Page 34 of Fated to the Alien Protector

“Run,” she yells in a hoarse voice.

Streaks of wetness spill down cheeks that have lost all their color. I draw her to me and wrap her in my arms. She struggles against my hold, continuing to urge me to flee.

“Peace,keeshla. They will not harm us.” I repeat words of reassurance over and over.

She takes in ragged breaths and her entire body shakes. I do not loosen my hold, nor does she. Many beats of my heart pass before I can sense her breathing slow and the trembling calm. I tilt my head down and wait for her to turn hers up so she can meet my gaze and see there is nothing to fear. Slowly—carefully—she raises up and stares straight at me.

“Have I broken any promises I have made to you?”

Abby shakes her head. “N—n—no.”

“I will never do so either. I promise all is well here. On my honor, I swear neither Kala nor Sorin will harm you.”

Many more beats pass before she at last releases her fierce grip, but does not move away. Nor do I stop touching her. My arm remains around her shoulders and my tail stays looped around her waist. Together, we turn to face the male Krijese and his kit who have kept their distance.

“Greetings, Kala and Sorin. Your hunt also appears successful. Although Benham would rightfully lecture me for not paying more attention and realizing there were others in the area.”

“Greetings Tavikhi,” the elder Krijese dips his head in acknowledgment while Sorin merely observes. If either are bothered by Abby’s reaction to them, they do not show it. “Your focus was clearly elsewhere. I see you too have discovered a mate amongst the human females.”

A flash of strong emotion shines from his black eyes before it disappears. I straighten with pride and gently squeeze mykeeshla. “Deeka has truly blessed me with Abby.”

“I see that.”

Since they are our allies, I do not want my mate to fear them. “Keeshla, this is Kala and his kit, Sorin. They are well known to our village and reside within these hills with the remainder of their small tribe.”

“Hello,” she says barely above a whisper and presses herself tighter against my side.

“Greetings, female,” Kala says in his harsh guttural voice.

“You had a solid strike,” Sorin compliments.“Yes, Abby did rather well. I am extremely proud of her.”

“Thank you.” This time her voice comes out much stronger and she creates a bit of distance between us.

I am even more proud of the strength she is showing despite her incredible fear. Her only experiences with the Krijese have ended violently, including the death of her baba. It is no wonder she is terrified of Kala. They are a violent species who are known for only warring and destroying. That alone is enough to make most people fear them, but their appearance factors into it as well.

“Let us gather our kills and perhaps we can track down again the dreri that scattered.” If I show Abby my trust in Kala and Sorin, perhaps it will put her more at ease.

Despite knowing neither of them will harm her, I place myself between the two Krijese and my mate as we all move to where the four creatures lie fallen in the field. I stand over her kill and yank her spear from it to return to her.

“Well done,keeshla. I knew you could do it.”

“I can’t believe I actually hit the thing, but throwing this spear was so much easier than the other one,” Abby says with far more confidence and strength than she displayed a few moments ago. I hope this to mean she fully trusts in my promise that all is well.

“Even Remi would be impressed, I think,” Sorin points out.

“You”—my mate pauses briefly after her voice cracks, but continues—“you know Remi?”

The kit’s head bobs at a rapid speed. “Oh yes. She has joined Gogo and me a few times on a hunt since the warm season has arrived again. She is also the only other female hunter I have ever seen until you.”

Abby chuckles, which I am happy to hear. “I’m not sure I’d call myself a hunter, considering this is the first dreri I’ve ever brought down.”

Sorin’s eyes widen. “This is your first?”

“It is, although I did manage to catch six leburin the other day, after Rojtar taught me how to spot their dens.”

My gaze lands on Kala who squats over the prey he caught. Despite his task, he watches the exchange between his kit and my mate intently. I know he lost his own when Sorin was little. Does he wish for a human female of his own?

“Leburin is my favorite meat. Moshi always leaves a little extra for me when it is his time to tend the meal,” the kit boasts.

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