Page 36 of Fated to the Alien Hero

“If you are sure. But if you do not like it, you must tell me.”

I squeeze his hand. “I will, I promise.”

He moves and I move with him. It doesn’t take me long to realize we’re heading in the direction of where the elders all live. We get almost there but then veer slightly left until we reach just the outskirts of their mini village within a village. There’s a decentsize parcel of land that butts up against the hillside. Four fiku trees are bundled together and stand tall against the backdrop.

It’s a little hike from the river and the central fire, but otherwise looks nice. Quiet. Peaceful. Evren and I stand there a minute before he speaks.

“This is where my family tent stood until my nene and baba traveled to the lands of the goddess,” he says softly. “It is where I grew up, but I could not stay in our dwelling alone once they were gone. The memories were too painful. But I think this spot is where I would like to start a new life. One with you. One where, if we are so blessed, we can raise our own kits.”

“Evren, look at me.” I wait until he turns before I rise up and kiss him. “It’s perfect.”

The smile that crosses his face is worth it. “I am glad you like it. Let us go tell the shefira.”

“If you don’t mind, I’d like to stay here and just sort of take things in. Get a feel for the spot.”And to catch my breath a little. Everything is moving so fast it feels like.

“Only if you are sure.”

I cradle his face and pull him down for another kiss. “I’m positive. Go. I’ll be here when you get back.”

Evren nods and hurries away, his tail swinging in almost a happy movement. I can’t help but smile at how adorable it is. Once I can’t see him any more, I slowly turn in a circle and scan the area. It’ll be nice living within the shade of the mountains and the fiku trees. They’re close enough together I wonder if we might be able to hang one of those hammock things that used to be popular on Earth years and years ago.

What would it be like to cuddle with Evren inside one of them and just sway with the breeze? I know what they’re supposed to look like, but I’m not sure if there’s any type of material big enough to fit us both. Although, now that I think about it, that luani thing might actually work. I’ll have to ask him whatever happened to the fur and how easy they are to come by. I don’t want to take it from someone else if they’d been promised it or are using it for something more important than a silly hammock.

I walk over to the tree-covered hillside. There’s a narrow path, but I’m not sure it leads anywhere. From where I stand, there isn’t much of a breeze, so maybe we’ll have some protection when winter comes again. Which reminds me of the calendar Evren and I talked about. Maybe that could be something I put together. We can mark the days and come up with a Tavikhi calendar. Maybe mark the holidays. Especially Christmas. I really miss celebrating.

It’s not even the gifts I miss. Well, notjustthe gifts. It’s the celebration. The scents. The family. While I will always miss my mom and dad and grieve not being able to say goodbye or the fact I’ll never see them again, maybe the Tavikhi people can be my new family. Even though Evren’s parents are gone, maybe there’s a nice older couple who wouldn’t mind me coming to visit and spend time with them. Sort of unofficially adopt them as another set of parents.

Behind me, a branch snaps. I twist to glance back to see if Evren’s returned, but a sweaty hand clamps over my mouth at the same time a strong arm wraps around my waist and pulls me against a hard chest. My legs flail and I claw at the hand at my face, but my captor drags me onto the path and up the sloping incline between the trees.

A far too familiar scent hits me and recognition kicks in. Terror builds greater inside me. Thanks to Gary’s visit, Grady knew where to find me. I should have known he wasn’t going to let me go that easily. Which makes me fight harder. Evren will find me. I know it. I just have to survive until then. There’s no way I’m going to let Grady win. Not like this. Not now. Not when I was finally free of him and have the chance to be happy with someone who truly loves me.

He leaves the path and carries me through the trees. I don’t know how far we go before he finally stops and throws me to the ground.

“You fucking bitch.”A sharp kick nails me in the side and I cry out. A second one comes before I can scramble away. “Do you have any idea what you’ve done?”

Get up, Astrid. Don’t let him win.

“Fuck you.”Biting my teeth against the pain, I clumsily jump to my feet before Grady can land another blow and stare him down.

He’s disheveled, from his mussed hair to dirt-streaked pants. His face is a deep red, and his chest heaves with ragged breaths.There’s a look in his eyes I’ve only seen once before, the day we slipped out of Old York City in the middle of the night and took an air shuttle all the way to New St. Louis. Like a man who’s lost everything. I thought Grady had taken everything from me as well. Until I met Evren.

“What did you say to me?” His eyes widen.

“You heard me, shitbag.” God it feels good to say that. Two days ago I wouldn’t have been brave enough, but since Evren found me and I triggered his mating marks, something inside me has changed.

I’m done.

“You’re nothing but a pathetic, poor excuse for a man. My mom saw it. I only wish I’d seen it sooner. Only a weakling abuses women. So, yeah, Grady. Fuck you.”

For a moment, we stand there staring at each other while I hold my side where the pain from his boot radiates through me. I can barely hear the sounds of the forest over the beating of my heart. Even if he tries again to hurt me, I trust Evren to find me before it’s too late. I just need to keep Grady distracted.

A change comes over him though. It’s slow at first, but quickens. The anger that twists his features into something macabre vanishes and a softness replaces it. I’m transported back to when we first met and the way he looked at me. He doesn’t look like the Grady from the last couple of years. He looks like the Grady I fell in love with.

He runs his hands through his hair and swipes them down his face. Unless it’s a trick of light, his eyes are shiny with…tears?

“God, Astrid. What kind of person have I become? Something just comes over me and I can’t stop what I’m doing no matter how hard I try.” He drops his head into his hands and shakes it. “You’re right. Iamweak. I’ve somehow managed to lose myself over the last couple of years. I don’t know how it happened.”

I narrow my eyes. This feels like a trick, except there’s so much sincerity in Grady’s voice. So much…pain. Not once has he ever admitted to weakness.He lifts his head and takes a step forward. I take two quick ones back, and he stops with his arms out in front of him showing me his palms.

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