Page 66 of Craved By the Alien Beast

“Perhaps, if we talk about this, we can come to a decision that will avoid war.”

“You know what Nevarn wants,” he said.

“More land to spread out in. More hunting grounds.”

“We can’t give in to him. If nothing, you’ll appear weak.”

“I won’t give in,” I grumbled. “I’m not weak.” The last came out louder than I’d intended, loud enough that Jessia, walking with the younglings toward her home, paused and looked our way.

Stunned by my outburst, Krute backed away a few steps. Good. He needed to respect me as his traedor even when he didn’t approve of my actions.

“I cannot act based on my feelings,” I said in a more reasonable tone. “I must think of all of us. Would you like to see our younglings killed in battle?”

“Of course not.”

Now, he sounded defensive, but he should.

“Yet here you are, urging me to lead an attack against another clan. Do you think they’ll run, and we’ll chase them all the way to the desert, and they’ll remain there? Because I don’t. Nevarn will stand, and he will fight. And we will lose males, as will his clan. If we lose too many, he’ll give chase. He won’t stop when he crosses into our territory. He’ll come here. We could lose our homes and this village we’ve only recently settled. You know his clan doesn’t live within the grace of the gods’ exoskeletons like we do.”

“I’ve heard they live in wooden homes. Can you imagine? They’ll burn. Rot. Collapse on top of them while they sleep.” He sighed. “However, I see what you mean. We don’t want this. There must be a way to keep them from encroaching on our land.”

“Which is why I’ll consult with the other traedors. It’s not weak to seek guidance. A strong leader listens before he acts.”

“Alright. I’ll give you time to speak with them.”

I lifted my brow ridge. “Give?”

“I want to act. So do a few of the other males.”

“You’re talking of challenging me again.”

“I don’t want to.” He spun on his heel and started walking away but turned back to face me. “But we can’t allow this to continue as it is.”

I was tempted to leap, to drag him down and show him once more that if nothing else, I possessed the strength needed to hold my position as traedor. But what purpose would that serve? He’d slink away once more, and next time, he might not come to me with his concerns; he’d do what he pleased behind my back.

After I located Vanessa, I may need to reconsider who should take the place as my second.

Because Krute may not be the best person for that job.

Chapter 33

Vanessa

Iawoke to someone carrying me and a throbbing pain in my left arm. It bled, blood trickling off my fingers and down my side. Thinking Aizor must be holding me, and I was safe, I snuggled into his embrace.

His scent was totally wrong. Looking up, I’d never seen this alien before in my life.

Squawking, I flailed, almost passing out when pain exploded in my arm. His grip on me tightened. He was so much larger than me that he barely had to use any of his considerable strength to make me hold still.

“Let me go,” I snarled, tears trickling from my eyes. I wasn’t scared, though I wasn’t sure why, but my arm . . . It hung at an odd angle, telling me it was broken. Even worse, shattered bone gouged through my skin.

“I need a doctor. A hospital,” I cried out. “I’m going to get gangrene. My arm will rot and fall off. I’m going to die.” And I’d never see Aizor again, never feel his touch or hear him whispering sweet words in my ears.

“You won’t die. I’ll protect you, tiny one,” the male said. He wore furs, unlike those in the Indigan Clan who dressed in clothing provided by their gods. “I found you lying on the ground, and you’re sorely wounded. I’m taking you to my clan’s healer.”

“Take me back to the Indigan Clan. My mate . . .” Should I mention him, or would that only put him in danger?

“Whois your mate? Indigan, you say? That means you belong to Aizor.” His head cocked as he strode along a path weaving through the woods. Other males dressed in a similar manner trotted along with him, bristling with simple weapons. I spied wooden spears, and one male held a large bow with a quiver full of arrows strapped to his spine. Feathers jutted up behind his head.

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