Chapter 19
19
K irr watched the celebration unfold from his position near the viewport, cataloging threats and exits out of habit even though he knew the security teams had everything well in hand. The reception hall blazed with light and color, filled with an impossible mix of species celebrating the formal binding of his friend to his new mate. Earth roses competed with Latharian victory blooms for dominance of the air, their warring scents a fitting metaphor for the union being celebrated.
A flash of movement caught his eye. Kyle raced past with a pack of children, their laughter echoing off the high ceiling. The boy moved with an ease that made Kirr smile, remembering how sickly he had appeared when Maax first brought the family aboard.
Kellat approached, adjusting the teal sash of his station over his formal leathers. The healer looked distinctly uncomfortable in the stiff new uniform, making Kirr hide his amusement. Warriors adapted more easily to formal dress than healers, it seemed.
"His treatments worked better than anyone expected," he said, nodding toward Kyle.
“No. He won't need the last two sessions I scheduled," Pride colored Kellat's voice even though he tried to hide it. "But, somehow, I doubt his father will cancel them."
They both turned to watch Maax spin across the dance floor, Emily and Grace shrieking with delight as he lifted them high. Kirr couldn't help the smile, remembering reports of the warrior who'd terrorized the medical bay over a scraped knee. The change in his friend was remarkable. The once-rigid warrior now moved with the easy confidence of a father who knew his children were safe and cherished.
Eira stood at the edge of the dance floor, her smile one of joy as she watched her mate with their daughters.
A burst of feminine laughter pulled his attention to a group of humans near the refreshment tables. One of them—Zara, he thought—caught Kellat's eye and smiled before turning back to her friends. Her cheeks flushed pink as she whispered something that set them all giggling again.
"I see you've developed quite a following," Kirr commented, unable to resist teasing the healer. He'd watched the healer's growing fascination with human social dynamics with amusement. "The benefits of being a healer?"
"The benefits of paying attention." Kellat smoothed his already immaculate leathers. "Humans display fascinating social patterns once you learn to recognize them."
"And I'm sure your research is purely academic." Kirr's lips quirked as his usually composed friend fidgeted.
Leo swept past with Sheena Taci, managing a complicated dance pattern that highlighted the grace both teens possessed.
A medical alert buzzed, drawing Kellat's attention briefly before he dismissed it. But when it buzzed again more insistently, Kirr caught the shift in the healer's posture. Years of working alongside healer teams had taught him to read the signs—something was wrong.
"You're needed." It wasn't a question.
The healer nodded sharply, already shifting into professional mode. "Please make my apologies to Maax and Eira. This requires my immediate attention."
Kirr's own comm unit vibrated with a priority alert from station command. He scanned the message, jaw tightening.
"Looks like we're both needed," he said, showing Kellat the screen. "Multiple females found in critical condition."
"Where?" Kellat's expression shifted to the intense focus Kirr recognized from countless emergency situations.
"Underground facility on Earth. Security's keeping it quiet." Kirr scrolled through the incoming data. "They need your expertise with human physiology."
Kellat nodded. "How long until transport?"
"Twenty minutes. Team's already prepping the medical bay." Kirr fell into step beside him.
Emily's laughter chased them down the corridor as they strode toward the transporter bay, a bright counterpoint to the grim details still scrolling across Kirr's comm unit. Strange how the universe worked. Behind them lay a celebration of family and hope, while ahead there were injured females in some dark underground facility on Earth.
His hand settled on his sidearm as they entered the transporter bay, checking it was securely fastened. Whatever they found planetside, he'd make damn sure Kellat had what he needed to save them all.
Thank you so much for reading Alien Engineer’s Mate !
The next book in the Latharian Mate series will be Alien Renegade’s Mate !