Mama and the Alien Warrior (Treasured By The Alien #1) - Honey Phillips Page 0,11
syringe to her neck.
“Okay, I’s ready,” she said, lifting her chin.
“It’s already done, little one,” Hrebec said.
“It didn’t hurt.”
“I told you it would not. I would never lie to you.”
Lucie frowned up at him for a second before a sunny smile bloomed on her face. “Okay.” She patted his tail and released it.
Abby could only pray that her daughter’s faith, and her own, was not misplaced.
Chapter Six
As Abby stared at Hrebec, another alien stepped up beside him. He was tall and muscular like the rest of the newcomers, but he appeared almost slight next to the big captain. His head was nearly smooth, lacking the ridges that Hrebec had, and she decided he must be quite young.
“What about the smallest female?” he asked. “She has not received the translator.”
All three of them turned to look at Molly, and Abby saw her face go white. She swayed, and Abby took a step forward, but the young alien darted past her, catching Molly and Ginger before they fell. Abby was right behind him, hurriedly passing Tiana to Cassie on the way.
Molly hadn’t quite passed out but she was trembling in the young alien’s arms.
“Let me take Ginger,” Abby said, retrieving the baby from the young girl’s shaking hands. Elaina immediately stepped up to take her, and when Abby turned back, Molly was clutching the alien’s arms and his tail was wrapped around her wrist.
“Oh no you don’t,” Abby said. “You put that thing away right now.”
He flushed, but when he went to release Molly, she only clung more tightly. Abby cast a helpless look up at Hrebec but he was frowning down at the couple as well.
“Perhaps she would feel safer with the translator?” the youngster said diffidently. “Can you ask her?”
Molly had looked up at him when he spoke, her eyes fastened on his mouth with an almost painful intensity. A sinking feeling filled Abby’s stomach. Molly was constantly on the lookout for a protector. That was how she’d ended up pregnant at sixteen, the victim of a much older man who had promised to take care of her. Instead, he’d abandoned her on Abby’s doorstep as soon as she had started to show.
“Molly, do you want the translator?”
“Is that what he asked?” Her voice was a thin whisper.
“Yes, but it’s your decision.”
“I’d like to be able to talk to him,” she said shyly.
Abby had a sudden impulse to shake the girl and tell her to stop living in a fantasyland. Her salvation wasn’t dependent on a man any more than Abby’s had been. Instead, she bit back her feelings with a sigh. The translator was probably a good idea under the circumstances. The medic had joined them and she gave him a reluctant nod. While Molly clung to the young alien and his tail clung to her, Mekoi performed the injection.
“How will I know if it worked?” Molly asked.
“Can you understand me?” he asked.
“Oh yes,” she breathed.
“I’m Ribel,” he said solemnly. “What is your name?”
“I’m Molly.”
“That’s a beautiful name.”
The two of them gazed into each other’s eyes with too much intensity for Abby’s liking. Hrebec’s tail brushed against her hip again, and she gave it an impatient yank. When he turned a startled look in her direction, she jerked her head at the young couple. It was his crew. He needed to put a stop to all the lovey-dovey mush before it got out of hand.
“Ensign Ribel, it is time to return to the ship. Please ensure that the Vedeckians are prepared for transport.”
“But, sir. I thought that—”
“Now, Ensign Ribel.”
“Yes, sir.” The despondent look on his face as he unwrapped his tail from around Molly’s wrist made Abby wonder just how old he was. Molly watched him with a trembling lip as he gently let her go.
“I’ll see you,” he promised quickly. He shot a nervous glance at Hrebec before heading to the door.
Hrebec watched his young officer depart and cursed under his breath. So much for containing his enthusiasm. They hadn’t even been on this accursed ship for half an hour and Ribel already displayed signs of mating fever. Although it was… interesting that Ribel’s tail had become involved. That was usually reserved for a true mate. First Mekoi then Ribel had displayed signs of possessiveness. Even his own tail kept seeking out Abigail, and he couldn’t help but remember the feel of her small, soft fingers on the sensitive skin. He looked down to find it heading for her again, but he forced it under control.