An Alien for Her Heart (A New Home #2)

21. Catherine

21

CATHERINE

M aybe an hour or two passes and I’m still wrapped in Varek’s arms. I’m cramped—probably can’t move without someone helping me up—but Varek has made no indication of wanting to stand and stretch. I remain content with his arms around me.

My gaze shifts to his face. The faint scar from the wound he’d appeared with that day.

“Varek,” I whisper.

“Mm, sura?” His yellow eyes shift up at me, warmth making them look more vibrant than ever.

“That day…the day you returned to the farm. You were hurt. I didn’t want to ask but I guess…I want to know. What happened? Why were you bruised? Why did it look like you hadn’t eaten in days?”

He studies me for a moment, his gaze searching mine. Lifting a hand, I brush his hair back from his handsome face, marveling at the fact that he’s mine.

“I went to the fighting pits,” he finally says.

My hand stills.

“You were gone. I thought…I thought I’d lost you.” His gaze shifts away to stare at the wall at my back. “I needed to feel pain. Physical pain.”

“Oh, Varek…”

His gaze shifts back to me. “But the pain didn’t help. Didn’t erase the pain in here.” He touches his chest. “Long after, I realized the only way to heal it was to come to you—even if you didn’t want me the way I wanted you. Just seeing you that sol made it a little better.”

My heart aches and I pull him into me.

“I’m sorry,” I whisper, holding him tight.

It feels like a dream. As if everything is finally as it should be.

It all feels…perfect.

At my age, I should know better than to believe in perfection. Life has a way of correcting us about such naive notions, of reminding us that every moment of joy is fleeting, destined to be chased by the inevitable shadows.

I look up the moment something blocks the light of the rising sun. Varek does too, just as two white furry ears appear over the entrance of the well.

“The Saffion,” Varek growls.

My heart thuds and I ease up a bit, ignoring Varek’s pout of disapproval at the loss of my heat against him. “Xarion?”

The New Horizon’s representative leans over the well, his red eyes displaying shock at seeing us there. His expression would have otherwise made me laugh if I wasn’t stuck in a hole.

“What in the gods of Hudo…” Xarion’s wide eyes look down at us. “What sort of human-Kari mating ritual is this ?”

This time I do choke on a laugh. “Xarion, can you get us out? We’re…kind of…we’re kind of stuck here.”

Xarion tilts his head, and even with his rabbit-like features I can see his clear mortification.

“Stuck,” he repeats flatly, his long ears twitching. “In a well. Together.” His gaze darts between Varek and me, taking in our rumpled clothing and the intimate way we’re still tangled around each other.

A knowing glint enters his red eyes, and I feel my cheeks heat under his scrutiny. Beside me, Varek doesn’t help the situation as he wraps his arms around my middle, pulling me against him once more.

“Yes, stuck,” I confirm, trying to keep my voice level. The heat of Varek’s scales against me seems even hotter now without the cool water around us. I hadn’t realized he emitted so much heat. But then again, I’ve never been pressed against him like this for extended periods. “It’s a long story, but we could really use some help getting out of here. Please.”

Xarion blinks, then shakes his head as if to clear it. “Right. Of course. Hold on a moment.”

He disappears from view, and I hear him calling out to someone else. The responding voice sounds like a female and it takes me a moment to recognize that it’s the new human settler, Donna’s voice.

“Oh no,” I groan. It’s bad enough for Xarion to see me like this. But Donna is going to also witness my less-than-graceful appearance from this hole.

Sensing my distress, Varek growls, the sound rumbling between us. “You do not trust this male, sura?”

I shake my head, turning my gaze back to him. The way his gaze travels over my face as if he’s taking every moment to catalog my features makes a warm thrill go through me. “It’s not that. Don’t worry about it. I can’t be modest in this predicament.”

Varek is silent, but I can see the thoughtful look that goes through his eyes as he watches me. Reads me.

A few tense moments pass before Xarion reappears, a coil of sturdy-looking rope looped over one shoulder. He tosses one end down to us, bracing himself in the dirt.

“Grab on,” he instructs. “I’ll pull you up one at a time.”

Varek looks like he wants to argue. “Tie it to the base of the water shaft, Saffion. I will not risk you making my mate fall.”

Xarion’s ears straighten. “Your mate?”

My cheeks heat at the same moment that Donna pops her head over the hole, her brown eyes widening comically as she takes in the scene below. A delighted grin spreads across her face, and I just know she’s never going to let me live this down.

Before I can realize what she’s doing, she’s humming a tune that becomes immediately clear once the words ring from her lips. It’s Hoochie Coochie Man by Muddy Waters. Her voice is rich, as if she’s grown up singing the blues, and right now, it only highlights the mischief in her eyes as she waggles her eyebrows at us.

“Well, well, well,” she drawls, her voice practically dripping with mirth. “When I heard Xarion shouting about needing rope to get something from the well, I never imagined it would be you two lovebirds!”

My blush deepens at her teasing tone, and Varek’s growl of annoyance kicks up a notch. Donna, however, seems entirely unperturbed by his display of aggression, her grin only widening.

“Looks like you guys have been getting up to some fun down there,” she continues, grinning unashamedly. “Guess that explains why you weren’t answering your comm all night. You’ve been busy…exploring each other’s depths, hmm?”

“Donna!” I splutter, torn between embarrassment and reluctant amusement at her audacity. I’ve only known her for what, a whole day, and it already feels like one of my old girlfriends from Earth.

She grins wider, looking like the Cheshire Cat before Xarion clears his throat.

“I’ve secured the rope to the well shaft, Kari. I will still attempt to pull your mate up.”

“I’ll help too,” Donna eases back and the rope sways as if she grabs hold of it with Xarion. “Whenever you’re ready, big guy, send your sweetheart up.”

Varek’s eyes narrow as if he doesn’t trust either of them with my wellbeing. Grumbling under his breath, he boosts me up to grab the rope, making sure I have a secure hold before reluctantly letting me go.

With a grunt of effort, Xarion and Donna start hauling me up. I try to help as much as I can, walking my feet up the slick walls, but my limbs are stiff and uncooperative after so long in one position.

Finally, after what feels like an eternity, I’m heaved over the lip of the hole, collapsing onto the sun-warmed grass with a gasp of relief. Xarion offers me a hand up, which I accept gratefully, wincing as my cramped muscles protest the sudden movement.

No sooner have I gained my feet than Varek is surging up out of the well under his own power, using only the rope and no one else’s help.

“Well, damn. Color me tickled,” Donna breathes as Varek lands in a predatory crouch, his eyes immediately seeking me out, assessing me for any sign of injury or distress.

Seeing that I’m unharmed, he rises to his full, imposing height, turning to face Xarion. The two males regard each other warily, the air between them practically crackling with tension.

“Thank you for your assistance,” Varek says stiffly, the words sounding like they’re being dragged out of him. A slight frown creases my brow. He isn’t usually like this. But then, he was a bit annoyed with the Raki, too. Only, Xarion hasn’t done anything to harm me. “We are in your debt.”

Xarion adjust his collar. “It’s not the first time I’ve had to come to you and your siblingkin’s assistance. You Kari and these humans…” He shakes his head before turning away. He moves over to the lever I’d pulled that opened the hole in the first place, and activates it. Once more the covering slides over the hole, the tufted grass above it making it blend in like it’s not even there.

“Remind me not to touch this thing again.” I shake myself, a shudder going through me until I feel eyes on me. My gaze shifts to Donna and I hold back a laugh at her expression, feigning annoyance instead.

Donna’s eyes are practically sparkling with mischief as she looks me over, her gaze zeroing in on my torn clothing and my overall ‘freshly-bedded’ look. She sidles up to me, throwing an arm around my shoulders and giving me a conspiratorial squeeze. “You know, at this age, I thought I was past being scandalized by anything. But you two young’uns are giving me a run for my money!”

“It really isn’t what it looks like.”

Donna laughs. It’s a full head-thrown-back belly laugh that puts me to shame. Because it is exactly what it looks like. I just had sex with an alien in a well and it was the best time of my life.

“Come, Catherine Richmond. You look like you need a rest.” Xarion reaches for my other arm, ready to assist me inside when a growl cuts through the air causing both Donna and Xarion to freeze. Xarion’s long ears twitch nervously as he quickly withdraws his hand from my arm. Even Donna looks momentarily startled, her eyes going wide as she glances between me and my glowering mate.

Confused, I pause walking toward the lodge to look back at Varek. What I see has my heart giving a heavy thump in my chest. He doesn’t…he doesn’t look right.

Varek is snarling, his brow drawn, and his complete focus is on Xarion, even after I call his name.

“Varek?” He doesn’t budge. His claws form fists at his side even as he squeezes his eyes shut and shakes his head. I step toward him even as Xarion moves to block my path.

“Tell me, Catherine Richmond. How long has he been like this?”

I shake my head, not really seeing Xarion as I look around him and attempt to move toward Varek again. Xarion doesn’t let me, using an arm to block me.

“Like what?”

But even as I ask, I can see that Varek looks different. Pinker than usual. As if his scales are changing color.

“Kari, are you…”

“No,” Varek growls, shaking his head again. He opens his eyes and his gaze finds me immediately. “It’s not that.”

Xarion’s shoulders sag as he removes his arm from where he’d been blocking me. “Well, let us get the females inside. They both need to rest. Donna Johnson from the journey here and Catherine for having spent the dark cycle in such conditions.”

Varek nods, his gaze still on me and my eyes linger on his as Xarion directs me and Donna to the house.

Once we get inside, I collapse on a stool by the table.

“You’ve done great with the place,” Donna breathes. “Mine is still barebones. I can’t wait till I can get it like this.”

I huff a laugh of appreciation through my nose, but I’m distracted. My gaze shifts back to the door. Varek hasn’t come inside yet. When more minutes pass and he still doesn’t appear, my fear grows. I rise from the stool, barely aware of Xarion and Donna in the kitchen preparing tea—with Xarion instructing that he’d ordered tea flasks to be sent in the packages for all new arrivals. Apparently, water isn’t needed for those as they’re premade. Meanwhile, Donna waves off Xarion’s explanation, her eyes twinkling with mirth. “Honey, I’ve been making tea since before you were a twinkle in your daddy’s eye,” she drawls. “I think I can handle a little pre-packaged brew without supervision.”

Xarion bristles, his ears twitching indignantly. “I was merely trying to be helpful,” he sniffs. “Forgive me for assuming you might appreciate some guidance in navigating unfamiliar provisions.”

Their banter fades into the background as I walk silently to the door. There’s a ball of something sour settling in the base of my gut. That feeling you get when you know you’re about to see or hear something that will set your world on fire.

I reach the door, my gaze shifting to the spot where I last saw Varek before we headed inside. He’s not there.

“Varek?”

I take a step outside the door, more trepidation rising along my spine. That’s when I see him.

On all fours. His claws dig into the dirt, his muscles rippling beneath his scales that are definitely taking on a pinkish hue now.

“Varek?” I call out again, moving to go to him despite the sour feeling of dread growing in my stomach.

Before I can take more than a couple steps, a strong hand grabs my arm, yanking me back. I whirl to see Xarion, his red eyes wide with alarm.

“Don’t. You mustn’t go near him right now.” He may look like a tall white rabbit person, but he’s stronger than he looks. With little effort, Xarion tugs me back towards the house.

I struggle against his grip. “Something is wrong with him! Something’s happening—”

“It’s the rut.” Xarion’s voice is tight as he all but drags me inside. “Neither of us are safe here.”

My heart stops, my gaze sliding back to Varek a moment before Xarion pulls the door closed. He releases me then, pressing his back against it, his chest heaving and his eyes wide. “I didn’t think I would be dealing with this so soon again,” he murmurs.

His words fall on almost deaf ears as I rush to the window. Varek is still on all fours, his head hanging low as he visibly trembles. It looks like he’s struggling to maintain control, to keep his wits about him.

“Oh no…” I whisper. Or, oh yes? I’m not sure what I’m supposed to feel right now. All I know is that Varek is in trouble. Varek needs me.

“Let me out.” I turn back to the door but Xarion has plastered his body against it, his communicator in one hand as he desperately types out a message.

“Negative, human. I cannot put you at risk of death. The Initiative forbids it.”

“I don’t care about the blasted Initiative. Varek is in trouble! He’s in pain.”

“On the contrary, you’re the one who will be in pain if I let him in here.” His ears fall flat behind his head. “And me. Gods. I’m the only male here. That Kari will rip me to shreds to get to you.”

My hands form fists at my sides, my patience growing thin. “Xarion… move .”

“As much as I would not like to be a meat shield between you and your fated, I must.” He stands taller, resolute, blocking my only exit. “You are not aware of what this bond means. Of what can happen if I let that Kari inside.”

I grit my teeth. “I do. He explained it to me.”

Xarion seems mildly taken aback, but his shoulders straighten anyway. “Did he tell you that Kari females sometimes die from the pressure of this mating ritual?”

“Say what now?” Donna steps out of the kitchen, mouth and eyes open wide.

I blink at Xarion. I didn’t know that. “We didn’t have the time to discuss it all.” But even hearing the words, I know deep down my decision is the same. I’m done keeping myself from moving on. From living.

“Let me go.” I walk up to him.

“Unfortunately, human—”

I grunt, trying to moving his stiff body. “Blast it!”

It’s no use. Xarion is like a solid block. I hurry back to the window at the same time that Donna comes up at my side. I hear her soft exclamation underneath her breath.

After a long, tense moment, Varek staggers to his feet. He sways unsteadily, shaking his head as if to clear it. Then, with what looks like a herculean effort, he turns and looks directly at me. My heart clenches. I need to go to him. And I know he will come to me. Only…he doesn’t. With one last lingering look, as if he wants to tell me the world in that one glance, Varek turns in the other direction, stumbling as he heads toward his hover truck parked by the gate. The two oogas that Xarion and Donna must have ridden to my farm shift a few feet away from the drunk-looking Kari, giving Varek enough room to head around to the driver’s side of his vehicle.

I watch, my heart in my throat, as he fumbles with the door, finally managing to haul himself inside. The engine roars to life and within seconds, the truck is speeding away, kicking up a cloud of dust in its wake.

I stand there stunned. My heart breaking. For a few moments, I can only stare at the cloud of dust left in his wake, the entirety of my world seeming to freeze and come to a standstill around me.

“Yes, this is Xarion. I need to speak with your mate, Eleanor Taylor.”

I hear Eleanor’s response to Xarion, her voice so happy on the line that the sound is distinctly at odds with the dark gray cloud suddenly moving over me.

“Zynar?” she asks on the line. “Why do you need Zynar?”

“It’s his siblingkin,” Xarion says. “His core-rhythm. It has sung.”

There is silence on the other line before there is a screech as Eleanor screams in delight. Xarion stretches the device away from him as my head slowly turns in his direction.

“Where is he?” the gruff voice on the line is no doubt Varek’s brother. I can just barely make out his image on the screen because it feels like I’m still in a trance. As if none of this is really happening. And then my brain picks up the strings, the pieces, the coincidences, the way how one thing relates to another, and my heart clenches some more.

Because this feels like I’m being left again. As if I’ve opened my heart and made myself vulnerable, only to have it shattered once more. Except this is nothing like when my previous partner died. This is worse. As if a part of me that I never knew is being ripped out by the root.

“I need to go to him,” I whisper.

“He has gone in his hover truck. Possibly to his quarters to lock himself away,” Xarion relays.

“Frakk,” Zynar curses. “He’s done it to protect her. Like I did for Eleanor. She doesn’t know, does she? She doesn’t know about the rut.”

Xarion’s gaze shifts to me.

“I need to go to him.” My head lifts slowly, the certainty of that one statement all I can rely on.

“You can’t let her. There’s no telling how this will turn out. I must inform her of the dangers first. If you let her leave and she doesn’t—”

I grip the device, facing Zynar. “I know.”

His throat moves. Yellow eyes that look so much like the ones I love look back at me and I can see the fear within them. “Catherine—” Zynar starts.

“He told me. Varek told me everything.”

Zynar regards me for a long moment. “And you’re sure?” The big alien male on the other end of the line seems to plead with me, his eyes giving everything away. “You’re sure you want this? That you want my brother?” He pauses.

“Of course. He’s everything—” My heart clenches. “He’s everything I’ve ever wanted. Everything I’ve ever needed.”

Behind me, Donna makes a soft sound while Zynar studies me from the other side of the screen. Then I hear a female voice; Eleanor’s voice. “She loves him.”

Zynar’s throat moves. “Then I will do my best to assist you, my kahlesta .” He says the word with complete reverence, bowing his head to me on the vid feed. “Together, we will save my siblingkin and your matehood.”

From the corner of my eye, Xarion steps toward me. “Unfortunately, I cannot let that happen.”

I wouldn’t call myself a physical person. I’ve never put my hands on a stranger. Never thrown a fit in public. Never assaulted anyone.

But in this moment, I could move a mountain. “I’m going to Varek, and that’s final.”

“That’s my girl,” Donna praises at my back like the sidekick I never knew I needed.

Xarion holds up his hands in a placating gesture, his long ears folding backward again. “Catherine Richmond, please. My duty is to ensure your safety. I cannot in good conscience allow you to put yourself at risk. The rut could kill you.”

But I’m done listening. Done waiting. Every fiber of my being is screaming at me to go to Varek, to be with him, no matter the consequences.

In one swift motion, I lunge forward and tug the door with all my strength. Caught off guard, he stumbles forward, his red eyes wide with shock.

“I’ve faced death many times. This time isn’t any different.”

I don’t wait for him to recover. Seizing my chance, I yank open the door and burst out of the house, my feet pounding against the packed earth as I hurry toward the waiting ooga. If they rode them here, I can ride them away. They can’t be that different from riding horses.

“Catherine Richmond!” Xarion’s desperate shout follows me, but I don’t look back. Can’t look back.

“You go, girl!” Donna’s voice echoes across the plains.

Xarion rushes after me, his long strides quickly eating up the distance between us. “You don’t understand!” he calls, his voice strained with distress. “The Kari is a predator species. They are not like us. The rut…it’s not safe for you! Varek wouldn’t want you to endanger yourself like this! That is why he left. He knows the damage he could do.”

I shake my head, my hair whipping around my face as I push my body to move. “He won’t hurt me.” I manage to gasp out. “Varek needs me. And I need him. I’m not afraid.”

And it’s true. The fear that had gripped me so tightly earlier has melted away, replaced by a fierce determination, an unshakable certainty that this is right. That Varek and I belong together, come what may.

Xarion makes one last grab for my arm, but I twist away, my chest heaving with exertion. He stands there helplessly as I race towards the oogas, his expression a mix of frustration and deep concern. “You face death on both sides, human. Eleanor Taylor was lucky.”

I don’t know how I manage to heave myself on top of the ooga. The gentle animal doesn’t protest and I’m happy. But Xarion’s words stop me in my tracks. “What do you mean by that?”

The Saffion sighs before straightening and adjusting the cuff of his coat. “We do not want to lose you, Catherine. Your welfare is of great importance. But…”

“But?” My jaw tightens, impatience rising high in my blood.

“If you don’t accept the Kari’s mate bond, he will certainly die.”

I got still. “What?”

Xarion releases a breath before walking slowly toward the remaining ooga. “He will go insane with the need to claim you. It will lead to his demise.”

I glare at Xarion. “And you think that’s a good reason for me to not go to him?”

Xarion releases a defeated sigh. In a graceful movement, he launches himself on top of the free ooga. “I said no such thing.” His gaze shifts to me. “I am simply concerned. I meant it when I said your welfare is important.”

My brows furrow as I turn the ooga, guiding it with cues from my legs. “You’re not changing my mind. You’re not stopping me.”

“I am no longer attempting to.” The defeated tone makes my gaze shift back to the Saffion.

“Then what are you doing?”

He sighs again. “I am accompanying you. The least I can do is get you there safely…despite my reservations.”

I blink in surprise, not expecting this turn of events. But I’m not about to look a gift horse—or in this case, a gift Saffion—in the mouth. If Xarion’s presence means a swifter, safer journey to Varek, then I’ll take it.

I nod curtly, adjusting my grip on the ooga. “Fine. But we need to hurry. Every second counts.”

Xarion inclines his head in agreement, his own mount shifting restlessly beneath him. Together, we turn our steeds towards the path Varek took, ready to race after him.

Just as we’re about to kick our oogas into a gallop, Donna’s voice rings out from the porch behind us. “You two be careful now,” she calls, her usually jovial tone undercut with genuine worry. “And Catherine, honey, you give that male of yours a good wallop upside the head for runnin’ off like that! Then a big ol’ smooch to make it better!”

She winks at me, letting me know she means I should give him so much more than a smooch and the action releases some of the tension from my veins. I smile at her. “Sorry for running off like this!”

Donna shakes her head. “It’s fine. I’ll be waiting here.” Her face grows serious. “Go get your man.”

I push back the intensity of emotion swelling within me as I give her a nod and face the road again.

I’m going to go get my man.

My love.

My everything.