Page 27 of Fated to the Alien Healer

Sleeping beside my mate had been another night of agony. I had woken up more than once to find Zara’s body nearly draped over mine. My hard cock had made it difficult to return to sleep when I had wanted to do nothing more than wake her with kisses and slide into the warm heat of her cunt. My mating nodes had been preparing for that very thing and leaked the mating fluid all males possess that is meant to enhance our mate’s pleasure.

But I must resist. Zara is healing and still recovering from her ordeal. As much as I wish to take her to my furs, I have to control my urges until she is well. Still, thoughts of her bathing have invaded my mind all day, distracting me from my work. I have pictured her bare cunt countless times as well as imagined my hands running over her wet and naked body as I help her wash. My fingers ache to explore her chest mounds, along with the rest of her.

Loud voices from outside the tent draw my attention. I finish smearing the healing salve on Rojtar’s chest, which is lookingwell, and cleanse my hands. When I step outside, the sun is high in the sky, and a pleasant breeze brings with it the scent of burning fiku wood and the faint odor of the nenuphar bushes that are blooming all along the banks of the river. Several warriors carrying sparring staffs stride past in the direction of the central fire. There does not appear to be a sense of urgency, but the memory of the recent Njeri attack is not far from my mind.

“Is all well?”

Katem glances at me. “The Bohnari have arrived.”

With everything that has gone on over the last few turns, I had forgotten that our allies from the neighboring planet were going to be landing here soon. We have been trading with their tribe since I was a kit. I follow the warriors to greet our visitors.

Tribespeople have already begun to gather. It is always a celebration when the Bohnari arrive. The elders bring out their special drink, and our people trade stories long into the night. Perhaps this is what Zara meant when she asked about having fun. It is always an enjoyable time when our allies visit.

Zander welcomes Alik, the Bohnari leader, with a fist to his chest as a sign of respect and the two males clasp forearms. A sudden tingling of my mating marks turns my head. As though a tether links us together my eyes land on Zara. She wears clean coverings and her hair lies wet down her back with several droplets sliding down the side of her face. In her arms are her dirty chest and leg coverings. My heart leaps at the sight of her. Only she is not looking at me. Her gaze is locked on Alik and the obvious interest on her face stabs me straight in the chest. I do not believe she has ever gazed upon me with the same expression.

Eloise nudges my mate in the side and Zara shifts her gaze until it lands on me. She smiles widely and redirects her steps to approach me. The scent of berries drifts on the breeze, but beneath it is my mate’s own unique scent.

“Hey, you,” she greets me. “I see we have a visitor. This one looks to be a friendly though.”

Something twists inside my gut despite her perceived happiness at seeing me. Humans do not feel the bond like Tavikhi do. Just because she is my mate until I travel to the lands of Deeka, it does not mean it is the same for her. There is nothing tying her to me if she chooses someone else.

“Is something wrong?” Zara asks, breaking into my thoughts. “You’re looking at me weird.”

I force a smile to my mouth. “Apologies. All is well.”

She does not appear to believe me but does not question my reply. Instead, she gestures at the Bohnari leader who moves around the fire and greets several of the elders who have approached. “I take it this guy’s a friend?”

Before Zara looked at Alik the way she did, I would have said yes, but a vicious emotion blooms inside me, and I have a sudden desire to punish him for daring to arrive at our village now. I force down the urge and manage a nod.

“He is a Bohnari who lives on the neighboring planet. The rest of his warriors will be here soon.”

“Oh, yeah, I’ve heard about them from Benham. They’re the ones who provide him with the metal he uses in the forge to make your weapons.” Her eyes widen when she once again looks uponAlik. “I’ve been curious about them since. Aren’t they also the ones who gave you all your translators?”

“Yes. We trade with them at the beginning of every warm season.”

“Cool. I wonder what other kinds of things they have that we might be able to use?” Zara asks.

There is an intense desire to grab her and run away so she has no chance of speaking with any of the Bohnari males. This is not a feeling I have ever experienced before, this possessive need to let every male know that she is mine. It started on the trip back here with Rassim, even though he is mated. But the Bohnari do not have females on their planet after some great disease ripped through their species and took them all.

“I am not sure.” The words are dragged out of me against my will.

It is then that Alik draws nearer to where we stand. I do not want him speaking to Zara.

“How was your bath?” I do my best to distract her.

Far too slowly, she pulls her gaze away from the Bohnari leader to meet my eyes. “It was great. I feel like a new woman. You’re probably going to have to tighten my splint again.”

That is the perfect excuse to take her away from here. “Come then, let us return to your tent, and I will take care of it.”

“Healer,” a booming voice echoes.

I turn to find Alik approaching. His gaze moves to Zara and scans her from head to toe. I do not like the look in his eyes, and a feral growl rumbles up from my chest. Both his and my mate’sheads jerk in my direction, hers with widened eyes and a gaping mouth. Alik, on the other hand, smirks and my fists clench with the need to strike him across the face.

“It would seem congratulations are in order on your mating,” he says. “Your goddess chose a beautiful female.”

Zara’s cheeks turn a different color, and she dips her head. Needing to show him who she belongs to, I wrap my tail around her waist and drag her against my side. She stumbles slightly and sucks in a breath, but I quickly right her. Thankfully, she remains where she is, but there is a rigid tension to her.

“I’m Zara.” She introduces herself after a sharp glare in my direction and stretches out her hand.

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