“I do not understand why that is a bad thing.”
“It’s not bad. It’s a huge responsibility to choose you as my mate.” She sniffs and forces out a breath. “And if I claim you now, you won’t be able to enjoy your hunt.”
Once the rut begins, I’ll need a few days alone with her. Leaving to go hunting at the start of the rut is not a smart move. “You are wise, as I want to hunt almost as much as I want to fuck you.” I kiss her again, knowing we both need to get up. “Perhaps a day apart will help me learn some patience.”
Or perhaps it will kill me.
17
HARPER
Sleeping in Yva’s bed every night might’ve been a mistake. I want everything that he offers, but I’m scared that it will be snatched out of my hands. Yet if I do nothing, then I will be left with nothing except regret.
How did the other women mated to the warriors deal with these fears? I need to talk to them today while the men are hunting and preparing the feast.
I’m sure Yva’s hoping I will announce my choosing of him at the feast, and it would be a good time. My hands are in my pockets as I walked back to my room, deep in thought about mating and love and all the things I had given up on.
Things he had given up on.
And now we have a chance. Together.
It’s foolish to stall. I should turn around and tell him before he goes hunting so we can celebrate at the feast…and after, in private. To hell with the consequences. We can deal with them when they turn up. I turn, ready to march back to his door, but my ex is standing three meters away. For how long has he been following?
“You’re out early,” Brett says as he walks toward me.
My cheeks heat because it’s clear why I am out early, and it wasn’t to go to the gym. “And so are you.”
“I heard that you’ve been up early for the last three days. Someone suggested I check in to make sure you’re okay.”
Someone has been gossiping about what goes on near the Honey warrior rooms. I thought the women were hoping to catch one, but instead they were reporting to others. “Why do you care? You left me and we’ve both moved on.”
His eyes narrow and he takes a couple of steps closer. “I hear you’re fucking an alien.”
I take a step back, my fingers curling, ready to fight.
“So what? A couple of new dicks in the colony is a good thing.” I try to sound casual, not afraid. I used to love Brett, and we had some good times before he broke my heart.
“They mate for life. Everyone knows that.”
I glare at him. “Lucky me. He won’t move on for someone younger.”
He grins. “Both my other matches live with me now. You need to consider what’s best for our future children. I don’t want them being raised by an alien.”
“Then perhaps you shouldn’t have left me.” I take another step back and he stands there as though confused.
“You didn’t want to include my other matches in the relationship…but I’m offering you a chance?—”
“A chance at what?” Brett has nothing that I want. Six months ago, I might have listened to him and been swayed by his arguments because we did have several good years together.
“To have a proper human family. Me and my three matches.” He gives me that grin again. God, I used to think he was so smart. “We can raise all my kids together.” From the look on his face, he believes that sounds appealing.
“Just because your sperm is contributing to the genetic makeup of the colony doesn’t make them your kids.”
“It’s clear why you flunked science. They will be half mine.”
“And half mine. And I’ll raise them however I fucking want. With my alien mate. You know, who mates for life. I’m not going to leave him.”
“I remember why I broke up with you. You’re a bitch. An unreasonable selfish harpy who only cares about herself, not the colony. I should warn him what you’re like.”
