Page 22 of His to Claim
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When we reachthe bridge of the ship, I look around curiously at the equipment lining the walls. It reminds me of the control room in the spaceship I rode on Valkrya.
"This is amazing," I say softly.
"Yes, isn't it?” asks the alien.
"Where are we headed?"
"To Valkrya," he answers matter-of-factly. "My home planet."
I frown deeply and glance at Kallena. She looks worried too.
"What's wrong?" I ask her.
She shakes her head. "Nothing. Nothing at all."
I sigh and turn back to face the alien.
"Why are we heading to your planet?" I question again.
"Because Dhakar needs help," the alien explains.
"Oh fuck! Is Dhakar on Valkrya? I ask.
But the alien doesn't answer my question directly. Instead, he says, "Dhakar needs someone to take care of him. Someone to keep him safe."
"Are you saying he is injured?"
"No. Not exactly," the alien admits. "He is fine."
I stare blankly at him for a moment, wondering why the hell Dhakar would need anyone to protect him if he wasn't hurt.
"Well, what’s wrong with him?" I shout.
The alien turns to look at me and smiles.
"There is nothing wrong with him. He is perfectly fine. He is very healthy. But there's something about him that makes people want to attack him, even though he never hurts them."
“He is a prisoner there”
“ I need to save him. I need him,” I cry.
The alien nods slowly. "Of course you do. What do you think this mission is all about?"
I blink several times as the realization sinks in.
"So…you're taking me to rescue him?"
The alien chuckles. "Yes.”
I smile. Finally, some good news.
"Thank you! Thank you!"
I run forward and hug him tight. I don't care that I'm hugging a stranger. After everything that happened yesterday, I needed someone to thank.
“What’s your name?” I ask.
