Page 25 of Fated to the Alien Hero

“Can I offer a suggestion?” London comes forward and joins us. “Some of you know I came from the bottom tier, but only a select few know why I came to Tavikh, because it was no one else’s business. I made one bad decision in desperation, got caught, and was forced to choose my punishment. My two choices were to either go to jail or come here. Jail may not be a current option, but sending someone away is.”

Gary’s eyes widen and his mouth falls open. “You mean like banishing him from the settlement? Where would he go? There are dangerous animals out there as well as dangerous aliens. He could die out there alone.”

“You mean the way Astrid could have, if Evren and the others hadn’t found her?” Zara’s question drips with sarcasm.

I stare at the shefira. She has offered an excellent suggestion. If this Grady dies, it is no less than he deserves.

“Perhaps he does not have to be alone,” Zander adds. “I cannot speak for Kala and whether he would agree or not, but it is possible you can send him to the Krijese village. He may be allowed to join them and contribute to their tribe.”

All color drains from Gary’s face. “You want me to exile Grady and force him to live with the Krijese? They’ve murdered our people.”

“One of your people would have murdered me,” Astrid tells him.

“Possibly murdered Abby, as well,” London points out.

My heart skips a beat at mykeeshlacalling them Gary’s people. Almost like they are no longer hers, because the Tavikhi are her people now.

“He is not being forced to live anywhere, but you would ensure he is no longer welcome to remain in the settlement,” Zander clarifies.

The human leader does not say anything. He only continues to stand in apparent shock. Grady should count himself lucky that exile would be the extent of his punishment. If it were up to me, it would be much harsher. At last, Gary’s shoulders sag.

“Fine. I’ll talk to Adam, and you talk to the Krijese,” Gary finally says. “Grady will be forced to leave, but he can decide if he goes to their village or not.”

“Grady and anyone else found abusing their wives,” Zara says with one of the furry lines above her eye raised. “Or doing other things that might warrant being sent to the Krijese?”

The human leader swallows, but eventually nods. “Yes. Everyone will be aware of what punishment will be handed down if they do anything that warrants banishment.”

“I’d recommend you come up with a list of crimes as well as the punishment for each of them,” London suggests. “You know, so no one can say they didn’t know.”

Gary sighs. “It’ll get done.”

“Excellent.” The shefira nods once.

“In the meantime, I will send word to Kala,” Zander announces. “If he is agreeable to adding the male to his village, I will let you know.”

The male nods and casts a quick glance in Astrid’s direction before making his way toward the main gate. No one moves until he is gone from sight and then everyone moves at once.

“Oh god, I think I’m going to throw up,” my mate says and she stumbles backward only for me to catch her.

She turns in my arms and clutches tightly to me with ragged breaths as much as her bound limb will let her. I wrap my tail around her waist and stroke her back. Zander speaks to Katem, who nods and takes off. No doubt to the Krijese village.

“You were a badass, Astrid,” Zara says. “You should be proud of what you just did. It couldn’t have been easy.”

My mate lifts her gaze to the other female. “That was terrifying.”

“It was courageous.” London corrects her. “You stood up for yourself and for every other woman who might be enduring the same thing you did back at the settlement. They’re lucky to have you on their side.”

“Thank you,” Astrid replies. “For what you and your husband—your mate—did for me.”

“I didn’t do anything that one of these other women wouldn’t have done,” the shefira says. “You’re Evren’skeeshla, which makes you part of our tribe. Part of our family. We protect our family.”

“You know him best,” Zara speaks up. “Do you think the shitbag will go to the Krijese village if they’ll accept him?”

Astrid hesitates before answering with a slow shake of her head. “No.”

Chapter 12

Astrid

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