Page 35 of Orin

“It is true.” He swallowed hard. “You are my K’sha.”

His reaction was so adorable that I couldn’t help but smile.

“What happens now?” I asked, feeling hopeful.

Orin bowed his head and closed his eyes. “I’m sorry...”

My stomach plummeted to my feet.Is he going to reject me?

“I do not know how to...” His voice trailed off as his throat bobbed.

According to Trex, Alarans had only one fated mate, and they were very rare. No wonder he didn’t know what to do next. I wasn’t sure either. Amid all the memories since we first met, I had a sudden and scary thought. “Do you not want a mate?”Or do you just not want me?

Orin, the hunky alien warrior, grimaced. “I do. But I want to be a good mate.” His head angled and his lips drooped. “One worthy of you.”

Excuse me? How could he doubt his worthiness?

“Your mating marks prove we are meant to be together.” Why was this so hard for him?Iwas usually the unsure one in relationships.

I wanted to comfort him, but I wasn’t sure how. He seemed to believe what he was saying, and that made me feel sad.

Even though I wanted more than anything to be with Orin, I knew better than to expect his feelings about finding his fated mate to make everything okay.

It was clear he'd been carrying these thoughts around for a while. If I let myself believe we had a future, I could end up hurt.

But I wanted to take the chance, because I believed he wanted that too.

I wondered if maybe Orin wasn’t ready to accept our connection or if he believed I didn’t want to be with him? Maybe he was having second thoughts because I was pregnant with someone else’s child?

I was consumed by insecurity.Does he think I've slept around?The sudden thought gave me a mini heart attack, so I glanced down, pretending to brush off some imaginary lint from my dress.

“I’ve only been with one man,” I blurted, hoping to set things straight before I met his eyes again.

He grinned as his eyes flicked to my baby bump.

I chuckled.

“Look, I like you, Orin. But I would forgive you if you decided not to take me on just because your mating marks activated.”

Perplexed, Orin’s eyebrows pinched. “Take you on?”

I rubbed my stomach. “I’m carrying someone else's child. That’s a lot, even if I am your mate. Most men would not even consider it.”

He studied me for a moment. “What about the younglings father?”

I scoffed. “He never wanted a child with me. And he didn’t want me once I got pregnant, so it doesn’t matter. I'm over him. I’m okay raising my child alone.”

The last thing I wanted was for Orin to think I expected him to help me raise another mans child.

Witnessing his posture shift and his chin jut out, I was met with a tender look of empathy that brought me close to tears.

“I am not a human male. I am an Alaran warrior and we do not abandon our K’sha. It would be an honor if you allowed me to be a father to your youngling.” His voice, deep and rich, sent warm tingles through me.

“All my life I assumed I would remain unmated. Our connection surprised me, I’ll admit. But there is no denying the fact you are my K’sha, Olivia. My thoughts of you consumed me long before I was ready to speak to you. Can you forgive me?” His smile was sweet with a hint of sexy.

I wondered if he’d been thinking of me in the same way I was with him.God, I hoped so.

“Of course.... There is nothing to forgive. I should have spoken up sooner, too.” I looked down, feeling ashamed.

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