Our chief’s voice softens as he says, “Yes, and the two humans, Isabella and Mara…”

He opens his mouth to continue, but before he can, an ugly blustering noise interrupts his words and I watch as Jaran shoots to his feet.

His silver skin gleams with perspiration, and spittle flies from his mouth as he says, “This is insanity! We should not be seeking out these females! They are too weak and inferior to us. And they certainly should not be allowed to traipse around Laedirissae with our warriors. I see nothing good coming of this...” He practically spits out the next words, a sneer on his face. Next to him, his son, Vrok, nods his head in encouragement. “Alliance with these creatures.”

Gasps sound from the females at his words, and I can feel the other warriors in the room go still with tension.

Draggar shoots to his feet, his hands fisting at his sides. “Inferior? My mate is not inferior to anyone, especially you. She is the most wonderful being ever created with more courage in her tiny hands than you have in your whole body.” Haley latches on to his arm, trying unsuccessfully to pull him back down beside her.

The older male sputters in indignation, but I see fear flash through his eyes as he takes in the large angry warrior staring him down.

Daggir’s booming voice echoes around us. “Silence!” His hardened gaze takes in the two males, one of whom is his own son and the commander of his warriors, and eventually they both resume their seats.

He turns to Jaran, and with a long-suffering sigh, he says, “Your concern about the humans has been noted, but in this, we will have to disagree.” He glances back to his son and the human mate sitting beside him, “We all heard the tales about the strength of the amoris bond, and the devotion it inspires between mates, and it appears the bond between a Laediriian and a human is just as strong.”

His gaze swings back to the older male, “This tribe will honor and accept any humans who wish to join us. I think it is wise for one of the humans to accompany our warriors on this mission. We have no guarantee that the other females who might have crashed on our planet have been fitted with translator chips or that they will be able to understand our warriors. Having one of their own kind along who speaks their language will ease any concerns they have.”

At Daggir’s next words, Mara’s gaze moves to me, and I catch of brief flicker of vulnerability in her eyes before she masks it.

“What say you, Sorrin? I have decided you will lead this mission. Do you think it’s a good idea for the humans to accompany you?”

Chapter 4

Mara

“Do you think it’s a good idea for the humans to accompany you?” At the chief’s question, my gaze flicks to the man seated a few places away.

Not that my gaze hasn’t already been drawn to him countless times since this meeting began. Sorrin stands out in any room he’s in. He’s tall—like all of the Laediriians I’ve met—but there’s something about the way he carries himself, a kind of easy confidence that’s hard to ignore. Unlike the others, who are usually solemn or focused, Sorrin almost always looks as if someone has just whispered the funniest joke ever in his ear.

And right now, that infuriating smile of his is aimed directly at me.

It’s big and unapologetically goofy, stretching across his sharp, angular face. His fangs glint in the sunlight spilling through the small windows of the cramped room, and his stone-gray eyes gleam with mischief. It’s the kind of smile that makesme certain he’s up to something—or daring me to guess what’s going on in that maddeningly smug head of his.

I frown and clench my fingers together in my lap. If there’s one thing I’ve learned in life, it’s to never trust a man who smiles like that. They’re always trouble. They might be charming and a good time to be around, but they leave pain in their wake.

And Sorrin? With a smile that big, he’s probablyheapsof trouble.

As if to confirm my suspicions, his smile grows wider when he notices the deepening frown on my face. My pulse skips a beat, and I clench my jaw, silently daring him to say whatever smug thought is dancing behind his eyes.

As the leader of the search mission, he could probably get me kicked off the team, and I wonder for a second if that’s what he’s going to do.

His gaze shifts to the chief, who waits for his answer.

“I think having the humans along will be beneficial,” Sorrin says, his voice warm and smooth making something flutter low in my belly. “They can speak the human language and will be able to reassure the others when we find them.”

It doesn’t escape my attention that he sayswhenwe find them notifwe find them, and I wonder if he’s really that confident that we’ll be able to find the other ship that crashed. And that they’re actually still alive.

I glance away, my thoughts turning over the possibilities. Could we actually track down the missing ship? I haven’t seen much of this planet, but from what I have seen, it’s an endless stretch of unspoiled nature with thick jungles and deadly predators. It’s going to be like looking for a needle in a haystack.

“Then, its settled.” Chief Daggir’s voice cuts through my thoughts. The room quiets as his gaze sweeps over the group. His eyes harden when they pass over the angry, old guy, Jaran. “The eponirs’ mating season will be at an end soon. You will leave as soon as they have returned to the village.”

Eponirs? Uh-oh. I haven’t seen them, yet, because the mounts are released every year during their breeding season to do what animals do, but I’ve heard the Laediriians wax lyrical about them. They’re massive animals that sound as if they’re somewhere between a mammal and a reptile, and the tribe uses them for travelling over long distances. The thought of riding one of those creatures makes my stomach churn. But the chief’s words settle heavily over me for another reason entirely.

This is really happening.

I swallow hard as reality crashes over me. Soon, I’ll leave the safety of the village and my friends, and I’ll venture out into an alien world filled with unimaginable dangers—dinosaurs, warring tribes, and who-knows-what-else lurking in the shadows.

Still, beneath the anxiety bubbling in my chest, there’s something else—something I haven’t felt in a long time. Excitement.