Page 46 of Fated to the Alien Protector

Rojtar squats in front of the bound man. “Dhembi are attracted to the scent of wounded prey. I have caught a glimpse of one stalking us during our hunt.”

I stare in surprise, because I’d had no idea. He never mentioned some animal was following us. Maybe he didn’t want to worry me. My mate straightens and steps slowly backward. He withdraws a small dagger from the belt at his waist and tosses it on the ground. With his arms and legs bound the way they are, there’s no way Lewis will be able to reach it.

“If you are able to get the blade and free yourself, then I will not track you down. You will leave Abby alone and never try to harm her again,” Rojtar explains. “If you cannot get to the dagger in time, then you better hope another hunter brings down the dhembi before it reaches you.”

With those words, Rojtar takes my hand and together, we walk away, only pausing long enough to pick up our weapons, the two dhibani, as well as the gun. We need to find out where Lewis got it. From behind us, he screams obscenities and that he’s going to make us pay. The farther away we get from him, though, his vows of revenge change to pleading and begging.

Neither of us speak as we continue on our path back to the village and Lewis’ voice becomes quieter until I can no longer hear it. It could be seconds, or maybe minutes, later, and the roar of some beast fills the air. It’s followed by screams that are only more chilling by the abruptness in which they’re cut off.

Despite his injury, Rojtar doesn’t stop or even slow until we are off the hillside and back in the large field that spreads out from it. At last he pauses and turns to me. His wound has stopped bleeding. I drop everything on the ground and throw myself into his arms.

“I thought you were dead.” My chest heaves with sobs.

Rojtar wraps himself around me and holds on tightly. Over my crying, he whispers words of reassurance. His tail twines around my leg offering more comfort and he doesn’t let loose until I get myself under control. With a last shuddering breath, I lift my head to stare up at him.

“I made a promise to always protect you. That could not be the only promise I made that I was unable to keep.” Rojtar says with a gentle smile.

With great care, I stroke the scorched skin around the hole. It’ll be another scar to add to the ones already decorating his body. I don’t know what kind of gun Lewis used or where he found it, but someone needs to be held accountable for him having access to that weapon.

“He could have killed you despite your promise.” My voice cracks and I choke back more tears.

Rojtar cradles my face within his palms. “I have survived countless battles against the Krijese as well as the latest attack brought to us by the Njeri. I have hunted vicious beasts that require the effort of multiple Tavikhi hunters to bring them down and have walked away unharmed. It will take more than some human weapon wielded by a coward to kill me.”

“I don’t know what I would do if I lost you.”

“You will not lose me,keeshla,” Rojtar promises. “Not when we have just found each other.”

As much as I don’t want to let him go, we need to get back to the village and let them know what happened. Word needs to be sent to the settlement. Most importantly, he needs to see Kyler or Sage about his injury. I hold him for a minute longer and then we gather our things again and make our way home.

No sooner do we walk through the gate as we’re stopped by Zander. His gaze homes in on Rojtar’s wound before he lifts it to meet his eyes.

“You are well?”

Before my mate can reply, I snap. “Of course he’s not well. He was shot and could have died.”

“Peace,keeshla,” Rojtar soothes. “The shefir knows what happened.”

How he can tell, I have no idea, but I face Zander again and study him. He didn’t act surprised to see the injury. Almost like he suspected what had happened.

“One of the human leaders came to warn us of the dishonorable male you spoke of before,” the shefir says. “Another of their tribespeople saw him take one of their hidden weapons and leave the settlement. He has been speaking of getting revenge against someone for many turns. Ever since he returned from the forest and reported some alien assaulted him and threatened his life. I assume you are that ‘alien’?”

“He attacked my mate while she was out hunting,” Rojtar confirms and withdraws the gun from the pouch hanging off his belt. “It was when she triggered my mating marks. She stopped me from killing the worthless male that turn, but we encountered him up in the hills just now. He once again attacked her after attempting to kill me.”

“I assume yourkeeshlawill be safe from now on?” Zander asks him.

Rojtar nods and passes over the weapon. “A dhembi took care of the problem.”

“I will let the human leader know their tribe is one less member and that I will be keeping this. Perhaps the Bohnari will be interested in it for trade the next time they return.”

“Just so you know, I had no idea there were weapons of any kind at the settlement.” I gesture at the gun. “There might be more where that came from.”

Zander inclines his head. “I will find out and take care of it.”

He fists his chest and walks away. I turn to Rojtar.

“You need to go see the healer. Please.” I tack on. “For me?”

“For you.” He presses a kiss to the side of my head and together we first make a stop at the tanning tent to drop off the dhibani and then we go see Kyler.

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