Page 32 of Fated to the Alien Hero

The Bohnari studies me, and I do my best not to flinch under the intensity of his stare. He glances at Evren. “Your mate is a fierce one.”

“Yes, she is.”

Fierce isn’t something I’ve ever been called before or ever thought of myself as, but yeah, maybe I am.

“Horek,” someone from the interior of the ship yells out. “Quit being a mucknut.”

Another Bohnari appears behind him. One who appears much friendlier. The two share a glare and maybe some unspoken words before the scary guy pivots and is swallowed by the darkened interior as he walks away. The new guy faces us again with a warm grin.

“Welcome. I am Vornak, the Bohnari healer.”

“Greetings, Vornak. You are who we have come to see. I am Evren and this is mykeeshla, Astrid.”

“Yes, I heard. Please, enter. I’ll have you fixed up in no time. My mate is anxious to head to the village to visit her former tribe sister.”

I only hesitate for a second before I start up the ramp and into the bowels of the ship. It’s completely different than the ship we traveled on from Earth. That one was built for comfort, while the Bohnari’s ship is not. It’s dark and cool in here with dim lighting that gives the metallic hallway we travel down an eerie feel. The echo chamber effect doesn’t help.

After several turns that have me completely lost, we come to a stop before a door and what looks like some biometric reader. It’s confirmed when Vornak lays his palm on it and with a swooshing sound, it opens. He steps inside the brightly lit room, and Evren and I enter together.

Not even the med room on the human ship had the kind of technology I’m seeing. A dull thud makes me swivel my head. My eyes bug at the sight of the woman—thehumanwoman—striding forward. No one told me there was a human on board. Did Evren know? A quick glance confirms he’s not surprised.

The woman chuckles. “I get that look a lot. Hi, I’m Johnna.”

“Astrid.” I take her outstretched hand by rote.

“Nice to meet you.” She gestures to my arm. “Seems to be a theme with you guys.”

Although the Bohnari that first greeted us said something similar, there’s amusement in Johnna’s tone instead of a thread of hostility.

“The result of an abusive husband.” I mean it to be self-deprecating, but the way they both stiffen and whip their gazes to Evren have me backpedaling. “Oh, shit, sorry, not Evren. My other husband. I mean ex-husband. Or soon-to-be ex-husband. Definitely not Evren, though.”

Vornak and Johnna slowly relax and I breathe out a sigh of relief and step closer to him to try and emphasize my trust. My hand also automatically finds his.

“You had me worried for a second,” Johnna says with her hand on her chest. “I thought we were going to have a huge problem.”

I wince. “Yeah, that didn’t come out right.”

Her expression is still stern. “He back at the human settlement?”

“Yes. Actually, I don’t know. They’re supposedly kicking him out and either sending him to the Krijese village as punishment or he has to try and make it on his own.”

She turns to her…mate. “Maybe we’ll have to ask Alik to make a stop somewhere before we go home.”

My head is already shaking, because I only want to forget Grady ever existed. “No, please. I just want to get my divorce or annulment or whatever it is we’re calling it on this planet and move on with my life.”

Johnna looks like she wants to argue, but she finally gives a single jerky nod. “Fine.”

“Since that has been settled, we should get your arm healed.” Vornak shoots a glance at Evren. “I’m sure things will be less difficult without either the sling or the discomfort.”

It takes me a second to process what he means, but when I do, my face grows hot and no doubt I’m bright red. I clear my throat. “I’m ready.”

“Please remove your sling, and then I’ll need you to lie on your back in the med pod,” Vornak instructs gently.

“Would you like assistance?” Evren asks me.

I nod and let him help me out of the support and over to the giant egg-shaped pod. He palms my waist and lifts me onto the padded surface without a single grunt or groan. Carefully, I lay back and wait for the lid to close over me.

Chapter 15

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