Page 13 of Charmed By the Alien Warrior

Haley’s laughter rings out, her face turning bright red as if she’s been caught doing something illicit. Her hand goes to her chest, and I’m immediately reminded of something she told us on the journey from our crashed ship to the village—after one of the many times, she and Draggar snuck off for some alone time in the jungle.

She explained how the amoris bond supposedly works, how it ties two people together, allowing them to feel each other’s emotions. At the time, it sounded like a fairy tale, like the kind of nonsense designed to make hopeless romantics swoon.

But as I watch her now, sharing another look with Draggar that’s so heated I feel like I should look away, doubt creeps in. A small part of me wonders what would the bond feel like? To be connected to someone so deeply, to know and be known in a way that is beyond anything I’ve ever heard of?

Could the amoris bond be real?

I shake my head. No, things like spirit mates and love at first sight and amoris bonds don’t exist. Theycan’texist.

Still, the way she lights up under Draggar’s gaze, the way his softens when he looks at her—it stirs something uneasy in my chest.

Oblivious to my inner turmoil, Haley beams at Draggar again and crosses to stand next to him. He murmurs something too quiet for me to hear, and she laughs, the sound carefree and happy.

Two things I haven’t been in a long time.

My grip tightens on my satchel. This isn’t the time to get caught up in fairy tales or wistful daydreams. We have a mission ahead, and that’s where my focus needs to be.

Around us, the other girls move closer to the animals, their curiosity overriding their caution. Laughter and gasps of amazement echo through the space as they admire the creatures from what they probably consider a safe distance.

Only Crystal and I remain where we are, the sound of the others fading into the background.

“So,” Crystal says, lowering her voice. “All that talk about saving the other women is great, but come on, you and I both know why you’re really going.”

I frown. “We do?”

“Yeah.” She glances over at the others, then lowers her voice. “You’re like me. You don’t trust these guys as far as you can throw them. You want to scope out the planet—maybe even find a way off. They claim they came here on a spaceship but conveniently can’t leave? Bullshit.”

I snort. “Agreed. Their ancestors built all this tech, but we’re supposed to believe they’re stranded? It doesn’t make sense.” I huff out a breath and shake my head.

Crystal smirks. “Exactly. So, go play hero, but don’t forget why you’re really out there. And for God’s sake, don’t let one of these guys sweet-talk you into becoming his mate.” She holds out something to me, and I immediately recognize it.

It’s a piece of metal from the wreckage of our ship, sharpened to a point on one end and with a length of fabric wrapped around the other to form a shiv.

“Here.” She places the fabric wrapped handle in my hand. “You might need it.”

And with that she walks off, moving to where the others are.

Before long, the warriors are through saddling their mounts and I realize it’s time to go. I feel my chest tighten. These women have become my family in every way that matters. We’ve been through so much together, and now I’m leaving them behind to go off on what might be a wild goose chase.

Haley steps away from Draggar and throws her arms around me in a warm hug. “Relax and don’t worry so much,” she says softly. “And try to enjoy the trip, okay? Laedirissae is beautiful.”

Beautiful? I don’t know about that. On the grueling trek to the village, all I remember seeing was an endless blur of trees and rocks. But I bite back the reply hovering on my tongue and nod, squeezing her a little tighter in return.

Behind me, I can hear the deep rumble of the warriors’ voices and the sound of someone—probablyhim—chuckling at something.

I pull back from Haley and, as casually as possible, glance over my shoulder. Sure enough, Sorrin is nearby, his broad frame relaxed, his face lit up with a grin as he jokes with Vrenner. The sight of it—ofhim—is enough to twist something I can’t quite name in my chest.

“I’ll try,” I mutter, still watching him out of the corner of my eye. “But I don’t know how I’m supposed to relax when the village fool is leading this mission.”

Haley’s lips twitch like she’s holding back a laugh. “I think he’s kind of charming.”

I scoff at her. “Yeah, well, so was Ted Bundy.”

She rolls her eyes at me before moving back to stand beside her mate, leaning against him as he nods at me and says, “I wish you a swift and successful journey, Mara.”

My other friends follow suit one by one, wrapping me and Isabella in their arms and telling us to hurry back and be careful. Then, I’m left standing in front of my sister.

Before I can open my mouth and announce that I’ve changed my mind and I’m not going, Maddie anticipates what I’m about to do. She shakes her head and says, “Don’t you dare. Go out there and have an adventure. You deserve it.” She leans forward, her eyes dancing. “And if one of the big teal guys wants to be your mate, jump on him.”

---