Page 42 of Fated to the Alien Protector

“No, of course not,” Abby rushes to reassure him. “This is your home just as much as it is mine. Rojtar was merely keeping me company while you were having fun with Talek and Cecily. We were waiting for you before we headed out to the central fire for the evening meal.”

The kit cocks his head like he does not believe her, but does not contradict her words.

“Did you catch any peshku?” It is best to put Carter’s mind on something else.

He turns his gaze to me and his shoulders sags in disappointment. “Nothing. We saw Zedam on our way back and he says the water might still be too cold and to try again when the warm season has been here longer.”

Zedam had been lost to our village for several lunar cycles and suffered from what the humans call ‘amnesia’. While he lived alone many turns from here, he hunted peshku in the river that ran near his tent. If anyone is well versed in the hunting of them, it is him. “I wish you a successful future hunt then.”

“Thanks.”

I glance at Abby. “Would you like to go eat now?”

“That sounds good. I am getting a bit hungry,” she says and faces Carter. “Do you want us to wait while you get cleaned up?”

He shakes his head. “No, you guys go ahead. I’ll meet you there in a minute.”

“We’ll see you at the central fire, then. Don’t be long.”

Carter’s eyes dart upward and slightly back. “Okay, mom.”

Abby flinches against me. Silently, she heads for the door, forcing me to release my hold on her. I follow quickly. When we are out of hearing range of her tent, I gently grasp her hand to slow her pace. “Calm,keeshla.”

“I know, I know. He was only being sarcastic, but it just hit differently this time,” she says. “It’s not like he’s never rolled his eyes and mockingly called me mom before so I don’t know why this once I was so sensitive to it.”

“Perhaps after having shared your story, you are no longer satisfied with being Carter’s sister. Your baba is gone and you are now on Tavikh, not Earth. There is no reason why you have to hide who you are to him.” It is clear the secret has weighed heavily on my Abby.

“No reason besides the fact he might hate me, you mean?”

I bring her to a halt. “Carter may very well be hurt and quite possibly angry, but I do not believe he will hate you. It is obvious how much you love each other, and while he may speak harshly at first, eventually he will understand.”

She nibbles her bottom lip. “Do you really think so?”

“I truly do.” I will say several extra prayers to Deeka for her to watch over Carter and show him how to forgive.

“It may take me a little while to work up the courage to tell him.”

Because I know Abby needs it, I bring her against me and hold her tightly. “If you would like me to be there when you tell him, you only have to ask. I will offer whatever support you need.”

“You really are too good to me, do you know that?” she whispers against my chest.

“I do not think there is any such thing.” How can one betoogood?

Abby lifts her head to stare up at me. “There really is and you’re it. So take the compliment with a thank you.” She pokes me in the side and I laugh.

“Then thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

“You guys didn’t get very far,” Carter says as he approaches. “Are you going to be hugging and kissing all the time now?”

Within my arms, Abby stiffens and tries to draw away, but I do not let her. We are mates and there is nothing wrong with us showing affection to each other. I am certain he is not annoyed by it despite his question.

“Does it bother you if we do?” she asks quietly and I can sense her wariness.

Carter must be able to as well, because he moves in close until he stops directly in front of us. He meets Abby’s gaze. “You deserve to be happy and have a nice guy who treats you right. Besides, you’re his mate which is basically like his wife. Even I know husbands and wives hug and kiss. I love you and I’m glad you have Rojtar.”

Abby releases me and drags Carter into her arms. She whispers in his ear, but it is too soft for me to hear. Finally, she loosens her hold on him and he sticks his hand out to me. I clasp it within mine and gently match his shaking up and down.

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