Page 49 of Fated to the Alien Protector

Envy once again burns in my gut at the thought of Rojtar and Abby. While I am happy my tribe brother has found hiskeeshla, it is only one more reminder that I remain alone. Over the last many lunar cycles a number of males have been blessed with his fated mate. Each and every one of them a human female.

I do not remember how long ago the first ship landed and brought a large number of these aliens to Tavikh. What I do remember is the shefir telling the story to the village of how a population of some strange beings from another planet would soon be arriving and that we were to welcome them.

“Evren, is all well?”

My thoughts are broken by the question and I glance at Katem who stares at me with his head cocked.

“Apologies, I was merely distracted with a wandering mind.”

“It is a good thing we have already defeated the luani or Jodah may have gotten a few more scars from one of these wicked beasts.” He chuckles and I wince with guilt that I let outside thoughts intrude.

Distractions are the best way to get killed.

“Do not let Katem’s words bother you.” Jodah claps my shoulder. “We all know how focused you are during battle. Besides, my Sage would take the best care of me should I be wounded again.”

Rassim snorts. “Your Sage would never forgive you for getting wounded again.”

He flinches. “Perhaps you are right.”

Katem and I share a glance. Rassim and Jodah have what we both so desperately crave. A mate of our own. A female to care for and protect. To spend nights curled up in our furs with as we talk of our hopes. A female to love and cherish in this life and the next. To bond with as the other half of our soul.

“We should head back to the village,” Jodah suggests. “Our tribespeople will want to celebrate our victory at the evening meal.”

Together, the four of us lift the luani and hoist it onto our shoulders. Every warm season it gets harder and harder to find the large beasts. Not because they hide themselves, but because their population is dwindling. Just like ours had been as well as the Krijese’s, who do not number even half of the Tavikhi any longer. Not since their remaining people broke from their former king who attacked our village and was killed. Now, we all live in peace. A feat I never thought possible.

“Evren, since it was you who dealt the killing blow, it should be you who is awarded the luani fur,” Rassim offers.

I chuckle. “I will not say no to that.” Perhaps, like Benham, I will save mine to gift my future mate if she exists out there somewhere.

The creature boasts some of the softest fur of any on Tavikh. It can also keep the coldest of bodies warm as Maeve can confirm. She was never without the fur her mate gifted her throughout the entire cold season although it was nearly bigger than her.

My tribe brothers and I navigate the forest with the large burden we carry, weaving in and out of the towering fiku trees that make it up. Sunlight filters through the branches giving the ground a spotted appearance that reminds me of the spots that dash across the face of Jodah’s mate, Sage. If I ever find my ownkeeshla, will she possess these marks?

Every once in a while I try to imagine the female Deeka will choose for me. The humans come in so many different shapes, sizes, and colors it is hard to picture the many possible combinations. I think I would like a short female. Perhaps similar to Benham’s Maeve. Not because I am so much taller and will have to look down upon her, but because it takes a strong and mighty warrior to protect such a tiny female.

I am deciding upon which hair color I prefer when movement a distance off the path at my side catches my gaze. I chitter like a ketri and the other warriors halt. They all glance at me and I gesture that I have spotted something. Carefully, we set the luani down and I grip my sword hilt while I quietly make my way over. A low moan brings my weapon from its sheath and I grow more alert for any potential danger.

With soft steps I walk forward until I reach the trendafili bush. Beneath the prickly plant is a splash of color that does not go with the rest of the forest. Aware of the pain the spindly needled leaves cause I use the tip of my sword to push aside the branches to expose what hides within.

Goddess.

“It is a human female.” Disregarding the sharp stings, I rush to use my upper body to raise the lower section of the bush up and away from the injured female. “She is harmed.”

Katem and Rassim hurry over and, as gently as they are able, bring her out from beneath the brush and shed needles. She cries out and water leaks from her eyes to follow the tracks already lining her battered and discolored face. Dried blood is crusted beneath her nose that is oddly bent and one of her eyes is swollen closed. Her arm lies at an irregular angle and the chest covering she wears has risen up to expose an equally discolored belly. More blood is caked on the side of her head, hidden within the strands of hair nearly as pale as the bari grass that make up the fields outside the village.

Once Katem and Rassim have her cleared from the bush, I jerk away from it as well, ignoring the burning sensation all over my skin. I cannot imagine the pain she must be in after lying there so long. Where did she come from and how did she get here? What caused all her injuries? Jodah brings out his water skin and dumps a large dose of ground burim root into it. He kneels at her side.

“You are safe, female. I am Jodah of the Tavikhi people and I am here to help you,” he speaks softly. “Can you hear me?”

“Yes,” she croaks from dried and cracked lips. “It hurts.”

“I am sorry you are hurting, but I have something for the pain. You need to drink this.”

He carefully raises her head and she greedily swallows the liquid despite the bitter flavor it possesses. I have so many questions for her, but some of them will have to wait until after she has seen the healer. Katem and Rassim have stepped out of the way and I kneel on her other side.

“What is your name?” I keep my voice soft and gentle as well.

The female turns her head in my direction and gazes up at me through her single eye that is shiny with wetness. It is the same color as the blooms of the nenuphar bush. “Astrid.”

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