Page 6 of The Alien Warrior's Vow

She thrived on the opposition.

Sheneededthe resistance to convince herself that rebellion was her strength.

He’d spent many sun rotations with her since rescuing her from the beluda. Even when she irritated him, his eyes followed her everywhere. Whenever he entered a room, he looked for her first. If he did not see her, his heart pounded and terror slicked his veins.

In all that time, Lans had observed her expressions and committed them to memory. She was headstrong. No argument would convince her.

Lans stood slowly.

His chair scraped against the ground.

The sound was loud enough to echo over the ramblings of his terros and his comrades.

Every eye shifted his way, but his eyes were on Eema.What are you up to, human?

As soon as quiet descended, Eema arched a delicate eyebrow. “May I continue?”

“You must have known we would never be agreeable to such a plan,” Korben growled.

“Who said we need your approval?” Eema challenged.

Pin frowned. “We will stick to the plan. All the females will be taken to the elders tribas where it is safe.”

“That wasyourplan,” Ki-ah said, her eyes burning with determination. “Not ours.”

“Ki-ah!”

“Pin, we can help.”

“How?” Zar mumbled, his gaze on his mate.

Si-Moon studied him. “The zaptens.”

The human females could control their machines and wear the exoskeletons as protection, but that was no guarantee that they would not come to harm. “A war is different than warding off a few raiders.”

“We’re the only ones who can get through the force field around the Healer’s prison.” Eema pressed both hands into the table and leaned toward him. “You need us.”

“I need no one,” he ground out.

She smirked. “Just admit that you don’t think we’re capable.”

“I never said females are incapable.” Lans frowned. “Butyouare inexperienced.”

Her eyelashes flickered. Red circles burned her fair cheeks. He’d seen that reaction often on Eema, especially when he’d done something to annoy her. Sometimes, he sought out that reaction intentionally just so he could admire her beauty when she was furious.

But this was not one of those times.

Lans found it utterly ridiculous to include the females in their war plans. As he’d said, they were inexperienced but, beyond that, Zar, Pin and Korben would be incredibly distracted by their mates. They would worry about them constantly and lose focus on the mission.

The heras caused them to make tactical decisions that made little rational sense. They could not afford such an issue when it came to rescuing the Healer.

“Guys, let’s all take a breath.” Sah-ah held a hand out to Eema, indicating that she should sit back down.

Eema did so slowly, her scowl still aimed his way.

Lans had an answering snarl for her even as he sat as well.

“This war can’t be won with brute force. You can gather all the Plutonian warriors you want, but you’re not getting through that force field. This mission requires someone with an indistinguishable amount of Plutonian blood to get through.” Sah-ah tapped her fingers against the table. “You need a human.”