Ruth's Bonded (Ruth & Gron Book 1) by V.C. Lancaster Page B

Ruth was really beginning to feel the lack now. She was also
intensely aware of how gross she was, particularly her hair. Gron stank but she
was used to that, but her skin was clammy and rough, and she would have traded
almost anything at that point for a shower, or even a hairbrush. Their mingled
scents filled the cell. It must be pretty overpowering if anyone not used to it
came in, but that was what happened when u kept living things locked up in the
same small space. As she walked about, she noticed that Gron’s scent seemed to
be following her around more than usual, and that her hands and back felt kind
of oily. She sniffed at her palms and realised they smelt like him, and that he
must have some kind of oil in his fur, which she had rubbed all over her hands.
And her back had been resting on that chest-carpet of his. Great. Still, her
own hair was pretty gross, and the same thing would probably happen to him if
he ran his hands through it. She couldn’t hold it against him in their
situation. She rubbed her stomach trying to soothe her hunger and to distract
herself from how thirsty she was.
    Suddenly the cell lurched violently, almost
making her lose her footing. Gron was by her side in an instant, his hand on
her back to steady her, his tail thrashing as he snarled and looked around
trying to find the threat. The cell was obviously canting to one side now, like
whatever was supporting them before had broken. Gron growled something and
looked at her, rubbing her back. Ruth was genuinely scared. What if they fell
out into space or something? Then the other side crashed down to level out the
cell, sending her stumbling into Gron who caught her and held her close,
clearly not wanting her out of reach.
    They both stared out of the hatch,
desperate for some kind of clue as to what was happening. They saw the ceiling
of the room above them recede until they were looking at the body of the ship
they had been in fly away. Then they were looking at the stars.
    “Oh my God...” Ruth moaned. Gron’s
hold on her tightened but he didn’t speak. Cool night air filtered into the
cell. They had been delivered to their destination, which they still had no
idea about, or their purpose there. Ruth heard the voices of the aliens who had
taken them and the cell moved again, though not as violently as before. Her
stomach sank as she interpreted the movements as the cell being levered up,
like on a forklift or a jack, and then driven or pulled forward. They were
definitely travelling.
    Maybe the sight of the stars or the
fresh air revived her, but she was suddenly afraid that if they didn’t escape
now, it would be too late. She gripped Gron’s arm and said his name, pointing
at the hatch, hoping he understood her but knowing he probably didn’t. The cell
wobbled as it went over uneven ground. Maybe if they charged the wall, it would
tip over. But what would that accomplish? It would only really disrupt the
aliens plans if they flipped it so that the hatch was on the ground, but that
would cut off their only light supply. Ruth glanced towards the hole in the
floor, but she already knew it didn’t lead directly to the outside.
    She began to be able to hear more
noise, more voices. They were heading for a small crowd of some sort. Oh no.
Were they about to be thrown into a ring? She couldn’t fight, she’d definitely
be killed eventually if they made her fight to the death against aliens who
probably had claws and fangs and poison and... If they tossed her and Gron in
together, he would protect her, but she would be useless and a liability to
him. She would slow him down and distract him, limit how and where he could
move. It would be just like when the aliens came into their cell. Eventually he
would get tired and be overpowered or outnumbered. She didn’t know what they
were about to face, but Gron was a good fighter. He could last if he didn’t
have her to worry about. She gripped him tighter and prayed he didn’t abandon