Page 64 of Charmed By the Alien Warrior

“Very close,” I murmur, hoping to reassure her. And perhaps myself as well. “It has been a while since I last journeyed here, but we should reach the village soon.”

Mara nods, her eyes meeting mine for a heartbeat. Her hand gives mine a squeeze, and then she turns her head forward to study our surroundings.

We press forward, along a wide, sloping path that twists between more of the tall stones. The stones are stark black, almost as if they absorb the sunlight, their jagged surfaces sharp against the clear blue sky. They’re placed so close together that they nearly form a solid rock wall. If not for the sun, it would feel like an enclosed corridor.

Before long, just ahead of us, tall, wooden gates appear. The dark cupressi wood is weathered from the elements, but I can still make out the carvings etched into its surface by the long-dead members of the tribe. The sight fills me with a sense of unease, but also reverence.

“Mara, we’re here,” I whisper.

Chapter 23

Mara

Together, we step through the open gates, and a heaviness unlike anything I’ve felt before settles over me.

The village is shrouded in the dimming light, its ruins casting long shadows over the uneven, rocky ground. Vines with purple heart-shaped leaves have overtaken the crumbling stone structures, twisting through cracks in the walls and covering most of what remains of the small huts that once housed the members of the tribe.

According to Sorrin, the tribe that lived here wasn’t a big one, certainly never as large as the Anuriix were in the early days of their arrival on Laedirissae, but they chose to settle in this prime location in the foothills of the mountain with a wide, clear lake not too far from here. I can still see signs of the bustling village it must have once been, but now it sits empty and dead like a Wild West ghost town.

Although, strangely, it doesn’t feel completely dead. I didn’t want to mention it to Sorrin, but on the way here, I swear I could feel eyes on me. Watching. But that’s just probably the result of my hypervigilance from being on a dinosaur planet, I guess.

A shout breaks the silence, and Sorrin and I turn to see a familiar figure step out from behind a vine-covered wall.

“You made it!” Vrenner crosses the ground between us in quick strides, his fangs flashing in a relieved smile. His face is line with exhaustion, and his usual distracted air is gone.

Behind him, I see the others emerge from the shadows. Enosir, Yarik, Warrix, and finally at the end, Isabella. A delighted shout escapes her, and before I know it, she’s rushing toward me, an elated smile stretching across her face. I barely have time to release Sorrin’s hand before Isabella is on me, her arms pulling me into a fierce hug.

“I didn’t think I’d ever see you again.” Tears streak down her face, and to my surprise, I realize I’m crying, too. Relief mingles with a bittersweet joy, and I’m just so happy to see her. To see all of them.

Over Isabella’s shoulder, I spot Sorrin greeting the other warriors, the broad, familiar grin that I’ve come to love about him stretches wide across his face as he bumps forearms with each of them. His laughter carries across the stone-paved clearing as he responds to something Enosir says. But even as he jokes with his friends, his gaze keeps drifting back to me. I can feel him in my chest, glowing warm with love and happiness.

I catch the other warriors exchanging amused glances, their knowing looks making me wonder if we’re really that obvious.

Isabella steps back, her warm brown eyes sweeping over me, concern drawing her brows together. “What happened when that big guy took you? Are you okay? Where did he take you? Did he—?”

I cut her off with a small smile. “I’m okay, really. But there’s so much to tell you.” I glance toward Sorrin. “We both have a lot to share.”

Warrix steps closer, his sharp gaze running over us as if checking for hidden wounds. “You two look like you’ve had a tough journey.”

Sorrin nods. “We have.” A soft chuckle escapes his mouth. He shifts his gaze to me, and the look is so full of heat that my toes curl inside my shoes. “But it was worth every step.”

Isabella catches the exchange, her eyes darting between us with a glint of curiosity. She leans closer, lowering her voice to a playful whisper. “Don’t think I didn’t notice that hand-holding action earlier.”

Her teasing grin makes me laugh, and for the first time in a while, I feel at ease—surrounded by friends, with Sorrin by my side. My amoris.

And I’ve come to realize that I’ve found my place here—with him.

Vrenner clears his throat, nodding towards the far end of the village. “The eponirs are loose, grazing on whatever they can find. We’ve set up a temporary shelter in what’s left of the old chief’s hut. It’s in better shape than the other huts and should give us a bit of cover from the elements and… anything else.”

Sorrin’s eyes narrow at his words. “Anything else?”

Vrenner hesitates before explaining, “We’ve had some supplies go missing. It’s probably just hungry beasts.” He glances at Isabella and me, concern etched on his face.

I roll my eyes. These guys—always trying to protect us, even when we don’t need it.

We make our way through the village, passing the crumbling remains of huts. In the fading light, the shadows stretch deep and long, adding an eerie air to the stillness in the village. But walking with these people—my tribe, my family—eases the desolation that clings to this place.

Sorrin falls into step beside me, his large hand in mine. I can feel his warmth and confidence radiating through our bond, echoing in my chest.

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