Page 72 of An Alien for Her Heart

“You go, girl!” Donna’s voice echoes across the plains.

Xarion rushes after me, his long strides quickly eating up the distance between us. “You don’t understand!” he calls, his voice strained with distress. “The Kari is a predator species. They are not like us. The rut…it’s not safe for you! Varek wouldn’t want you to endanger yourself like this! That is why he left. He knows the damage he could do.”

I shake my head, my hair whipping around my face as I push my body to move. “He won’t hurt me.” I manage to gasp out. “Varek needs me. And I need him. I’m not afraid.”

And it’s true. The fear that had gripped me so tightly earlier has melted away, replaced by a fierce determination, an unshakable certainty that this is right. That Varek and I belong together, come what may.

Xarion makes one last grab for my arm, but I twist away, my chest heaving with exertion. He stands there helplessly as I race towards the oogas, his expression a mix of frustration and deep concern. “You face death on both sides, human. Eleanor Taylor was lucky.”

I don’t know how I manage to heave myself on top of the ooga. The gentle animal doesn’t protest and I’m happy. ButXarion’s words stop me in my tracks. “What do you mean by that?”

The Saffion sighs before straightening and adjusting the cuff of his coat. “We do not want to lose you, Catherine. Your welfare is of great importance. But…”

“But?” My jaw tightens, impatience rising high in my blood.

“If you don’t accept the Kari’s mate bond, he will certainly die.”

I got still. “What?”

Xarion releases a breath before walking slowly toward the remaining ooga. “He will go insane with the need to claim you. It will lead to his demise.”

I glare at Xarion. “And you think that’s a good reason for me tonotgo to him?”

Xarion releases a defeated sigh. In a graceful movement, he launches himself on top of the free ooga. “I said no such thing.” His gaze shifts to me. “I am simply concerned. I meant it when I said your welfare is important.”

My brows furrow as I turn the ooga, guiding it with cues from my legs. “You’re not changing my mind. You’re not stopping me.”

“I am no longer attempting to.” The defeated tone makes my gaze shift back to the Saffion.

“Then what are you doing?”

He sighs again. “I am accompanying you. The least I can do is get you there safely…despite my reservations.”

I blink in surprise, not expecting this turn of events. But I’m not about to look a gift horse—or in this case, a gift Saffion—in the mouth. If Xarion’s presence means a swifter, safer journey to Varek, then I’ll take it.

I nod curtly, adjusting my grip on the ooga. “Fine. But we need to hurry. Every second counts.”

Xarion inclines his head in agreement, his own mount shifting restlessly beneath him. Together, we turn our steeds towards the path Varek took, ready to race after him.

Just as we’re about to kick our oogas into a gallop, Donna’s voice rings out from the porch behind us. “You two be careful now,” she calls, her usually jovial tone undercut with genuine worry. “And Catherine, honey, you give that male of yours a good wallop upside the head for runnin’ off like that! Then a big ol’ smooch to make it better!”

She winks at me, letting me know she means I should give him so much more than a smooch and the action releases some of the tension from my veins. I smile at her. “Sorry for running off like this!”

Donna shakes her head. “It’s fine. I’ll be waiting here.” Her face grows serious. “Go get your man.”

I push back the intensity of emotion swelling within me as I give her a nod and face the road again.

I’m going to go get my man.

My love.

My everything.

22

CATHERINE

The oogas move much faster than I expected, their powerful legs eating up the distance with every stride. The wind whips through my hair as we race across the Hudoian landscape, the morning sun rising high over the horizon and warming my back as we go.

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