AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Is it difficult to live with such uncertainty? For us, we know who our mate is when we meet them. But for Earthlings, it seems much more complicated.”
“It is. And not just because humans are complicated.” I sighed. “The uncertainty… it’s tough. Never quite knowing if you’re with the right person. If they’ll be good or bad for you. If you’re seeing the real them or if they’re putting on an act to reel you in. Romance is risky. You make yourself vulnerable to heartbreak every time.”
Not to mention the other potential drawbacks of Earth romances I didn’t want to bring up. Everything from stalking to assault to murder were risks women had to think about. But I didn’t want him to think I’d suffered more than disappointment and selfishness. I didn’t need him more protective of me.
“Then you must learn to trust the other person,” he said. “I would love it to be me.”
“I’ve lived my entire life not trusting anyone,” I said. “And trust is a big part of a romantic relationship.”
He nodded. “Yes. The bond between a Gladiator and his Sheleki cannot grow without trust.”
“And you’ve gone a long way in building our foundation,” I replied. “Saving my life and all. It’s just that everything that’s happened to me since being abducted from Earth has been mind-blowing.” And he was the only good part of this alien-planet experience.
“I know that this is new.” He smiled before taking another bite of food. “What do your instincts tell you about me?”
I bit my lip, trying to put it into words. I already wanted to have sex with him again. And then there was the emotional bond growing between us that would make walking away from him hurt.
“You’re the first guy I’ve wanted to sleep with this fast. You’re attractive, principled, and doing your best for me. I’ve got no complaints. But you’re right—this is new.” I bit my bottom lip. “Very new.”
He nodded, his mouth full. Swallowed and said, “I will ask you again when this crisis is done then.”
I nodded, relieved. After sex, I felt too emotionally stirred up to discuss our potential relationship. I didn’t know if what I wanted out of life and love would fit with his idea of a true mate. But I couldn’t wait for sunset and another night in his arms.
“Tomorrow we will reach my sector,” he mumbled. He didn’t sound as excited as before. “The sooner we arrive, the sooner we can resolve this crisis and I can court you without upheaval.”
“But?”
He frowned. “But the more I’ve thought about it, the more I think that when we get to my pack, I may face my own Gladiators in deadly combat.”
I nodded, seeing that it was sinking in for him, that it might not be the joyous homecoming he’d initially envisioned. The quiet displeasure on his face pained me. He was tough as hell and a skilled warrior, but I suspected the prospect of fighting his pack would emotionally and mentally tear him apart.
Tomorrow is going to be one hell of a day.
CHAPTER20
NAXER
I mated with my Sheleki and, in doing so, saved my life.
Amara had taken my despair and kindled it back into hope. She might not stay with me or stay forever—both possibilities filled me with sadness and despair. But at least now I would not fall into madness. I could lead my people again.
I only hoped that she would choose to rule beside me, as my mate, when this battle with the slavers was over.
My primal instincts, sated for now and no longer a threat to my sanity, still gently urged me toward Amara, wanting me to make her mine completely. We had been intimate, but she had not committed to being with me permanently.
But I had many other things to think of first, and so did she.
Amara was uncertain about staying with me forever, and my mark would bind us together for life.
I had to wait on the mating bite no matter what my inner beast and desires told me—until she agreed she wanted to be with me always.
We talked off and on as we journeyed to my sector. She told me about her life on Earth as a warrior and her squadmates. How hard she had trained and fought to take her place among a group of their elite warriors. The battles she had seen.
She told me of the cities on Earth that she had visited—New York, Chicago, London, Marrakesh. Exotic names and places, teeming with numbers that did not even exist on my planet. I told her of the seven continents, the aquatic beasts that swam the seas’ surfaces and grew vegetation on their backs until they resembled small islands. Of my first hunt, accomplished when I was too young for maturity. Of Chaser’s antics as a half-trained pup. She listened raptly, and sometimes I even made her laugh.
By nightfall we could see the tops of sector seven’s silver spires far off, above the tree line. The lights were just coming on in the great city, and the glow from it was as bright as a full moon by itself.
“There.” I pointed out the tallest tower. “There is the old arena, where the pack makes its home and trains younger fighters.”
