Engaged to an Alien Shifter: Brides of Somtach, #2

By Pascia Thrall

What was I thinking? Coming to an alien planet to be some creatures bride – how could I ever have imagined this would be a good thing?

 

With the dead rising from their graves and destroying life as she knew it, Moire jumps at the chance to travel through space to become the wife of an alien.

Sanuk is charming and thoughtful, but things are changing on the planet of Somtach, and Moire finds herself in opposition to her husband-to-be.

When the other human women she travelled with start to go missing, will Sanuk see the truth and help her? Or will standing up for herself mean Moire becomes one of the missing, too?

 

Engaged to an Alien is a sci-fi romance novella, the second book in the Brides of Somtach series, set in the same world as the Scouts of Somtach series, aimed at adults aged 18+. Each book is a standalone, with it's own HEA.

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Pascia Thrall
• Release date: Jun 29, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201355241

Book preview

ENGAGED

TO AN

ALIEN SHIFTER

by

Pascia Thrall

Brides of Somtach 2

Engaged to an Alien Shifter – Book 2 of Brides of Somtach

Copyright © Pascia Thrall June 2021

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

––––––––

All rights reserved.  Except for use in any review, no part of this book may be used, reproduced, or transmitted in whole or in part, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise) without the prior written permission of the author.

Table of Contents

​ Chapter 1

​ Chapter 2

​ Chapter 3

​ Chapter 4

​ Chapter 5

​ Chapter 6

​ Chapter 7

​ Chapter 8

​ Chapter 9

​ Chapter 10

​ Chapter 11

​ Chapter 12

​ Chapter 13

​ Chapter 14

​ Chapter 15

​ Chapter 16

​ Chapter 17

​ Chapter 18

​ Chapter 19

​ Chapter 20

​ Epilogue

Thank You!

​ About the Author

Chapter 1

What the hell was I thinking?

Coming to an alien planet to be some creatures bride–how could I ever have imagined this would be a good thing?

Alien men line up on the opposite side of the room, golden skinned, black eyed, huge dragon-like wings protruding from their backs. They all look the same!

How will I recognise my husband if I can’t tell him apart from the next Somtachian male?

I take a deep breath to quell my rising nerves.

When I agreed to travel to some distant planet and marry an alien, it was only because Earth was overrun with zombies, and I was certain I was going to die young, and alone, and miserable.

Now, I’m wondering if that option would’ve been better.

My friend's name is called and she crosses the room, spine straight, chin jutting out. Devon likes to pretend nothing worries her, but I know better. She’s my oldest friend, the one person I’ve known since childhood, the only person I’ve known longer than the journey here. We survived boarding school together, and zombies rising from the dead, and risking our lives to save our town, though we rather failed at that too. But it was that adventure, with our other friend Tally, that led us to meet Nax, that ultimately brought us here.

I watch as Devon meets with her partner. His eyes are so black it’s hard to read his expressions, or any of their expressions, truth be told. If I’m relying on facial movement then they mostly look disgusted as their gaze roves over their partner.

Great.

They speak. I can’t tell what’s being said, but Devon's shoulders bunch up and I can tell she’s angry.

That doesn’t bode well.

Moire. My heart pounds at the sound of my name, and I step forward, knees like jelly as I approach the front of the room and the line of alien men.

My gaze doesn’t stray from them.

You have been assigned to Sanuk, Malka, the spokesperson for the aliens, tells me.

Sanuk.  How will I even remember everyone's names? I swallow, as though doing so will wash away the nerves dancing in my chest, as the man at the head of the line steps forward.

His gaze falls on me, and his mouth curves up at the corners.

Is that a smile? It reaches his eyes, which seem to twinkle.

Hope catches in my throat. It seems to be.

He holds out a hand, and I take it. His skin is warm, his grip firm, but not too tight, and a tingle travels my arm.

I am honoured to meet you, he says. I have been looking forward to this day ever since I first learned of this possibility.

He holds out his other hand, a delicate string of the tiniest flowers crossing his palm.

I made this bracelet for you. It is the flower of the tiz’ik bush, and is a symbol of eternity.

My heart softens. It’s beautiful.

May I wind it around your wrist? he asks.

I nod. His touch is light as he twists the stems together.

I lift my hand to look at it more closely. They are the real flowers? I glance up at him in surprise. Won’t they be damaged?

He smiles. The tiz’ik plant flowers for much of the year. When these flowers crumple, I will make you another. And when the plant blooms no more there will be other beautiful flowers with which to adorn you.

There’s definite affection in his jet black eyes. 

My heart swells, and I take his hand again.

Thank you.

It is my pleasure. He gives a slight incline of his head. You are beautiful. It is an honour to be partnered with such an attractive alien.

I hold his gaze, expecting him to be teasing, but his expression is genuine.

We are so different. Can he truly be attracted to me?

Could I eventually be attracted to him?

Sanuk leads me to a table and selects a plate of various pieces of finger-food, and a tall glass filled with a pink liquid.

For you. He passes me the glass, and then holds the plate. I select something that looks like chocolate.

I desperately hope it is. I haven’t had chocolate in such a long time.

I take a bite, a bitter tang filling my mouth. I try to hide my expression, but Sanuk sees.

That flavour is not to your preference? he asks. Perhaps this would be more your liking?

He lifts a small white square between his thumb and forefinger, and pops it into my mouth. It dissolves, leaving a sweet liquid to wash away the bitter taste. I close my eyes to savour it.

Perfect. I smile, catching Sanuk's gaze again. He beams.

I'm glad.

There's a moments awkward silence and then we both speak at once.

Tell me about yourself.

We chuckle.

You first, he says.

My cheeks flush. I’m not entirely sure what to say, to be honest. I haven’t been myself since the zombies rose from their graves, and it’s strange to think about something other than survival. I like dancing. I meet his gaze again. And shopping, and watching movies, and parties.

Dancing is a very enjoyable activity, Sanuk agrees. And we have parties here on Somtach, too. His brow furrows. Though I have to admit I do not understand what you mean by liking to shop. Is this a past time you engage in often?

I remember the shopping malls back home. I used to. I haven’t had the opportunity to go shopping for such a long time.

We have the market here in the city. When we are bonded you may shop for us, if that is your preference. I have a moment's realisation he's talking about grocery shopping, which is definitely not what I’m talking about, but how to explain it otherwise? Regardless, Sanuk is beaming. "You must tell me all about your planet, and your journey here. What brought you here? What is it like to travel through space? Are our space ships comfortable? Are the stars brighter, up close?

My mouth drops open at his questions. You have never travelled in space before?

He shakes his head. Space travel is reserved for the Scouts. They give up their lives here on Somtach so we may learn about other places, and their reward is the experience of space travel. I have read much about their experiences of course, and experienced the mind-to-mind communication. But it seems to be lacking, in some way. His gaze holds mine. I would love to know how you experienced the journey, and what you have taken from the experience. I’d love to know everything about you, Moire, to see the world through your eyes, and understand it as you do.

No one has ever said they want to see the world from my perspective before.

The nerves settle in my stomach.

I’ve been swinging between excited and terrified, and now, holding Sanuk’s friendly gaze, relief washes over me.

Everything is going to be okay, after all.

Chapter 2

I'm so caught up in our conversation I miss Malka calling for our attention.

It's only when Sanuk touches my shoulder and points that I turn, sinking slightly in my chair as I see her frustrated gaze.

It's like I'm back at school.

Thank you. Malka's words are clipped. It is now time for the human women to see their accommodations for the immediate future. We will gather again for tonight's meal, during which everyone will have a chance to continue their introductions, and to meet some of the other people who will, I’ve no doubt, become your friends and acquaintances during your future life here on Somtach. I will take this moment to remind you all that what we have here is a meeting of two cultures, from two remarkably different planets. Be kind to one another.

Her tone is upbeat, but it seems forced, and I glance around at the other women. Before I was introduced to Sanuk I sensed an uneasiness between the women and the aliens, and I wonder