Page 29 of Charmed By the Alien Warrior

He gaze flicks to me, then to Sorrin, before he speaks. His voice carries a warning and it sends a dark chill of foreboding down my spine.

“Tell your tribe. Haavor and his allies want to control all of Laedirissae. There will be war, and they will bring it to the Anuriix first.” He pauses before continuing, “And they have a spy inside your tribe helping them.”

Sorrin’s eyes narrow, his jaw tightening, and I can tell he isn’t surprised by this information.

“Who is it?” he asks.

Zahrik shakes his head. “I don’t know the male’s name, only that he is close to your chief and has access to valuable information.” His gaze flicks to me, and I can see the regret in hiseyes. “The Pugj knew about the females. They knew where you would be.”

Sorrin unleashes a string of guttural curses that I can barely understand, his fist clenching at his side. Then, with a curt nod and the slide of his sword back into its sheath, he seems to accept Zahrik’s words.

“Why don’t you come with us?” I ask, glancing at him. “It can’t be safe for you here.”

Zahrik meets my gaze, a flicker of grief crossing his face. “Even if they no longer act like my tribe, I must stay until the end. I must do everything I can to stop them.”

“At least, promise to come to us if things get too dangerous.” I press, my heart twisting at the thought of leaving him behind and at what might happen to him. “If they discover what you’re doing.”

He hesitates, then gives a reluctant nod. “I will, if it comes to that.”

As we prepare to leave, Sorrin steps closer to me until we’re almost touching as his sharp eyes scan me from head to toe. “Are you harmed?”

I don’t want to tell him about the wound in my thigh. After all, I’ve just managed to get these two to calm down. The last thing I need is for Sorrin to spiral into full protective mode again.

“Um, no, I’m fine,” I lie, offering him a shaky smile.

His presence beside me is like a comforting balm. A balm that makes heat rush to my cheeks, staining them beet red, I’m sure. I fight the blush, but Zahrik’s dark gray eyes catch it.

Zahrik's gaze flickers between us, a curious expression on his hard face. “This is your mate?” he asks, his tone carrying an unspoken challenge.

“N—” My answer is immediately cut off by the man at my side. His voice resonates with a possessive growl that makes my mouth go dry.

“Yes. I am her mate,” Sorrin snaps through gritted teeth, his attention locked on Zahrik with an intensity that leaves no room for argument.

Before I can process the shock of his declaration, a distant shout rings out from the village, breaking the moment.

“Quickly, you both must go,” Zahrik hisses, his voice tense with urgency. “But before you do, hit me.”

“Wh—what?” I stammer, confused at the sudden command, but Sorrin doesn’t even hesitate. His fist strikes out and lands against Zahrik’s nose with a sickening crunch that makes me gasp. Blood spurts out, dribbling down his face and chest.

“Anything else?” Sorrin asks, his voice calm but his eyes still burning with suppressed fury.

Zahrik winces, clutching his nose as he glares at Sorrin. “No, that will do. I’ll stall them.” And with that, he disappears back through the gate.

We flee, the uproar from my escape growing louder behind us. Sorrin takes my hand, his grip warm and firm as he guides us into the dense jungle and away from the sentries stationed on the edges of the settlement. Adrenaline surges through me, helping me to push everything, including the pain in my thigh, to the back of my mind and keep moving.

We run for what seems like miles. Until my legs burn with exhaustion. Until my muscles feel like jelly and my thigh throbs with beat of my heart. And then, when I think I can’t take another step, Sorrin slows to a walk, his steps silent as he moves over the ground.

Now, that it doesn’t appear as if he’s worried one of our enemies will leap out at us at any second, I can’t hold back the question that tumbles out of my mouth.

“What the hell was that?” I ask, my voice shakier than I would like.

Sorrin grunts. “It was the Tussoll village.” He glances over at me in concern. “Didn’t you know that?”

I roll my eyes. “No. I mean why did you tell him I’m your mate?”

At my words, Sorrin stops abruptly. His eyes lock onto mine, and the intensity of his gaze sends a shiver down my spine. Desire flares to life in me, starting in my chest and spreading to every single place his gaze touches.

The sound of one of the small creatures that live in the trees—a nui—leaping from one limb to another above us shatters the moment. He turns away without saying a word, his long strides carrying him forward, and I follow.

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