Page 43 of Fated to the Alien Rebel

“I did, thank you.”

As much as I would like to linger in our furs, Sage needs to eat. “Would you like to wash up and dress while I get us both the morning meal?”

Just then her stomach makes a growling noise and she laughs softly. “That sounds great. Afterward, I really need to go check on Sorin.”

Because I cannot help myself, I bend and mouth touch with her. “I will bring us food and then we will go to the healer’s tent.”

She nods and I stand. Her gaze follows me and she openly stares at my nakedness until I have pulled on the leg coverings, which is more difficult than usual because Sage’s studying of me has hardened my cock. I add two more pieces of wood to the fire to help warm the tent and then I exit to head to the central fire. I am nearly there when I pause. All the tribespeople are gathered around, but they stare at something close by.

I spot a small group of armed warriors, including Benham and Zydon. To my surprise, Kala is also among them. They form a curved line that has Zander at its center. Several paces behind the warriors are the shefira and her tribe sisters. They are nearly close enough to each other to touch. Remi has a tight grip on her sparring staff and her sword hangs from the belt at her waist.

Standing in front of our shefir is another male, but not one of our tribe.

I wish I had brought my staff as well.

The other male’s flesh blends in with the cold dust that blankets the ground, only broken up by the small piece of hide the color of the fiku wood that circles his hips. Unlike the Tavikhi and the Krijese, he does not possess any hair and his eyes are the color of themanerrat berry. Although I only saw one of their tribe members once when I was a young kit, I recognize the male to be Njeri. What is he doing so far from his village?

I close the distance until I stand beside Kala. Zander’s anger is evident.

“Go back to your tribe leader and tell him that the human females are not available for trade.” The shefir’s grip on his sword hilt at his waist tightens.

Trade? That is why the Njeri is here? To offer an exchange of some kind for the females?

“The former shefir made an agreement with Terim. All things were open to trade. It does not matter that you had nothing we wanted until now. Are you now going back on your word?”

“Djentar would never agree to trade living beings. I do not go back on the agreement, but the humans are not part of it,” Zander’s tone is sharp.

The Njeri does not take his eyes off the shefir. “The Tavikhi are not a people of honor then.”

“We have enough honor to not trade in flesh. I will not continue to negotiate with you. My word is final. Return to your village and do not come back.”

For several tense moments, the Njeri remains where he stands, his gaze focused on Zander and completely ignoring the other warriors despite them being armed. “You will regret this decision.”

The other male turns his back on the shefir and walks toward the village entrance appearing unfazed by all the armed warriors behind him. None of my tribe brothers let down their guard until the Njeri is no longer in sight.

“I do not believe you have seen the last of him,” Kala breaks the silence, and everyone turns his way. “The Njeri are not known for forgiving what they feel are slights. King Armik and our people have had many battles with their people when he would not agree to trade with them.”

“The Krijese is most likely correct,” Benham adds.

Zander glances toward where the Njeri disappeared and faces all of us. “Increase the patrols around the outside of the village. Set up several more scouts to monitor from the trees.”

With this new possible threat, I am now more determined than ever to return to training so I am ready to protect not only my tribespeople, but my mate. Slowly the village returns to life and everyone goes back to eating. The mated females rush to their mates and step into their arms. I need to get back to Sage. Quickly, I gather two vessels ofkokrra, sweeten them with shurup nectar, and go back to my tent.

Sage is dressed and seated on a fur. “Is everything all right? You were gone for a while.”

I lower myself next to her and pass her one of the vessels. “One of the Njeri was within the village speaking to Zander.”

“Oh man, I’m kind of disappointed I missed him. I admit I’m curious what the other tribes on this planet look like.”

A protective wave surges. “He was not here for a good reason.”

Sage tilts her head and the furry lines over her eyes shift. “What did he want then?”

I debate giving her the truth, because I do not want her to fear anything, but mykeeshlais strong. “When I was a kit and Zander’s baba was Shefir, he and the leader of the Njeri created a trade agreement. It would appear that we had nothing they wanted in all this time so they did not ask. But now…we do. They want to trade for the human females.”

Her eyes widen. “I’m sorry, what? Are you serious? Obviously Zander didn’t agree, did he?”

“The shefir would never agree to trade any of the females.” I am surprised she would ask.

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