Page 84 of Tempted By the Alien Warrior

She watches me now, her soft gray eyes filled with calm understanding. There’s no judgment in her gaze, no expectation. Just love.

My father is gone. He’s no longer here to dictate my every action and poison every bond before it can take root. For the first time in my life, I am free to choose my own path.

I could leave. Start fresh elsewhere. No doubt, some will still question my loyalty. They might even still see him when they look at me. It would be easier to walk away.

But this is my home. I was pulled from the womb here. I trained here. I’ve bled for this tribe. Most importantly, Emily is here. And I won’t let my father steal anymore from me.

I lift my chin and meet Daggir’s gaze. “I want to stay. This is my tribe, and I will not abandon it.”

A smile breaks over Emily’s face that is brighter than the sun rising after a stormy night, and I know I’ve made the right choice.

Daggir nods, approval gleaming in his eyes. “Then you will always have a place here.”

A weight I hadn’t realized I was still carrying lifts from me, leaving something lighter in its place.

Draggar steps forward and claps me on the shoulder with a grin. “It’s about time you admitted you actually like us.”

I snort, shaking my head, but before I can reply, Daggir clears his throat.

“There is still the matter of Zahrik.”

At that moment, a familiar figure appears in the open doorway. Zahrik steps inside, his sharp gaze sweeping over the room.

“I came to check on you,” he says. His eyes flick briefly to Emily before returning to me. “You look like you’ll live.”

A smile tugs at my lips. “Disappointed?”

His mouth twitches, but he doesn’t respond to my quip. Instead, he inclines his head toward Daggir. “I’m leaving at sunrise and returning to my tribe.”

Emily sits forward in alarm. “You’re leaving? Isn’t that dangerous? Surely, they know you’ve been working against them by now.”

“They might suspect, but they don’t know for sure,” he corrects. “Anyone who could confirm it died in battle.”

She doesn’t look convinced. “But what if?—"

“I’ll be careful.” His voice is steady, but something unreadable passes over his face. Then, he faces Daggir again. “Before I go, I need to speak with the Council. There is something you all need to hear.”

I study him, and I recognize the weight behind his words. Zahrik has already risked so much. If he wants an audience with the Council, it means what he has to say is important.

Daggir watches him for a moment before nodding. “Very well. The Council will hear you in the morning before you leave. Vrok and his mate, Emily, will attend.”

25

Emily

Warmth surrounds me.The steady rise and fall of Vrok’s chest beneath my cheek soothes me in a way I never thought possible. His arm is draped around me, holding me close, as his fingers trace absent patterns along my spine. The rhythmic beat of his hearts lulls me into a contented daze. The kind I used to think was just a fairytale.

I never thought I’d feel this safe or loved.

Not back on Earth, and sure as hell not here on this wild planet.

And yet, nestled in Vrok’s arms, our bodies still flushed from the lovemaking we shared just moments ago, I feel it deep down inside of me.

The narrow bed beneath us is barely big enough for one person, much less two, but neither of us seems to care. If anything, it forces us even closer, our limbs tangled together beneath the soft glow of moonslight filtering through the windows. I breathe in, reveling in the scent of his skin and sweat.

Vrok is still recovering. Warrix cleared him this afternoon for light activity, but I know he’s not back to full strength yet. I told myself I’d leave once night fell, so he could have a good night’s rest. But when the moment came, I couldn’t make myself move, and he scooted over to make room for me, lifting the fur blanket covering him with such a hopeful look. So, I stayed.

One kiss turned into two. Two turned into something more. And now, we’ve discovered that, somehow, wecanboth fit in one of the medic hut’s narrow beds.

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