Page 20 of Fated to the Alien Protector

Rojtar

It is difficult to withhold my surprise at Abby’s presence. While a tentative ease settled between us while out hunting, I have assumed since she left to go wash up that I would not see her again unless through another accidental encounter. Yet, here she is, seated beside me by her own choice and conversing with me. I have to wonder if I am perhaps asleep and this entire turn has been nothing but a dream. But I know I am not.

“Do you eat by the water often?” Abby asks. “I don’t remember seeing you around the central fire for the evening meal since we got here.”

My heart leaps that she has noticed my absence. As much as I do not want to remind her of my promise now that she is here, it is only right that I do. “I have not wanted to bother you with my presence since I said that I would not. So, I have been taking my meals either here or in my tent.”

Abby’s face changes color. “I’ve been pretty shitty to you, haven’t I? I’m…I’m sorry about that.”

“You do not need to apologize. It is as you said. I am the one responsible for you having to leave your home and start somewhere new surrounded by strangers.” Something I cannot regret and would do all over again, even if that means her being unhappy with me. “It is understandable for you to be upset and angry.”

Abby tilts her head and stares at me for several beats. “You’re really being serious, aren’t you?”

“Why would I not be?”

She laughs, but it does not sound humorous. “I guess in my experience, men don’t admit to being in the wrong. And they certainly don’t go out of their way to keep promises they made.”

“I do not know the kind of males you have dealt with in the past, but I am not afraid of taking responsibility if I have wronged someone, however unintentionally. How else am I suppose to learn and grow?” I no longer wonder why humans left their home planet. “As far as promises go, a person should not make one they cannot keep.”

“You’re probably the only person I’ve ever met who thinks that way.”

Then Abby has met all the wrong people, but I do not say this. “I am hopeful you meet more of us who think that way.”

One side of her mouth curls, and while I wish it were a full smile, I will take whatever I can from her. “You and me both.”

I glance around, surprised Carter still has not appeared. “Is your brother not eating with you?”

“I’ve been replaced, it would seem.” Abby chuckles but there is a hint of sorrow in it. “He’s hanging out with Talek and Cecily.”

Her sadness makes sense now. “It is difficult to watch kits grow and become independent, is it not?”

“More than I thought it would be. I’m not quite ready and yet it’s happening and there isn’t a thing I can do to stop it.”

A compulsion makes me speak. “Perhaps one day you will find a mate and have kits.”

Abby rattles her head. “Nope, not a chance.”

My heart sinks. “For a mate or kits?”

“Neither. Both. I have zero plans on marrying anyone or having children,” she says firmly.

Disappointment lies heavy in my belly. Not wanting a mate or kits is difficult for me to understand. I have not met a single Tavikhi—maleorfemale—who does not want either of those things. Finding a fated mate is the single most wonderful thing to happen to someone.

“I take it you think I’m strange,” Abby says. “Based on your expression and lack of response, I mean.”

I choose my words carefully. “It is not something I have had experience with. A person not wanting a mate or kits. I thought it was what all beings wanted. To find that one person who is fated to be theirs for all eternity. Whose soul light is their perfect match. The male or female they are meant to spend this life and the next with. There is great comfort in that.”

“See. That’s where you and I think the complete opposite.” Abby shakes her head. “What’s comforting about being forced to be with someone not of your own choosing for your entire life? It sounds horrifying actually. What if you’re stuck with a person who treats you like garbage? Or beats you? No thanks. That’s not for me.”

“Deeka would never choose an unworthy mate for a female or force her to be his.”

Abby snorts. “I’m sure every guy thinks he’s worthy of a woman he doesn’t even have to work for. She’s just handed to him on a silver platter, and she’s supposed to be happy about it.”

There is so much bitterness in her words. It pains me to hear and makes me more resolved to never touch her. It would only make me selfish to see if she triggers my mating marks to appear. She has made it clear she would not welcome becoming my mate if that is what Deeka has chosen. I have done enough to hurt Abby already.

“Perhaps you are right.” The Njeri warriors were certainly not worthy males and tried to take one of our females from us to be a warrior’s mate.

She chokes and coughs. I glance around in panic, but she holds up a finger and her coughing slows as she reaches down for her water and takes several long drinks.

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