Page 15 of Claimed By the Alien Barbarian

“I’ll make sure the one who killed Weela pays with his or her life,” he said.

“Won’t killing someone else get you banished again?”

He shrugged and stared forward; his face resolute. “Perhaps, but I don’t want to live in that clan any longer. I have a new one where I’m welcome, and I’ll remain there forever.”

“Forever is a very long time.” I frowned. If I had known who killed my mom, would I have gone vigilante and sought justice?

There was a good chance I would’ve.

He turned a pensive look my way. “Please come with me. I’ll keep you safe.”

“I’ve done well enough on my own.”

“You have.”

His agreement surprised me.

“However, how long can you keep going with only snatches of sleep while leaning against the trunk of a tree?” he asked.

“I’m going to build a shelter.”

“I have an offer for you.”

“What kind of offer?”

Light sparkled in his gorgeous teal eyes. It wasn’t fair for a guy to have such pretty eyes. “Join me on the ground, and I’ll tell you.” One leap, and he landed squarely on his feet on the forest floor.

Smug pride filled me. He was oozing pus from his belly and slipping into sepsis when he found me three days ago, and I’d healed him with my simple medical kit alone. Look at him now, jumping around without flinching.

It took me longer to climb down, but I soon faced him across my cold fire that wasn’t much of a barrier to this person who was much stronger than me. He’d been bred and raised here. I was a transplant—one much too small for a planet full of enormous, dangerous beasts.

“Come with me to the Dastalon Clan,” he said. “Once I’ve made Weela’s murderer pay, I’ll take you to my clan.”

“Ah yes,” I said with a huff. “Where you’ll be happy to lure me into your bed.”

His head tilted, and he watched my face. “CouldI lure you into my bed?”

“No,” I snapped.

His tusky smile rose, making that same dreamy feeling shoot through me, aiming for my stupid clit who perked up like a puppy in need of pats.

“I mean it,” I said.

His smile only grew slyer. “If I could lure you into my bed, I’d do so. Otherwise, I’ll give you your own tree to live in. We have plenty.”

“You live in treehouses?”

“Our homes are inside the tree trunk, not up in the tree. Helena gifted us with them. I’m sure she’ll craft one for you.”

I’d have to see this to believe it, but I nodded, urging him to finish presenting his bargain.

“What do you want in exchange for offering me a home?” I asked. Sex, sex, sex. Wasn’t that always the way with guys?

“Nothing.”

The word popped my indignation balloon, but I shored up my spine and met his gaze with a steely scowl. There had to be a catch. “Nothing? Surely there’ssomethingyou want.”

“I’d like you to remain with me while I investigated Weela’s murder.”

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