Rescued by the Alien Warrior Hope Hart (literature books to read TXT) 📖

I pick up the basket, grunting slightly at the heavier weight. Kroniz barely glances at me when I return, his eyes scanning the small clearing as if evaluating it for threats.

The fluff ball seems to know it should keep a low profile. It’s curled up in my basket, head down on its paws, looking about as threatening as a kitten.

I snort as I place the basket down, leaning over to grab some retia leaves to steep in a tea for those with indigestion. I shove the leaves in my pocket, dig for some hexo root, and haul the basket up onto my hip.

“I will carry your basket,” Kroniz offers, pushing off the tree and striding toward me.

“Oh no, I’m fine, thanks.”

He frowns but finally nods, and we begin to walk back to camp. I almost laugh as I glance down and realize the little fur ball is sleeping.

Kroniz seems distracted, his attention elsewhere, and he smiles at me as we get to the camp gates before calling a goodbye as he stalks back in the direction of the training arena. I shrug, hauling the basket back to my kradi.

I place it down, and the fur ball jumps out on three legs.

I doubt the little animal will let me look at its injured leg until I’ve built up some more trust. We watch each other silently, and then I sigh, crouching to examine it.

“So. You’re a boy, huh?” He ignores that, and I hold out my hand for him to sniff. “I need to go get you some more food. It’s probably best if you stay here for now.”

He ignores that too, lying down on the floor and curling into a ball. I should probably tie him up, but I can’t bring myself to. Once you’ve looked out at the world from inside a cage, you think twice about taking anyone else’s freedom.

“I’ll be right back,” I promise.

Tagiz

I almost slam into Zoey as she exits her kradi, and my hands automatically steady her as she jolts back in surprise.

“Tagiz…”

She glances over her shoulder at her kradi, and fury begins to climb up my spine.

“Why do you look guilty, little healer?”

“Huh? I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Is Kroniz in your kradi?”

“What? Don’t be ridiculous.” She scowls at me, and I can see the truth on her face. Zoey is a terrible liar. Every time she attempted to tell me her ribs “didn’t hurt that bad” or she “didn’t need Moni’s sleeping tonic,” her eyes would dart away, as if it was impossible for her to look at me while telling an untruth.

That doesn’t change the fact she’s still practically vibrating with guilt. And she’s now blocking my way into her kradi, her hands on her hips as she glares at me.

Whatever it is she’s hiding, it’s in her kradi.

“I can’t even believe you would ask that,” she says, and I focus on her face. “You think I’m rolling around with someone else?”

I shake my head. “No, little healer. I’m sorry.”

She searches my face. I don’t want to admit my jealousy has gotten the best of me. Kroniz is an honorable male and well liked by almost everyone in this tribe. Most importantly, he is not expected to mate with anyone.

The male can choose his fate.

So can you, a little voice whispers. Is your father’s happiness worth losing your female?

I blink, realizing Zoey is staring up at me.

“Tagiz?”

For the first time, I realize why I am hesitant to disappoint my father.

Because he may not just be disappointed.

He may disown me.

“Tagiz?”

I blink again, drinking in the sight of Zoey’s beautiful face. The sun is high in the sky, highlighting the tiny freckles scattered across her nose as she scrunches it in confusion.

I want to watch her give me that same look whenever she is exasperated with me for the rest of my life.

I want to—

Something growls. Zoey glances over her shoulder and then stares at the ground.

“What was that?”

“My stomach,” she lies. “I’m hungry. Will you walk with me to the food kradi?”

Her stomach does let out a rumble at that, and she casts me a triumphant look from beneath her lashes. But I’m not fooled.

My little healer is hiding something in her kradi.

“Zoey—”

“Hurry up, Tagiz. I have things to do today.”

I will be patient. But I will learn what is in that kradi before nightfall.

Zoey links her arm through mine and chats to me about the forest, the weather, and the new human females. I make noises in the right places, but I’m distracted—both by whatever it is Zoey is hiding and by thoughts of my relationship with my father.

Zoey falls silent, and I watch her, realizing her mind is also elsewhere.

I take her to the food kradi, pretending not to notice her take an extra serving of meat. She doesn’t eat either the extra meat or the meat on her plate. Instead, she folds it up in a large cloth and puts it in her pocket when she thinks I’m not looking.

My spine straightens at the thought of whatever made that growl. Zoey has a large heart. A soft heart that radiates love and kindness. But there are animals on this planet that could kill her in an instant.

“Who did you take with you to the forest today, little healer?”

She takes a bite of her bread and angles her head, her gaze on my face as she swallows.

“Kroniz.”

If he has allowed my female to bring an animal back from the forest that could hurt her, I will kill him. The thought fills me with satisfaction, and I scowl. It’s my jealousy that makes me wish him gone.

I walk Zoey back to her kradi. She smiles brightly at me, and I turn as if to leave. Her sigh of relief is audible, and I shake my head, amused despite myself. Zoey does not have a deceptive bone in her body.

She walks into her kradi, and I follow her in, ignoring her gasp of outrage as I push her behind