Page 15 of The Alien Warrior's Vow

“Oh, Tiegan,” she murmured in her sleep.

Was she dreaming about the alien? From the smile on her lips, Lilliana was enjoying herself.

Emma sighed. Everyone else seemed to be skipping down this alien romance road so easily, but she just couldn’t accept it.

They were a completely different species.

And they lived on completely different planets.

When this nightmare was over, Emma intended on finding a way back to earth. She couldn’t stay here where every plant and animal was out to eat her. She couldn’t stay here when she still had unfinished business on earth.

A soft, broken voice filtered in her ear, carried on the winds of a memory. “He left before you were born, Emma. I’m sorry I told you he was dead.”

She gritted her teeth. Emma had things to do on earth.

She had alifethere.

Building a new life here on this planet with an alien wasnotgoing to happen.

Lilliana snored harder.

Grunting in frustration, Emma eased her door open and checked the hallway. Darkness shrouded the corridor and only a sliver of light guided her way. Satisfied that she was alone, Emma tiptoed out as quietly as possible.

She wasn’t in the mood for company tonight. If one of the girls saw her sneaking out, they’d definitely try and come with her. If one of the aliens spotted her, they’d call the girls.

She just…

She needed space.

Time.

To think.

To breathe.

To settle herself.

She’d kissed Lans twice now—both accidental. But this time, something had shifted between them. The spark she felt when he came around wasn’t just in her head. It was manifesting through his zapten. That connection—it was dangerous. It needed to be cut off immediately.

Emma eased the front door open and stepped out. She inhaled a deep breath, hoping that the breeze would settle her nerves. Instead, her thoughts just rushed harder and harder.

She heard gears shifting and glanced to the side, stunned to see Helix, Lans’s zapten, marching toward her. Its heavy metal feet did not make a sound as it stomped the ground and edged closer to her.

She stared up at the monstrous metal hulk. “Hey.”

Helix dipped her chin, allowing Emma to touch her.

She began to reach out and then her hand froze. Should she be seeking comfort in Lans’s zapten? Wouldn’t that just make their connection stronger?

Pulling her hand back, Emma turned away. “Go.”

The zapten groaned softly, it’s gears whirring as it inched closer to her.

“Go!” Emma hissed. Her heart pulsed and clenched with conflict. She hated this feeling. Hated pushing the innocent zapten away.

She felt lower than mud when Helix turned and marched back to where the other zaptens were standing watch over their hideout.

A corpse probably had more of a heart than she did. Emma sank to her knees and buried her head in her hands. How had things gotten so messed up? Why did she have such a strong connection to the only alien who could get under her skin?