Page 12 of Fated to the Alien Healer

“You have been lucky then,” Kyler says.

“More like I was kept on a tight leash.”

His brow bones shift. An action I wouldn’t have said was sexy until now. “What is a leash?”

I curse my stupid mouth. No one wants to spill their childhood trauma to a guy they hardly know. We may have been living in the same village for the last four months, and we are obviously now mates, but he and I are most definitely notthereyet. Then again, if we’re going to be spending our lives together, it’s only fair Kyler know what he’s in for having me as his wifey.

“It’s like a tether.”

His feline-like eyes widen, then narrow, and there’s a sudden tension in his body. His fists clench. “They tether humans on Earth?”

Of course the concept doesn’t translate. Tavikhi wouldn’t understand the dynamics back home. “Not literally. It’s a figure of speech. It just means I wasn’t allowed a lot of opportunities to do any activities that could lead to broken bones.”

Kyler blinks and cocks his head slightly. His mouth parts as though he has more questions, and I brace myself for whatever they might be. There must be an expression on my face that gives him pause, because his lips close.

“I had really controlling parents.” Might as well lay all the facts out there.

It’s not as though the girls don’t know my history. Most of it anyway. Only Maeve knows about Amelia. Well, maybe Sage. I didn’t ask, and she’s never mentioned it.

A warm hand covers mine. “I am sorry you were not given the freedom to experience things.”

Freedom.

I suppose in some ways I was a prisoner. Although, what normal person would complain about being given every advantage in life? My closet had been full of more clothes than I could wear in a lifetime. Same with shoes. If I wanted something, I never had to worry about not having enough credits. Compared to the bottom tier, I had access to anything I could ever want. But what does that matter if, at the same time, I was slowly being suffocated? Smothered and controlled to the point that I had almost no autonomy. It’s only one of the reasons I rebelled so hard.

I squeeze Kyler’s hand and don’t let go. His touch is comforting, which is even more shocking since I’m not really one for showing affection. Not since Amelia. “Thank you.”

We sit there for several minutes, neither of us letting the other go. When was the last time I did nothing more than hold someone’s hand? I’m not sure I ever have. My sister most likely, but it’s been so long since she’s been gone, my memories aren’t reliable. Every time Bryce touched me, I had to withhold my flinch. I didn’t want to be labeled a freak. Fat lot of good that did me.

The quiet of the forest, along with Kyler’s presence, is soothing. The warriors who stayed behind talk softly amongst themselves, although Kala and Evren are missing. Considering the Krijese’s warning about not staying put for long, he’s probably out scouting for more Njeri. For the first time in a long time, a small amount of peace settles over me. At least until a sudden urge hits out of nowhere. Mother fu…

C’mon, not now, damn it. Except my body is betraying me. I press my thighs together and clench to try and keep the need at bay, but it’s not doing shit.

“Is all well, Zara?” Kyler shifts closer as if he might need to rush to my aid.

Fuck.

I have two choices. One, I can embarrass myself by pissing my pants or two, I can embarrass myself by having him help me to nature’s toilet. Neither choice is appealing, but if I’m going to be mortified, I’d rather be mortified with dry pants. Plus, as my mate, Kyler’s going to see my undercarriage one of these days anyway. Might as well be today.

I clear my throat. God, could my life get any worse? I hastily glance up and stare at the canopy of trees as though the deity lives within them.No, wait, forget I said anything. I turn my head to the male beside me and blow out a heavy breath.

“All the water I drank needs somewhere to go.” I raise my arm a fraction and pray I’m spared the indignity of asking for assistance by the sudden appearance of Remi, but no such luck. “I’m…I’m going to need some help though. Please.”

For a second, I worry I’ll have to spell it out even farther, but Kyler’s eyes pop open. He scrambles to his feet and stretches out a hand. Avoiding eye contact, I clasp it and let him help me up.

“Come this way.” He leads me away from our camp and deeper into the trees.

Forest sounds remain and the cool air feels good against my heated cheeks. Despite the thick overgrowth, I can tell it’s late in the day. A slight breeze blows the branches so they sway and dance, exposing fragments of the darkening sky. I get a few flashes of one of the moons. Soon, it’s going to be too dark to see anything in front of my face.

We don’t travel far when Kyler comes to a stop and faces me. “What do you need me to do?”

“Just stand here for a second, please.” I work at my pants, but the urge grows stronger and I’m far too slow. “Goddamn it. I can’t get these off.”

I don’t have to ask twice. In a flash, my pants and underwear are down around my knees. I grab his arm to steady myself and squat. Because this whole thing isn’t bad enough, I start humming to cover up the sound and if there’s one thing I’m not, it’s someone who can sing on-key for shit.

For another minute I stay in position until I use my legs to push myself to standing. Except my weakened muscles scream in protest. I’m stuck right where I am. With my cooch nearly touching the ground and a puddle of piss beneath me while I hold onto a hot dude for dear life so I don’t fall on my bare ass.

It’s so absolutely ridiculous that a snort escapes. Then a small chuckle, until I’m laughing so hard tears fall. Except the laughter dries up, and all I’m left with are tears of mortification. I’m sobbing so hard, I barely notice Kyler brings me to my feet, redresses me, and picks me up. I’m cradled in his arms, with my head on his shoulder. He carries me back to camp and sits on a stump with me in his lap. He holds me until I’m all cried out. Even then, I don’t move.

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