Page 74 of Wanted By the Alien Warden

He held out his hand.

His left hand.

That threw me for a moment. His right arm remained at his side, and I quickly realized why. His right arm ended at his wrist, the hand obviously amputated some time ago.

The injury Warden Hallum had mentioned?

“Hello, Rivven.” I smiled, and raised my left hand to clasp his.

“Hello. And welcome,” he said gruffly, releasing my hand after giving it a tentative shake. “This is my place here. I don’t… I don’t have a herd.”

“Yes, Warden Hallum told me. That’s fine.”

Rivven looked startled.

“It is?”

“Absolutely,” I replied as we all walked into the saloon. “I’m sure there are many human women who’d rather work in a place like this than help run a ranch.”

“Oh.” Rivven looked like he wasn’t sure what to do with that information. It was like he wanted to be pleased about it, but was too afraid to let himself.

“Please have a seat, Tasha,” Warden Hallum said, indicating a single rectangular table with a bunch of mis-matched but sturdy-looking wooden chairs. Beyond the table was a polished wooden bar with plates, glasses, and various jugs and containers behind it.

“You too,” Warden Hallum told his men.

I chose a chair on one side of the table. Dorn, Xennet, and Rivven sat down across from me.

Tenn didn’t sit. He stationed himself directly behind me, so close that I was surprised he didn’t end up resting his hands on top of my shoulders. Warden Hallum decided not to sit, either. He stood with his hands behind his back near the door we’d come through.

“My men are ready,” Warden Hallum said. “They have been studying your text closely. They are prepared to do whatever it takes to earn a place in your bridal program. Put them through whatever tests you wish to.”

“Thank you, Warden Hallum. I can tell you guys have read the book! But I don’t exactly have any tests to give any of you. I’m just hoping to get to know you better. To determine your compatibility with a potential human bride, should the program continue.”

“Ask them questions, then,” Warden Hallum suggested.

Dorn, Xennet, and Rivven waited tensely.

Alrighty, then.

I guessed I’d just jump right into it.

“Would there ever be a good reason,” I asked the convicts before me, “to hit your wife?”

All three men visibly stiffened.

“No,” Rivven and Dorn answered in firm unison. Warden Hallum look satisfied with their answers.

Until his grey eyes went to Xennet, who had not yet replied.

“Well…” Xennet hedged.

“Well?” Warden Hallum repeated frostily.

“Well, what if she is choking?” Xennet exclaimed. “I might need to give her a whack! On the back!”

“A whack… on the back…” I echoed, blinking.

“No, Xennet,” Dorn interjected. “Do you not remember that chapter? If a human is choking you lick… something.”

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