Page 76 of The Alien Warrior's Mate

“She speaks when she is nervous.” Tiegan’s low ponytail swung. “And she is always nervous.”

Lans stared intently in Eema’s direction. “Tiegan’s female trusted him as soon as she saw him, but that one…” His eyes narrowed. “I have done everything I possibly can to assure her I am not a threat, but she keeps looking at me like one who wishes to kill me in her sleep.”

“She is wise,” Tiegan said.

Lans shot Tiegan a hard look. “You’ve gotten much chattier since you met your female.”

“They do tend to rub off on us,” Korben murmured.

Sah-ah caught his eye and sent him a blistering glare in return.

Denizi.

Lans winced on his behalf. “Eema gives me that look often. A human’s scowl is very effective, is it not?”

“It is more than that.” Korben frowned. “She discovered our intentions. She knows why I took her from the beluda.”

“And she still came with you?” Lans whistled low. “Is that what having a mate is like?”

“I don’t think she came for me.”

“Then?” Lans asked.

Korben jutted his chin out. All three of them looked at the females. The humans chatted loudly. Enthara jumped playfully around them all, eager to interact with the newcomers. He had never seen his zapten so animated.

Sah-ah was the clear leader, calming Enthara down, coaxing the quiet Eema to share more and patiently reminding the other female to listen. The sun fell over her dark skin and those tight black spirals in her hair. She moved with grace and fluidity, the very picture of beauty. His breath caught in his throat and his fingers itched to stroke her skin.

Tiegan frowned. “What did your mate say when she heard about Clavas?”

“I did not share that information.”

Lans lowered his voice. “She found out that you kidnapped her but not why? If you explain about Clavas, she will forgive you.”

“And that is why I cannot tell her.”

“That makes no sense,” Lans scolded.

“Look at her. She treasures those females. Do you think Sah-ah would agree to give any of them up to the Heronas?”

“What if we don’t?” Lans suggested. “What if we offer one and make themthinkthat we’re handing the human over, but we blast the Heronas to bits before they can lay a hand on them.” Lans lifted his laser gun and cocked it at the sky.

“I considered that already,” Korben admitted.

“And you found a flaw in the plan?”

“I know my mate.” Korben continued to observe Sah-ah’s excited gestures. “She will not be pleased if I force one of her comrades to join such a mission.”

Tiegan’s eyes lit with understanding. “If your mate hears about Clavas, she will want to offer herself up instead.”

Korben dipped his chin.

Lans cursed. “If something goes wrong…”

“I cannot allow her to know of my brother. We must find a way that will save the humans and prevent Clavas’s downfall.” He turned to them. “And above all, we must rescue the Healer.”

Lans and Tiegan exchanged dubious looks. His comrades doubted their ability to face the Heronas’s plentiful armies alone. Deep down, Korben was concerned about this too, but what other choice did he have?

Feeling overwhelmed, Korben turned away from his comrades. “I’m going hunting.”