Okay, I'm pulling my ideas together and I think the next few chapters should come quicker now.

I'm also very interested in the popularity Alcander is getting. He wasn't necessarily going to be a major chapter but now I'm thinking of developing him further. However, he might be already taken by half of you reviewers ;) Haha

Also I am going to try something new this chapter. A bunch of you said that I kinda skip around a bit but I think it adds to reality of it all. Now I'm going to sot of push that further. I hope you like it.

Well, Chapter 8 here we go!

Taken

Laughing and sharing brief stories about our hunt the group walked back inside and found an empty room to drop the food off in. We laughed and joked together.

In a spare moment I sent mother a message. We are back mother. The hunt was extremely successful. We will be completely sated during the storm.

Good, I can feel the changes in the air. The storm is coming soon. However, we will go on unaffected within the hive. We are safe and secure.

Yes mother.

Now, go on and relax until the storm clears.

I smiled. Garran and I would be able to spend some time together just us. Yay!

"Garran, mother said you and I can sit back and enjoy ourselves during the storm seeing as we have already hunted." He smiled and pulled me into a hug.

That's the best news I have heard all day. I giggled.

A couple of hours later Garran and I headed off to go eat. I gnawed at a turkey leg while Garran tore into an entire deer carcass. His second mouth shot out in flashes as he used its strength to tear the flesh apart and bring it back into his larger mouth.

I was leaning with my back against him while he was lying down with the deer between his claws. I finished first and threw away the bone to curl up against Garran's sleek body just behind his elbow. His feeding frenzy stopped for a moment while he turned his turn to nuzzle against the top of my head.

Garran went back to his meal and I settled down dangerously close to sleep.

Garran stood and turned to the sleeping form before him. Gently he picked me up and cradled me against his chest and headed off to our nest.

He dropped me onto the bed and curled around me.

Abruptly, horrible screeches and howls echoed through the halls.

I bolted upright and so did Garran. We listened to the screams of our family.

Garran wrapped an arm around my waist and pulled me against his body. His head swiveled in reaction to each new sound. His tail coiled around me.

I needed to feel his protection. I knew he wouldn't let anything hurt me. I shrunk into him…until my senses came back to me.

"Garran enough! We have to help them!"

Garran stared hard at me. Yes, you're right. But if the danger is too great I am getting you out of there understand?

I nodded, "yes". Garran unwrapped his tail and released me. I grabbed my knives and we sprinted toward the screams.

The tunnels let out into a very large chamber, one of the main central ones. There, at least twenty five xenos were attacking a group of yautja.

The hunters. Oh my god! They're back again!

There were maybe seven in the group. Only three of them had the shoulder guns and they were firing rapidly. Every once in a while a xeno would be thrown back. I knew they were most likely dead.

I only hesitated for a moment before I ran forward and tried to protect my family. Most of the fighters were praetorians but a few drones were here as well.

Tail blades were flying everywhere.

One of the drones distracted a hunter and a praetorian jumped from behind and managed to decapitate the yautja. The headless body dropped to the floor.

I notice Alcander attacking another hunter with two drones by his side. The yautja was bleeding from one arm and a blade wound on his chest. Alcander and the drones stepped back to regroup. The hunter took the chance to roar loudly at them in an attempt to frighten and disorient them.

I took the time to sneak up quietly behind him. As I got closer his roar hurt my ears. He was loud, I'll give him that. I jumped onto his back and before he could reach his wrist blades back I lodged one of my blades into his throat, right above the collar bone.

His roar faltered. Blood spouted out of the hole as I ripped the knife back out of his flesh. He reached for me but I leapt away. With me off of his back he put his hand over the wound in an attempt to stop the blood flow. It couldn't be helped. His lifeless body dropped to the floor.

As I watch him Alcander stepped over the still twitching body and came to me.

Maia, he said.

"Are you alright?" I asked.

Don't worry, I am fine.

"Good. Come, the fight is not yet over." We both turned and found a new target and attacked.

The battle continued and many xenomorphs fell but with our steady numbers those fighters were replaced and one by one the yautja began to collapse.

I noticed that they weren't young bloods trying to make their name in yautja society. No, these were blooded warriors. They were here for enjoyment. For the thrill. To make themselves better. My family were dying so these beasts could have a little fun!

I roared as I launched myself at a nearby warrior and began slicing away at him. Along with the attacks of my friends he couldn't hold on. I managed to hear his last words, "Pyode Amedha".

What the hell does that mean?

Another hunter roared loudly. I turned to see him. He was heavily decorated and older based on the long length of his dread locks and facial features.

He barked something and the other two remaining hunters turned to follow him out a tunnel. He made them leave first and turned back towards us. Then, he looked down at his wrist.

No! That could be a bomb. No one else noticed. I jumped at him while he was glancing down and sliced at his wrist. My knife cut through the metal wrist computer. The red lights blacked out. I landed in a crouch on the floor next to him.

He roared in anger and back handed me. I grunted as my body was forced to the floor from the impact.

Maia! I heard Garran yell. I turned to look back up at the yautja that still stood above me.

"Poyde Amedha" He said, just like the other one. I waited for his wrist blades to extend and slice into me.

Nothing happened.

Instead, he bent forward and grabbed me and threw me over his shoulder.

"Ah! Garran!" I shouted. The yautja turned and started walking down the tunnel and away from the xeno's huddling together defensively. I lifted my head to see Garran pushing through our siblings to try and reach me but they restrained him. I could hear his furious howls until we exited the hive home.

Garran? I called using our link.

Maia, I'm here. I can hear you. I could hear the intense worry in his voice.

Garran I'm scared!

I'm coming to get you Maia. You are going to be alright. I promise I'm coming for you! Hold on for me, Maia. Stay strong like the xenomorph I know you are.

I will. I'll fight them to my dying breath. I'll wait for you my darling. I have faith in you and in our love!

My Maia, his voice was a whisper. He was trying to hide his feelings from our connection but I could still identify the intense worry, the pain, the need, the anger, and desperate love he was feeling.

In an attempt to calm him I lied to him. Everything will be alright. He knew I was lying and it just pained him more. Tears slowly began to leak from my eyes.

Maia, all of his emotions were painfully clear as he said my name one more time before the yautja knocked me out.

Garran's POV:

The hunter threw my Maia over his shoulder and started walking away.

No!

I threw myself forward. I had to get to her! He couldn't have her! I was going to rip his head off!

Drones and praetorians around me grabbed onto me and held me back. They thought I would get hurt if I blindly attacked the yautja single handedly. They didn't understand. He had Maia!

Let go of me! I screamed.

Maia found me and locked her gaze on me. I could see the fear in her eyes. She struggled but to no avail. She was so frightened, I could feel it. She had saved us all and now she was paying the price. I wouldn't let that happen! I growled and snarled in fury.

Damnit get off of me!

Maia disappeared into the darkness. I couldn't see her anymore! I panicked. I could still feel her though. I felt the beat of her heart as it raced in fright. I howled again so Maia could hear.

Garran? she called.

Maia, I'm here. I can hear you. Our connection as mates let me feel her and hear her even at large distances.

Garran I'm scared!

I'm coming to get you Maia. You are going to be alright. I promise I'm coming for you! Hold on for me, Maia. Stay strong like the xenomorph I know you are. She had to hold on. I would do anything to get her back and I planned to do just that.

I was worried. Yes, my Maia had the heart of a true xenomorph but she had only a human body. That left her defenseless. If those bloody yautja touched her I will personally kill them all!

I will. I'll fight them to my dying breath. I'll wait for you. I have faith in you and in our love!

Oh how I loved her! She was the most precious thing in my whole world! This was my worst nightmare come true! I was going to protect my mate at all costs. I vowed she would be safe again!

My Maia, my voice was a whisper. I didn't want Maia to know the emotional turmoil I felt right now, she didn't need another thing to worry about.

Everything will be alright. I heard her say. She was lying. Even now she was trying to comfort me.

I desperately needed this beautiful creature to be all right.

Maia, I said and suddenly I lost her. I could still feel her steady heart beat but her mind wasn't there anymore. He must have knocked her unconscious. That asstard!

I ran away from the exit which startled the drones and so I was released. I forced my legs faster down the tunnels and raced into mothers chambers.

Mother! The hunters have taken Maia! She is gone! Let me go after her! Order the drones to let me leave!

They have taken Maia? She asked in shock.

Please! I begged.

Garran, you sound as if you are in pain.

I am mother. I know she is in danger and I am prevented from helping her! It hurts, my heart is in agony!

Garran of course you must get Maia back! Kill any yuatja in your way! Bring her home!

I rumbled a growl in anticipation. I bowed quickly then turned and ran off after Maia.

I ran into the open and sniffed the air. There, Maia's scent. That and the stench of the yautja. I ran in that direction.

Soon the green grounds turned into desert. The sky was covered in clouds from the approaching storm that cast shadows over the sand. Rain poured down from above and soaked me but I didn't care.

There were faint remnants of the yautja's footprints.

Maia? Maia can you hear me? I received no response. This spurred me on and I chased after the hunting group.

I had to reach them before they took off in their ship!

I know it's a bit weird going to Garran's point of view but I felt it was necessary there. So what do you think? Ideas? Suggestions? Thoughts? REVIEW PEOPLE!