Page 30 of Possessive Alien Mate

But he had failed her. He’d allowed Bethamma’s ghost into their lives and treated Tyra unfairly. He cursed himself and quickened his pace, determined to right his wrongs. But would Tyra forgive him?

He cursed again and broke into a run.

* * *

Alarm filledRem when he found Tyra sitting quietly in their bedroom, dressed in tattered clothing, her suitcase at her feet. She didn’t look up when he entered the room, but continued staring out the large window that faced the forest.

“Tyra.”

She still didn’t lift her eyes to his.

He knelt before her, gently grasped her chin, and directed her gaze to his. Her eyes were red-rimmed, as if she’d been sobbing, and he hated himself for causing her such pain. He would spend the rest of his life making amends to her, if only she would give him another chance.

“Did you kill them?” she asked. “Or one of them? I-I am unsure if you went after Chexxa or Frinik, or both of them, since I greeted them both in the bakery, though you seemed to only be talking about one male when you left.”

Rem peered into her fearful gaze. “I went after Chexxa. There are surveillance cameras all over the city, and I saw security footage of Chexxa following you.”

She drew back slightly, appearing shocked. “I-I felt as though someone was watching me, but whenever I turned around, I didn’t see anyone. He really followed me?”

“Yes. It would appear he was becoming infatuated with you. In fact, he admitted it when I confronted him.”

“I see. And now he’s dead, isn’t he?” Her lower lip quivered. “I cannot stay with you, Rem, when you are so intensely jealous.” She reached for her suitcase, but he pushed it out of her reach and cupped her face.

“He’s not dead. I did not kill him.”

Her eyes widened. “What? I thought you—”

“I wanted to kill him, and I went to his home fully intending to challenge him to a fight to the death.”

“What stopped you?” Some of the color was returning to her face, and a glimmer of hope shone in her eyes, the tiniest spark of optimism, but he didn’t fail to notice it.

“You,” he answered. “You stopped me. I remembered that despite what your uncle did to you, how cruelly he has treated you over the years, you still didn’t wish to see him put to death.”

“You spared Chexxa’s life? Truly?”

“Yes. I did inflict some injuries upon him while I was questioning him, though I assure you he will heal quickly.” The young male’s broken arm had probably already been set by a doctor. Given the advanced level of his people’s medical technology, Chexxa would likely be completely healed within a day or two.

“I am relieved to hear it,” she said quietly, and his heart broke when he noticed her lip quivering again. “I-I am sorry the king forced you to take a mate when you clearly didn’t wish to do so.” Her gaze dropped to his chest and she made to reach for her suitcase again, but he blocked her movements and tightened his hold on her face.

“Tyra, look at me,” he commanded.

She pressed her lips firmly together as she obeyed, anger flaring in the depths of her soulful dark eyes, alongside the visible heartbreak. His feelings of guilt increased and he longed to mend the gaping rift between them. How could he fix their mating union? He wasn’t certain, but he knew he must apologize. He also knew he must close the door on the past, on the hurts caused by Bethamma. Tyra deserved his trust.

“You are my heart, Tyra, and I cannot imagine being parted from you,” Rem said. “You are my beloved mate.”

“But you didn’t want me,” she said, tears filling her eyes.

“I will admit I was angry when the king ordered me to take a human female as a mate. A long time ago, after Bethamma betrayed me by mating with another, despite our betrothal, my heart became hardened and I vowed that I would never enter into a mating union. But when I first looked upon you, Tyra, I was drawn to you with an intensity that defied logic. I thought I didn’t want a mate, but when I first stared into your eyes, it felt as though the world had ceased turning. All I wanted in that moment was you, my sweet mate. You. For as long as I live, I will never want another female. You are mine.”

He leaned in to press a kiss to her forehead, then he proceeded to brush the freshly fallen tears from her cheeks. To his relief, she didn’t pull away from him.

“Mine,” he whispered, in a tone as gentle as he could summon. “My sweet mate.”

Chapter 25

“I want you, Tyra. Do you hear me?I want you.”

Rem’s words penetrated Tyra’s consciousness, causing hope to bloom in her heart.

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