Page 39 of Fated to the Alien Hero

“Her former mate took her, but he is no longer going to bother her. I am going to take her to the Bohnari ship for healing again.”

Katem shakes his head. “I am sorry, but they have already left. Eloise and Zedam went with them to visit after Alik spoke withthe shefir about whatever business they had. Something to do with the humans back on Earth.”

I use one of Zara’s favorite curse words, but Astrid squeezes my arm. “It’s fine.I’mfine. It’s just a bruise.”

While I want to argue with her, I do not. “You will tell me if you need to see Sage or Kyler, please?”

“I will, I promise.”

“Come, then, let us return.” Although it is late, I do not want to spend another turn without mykeeshlaat my side. “We still need to construct our home.”

“Most of the hunters are back,” Rojtar says. “We will ask them all to assist. It will take us no time to have your new dwelling ready.”

I fist my chest. “Thank you, brother.”

Finally, we enter the village from the path and a crowd has gathered. Sage rushes forward as does Abby, Rojtar’s mate. Remi’s gaze is locked on Zydon and she scans him as though searching for any wounds. He crosses over to her and his tail wraps around her waist.

“God, Astrid, are you okay?” Sage asks. “Where all are you hurt?”

“I’m fine. Truly. There’s nothing more than my face and that will heal in about a week, I’m guessing.”

“Do you need anything?”

My mate shakes her head. “I just want to rest.”

Zander comes forward and bows his head. “I am sorry you were not safe here. I increased scouts around the village after the Njeri attack, but it was not enough.”

“It’s not your fault,” Astrid tells him. “The only person I blame is no longer around.”

“Shefir,” I speak up. “We would like to make our home on this spot and had been about to construct our tent when Astrid was taken.”

“Say no more,” Zander says. “It will be taken care of right now.”

“You have our thanks.” I turn to mykeeshla. “Come. Let us go rest by the fire until they are finished. Then we will sleep in our new home.”

Astrid nods and I guide her toward the elder’s central fire to wait.

Chapter 18

Astrid

I stare into the flames of the elder’s fire. Grady is dead. I still don’t believe it. Not any of it. I wish I could feel…anything, but I don’t. I’m completely and totally numb. Except for my face. That fucking hurts. But the rest of me? Numb. I’m sure if Evren wasn’t sitting beside me, holding me with his tail wrapped around me, I’d be having a breakdown right about now.

Grady isdead.

Why couldn’t he have just let things go? Just gone to the Krijese village or set out on his own? Why did he have to come for me? Did he not realize how things could end? I’ll never have the answers though, because Grady’s dead.

“Astrid,” Evren says softly. “You are shaking.”

“I’m fine. It’s fine.”

“You are not fine.” He pulls me onto his lap and holds me tighter. It’s as if he squeezes the sob out of me along with the tears, because they fall and I’m not sure I’ll ever get them to stop.

I clutch him in return and cry brokenly into the crook of his neck while he murmurs quietly to me. So many more things could have gone wrong today. I could be dead. Or worse, Evren could be.

I’m not sure how long we sit there with him comforting me and his warm body and clean, minty scent soothing me, but my tears slowly come to a stop.

I’m exhausted and don’t want to move. Maybe if I sit here long enough I’ll forget everything. Except that’s a coward’s way out and I’m done being one. Slowly I sit up and swipe away the wetness that lingers on my lashes. I wince at the pain in my face and turn my head to look at Evren.

---