Taking a deep breath, I reach for twenty seconds of bravery.
“Hey guys, y’all wanna clue me in on what you’re talking about?”
Chapter 17
Keelie
If I didn’t know better, I wouldn’t think them the capable apex predators they are, because the two of them are acting like kicked puppies as they trudge over to where I’m seated. Acceptance and despair are etched into their faces, and I know they’re aware I’ve figured it out. Well, this needs to be nipped in the bud right now.
“I know y’all can’t stay here forever, and I understand why after y’all explained it to me, but I need to know what the two of you were discussing so intently first.”
A melancholic smile creases Ahstahl’s sweet face. “One of the other warrior-hunters commed Aercek earlier to let him know the cryofreezer is full…”
His words trail off, and Aercek takes over the conversation, his voice raspy with emotion. “It means that our time here is at an end. Earth, and most humans, aren’t welcoming of off-worlders. I cannot risk the safety of the other males to linger here with you, no matter how much I wish otherwise.” Ahstahl reluctantly nods in agreement at Aercek’s statement.
And that right there seals the deal for me. These beings would give up their heart’s desire to not jeopardize their friends’ lives. I suppose another woman would be petty and demand hermates sacrifice anything and everything for her, but that’s not who I am. I’ve given them no definitive inclination that I would accept my role as their mate, and they’re still not trying to coerce or pressure me into a decision. In fact, they’re being rather noble about it.
I always was a sucker for a hero. Lucky for me, fate brought me not one but two.
Offering a warm smile, I decide to put them out of their misery. “Y’all can wipe the woebegone looks from your faces. I’m going with you to Undatfonyh, and I want to be youranima tenetur.”
Ahstahl’s response is instant. He leaps into the air with a whoop, his wings snapping open to suspend him for a couple of seconds before he lands in front of me, snatching me out of my chair and swinging me around. His happiness is exceptionally apparent, and I can’t hold in my laughter as we whirl. Not one to hog all my attention, Ahstahl places me in front of Aercek, and my gruff…matetenderly pulls me into his embrace.
Tucking his snout into the crook of my neck, he takes several deep, calming breaths. To my surprise, I feel wetness dripping onto my skin. Aercek’s relief at my decision is so great that the taciturn male is moved to tears.
Bless his heart.
Reaching up, I run the tips of my fingers through his mane, soothing him the best way I know how.
“Hey now, it’s gonna be okay. I’m not going to apologize for taking my time to make this decision, but I am sorry that it’s weighed so heavily on you.”
Pulling his head back, he looks deep into my eyes, and I see all the love he’s been hiding in case I didn’t choose them. Patting his cheek affectionately, I jump when I feel Ahstahl slowly move in behind me, until I’m firmly pressed between the two of them. I’ve never been so glad that I’m just shy of six feet tall than I amnow. It means that while I’m still significantly smaller than the guys, I’m not freakishly tiny in comparison. The top of my head is even with Ahstahl’s collarbone and the top of Aercek’s chest.
Peering over my shoulder up at Ahstahl, I see that he’s literally beaming with happiness as he cuddles closer. His love has been overtly apparent for days through various acts of service, and his overall genuine care for me. Relaxing into the heat emanating around me, I think about everything that needs to be done before we can head back to their ship.
A low rumble under my ear slowly builds in volume until Aercek is laughing out loud. Frowning up at him in confusion, he cocks his head and grins down at me.
“You are thinking so loudly, you’re muttering, little one. Tell us what you want done, and we’ll get it done.”
Rolling my eyes in exasperation, I wiggle out from between them and head over to the kitchen canopy to start disassembling it.
Chapter 18
Ahstahl
Night has fallen by the time we finish breaking down Keelie’s camp. It was decided that even though the sun was descending, we would break camp and sleep on our ship. The nights have become progressively colder, and neither Aercek nor I will fit in her tent to share body heat. A large pile of items is stacked next to herBronco,and she’s standing next to it, staring at her conveyance with a look of dismay.
Our ship is technically large enough to fit all of her belongings, but because of certain rules on my planet, she won’t be permitted to bring much more than personal items and clothing with her. The governing body is quite strict about what is allowed planetside.
Trying to ease the sting a little, I offer, “We can come back in the morning to get the rest of your things. You mentioned you wish to stop by your residence before we depart. It would be easy enough to leave your vehicle and all your wilderness items at the same time.”
Keelie perks up, and the overwhelming scent of her gratitude eases some of my dismay.
“That would work perfectly! I don’t want to abandon my Bronco out here in the middle of nowhere. It’s a classic, and Iknow that someone will get a lot of enjoyment out of it once the world figures out I’m gone.” She grimaces a little, but forces herself to continue. “I’m sure it’ll be a little suspicious that my truck is parked under the carport and all my stuff is back in the shop, but it’s far too wasteful to just leave it all out here. Plus, I spent most of my adult life preventing idiots from doing the same thing. Polluting nature is abhorrent.”
Her words drive home how perfect she is for us. During one of our many talks, she told us of her work as apark ranger, in which she cared for and maintained public nature areas in her home state ofTexas. As warrior-hunters, Aercek and I are devoted to the care of our people, but also deeply respectful of every environment we encounter. One of our mottos is“leave no trace.”It’s twofold, as we cannot be discovered on planets such as Earth, but also serves to remind us all that nature is to be honored, not used and abused.
“That is an excellent notion, Keelie.” Aercek intones before glancing over at me. I’m holding the pack full of personal items our mate insisted she take with us. Seeing that I’m ready to go, he stalks over to where Keelie is fussing with the lid on a container and scoops her up in his arms, ignoring her screech of surprise.
