Page 11 of Fated to the Alien Rebel

“What you’re saying then, is that because this soul light thing within you didn’t ignite, and I don’t have one in the first place, there is no mate bond. It doesn’t matter that you have mating marks. You don’t feel anything toward me.” Sage finishes so quietly, and her gaze has dropped away from me. “I see.”

“It is not that I do not feel anything.” Seeing her hurting triggers something inside me. I do not like this feeling.

“It’s fine. I understand.” She nods and heads for the entrance.

“Sage—”

“No, really,” she cuts me off. “You don’t have to try and make things up so I feel better. I’m a grown woman. It’s not as though you’re the first guy to not be that into me. Don’t worry, I won’t bother you anymore.”

Before I can call her back, she is gone.

Chapter 6

Sage

I’m not going to cry.

I’m not going to cry.

Except blinking and squeezing my eyes shut isn’t working that well. I swipe at a stray tear and take in a deep cleansing breath. The frigid air burns my lungs. Stupid cold season. Just because I didn’t want to continue torturing myself by staying with Jodah, I also don’t want him to be by himself, so I go searching for Kyler.

He’s just leaving one of the elder’s tents when I spot him. His eyes widen briefly at the sight of me. “Is all well?”

“Yeah, it’s fine. I just wanted you to know I’d left. Somebody should probably be with him until he’s more healed.” And right now that just can’t be me.

He studies me closely. “Did you and Jodah speak of the mating then?”

A laugh tinged with hysteria pops out of me. “You can’t be mated to someone whose soul burst thingy didn’t come on.”

“It does not mean that a bond cannot form between two people,” Kyler tries to reassure me, but I’m feeling way too sorry for myself at the moment.

“I’m not going to force my presence on a male who doesn’t have any interest in me. I’m not that desperate for a mate.”

Kyler glares. “You are not forcing anything on anyone.”

“I don’t want to talk about this anymore.” I point toward the tent he just left. “How’s the elder doing?”

He opens his mouth, but with a single narrow-eyed stare from me, he sighs. “He was given a dose of medicine, and I left the bottle with him with the instructions that he must take another dose after the midday meal and another before he retires for the night. He will need to take the same dosage for three turns of the sun.”

“I’ll come back and check on him later to make sure the cough isn’t getting any worse. In this weather, it wouldn’t be good for him to get pneumonia.”

Kyler cocks his head. “What is this new-moan-a?”

“Pneu-moan-eea. It’s a lung disease humans get, although there’s nothing to say Tavikhi couldn’t get it either. It’s some type of infection.” I’d gotten it once during my teensand it was the worst I’ve ever felt in my life. I thought for sure I was going to die.

“I believe I have seen something similar before. Yes, it is a good idea to check and make sure it does not happen.”

“I’m going to go work on my healing balm for the humans for a while.” It’s almost perfect and yes, it’s an excuse to not go back to the healer’s tent. At least not until Jodah’s recovers and can return to his own. Am I being a coward for avoiding him? Maybe, but I’m also not a glutton for punishment.

Kyler grips my arm in the brotherly way he has. “Do not give up hope, Sage. I will pray to Deeka for her wisdom.”

Deeka’s not on my list of favorite people right now, but I won’t blaspheme my friend’s religion, so I settle for a thank you. While the healer makes for his tent, I head for mine. Everything is changing. I’ve never been good with change, so I’ve been a lot more on edge lately.

There’s busyness all around the village as everyone goes about their daily tasks. There are a lot of things that need to be done, especially since the tribespeople’s numbers have increased by fifteen or so since their last cold season. More and more hunters are staying out longer to bring back more animals whose hides are used for both furs and clothing and their meat used to feed everyone.

A couple of the still-recovering warriors are hauling wood to the supply tent. Between all the residences plus the central fire for cooking, we go through a lot of firewood to stay warm. I pass a couple of the human children helping whose small arms are laden with a few sticks. The Tavikhichildren often go out hunting, so they’re not always here. Then, there are my friends and their different tasks that keep them busy.

London has her shefira duties which is basically wandering around the village and making sure everyone has what they need and that they’re taken care of. She’s also still teaching the kids how to read and write. Or at least figuring out the best way to do so, since there are virtually no supplies on Tavikh for writing. Painting and etching pictures on rocks, but not actual writing. For now, she’s using sticks to write in the dirt. Meanwhile, Remi is busy sparring or going out on hunts.

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