Page 15 of Fated to the Alien Healer

I try to quell the disappointment that she does not take my hand again as we walk to where everyone is gathered. One of the Krijese has made flat wood platters and Kala places several pieces of meat on each one that is then passed around until everyone has one. We all sit together around the flames to eat, except for Rassim and the two Krijese. The three of them take their food into the forest, no doubt to maintain watch. Although Kala and Evren did not see any evidence of Njeri, our enemies are not the only predators that lurk in the trees.

“We are still two turns of the sun away from our village,” Zydon says. “Tonight we must all rest and be ready to travel in the morning.”

For some reason I bristle. Zara is not a Tavikhi warrior. She is a human female who is far more fragile than us.

“Calm, Kyler,” he tells me. “I meant no disrespect to your mate.”

To my surprise, and without realizing it, I have clenched my fists. A cool hand on mine releases the tension from me and I turn to find Zara touching me.

“It’s okay. I know we need to get moving in case there’s danger,” she says. “Zydon is just reminding everyone what needs to be done so we’re all safe.”

I nod and she drops her arm to her side. I turn to my tribe brother. “Apologies.”

Zydon dips his head in acceptance. Everyone returns to eating and the only sound is that of the forest around us. A breeze has stirred up and despite the fact warm season is upon us, there is a drop in temperature. It does not help that we are deep within the trees and minimal light from the moons is able to make it through the leaves. Soon, it will be too dark for the females to see and more difficult—although not impossible—for me and my tribe brothers.

Unlike the evening meals in the village where all the tribespeople gather for conversation and the kits run and play with each other, the atmosphere tonight is filled with tension and unease. We must remain vigilant and alert for danger. At last, after everyone has had their fill, we pack the remaining bits of dreri to hopefully sustain us until we reach our village. Zara rests her head against the tree behind her, and her breathing evens out.

I return to her side, and she jerks upright with wide eyes and a gasp.

“It is only I,keeshla.” The fear in her gaze makes me rage and wish I could kill the Njeri all over again, only this time more slowly.

She places her hand over her heaving chest and takes deep, calming breaths. “Guess I’m a little jumpy.”

“That is understandable after what you have gone through. I did not mean to frighten you. If you do not mind, I will remain at your side through the night. No harm will come to you.” This is my vow.

Zara does not respond for several beats, until finally, she nods. “I think I’d like that.”

I scoot close enough that our legs and shoulders touch. Her skin is already chilled. Before the night is over, I have no doubt she will be much colder. I will provide her with everything she needs, including my warmth. “Is there anything I can get you?”

“Maybe a little bit of water.”

Kala and Evren located a water source during their scouting and brought back several skins full. I pass one to Zara. Once she’s had her fill, she gives it back. She makes that tired noise again. “I’m going to try and get some sleep. You’ll stay with me?”

“Of course.” My heart swells with the knowledge that my mate wants me by her side.

She doesn’t say anything, but merely leans her head on my shoulder with an exhausted sigh. Within moments, her breathing has evened out and she emits small snorts. There is nothing that could take me from her now. Not after the trust she shows me.

Chapter 9

Zara

There’s a hazy mist blocking my view. I squint and scan in front of me from side to side, but it doesn’t help. There’s nothing but darkness all around me. My heart races and a sense of dread builds in my belly. The kind where I can tell something bad is going to happen. I don’t know what and I don’t know when, but it’s coming. I just have to wait for it. My stomach aches with the nerves, and I do the deep breathing techniques I read about to try and quell the anxiety that is quickly rising. A sharp, stabbing pain hits my chest like I’m having a heart attack.

I keep my breathing slow and even, mentally talking myself down, but nothing I’m doing is helping. The darkness is closing in on all sides. It’s like I’m trapped inside a glass cube whose walls grow closer together, pinning me between them. All the air is being sucked out and I can’t pull in a breath. My lungs won’t inflate, and I’m slowly suffocating. The glass panes move another inch and I’m crouched with my knees pulled to my chest as tightly as I can get them trying to make myself as small as possible. Still, the cube shrinks.

A drop of wetness hits my hand. Then another. And another. I glance down not sure what I’m expecting to find. To my horror, blood drips onto it. I lift my gaze and scream.

“Zara, wake up. It is only a dream. Zara, you must wake.” The words are firm, but a gentle touch brushes across my forehead.

My eyes fly open, and I jackknife upright, barely able to catch my breath. Pain engulfs me. My chest aches as I gasp for air. Soft, comforting words are muffled, but slowly become intelligible.

A warm body surrounds me. It should increase the sense of suffocation, but instead I feel safe. Secure. “Breathe,keeshla. Slow and easy. It is nothing more than a dream. Be at ease. Breathe. That is it. Breathe again.”

My brain finally puts the voice with a face as Kyler continues to whisper encouragement. I don’t know how long we sit there with his arms wrapped around me while I mimic his breathing until we’re completely in sync. Our chests rise and fall together and with each inhalation we make, my breasts rub across his hard pecs, and arousal stirs in my core. I want to rub myself against him more fully, but the remnants of my nightmare linger. The contradictory emotions play havoc with each other.

Finally, I shift, which Kyler takes as a signal to release me, because his arms loosen and he sits back. We continue touching, but I’ve lost his embrace. I glance around at camp, but like my horrific dream, I can’t see a thing. I strain to listen and can make out the sounds of several different people breathing. If I woke anyone, they don’t give any indication.

“Would you like to talk about it?” Kyler asks quietly.

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