Chapter 39: Wounded Warrior

"How do I know you're not lying again?" Was she naively thinking in terms of a relationship while he had other priorities?

"You do not." No compromise. Nothing of the gentle lover of last night was left in this merciless alien before her.

"How can you act like this? Is this why you call me a breeder, because I have no rights in your eyes?"

"There are no spaceships on their way from my planet. The earth is too far for them to travel and the wormhole we came through will only form in another thousand years."

"Is that the truth?"

He stepped forward and loomed over her in an intimidating move she didn't like at all. "Are you calling me a woumber?"

"No." But she knew he wasn't telling her the whole truth.

Before she realized his intention, he bent and swung her up in his arms.

He carried her back inside and strode toward the tent. She wanted to bite him or kiss him senseless - she didn't know which, and that was a crushing blow to her pride.