Page 43 of Fated to the Alien Protector

“It’ll be nice having a brother. You better not hurt her though or I’ll make sure you regret it even if you are three times bigger than me,” Carter warns in a severe tone.

“On my honor, I will do nothing that could hurt Abby.” I match his seriousness so he does not think I mock him or his warning.

“I’m glad we’re on the same page. Welcome to the family.” He lets me go and walks toward the central fire without us.

My heart skips a beat. Abby and he are now my family. I have been without one for so long, a warmth and sense of belong fill me. Never would I have imagined becoming a baba already, but I am eager for the task. Of course, Carter may not want me to fill that role, but if he does, I am more than willing.

“He’s been a fan of yours since the first day we met out in the forest,” Abby says. “Took me to task for being mean to you. I suppose I was.”

“I did not mind your prickliness. In fact, I believed you were that way because you’d been harmed in the past. Even then—before I knew what happened to you—I was angry on your behalf. I wanted to soothe you and track down the person who hurt you to make them pay.”

Abby stares intently at me. “Thank you for not listening to me when I told you to leave us alone and that you weren’t wanted.”

“You are welcome.”

I thread my fingers through hers and together we join Carter and the rest of the tribe.

Chapter 21

Abby

More than a week has passed since Rojtar and I started…dating, I suppose I’d call it. We’ve managed to devise a system for when we want privacy. Because I don’t want Carter to feel like he can’t be comfortable in the tent we share, Rojtar and I often sneak away from the village for our many make out sessions. Ones that have been going progressively farther each time.

He must have also either asked one of the other women or the men mated to a human about dates, because he’s been bringing me small trinkets and gifts every day. Yesterday it was the most adorable ketri figurine he whittled out of wood. A skill his dad taught him before he died. The day before that was the best gift I’ve ever received. My own bow and arrow fit to my size.

“I’m going to spar with the others. See you when you get back,” Carter calls out.

“Have fun and be careful.”

There’s the sound of the door flap swinging out as well as his voice meeting those of the other kids before it grows faint.I step out from behind the hung changing sheet wearing a clean hunting outfit excited to try out my new weapon with Rojtar.

He and I are heading into the hills to find a herd of the alien goats they call dhibani. While I haven’t done too badly with the small spear he made, I had a close call with a dreri the other day that didn’t take too kindly to me trying to kill it.

Rojtar has become a tad over protective since then which has me conflicted. On one hand, it’s sweet that he’s trying to keep me from getting hurt. But on the other, I’ve been independent and done what I choose to do for far too long to take his hovering well. I love that he wants me safe, but he’s also driving me crazy.

I snag my bow and sling the quiver of arrows Rojtar crafted over my shoulder so I can head out. It’s going to be a beautiful day if the morning is any indicator. The temperature is comfortable and there’s not a single cloud in the lavender sky. I’m still not used to the wrongness of the colors on this planet, but I’m learning to tolerate it a bit more. Maybe because so much of it reminds me of Rojtar’s skin tone which I love.

Other hunters stride through the village with their various weapons on the way to the central fire where I’m meeting Rojtar for breakfast before we leave for the day. I’m slowly coming to accept the fact I don’t have to rely only on the food I provide for myself and that it’s perfectly fine to partake of what’s readily available.

My form has filled out since moving to the village as well. Not that my clothes are getting tight, because they were a little big to begin with. But my cheeks are a bit rounder along with my ass. Even my belly is more slightly rounded. A fact Rojtar must love considering the amount of time and attention he spends paying homage to it when we escape for alone time.

As always, he’s waiting for me with two bowls in hand. Evren is with him, which isn’t unusual since I’ve discovered they’re close friends. He’s also the same guy who took my bundle of leburin at the tanning tent the day Lewis attacked me.

“Good morning,keeshla.”

“Morning.” I give him a quick kiss on the cheek and take the bowl he passes to me. “Hey, Evren.”

“Greetings, Abby.”

“Are you going hunting with us today?” I’ve been working on my people skills and while I like Rojtar’s friend well enough, I’m still a bit selfish with wanting to spend time alone with my mate.

“Not this turn, but perhaps another,” he says. “Jodah, Rassim, Katem, and I are tracking a luani.”

“Good luck and please be safe.” Rojtar has told me about the massive mutant alien leonine-like animal that’s the most dangerous creature on the planet. In fact, one almost killed Jodah not that long ago.

Evren fists his chest. “You have my thanks. I sense luck will be with us this turn.”

He claps Rojtar on the shoulder, gathers his weapons from where they’re propped up against one of the benches, and heads for the front entrance. I set my bow and quiver in their place and take a seat. Rojtar squeezes in next to me and the heat of his thigh pressing against mine sends warmth through it. The familiar weight of his tail wraps around my butt and hips. I like that I’m getting so comfortable with all his casual touches. It’s one more effect of the trust I’ve been placing in him.

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