Page 21 of Fated to the Alien Hero

I can’t believe how good it feels to speak up for myself. I’d been terrified how Evren would react, but I couldn’t stop the words from coming out. Of course, there is that voice in the back of my head telling me that him being agreeable is a front because we’re in the presence of other people. The real test of his true feelings will be revealed the next time we’re alone.

Except I shake off that thought, because I don’t want to paint Evren with the same brush as Grady. So far, nothing he has done would make me think he will treat me differently in private than he does in front of the village. As difficult as it might be, I’m going to believe that the Evren he’s showing me now is his true self.

We stop holding up the line and move forward. I wince at the fact that people are staring at us. At me. For a second, I forgot where we were. We reach the large clay kettles suspended over the fire and Evren takes the two bowls of what appears to be a stew of some kind. As delicious as the one was yesterday, it onlyreminds me that I’m slightly incapacitated. At least when he fed me, we had privacy. I’m determined to feed myself today.

He leads us to a narrow, backless bench a short distance away from everyone who is already seated. Evren waits for me to sit before lowering himself next to me. I adjust my arm in my sling to try and make a level surface. Holding it in place is a bit uncomfortable, but I’ll suffer some mild discomfort if it means not being fed like a toddler again.

“I’ll take mine, please.”

Evren snaps his mouth shut before he can speak. Instead, he hands me the bowl. Carefully, I balance it on my arm and slowly dip out a spoonful. I can sense him watching. Almost like he’s waiting to catch the thing if it tips over. The first few bites go without incident and I relax. It’ll be fine.

While we sit and eat, I listen to conversations around us and observe everyone. I noticed it a little yesterday, but the Tavikhi village is so different from the colony. It supports the entire tribe. They all work together, as evidenced by the humans and Tavikhi both who serve food to the people who walk through the line. It’s all so orderly. The humans back at the settlement could learn a lot from those here.

“How is the food?” Evren asks.

I swallow the bite I just took. “It’s delicious.”

“Good. I am glad you are enjoying it.” He opens and closes his mouth. “I do not want to make you upset with my suggestion, but I will be happy to ask a couple of the other females to join us so you may talk with and get to know them. To see if perhaps you wish to be friends.”

“Thank you for the offer, but that is something I need to do for myself without anyone’s help.”

He angles his head down. “I understand.”

I feel bad too for getting a little testy with Evren. I think there’s a part of me that wanted to push back just to see what he’d do.

We finish our meal with a few bits of casual conversation about various goings on around the tribe, like the lessons the children get from London on reading and writing. I’m not sure where they’ll use the knowledge, but Evren mentions being penpals with the children at the human colony. We discuss the weather and the two seasons on Tavikh until the Tavikhi kit and human girl I’d seen earlier run up to us.

“Greetings, Evren’s mate, I am Talek,” the adorable little boy with his tail swishing behind him introduces himself. “This is my human female friend, Cecily.”

I can’t help but smile at them and their cuteness. “It’s nice to meet you Talek and Cecily. I’m Astrid.”

“Your name is so pretty,” Cecily compliments me. She’s a cute redhead who I’d guess is twelve or thirteen.

“Thank you. I like yours, too.”

“Thanks.” She stands a little bit taller.

“We merely wanted to welcome you to the tribe and are glad to have another one of our tribe brothers find hiskeeshla,” Talek says, his gaze darting quickly to Cecily before returning to meet mine.

“Thank you for the warm welcome.” I try to ignore the part about being Evren’s mate.

“When you have healed, you should come train with us so you will be able to fight off any attacker who wishes to harm you. Cecily is the only female right now, but more are welcome.”

Talek’s suggestion makes me jerk for several reasons. Not once since the first time Grady hit me have I thought about defending myself or fighting back. He’s so much bigger than me. Yet, Cecily was able to defeat Talek. It doesn’t matter that they’re children. He still tops her by at least four to five inches and has to outweigh her by twenty pounds. Plus, he’s probably been training since he could walk. I doubt Cecily has been at it that long.

“That’s…that’s very kind of you to offer.” I’m not sure what else to say.

I’m still processing the fact that he knowsI was attacked. The news really has traveled, which causes my heart to skip a beat, despite the fact Evren and London assured me word wouldn’t get back to Grady or the colony. The two kids wave at me and dash away as quickly as they arrived.

“Talek’s suggestion is not a bad one,” Evren says. “After the Bohnari come, I would be happy to teach you how to fight. Perhaps we can trade. You teach me of this calendar you spoke of before, and I will train you.”

My mother always said violence is rarely the answer, but there could come a time in a person’s life when it is theonlyanswer. It’s almost like she knew what was going to happen to me. “How about I decide after I’m healed? About training, I mean. I’m happy to show you about a calendar regardless.”

“I would like that.”

I finish as much of the stew as I’m able without tipping the bowl over. Evren finishes his off completely. Or at least as much as he can without actually licking the bowl clean. The thought makes me chuckle inside.

“Have you eaten enough, or would you like more?” he asks.

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