Page 25 of Krin (The Protectorate Warriors Alien Fated Mates #3)

Krin

FOR WHAT FELT LIKE far too long, I waited next to the pod for Riley to open her eyes. I would not be able to function again until I knew she was okay.

A Thrala nearby finally came to tell me my mate had fully recovered. I watched as the pod opened, and Riley’s eyelids fluttered.

My heart soared with hope once again at the sight of her brown eyes staring back at me.

Riley sat up and I reached for her hand. Before I could explain, she glanced around, her eyes falling on the strange looking being.

I sensed a wave of panic from her, but it vanished when I explained the situation.

“We are on an alien ship. The Thrala saved your life.”

She gulped as she looked up at me. “Oh.”

Her hand went to her head where she had been cut. There was no trace of any injury. “The wound on my head?”

I smiled as she dropped her hand. “Gone. You had internal bleeding, so we placed you in this pod to be healed.”

Riley struggled to get out of the pod. I swiftly pulled her into my arms. My mate’s eyes met those of the Thrala healers. “Thanks.” Her gaze went to me, and I could see the curiosity in her eyes.

“Will he understand me?” she asked.

One of the healers waved his arms as they seemed so fond of doing. “Yes. You are heard.”

Riley smiled at him then gripped my neck. “You’ll have to explain everything later.”

“I will.” I looked over when Rauki entered the room.

“We are ready to return to the planet.”

APPROACHING THE CHETOK crash site, I surveyed the area before spotting two Ixul shuttles. If they were here, their battlecruiser was definitely positioned above the planet.

We must have been on the Thrala ship longer than I realized .

I was still holding Riley. The feeling of her arms wrapped tightly around my neck, her warmth pressing against me, filled me with immense happiness.

“I can walk, Krin. Honestly,” she said rather unconvincingly.

Her head wound and internal bleeding had been healed, but she had stumbled when she tried to stand.

I wasn’t going to take any chances of her being hurt again. My mate needed to rest. And it was my job to make sure she did so.

As more Protectorate allied ships landed around us, I continued to walk toward an Ixul shuttle.

There were several hundred Warriors gathered in groups, receiving instructions from their various Captains.

I paused before the members of my crew, who had gathered nearby. The Chetok’s crew was significantly smaller than its usual one hundred crewmen, as many were still injured or worse.

Ezan cast a somber glance at Riley and myself. “The Thrala leader has spoken to the other Captains. We have already begun extracting the females.”

“Good. Continue with that. Leave the Voletti to the Thrala.” I pointed to the large group of Thrala warriors marching toward the Voletti compound.

Looking at the entire group of warriors around me, I announced, “Commander Ezan will continue to be in charge.”

I glanced down at Riley, who was watching me with a curious expression.

“Meanwhile, I am taking you to one of the Protectorate shuttles so you can rest.”

Riley shook her head. “I want to help with the rescue.”

“No. You must rest,” I asserted. “There are more than enough warriors to oversee everything.”

She sighed, scrunching up her adorable face. “Fine. But you have to stay with me on the shuttle.” She kissed my jaw. “I don’t want you to leave my side just yet.”

I nodded in agreement. “If that is what you want.” Shrugging, I looked over at Ezan.

He grinned. “Captain Krin hasn’t left your side since we crashed here nearly two rotations ago,” he told my mate.

“Two rotations?” she blurted as her eyes widened. “I was out for that long?”

“Yes,” I replied.

Ezan turned to me. “We have everything under control here. I am sure you would prefer to look after Riley right now.”

I gave him a curt nod of thanks.

With that, we were interrupted by another Alaran Captain. Lex approached and stood next to me.

While I couldn’t put a name to every Protectorate ships Captain, Lex was someone I knew well.

We had worked together with him a few times when the Krilex first entered Alaran territory.

He was a fine, and honorable warrior.

“It is good to see you again,” he said to me directly.

“Thank you for responding to the situation. This is my K’sha, Riley,” I said proudly.

My mate nodded at him and returned a smile.

Lex put his hand on my shoulder, grinning.

“There are enough of us here to deal with the situation. I understand your mate was seriously injured. Find one of my ships’ shuttles and get settled in. I’ll make sure you get back to Alara when we finish here.”

Riley remained quiet, watching our interaction.

“Thank you.” They would not get any argument from me. I wanted to stay by my precious K’sha’s side until I was sure she had gotten enough rest.

I walked through the shuttle’s corridor to a tiny room containing only a bed.

Usually, these were only used to house injured people, since the shuttles were short distance flyers and not meant to be lived in like our larger vessels.

I carefully settled Riley onto the bunk, then sat next to her. She reached for me, taking my hand. “Lie with me?”

She gave me a grin that I knew all too well. But it was too soon for her to be doing anything except resting.

My lips down-turned. “I do not wish to injure you.”

Riley muttered she was fine now, and pulled me down next to her.

I let out a sigh, then kissed her cheek.

She wiggled against me.

“Riley. Rest.” I chuckled at my insatiable mate.

The last couple of rotations, and everything we’d encountered had taken its toll on us both.

Holding Riley close in my arms, I struggled to stay awake as she drifted off to sleep. After giving her the briefest of kisses, I closed my eyes and allowed myself to rest.