Page 67 of The Alien Warrior's Mate

He didn’t know her sister. He hadn’t ever met her and had no reason to mourn the loss, but she felt his sincerity. It made her heart stagger even more in his direction. Made her want to curl up in his lap and never leave.

Korben held her in a sweet embrace, petting her hair as she let out her emotions. She hated that she was bawling in front of him like this. She hadn’t told Korben the story of her sister to drive them closer together.

Sara straightened and swiped at her tears. “It’s hard for me to trust people.” Her eyes strayed from his. “I’m always afraid that they’re going to betray me. If something’s too good to be true, it’s probably a trap.”

“Sah-ah,” his voice was as gentle as the waterfall trickling into the pool, “everything I do, I do to protect my family. You never have to fear betrayal with me.”

“It might not always be that way.”

“You do not believe me?”

She shrugged.

“Then I will dedicate my life to convincing you.”

Despite her heavy heart, a smile tugged at her lips. That was such a Korben thing to say. He didn’t argue. He didn’t back-and-forth. Actions were where he proved his point.

“What about your parents?” She stared somberly at his blue hands that surround her brown fingers. “I heard about the Red Death.”

“When I was young, a plague befell our planet. We lost our females—young and old. It was total devastation.” He continued to stroke his thumb over her wrist. Without our better halves, our planet became aimless. We fought wars we could not win, hoping to cure the emptiness in our heras with the spoils of victory, but we lost our ships to the Uldimar and started an unending war with the Heronas.”

“Ga Eun mentioned it yesterday.” She opened her mouth and snapped it shut. How did she ask the alien she’d just mated if he was going to sell her to his enemies?

Korben rubbed her knuckles as if sensing her distress. “Heronas are evil and have no honor. They take our land and steal our males for experimentation.” His eyes burned with fervor. “But they will never take you.”

They won’t take you.

That was the assurance she needed right? Korben would never hand her over to the Heronas. She could trust him.

Can you? If you trust him so much, why don’t you ask?

Sara pushed the thought away and stared at Korben. “Were you ever taken?”

“No.” His jaw clenched so hard she feared it would break.

Her gaze slipped to Enthara who was resting on her back legs in the grass. Those metallic eyes flashed a deep and somber blue.Sorrow.

Korben was hiding something. A bad memory, perhaps? Had he been taken and just didn’t want to talk about it?

Choosing not to pry, Sara asked instead. “So what exactly do youdo?Apart from swinging human females out of beludas.”

His smile was strained but at least she got him to relax a little. “I have a small band of warriors in my tribas. We conduct missions for the Healer.”

“He’s the guy who keeps all Plutonians alive, right?”

Korben nodded. “He is very important to our species.”

“I’d like to meet him someday.”

“You will,” Korben promised, his tone rough and determined. “My heras, you should have everything you’ve ever wanted.” His finger stroked the sensitive flesh between her thumb and pointer. “I was beginning to accept that I would die alone and unfulfilled. And now you have changed my life. Having you, Sah-ah, is a precious gift. You are my mate. My love.” His eyes burned with determination. “And I am yours.”

Sara wanted to believe him. For once, she yearned to push her doubts aside and jump blindly into this powerful current that was Korben’s love. But would she drown in the depths? She couldn’t take the chance.

His free hand gripped her chin. “You doubt me?”

“Don’t you think it’s too convenient?”

“How so?”

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