by Presley Hall
There’s a large gate at the path that leads to the arena, and I hesitate before going through it. I take a step forward, then stop.
This is silly, I think. What are you going to do, watch a bunch of half-naked aliens play-fighting? Isn’t there something more important you could be doing?
But then again, another little voice in my head adds, when was the last time you had fun, just for the sake of it. When was the last time you just relaxed and hung out with girlfriends? There’ll be other women there too, and they’ll be happy to see you.
Will they, though? Do they even like me? Or do they just find me annoying?
Good lord. I’m a thirty-one-year-old woman, and I feel like an idiot, stepping forward and then back, having an entire internal conversation with myself about whether or not to essentially go watch some guys work out. But I can’t seem to make up my mind. I’ve never known myself to be this indecisive.
“Well, have you made up your mind?”
A deep voice rumbles from behind me, and I whirl around, blinking at the figure standing there in the path.
“Going in to watch the fighting, I mean,” he continues, a hint of amusement in his tone. “Seems as if you’re having trouble deciding.”
He’s a Kalixian. And a warrior, clearly.
His muscled arms are crossed over his broad chest, the dark markings standing out starkly on his bronzed skin. He’s gorgeous—although he looks a little older than many of the other warriors, maybe a few years older than me. I can see a slight graying at his temples, although his hair is thick and dark, pulled back into a knot at the back of his head. His forest green eyes are kind, and as I gaze at him, I realize where I’ve seen him before. This is the Kalixian who’s in charge of training the king in combat. I can’t remember his name, but I’ve seen him at the palace before.
My cheeks flush hotly as I duck my head, embarrassed at being caught out waffling over whether to go in and watch the training or not.
He steps a little closer to me, still smiling. “The warriors won’t mind.” His voice drops a little, as if he’s confiding something to me. “They’re used to having an audience now.”
“Were the Kalixian women so fascinated with watching the warriors train?” I ask, chuckling wryly. I’ve always wondered if the intense interest in watching their training sessions is a uniquely human trait.
A flash of pain crosses the alien’s face, and I wince, curling my hands into fists. Shit. I shouldn’t have said that.
“Sometimes,” he says quietly, glancing away. “Some of the mated women especially liked to watch their warriors fight.”
God, I feel awful. I know that the loss of nearly their entire female population is a painful topic for the Kalixians, and I didn’t mean to hurt him by bringing it up. This is why I usually try to avoid falling into conversation with the massive warriors. Despite the fact that they’re basically humanoid—horns and color-changing eyes aside—we’re still from completely different cultures. I don’t know how to find common ground, or how to talk to any of them without putting my foot in my mouth.
“Actually…” I clear my throat, glancing over my shoulder as I search for an escape from this suddenly awkward conversation. “I forgot that I was supposed to meet someone in the market. I’m late, so I should probably go.”
It’s a lie. Although the other women have been friendly toward me and Nadia, I haven’t put enough effort into befriending any of them for us to have plans to stroll through the market together. But I feel bad for putting that hurt, haunted expression on the Kalixian’s face, and I feel more than a little foolish for being here at all.
I start to head back toward the street, but something stops me, compelling me to turn around and look at the tall, muscled Kalixian one last time.
“What’s your name?” I ask before I can stop myself.
“Vrale,” he tells me, his voice quiet and deep. “And yours?”
“Brielle.” My voice sounds oddly high when I say it, not like my usual tone. I start to leave again, hoping I’ll be able to find my equilibrium once I return to the quiet and safety of my pod. It felt stifling earlier, but now I’m anxious to get back to it.
“Wait,” he says suddenly.
I hesitate, glancing back over my shoulder. “Yes?”
“You should come back sometime.” His eyes meet mine, and my heart gives a strange half-thud in my chest, beating a little faster as our gazes lock. “To watch the training, I mean.”
“Oh. Um… sure. I will,” I manage, and then I turn away, hurrying back down the street before he can stop me again.
As I stride quickly back toward the pod, trying to put Vrale and our brief conversation out of my head, I can’t help but wonder why my heart is beating so hard, and why I can’t seem to catch my breath, as if I’ve just run a marathon.
Brielle is used to being the sensible and practical one, but fate might have other plans for her…
Possessed is next in the series.
Get it on Amazon:
HERE
You can also check out Her Alien Prince, the first book in my Voxeran Fated Mates series!
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Also by Presley Hall
Fated Mates of the Kalixian Warriors Series
Claimed - Book 1
Stolen - Book 2
Rescued - Book 3
Bound - Book 4
Broken - Book 5
Consumed - Book 6
Damaged - Book 7
Tempted - Book 8
Tamed - Book 9
Pursued - Book 10
Possessed - Book 11
NOTE: Each book in this series can be read as a standalone, but for maximum enjoyment, it’s recommended that you read the series in order.
Voxeran Fated Mates Series
Her Alien Prince - Book 1
Her Alien Savior - Book 2
Her Alien Beast - Book 3
Her Alien Warrior - Book 4
Her Alien Rogue - Book 5
Her Alien Protector - Book 6
Her Alien Rebel - Book 7
NOTE: Each book in this series can be read as a standalone, but for maximum enjoyment, it’s recommended that you read the series in order.
