Page 23 of Alien Prince's Fated Mate

“I know. Go hunt.”

He inhaled sharply, then forced himself to step back.

“Elder Mahra.” His voice carried an edge of warning. “Keep her safe.”

“Mind your manners, young prince.” Mahra’s rebuke carried the weight of years. “I’ve been guarding treasures since before you were born.”

A flash of shame crossed Tharon’s face before he ducked out of the tent.

Mahra called out to a servant just outside the tent flap. “Bring clean clothing and hot water for washing.” She turned back to me. “That one needs to be careful. His Valti nature rides too close to the surface.”

“What do you mean?”

“The beast within him grows stronger each day.” She poured more wine. “And I suspect you, my dear, are the cause.”

“The cause?” My mouth went dry. How could I have anything to do with this?

Before Mahra could explain, three Shakai women ducked into the tent carrying a wooden tub between them.

The women’s copper skin glowed in the brazier light, their long hair twisted into intricate braids - one silver, one deepblue, one a mix of both. They dressed in fitted leather pants and loose silk tunics that shimmered as they moved, cinched with elaborately tooled belts. Small spots trailed down their necks, barely visible against their skin.

Despite their delicate features and small frames, they lifted the heavy tub with practiced ease.

Two more followed with steaming buckets. The sharp scent of herbs filled the air as they poured the water.

I pulled my robe closer. The Temple had stripped away any modesty long ago, but these strangers...

Mahra waved her hand. “Leave us.” The women bowed and retreated. “No need to be shy, child. I’ve borne three children and buried two husbands. There’s nothing I haven’t seen, and I know how to keep a secret.”

Still, I hesitated.

“Come.” She stood behind me, her hands gentle on my shoulders. “Let me help you.”

The robe slipped away. Cool air kissed my skin as Mahra guided me into the tub. The water enveloped me in blessed heat, easing muscles I hadn’t realized ached.

Mahra’s fingers traced one of the scars on my back where the firewhips of the priests had marked me, brushed the newly healed skin where the access ports down my spine had been. “Has Tharon seen these yet?”

“Of course not.” Heat rushed to my face as I imagined his hands there instead of hers, trailing over the marks of my imprisonment. Would he be disgusted? Or would his touch be as tender as his gaze?

I dunked my head under the water. “Tell me about his beast. Please. What did you mean?”

“Ah.” Mahra poured sweet-scented oil onto my shoulders. “The warriors of the Shakai kingdoms are fierce. But there are some that carry something extra in the blood. The Valti are bothblessed and cursed. Their strength, their passion - it comes with a price. The beast grows stronger as they age, until they find their true mate.”

“And if they don’t?”

“They lose themselves to it. Become nothing but the beast.” Her hands stilled. “Tharon has fought his nature longer than most. To be honest, I’d doubted he carried the Valti blood at all. But now...”

I turned to face her. “Now?”

“Now he’s found you.” Her grin widened. “His mate.”

THARON

Outside the tent, my blood roared through my veins. The need to run, to hunt, to kill thrummed beneath my skin. Every step away from Niam pulled at me until an ache grew deep in my very bones.

Two days. Two impossible days with her, and already the thought of leaving her side burned.

“Prince Tharon.” Bavak’s call cut through my thoughts. He stood with three other hunters, bows strapped to their backs. “Join us?”

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