“But not distracting for you?” I pouted, pretending to be offended.
Krin gave me a heated look as he hugged me, then stepped back to look down at me. “Always.”
My heart felt lighter around Krin. He was way more agreeable than I expected him to be. It felt good. Felt right.
“This is really happening? You are allowing me to work as part of the crew?” I couldn’t help the disbelief in my voice.
“You are my mate, Riley. I not only want you here with me. I want you to be happy. Now that I have claimed you and our bond is stronger, I cannot bear the thought of being away from you.”
Admiring his handsomeness, I raised an eyebrow while gazing back at him. Our relationship still seemed surreal. I had always felt like I didn’t belong anywhere. God knows I wasn’t even close to being good enough for anyone.
I’d accepted that was how things would be, and that I would be permanently alone. I struggled to believe that I deserved my new relationship with Krin.
He flashed me a sweet smile. “You are mine. And you are everything I could ever want. Do not doubt that.”
A swell of panic made my heart flutter. Krin went from hardly talking about his feelings to saying things I never thought I would hear.
“I hope my words do not make you uncomfortable?” He frowned.
“Did you just read my mind?” I asked.
He shook his head. “I did not need to. Your feelings are written all over your face. You are a gift, Riley. Anyone who was unable to see that did not deserve you.”
My cheeks warmed at his words.
“I’m glad we found one another,” I said, standing on tip-toe to give him a kiss on the cheek. “Don’t worry, I don’t plan on going anywhere.”
It was weird to have such a strong unspoken connection to Krin. Even though being his K’sha was still a new concept to me, I accepted it. It felt right.
Yet there were moments when it all felt unreal. Unwanted fears and doubts surfaced once in a while. Like what if he changed his mind about being with me? The idea of losing him made my heart clench.
Krin’s look melted into me as he gave a reassuring smile. “I am not going anywhere either.”
I assumed he could still sense my emotions, and I was fine with it. With knowledge of Alarans’ strong attachment to their K’sha, I understood that Krin becoming my mate was a life-changing event for both of us.
I couldn’t screw it up, and I prayed I wouldn’t.
Before I knew it, Krin had swept me off my feet and into his arms. A small yelp escaped me before I wrapped my arms around his neck, laughing softly.
“I want you so much, my K’sha. Allow me to prove it to you,” he expressed as he hurried down the hall, cradling me in his arms as if I were a bride.
I closed my eyes as I nestled my head into the nook of his neck, finding comfort in his familiar scent. My entire being adored every single thing about him.
How did I manage to be so lucky?
17
Krin
SEVEN ROTATIONS (5.5 Earth days) later, along the Chetok’s patrol route.
The joy I felt from having Riley in my bed every night was beyond my wildest expectations. I understood now how Trex must have felt when he claimed Grace.
My destiny was intertwined with Riley. She made my future seem bright and promising.
Although recently I had been missing the experience of waking up next to her. Since Rothr, her Commander, suggested different shifts to help her learn the security protocols without distractions.
My K’sha agreed.
