Punished, Tana Stone [top reads .txt] 📗

I stalked away, pushing through the cloaked males who’d gathered in a tight ring to watch the drama unfold. Even through their hoods, I could feel their disapproving gazes on me, so I threw a few extra elbows to clear the way faster.

Dust caked the toes of my boots once I’d stomped from the amphitheater, but I didn’t stop or look up at what I knew were more startled and judgmental faces. I’d left my cloak back in the ring, so I was the only villager not cloaked and hooded as I made my way through the square and up the winding stone path.

I didn’t know where I was going, exactly. I didn’t care. As long as it was far away from the Vandar raider who’d shown himself to be just as much of a disappointment as every other male in my life. I’d taken the day off work so I could go to the training, not that my boss probably cared. The only reason I’d gotten the job inventorying incoming supplies from off-world transports was because it was mind-numbing work that no one else wanted. It certainly wasn’t because I was especially skilled at counting containers. I wasn’t great at anything—except fighting.

I’d had to be. I was the only person who could defend my sister against the bullies who seemed to be drawn to her softness, and all the jerks who liked to make comments about our deadbeat dad. I’d learned early on that I was good at fighting. Pretty soon, everyone else had learned it, too. Which was why no one picked on my sister anymore or mentioned our father within earshot of me. Still, as odd as it sounded, fighting was the only thing I’d ever excelled at or took pleasure in doing. When I fought, the world disappeared, and everything seemed to click into place.

“Which was why no Vandar asshole is going to keep me from doing it,” I said in what I thought was a whisper, but the wide eyes peering from underneath hoods of passing people told me was not.

When I reached our dwelling, I paused. The last thing I wanted to deal with was my father, although after a stand-off with a real-life, Vandar warrior, I shouldn’t be afraid of one drunk.

I walked inside and let out a breath when I saw that the couch was empty and the blanket folded neatly over one arm. There were no sounds except that of my heavy breathing. My father must have stumbled off to work, and my sister was probably visiting a friend a few dwellings away.

My shoulders uncoiled. At least I wouldn’t have to explain to Juliette what happened. Having to tell her that I’d been kicked out even though I’d been the best would have been too much. Just thinking about her wide blue eyes filled with sympathy made tears prick my eyelids.

No, I didn’t need someone to feel sorry for me. Not now. I hadn’t been lying when I’d told Corvak that it wasn’t over. I wasn’t going to give up so easily. Not when he was the first creature to set foot on the planet who knew anything about warfare or fighting. I finally had a chance to learn how to do something I was good at, and I wasn’t going to lose it. I just had to figure out how to convince the Vandar that he was wrong about me.

I let out a slow breath and sank onto the couch, remembering the cold look in his eyes when he’d told me to go. It was going to take something serious to convince him.

An idea teased the corner of my brain, but it made my pulse race just thinking about it. I eyed the half-empty bottle of fermented algae on the coffee table. Lifting it to my lips, I took a reluctant swig, grimacing at the taste but welcoming the burn in my belly.

I was going to need all the liquid courage I could get.

Chapter Five

Ch 5

Corvak

I watched the female stomp out of the amphitheater with a knot in my belly. Sienna. The female who’d fought better than any male in the group, and stood up to me, was called Sienna.

“Return to your sparring,” I bellowed, spinning on my heel and the leather of my battle kilt slapping against my thighs. “We are not finished yet.”

The pairs resumed grappling, but after seeing Sienna fight, it was almost painful to watch the weak efforts of the others. Even the male who claimed to be engaged to her, Donal, was nowhere near as quick or as graceful.

I thought back to the female’s deft moves against me and then to how her body had felt under mine. The instantaneous sense I’d had as soon as I’d pinned her. My tail snapped behind me and my cock twitched, and I clasped my hands in front of myself to keep it from rising. The last thing I needed was to get aroused in an arena filled with human and Kimitherian males.

No, the last thing you need is a complication with a female.

I grunted as I reminded myself why I was exiled to the alien planet in the first place. It had been a human female who had caused all the problems on my horde ship. I’d disdained my fellow Vandar when they’d taken human females to their beds. It had done nothing but weaken them and the horde. So why did I feel drawn to this female?

I strode between the males as they battled with each other, offering corrections and suggestions to improve their stance or their grip. When the group was panting from exertion, their movements sluggish and clumsy, I clapped my hands to get their attention.

“That is all for today. You have progressed well. We will continue tomorrow.”

They nodded and muttered thanks as they left the amphitheater, dragging their feet beneath their cloaks. Only Donal remained behind, coming up to me when everyone else