Page 14 of Krin (The Protectorate Warriors Alien Fated Mates #3)

Riley

UNABLE TO CONTAIN MY happiness I grinned like a madwoman, as Aza and I walked down the corridor toward the training ring.

“You seem happy today. I assume things have improved with the Captain?” he asked.

“We talked and cleared the air between us,” I offered, recalling the unforgettable claiming sex we had a rotation ago.

I released a contented sigh.

Aza chuckled, raising his brows. “He finally claimed you, did he?”

I stopped in my tracks and stared at Aza, my eyes wide. “Excuse me? Is that something you Alarans tell one another?”

He tilted his head, stating. “We all knew you were his K’sha the moment Krin warned everyone to keep their distance from you. The fact that I can smell Krin all over you tells me he claimed you, and you two are bonded mates.”

The Protectorate warriors rarely missed anything. Their senses were remarkably acute. Not only could they pick up on my emotions, but they could also sense the subtle changes in my mood.

It was weird, but at least it was only Krin and Aza who said as much out loud. Naturally, my bond with Krin was strongest, and he knew more about what was going on inside me than anyone.

“It upset me that Krin told you all to stay away from me. I was going out of my mind thinking he couldn’t stand me, and just wanted me gone from the ship,” I explained.

Aza nodded. “Commander Ezan advised him to go to you, but he ignored him.”

“Huh.” I’m glad we’d finally spoken and confessed everything to one another. “He was worried about my safety because I said I wanted a job on the ship.”

Aza’s head bobbed. “I am aware. He spoke to me... Asking about the type of experience you have as a warrior.” Stepping back, he looked me up and down. “He said he would speak to you about it.”

I shrugged, grinning. “He still might. We’ve been kind of busy with other things.” It was nice to know Krin was taking my request seriously to work on the ship.

In our last conversation, Krin let me know we were headed to the trade route they typically guarded. He’d even told me to move my things into his quarters. I almost gave him a hard time for being bossy, but all I really wanted was to wake up with him every day.

My heart felt lighter knowing we were now officially a mated couple, and I would be staying on the ship with him.

It would take some adjustment being in a long term relationship, but I was up to the challenge.

The handsome Captain made it easy to care about him and I did my best to ignore old fears when they cropped up.

Aza scratched his head while his tail flicked side to side. His brow cocked. “Have you given any thought to what kind of job you’d like on the Chetok?”

I rubbed my forehead. “Not really. Apart from my computer skills, I have a range of other abilities thanks to the training I received in ground force. I wasn’t the best spy they had, but I enjoyed my job.

They train us for just about everything we might encounter.

” I laughed, hearing myself speak. “Except for being abducted by aliens, of course. Nothing quite prepared me for that.”

Aza chuckled. “Maybe you should work on the bridge. The helm might be a good fit for you. They manage the ships shields, plot navigation and pilot the ship. Or there is ship security if you prefer working with phase canons and other weapons in battle. I am certain we can find a place for you on the Chetok,” he offered.

“You think?” I mused.

He turned to face me. “Let me speak to Dril about you shadowing him. I’m not saying you could fly the ship or anything, but you could learn to chart courses, use the ship’s weapons...” His brow furrowed. “I don’t suppose you know much about Alaran space or plotting starship journeys?”

“Afraid not.”

He sighed, and we continued walking.

“But I could learn how to use the navigation system, or maybe assist in something involving the ship’s computers,” I offered.

Aza nodded. “Excellent.” He took my elbow and steered me down another corridor. “Let’s look into it right away.”

“Where are you taking me?” I asked.

“To the bridge.”

I pulled away. “What? No! I can’t just show up at the command center.” I glanced down at my clothing. “I’m dressed like a slob. Krin can’t...”

Aza laughed, and I caught sight of his tail swishing back and forth contentedly. “I am not sure what a slob is. But I am sure Captain Krin will let your state of dress go, just this once.” He was grinning at me like the cat who caught the mouse.

“But the bridge? Isn’t there somewhere less... I don’t know... intimidating? Besides, Dril doesn’t seem to care very much for me. He’s not going to want to help me.”

Aza chuckled. “He does like you, but he can be jealous sometimes. We’ve been mates a long time, and he fears a female will come between us some day and take me away.”

My brows lifted. “Oh.” Now I felt bad for taking up so much of Aza’s free time.

Aza waved his hand. “Don’t worry, he knows you are the Captain’s mate. I told him we are friends.” His smile lit up his face. “Soon to be crewmates, if I have anything to say about it.”

Awesome. I allowed excitement to bubble up in me. “Me too.” I tucked stray hairs behind my ears.

“Okay. To the bridge it is,” Aza announced.

THE DOORS TO THE brIDGE opened, and I gasped. It was quieter than I expected, but then I remembered the warriors mostly communicated mentally with one another.

There was the occasional low voice speaking to someone, but not loud enough to hear what they were saying from where I stood.

A large view screen took up nearly an entire wall directly in front of us. A long smooth surface with some flashing lights sat in front of it. There were two chairs facing it. From the little I knew of the Chetok, I assumed it was the helm.

Another wall had the Alaran version of computers and more holo-screens. Those were for stand only sections based on seeing the warriors working at them.

There were two chairs about six feet from the helm, facing it. I wondered if they were for Krin, and Commander Ezan since the Commander was seated in one.

A door to another room was on the far left of the bridge area.

A couple of the warriors glanced in my direction and froze. Then, just as quickly turned back to what they were doing.

The ship’s Commander, Ezan turned his chair in our direction and angled his head. A small grin curled his lips.

“Hello, welcome to the bridge of the Chetok,” he said warmly as he stood and approached us.

I bowed my head in acknowledgement, surprised at his friendly greeting. “Th...thanks. I hope it’s okay that I’m here.”

His smile never left his face. He genuinely seemed okay with me showing up uninvited. “Sure. Are you here to see the Captain?”

I bit my lip. “Uhm... no, actually....” It wasn’t like me to get tongue tied. But this was not a regular situation. If I wanted to be part of the crew, I had to impress the Commander as much as the other males on the bridge.

Aza took over speaking. “Riley is here to see if she can find a posting that suits her skills.”

The Commander nodded respectfully at me. “Captain Krin mentioned you were interested in a posting with the crew. I am certain you will find something suitable to your skills.” He waved his arm toward the helm, inviting me to approach.

With no hesitation, I approached one of the empty chairs in front of the expansive viewscreen. Dril looked at me, then at Aza with a confused expression while turning in his chair.

I was concerned he would refuse to speak to me, but to my astonishment, he grinned and signaled for me to join him.

“It is nice to see you here. Have a seat. I will explain the helm to you if you would like that?” He posed it as a question, and I felt so happy to be acknowledged that I couldn’t find the words.

I nodded enthusiastically.

Aza piped, “I’ll leave you with Dril, then. See you later.”

As he turned to go, I thanked him and gave him a wave before returning my attention to the viewscreen. Perhaps things would finally fall into place for me.

I knew Krin was already mine.

Now it looked like the crew might accept me, too.