Page 72 of Treasured By the Alien Rogue

“The Indigan Clan have tamed many hepadons. They use them for travel and ride on their backs.”

If Zuldruxians rode hepadons, the creatures must be huge. “Are we going riding?” Where would we travel to?

“We might. I think you’d enjoy seeing the Veerenad city, and we could see much of the area around my clan, but the main reason for trading is to obtain a mated pair. They’ll have young.”

“Are you planning to start a herd?” I still couldn’t see how this related to me.

“Slowly, perhaps. This is something I’ve long thought of doing. Hepadons are strong and fierce. They’re protective and would sound the alert if predators come near. Being able to travel quickly through the forest would have value as well. Imagine the amount of meat I could bring to the village if I could place most of it on a hepadon’s back.”

“I can see they’ll be an asset to our village.”

He grinned. “I like that you said our village.”

“I feel at home here, but it’s not just because almost everyone has welcomed me. It’s you, Xax. I’m happy here because I can be with you.”

Would the elder separate us? That was the only dark cloud looming in the distance. I wanted her to return, but not if she was going to say their gods thought I should mate with Tribon.

Xax tugged me into his arms. “Your home is in my heart.”

I kissed his chest and soaked up his warmth and the wonder of being nestled in his arms.

“After a hepadon youngling is born, I’m going to try to milk the female.”

Ohhhh. Leaning back in his embrace, I smiled so widely, my cheeks ached. “I can’t believe you’ve gone to all this effort just to make sure I’ll have milk for my tea shop.”

“Anything you want. Anything you need, mate, I live to deliver.”

“And that’s why I love you, Xax.” There, I’d said it. The feelings crept up on me when I wasn’t looking but when they pounced, I rolled over and let them consume me.

“Mate,” he said. He gently removed Maverick from my shoulder, placing him on the ground, then swept me up and kissed me.

I wanted to roll around in the grass, but he was right that we weren’t safe doing something like that here. We couldn’t afford to be distracted. He must’ve had the same thought, because he lowered me to my feet, his mouth still connected to mine.

When he lifted his head, he gave me a tusky grin. “Mate.”

I nodded. “Mate.”

“I love your surprise,” I said as we walked back to the village, Maverick bobbing on my shoulder with his tail resting on the back of my neck. Xax held my hand, his spear in the other. “I understand why you’re worried about me going into the woods alone.” I looked up at him. “We were both abandoned. I used my sadness to make myself stronger, and I suspect you found it easier to cling.”

“You’re right,” he said with a sigh. He squeezed my hand. “Knowing you love me gives me the strength to step away from what makes me comfortable.”

“It won’t be easy, but the more you do it, the easier it gets.”

We left the forest and approached the village. A bunch of Zuldruxians had gathered near the firepit, so when we rounded my tea shop, we continued over to join them.

As we approached, some turned toward us.

They all appeared so solemn. What was going on?

They parted and a lean Zuldruxian female strode through them, aiming for us. Digaray halted close by, her head tilting. She took in our clasped hands, our fading smiles.

I didn’t like how grim she appeared.

Chapter 33

Xax

My mother was back. Her gaze met mine, but I didn’t know how to read the somber expression on her face.

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