Page 15 of Alien Wants A Wife

“Sorry, I don’t think I know what that means.” Briar rubs at the back of her neck, at the skin under which her translator rests. “Maybe it isn’t translating. Mated. Unmated. Oh, do you mean married? Or divorced? No, I’m not either of those things. It’s actually been a while since I’ve dated anyone.”

Dated.There is that word again. I think, mayhaps, Briar is not asking what day it is. I think, mayhaps,datedmeans something different to the Humans than it does to the rest of us.

With his question answered, Sorin has set his jaw in that stubborn way of his that means he has no intention of speaking again for some time. As a youngling, I used to believe he had a set quota of words to use each day, after which he was not entitled to speak again. Now, I know that is just his way.

“Hello.” I lean further over the table, taking advantage of Sorin’s silence. “Br-eye-ya. Br-eye—” Saying her name in my thoughts and saying her name aloud are two different tasks, and my tongue suddenly feels much too large for my mouth.

“Briar. That’s right,” she confirms, then bares her blunt teeth at me.

I twist the corners of my mouth upwards, lips peeled back from my teeth, attempting to copy.

Harlee finches.

“Was that not right?” I snap my mouth closed.

The heavy silence returns.

This is the most awkward conversation of my entire life.

Unless… Unless of course this is what conversations between potential Mates are supposed to be like. Then, I suppose this is actually the best conversation I have ever had. It is hard to tell… Already some of my newfound excitement is ebbing away, to be replaced by more confusion and anger.

I hate that I do not understand what is happening.

I want to demand answers from Killan. The oldest of us, he spent the first seven years of his life on Ril I, interacting with others of our species. But Killan is drumming the fingers of his lower hand on the table, resolutely ignoring my questioning look.

Sorin, also, is looking anywhere but at any other person.

Both of them are leaving me floundering in the soul-crushing silence of three Females who do not appear to be enjoying themselves. Unless… Unless of course this is how Human Females show enthusiasm—with flinches and silences strong enough to gut a Male of his hard-won confidence.

“It was a great first attempt,” Briar says, breaking the silence with a quick glance at the other Females. “What’s your name?”

An excellent question. Proof she wishes to know more about me.

Or is it proof that she is trying to fill the silence?I cannot tell and decide it does not matter. Either way, I have an opportunity to prove myself worthy of the Females’ attention and consideration.

We have only twenty days together, after all. I must act swiftly to secure their interest.

“I am Roan.” I puff out my chest, wanting to make myself pleasing to their eyes. “I would make an excellent Mate. I own one-third of this farm, and I can provide a good and comfortable life for a Female and our younglings. You want younglings, yes?”

I look between all three Humans. Nobody but Briar meets my gaze.

“Ah, maybe.” Briar shrugs. It is a stunted movement, as she has only two arms with which to shrug. “I mean, I guess…” she continues.

Could Briar be my Mate?I sneak another glance at the still silent Harlee.

Mayhaps Harlee is similar to Sorin—her metaphorical quota of words filled. Although… I would not have thought so earlier, when she had been asking me many questions about my scales and horns. She had not appeared quiet or reserved then.

Something has changed since she entered the kitchen, and I cannot believe that it is just tiredness, as Lydia suggested. Harlee looks… I struggle to identify her expression, trying to judge the downward cast of her gaze.Scared.She looks scared.

Of me?

“My brothers and I all wish for many younglings,” I assure the Females. Assure Harlee.

“Roan.” Killan warns, sounding much like John Smith interrupting.

“It is true,” I declare, crossing my lower arms over my chest and glaring at my brother. “Even if you have never said as much, I know you, Killan.”

His foot collides with my shin.

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