Page 63 of The Alien Warrior's Heart

“Ignore her. She might seem grumpy, but she’s secretly a teddy bear.” Sara winked at her. “How did you and Zar get together?”

“It wasn’t planned, believe me. I don’t trust anyone easily.” She cupped her chin. “But Zar protected me with his life. He was willing to die for me.”

“It’s what they do,” Kia said. “They choose honor and integrity. They choose self-restraint and commitment. There’s something that’s very… reassuring about someone with high standards.”

“Not only high standards. They have honor, principles and the right training to take care of a mate,” Sara added.

Lilliana swooned. “And abs.”

Everyone glanced at Lilliana.

“What?” She shrugged. “Tail or not, these guys are ripped, and you know it.”

Simone laughed softly. It felt sogoodto be surrounded by people who got her. Sure, being kidnapped from her bedroom in the middle of the night by scavenging aliens kind of sucked.

Okay, itreallysucked.

But all the women here had gone through the same thing. They shared the same trauma, the same fears and even the same hope. It felt great to be a part of a community where she truly belonged. Where she didn’t feel like the one, odd man out because she didn’t have as much money or the dazzling childhood with the white fence and the happy parents and the golden retriever.

“Here.” Emma slid the basket of fruits over to her. “Sign up to the craziness of loving an alien if you want. I’m not going to judge.”

“You’re totally judging,” Lilliana said, scooping up some fruit.

Emma’s lips curled up in a small smile.

Sara leaned forward. “How did you react when you experienced the mate bonding for the first time, Simone?”

“Sa-ra!” Lilliana’s high-pitched giggle boomed around the room. “Why would you ask her something like that? What if she’s shy?” Flinging her hair behind her back, Lilliana begged. “No, seriously. Give us all the details. Where did he do it? Was it good? Which was bigger his tail or his—”

Sara slapped her hand over Lilliana’s mouth. “That isnotwhat I meant.”

“I know what you meant.” Simone laughed.

Emma’s lips twitched. “Well, we know what Lilliana’s been thinking about.”

“I might or might not have spied on Tiegan when he cleaned off in the lake.” Her cheeks went red. “But I guess that’s not the point.”

“Simone?” Kia wiggled her eyebrows.

“I have to admit, Zar is quite…” Simone’s heart thumped as she thought about the way he’d flung her against the cave wall. “Aggressive.”

The woman squealed.

“But I mean that emotionally as well.”

Kia tilted her chin. “He’s always that grumpy?”

“Yeah.” Simone gave Kia a questioning look. “Did something happen to him?”

“Zar’s father was—ow!” Kia jumped straight out of her seat.

Sara smiled serenely. “Kia, why don’t we see if there’s any tumari left? Simone must be hungry.”

“The kitchen’s right there. Why do you need me to go with you?” Kia grumbled.

Sara slanted her a dark look.

Kia sighed, got up and followed Sara across the room.

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