Page 49 of Krin

I glanced at Krin. “Wait here. I’ll be right back.” He stopped walking and gave me a single nod.

As we rounded the corner at the back of the shop, the employee motioned for me to go a little further ahead. She held out the pants for me to take.

“There is a place to try on the items just through the door.” She turned and walked away after I thanked her.

It was only when I turned around that I realized there were two doors. I strolled to the one closest to me and pushed it open.

Upon stepping out, I took a sharp breath as I found myself in an alley of sorts, instead of a dressing room. As I turned to head back inside, I heard grunts and what seemed like the sound of someone being punched.

I glanced around before realizing the noise was coming from the corner. Quietly, I walked towards it and peeked around. Much to my surprise, the Minotaur alien was thrashing the tentacled alien I saw earlier.

I reacted without thinking. “Hey, stop!”

Midway through his punch, the Minotaur paused with his fist above the silver-skinned alien.

The intimidating alien with horns growled as he bellowed, “Be gone, little human.”

I reached into my vest and pulled out my dagger, wielding it the way Krin and Aza had taught me.

The deep, booming laughter of the alien filled the air. He stepped back from the battered alien and raised an eyebrow at me. “Female,” he warned, “leave before you make a foolish mistake.”

With a defiant lift of my chin, I admonished him. “No. You can’t just go around beating people up. I won’t allow it.” I stood in a fighting stance, ready to face whatever came next.

He laughed again, shaking his large horned head in disbelief. “I cannot tell if you are stupid, or not of sound mind.”

“Neither. I’m not going to stand by and watch someone get pummeled by a bully.”

The sound of the door opening behind me was quickly followed by the distinct thud of heavy boots approaching.

The Minotaur looked over my shoulder. “Does this female belong to you?” he asked Krin as he reached my side.

Krin pushed me behind him. “She is my mate.”

I stepped around Krin, stuffing my dagger back into its sheath. “He beat that guy up,” I complained. “I was trying to stop him.”

The Minotaur released his victim and took a step toward us. “You are a brave female. But you have no business interfering in things you know nothing about.”

Krin placed his hand on my shoulder and addressed the alien. “My mate is unfamiliar with Tazira station. And the Nomu.”

The beaten alien let out a pained cry as the Minotaur’s foot came down hard on one of his tentacles. He glanced back at us, explaining. “This scum is my bounty. He is wanted in two star systems. He refused to come along quietly.”

I swallowed.Oh. Krin said he might be a bounty hunter.“I didn’t realize... sorry for the misunderstanding,” I said.

The alien cocked his head, nodded, and picked up his bounty like a sack of potatoes before walking away.

Krin waited until they were gone before turning to face me. “I heard some of what happened. Riley, you put yourself in danger when you did not need to.”

My nose scrunched. “I know. But I couldn’t bear to see him being beaten.”

I left out the part where the Numo threatened me. Though thinking about it, he made no move to harm me when he easily could have.

Krin pulled me against his chest. “My brave warrior mate. You astound me with your fearlessness. I am honored to have you as my K’sha. However, you must promise me you will be more careful.” His voice was filled with admiration and pride.

I leaned back. “Why were you so civil to him? How can you know he was telling the truth?”

He grinned. “We do not interfere with Numo business. Although they are not allies. They are also not our enemy. He likely would not have hurt you. In fact, I think you earned his respect.”

Krin stroked his fingers through my hair with a tenderness that brought tears to my eyes. I’d chosen to wear it down today since I knew how much Krin liked it when I didn’t wear a ponytail.

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