Page 20 of Fated to the Alien Hero

“Of course. Just let me or Kyler know when you want some, and you’ll get it.”

“Thank you.” She swings her legs over the side of the platform, and I offer my hand to help her down.The drop is a little ways since the beds are built Tavikhi-size and not human-size.

Once she’s steady on her feet, we walk outside. The sun is hidden behind what the humans call a cloud, but it is still a pleasant day, with a warm breeze that blows in from the bari field. The scent of the meal flies with the wind, and I breathe in the delicious aroma.

“I spoke with the shefir about this divorce. He offered some counsel that I would like to speak with you about.”

Astrid stumbles slightly, but manages to right herself before I can assist. “You did? When?”

“While you were resting. He has been our leader for many seasons and I trust him with all things.” Zander follows in his baba’s footsteps. Djentar was a great leader. His son is an even better one.

“What did he say?” she asks in a wary tone.

I glance around at the small number of people who travel toward the central fire as well. Astrid and I should speak privately.“Would it be all right if we discussed it after we ate, when we are alone?”

She appears to want to disagree, but finally she nods. “That’ll probably be better.”

“All will be well,keeshla. You shall see.”

Astrid smiles, but it is clearly strained. We arrive at the fire, where the midday meal is already being served and join the short line of people who wait to get their food. I observe my mate while she, in turn, observes the village. We encountered a few people earlier when we walked from the training arena to the food stores tent back to the healer’s tent. Not as many as have gathered, although it is about half of the total number of Tavikhi and humans that live here.

The ones who aren’t here are hunters, out searching for meat to bring back, while others are scouts and patrols that protect and watch our borders for any potential intruders. Zander increased their numbers after the Njeri attacked and kidnapped one of the human females at the end of the cold season.

The more people who arrive, the closer Astrid moves to my side, and the more uneasy she appears. I bend down so I may speak quietly to her without being overheard.

“Is something wrong? You appear unsettled.”

She glances up at me. I could lose myself in her eyes. “I’m just not used to being around this many people anymore. I don’t want to do anything wrong.”

“There is nothing you can do wrong, I am sure of it. But if you are uncomfortable, we can return to the healer’s tent and eat ourmeal in there.” My mate should not have to spend any time being worried.

“No. I need to learn how to be around people again,” Astrid says. “I want to make friends.”

“Then you will make friends.”

“You don’t know that.”

I pause because there is a hint of…irritation? “The females here are all friends and sisters. I am sure they will welcome you as their newest friend and tribe sister.”

We move forward in line, but when I glance back, Astrid has remained behind and she stares at me. I return to her. “Is all well,keesh?—”

“Please stop calling me that. And please stop trying to make everything sound perfect and so matter-of-fact. Like you know all the answers, and nothing could possibly go wrong just because you declare it.”

I am taken aback by her words. But I am more taken aback by the way she braces herself the moment she closes her mouth. As if she thinks I will punish her for her outburst.

“Forgive me,kee—Astrid.” I am not sure what has stoked her anger. “I did not mean to offend you.”

She blows out a breath and slowly shakes her head. “Grady would pretend everything was perfect, when it wasn’t. He would state something like it was fact and I was just supposed to believe him. Well, I don’t trust perfect. I don’t trust blanket statements as though that’s the end of it. Not anymore.”

Astrid places her hand on my arm. “I really want to trust you, Evren. Idotrust you. At least as much as I can trust anyone. But when you try to make it appear as though everything is perfect, I question my judgment.”

My shoulders drop in defeat. I have done a disservice to my mate. “You are right. Nothing in life is perfect and I should not make it seem as though it is so. Thank you for being honest with me regarding your feelings. I would ask for your forgiveness. If you grant it, I shall strive to do better.”

“I forgive you.”

Chapter 10

Astrid

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