Page 33 of Fated to the Alien Protector

I can’t help but grin at the human word coming from Rojtar’s lips. It should sound weird—alien—but it’s actually adorable.

“I’m ready when you are.” If I stand here too much longer I might do something I shouldn’t. Like kiss him senseless.

“Come then,keeshla, and let us hunt.”

Together, we walk toward the front gate where two young warriors stand guard. They salute Rojtar, who returns it. The sun sits low in the sky, but the air is already warming. A small amount of fog hovers over the field, but the heat will burn it off soon.

“You know, you still haven’t told me how you found a spear to fit me so quickly.” I tighten my grip on it, amazed by how much better this one is than the other one.

There’s such a long wait that I’m not sure Rojtar’s going to answer.

“I made it.”

My mouth falls open. “What do you mean, you made it? When did you have time?”

“It was important that you have one and I promised I would get you one, so I began it when I returned to my tent after I left you last evening.”

I come to a complete and abrupt stop and stare at his back until he too pauses and turns to look at me. “Are you telling me you stayed up all night making this?”

“I made a promise.” Rojtar says it like it should be obvious.

Something moves inside my chest and an ache forms. “Thank you.”

“You are welcome.”

My whole body buzzes when I start walking again and catch back up with him. It also almost feels like I could cry, but they would be tears of happiness. This is the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me. Not only has Rojtar offered Carter and me a new home, he’s also offered to teach me how to hunt. He’s also protected me when I needed it. Most of all, though, is he’s made multiple promises and hasn’t broken a single one.

Can I really trust him not to break my heart? A part of me desperately wants to say yes.

Chapter 16

Rojtar

I will make as many spears as Abby wishes if she looks at me with each one the same way she looks at me now. There is so much joy shining from her that I cannot help but feel the same joy within me. It will be my mission for this lifetime and the next to offer her whatever it is I can find that will make her this happy.

From all I have learned of my mate, if anyone deserves to be happy, it is her. She has had far too much sadness. It is no wonder she has learned to become hard. How else can she protect her soft heart? I hope she will begin to understand that she no longer has to protect it. It is my task now that we are mates. One I take on willingly.

“I believe we will find several dreri today.” Katem and the others spotted signs of them on the previous turn while they continued hunting the dhibani we tracked.

“Hopefully I’ll actually manage to hit one this time.” Abby hefts her spear with ease.

“Even if you miss, there will be many more opportunities. It is early still and there is much light left this turn.” My mind spins and I must remind myself to speak with either Benham or Zydon about the possibility of crafting a bow for her.

Hopefully Benham will offer to provide me a few arrows for her to practice with while I teach her how to use the weapon. There are other warriors who are far more skilled than I with a bow and arrow, but jealousy swirls in my belly at the thought of anyone else showing her. Perhaps we will learn together, and my skills with the weapon will improve along with hers. It is something to think on.

We climb one of the many paths through the hills. A dense forest lines both sides and offers a bit of protection from the sun that will eventually reach its zenith and beat down on us with its heat. Until then it is a pleasant morning to spend with my mate.

Every time I locate a track or sign that we are heading in the right direction, I pause and explain what I am looking at to Abby. She absorbs my words intently, and the farther we travel, the more often she is the first to point out various things.

A flash of movement in the trees, and I hold up a hand. We both stop before slowly creeping forward again. Beyond the forest is an open field of dreri. Their heads dip and horns nearly brush the ground while they feed. I check the direction of the wind, but find it still. It does make things a bit easier. The dreri will be unable to scent us until we are close and it is too late.

I glance at Abby to assess her readiness. She meets my gaze, adjusts her hold on her spear, and nods. As one, we rush forward and launch our weapons. Four dreri fall, and I scan our surroundings to locate the other hunters. From the trees on her side of the field two dark figures step out, one much larger than the other.

My mate stumbles backward with a harsh cry and falls on her backside. She screams and scrambles to her feet. I rush to her side before she hurts herself.

“Abby, all is well.”

She does not hear me though. Terror radiates from her instead, blocking everything else out. She grips my arm tightly and tries to drag me away.

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