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

brewing. Heric likely believes I am his enemy, the male who may take the female he loves from him. He may not understand I feel the same way about this mating as Malis does.

If it were Zoey in Malis’s position, it would take all my strength not to kill the other warrior.

“What about your female, Tagiz? Do you believe she will wait forever? If the humans fix their ship, Zoey may decide she is tired of wishing for a warrior who treats her so casually.”

My heart twists and my fists clench with the need to tie Zoey to me before she gives up and leaves me forever.

I take a deep breath, forcing myself to focus.

I know what Malis is doing. She is hoping I will be the one to end this mating. Braxian males are territorial and possessive, and she knows I am close to throwing Zoey over my shoulder and taking her away from this tribe. Forever.

If I am the one to act, Malis will have fewer consequences. Her parents will be upset, but they will not be able to blame her for my actions. And she will be free to mate with Heric.

I give her a look that tells her I know what she is thinking, and her cheeks turn red. She throws up her hands but continues pacing.

“We need a plan,” I murmur.

“What if you spoke with Rakiz?” Malis asks.

I shrug. “Rakiz has more than enough to concern him, especially now with the birth of his daughter. He will simply say forced matings are banned in his tribe.”

While neither Malis nor I want to be mated, it is the thought of disappointing our parents that keeps us locked in this situation.

“I know you fear your father’s reaction,” Malis begins, and I shrug. Malis may believe she understands the loyalty I have to my father, but she has no idea just how much I owe him.

My kradi bells ring, and I turn, finding Hewex waiting.

“We have a meeting with Dexar,” he says. “I passed your father in the food kradi, and he asked me to tell you to come to him when we are finished.”

I glance at Malis. Her hands are shaking, and I blink as she suddenly lunges at me, her hands fisting in my shirt.

“Please, Tagiz. Please make it right. I can’t take this anymore.” She buries her face in my shirt and sobs. My eyes meet Hewex’s, and his disapproval is clear on his face as he watches Malis lose control, wrapping her arms around me.

Hewex likes Zoey. He has told me multiple times if I do not want the little healer, there are plenty of other warriors who do.

I want to tell him this is not what it looks like, but I bite my tongue. If Hewex does not believe me honorable after all these years, then he never truly knew me.

Chapter Six

Zoey

I’m at the training arena before the sun has fully risen, sweat from my nightmares still drying on my skin.

Hewex is waiting for me, his face set in its usual scowl.

“I know I agreed to train you,” he says, and my heart sinks. “But Rakiz has ordered security to be increased around this camp and across his territory. I will be leaving for a few days to guard the northwest sector of our territory.” I sigh, but he glances over his shoulder. “I’ve found someone else to train you instead.”

I perk up at that, and Hewex nods to the other side of the arena, where a warrior is waiting. I’ve seen him around camp, but we’ve never actually met.

“This is Kroniz,” Hewex says. “He has agreed to teach you some basic skills.”

Kroniz nods at me, his eyes curious.

“I’m Zoey,” I say. “I’m not expecting to be able to beat anyone in an actual fight. I’d just like to be able to hold my own and maybe have a few tricks up my sleeve.”

Kroniz nods. “From what I have learned about human females, you are vicious when cornered. I believe I will be able to teach you what you need to know.”

My cheeks heat further, and his smile widens.

Hewex narrows his eyes at us. “Well. There’s no harm in learning some hand-to-hand. Perhaps some basic knife skills,” he grumbles.

“We’ve got this covered,” Kroniz says, and Hewex glances at me, suddenly looking uncertain. Finally, he shrugs, stalking off without another word.

I’ve grown used to Hewex’s curmudgeon ways by now, and Kroniz doesn’t seem concerned either, gesturing for me to follow him to the far side of the training arena.

“Before we get started, I need to know what I’m working with.” He reaches for me, and the movement is so sudden my hands automatically come up defensively.

Kroniz pauses, evaluating my stance. “Don’t move.”

He leans forward, adjusting my hands until they’re no longer palm up, fingers curled and nails ready to claw. He folds my fingers and turns my hands until they’re fisted.

Immediately, I feel like a badass.

“Fights are won and lost in moments,” he murmurs. “Human females are small. You only have one chance to take an attacker by surprise. You must instinctively take this stance. From here, you can strike out, block, and evade a punch.”

Kroniz makes me place my hands by my sides and walk across the training arena. As I walk, he jumps at me, getting into my personal space. The first few times, my hands instinctively come up the same way—palms up, fingers like claws. But by the time the sun has fully risen, my hands are fisted when they rise, and I’m ready for the next step.

“That’s all for today,” Kroniz says, and I blink, realizing the arena is beginning to fill with Braxians.

“Thank you,” I say. “I really appreciate this. I don’t expect to suddenly be a fighter. I don’t even want to be a fighter. I’d just like to feel a little more confident.”

He nods. “I owe Hewex a favor, and I’m happy to spend it teaching a pretty human female how to fight.”

I blink at the