Page 17 of Fated for the Alien Fighter

Leah was an orphan who worked too much. That had been the main idea of the bare information he’d received.

Nobody knew more about her—or nobody thought Taryn should know more. His companions had gotten entire holo-dossiers on their Lightmates.

Taryn slowed his steps as he neared her.

Righted his spine.

Turned his lips into a smile that mimicked those of humans. Softer. Not showing fangs.

Something had upset his Lightmate.

Perhaps the trip here. Not all beings enjoyed traveling through space, though Taryn loved those saics of pressure as he blasted off into the atmosphere. It meant he was off on another mission. Unreachable.

Maybe she was missing her relative. After all, humans apparently formed very strong bonds, but they couldn’t feel each other through space and time.

Whatever the reason, Taryn planned on making Leah forget her worries—if he couldn’t eliminate them altogether.

Protecting one’s mate was an instinct ingrained in every Quillon. One he’d thankfully inherited.

He’d scheduled their mon together down to the last honnen.

After they left the atrium, they would enjoy an exquisite meal together. A single table awaited them on the highest balcony in the Capital, decorated with small lights that would also ward off the heavy winds.

They would gaze out at the citadel and talk about everything and anything, as long as it was about her. He wanted to know all the details about Leah she’d never shared.

Then, tomorrow, they would leave for Kustume, the best garment district on the planet, where he would swaddle her in the finest fabrics and jewels.

Then—

Taryn froze.

His Lightmate was crouched on the ground, head cradled in her palms.

Taryn had to fight every cell in his body not to run to her side and cradle her himself. He hadn’t turned himself from a refugee into one of the most powerful beings on Quillon by reacting on his basic impulses.

If he wrapped his arms around her, he’d scare her. And worse–his hands might Ignite.

Instead, he approached her slowly. Cautiously.

Her energy was blistering. Taryn picked up on the main emotions.

Despair.

Sorrow.

Guilt.

Why?

The question gnashed at him, even as her mere presence drew him in further.

Then her energy shifted. A weird sort of calm took over her.

But it wasn’t the cold freshness of serenity.

This sort of calm was burning her inside. It was the inevitability of something.

What had happened on her flight here?

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