Page 49 of Made For The Alien Warrior

“That’s a good idea,” Adhi said, coughing to cover up her mumbled words.

Tiegan glanced up and found the table had gone silent.

Everyone was staring at him and Sim-pony.

Sim-pony pulled her lips in and hung her head. He could not see the red stain on her cheeks, but he could tell that she was flustered by the way she played with the hem of her tunic.

The silence lingered until it was broken by Leel clamoring to her feet.

Tiegan’s eyes lifted to her.

She was looking back at him as she spoke. “I don’t think I’m needed here. Can someone take me back to the camp?”

“We’ll take you.” Eema hurried to stand and wrap an arm around the female.

Lans spoke gruffly. “We will?”

“Yes,” Eema huffed. “Wewill.”

Lans blinked once. Then nodded. “It seems we should hurry back to the camp.”

“Make contact when you arrive.” Korben smiled.

Lans tapped his arm band in response.

Eema ushered Leel out of the room. Tiegan felt a small pinch of regret, but it was overshadowed by his concern at Sim-pony’s guilt-ridden expression. She was staring at Leel as if she had killed her parents.

Awkwardly, Adhi pushed her meal away. “Rune told me I had more tests to take after dinner. I think I should check and see if he’s ready to take more blood.”

“I’ll come with you.” Sim-pony scrambled behind Adhi.

Tiegan narrowed his eyes at her escaping back. Lumbering to his feet, he nodded at Korben, Zar, and Pin who remained. “I will take my leave also.”

“Tiegan,” Korben called.

He stopped.

“Be gentle with her.”

Tiegan growled and stalked out of the room. He caught up easily with the humans as his stride was several times larger than theirs.

Sim-pony sensed him coming because her back grew tense and she tossed a small glance over her shoulder. When she spotted him, the female quickened her stride.

Tiegan easily wrapped his arm around her and hoisted her into the air, banding her against his chest.

She squealed. “Tiegan, you better put me down right now!”

Adhi stopped and stared at them.

“Adhi, you may go ahead to Rune.” Tiegan’s eyes dropped to Sim-pony’s arm. “And when he is done, tell him we would like an audience with him. Alone.”

“Is something wrong?”

Indeed it was. Sim-pony’s hands kept roaming over his body. That could mean she was ready to mate or her nano-tech arm was glitching. Either way, the female demanded Tiegan’s attention.

“No need to worry.”

“Adhi!” Sim-pony struggled in his arms.