Turning away from my parents in disgust, I watch our newest conquest growing larger in the view screen. The blue and green world is spinning lackadaisical on its axis. It is beautiful, but more importantly, it’s filled with vast amounts of treasure, far in excess of what our combined ships can carry. My heart beats faster at the thought of our fleet capturing the conquest of a lifetime.
It’s a crying shame that I can’t be part of the first wave of invaders. They say I’m too young. Ten seasons isn’t young for a Drakon warrior. I’ve been training since I could maneuver under the power of my own wings, but my surly old sire says I have to be at least sixteen to even bring up the rear in a battle sequence. Freaking unfair, that’s what it is.
I don’t know what the heck their problem is. I haven’t come into my hormones yet, so I’m not capable of transforming into my fighting form. I’ve seen my father’s fighting form many times. Each time was awe inspiring. He even let me ride on his back as he soared through the air a few times. There is no freedom in the world like flying so high in the sky. My wings could never take me that far in my humanoid form.
I can hear my dragon grumbling sometimes and I wish she would hurry and wake up. Waiting around and watching everyone else touch the sky and claim their glory is getting on my last nerve.
Moving forward onto all fours, I quietly flex my muscles, trying to force my dragon to wake up. In my mind’s eye, she slowly rolls over and opens one eye. I’m so thrilled that my skin is tingling with excitement.
My father’s voice sounds off behind me. “I know what you are trying to do, Mattie. You can’t force your dragon into awareness. It doesn’t work that way.”
Glancing over my shoulder, I mimic his dark and dangerous tone. “For you, perhaps it didn’t work that way. However, I am a Drakon female.”
My younger brother, Drael snorts a laugh and my other siblings snicker. Naturally, I ignore their childish behavior. Drael is only eight. The others are all under five and have barely been off the ship. I turn my head forward and mutter under my breath. “You know nothing about what I’m capable of, sire.”
My mother sounds amused. “I know that you’re going to be grounded to your room of a thousand meaningless treasures if you don’t be respectful to your father.”
It annoys me that she’s using the same phrase I do to disparage my luxurious quarters. However, I have no wish to risk her displeasure. Though human brooders are as rare as they are weak, my mother is fierce. I’ve seen her kill two fully armed Pralorian warriors with little more than her dull dinner knife. “Yes, mam. When are we attacking the blue planet?”
My parents look at each other.
Turning back to inspect the new planet, I murmur, “It doesn’t look intimidating. I could probably invade this world with a few warriors and have it wrapped in a few days.”
Naturally, my father throws cold water all over my short-sighted observation. “You are not of an age to battle, daughter. By the time you come into your fighting form, you may no longer wish to follow in our footsteps.”
I can’t help but laugh. “There’s a fat chance of that happening, you crusty old claw.”
My mother clears her throat. It’s a subtle warning.
“Sorry, sire. I only meant that I can’t imagine myself becoming a diplomat, a healer or anything quite so boring. I’m a warrior born of warriors. You’ll see.”
“When the time comes, I will see you gain experience with an eye to getting your own ship. Would that please you, my daughter?”
“You know it would. I’ll make you proud.”
“Tarion of the Hielsrane expects nothing less from his eldest child.” Looking down into my mother’s upturned face, he cups the side of her face with one hand. “Do you recognize this world, my sweet?”
“There is something familiar in the swirl of the oceans.”
Glancing up at the screen, he sighs. “It is a beautiful world.”
Gazing at it as it grows larger by the micron, she responds absently, “It’s easily the most beautiful world we’ve ever encountered.”
A suspicion flies into my head and takes root. “Yeah, but we’re still attacking it, right?” My words are met with silence from my parents as my younger siblings all line up to gape at the new planet.
Drael whispers, “I don’t think they’re listening to you.”
“Hey, old people. We are still attacking this planet, right? I don’t see any reason to forgo pillaging vast riches just because the world is cute and all.”
I get no answer.
“Are the two of you even listening to me?”
Get ready for book 2 in the Galactic Alpha’s Conquest Series, Kidnapped By The Alien Dragon.
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Chapter 1 Preview – Kidnapped By The Alien Dragon
Lara
A warning beep from my clutch reminded me that my minimum schmoozing time was over five minutes ago. Behind the six-foot movie poster of a purple and orange alien looming over me dressed in a tiara and gown, I propped my elbows on the steel and glass balcony of the penthouse, tipping my head back and breathing deeply for the first time since I arrived at the party. The stars winked down at me from an unusually clear L.A. sky. In forty-five minutes, I would be neck deep in bath foam to kick off my pre-shoot ritual.
“Found you.” My director stuck his ruddy face around the poster and guffawed. He held out one of two highball glasses. “Just for you.”
“I don’t really drink.” I dropped my phone into my purse and then slipped my fingers into the four rings at the top, snapping it shut.
“Top-shelf is an exception, certainly.” He blew his
