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

be happy more than you want them to be yours. Wanting someone to feel good even if it means they don’t do it by your side. Real love doesn’t come with threats and deals. It doesn’t mean you’re obligated to live your life a certain way so you can deserve that love.”

“You think to lecture me?”

I shrug. “I believe you must not have ever known real love if this is what you think it is. And if this is true, I am sorry for that. But we are leaving.”

I take Malis’s hand in mine, ignoring the way her parents bluster, and my eyes meet my mother’s one last time. She’s pale, her lips trembling, but she gives me a tiny nod.

Malis wipes her face, raising her head high. And then we both walk out of my father’s kradi and toward the ones we love.

Chapter Sixteen

Tagiz

In spite of the attack, Rakiz looks happier than I’ve ever seen him. Earlier, he visited Hewex, who insisted this celebration still go ahead.

“He said to grab happiness by both hands whenever it appears,” Rakiz told me. “So that is what I’m doing.” He slapped me on the shoulder. “I suggest you do the same.”

His nose is still swollen from its encounter with my fist, and my cheek is bruised and scabbing.

But now he sits next to Nevada at the head of his table, one of his fingers stroking his daughter’s tiny cheek as he murmurs in his mate’s ear. Nevada laughs at whatever he says, taking the baby from him as she begins to fuss.

The entire camp has come out to celebrate the birth of the tribe king’s daughter. I take a moment to scan the clearing, noting how much larger our tribe seems now, with the new human women along with the temporary addition of Dexar and some of his warriors.

The qatai stalks over to Rakiz, slapping him on the back as he gazes down at Danica. He turns his attention to Alexis, a look of promise in his eyes, and she grins back at him, raising her eyebrows suggestively.

Someone begins playing music, and Beth reaches for Zarix, who sways with her in the center of the clearing. A few more couples join them, and I nod at my father as he holds court at his table.

“Do you think the human females will be able to use the spaceship?” Jozet asks.

I turn to him, and he hands me a cup. His gaze is on one of the new human females, and his eyes light with challenge as she meets his gaze and quickly glances away.

“Tagiz, Jozet,” Nevada calls.

Jozet’s cheeks turn red as we move closer to our tribe queen. He almost squirms as Nevada raises her eyebrow at him.

“I apologize for my words in the cave,” he says, and she snorts.

“You’re not the first male to panic during labor, and you won’t be the last. You kept us safe, and that’s all I needed.” She pulls the cloth away from the bundle in her arms. “You can hold her if you want.”

Jozet immediately puts his hands behind his back, shaking his head, and Nevada laughs.

“Tagiz?”

I clear my throat, taking the baby, conscious of Rakiz watching me closely. She’s light. So light she barely weighs anything at all. But the babe is beautiful, her tiny hand clutching my finger.

Zoey approaches, grinning at Nevada. “You look happy.” She leans around my arm, cooing at Danica, who studies her face.

“You look beautiful,” I murmur to Zoey. Her dress is new, and the blue perfectly matches her eyes. Her hair is piled on her head, long strands falling in places as if she has just been tumbled.

She smiles at me, but it doesn’t meet her eyes, and she quickly glances away. I offer her the baby, and she doesn’t hesitate, cuddling the tiny bundle close as she sways to the music. She sniffs at Danica’s head. “God, that baby smell is like a drug,” she murmurs, and Nevada laughs.

“You’re a natural with her,” she says, and Zoey smiles, still swaying as she gazes down at Danica.

I’m hit with a bolt of primal lust. A need to ensure when Zoey clutches her own babe to her, that babe is mine. Rakiz meets my gaze, a half smile on his face as if he can read my thoughts.

Zoey’s eyes meet mine over the baby’s head, and I barely refrain from taking her mouth, from claiming her in front of my entire tribe. There are too many eyes on us right now, however, and I have far too much to say.

She glances away, her shoulders stiff, and I want to pull her aside, to make her listen to me. But I will wait until she is ready.

Charlie approaches, looking lost without Dragix by her side.

“How are you doing?” Nevada asks her, patting the seat next to her.

Charlie leans over and places a kiss on the top of Danica’s head before slumping into a chair. “Dragix is due back tomorrow. About damn time. I swear, being separated from him is the worst.”

Zoey grins. “Well, that’s not surprising. You guys were practically joined at the hip before he let you come back here.”

Charlie nods. “Have you guys heard anything from Vivian and Sarissa yet?”

“Nope. The other women seem to be pinning all their hopes on them though. No pressure.” Nevada laughs.

“Speaking of…I need to talk to you guys tomorrow,” Zoey murmurs to Nevada, and the tribe queen raises her eyebrow.

“We can talk about it now.”

“It’s okay. You should enjoy this night before we talk about revenge plans.”

Nevada claps her hands. “My favorite thing. Gimme.”

Zoey laughs, slowly lowering herself into the chair next to Charlie, and I realize the baby has fallen asleep in her arms. Tenderness unfurls in my chest at the sight, and I claim the chair next to her.

Zoey ignores me, but I am content to simply be in her presence.

“I’ve created something that might help against the Dokhalls,” she says.

“What kind of something?” Nevada asks. Next to her, Rakiz