Page 13 of Fated to the Alien Healer

I breathe in his sweet eucalyptus fragrance and soak in his warmth. The fact I’m not ready to clamber off him doesn’t escape me. If it were anyone else, I’d be itching to get away from their touch. It makes me twitchy. But not Kyler’s. If his mating marks didn’t signify we were mates, this cements it.

Finally, I wipe away the dried tracks on my cheeks and raise my head to meet his gaze. I’m so close I can make out the tiny furrows at the corners of his eyes and above his brow bones, as well as the various strands of white hairs threaded through the yellow-gold ones. Has Sage ever mentioned Kyler’s age before? He said he’s almost an elder, but other than the few lines on his face, I never would have guessed.

Some compulsion moves me to reach up and trace them. He freezes beneath my touch and his vertical pupils dilate. An acute awareness passes between us, and the surrounding forest and people disappear. The throbbing ache in my core returns, and as though he can scent my arousal, Kyler’s nostrils flare.

Without thinking I lean in and brush my lips across his. Up until the humans got here, this intimate act isn’t something the Tavikhi did. They’d never heard of kissing before so they started calling it mouth touching, which always makes me smile. A noise breaks us apart and Kyler’s hand goes to the sword strapped across his back, but he lowers it at the sight of Zydon and Remi returning. Each carries a dreri over their shoulders.

Her gaze scans the camp until it lands on me. One side of her mouth kicks up and heat returns to my face at the position I’m in. Refusing to be embarrassed for where I’m seated, I wiggle my eyebrows up and down. She chuckles and shakes her head. I turn back to Kyler.

“Thank you. For taking care of me.” No one’s cared for me since Amelia died except myself. It’s actually kind of nice to let someone else do it for a change.

Don’t get used to it, since it probably won’t last.

“You are my mate. It is not only my duty, but rather, my privilege, to care for you,” Kyler says with an intense stare.

I shift under the scrutiny and then abruptly freeze at the hardness beneath my ass. An impish part of me wants to torture him just a little, but I’ll be torturing myself as well. We’re out in the open and surrounded by people. Neither of us can act on the obvious attraction between us. But also, I’m injured and not in the best shape to be getting frisky, even if I wanted to. Not that I don’t want to, but I can admit being terrified. The last time I was with someone, my life went tits up and I wound up here.

“Thank you,” I repeat rather lamely.

The smell of a fire reaches me, and I carefully make to stand. Kyler helps me to my feet and I can sense his hesitation beforehe releases his hold. Together we walk over to where everyone is gathering. Rassim and Katem are skinning the two dreri. Kala and Evren still haven’t returned, but I suspect they’ll be here soon. The two Krijese are getting a fire going, while Zydon and Remi spread out a fur.

Like always, I feel useless. I should be helping. Or at least trying.

“You need to rest,” Kyler says and guides me close to the fire. He helps me to sit. “Do you need more pain reliever?”

I shake my head. I don’t want to appear weak. “Not at the moment, thanks.”

“Will you be all right while I assist Rassim and Katem?”

“Of course.” There’s no reason for him to babysit me when I’m just sitting here. Besides, I need time alone to think about that kiss. It barely qualified as one, but I’m still feeling the urge to squirm and ease the ache deep inside.

Kyler takes a long look at me before nodding. To my shock, he palms the back of my neck and kisses me hard. The pleasure barely registers, and he’s gone. I sit there in stunned silence with my fingers pressed against my lips and watch him walk away with his tail thrashing madly behind him. A slow smile curls my lips as the thought of all the things that tail might do to me once I’m healed.

Chapter 8

Kyler

I have watched every human-Tavikhi mated couple mouth touch, and each time, a wild curiosity has risen inside me to experience this thing they call kissing for myself. Nothing could have prepared me for the swift arousal that hit at the feel of Zara’s lips against mine.

How could something as simple as touching my mouth to another being cause such a riot of sensations? Yet, the exact moment she kissed me, I had grown rock hard. All I want to do is take her to my furs and taste every bit of flesh, especially between her thighs. My tongue aches with the need to know her flavor. The scent of her cunt lingers in my nose, the air thick and musky with Zara’s arousal.

I adjust myself beneath my leg coverings. A dampness remains from the mating fluid leaking out of my cock nodes. It is an uncomfortable sensation, but I ignore it as I assist Katem and Rassim with skinning the dreri. I must provide for my mate.While I work, I keep watch in case she needs me, but Remi has joined her and the two of them sit together.

“Blessings on your mating,” Rassim says. “Zara is a fine female.”

Although he is already mated, a surge of possessiveness rises. Zara ismine. “Yes, she is.”

Katem is silent, and I cast my eyes in his direction. I cannot help but pity my tribe brother and the fact he does not have what Rassim and I do. There are several unmated females back in our village, both Tavikhi and human, but with every passing season the chances of one of them being thekeeshlaof a warrior lessens. My gaze travels back to Zara. Although, with six matings over the last nearly five lunar cycles, hope is returning to our people. Another ship from Terra may arrive soon, and with it…possibility.

I do not want to offer false wishes, but I send up a prayer to Deeka that she provides our unmated tribe brothers and sisters with their fated mate. Each of them is honorable and worthy of the happiness I feel. Soon, we have the dreri over the fire. Just as we finish setting them up, Kala and Evren return.

“Still no sign of any Njeri. We should be safe for the night,” the Krijese announces.

By morning, I hope Zara is well enough to continue the journey back to the village. Once again, my gaze is drawn to her. However, Remi is no longer with her and she sits, alone, propped up against a tree with her good arm cradling the broken one. She adjusts it and winces. Our eyes meet and she gives me a small smile. I walk over and seat myself beside her.

“Is it time for more pain reliever?” I reach for my pouch, but Zara shakes her head.

“I’m okay. It just throbs a bit.”

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