Page 36 of Resisting the Alien Commander

Lindsey snorts. “I knew this all sounded too good to be true.”

“Unpopular opinion here.” Devon raises her hand and we all turn to her. “Does this new development really make that much of a difference? I mean, we came here with the sole intention of finding a husband and having children. We knew when we entered the lottery what we were signing up for. Marriage. Kids.”

None of us have a response.Devon continues. “I entered my name because there was nothing I wanted more than to leave Earth. To escape the bottom tier and the shit life I had there. The President announcing my name was like every dream I ever had coming true. I didn’t—still don’t—care why I was getting out of that place. Only that I was.”

Her gaze bounces over us. “I didn’t sign up for the bridal lottery for love, although I’m not opposed to the idea of it. In fact, I’m hoping for it. But if what I get is a husband who treats me with kindness and respect and a life where I’m not working myself to an early grave for nothing more than scraps, then I’m perfectly content with that. It doesn’t matter if it’s because some mating fever makes him want me or not. And maybe that makes me desperate or I’m settling for less than what other people think I deserve. The truth is, I don’t care.”

I let her words sink in. All the things Devon mentioned were the very reasons my mom entered my name in the lottery. She wanted me to have a better life. To not spend my days surrounded by shit. To find my own happiness, even if I had to make it myself. To appreciate all the advantages that coming to Bohna offered me. Does it really matter what prompted Horek to kiss me? If his intentions are for something long-term, then why am I so upset?

“It’s clear Devon is the voice of reason amongst us,” Olivia says without a hint of sarcasm. “You’re right. We all came to Bohna to be wives and mothers. To leave our crappy lives behind and forge a new path for ourselves.”

Maybe I have been fooling myself all along, and it’s love I truly want. The same kind of love my parents had. Isn’t passion the closest thing to it? Could it not turn into a deeper emotion?

Olivia’s face comes into focus in front of mine. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah. Just thinking.”

She squeezes my hand. Unlike mine, her parents hated each other. It’s one of the reasons we spent so much time together growing up. Liv had been at my house far more than her own. Also, unlike me, she’d desperately wanted to come to Bohna. To escape life back on Earth.

“Look,” Devon speaks up. “I know we all came from different situations back home so our expectations for our new life here are on Bohna are most likely different as well. Just because I feel a certain way doesn’t mean your feelings aren’t also valid.”

“She’s right. Again. It’s getting kind of annoying, in fact.” Lindsey laughs and nudges Devon with her elbow. “Never in a million years did I think my name would be called. Honestly, I sort of entered the lottery more as a joke than because I expected I’d be chosen. Deep down, though, I was terrified of coming here. Truth be told, I still am. I don’t know if it was the right decision, but there’s nothing I can do about it now. All I can do is hope I didn’t make a mistake.”

This might be the most honest conversation we’ve ever had with each other. Having Olivia with me as made it easier, but somehow, hearing what Lindsey just said makes me feel not so alone.

My gaze darts over the three of them. “You guys are the best. I hope you know that.”

Olivia scoffs. “Of course we do.”

We all laugh, which feels good. I haven’t done nearly enough of it in my life. Something tells me I’ll be doing a lot more of it with these women as my friends.

“Thank you.” I glance, and pause, at each of them. “All of you. I’m lucky to have you guys.”

“Why does this feel like a group hug moment?” Devon chuckles.

I roll my eyes but can’t stop the grin from spreading across my face. Olivia looks right at me.

“You good now?”

“I think so.”

“What are you going to do about Horek?”

That’s a question I still don’t have an answer to. “I don’t know.”

Bannik is sweet and makes me laugh. I’ve enjoyed spending time with him. Not once while we were together—even alone—was he overcome with passion for me. Then again, maybe that’s just the plant they ingest doing what it’s supposed to.

Except, if it’s supposed to keep the Bohnari’s mating fever banked so they don’t go mad, then why did Horek have such an intense reaction?

I suppose I’ll have to ask him.

Chapter18

Horek

It had to have been Bannik that told Quinn of the mating fever. Not even our Tavikhi allies know the true reason why we trade for the kanet plant. My claws extrude at the thought that Bannik might have been struck just as hard with it and couldn’t resist the pull of Quinn either. Alik wouldn’t appreciate me sending one of my guards to the medical facility.

Once my patrol is complete, I make my way back to the barracks. For the first time, my on-hand supply of kanet powder is getting low and needs to be replenished. I still don’t understand why only Alik and I are the ones who appear to be afflicted with a fever that’s becoming unmanageable. If not for the fact my cousin has been experiencing the problem for many moons, I would wonder if he hadn’t met his heart’s fire.

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