knew all too well what ailed him and it was nothing the medics could fix.
He’d left Payton behind.
He’d been a fool to think fleeing would provide some relief. It had only made it worse.
Much worse.
Themba stumbled on his own footing and crashed against the wall. He rolled to his back and closed his eyes. Why had he thought leaving her was the right thing to do?
Because I want to see Melisizwe’s plan to fruition.
But at what cost?
Themba slammed the fleshy part of his fist against the wall.
At the cost of being separated from my mate.
“Themba, the Kgosi is requesting your presence in his office,” Maynara, his personal assistant’s voice came across his comlink. “Once you finish there I’ll escort you back to the infirmary. The medic just informed me that you’re sick but refused to stay for a full work-up.” Maynara tsked. “I guess I’ll give you a rundown of the day’s itinerary there. We might as well skip the additional tests and just have them give you a dose of nanomites. There’s no telling what you picked up on that planet. I’ll have to move some things around. You’re completely off schedule.”
Nanomites can’t cure me.
Themba pushed from the wall and staggered toward his brother’s office. I have to pull myself together. “I’m on my way.”
By the time he reached Melisizwe’s office he was sweaty and swayed on his feet. Each step had been a drain. All he’d really wanted to do was find a spot on the floor and curl into a ball to sleep some of the hurt away.
A hologram displayed over Melisizwe’s desk. Even with his back toward him Themba recognized Chikondi’s father. His broad shoulders were slightly rounded with age and he had a thick grey braid hanging down his back.
Anxiety flashed through Themba. His stomach knotted. He would be expected to talk about the bonding ceremony. He wasn’t ready yet. He needed more time before he could move on.
Melisizwe took one look at Themba and put up a finger, indicating for him to wait. Then Melisizwe did a double take. His eyebrows pulled together in concern.
Themba dropped into a chair opposite of Melisizwe’s desk. He couldn’t sit upright. He slumped uncomfortably in the chair. He wanted to sleep. He was so very tired.
“My daughter is anxious to proceed with the bonding ceremony. It’s all she talks about,” Chikondi’s father said.
How can I push all thoughts of Payton from my mind and go through with this?
It would be impossible.
Melisizwe pulled his concerned gaze from Themba and focused on Chikondi’s father. “I’m glad to hear of it. Everything is in place. The palace is brimming with excitement. We can’t remember the last time we held a bonding ceremony here. I hope what we’ve planned meets your expectations.”
I shouldn’t be with anyone but my true lifemate.
“Thank you for accommodating us. We understand that this isn’t the norm for your kingdom and we appreciate the gesture. Did Themba join you yet? I know Chikondi would like to talk to him about tomorrow.”
I want Payton.
“He hasn’t arrived yet. I’ve just received word from his personal secretary that he’s held up. I’ll make sure he calls her when he’s free.”
I need Payton. That thought was so powerful that it repeated on a loop in his head and each time it did, he reaffirmed what must be done.
“Excellent. I’ll tell her to expect his call later.”
Nothing else mattered by Payton. Not the kingdom. Not his brother. Not his planet. Everything was so completely clear now. Themba laughed. It was the best he’d felt in a long time.
Melisizwe hurried and pressed the end communication button. He studied Themba. “Ancients, what has gotten over you? I was told you were sick, but you look absolutely terrible.” He leaned forward and pressed another button. “Send for a medic. Themba needs to return to the infirmary right away.”
Themba straightened. “I don’t need a medic. I need Payton.”
Melisizwe’s eyes darkened. “Who?”
“I’m going back to Cleaprea to claim my true lifemate.”
* * *
BRIGHT LIGHT PENETRATING her eyelids pulled her from a dreamless sleep. Payton opened them and stared at the wall.
How long had she slept?
Her stomach grumbled.
Too long.
With a sniffle, she rolled over to her back. Jack whined and snuggled into her side. If the wetness on her face was any indication, she’d been crying in her sleep. Pathetic, she knew. Although she hadn’t known Themba long and they didn’t share history, she had trusted him. He’d broken through the defenses she’d built over the years only to leave her stripped bare and alone.
The hurt she experienced now was on an entirely different level.
She didn’t need anyone to take care of her. She’d proven that to herself a million times over. So why had it been so easy for her to forget that and put all her trust in Themba?
Because I thought...
She closed her eyes against the burning that began again.
She didn’t want to admit how much she loved him.
I wasn’t good enough for him.
“Stop this,” she growled.
She used the heel of her palms to rub and wipe her eyes, then with a grunt she sat up. Jack jumped from the bed and stretched.
The first thing on the agenda was to let Jack outside to relieve himself. Then she would figure out where the kitchen was and how to get food. She blew out a breath. Mainly, she had to figure out how to work her new house.
Easier said than done.
She got up and went to the window to stare outside. At least the sky was blue. It was still very alien though. The other planets hanging overhead made that painfully obvious.
She scanned the neighborhood. The houses were near all the same. There was no accounting for beauty or architectural design. There were sidewalks, at least she thought they were sidewalks. They were painted different colors, and she assumed that meant something.
Just one more thing I don’t know.
There weren’t any roads as far as she could tell. Plenty of trees and plants abounded.
Where is everyone?
Payton glanced to the left. Three children skipped down the street, one in front of the other two. They dressed alike in an orange sac thing. School uniform? Honestly, it could be the fashion here. Again, she had no clue about anything on this planet.
The children came closer. They all had green skin with arms that were longer than any human’s. Their dark brown hair was short and spikey, and as they came closer, she got a good view of their faces. Their eyes were large and took up a healthy portion of their small faces.
When they spotted her, instead of being surprised a stranger watched them, they smiled and waved at her. Not knowing what else to do, she did the same.
These were her new neighbors. She had to get used to them sooner rather than later. If the children’s reaction to her was any indication, she would be welcomed. Themba had said she was safe here.
Safe.
She hiccupped a breath.
He’d plucked her from a dangerous game and dropped her on an alien planet expecting her to learn from scratch, fend for herself and dared to expect she would be safe?
She balled her hands into fists. Anger pushed some of the self-pity to the side.
I have to make this work.
Payton turned from the window and assessed her room. It was like any other bedroom. The furniture and material it was made of were a little different, but the logistics weren’t unfamiliar.
After picking around the room, going through empty drawers and opening doors, she found the bathroom. It had taken trial and error, but she figured out how to use it. She found another room. It mirrored the one she’d fallen asleep in and she assumed it was a guest room.
The discovery made her laugh. Guests? Yeah, right. The only other people she knew were either still running for their lives or were playing house, pretending to be some alien’s mate.
And she would find them. Every one. Somehow.
Jack whimpered. Right. Get you outside.
She made her way to the front door, and nothing happened. She was stumped. There wasn’t a door handle. Hm.
She waved her hands in front of it, hoping for a motion sensor. Nothing.
“Any ideas, Jack?”
He whined again. If she didn’t want pee on her new floor, she had to figure out how to use the door or break the window.
She spotted a panel off to the side. It was the same color as the wall, white. She pushed and re-pushed some of the buttons. The door opened and closed. Lights outside flickered on and off, as did lights inside. One button caused the entire structure to glow like a beacon. There was also a button that made the walls see-through. That had been heart-stopping. She’d thought everyone would be able to see her, but a quick peek out the door, and she saw that while she could see out, no one could see in.
Jack whined.
“I almost forgot. You have to pee.” She took a deep breath. There was no stalling it any longer. She had to go out there with Jack.
Safe.
Payton took a deep breath and stepped over the threshold. There wasn’t a porch. All the houses were flat against the ground. She couldn’t tell what the ground was made of. Not dirt, cement, or asphalt. The air smelled clean and fresh. An alien couple walked on a purple path across from her, and some kind of vehicle hoovered a few feet from the ground on an orange path.
So purple is for sidewalks and orange are the streets. Got it.
Alien children ran down an orange path. Okay, so she didn’t have it.
She led Jack to an area where bushes and trees were. He sniffed around but did his business quickly.
Crap. She didn’t have anything to pick up his business with.
Great. Now she was going to be that neighbor.
She groaned and led him back toward their house.
A few aliens passed her on the way. They weren’t like any she’d encountered in The Hunt. She was glad for that. She didn’t know what she would’ve done if she ran into a lizard alien or someone who looked like the blue guy. She kept her head down, and as soon as she and Jack reached her door, her heart fell to her stomach.
How do I get back inside?
The aliens came toward her and Payton pressed herself closer to her door. These weren’t happy children she could watch from the comforts of her room. They were aliens who were unmistakably coming her way.
Jack growled and barked. She slipped her hand around his collar. “Stand down.”
“Greetings!”
Sweat prickled her skin. She raised her head and turned around, resting her back against the door. The aliens looked like a bigger version of the children. Their eyes were much too large for their faces and their mouths too small.
They watched her quizzically then exchanged glances.
“Greetings?” the other asked.
“Um, hello.”
The aliens’ tiny mouths curved into smiles. “Are you new to Cleaprea or just new to our neighborhood?”
“Um, new to Cleaprea.”
They exchanged excited glances. “Wonderful! We can show you around. Where did you come from?”
“I’m not familiar with your kind.” The other one said.
Should she tell them she’s human? “I-I’m having trouble getting back into my house. I don’t have a key?”
One of the aliens frowned at her. “It isn’t registered to your hand?”
Payton pulled her brows together. The alien put her hand on Payton’s door, and nothing happened. She nodded toward Payton. “Now, you try.”
Payton did as the other had, and the door opened. Relief washed through her. She stepped through the door. “Thank you!”
“Your kind?” one asked.
The door closed in their faces. She leaned over, steadying her hands on her thighs. Her first meeting with the neighbors and she looked stupid and rude.
“Great.”
But until she figured out how they reacted to her being human, she had to keep the nosey neighbors at bay. These aliens might decide to kidnap her again, but this time she might be sold as a mate because humans were rare.
That thought brought a fresh round of panic that made her chest heavy and tight.
Safe.
She made her way to the kitchen and pressed every button there was and opened every drawer she found. There were plates and cups, but missing were pots and pans. She thought it odd until she found the buttons that when pushed, food appeared from a dispensary. She wasn’t sure if the food had come from a hidden refrigerator or if it was made from some kind of replicator like in sci-fi movies.
Something else to figure out. Her list was getting longer and longer.
She took a deep breath. She could do this.
Did it really matter, at this very moment, where the food came from? No.
She pushed every button on the food console. By the time she was done, she had a plethora of food lining the counters, and she and Jack taste tested each one. There were some buttons she would never—ever—press again, and some she would get a lot of use out of.
After her belly was full and Jack was in a food coma, Payton found a clear spot on the counter and hopped up to sit next to a bowl of fruit.
She could cry about her situation, be overwhelmed, or take control of her life.
I’m taking control.
She pulled the computer tablet file card from her comlink. Using the stylus attached, she tapped the screen bringing the tablet to life. The first thing that came up were the notes she’d started on her way to Cleaprea, to what she’d thought was her new life with Themba.
Her heart sank at seeing the words.
Most of the stuff she’d written was still applicable.
She had to learn the culture on Cleaprea, had to buy new clothes, etc. She started a new line.
Find everyone else.
Become a photographer and make money to survive.
A chime sounded.
Payton lifted her head, and Jack went from lounging under her feet to standing with his ears perked. Payton glanced around. Had she inadvertently pressed something?
The chime sounded again.
“Well, this is going to be annoying until we find the source,” she said to Jack.
She stored her tablet and hunted around her kitchen, searching for the source of the noise.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
She glanced toward the door and frowned. Jack erupted in a series of barks.
Dang, it. She should’ve left the see-through wall on.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
Are those nosey neighbors back? They must really want to know my species really bad.
She tip-toed to the door and pressed the see-through wall button. Standing on the other side was Themba.