Enticed by the Alien Warrior by Hope Hart (spiritual books to read .TXT) 📕

at her, murmuring something that makes her laugh.

“This tribe is unusual,” Arix says.

I glance at him, but he’s staring around the clearing, his expression blank.

I shrug. “They’re a family.”

I follow his gaze to where Dexar and Terex are chatting to Rakiz as he holds Danica—who looks smaller than ever in his huge hands.

Nevada makes kissy sounds at her daughter and holds out her arms. He gently hands over the baby, grinning at them both.

He looks at them like they’re his whole world and he’ll slaughter anyone who threatens them. It’s a look that’s both tender and a little psychotic, and witnessing it makes my eyes sting.

Nevada pats Danica’s butt and then steps closer to me.

“Here,” she says, handing her to me before I can protest. “She hasn’t had nearly enough time with you.”

All the spit dries up in my mouth as Danica makes a tiny baby sound, kicking one of her legs beneath her blanket.

“Take her back,” I hiss. “I know nothing about babies.”

Nevada just laughs. “It’s good practice.”

“I should’ve known you’d be an asshole parent,” I hiss. “I bet on Earth, you’d be holding up the school drop-off line while you perved on the gym teacher.”

“Well, duh.”

The other males go back to discussing whatever it was they were discussing, but I glance away from Danica long enough to meet midnight-blue eyes. Arix grins at me, obviously amused at my fear.

Nevada nudges me. “You look good with a baby in your arms,” she teases.

“Ha ha,” I mutter.

“You do,” Arix says, and the amusement has left his face. We stare at each other in silence for a long moment that’s broken only when Danica raises one of her tiny fists, opening her eyes and peering up at me.

“Hi,” I say, and she blinks sleepily.

I sway with her, and she wraps her hand around my finger, her eyes sliding closed again. My heart melts.

Nevada grins at me. “And another one bites the dust. No one can stand strong against my daughter’s charms.”

I can’t help but laugh, but I hold out the baby, silently pleading with her mother.

Nevada rolls her eyes but takes her from me, placing a kiss on Danica’s head.

I turn to Arix, the noptri making my tongue loose. “Dance with me,” I say, expecting him to refuse.

His smile is languid, and it makes my thighs clench. From the wicked look in his eyes, he knows exactly what that smile does to me.

My head spins as he takes my hand and pulls me out to the dance floor. He holds me close, swaying gently as he tucks my head beneath his chin, and I make one last desperate wish.

Please, just let it stay like this for a little longer.

Chapter Eleven

Vivian

I blink my eyes open as the kradi lightens, a low groan leaving my throat.

Too much noptri. The rest of the night after my dance with Arix is a blur, but I vaguely remember Ivy deciding the noptri would go down much easier if taken as a shot.

“Curse that flame-haired vixen and her ability to pound liquor like it’s water,” I mutter. From Arix’s low laugh, he’s feeling just fine.

I turn, attempting to keep my hungover morning breath away from his face. He ignores that, nibbling at my lips in a way that makes me wish I didn’t have to get up.

“I clearly remember you challenging Ivy and Sarissa,” he murmurs. “I believe you told them to ‘suck your dick.’”

I groan, covering my face with the fur, and Arix laughs again, pulling it off and pressing a kiss against the tip of my nose.

He’s more relaxed than I’ve ever seen him, his smile staying put even as I squirm away from him and reach for my clothes.

“Where are you going?” he asks.

I sigh at the grass stains all over my dress. Cauri is going to kill me.

I glance up at him. “I haven’t had a good look at the ship yet. Alexis wants to take the thruster part to the ship and make sure it fits. Dexar has agreed, and he’s coming with us, along with half his army.” I roll my eyes, and Arix’s smile drops from his face.

“Be careful.”

I ignore the warmth that blooms in my chest at his warning. “What will you do today?”

“We’ll solidify the terms of my agreement with Rakiz’s and Dexar’s tribes.” I suppress the urge to ask him exactly what those terms are. If he wanted me to know, he would’ve told me.

Fling, V. He doesn’t need to tell you shit.

I glance back down at the dress and shrug. I’ll change later before Beth’s mating ceremony. Arix watches me through dark eyes as I pull it on, and I run a comb through my hair. My hands still as I realize how much I’ve cut down my morning routine.

Usually, I’d feel the need to darken my lashes, contour my cheekbones, and stain my lips. But for some reason…the thought hadn’t occurred to me this morning.

My head spins as I get to my feet, and I gulp down some water, hoping it’ll take care of the headache that’s currently pounding behind my right eye. I groan again as I open the kradi flap and the sun hits my face.

Arix’s chuckle reaches me, and I scowl over my shoulder at him.

“You could have some sympathy, you know.”

“I told you to slow down. You called me a ‘pussy.’”

I groan again and step out of the kradi, finding Alexis, Kate, Sarissa, and Clara waiting for me.

Alexis is the only one who looks fresh-faced, while Kate and Sarissa are both squinting into the sun as if it has personally offended them. Clara’s face is so pale that her freckles are stark against her skin.

At least I’m not the only one who’s hungover like a dog.

Alexis smirks at me, running her eyes over the other two women. She opens her mouth, and I glower at her.

“Don’t even start.”

Her smirk turns into a grin, but she gestures at the guards who’ll be traveling with us, her face turning serious. Dexar is