Chapter 31
Haley
I rush out from my hiding place and throw myself into Draggar’s arms, overwhelmed with relief. A moan seeps from between his lips as he wraps me in his embrace and reassures me that he’s fine, but that’s not enough.
I need to see for myself. I lean back and run my hands over him from head to toe, looking for any injuries. He’s streaked with blood, but with relief, I quickly realize none of it belongs to him.
“My Haley.” His eyes sparkle with warmth and his lips curl up as he cups my jaw in his hand. “I love you.”
I melt, right then and there with two dead dinosaurs just yards away. Reaching up to fasten my hands around his neck, I tug him down until our lips meet.
We lose ourselves in the kiss as the intense need that always simmers between us quickly flares to life and makes itself known. The sound of a clearing throat brings me back to the present and we reluctantly pull apart.
I try to take a step back to put a little distance between us, but Draggar holds me firmly next to him and shakes his head with the warm crooked smile that I’ve come to adore gracing his mouth. Vrenner shoots us a bemused look, while some of the other men chuckle.
The debris that was whipped up by the fight has settled, and he takes a moment to look over my head and give orders to two of the warriors. They nod and quickly get to work butchering the huge beasts, expertly slicing through the thick skin with their hunting knives.
Draggar settles an arm around my shoulders and says, “Now, let us check on your friends.”
But before we can take more than a few steps, a strident voice rings out. “Hold it right there, fellas. Not another step or we’ll make sure you regret it.”
I immediately recognize Crystal’s voice, and I nearly weep with relief.
Draggar stiffens beside me, every muscle in him is held tense and ready to spring into action. The other men are frozen in place with their eyes narrowed on the ship as they grip their swords tightly in their hands. I need to do something before this gets ugly.
“Wait, it’s me!” I yell and wave my hands in the air, trying to get my friends’ attention.
A long, tense moment of stunned silence follows my shouted words, then another voice calls out from inside the ship. “Haley? Is that you?”
“Yes, yes, Rose. It’s me!” I answer and begin to take a step forward. Draggar reaches out and grabs my arm, pulling me to a half beside him. His entire focus is trained on the ship in front of us and I can feel his protectiveness towards me. It’s clear he doesn’t trust my friends not to hurt me, yet, and he wants me to stay by his side where he can protect me.
“Hey, grabby dude, hands off! Keep your paws to yourself!” One of my friends yells out. They must have seen him pull me to a stop and interpreted the action as threatening instead of the loving, concerned gesture I know it was.
“It’s okay, guys!” I reassure them and then lace my fingers with Draggar’s own, clutching his hand tightly against me. “He’s a friend of mine. They all are. They’re here to help us.” I know I should have said mate instead, but it would probably be better to break that news to them later when we’re not in the middle of a standoff.
I can hear muffled whispers coming from the ship as if they’re having an intense conversation, then the piercing sound of scraping as someone moves aside the sheet of metal covering the jagged opening. A head with dark hair pops out, and I immediately recognize Isabella.
She moves through the entrance and another person takes her place and another until everyone is gathered in a small clump in front of the ship.
Even Emily is there, barely able to stand and leaning heavily on Aria’s arm. Then I spot Zoe, standing close against Rose’s side, and I choke back a sob. She’s okay.
They’re all here. Every one of my friends is here and safe. A trembling smile stretches across my face as I move my eyes over them.
They look a little worse for wear, with large dark circles beneath their eyes that are testament to their exhaustion and clothes that look like they’re more dirt than fabric. Some of the women carry makeshift spears made from long sticks and Crystal holds what I swear looks like a shiv made from a jagged piece of metal and fabric wrapped around one end to form a handle. But they’re alive.
The tears that have been threatening finally break free and stream down my face as I tear myself away from Draggar’s side and cover the few feet that separates us. Then, I’m enveloped in the circle of my friends.
No, my family. After everything we’ve been through, we’ve become family.
There are laughter and smiles, everyone is talking and asking questions at the same time, and I have never been so happy. Emotions are high and I hug everyone gathered around me at least twice, especially Zoe. But eventually we settle down enough for me to answer their questions.
“Who are the big guys?” Jayden asks, pointing to Draggar who has moved closer until he stands just a few feet away. His eyes are alert as he scans the surroundings and his hand is on the hilt of his one of his knives as if he expects an attack at any moment and wants to be prepared.
My friends are all looking at the men with curiosity and wariness, even if I just vouched for them, and that’s understandable. Our first introduction to aliens wasn’t exactly all sunshine and roses. So, I hold out my hands and start talking, trying to smooth things over.
I take a few steps back, closer to Draggar. “They’re from the Anuriixtribe, and they’re a species of aliens called Laediriians.” I watch as my friends eye the warriors behind me. “They live on this planet, and they’ve offered to help us and let us stay in their village.”
Always the cautious one, Mara speaks up, her eyes narrowed with suspicion, “Why would they do that?”
“Because they don’t want us to die. They’re honorable warriors who don’t break their word. If they say they’ll help us, they will. They take that stuff really serious. This guy – “ I gesture to Draggar who has moved closer until he stands at my back, “ – has taken very good care of me, and I trust him. I trust all of them.” I realize it’s true, I really do trust these men.
The silence stretches out and I watch as my friends exchange glances. Finally, Crystal shifts and takes a small step forward.
“Well, I’m game if you guys are. Not like there’s any reason to hang around here.” She smirks as she flicks her hand towards the loin cloth wrapped around Draggar’s hips. “At least we’ll have some eye candy.”
My eyes narrow on her as I tamp down the urge to growl at her with jealousy. I never knew until this whole thing that I could be so jealous, but this planet has really brought out the primal side of me that I didn’t know existed.
I know Draggar can feel the tinge of possessiveness that floods through me because he shifts closer and stretches his burly arm around my waist. He pulls me closer and I lean against his side as he nuzzles my forehead. His face glows with love and happiness as he gazes down at me, and I know what he’s doing. He’s making it clear to anyone watching that we belong to each other.
Isabella chuckles. “Damn! You were getting busy with it while you were gone.”
My cheeks burn, and I open my mouth to say something, anything, but I’m at a loss for words.
“What’s getting busy with it mean?” Zoe speaks up, her young voice breaking through the awkwardness.
Rose clears her throat. “Um. . . it means Haley was busy looking for butterflies.”
Crystal snorts. “By the looks of it, she must’ve found a lot of butterflies.”
While we’ve been talking, Draggar has signaled to the other warriors to set up camp and they have quickly gotten to work. I can hear one of the men building a fire behind us, while some of the others work on carving up the massive anuroi carcasses.
I might as well go ahead and get this over with. I know they’re going to have a lot of questions about the mate bond, and I’m unsure of how they’ll react. I take a deep breath. “Guys, this is Draggar. . . my spirit mate.” There are a few quiet gasps as everyone looks at me with shocked expressions.
It doesn’t take long before they recover, and then the questions start.
What the hell is a spirit mate?
How did you meet him?
Do they have any spaceships that can take us home?
Did he kidnap you?
Do you have Stockholm Syndrome? Blink twice if you need help.
What’s the sex like? That last one was, of course, from Crystal.
I try my best to answer all of their questions – except the sex one, that’s personal, thank you very much – and I try to explain the mate bond, but I can tell most of the girls don’t really understand it.
A couple of my friends are looking at me like they think I’ve lost my mind for declaring that an alien is my mate, but I don’t care. I’d rather be crazy with my mate, than without him.
During our conversation, Warrix has been standing off to the side with the satchel that contains his supplies slung over one shoulder, watching and waiting for permission to approach us so he can get started with his duties as a medic. I can see him eyeing my friends, analyzing each one for any visible injuries.
I clear my throat and try to get back on topic. “So, is everyone agreed? We’ll travel to the Anuriix village?”
Nearly everyone swiftly answers in the affirmative, but I notice Mara seems a little slower to respond. It would probably be a good idea to check in with her later just to make sure she is okay with all of this. I don’t like the thought of anyone being forced into doing something against their will even if the Anuriix tribe is our best option to survive on this planet.
Although, I may be a little biased, I think as I glance back at Draggar who has moved away to quietly confer with Vrenner.
“That’s great!” I nod, then gesture to the tall medic standing to the side. “Guys, this is Warrix. He’s a. . .” Just as I turn to wave Warrix over, Emily’s eyes roll back in her head and she slumps forward.
Luckily, Aria’s quick reflexes keep Emily from hitting the ground. She wraps an arm around Emily’s limp, pale body and yells for help. The medic leaps into action and sweeps Emily into his arms, asking Aria to show him to the medic bay and they disappear into the dark interior of the ship.
Fuck, I hope we aren’t too late, and Emily will be okay.
I can feel Draggar’s reassuring presence beside me and I look up to him.
“Go with them, amoris. Your friends need you, now. The males and I will finish setting up camp.” His arm is around me and he gives me a squeeze and a quick kiss before moving away to assist the other warriors.
The other girls have disappeared back inside with Emily and Warrix, so I quickly squeeze through the opening and enter the shadowy recesses of the ship. The spicy, green scent I’ve become used to on this planet fades away and the sharp odor of unwashed bodies and fear washes over me, nearly taking away my breath. Loud, angry voices spill out from the entrance of the medic bay as I draw near.
It sounds like there’s some sort of stand-off going on.
When I enter the room, I notice Emily is laid out on the bed of the large scanner, and Warrix is standing over her with the small hand-held scanning device he used on me clutched tightly in his hand. His lips are flattened with annoyance, and I immediately see why.
Crystal stands in front of him brandishing a spear and she orders him not to move. Mara and Maddie stand behind her tightly gripping their own spears as if they’re just waiting for a sign to skewer him like a kabob.
“Don’t touch her!” Crystal yells. “One wrong move and we’ll gut you, asshole!”
I quickly cross the room and push myself in between them with my arms outstretched. “It’s okay, guys. Warrix is a doctor and that thing in his hand is a portable medical scanner. He’s just going to use it to check on Emily.”
Crystal’s blue eyes narrow and she rakes her gaze up and down Warrix. “Him? Are you sure? He doesn’t look like a doctor.”
“Yes, I’m sure. He checked me over with that same scanner thing when I got to the village.” I huff out a breath of frustration, then try to soften my voice. “He’s just trying to help Emily. Please, let him.”
Several tense seconds tick by before Crystal shares a look with the others, then she nods and lowers the spear. “Okay.” Mara and Maddie follow suit, and I can practically feel the room release a sigh of relief. I turn to Warrix and nod for him to get started.
“Is there anything we can do to help, Warrix?” I ask.
“Yes, as I was trying to tell the females. . .” He shoots a glare at Crystal. I can just barely make out the word she mumbles under her breath in response. Dickhead. “There are too many people crowded in here.”
He’s right there are too many people in here. It’s not that big of a room, and I imagine he needs to be able to freely move around and tend to his patient. Not to mention, it has to be intimidating to have people armed with spears breathing down his neck and watching his every move.
“We’re not leaving you alone with her.” Mara scoffs.
“I do not expect you to do that. Two females may remain, but the rest need to vacate the room.” Warrix arches his brow at her, his voice stern and implacable. It’s clear he has no intention of yielding in this standoff.
I point at myself and Crystal (because I can already tell there is no way she’s going to move from her spot). “One. Two. Everyone else out.”
Rose catches my eye and with a nod, she begins herding the others back into the cargo bay. Once they’re gone, Warrix quickly gets to work.
The hand-held device emits a bright blue light that he slowly sweeps down Emily’s body, starting from her head to her feet. As he does, he talks softly, explaining everything he’s doing and asking a few questions about Emily’s condition. After a while, he falls silent as the scanner does its job.
Out of the corner of my eye, I see Crystal shift her feet. Then, she opens her mouth and I brace myself. But she surprises me. Instead of the cantankerous remark I expect, she asks a question.
“Why are you using that small scanner? That thing you put her on is some sort of medical scanner. Why aren’t you using it?”
Warrix briefly looks up before focusing back on his patient and quietly answering her questions. “This scanner was made by my ancestors. I trust it. I do not know if I can trust the scanner on this ship. At least, not until I have had a chance to study it. I would not want to risk your friend’s life by using technology that I am unfamiliar with.”
The device lets out a loud beep and the blue light goes dark. Warrix takes out a small tablet that looks like an iPad. On the screen, I notice a multitude of squiggled lines that I only try to decipher for a moment before giving up.
Warrix lets out a grunt. “It is as I suspect. This female. . .”
“Her name is Emily.” Crystal interrupts him, an edge to her voice.
Warrix pauses and I can see his eyes soften as he looks up at Crystal before he continues, “The wound Emily sustained caused a significant loss of blood volume. The Zyfeliks’ scanner was able to repair the blood vessels and stop the bleeding, but their scanner will not reverse the damage done to her body. Her blood volume is below the optimal level and her vital statistics are currently abnormal – or at least, what I think is abnormal for a human. In addition, she is recovering from a mild concussion. She is weak from her injuries and malnourished from lack of food. In her condition now, it will take a while before she is completely recovered.”
“But she will recover? I mean, you can heal her, right?” I ask him, holding my breath.
“I can use the equipment I was able to bring and give the healing process a boost and hopefully her vital signs will return to a normal range. I can essentially speed it up so that she will be well enough for our journey back to the village. Once there, I will have more treatment options at my disposal.” He pauses. “But no matter what, it will take time for her to recover completely. It will be a slow process.”
I nod and watch as he pulls a set of small electrodes out of the bag sitting at his feet. He places a couple of them on Emily’s skin, and then he motions for me to move closer and shows me where to attach the rest. Two on her chest, two on her forehead, and another two on her feet.
By the time I’m through, I notice Crystal has moved to lean against a wall, her glassy eyes fixed on the slow rise and fall of Emily’s chest. She looks like she’s on the brink of falling apart, and I’m honestly a little shocked. I cross over and stand next to her.
I tilt my head at her and softly say, “She’ll be okay. Emily is stronger than we realize, and Warrix knows what he’s doing.”
“I’ve been so mean to her. This whole time.” Crystal sniffs as tears trickle down her cheeks, leaving wet tracks through the dirt coating her face. “I yelled at her yesterday and told her you were never coming back and that some dinosaur probably ate you. God, I’m such a bitch sometimes.” She huffs out a breath and drops her head to stare down at the floor.
I nod in agreement because it really can’t be denied, and I bump my shoulder playfully against hers. “Yeah, you are, but you’re our bitch and we still love you.”
Crystal rolls her eyes, but a faint smile briefly touches her lips before vanishing. This is not the same put-together, icy woman I remember from a few days ago. Her coiffed hair is disheveled, her dark roots are visible where they’ve grown out, and her eyes are red from crying. The polished veneer has cracked, allowing her emotions to seep through, and it’s clear she’s struggling with the unfamiliarity of it all.
“So, what’s with all this mate business?” She cocks her head at me, one dark eyebrow arched. I look up to see Warrix’s attention is still focused on Emily.
“I know it sounds crazy, but Draggar is my spirit mate.” I breathe out a sigh as I try to think of how to explain it to her. “It’s like we’re connected to each other in a way that is bigger and stronger than anything I’ve ever felt. I don’t understand it, but I can feel him inside me.” I place a palm against my chest where the echo of my mate’s spirit is the strongest. He’s here with me even now, his quiet self-assurance calming me.
“Damn.” Crystal whistles softly. “The sex must be freaking amazing, cause, girl, you are dickmatized.”
I huff out a startled laugh, my face burning with embarrassment. “Um. . . yeah, it is pretty amazing.” A sappy grin stretches across my lips. “But it’s so much more than that. Even if we could go back to Earth tomorrow, I wouldn’t. The thought of never seeing him again . . .” My catches in my throat and I shake my head. “I’m happier with him than I’ve ever been. He makes me feel whole. Like I found a part of me that I never knew was missing.”
She looks at me in disbelief and then rolls her eyes. “Like I said, dickmatized.”
A couple of hours pass by, but Crystal and I both remain in the medic bay watching the gentle rise and fall of Emily’s chest as Warrix tends to her. Some of the other girls come and go periodically to get updates, and Draggar brings all three of us something to eat around midday.
Even though I know she has to be hungry, Crystal only picks at her food, her gaze rarely leaving Emily. Her mood grows darker and more anxious as the minutes tick by without the other woman waking up.
But then, I notice movement from across the room and I realize it’s the flutter of Emily’s lashes against her cheeks. Her deep inhale of air sounds loud in the too quiet room, and we all sit up in alert. Warrix quickly moves to check his patient’s vital signs, the scanner in his hand.
The scanner beeps after a moment and Warrix’s fangs flash as a smile spreads across his lips as he reads the results displayed on the screen. “I believe she will be all right. Most of Emily’s vital signs are within normal range.”
As the last words leave his mouth, Emily slowly blinks her eyes open and then, she turns her head to take us in. Her voice is low and scratchy when she speaks.
“It wasn’t a dream. The big teal guys are real.”