Page 26 of Taming the Alien Outlaw
“Don’t shoot. I’m Olivia, one of the human brides.”
Calls to open the gate sound and a guard walks out. Mak charges in front of me and stops, bearing her teeth and growling deep from her chest. The Bohnari withdraws his blaster.
“Stop! Put it away.” I run forward and attempt to put myself between her and the guard, but she’s not having it. “Mak, sit.”
She hesitates, but after I repeat the command, she slowly lowers herself. She continues snarling at the male though and doesn’t take her eyes off him. I stroke her head, hoping to keep her calm. His wary gaze doesn’t shift from her, but he at least takes his hand off the weapon.
“What are you doing with a phinnek?”
“She’s a…friend.”
The Bohnari laughs. “Other than the prince, no one is friends with one of those beasts.”
I fist my hips. “Well, I am.”
His disbelief is evident. “You better keep her under control or someone will put her down.”
They’ll do no such thing. “I need you to take me to the palace.”
“The prince has already been notified of your arrival and has instructed me to bring you to him.”
I should have assumed someone would comm Alik as soon as I showed up.
“Mak, come.”
We trail the guard as he guides us through the gate, the phinnek staying close to my side. She scans our surroundings and I can tell how alert she is. I find it interesting what the guard said about Alik having a phinnek for a friend. Does Janik know this about his brother? I’ve never seen the prince with a wolf the few times I’ve actually been around him.
Other than welcoming us the day we arrived, the two banquets the queen held in our honor, and Quinn’s wedding, Alik has made himself scarce in the presence of any humans to my knowledge. For someone who wants to save his people, he doesn’t appear to be interested in a bride of his own. Not that I care. I have zero aspirations to be a princess.
What if Janik were the prince?
“Shut up.”
“Did you say something?” the guard asks over his shoulder.
My cheeks heat. “No.”
He appears confused, but doesn’t argue. We wind our way through the streets, but I barely pay attention to where we’re going until I spot the mountain where the palace sits. If we passed the dormitory, I missed it. Quinn, Devon, and Lindsey are probably worried sick.
“Can you send word to my friends where I am, please?”
The Bohnari nods. “Once I deposit you with the prince, I will notify them.”
“Thanks.”
We stop at the lift at the base of the mountain and he presses the button. Mak hesitates at the door. She’s probably never seen one of these before.
“It’s okay, girl. You’re all right.”
Slowly she steps inside with us, but presses herself against my hip. I stroke behind her ears and wish I had a lulesh berry to give her. Maybe Alik will have some. The ride up to the palace level is slower than I remember it being, but finally the lift comes to a stop and the door slides open. Standing on the other side is Horek. His gaze drops from me to Mak and his eyes widen. It might be the first time I’ve see him surprised. She appraises him in the same way. The commander shifts his gaze to his guard.
“I will escort Olivia from here.”
The subordinate dips his head. “Yes, Commander.”
Mak and I step out of the lift and walk with Horek across the marble courtyard toward the palace entrance.
“You are unharmed?” he asks.
