Page 28 of Resisting the Alien Commander

There are so many things to love about her, but Olivia’s ability to accept when she’s wrong or has hurt someone’s feelings and apologize—and actually mean it—is one of the biggest ones. The Njeri dips his head.

“I’m Olivia and this is Quinn.”

“Zerim.”

“It’s nice to meet you.”

“And you.” He inclines his head again. “You are human, correct?”

“Yes.”The least we can do to make up for our rudeness is try and be friendlier. “Have you lived on Bohna long?”

“I fled my home planet approximately seven anums ago.”

“Do you like it here?” Olivia asks.

Zerim pauses briefly. “There are times I miss my village and tribe, but I do not regret coming to Bohna.”

The door opens and a towering Bohnari walks in. My stomach does a little flip flop. It’s Horek.

Chapter14

Horek

I nearly stumble at the sight of Quinn and her friend seated in Erik’s establishment. I’m also a bit surprised Zerim is speaking to them. He tends to keep to himself as the Njeri are generally not well-liked or respected, although he himself hasn’t caused any problems since he sought asylum here. And of all the places they could have chosen to be this morning, within the market isn’t one I expected, especially not in this place specifically. Not after the events of last evening. Not with the way I left Quinn at her building.

She and the other female stare at me before Quinn quickly looks away. I stride to the counter and attempt to ignore the sting of what feels like rejection.

“Greetings, Commander.” Erik gives me his signature grin.

“Greetings.”

“Your meal will be coming shortly.”

I nod. He walks into the cooking area leaving me standing alone and, to my annoyance, feeling like an awkward youth. Something I haven’t been for quite some time. Another person comes in behind me. I glance toward the door. Fuck. Bannik scans the room and his gaze locks onto Quinn. Unlike with me, she doesn’t turn from his stare. In fact, she smiles and raises a hand in greeting.

That same emotion that choked me last night while I watched her dance with him returns. Except now its name doesn’t elude me. For the first time in my existence, I’m…jealous. My fists clench at my sides and I wince at the jab of pain that shoots through them. A warm liquid sensation crawls across my flesh and I glance down just as several drops of blood hit the floor with a small splash. My claws have extended and pierced my palms.

Stabbing agony shoots through my stomach and I nearly double over from it. This can’t be happening. I rush outside and snatch the vial of kanet powder from my pocket. People stare at my harried appearance, but I can’t care. I fumble with my stash and nearly drop it in the process. At last, I manage to dump a portion into the cap and jerk it up to my nose.

The cooling rush of it traveling upward barely soothes the fire rushing through my veins. I pour out some more and sharply inhale that dose as well. Slowly—far too slowly—the burning that heats my insides calms to a manageable level. I take long, deep breaths to further quell the raging inferno. A scent that is becoming my new addiction assaults me.

A soft touch brushes against my arm. I shiver with the intensity that comes with it and curse beneath my breath, because there’s only one person who could be causing it considering the reaction I’ve barely gotten under control.

I lift my gaze. Quinn is at my side, smelling sweet and crisp like a fruit I want to devour.

“Are you all right?” Her voice is like a melody I could listen to over and over again and never get tired of hearing it.

“I’m fine.”

She cocks an eyebrow in a way that closely resembles Alik when he’s being imperious. “I don’t claim to be a doctor, but you don’t look fine. Your skin is about four shades darker than it was when you walked into the restaurant a minute ago. Almost like you’re running a fever. Not only that, but I don’t remember your eyes being that color.” Quinn’s coloring is the one to now change. “Not that I was paying that close attention. I mean, I noticed them, but it’s not like I wasnoticingthem. God, never mind.” She snaps her lips closed. “You just…are you really sure you’re okay?”

Thankfully, the effects of the mating fever that had hit me are slowly dissipating. At least to a minimum intensity. “Yes, I really am. Thank you for your concern though.”

She still doesn’t look as though she believes me, so I hope she doesn’t question me again. “I guess if you’re okay, I should probably get back inside.”

“Yes, you don’t want your friend to worry, and my food is most likely ready as well.”

Quinn nods. “Right, then. I won’t keep you.” She pivots toward the establishment, but stops halfway and glances back. “Oh, and before I forget, we ran into some strange Bohnari on our way here. He mentioned rebels in the city, although I think he was trying to flirt with Olivia more than anything. It was a little bizarre though.”

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