Harvest: A Dark Sci-Fi Reverse Harem Romance Read online

  I tried to fight once again, bucking and struggling to get out of his firm grasp. He simply wound his fingers in my long strands of hair, pulling me backwards as he thrust further inside.

  In those moments, I lost what was left of the girl inside, trying to latch onto the warrior I’d tried desperately to become. Yet pain and pleasure melded together, the agony of his entrance quickly shifting to unbridled nirvana. All I could do was hold my breath.

  Voltar fucked me long and hard, taking every inch of me in a savage manner. I stopped fighting, accepting that I’d lost this battle, even as my mind prepared for another. He would never best me. He would never take me.

  He would never win.

  Harder and faster he plunged, his breathing becoming more ragged, more savage.

  And in the end, as my body responded only to the taking, my muscles clamping around his thick cock as he erupted deep inside, I knew that this alien had completed his task.

  I now belonged to him.

  Chapter Two

  Felicity

  Two weeks later

  “You’ll be punished.”

  How many times had I heard that very statement before? How many sleepless nights had I envisioned the monsters taking me, using me? Filling every hole with one of their thick, hard cocks?

  Shivering, I blinked away the ugly visions, making a promise to myself that I would escape. Somehow. Someway.

  Then there was my family to worry about. I cringed, my skin tingling from anticipation. The Centurions were monsters. Brutal savages. And there was nothing any of the aliens could do to change my mind.

  The horrible premonitions were coming true. My mind was rattled, petrified that everything I’d dreamt during the last two weeks had actually occurred. My skin tingled, my pussy quivering much as it had since the experience in the woods. Maybe I was losing my mind, the fear overtaking any concept of reality.

  But I couldn’t get the monster out of my mind.

  Voltar...

  His entire body reeked of testosterone, a man to be feared, his power evident in every move he made. Broad shoulders, a carved chest, rippled abs that were every girl’s fantasy.

  But he was an alien. A damn beast that I was supposed to fear.

  Then why did I hunger for him every night?

  Boom!

  Boom!

  Boom!

  Every time the primitive drums were hit with the cloth-covered mallets I jumped. There was no fear given what they were doing was on the massive screen, just simple disgust. Others in my group crowded closer, as if the monsters holding court were magical gods, able to free them from their daily confines. I wanted to laugh and make fun of them for their obviously misguided cravings, but what else did they have to live for?

  Being locked away, never having the freedom to make a single choice—other than to submit or die.

  I am woman, hear me roar.

  I’d learned the expression, one from so long ago, from my mother. But even she’d lost her will to fight. A nauseating chill swept down my spine, trickling along the backs of my legs even though the temperature was close to eighty degrees. Everything about the Centurions and their ruthless ways repulsed me yet sent the fear of the unknown skittering into my bloodstream. I’d fought so hard to keep my self-worth, trying to enjoy the life we’d been forced into, but days like these were debilitating, shaking me to my core. I thought about the words I often said to myself in an effort to curtail my rage.

  I am Felicity Michaels and no man or beast will ever strip away my identity or my dignity. Ever.

  Only the aliens were capable of doing much more, at least if I was lucky enough to win the so-called lottery.

  We all stood staring at the videogram, a retelling of one of the recent celebrations, the show meant to entice us for the upcoming Feast.

  Feast. Feast. Feast.

  The chanting would forever burn in the back of my mind.

  “Aren’t they beautiful?” one of the girls asked no one in particular, her dilated eyes wide open and her hand raised as if able to stroke the copper-colored hair of the girl leading the others into a tight formation. Every single one of the women on display in the video seemed catatonic, as if they’d been drugged or worse, brainwashed into thinking they were facing a glorious life. They were all dressed in magnificent clothing, silks and satin in vibrant colors. I knew in my heart their attire was all for the glorious show.

  They were simply being turned into well trained pets for the Centurions, a fate worse than death in my mind. I couldn’t fathom why no one else in our group seemed to notice the chosen’s artificial smiles and glassy eyes. Maybe they simply didn’t care. I glanced around me at the eager faces, pursed lips, and body language indicating they were turned on by the few aliens being shown in the videograms.

  “No, they’re not,” I answered, more under my breath than anything. I wasn’t well liked, as if I gave a shit, but I had to be careful not to cause a commotion or the Watchers would flag my number, removing me from the upcoming celebration. They were the low-level Centurion soldiers, every one of them dangerous. I’d seen with my own eyes what the nasty creatures did to misbehaving girls. Any of them causing commotion were humiliated in front of every man and woman, stripped of their clothing and shackled, spanked like naughty little girls until their ass cheeks were flaming red.

  “Come here, Earthling. You deserve to be punished.” His deep voice floated across the courtyard, the sound penetrating into the darkest parts of me. He patted his lap, his lip curled in an exaggerated fashion, the sneer on his face indicating he approved of my naked body.

  I heard the chants all around me, the gregarious calls from those hungering to see me punished. A light breeze wafted across my skin, forwarding the horrific stench of the monster in my direction, yet my pussy clenched in anticipation. I did as I was told, my feet dragging as I inched closer, trying not to breathe, willing my mind to obey. If not, the consequences would be even worse.

  He reached out, his fingers dancing along the skin of my forearm, tickling my synapses until my nipples hardened. I had no idea why I felt such blatant desire for a being I considered so wretched, but my body betrayed me, my breasts aching with deep longing. “Do you understand why you’re being whipped, little girl?”

  I wanted to shout out that I was a woman and not a little girl, but I merely nodded. The thick leather strap lay by his side, a favored implement and one that could inflict significant pain. Why was my mouth watering and goosebumps popping along my arms and legs?

  “Excellent. We will mold you into a perfect mate yet.” Yanking me over his massive lap, he pressed his hand on the small of my back. “You are to be given thirty lashes.”

  As the strap was driven down against my buttocks, I squirmed and moaned, pain coursing throughout my body. And I wanted more...

  The vision was far too real, leaving me shivering. I’d never wanted a controlling man, one who was used to getting what he wanted. Never. I wanted a hero, a gorgeous blond human fighting for my love, gentle and understanding. Unfortunately, he would also be fighting for our lives. No human male was allowed to mate with females any longer, at least not those under the protection of the Centurions. Human males were used as workers, true slaves tending to fields and what livestock remained living on Earth. Every young woman was considered property of the Centurions.

  Forever.

  I gagged, swallowing back my bile and I swore to myself that this would never happen. Not to me.

  Sadly, I had no choice in the matter.

  One human man had pretended to care, but I’d realized his treachery within hours. He would never stop hunting me, putting my family in danger. No one knew what had occurred and no one ever would.

  But one day, I would kill the bastard.

  “Yes, they are beautiful,” another girl stated with spite in her voice. “They’re being wedded. What about this isn’t breathtaking? You’re just jealous because your number will never be selected.”

  Several o
f the other girls laughed, receiving harsh glares from the Watchers.

  She meant breath—and possibly life—stealing. How little the naïve girl knew about the possibilities. Not a single human female on Earth able to conceive was left unscathed, but the majority had been brainwashed with these trite political messages, all provided by the elite government faction of humans specifically created for this bi-yearly event alone. They were protected bastards, white-haired men who pretended we weren’t caged animals. This showing and our attendance was mandatory. Twice a year and the same bullshit, all meant to indoctrinate childbearing-age females into acceptance of their wretched fates.

  Total submission, body and soul.

  And I was one of them.

  Only I didn’t believe in any of the crap that was spewed. Not from the Centurions. Not from the government. And certainly not from my parents.

  The sickening feeling remained as I stood watching the preprogrammed screening of the last episode of doom, a name I’d adopted years before in an effort to maintain some level of sanity. Over the years, I’d seen only a few girls from our colony leave, never to return, but certainly not in the last few lottery selections. This fact left a black mark on our colony, our supplies running low. Hope was all our colony seemed to have left.

  The girls chattered amongst themselves, talking about how exciting it would be to finally become one of the few on Earth to be selected. Mating with the enemy. I snorted at the thought.

  “Listen!” the girl exclaimed, pointing to the screen, her glare laced with a nasty tinge.

  I looked, more out of spite than anything.

  The aging Centurion male on the screen had stark white hair, his sunken face lined with heavyset creases. Even his green eyes seemed glassy, as if he was no longer able to focus, yet he stepped in front of the telescan units with pride. Closing my eyes, I clenched my fists, digging my nails into my skin in an effort to keep from screaming. How could this have happened? How could the various powerful governments of so many countries have allowed Earth to be invaded over a half century before?

  “We are gathered here today to celebrate the most honorable marriages between dozens of lovely brides and their intended mates.”

  The crowd on the screen cheered, the girls surrounding me cooing like stupid children. I tried to drown out the sound as the official spewed off various aspects of these supposed marriages. Then came the great and well-rehearsed finish.

  “You will obey your mates or face the ultimate demise. You will do everything that is commanded. Do you accept your destiny?”

  “Yes, sir,” came the collective voices, all like good little drones. I couldn’t help but think they’d make excellent slaves.

  The girls had already learned total obedience, no doubt disciplined as required, their understanding perhaps finally kicking in.

  They were nothing but prisoners.

  Unable to tolerate anymore, I backed away from the group. When I was finally a few feet away, I sprinted toward the small house I’d grown up in, gasping for air. I was suffocating, my heart racing as I headed straight for my bedroom. I couldn’t bear another thought about the upcoming event.

  I was left alone for some time, the rest of my family choosing to ignore me. They didn’t share my views or my concerns and merely tolerated my mood swings. And they were preparing. The next two days were oh-so very important in our ridiculous existence. I thought my parents hated me for my defiance, certain I was partially the reason that our colony had a black cloud enshrouding every fertile female. My mother had even suggested harsh discipline methods in order to help me improve.

  My father had refused; it’d been the only time I’d ever seen him yelling at my mother.

  “Felicity, Mama is preparing a good meal. Come join us.”

  I heard my sister’s voice from the doorway, her tone full of angst. While normally she was able to pull me out of my dark moods, she could have no power over my inner demons until this travesty was over. “Sure.” I dragged myself off the bed, brushing hair from my face before walking into the common room and sitting down next to my sister. Neither my mother nor my sister bothered to glance in my direction. They were simply praying the anger would pass.

  “I need to get your father,” my mother said in her usual exasperated fashion.

  Boom!

  The entire house rattled from an explosion, the thin walls reverberating the crushing sound. A single alarm went off, the click-clicking noise always reminding me of an insect instead of a state-of-the-art security function.

  As if the Centurions gave enough of a damn to protect their property.

  Instantly on edge, I knew exactly what was happening.

  Human marauders.

  “God damn it!” I heard my father’s heated voice even over the loud crashing sound. My instincts kicked in, as they usually did. The explosion was meant only as a scare tactic, the same crap as always, but we were all growing weary of the bullshit. The damn marauders were at it again, threatening our colony. They always had the innate ability of knowing exactly when six months had passed, even though all sense of time had been destroyed. They were humans, but considered the bottom feeders of life, prepared to take what they believed was rightfully owed to them. They were also vicious killers, more organized than the Centurions wanted to admit. They didn’t care what species was caught in the middle of their killing sprees. I had a desperate feeling pooling in the pit of my stomach that this particular Feast would be one to remember.

  What happened every six months? A grandiose Feast in every breeding colony in the world. Another time for what I called abductions.

  The word as well as the concept left a nasty taste in my mouth. Earth. The year 2345, invaded and taken over fifty years before. We were nothing but cattle, prime Grade A beef. At least the various colonies with winning contestants were provided with lavish food and drink, all for the price of relinquishing their daughters to the aliens. What was truly worse was the fact the majority of humans believed this was a true reason to celebrate—with the exception of the marauders. They were hell bent on destroying the aliens, but had no issue taking out the colonies as well. We’d been taught the marauders were our enemy.

  I loathed both sides, neither one of them anything more than animals.

  But they were free. Free to make choices. Free to arm themselves. Free to love whoever they wanted.

  I was already a prisoner.

  Another blast rattled my last nerve. They meant business this time. I’d had it with being the victim, wanting nothing more than to protect my family from any additional brutality. Jerking to my feet and racing to my room, I grabbed my favorite crossbow and ammunition, and was already at the door when my mother attempted to block my path.

  “You can’t leave, Felicity. You’re required to stay in the compound especially right before the lottery. Those are the explicit rules. You will be punished if you go outside the walls or worse. That can’t happen. That won’t happen,” she snapped, her face twisting then softening. I couldn’t help but notice how nervous she was, as if there was some secret to be told. Beads of perspiration had formed on both sides of her face. She wiped them absently, breathing out before speaking again. “Besides, we have protection. The Centurions will eradicate any threat.”

  Snorting, I studied my mother’s once beautiful face, now riddled with age as well as defiance. Both my mother and father knew my little secret, that I ventured out of the prison walls to hunt and forage for food as well as information. My mother had even threatened to turn me in, but knew I’d be immediately disqualified as a contestant. Today, I wanted out. I would fight and keep the threat from harming those I cared about. I would also run, free from the demons plaguing my mind. No matter the danger, I adored the outside world.

  There were periods that we were all allowed outside the gated walls, but we were never alone, the Watchers surrounding us at all times. I preferred hunting alone, savoring the freedom if only for a few hours. “And just where is our protection,
Mother? Where are these fucking beasts required to guard us against the Demons of the Forest? Our great worthless masters. I haven’t seen their sorry asses in two months.”

  The hard slap across my face was swift as well as unexpected. Reeling, I glared at her, biting all the nasty words that were positioned on the tip of my tongue. My mother didn’t deserve my wrath. The damn aliens who ruled our life deserved that and an arrow between their eyes.

  As if I would ever have that chance, but I’d die trying.

  I was considered one of the lucky ones, even privileged, just like every other family in this and hundreds of other compounds. Our family had been selected to live in relative luxury, provided with a secure and clean location to live, decent food and clothing, and even certain entertainments. Other humans hadn’t been so lucky after the invasion. Some lived in basic prisons, required to work in fields harvesting food or mines digging for jewels. I’d never been more than a few hundred yards away from the colony, having spent my entire life like a caged animal. I laughed bitterly at the thought. I had no recollection of the overthrow of Earth. I hadn’t even been born yet. All I knew was what had been taught by my parents, a few stories from other elders in the colony.

  Colony 57 to be exact.

  I had learned that there were hundreds of these protected environments scattered all across Earth. I’d also heard horror stories of families attempting to leave. Shuddering, I rubbed my face, almost wishing I could be surprised at my mother’s vehemence. I wasn’t.

  Tomorrow was the day for the great lottery, the Feast. The importance of the celebration made me sick to my stomach, but so many families in my colony were always eager, praying even that one of their daughters would be chosen. In two days, those lucky enough to win the various lotteries would be on their way to Skars, a distant planet in another galaxy. And the reason?

  To mate with three nasty-looking aliens. At one time. Together. Then to bear their children.

  I wouldn’t call that luck in any regard, more like damnation.