Taken by the Alien Next Door (Aliens Among Us #1) - Tiffany Roberts Page 0,130
Earth, Zevris?”
Releasing a soft sigh, Zevris glanced around the room. Everything here was so familiar to him. In his mind’s eye, he could see well beyond this bedroom. It wasn’t merely this house, this neighborhood, this region that made him want to stay; it was Tabitha, it was Dexter, it was the interesting people like Hank and Mia, the latter of whom he’d finally met a couple weeks before. It was the blue sky and green plants, the fragrant flowers. It was the wood he’d learned to work with his hands, the art, the expression. It was the feeling that, after spending half his life without a home, always in danger, always fighting, he was finally in the place he belonged.
He could finally relax and be content. He could finally love and be loved.
“I’ve never been more certain of anything, save that Tabitha is my lifemate,” he said.
Khelvar’s eyes seemed to search Zevris for several seconds. A small, surprisingly warm smile curled his lips upward. “I see that. You’ve changed, Zevris. That’s not good for what I need out of an althicar, but it is good for you. I’m glad for you, my friend.”
“Thank you, Khelvar.”
“Don’t thank me yet. I’m still your commanding officer until your mission is deemed complete. I doubt I could get approval to release now without your mate producing a child.”
Zevris laughed. “I’ll keep that in mind, ultricar.”
“The medical team is currently traveling to you, estimated to arrive in about two Earth weeks. I’ll contact you with more information so we can get you in contact with them when they arrive. Be gentle with them, Zevris. They’re not althicars.”
“I’ll take it into consideration.”
Khelvar smirked. “I’m sure you will. Inform me immediately of any major occurrences.”
The hologram blinked out, leaving the room quiet again.
Zevris braced an arm on the dresser and stared down at the now dark comm disc. He’d expected the worst—an argument, a harsh reprimand for having dared demand something of a ranking officer, a reminder of his place in all this. He’d expected to be left with no choice but to take Tabitha and disappear somewhere on Earth.
But this…he’d not expected Exthurizen Command to acquiesce so easily.
Relief settled over him, followed by slow-building joy. Those emotions soon clashed with the others already roiling inside him. The resulting mix was somehow even more restless and confusing than before. His worry was too strong to be overpowered just yet, and he couldn’t enjoy this news without Tabitha—and without knowing that she was all right.
His thoughts were no easier to navigate as he returned the comm disc to its hiding place, forcing his eyes away from the ring box, and walked downstairs, taking the steps at a glacial pace.
Zevris and Tabitha could have a future. A real future. One they could plan for and embrace without the uncertainty represented by the Exthurizen hanging over their heads. There’d likely always be a faloran presence in that life apart from Zevris himself, but he could handle that. He could make sure it was minimally intrusive.
But what about now? Was his lifemate well? Had she discovered anything yet?
He finally allowed himself to take his phone out of his back pocket as he reached the bottom of the stairs. The clock said it was nine twenty-three; she had been gone for over an hour. Was that normal? He’d not been to any human medical clinics, wasn’t sure how long such visits normally took.
There were no message alerts.
Entering the kitchen, he unlocked the phone and brought up his text conversation with Tabitha. Their text history stretched back over the weeks. She’d sent him many messages, emojis, and pictures since he’d given back her phone. Many of the images she’d taken of herself had been silly or playful. A few had been decidedly naughtier; he didn’t allow himself to scroll through any of them now.
Just as he was about to send her a message, he stopped.
I’d like to do this myself.
As much as it pained him to let her go—especially when she was clearly ill—he couldn’t have denied her request. He’d kidnapped Tabitha, had taken her against her will. This trust was the least he could offer her now.
He locked the phone screen and slipped the device into his back pocket again. Uncertain of how he could feel so elated and miserable simultaneously, he walked into the living room, stopped at the sliding door, and called Dexter. He activated his disguise and tucked his tail into his pants as the dog loped over.