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

  “Help me. Please!”

  The pleading voices were everywhere, men and women burned, scarred and broken. I stood against a backdrop of the white and gray sky, ashes falling from the horrific fires consuming everything around me. All I could see were their wretched faces. All I could hear was the terror in their voices. Hundreds. Thousands.

  And there was almost nothing I could do.

  The memory was one that would never leave, the very one that kept me awake almost every night. I closed my eyes briefly, trying to abate the horrific visions. Even the huntsmen leaders had no knowledge of my past, at least not in its entirety.

  “I have no medical supplies other than the basics in this camp. Besides, it’s too risky to go back.”

  “Please. We have to help them. They’re all I have. I will do whatever you ask, obey you in every manner. Just please. If you ever had a conscience or a care for anyone other than yourself, do this.”

  Hearing her plead was not something I was accustomed to. No one cared any longer, the majority resigned as to their plight. Normally, I wouldn’t give a fuck, but she’d managed to find the one sliver of humanity I had left. Tears had formed in her eyes, highlighting the beautiful yet vulnerable woman that she truly was.

  I sucked in my breath, frustrated as hell. Even attempting to help her people could mean our death or at minimum imprisonment. The scavengers were conniving enemies, no longer tethered to any concept of fairness. We would fetch a hefty price. “I can’t promise you anything. You’re not in a position to make a deal of any kind. You are our prisoner. That’s it. I’ll think about your request.”

  She furrowed her brow, twisting her mouth. “I stand by my earlier statement. There’s a part of you that’s still human.”

  Human. What the hell did that mean any longer? “Yeah? I wouldn’t hold onto that for too long, sweetheart, because I might just turn out to be your worst nightmare.” I turned to leave, knowing I would return soon enough to fulfill my duties.

  Punishing.

  Fucking.

  Mating.

  All three words left an extreme distaste in my mouth.

  “Last night, when you fucked me, shoving your cock deep inside, I heard what you said. I know exactly what you want,” she hissed, holding onto her rebellious nature.

  “Oh, yeah? And what’s that?”

  “Salvation.”

  Chapter Seven

  Alex

  Damn him. Damn this world. Damn the entire situation.

  Scorpio had indeed been turned into a primal man, his needs few. And I was one of them. I was sick to my stomach, more terrified than ever.

  The others were just as conditioned to violence as he was. I’d been able to sense their hunger, especially the one they called Rock. His dominance had a sense of savagery.

  The prison tent was cold and barren, adding to my wretched anxiety. There were several chairs opposite where I’d been placed, all empty seats waiting for the monsters to come and watch. I was positioned on a wooden slat a solid foot off the ground. For better viewing pleasure? I almost laughed at the thought.

  I’d made it out of the camp, a solid quarter mile away when Rock had found me, scooping me over his shoulder as if I was nothing more than a bag of feed. Now I was going to be punished.

  Oh, God. This was insane, leaving me shaking all over. There was no way of escaping, the rope far too tight around my wrists.

  Salvation.

  The single word whispered in Scorpio’s sleep had told me many things including the fact he wasn’t the barbarian I’d originally suspected, but he was extremely dangerous. He was looking for the same thing I was, some hope that another life existed. There was no denying his rage for the government or his hatred of his living conditions. I wanted to feel elation for the fact he and the others could speak, but their intentions remained exactly as I’d been taught.

  Hunt.

  Fight.

  Mate.

  I wanted to believe that Scorpio was a man of honor, but I’d seen the savage look in his eyes. He had no desire to help me or my people. He’d lost himself years before. Of that I had no doubt. My skin tingled from the thought of him, my heart racing from the electricity that still pulsed through every cell. He’d been gone for at least thirty minutes, but I remained wet, every part of my body fully aroused. I could barely swallow from some sick level of excitement even as fear kept me on edge.

  Whatever they were going to do to me would be humiliating, agonizing.

  Then why is your pussy so wet?

  I groaned and dropped my head, listening to the sounds of the rain peppering against the tent surface. The howling winds had gotten worse, leaving me chilled to the bone. I shifted, struggling against my bindings. My wrists were chafed, my toes almost numb, and I had no way of knowing how long they were going to make me wait.

  I closed my eyes, trying to find a place of peace, memories that were beautiful. They were beginning to fade with time. And still, an odd nagging remained, conversations with my father that I’d really half listened to. He’d fought so hard to keep me protected, but he’d also wanted me to learn about his past, what he’d been involved in.

  Everything had been top secret, very little of his job he was ever able to talk about. If only I’d grilled him more. Hell, I’d been close to the government, ultimately processing and condemning those considered dissidents. How stupid I’d been.

  What I did remember was the warning he’d given me the very morning the soldiers had found us, his eyes brimming with terror and sadness.

  One faction of the human race could survive. Only one could find peace. Until then, thousands would die. What he’d said next still didn’t make any sense.

  “There is one who will save you, a hero, but only he can stop the madness. You are far too important. Be careful, my daughter. Only you can save humanity...”

  I would never forget the chilling words or the heavy burden. They held no meaning, no information. This was the single time he’d spoken this way, his despair changing him during the time we remained in hiding. He’d slowly succumbed to his depression, his urgent plea a small reminder of how powerful my father had once been.

  I would keep fighting, protecting and searching for my sister. As far as heroes? They didn’t exist.

  I shivered once again, twisting my hands as much as possible. There was no getting away.

  And so I waited...

  I had no way of knowing how long I’d been kept this way but as soon as the door was opened, I bit back a whimper. I didn’t recognize the two huntsmen entering the door, or perhaps so many of them all looked alike. The same long hair, the same scraggly beards. They both carried weapons on their belts, at least two knives each.

  I pushed hard against the chair, looking from one to the other. They took long strides in my direction, both men untying me.

  “What are you doing?” I knew the question was in vain. They’d never answer me.

  As they hoisted me into a standing position, I fought, almost managing to get out of their grasps. One of them chuckled, eyeing the other with glee and amusement.

  “You’re horrible, you motherfuckers.” None of my words mattered. They didn’t care about me. They were just following orders. I refused to stop fighting even as they moved me toward an odd-looking thrown together bench. “What is this? What are you going to do to me?”

  “Punishment,” one finally said in a husky tone before dragging his rough tongue across his lips, making a lewd sound.

  The other tossed me over the thick, slatted plank, retying my arms and legs to the wooden legs. The curve of the damn thing left my ass in the air, in prime position for... They were going to whip me, not just the solid spanking that Scorpio had given me.

  Within seconds I heard the sound of others, their boots stomping against the ground as they advanced. The creaking of the chairs from their weight gave me another serious of tingles but for all the wrong reasons. There was no talking, no bantering about the poor girl strung up lik
e a chicken. They were simply waiting as required.

  For me to learn my lesson.

  I was sick to my stomach, every muscle tense. Another five minutes passed then ten.

  Finally, I felt his approach. I sensed his arrival. I even gathered his scent flowing through my nostrils long before he came in through the door. Every cell in my body was on fire, my blood boiling with the disgusting need for him.

  I suddenly felt a brush of his fingers moving all the way down my spine. When he tapped my bottom, one side then the other, only then did I finally whimper.

  A series of murmurs came from behind me, the sound more like a series of animalistic growls. They were giving their approval. I clenched my fist as Scorpio knelt down in front of me, fisting my hair as he lifted my head.

  “Just get it over with.”

  He lowered his head until he was merely an inch away. “You will lose your arrogance, or your punishment will be much worse.”

  “Fuck you.”

  Scorpio snarled before dropping my head and moving to a standing position. “Thirty lashes with the strap.”

  Thirty? I couldn’t fathom the pain. I almost begged him for mercy but there was no such thing any longer. I’d fought and failed.

  God help me.

  “Our prisoner is accused of attempting to steal horses, as well as our food supply. In addition, she was found attempting escape from our camp. Our rules are not to be broken or the consequences are severe. She will receive the appropriate punishment.” Scorpio’s voice was clear, deep and husky, even thrilling.

  No. No, no! I was sick at heart, fighting the urges. He was my enemy. I would get away one day. There would be nothing he could do to stop me.

  I winced the second he trailed the strap down my back, once again tapping both ass cheeks. Everything about this was wrong. I was mortified as a few other of the huntsmen crowded into the tent, moving around the sides. There were so many of them, all eager, all watching with hungry eyes.

  I couldn’t stand it any longer, clenching my eyes shut and trying to block out the sound of their breathing. Then I heard a whooshing sound, a slight crack, but everything seemed to be in slow motion.

  I was aware the strap had been brought down against my naked skin, but there was no pain, my mind blocking out every sensation. Still, the sound itself was horrifying, impossibly echoing. I was so afraid, goosebumps popping along every inch of skin.

  Another whoosh. Another hard crack.

  Another strike across my bottom.

  This time, the pain was intense, roaring into my body and I jerked from my bindings, fighting to keep from screaming. How could anyone endure this kind of agony?

  Scorpio delivered two more, one right after the other. I was breathless, unable to focus or think, anguish tearing through me.

  “Stop. Please...”

  “We’ve just begun.”

  There was a sense about myself as the harsh punishment continued, a resolve that I’d promised the day I’d escaped from the wretched facility. I was stronger than this. I would survive.

  Then I would kill.

  I whimpered, unable to stop the sound as he issued one after the other. I refused to accept responsibility. I refused to allow him to win.

  “Oh, God. Stop.” The heat increased on my entire backside, rising up from my upper thighs. The pain was suffocating, white-hot lightning searing every inch of my body.

  “Do you repent your sins?” Scorpio asked, taking a moment to caress my bottom. He moved back in front of me, hunkering down and this time gently lifting my head, brushing the hair from my face. “Do you accept our rules, little one?”

  I took gulping breaths, trying to figure out how to answer him. I was taken by his captivating eyes even as I wanted to spew words of hatred. Why did he have to speak tender words right now? Why did he seem to have a level of compassion? “Yes.” The venom remained in the single word, my rebellious nature refusing to cooperate much like my body had betrayed me.

  He lifted an eyebrow, shaking his head. “We continue.”

  “No. No!”

  Suddenly, there was thumping noises throughout the tent, every huntsman in the room stomping their feet. They were encouraging him to continue. Are you kidding me? They were all barbarians.

  A rush of adrenaline swept through me the second the strap smacked my heated bottom. I flinched, clenching my fists and grinding my teeth. Shaking, I tried to hold my breath as I heard the snap of his wrist.

  The pain was blinding, but my determination remained.

  I know he gave at least four more before repeating his earlier action, easing down in front of me and tenderly brushing hair out of my eyes. He lifted my chin with a single finger, inching so close that I could see the changing colors of his irises. Everything about this man was mesmerizing, drawing me into a powerful web of desire and longing unlike anything I’d ever experienced.

  Or had wanted.

  My legs were trembling from the harsh spanking but also from the way my pussy quivered.

  Scorpio inhaled deeply, closing his eyes until his long, dark eyelashes skimmed across his cheeks. “You are very wet, your thirst powerful.”

  What in the hell was I supposed to say?

  He snapped his eyes open. “Do you accept our rules?”

  My mind was fuzzy. “Yes, I do.”

  I could tell by the gleam in his eyes that he didn’t believe a word I said.

  “Then so be it.” He rubbed the pads of his fingers along my arm, trailing them down my back as he walked along the side of the bench. “My three warriors will take you as required by our law. Montana, Rock, and Diesel. You will succumb to them.”

  I braced for another volley of strikes. But no. The brutes had something else in mind. There was no more talking, but the continued thumping of boots created a vibration in the room. I struggled to lift my head, trying desperately to see what was going on.

  One by one, the three who’d been with Scorpio moved toward me. I was lightheaded yet aroused. I was ashamed yet excited. The dichotomy of feelings and sensations was maddening. Suddenly, hands were rubbing all over me, fingers digging into my skin. I could hear their ragged breathed, guttural sounds that seemed to float from every direction.

  Fingers probed me, thrusting past my slickened folds, driving hard and fast. I gasped as they stretched me wide open, their plunges becoming ruthless, even brutal. More fingers slid down between my ass cheeks, wiggling until they found my dark hole, penetrating me as if I belonged to them.

  The level of excitement was exhilarating, creating another wave of heat between my legs. I was shaking all over, moaning as they continued exploring, driving me to the point of climaxing. I couldn’t do this. I didn’t want this.

  But with every touch, every hard thrust of their massive fingers filling me, fucking me, I was thrown closer to utter nirvana.

  “Oh, yes... I...” My mind was a blur, an almost desperate need rushing to the surface. I knew I’d been freed from my shackles even as hands held me down, caressing and rubbing.

  Diesel’s fingers gripped my hips and I was yanked back, my pussy impaled by one thick, throbbing cock. “Oh!” I slapped my hands on the bench, arching my back and panting like some wild dog. I could hear the huntsman growling as he thrust in rapid succession, only this wasn’t Scorpio. They were all taking me.

  They were all claiming me.

  His scent. My mate. The man who owned me.

  The words were all jumbled in my mind as Scorpio stood in front of me, his massive arms crossed, the look on his face stern and penetrating. He’d given them permission to take me.

  Use me.

  Fuck me.

  The thudding of boots continued as one cock was replaced with another, the force driving me up from the bench. As skin slapped against my bruised and aching ass, I whimpered, even as the rush of current became explosive. Pain and pleasure mixed together, leaving me breathless, riddled with shame from the raging fire burning within me. I was crazed with desire. How coul
d this be?

  Rock’s hands cupped and squeezed my breasts, thick fingers pinching my nipples. This time the pain was exquisite. “Oh, yes... So... good.” Every part of me was wet, the desire all consuming.

  Montana was brutal in his mannerisms, taking me by force. Then he simply stopped, leaving me panting, unfulfilled. I whimpered, tossing my head from side to side before Rock’s hands gripped my hips, his hand shoving one of my feet onto the bench. His fingers slid between my thighs, the tip of one finding my clit.

  I was lost in the pleasure as he swirled his finger around and around in lazy circles, bringing me closer to the most powerful orgasm. He shoved his fingers inside, pumping several times. Those same fingers smacked my pussy over and over again, stealing my breath.

  “Uh. Uh. Uh.” I realized my guttural sounds matched theirs, beasts of the forest. Everything was surreal as I dared glance at the others. They were ravenous with need, bulges appearing between their legs. Would all of them take me? Would I endure this every day?

  I bit back a series of moans as Diesel’s massive cock slammed into me, even larger than the others before. A series of lights flashed in front of my eyes as he fucked me, his long hair dangling against my back.

  Another wave of humiliation blanketed me, forcing me to close my eyes. This wasn’t how things were supposed to be. Then again, nothing could ever be the same.

  I expected another round then another, other soldiers taking me but the majority left, leaving the original four. I retreated, crawling off the bench and slinking to the floor, scuttling away from them even as my hunger dragged me back, the primal mating nature stronger than before.

  His scent.

  His touch.

  His need.

  They were all far too consuming, capturing every sensation dancing through my body. It had taken every ounce of strength to crawl a few feet, but I knew they were coming. This wasn’t the end.

  This was only the beginning.

  As before, Scorpio moved behind me, lifting me into the air and tossing me over his shoulder. I was nothing more than a sexual object. His primal growls were like a call of nature, reinforcement that I’d been taken as a mate. A fur pelt was tossed over me before he took long strides, leaving the tent. The heat of his body was powerful, the muscular giant moving quickly through the camp.