Page 29 of Fated to the Alien Protector

“Are those the black goat things that can perch themselves on the sides of the mountains?” I’ve seen them from a distance.

“I believe so.” Rojtar glances down at his bowl. “It is also the meat in the stew.”

I pause and swallow the too large chunk that stretches my throat uncomfortably for a moment. I’ve avoided asking about any of the food I eat although it’s all tasted good. It’s not as if I’m a vegetarian or anything—those of us from the bottom tier can’t be choosy—but sometimes there’s guilt about eating cute animals like rabbits.

“It’s good.”

Rojtar’s lips twitch in amusement. “It is one of my favorites.”

We settle into a comfortable silence while we finish our meal, although I’m acutely aware of every shift of weight and movement he makes. It is incredibly peaceful out here listening to the water rush by and all the different sounds that surround us, between the village at our backs and the forest on the other side of the river. I take in a deep inhalation and breathe in the clean air that holds hints of food, the trees, flowers, and the warrior sitting next to me.

I can’t say what prompts me, but before I can stop them, words spill from my lips. “Would you like to go for a walk?”

Rojtar turns his head in my direction. I try not to squirm or call back the question and I hate that I can’t tell what he’s thinking.

“I would like that very much,” he finally answers. “Let me drop this fur off at my tent first, if that is all right with you?”

“Of course.”

We both stand and I reach out for his bowl. He passes it to me and our skin brushes together. That familiar spark and tingle make me jerk away slightly, but not enough to break contact. I lift my gaze and tilt my head back to meet Rojtar’s. There’s a flash of bright light in his feline eyes that warms me, but he blinks and it disappears. I clear my throat and hastily draw away with his bowl in hand.

“I’ll just take these to the central fire for washing and meet you there?”

He dips his head and picks up the fur off the ground. “I will see you soon.”

“Great. Okay, good. I’ll see you then.” With cheeks burning, I spin and dash away.

Chapter 14

Rojtar

My soul light flares brightly at Abby’s touch, and I could swear it is reflected in her own eyes as she stares at me. It only lasts for a beat before it disappears and she releases her hold on the eating vessel in my hand. As Abby heads to the central fire to dispose of our dirty items and I drape the fur over my arm, I cannot help but feel the flame of hope spark to life within me.

Benham and Jodah both shared with me that a walk with their females is something the humans on their planet call a ‘date’. It is a courting ritual amongst them so they can speak and get to know each other better. With Benham and Jodah, it led to their females accepting the mate bond and falling in love. Although Abby has said more than once she has no interest in being a mate to me or anyone, it makes me wonder why she has asked me to go on this ‘date’. Perhaps she has changed her mind.If she has, I will be the luckiest of males.

I reach my tent and step inside to return the fur to my bed. None of the other unmated warriors and hunters are present. A whiff of fragrance hits me and I draw the fur to my nose. Abby’s scent is subtle beneath the other odors, but I breathe it in deeper and let it fill me up. Beneath my leg coverings, my cock hardens and my tail swishes. It is not the first time I have had this reaction to mykeeshla, but it is the most powerful.

The dreams I have had of her wake me with the sweet pain of arousal. Many mornings since Abby has come into my life, I have made my way to the river in extreme discomfort until I can release my seed in private. Every time I stroke my cock, I picture my mate. Even before she touched me and triggered my mating marks.

No other female has ever affected me the way Abby does.

Since I do not want to risk any of my tribe brothers returning before I can finish, I adjust my cock within my leg coverings, place the fur back on my bed, and rush to the central fire to locate my mate. I am most anxious to go on this date with her. When I am close, I scan the area until my gaze lands on her. For several beats of my heart I observe her.

The color of her hair brightens with the light of the fire glowing on it. It is a similar shade to Jodah’s mate, Sage, although Abby’s is much longer. I admire the way it brushes across the slope of her ass. If she had a tail, her fire-colored hair would cover the base of it.

My pace quickens until she turns. Only then do I slow, in order to not appear overeager. I have no wish to scare her away. Like when hunting, I must have patience. I am always rewarded in the end. Nothing would make me happier than mykeeshlaas my prize.

“Greetings again, Abby. I hope I did not leave you waiting long.”

“No.” She shakes her head and like my tail, her hair swishes behind her. “I found Carter and let him know we were going out walking, in case he went back to our tent and wondered where I was.”

The care she has for her brother is obvious. She would make a great Nene. I scold myself for jumping so far ahead. Abby will need to accept the mate bond before we can even begin thinking of kits. That fragment of hope within me grows larger though.

“You are lucky to have him by your side.”

She glances off in another direction as though seeking her brother out. “I am lucky.”

An expression I do not quite understand races across her face, but she clears it before turning toward me. Her cheeks change color, and she looks away quickly before meeting my gaze again. “Um, where would you like to walk?”

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