Rescued by the Alien Warrior by Hope Hart (motivational books for students .txt) 📕

helpful when I’m collecting specific herbs and plants.

“Anything else?”

“We need more ortar as well.”

“Okay, no problem.”

I know the rules, and I head to the training arena on my way to the forest. Hewex has just finished and is leaning against the fence, face flushed, his chest glistening with sweat.

“I need to collect a few things from the forest. Would you mind coming with me?”

He glances at where Tagiz is currently fighting with Rakiz, their swords clashing. I’m very carefully keeping my eyes away from him, his words still running through my mind.

He called the situation with Malis “complicated.”

And he sure didn’t deny he plans to mate with her.

I’m not an idiot. I can see neither of them have true feelings for each other. Malis seems to treat Tagiz as an older brother, and everyone knows she’s in love with a warrior called Heric.

So why?

Hewex shifts, and I realize I’m staring into space.

“Sorry,” I murmur. “Did you say something?”

“I asked if you’d prefer to go with Tagiz. He will be finished training soon.”

“No,” I say quickly. “I just need a few things, so there’s no point waiting. If you’re busy, I can grab someone else.”

Hewex nods, his craggy face set in its usual scowl. I don’t take it personally. Tagiz once told me Hewex prefers to be away from camp, hunting Voildi or checking traps. For whatever reason, Rakiz has decided to keep them both close right now.

“When are you going to teach me how to fight?” I ask as we walk out of the camp.

He glowers at me. “Ask Tagiz.”

“You said you’d help me, Hewex.” And I’m going to hold him to it.

He sighs. “Why do you want to learn how to fight? There are plenty of warriors here to protect you.”

A feminist Hewex is not.

“I’m not saying I want to go into battle. I just want to be able to defend myself.”

“Why don’t you train with the other human females?”

My cheeks heat. “They’re stronger and faster than me. I’m still recovering some of my stamina.”

He sighs, and he’s quiet as we move into the part of the forest where I’ll find the plants I need.

“Meet me in the training arena at dawn,” he says finally, and I almost do a little boogie.

Instead, I shoot him a grin. “Thank you.”

My mind is wandering as we walk through the forest, and I collect some of the things I need along the way. Hewex trails behind me, and I take a deep breath, enjoying the feel of fresh air rushing through my lungs. It’s funny, the things you take for granted until you learn they can be taken away at any moment.

One thing I learned as a nurse? Humans are resilient. The human body can tolerate indescribable trauma and survive—against almost insurmountable odds.

I don’t know why some people make it and others don’t. Even after so many years working to save lives, I still can’t explain why some people fight through injuries and sickness that should have killed them and others succumb with little warning.

But I do know none of our days are guaranteed.

Not one.

I thought I understood this, when I was working with trauma patients on Earth. But it wasn’t until I got up close and personal with my own death that I truly felt it down to my bones.

Now it’s up to me to decide what to do with the rest of my life.

I spot some of the pink mushrooms I need at the base of a tree. I duck behind it and let out a shriek as white teeth flash and something nearly takes off my hand.

I can hear Hewex running toward me as I dart back, stumbling over a tree root sticking up from the ground and landing on my ass.

The tiny creature backs toward the tree, its fur raised as it hisses at me, and in spite of my shaking hands, my heart melts.

It’s just a baby.

I get to my feet, lean around the tree, and give Hewex a smile.

“False alarm,” I say as he approaches. “I…broke a nail.”

He stares at me. I stare back at him.

Finally, he scowls and marches back across the small clearing to the tree he likes to lean against.

“Stay where I can see you,” he orders.

“I’m just going to get some of those mushrooms.” I point toward the tree, and the furred creature bares its teeth at me again. Hewex nods.

“Hey, baby,” I murmur softly as I approach, and the creature hisses at me again. It’s a light gray color, with pointed ears and huge, round eyes. Its fur sticks up in all directions, and while it has a mouth full of sharp teeth, my mouth twitches at its fuzzy coat.

My smile drops. All that fur can’t hide the fact it looks half starved.

“You poor little thing,” I whisper.

The creature eyes me, teeth still bared, but it’s pressing its back into the tree, obviously terrified. I reach into my basket and pull out a hunk of bread and some fruit I grabbed for breakfast. I’m sure this tiny little beast would prefer meat, but I place the food on the ground anyway.

“Zoey.” Hewex’s voice is coming closer, and the creature hisses again.

“I’m coming.” I turn to the little fluff ball, who seems to be eyeing both me and the food suspiciously. “I’ll bring you back some meat if you’re still here tomorrow,” I croon to it before hurrying back to where Hewex is waiting.

Tagiz

“What are we going to do?” Malis is pacing in front of me, twisting her hands together. “Heric is getting tired of waiting for me, Tagiz. He loves me, but even he can only take so much. I keep telling him we’re going to figure this out, but he’s beginning to believe I don’t truly want him.” Her eyes fill with tears, and I sigh.

“Would you like me to speak with him?”

She shrugs. “I don’t know. I doubt he’ll listen to you.”

I pinch the bridge of my nose in an attempt to fight off the headache that’s