Page 33 of Stolen By Her Alien Mate

She sucks in a breath, the blood draining from her cheeks. But a moment later, the color rushes back and she takes furious steps towards the door.

“That little snake! I’ll–”

I reach for her arm as she stalks past. “Minka–”

She stops short, pausing to look up at me.

I get caught in her gaze once again, feeling the amber of her eyes like a caress to my skin. How did I live this long without her?

How did I even breathe when she was halfway across the universe?

I give my head a shake, partly to break myself free from her spell and partly as a warning to her. “He is not yours to deal with.”

She huffs. “Then whose is he to deal with? Or whatever the right grammar is. Huh? If I don’t deal with him, who will?”

“I will.”

“No way. I fight my own battles. I always have.”

I can see from the flash of her gaze that she will not budge on this. I tamp down a growl of frustration in response.

It is my greatest honor and highest purpose to protect my be’lahshuk. Now that I have her again, my only goal should be to protect her, to bring her pleasure, and to fill her belly with as many babies as she desires.

And yet somehow the Tides have matched me with a woman too stubborn to let me do those things.

For a long moment, we just stand there, staring at one another. Finally, I let out of huff.

“Fine. I will not deal with him.”

She nods.

“But surely you agree you can’t stay here tonight alone. If you will not come home with me, is there somewhere else you can go? At least for tonight?”

After a moment’s consideration, she nods. “I can text Lorraine and ask if I can stay in their spare room.”

“Their spare room?”

“Lorraine is married. Her husband Barry drives a truck, but I think he’s in town now.”

“Good. I am pleased to hear that Lorraine has a mate.” In the short time I’ve known her, I’ve already grown fond of Lorraine, so I’m glad she is bonded to another.

Joey rolls her eyes at me but does it with a grin. “You know, here in America we just call them spouses. Not mates.” She gives me a playful punch on the arm as she walks past me to her bedroom. “Give me a minute to pack an overnight bag and text her. Then I’ll be ready to go.”

I grin as I watch her walk away. “Certainly, my mate.”

“Not your mate!” she calls out from the other room.

I cross my arms over my chest and stare at the open door, soaking up even the barest glimpses of her as she moves around the room.

“Not yet,” I murmur. “But soon.”

chapter

nine

JOEY

I ride on the back of Kael’s Harley to Lorraine’s house with my stuff crammed into the backpack I usually carry with me to class.