Hope for the Alien Warrior (Treasured By the Alien #12)

Chapter 16

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

L uxor watched Felicity’s shoulders slump with exhaustion as she finished checking another patient. His tail twitched with concern. Although the initial crisis had eased, the sheer number of people who were ill meant she’d been working non-stop for days, grabbing only brief moments of rest between rounds.

He stepped forward and placed a steaming cup of tea next to her workstation. “You need to take a break.”

“Just one more patient.”

Her voice cracked from fatigue, and his tail curved around her waist, steadying her as she swayed.

“The patient can wait fifteen minutes while you drink this.”

She leaned into him, and his chest tightened at how naturally she trusted his support. “Maybe you’re right.”

“I know I am right.” He guided her to a chair, his hands lingering on her shoulders. “Miraj has things under control.”

She sipped the tea, and some color returned to her pale cheeks. “Thank you. For everything. For being here, for helping me carry supplies, for making sure I eat…”

“You would do the same for me.” He brushed a strand of hair from her face. The simple gesture felt as intimate as any passionate embrace they’d shared.

Nina appeared at the doorway, clutching her doll. Without hesitation, she climbed into Felicity’s lap and curled against her chest. Happiness filled him at the sight. He’d never imagined himself as part of a family unit, but watching his mate stroke Nina’s hair while she continued to drink her tea, he couldn’t picture his life any other way.

“Five more minutes,” he said firmly when Felicity started to stir. “The universe will not fall apart if you rest a little longer.”

She smiled up at him, dark circles under her eyes but determination still burning bright.

“When did you become so wise?”

“Someone has to balance out your stubborn dedication to helping others.” His tail wrapped around both of them protectively. “Even healers need healing sometimes.”

Despite his protests, she soon insisted on returning to work. He sighed, made a note of the time, and went to check on Nina. She was playing with a set of colored blocks he’d fashioned from scrap materials. Once they were convinced that the illness wasn’t transmittable to humans, she’d started accompanying him to the Eloran settlement.

“What are you building?” he asked, crouching beside her makeshift play area in the medical office.

Nina held up a crooked tower. “Ship.”

His chest warmed at her voice. Each word she spoke still felt like a gift.

“That’s a fine vessel. Though the stabilizers need adjusting.”

He used his tail to steady the wobbling structure, and she beamed at him, adding another block.

Carla entered with Bobby, and he noticed Zythrak trailing behind them. The station owner’s attention remained fixed on Carla as she settled Bobby next to Nina.

“The living quarters you mentioned are ready,” Zythrak said, his usual gruff tone softening. “If you’d like to see them?”

Carla tucked her hair behind her ear and gave him a shy smile.

“That would be wonderful, thank you.”

He suppressed a knowing smile as Zythrak guided Carla toward the residential section, leaving Bobby in their care. He’d never seen his old friend so solicitous.

Nina tugged at his tail, drawing his attention back to her.

“Help?” She held up another block.

“Of course, little one.”

He steadied the tower again, marveling at how natural it felt to be here, playing with children instead of running cargo or avoiding trouble. Bobby joined them, and soon they were constructing an entire fleet of block ships.

His life had changed so dramatically in such a short time. From solitary trader to… father. The thought should have terrified him, but instead it filled an emptiness he hadn’t known existed.

Nina climbed into his lap, yawning. “Story?”

He wrapped his tail around her securely. “Which one would you like to hear?”

After Nina dozed off, he settled her on the cot at the back of the office, then waited until Carla returned before going to check on his mate again.

Her hands trembled as she tied off another bandage, and his protective instincts flared. He moved to her side and wrapped his tail around her waist.

“That’s enough for now.”

“I just took a break-”

“You need another one.” He steered her away from the medical bay, his tail tightening around her waist when she swayed. “You need food and rest.”

She started to protest again but he guided her into a small alcove he’d set up earlier, complete with cushions and a thermal blanket. The space station’s temperature controls were erratic at best.

“Sit.” He pressed a container of warm soup into her hands. “Eat.”

She sank onto the cushions.

“I didn’t realize how hungry I was.”

He settled beside her, watching as she took her first sip. Some of the tension eased from her shoulders.

“This is good.” She leaned against him. “Thank you.”

His tail wrapped around her more securely as she ate. Caring for his mate, ensuring her well-being, filled him with satisfaction. If only she would allow him to do more.

“Nina asked for you earlier,” he said. “I told her you were helping people get better.”

“Is she okay?”

“She is fine. She built quite the impressive fleet of ships with those blocks.” He stroked her hair. “She misses you though.”

“I miss her too.” She set aside the empty container and curled closer. “Just five minutes. Then I need to get back.”

“Ten,” he countered, pulling the blanket around her. “Miraj won’t let anything happen in ten minutes.”

She nodded against his chest, her breathing already evening out. He held her close, watching her peaceful features as she dozed against him. Her dedication to healing went beyond mere duty—it was woven into the fabric of her being. The past days had proven that. She’d thrown herself into caring for the Eloran refugees without hesitation, working until exhaustion claimed her.

His tail tightened around her waist. On his ship, he could protect her, provide for her and Nina. But what kind of life would that be for a healer? Trading routes meant long stretches between ports, limited chances to practice medicine. She deserved more than that.

He gently cupped her cheek, remembering how she’d tended to that trader on Triguera despite the danger. How she’d bargained medical care for supplies with Venma. Even now, bone-tired, he knew she’d jump up in an instant if someone needed her.

The thought of denying her that purpose made his chest ache, but what could he do? He was a trader, not a healer.

She shifted in her sleep, pressing closer. His protective instincts surged again, warring with his doubts. She deserved a proper medical facility, other healers to work with, the chance to truly help people. Not endless days trapped on a trading vessel with a mate who couldn’t understand that vital part of her nature.

Yet when she’d spoken of their future together, she hadn’t mentioned missing her old life or her hospital on Earth. She seemed content with their small family unit, finding ways to help wherever they landed.

For now , a warning voice uttered.

She settled deeper into sleep and he forced himself to tuck her into the cushions and leave her to sleep. He went to join Zythrak, automatically going through the familiar motions of engine maintenance, passing tools back and forth. The work kept his mind occupied, preventing him from checking on his mate every few minutes. She needed rest, not his hovering.

“Pass me that wrench,” Zythrak said, then shot him an amused look. “I had another Cire in here last week. Maybe I should set up a Cire refuge.”

His tail twitched. “Another Cire? Here?”

“Yeah. His ship was damaged by asteroids. His mate was helping him fix it. She knew a lot about engines but she was too pregnant to help for long so I stepped in.”

The wrench clattered from his grip. “A pregnant human? What was her name?”

“Lauren, I think. Why?”

His heart raced. “She is a friend of my mate. They were abducted at the same time and we have been searching for her.”

“Small universe.” Zythrak wiped grease from his hands, then frowned at him. “She had her baby while she was here, but there were… complications. Miraj sent them off to Trevelor.”

“Fuck. We probably passed them on our way here.” He leaned against the engine housing, wondering what to tell Felicity. “What kind of complications?”

“No idea. I do know the baby was healthy.”

That was something anyway.

“And she is mated to a Cire?”

“Yeah. Seemed happy too. Not what you’d expect, given your people’s reputation for looking down on everyone not Cire.”

“I know.” The words tasted bitter. “Although I have recently discovered that there are other mixed matings, very happy ones. But I worry about Felicity. She is my mate but she deserves better than a disgraced warrior turned trader.”

“That’s nonsense talking.” Zythrak’s voice hardened. “I’ve seen how you are with her and the little one. You’d die protecting them.”

“Protection is not enough. She’s a healer—she needs more than I can give her.”

“Have you asked what she needs? Or are you deciding for her?” Zythrak picked up another tool. “Because from what I’ve seen, that female knows her own mind.”

His tail curled thoughtfully as he absorbed Zythrak’s words.

“Did you ask Carla?”

“Yes. I told her that she could find better. Know what she said? That love was what mattered—everything else was just details.”

He nodded thoughtfully.

“Will you and Carla watch Nina for a while?”

“Of course.”

He made his way back to Felicity, not surprised to find her awake and studying her datapad.

“We’re winning,” she said, voice rough with exhaustion. “The fever’s breaking in most patients and we’re releasing more people every day. Miraj thinks we’ve found the right combination of treatments.”

His chest swelled with pride. This was who she was—giving everything to help others. He crouched beside her chair, his tail wrapping gently around her ankle.

“I have news about Lauren.”

She clutched his arm. “What? Where?”

“She was here, at the station. Last week.” He watched hope and disappointment war across her face. “She had her baby here.”

Her eyes filled with tears.

“She had the baby and I missed it?”

“I am sorry about that, but she is safe. And mated—to a Cire.”

“Mated to…” Her eyes widened. “Like us?”

“Yes, and they were headed to Trevelor.”

His conscience argued that he should tell her that they had gone to seek medical assistance, but he refused to add to the burdens she was already carrying.

“That means she’ll get my message, and we can find her when we get back.” She took a deep, shuddering breath and leaned forward, pressing her forehead to his. “Thank God.”