Taken by the Alien Next Door (Aliens Among Us, #1)

by Tiffany Roberts

She’d enjoyed every outing with him, especially those during which they’d just…spent time together. As much as she loved sharing those experiences with him, Tabitha and Zevris didn’t need movies or shows for entertainment, didn’t need food to converse over in order to enjoy one another’s company. Simply being with him and talking to him was a joy; everything else was a delicious bonus.

But he hadn’t acted as though they strained him in the slightest, and he’d even said one of the most romantic things he could have ever said to her when they’d first walked into the store. Buy as many books as you want.

couldn’t believe that someone who was supposed to care for me could be so cruel. And I hate that I was desperate enough to stay with him as long as I did. But Logan isn’t like that. He…he sees me, Mia.”

“How were you not claimed before I met you?” Her smile faltered before disappearing completely. “A lot of guys just don’t like girls like me.” He stroked the small cleft in her chin. “Human males do not like intelligent, resilient, humorous, beautiful females?” She smiled again, and he saw the way her eyes softened at his words. “They don’t like fat girls.”

I do not need lily of the valley to look at you and be consumed by desire. From the moment I first saw you, I knew you were the other half of my heart, that you were what I needed to finally be content, to be complete. There is no one on this planet or any other who is like you.”

Love was exactly what he felt for Tabitha. It was…everything.

This was his home. This was where he belonged—with Tabitha, his mate, now and forever. And he refused to let anyone take her from his side.

As far as he knew, he was the only faloran to have formed a mating bond with an alien female. This was historic, unprecedented. That hadn’t mattered to him, yet it was true all the same. Zevris and Tabitha were likely the first mixed-species couple in faloran history with a chance to produce offspring.

“Zevris.” Khelvar’s eyes flicked up and down, and he said in Faloran, “You look exhausted.” With a soft, amused snort, Zevris shook his head. “You look a bit worn out yourself, ultricar.” “I’m older than you, althicar. That gives me an excuse to look like shit. What’s yours?”

“I love you.” Zevris hugged her closer. “And I love you, Nykasha.” “Just do me a favor?” “Hmm?” “Don’t smell my breath till I have a chance to brush my teeth.” He laughed, the sound rumbling from his chest and into her, kindling that delicious heat at her core. “It’s a little late for that. But don’t worry. I would still love you even if you smelled like the trash can you emptied your stomach into.” Tabitha buried her face against his neck and laughed. “You say the sweetest things.” Damn, I love him.

It was the feeling that, after spending half his life without a home, always in danger, always fighting, he was finally in the place he belonged. He could finally relax and be content. He could finally love and be loved.

A terrifying notion lanced through his mind. Had she left him? Had she bided her time until the right opportunity had arisen so she could escape? He’d forced her into this, after all, and— No. He immediately dismissed that thought for what it was—a symptom of panic. Tabitha was his lifemate. His trust in her was total, his love for her was true, and he knew that her love for him was real. She hadn’t run away.

“We’re compatible.” He pulled back to meet her gaze. Even though he had his disguise on, she swore there was just a hint of that blue glow in his eyes, which were already bright with love. “And I am ecstatic about that.” With overwhelming tenderness, he traced the pads of his fingers over her features. “But even if we weren’t, this would still be my happiest moment.” For the first time Tabitha had ever seen, Zevris’s eyes glistened with moisture—with tears of his own. “I thought I’d lost you,” he said, voice raw. “Knowing you are alive, that you are safe, means more to me than anything else. Baby or no, you are my mate. My love and devotion are yours forever.”

Though, whatever all this is…I don’t exactly feel like I’m dressed for the occasion.” “I could help you undress, if you’d like.”

“Tabitha Mathews, you are my lifemate, you are my love, the reason for my every breath and every beat of my heart. You are the mother of our coming child. Would you honor me by also becoming my wife?” Tears stung her eyes, and she smiled wider and wider as she nodded her head. “Yes. Yes. I want you in every way I can have you.”

“And you belong to me, Nykasha, in every way I can make you mine.”

She gave Zevris her all—her love, her heart, her very soul. He was her forever. He was her happily ever after.

“Althicar Zevris Akkaran, as your ultricar, I hereby release you from the Exthurizen with all the honors you are due. You have served bravely and decisively across more than a dozen operations and as many worlds, and your actions have time and again safeguarded the faloran people and our allies everywhere. Your courage and selflessness have not gone unnoted. And now, your contributions have provided the first true hope our race has had in generations. You should be remembered forever as a hero to our people not merely for this mission, but for every one you have undertaken.”

“You have been my commander for half my life, but more than that, you have been as a father to me.” Khelvar looked up at him and chuckled. “However old I feel, I’m not that old yet, Zevris.” “But the sentiment remains true. And Tabitha and I want you to know that we consider you to be Skye’s grandfather in every way that matters.”

“Kidnapping you was the best decision I ever made.” Tabitha laughed. “You should thank Dexter for pooping in your daisies. Otherwise, who knows what strange sort of courtship ritual you would’ve tried in your efforts to woo me. I could’ve been the one who got away.” Dexter’s ears perked upon hearing his name, and he turned his eyes up at them. “I would never have let you get away,” Zevris said, grinning. “I would’ve taken you eventually, one way or another.” “Oh yeah? You wanted me that bad, huh?” “I would have eliminated every male on this planet if that was what I needed to do to have you.” He stroked the backs of his fingers over her cheek, brushing away the stray hairs and tucking them behind her ear. “You were always meant to be mine, Nykasha.”