Page 61 of An Alien for the Future

I stand up, moving to stand beside Tovan. His claw immediately finds my back, resting there over my spine.

“What’s going on?” I ask, gaze shifting from Arnak to Xarion who now comes to stand by his side.

“Kahlesta…” Arnak does a slow bow that makes my eyes widen slightly. My gaze shifts to Tovan before sliding back to the two males before us. Xarion releases a breath before folding his arms behind his back.

“Donna Johnson,” he says, before his red gaze slides to Tovan. “Tovan Kamesh. There is trouble in the town. Rumors. Concerning ones.”

My heart sinks. Somehow, I know this has something to do with that stranger who showed up at our door. The one Tovan chased off.

Tovan shifts his arm so it slides around my waist, tucking me into his side. He’s still focused on the two males. I don’t even think he’s realized what he’s doing. “What rumors?”

Arnak sighs, running a hand over his face. “That male who came here a few sols ago…”

“You know about that?” My eyes narrow slightly and Arnak focuses on me once more. I wait for the shiver, the disgust like when that stranger appeared at my door and I had the instinct to run. But there’s none. His presence doesn’t bother me. Despite the fact I’ve only just met him, he doesn’t give me the same vibes that stranger did.

“Everyone knows,” he says. “He’s been spreading stories in town.”

“Concerning ones,” Xarion repeats.

My stomach churns. “What stories?” But I think I already know.

Xarion releases a heavy breath as if the whole world is on his shoulders. “Apparently, Tovan Kamesh is holding you hostage. Keeping you here against your will, while using you for his own pleasure.”

I sputter, my eyes widening as I choke on a laugh. “What?” But not one of the males standing around me share my humor. “That’s…that’s ridiculous! How could anyone believe that?”

“He is Kari and you are human. You do not have the means to fight back,” Xarion deadpans.

I shake my head, scoffing again. “Alright, I know where this is going. Listen. I haven’t been forced to do anything. I—”

“So youhavemated with the Kari.” Xarion’s words make mine die in my throat. I never thought I’d be confessing what happened in my bedroom to anyone—not even myself, to be honest.

I open my mouth and slam it shut. Crossing my arms over my chest, I meet Xarion’s gaze. “Yes.” Before he can say anotherword, I continue. “I know I said I wanted nothing to do with these males but—”

“But you tried for the sake of the Initiative.” Xarion does a slow nod.

Oh, bless him. He’s so clueless. “Yep. Completely for the Initiative.”

Arnak’s expression is grim. “You have to understand, Tovan. Humans are still new here. Many Kari have never interacted with one before. And with the fact that you have claimed she is yourkahlwithout activation of your core-rhythm…”

My heart stutters. Of course. It all boils down to that. To the very uncertainty I’ve decided to end tomorrow.

Arnak continues. “There’s unrest in town. Some of the more vocal Kari are talking about coming here, to ‘liberate’ your female.”

“The hell they are,” I blurt out. The very idea is so absurd that I almost want to laugh, but the gravity of the situation stops me. This is serious. People could get hurt. Tovan could get hurt.

“I’m doing the test tomorrow.” I shift my focus to Xarion, giving him a tight smile even as that anxiety returns, churning in my chest. “I’ll give the blood sample.”

Xarion’s nose twitches. “We have to do it now.” He turns his gaze to the skies. “The test we developed is reliable. It will find your mate and once the mate bond is underway, his core-rhythm will sing. He will go into a rut and you will need to decide if you wish to risk your life by accepting his bond.”

Right. I knew some of this before, of course. But back then, it wasn’t me who was the subject of all this. It had been Catherine.

“Because he’ll be driven out of his mind with…” I clear my throat, now completely aware of the warmth of Tovan’s arm around my waist. “With need.”

“Affirmative. And once you accept the bond, we hope there will be kahl sigils that will carve their way into your flesh, proofyou are his and that your lifelines are embedded. That should be enough to quell this unrest. If not, the presence of a core-rhythm should.” Xarion sighs, his gaze dropping from the skies. “This visit will require a significant update to the Initiative, Donna Johnson. If you are truly this Kari’skahl,your lifeline will extend. I’ll be documenting your antics for eons.”

I snort, unable to help myself. “You aren’t getting rid of me…but lifeline extending? What do you mean?”

Xarion shifts his gaze between me and Tovan before his nose twitches. “I should not say. We are still researching this. But, the two other humans, Eleanor and Catherine, have shown signs of cell regeneration.”

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