Page 29 of An Alien for the Future

I stare at him. “You used my weather cover and not your own?” But that isn’t what I really want to say. What I really want to say is “gratitude”. Even without questioning, he’s fully supporting my decision to stay out here until I can figure it all out. This is what you call a true ally.

Arnak grins at me. “Why use mine when yours was available?”

I growl and he grins wider before heading to his grav bike. He hops on the thing, waiting for me to do the same to mine.

“Come on, brother. We have to make it to town before the other Kari fill the queues.”

My brow tightens. “What queues?”

His grin widens. “As I thought. I’ve tried pinging you countless times over the past two sols and there was no answer. You had your comm off, didn’t you?”

I blink. Yes, he’s right. I forgot about it. “What does it matter?”

“There’s been news, brother. News I think will help you.”

I stareat the notification on my comm, hardly believing it. Standing here in the queue, Arnak practically bounces on his feet beside me.

“Isn’t this great? We can all know. No more wondering.”

Attention all Kariand Human citizens.

A voluntary program has been established to analyze the potential for mate bonds between your species. This program requires a simple lifeblood sample and will provide valuable insights into compatibility. Participation is encouraged.

A test.A simple test that will tell me with the surety what I already know, that Donna is mine. Not only will it be proof, she will have the surety, too. It’s almost hard to believe. Almost too good to be true.

“The two Korruk brothers have mated these females. Found theirkahlsin them,” I hear another Kari saying. “I hear there is one other female of this species living here. I hope she will be mine.”

They’re talking about Donna, no doubt.

“We all hope,” his companion says. “Do you know where she stays?”

“Out in the plains, but that area is vast. It will take me some time to find her.”

I stiffen, a white hot rage swelling within me so much that I don’t realize I’m glaring at the males until Arnak grips my arm.

“Brother,” he says, gaze shifting to the two males then back to me. “We are next.”

It is with much effort that I move my legs toward the medics waiting before us in this crowded hall. More Kari than I have ever seen before in one place since we came to this world. And all because we’re desperate to find ourkahls.

But I’ve already found mine.

Arnak is before me. It’s a simple extraction. A device on the muscle in the arm and a sample is taken.

“Next,” the medic calls and Arnak moves out of the line, his gaze shifting to me for a brief moment.

As I step up to the medic’s table, it is only then that I notice the Saffion sitting there. A species with tall ears and fur-covered bodies, this one is all white.

“So far, we have a much larger turnout than we expected,” I hear him mutter. “And only one human.”

“Has she come in to do her sample yet?” the medic asks as she gestures me forward.

“Not yet,” the Saffion sighs. “I think it is best I head out and retrieve it myself. Donna is…strong-willed and might be opposed to this.”

Donna…

“But the notification was sent to all humans and Kari on this world, was it not?” The medic gestures me forward again and only then do I realize I’d stopped walking. “It’s part of thereason so many have turned up today, for a chance to meet these females.”

The Saffion grunts. “There is only one. And as I said, she is…stubborn. I have another human coming in a few sols, but she has already communicated that she is also not interested. These females might need some reassurance before putting themselves forward.”

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