Chapter 19

The food area is buzzing with beings once again as everyone lines up for food. But... From wall to wall, I peek at every being, yet there's no sign of Irene.

She is usually around before I even arrive, but she isn't anywhere.

I peek through the counter into the kitchen area, she isn't there either.

Acea is there serving beings. He seems to be happy as always. Did he forget about the argument already? Maybe he is just looking professional for his job. I still hate that he has four arms and will be faster at doing things.

I fold my arms and lean on the wall of the food area, not wanting to line up for food just yet. Where's Irene?

I flinch when the memory flashes in my mind. She mentioned that she may never enjoy another beer. And... Even though she probably still hates me, she let me shove my cock into her. And now... she isn't around.

She isn't someone who'll forget to set her alarm or sleep in. If she said that she may not see the future...

Maybe I shouldn't have left her alone last night... What was I thinking...?

She did look upset and tired last night...

No way! She can't be doing dumb stuff. I need her to be fine.

I run out of the food area, trying to be as slow as I can manage so I don't stir other beings. As soon as I'm out in the corridor where no one else can see me, I dash to the lift.

But there are beings walking in the corridor and they annoy me. They should have known better than to stand in my path. I duck and move from the gaps between beings, trying my best not to stab anyone with my horns.

I take a stumble before I reach the lift. At least no one else is taking the lift upstairs.

I tap my feet on the floor as the lift moves slower than a spaceship that ran out of fuel. This thing can't get any slower.

How do beings survive this? Is the generator broken or something?

The door slides open and I hurry outside. No one is around, which makes for a smooth passage.

I slam the button for her door. It slides open and— Whoa!

"Melzul! What the hell are you doing?" Irene growls at me after we bump against each other.

At least she is short enough that my horns won't hurt her.

"Phew. You're still alive." I wrap my arms around her and pull her to me. "You worried me."

"Oh, fuck!" She gasps in my arms. "Am I supposed to be dead or something?"

"You said you may not have another beer, so..."

"Stop being silly!"

"You love to get me worried." Maybe I'm a bit silly, but I don't care as long as she is safe.

She smacks my back. "Put me down before I'll be dead for real. You're choking me alive!"

I let go of her. "Sorry. I have strong arms, so..."

She sighs. "You're just crazy. What's in your silly head now?"

"I wonder why you aren't in the food area already."

She pauses for a second before she says, "I don't have to be that early for my shift."

I hug her from behind, rubbing my cock against her ass. Now that she is fine, she makes me hard again. I know this isn't the time for that, but I can't help myself. Her soft flesh is a bit too tempting.

"But you've been early all the time."

She gasps. "What are you doing?"

"With my cock?" My cock twitches against her. "Listen, you make it hard for me to control myself."

"That's your problem."

"Yeah, I know, but still." I kiss her shoulder. "Am I the reason you want to sleep in?"

"No, stop dreaming. I'm just..." She sucks in a breath, pulling her shoulders back as if they are heavy. "Are you ready to fight all the beings to get us out of the village?"

Oh... "You can't think about failure before we even get started. It is going to be amazingly great."

"Is that what was in your mind before you crashed your spaceship?"

"To be fair, my ship was hit by those chasing me, so part of the engine was damaged and was the reason it crashed."

She takes a breath. "I... I'm still not sure what will happen."

I squeeze her hand. "Maybe it is time for us to be honest with ourselves that hiding things from others isn't a good idea."

My heart skips a beat when she watches me with wide eyes. I... "I was referring to telling everyone in the village."

She nods. "I... I hope it is really going to be fine."

"Don't overthink it. You can't be perfectly ready."

She takes another breath. "Maybe I'm overthinking it... Let's get going."

"Sure." I follow her as she picks up her staff from the rack next to her door and gets out of her room.

I wish I could help her more, but I can't. It's not my business and I can't help with that. I trust her.

We arrive at the lift and she presses the button for it. My heart beat races even though she'll be the one talking to others.

I squeeze her hand and she looks at me. I ask, "A kiss for luck?"

She smirks. She opens her mouth to say something, but she stands on her tiptoes and pecks a kiss on my lips instead. I try to kiss her back, but she has already moved away.

The lift arrives and we get inside. I stare at her back as the lift descends.

I want to protect her. I want her to be mine. Is this what Zil feels for his human mate? The feeling is so strong that he would fight me to protect that human female.

For Irene, I'll fight the galaxy.