Page 35 of Fated to the Alien Hero

Astrid straightens upright and turns to face me. Our gazes meet, and she studies my face for several beats until a determination settles in her eyes.

“I want to be your mate,” she announces.

“You are my mate. Just as I am yours.”

“No.” She shakes her head. “I don’t want to go back to the healer’s tent alone, and I don’t want you going back to the one you share with the other warriors. I know it’s late in the day, but I want to be with you in our own place. Just you and me.”

I cannot speak for several beats of my heart, because I do not trust that I heard correctly. Finally, I am able to form words.

“Are you sure? I know you have not received this divorce you sought yet. As much as I want to make you my mate in all the ways, I do not want you to have any regrets about it. I am willing to wait for as long as I have to.”

“I’m positive,” Astrid says. “I don’t want to waste another minute of my life by not doing things that will make me happy. You, Evren, make me happy. It’s been far too long since I’ve done something completely selfish and because I wanted it. And I want you.”

I do not know which of us moves first, but my mate is in my arms and our mouths meet in a fierce kiss. Our tongues glide against each other’s. Tasting. Teasing. Pleasuring. Every one of my mating marks tingles and my flesh feels on fire even though it does not burn. My soul light is blinding and the heat within me grows and spreads.

Astrid gasps against my lips and for a moment, I fear I have hurt or scared her until she deepens the kiss and clutches me tightly to her. The feel of her soft body and large chest mounds is the most wondrous thing I have ever felt. It is the first time I have had them fully pressed against me or both of her arms wound around me. There has always been a barrier between us, but no longer.

My cock is achingly hard and already the mating fluid leaks from the tip and my nodes tingle in preparation of opening and releasing more of the fluid that will enhance Astrid’s pleasure. I want to learn her body and know it better than I know my own. I want to explore every hill and valley so I know where she loves being touched the most.

The kiss goes on and on until at last, we both take in a desperately needed breath. I wish for nothing more than to lay mykeeshladown and sink deep inside her cunt, but this is not the place for it. Once we are settled inside a tent of our own, I do not plan on leaving for several turns. I will worship Astrid’s body as it was meant to be worshipped.

“I love you, mykeeshla, and I cannot go another beat of my heart longer without telling you.” I cradle her face between my palms. “You do not have to say it back if you are not ready or if you truly do not feel it yet. I only want you to speak the words when you know, without a single doubt, in your heart that you love me as I love you.”

Astrid opens her mouth, but I place my finger over it gently to silence her. “I will wait.”

She nods and I lower my arm.

“Come.” I stand and reach for her. “We will go and get a tent for us to share before it gets too late.”

“Okay,” she says quietly and takes my hand.

Chapter 16

Astrid

My heart races at hearing Evren tell me he loves me. It’s not like Zara hadn’t already said he did. It’s not likehehadn’t already said he did. Except this time it feels real. It feelsright. I wanted—want—to say it back to him, but maybe waiting is what I need to do. Not only for him, but for myself. Because things aren’t settled with Grady.

That doesn’t mean I want to spend any more time away from Evren.

Everything feels like it’s happening at the speed of light, but what I’m feeling doesn’t feelwrong. It’s like the broken pieces of my life are finally falling into place.

We walk through the village, although I’m not sure of our destination until we get closer to Zander and London’s tent. Evren stops at it and slaps the door flap. Shuffling sounds come from within until London swings the hide away.“I see you went to the Bohnari ship. I’m glad.” She glances down at our clasped hands and back up. “What can I help you with?”

“Astrid and I would like to set up our own dwelling, and I wanted to let you and the shefir know,” Evren explains.

London grins. “I’m happy for you both. Why don’t you pick out the spot where you’d like to settle and I’ll send word to some of the warriors to come help.”

Evren fists his chest. “Thank you, Shefira.”

For a second I want to object to bothering people, but I haven’t been in the village long enough to know how certain things work. It would be my luck that I tell them not to worry about it and I deeply offend them. If this is going to be my new home, then I need to accept the way the Tavikhi do things.“Yes, thank you, London.”

We walk away and Evren glances down at me. “I know you have not been in the village long, but is there any spot in particular where you would like to have our dwelling?”

“I have no idea. What about you?”

He hesitates for too long.

“Evren, if there’s somewhere you’d like to be, show me. You’re far more familiar with the village than I am. I’ll be happy just about anywhere, because you’ll be with me.”

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