Page 36 of Oh No, I Shot A Spaceship And Kissed An Alien Cyberchef

I’m really not a fighter. Not at all.

Oh, right. “Thank you?” I manage, feeling like I’m seriously underperforming in the gratitude department.

“You are welcome, female,” he tells me. Then he turns his gaze to Nelan and bows. Bows! “I’ve already taken enough from you, Nelan. Please accept my deepest apology. I am indebted to you. I swear to always protect you and what is yours. Just as I should have done in the past.”

I glance up at my mate. Tension runs through his body, his grip tight on me. I can feel his claws prickle my skin, not quite breaking, but really lending strength to how much this is affecting him.

Nelan glances down at me.

“If my mate has taught me anything,” he tells the General, “we must find a way to be at peace with our pasts, so that we can focus on our futures and what is truly important to us. Even if it takes time to heal.”

I reach out, my hand shaking, and touch his cheek. Nelan softly smiles at me.

“I love you too, Laura,” he tells me. “I should have asked you properly before. I cannot wait any longer. Will you be my mate?”

I laugh. How could I possibly top off this insane day? Near-death experiences and marriage proposals. All that’s missing is a feast, and that’s one thing that I know I can handle.

“Yes, Nelan, I’ll be your mate.”

Chapter

Thirteen

NELAN

Istare at the tiny human standing in the middle of my kitchen. My sanctuary, the very heart of our home, has been turned upside down in the wake of the General’s troops. Pots and pans are strewn across the floor, and food is scattered across the counter tops.

I grin as I spin and take in the chaos.

Beside me, Laura looks somewhat distraught at the destruction. But it’s all superficial. A bit of scrubbing and it’ll clean right up.

“Honestly, Laura,” I tell her, trying to keep a straight face, “if you’re going to make such a mess every single time you cook, I’m really going to have to teach you how to use the NutriSynth.”

“What?” She gasps, turning upon me. Her hands go to her hips, the way they always do when she’s frustrated with me. Hips that I held not that long ago as I pounded deep inside of her.

“I did not do this!” She exclaims. “If anything, this is your fault!”

“Mine?” I huff, biting my lip so as not to show my smile. “I’m all precision and neatness. You are the chaotic one.”

“Oh, I’m not falling for that,” Laura huffs, stepping further into the room. “How are we going to get this cleaned up in time for breakfast?”

“I’ll have you know the NutriSynth can make an entirely nutritiously balanced meal in mere moments,” I say, waving my arms to encompass the kitchen disaster zone. “It’s far easier than dealing with all... this.”

“Only if you like the taste of blandness,” Laura replies, her nose wrinkling in disgust.

We’ve had this exact same conversation many times. It’s practically the hallmark of our relationship. Laura drives me insane with her insistence on doing everything by hand, but I’ll always be standing behind her ready to assist—or duck, depending on what she throws at me next. I’m certain to rile her up whenever I suggest the easy route of pre-processed foods, even if I am right each and every time. I do it just to see her stand up for herself, to tell me exactly what she wants.

“I actually like sweet things,” I say as I grin. Just as I had hoped, her cheeks start to turn bright red.

She truly is sweet, and I’ll never tire of telling her. I love the taste of her on my tongue… and more importantly, I love how she truly cares about the people around her. She has a hard time admitting it, but her actions show the depth of her emotions. Who else would willingly wake up before dawn to cook food for others the hard way? Who else would spend all day trying—and failing—to learn how to use the NutriSynth.

“You know,” I say as I walk steadily towards her. “I think I’m craving something sweet right now.”

Laura’s eyes widen.

“Again?” She breathes. “Wasn’t this morning enough for you?”

“I’ll never tire of you,” I tell her, caging her in with my arms. I lean in and run my lips across her jaw lightly, tilting my head away when she leans in for a kiss. Because if anything, I love how riled up she gets when she wants something. How demanding.

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