Gabe's Destiny (Alien Mates Book Three) by Serena Simpson Page A

planet we were two dominate species, the Matra’s and the Arbrin’s. We got along well and shared the land. Then the Sudirs came. That would be Zuhun’s people. They wanted to steal our planet or our resources, whatever they could get their hands on. War started. Eventually the Matra’s and the Arbrins’s realized we could merge together, become one. We also could take either shape so we would choose the one best for what we were doing.
    “Long story short, after many years of war the Sudir came in with their ultimate weapon. It would rid our world of the Matra and the Arbrin. And it did. Million’s died while millions lived. Every Matra and Arbrin that were merged lived, but we were no longer two. We were now one with the ability to change shapes but to never split apart again. All children were now born as Matra/Arbrin.
    “Then one day we were sent away with a hurried goodbye and a final I love you along with the old timers who were sent to watch over us until we were brought back to our planet. Instead, the planet was destroyed and we became the last living remnant of a society that simply wanted to live in peace.”
    She wiped the tears that were clinging to her lashes. She thought of a young Gabe being sent away from mother and father only to end up on a new land that was hostile to half of what he was. Then to go through the torture he had with his brother. His life hadn’t been easy and still he was standing.
    Pulling her feet back, she got on her knees and walked over the cushions until she was next to him. Taking her shaking hands, she placed them on his shoulders and traced until she moved up to his face then down to his chest. The more she touched him, the more she became certain that the Matra would never hurt her. Once she was done, she leaned her head against his chest and felt his heart beat. The steady beat of it reassured her, the feeling of heat coming from him made her comfortable. She climbed onto his lap and placed her arms around him before closing her eyes.
    She felt like she had just come home. With a yawn she fell asleep.
     
    *~*~*~*
     
    There was a light knock on the door before Rylan walked in. The smile on his face could have lit a Christmas tree.
    “I knew she was the one,” he whispered.
    “You may know, I may think, but the important person here is Taya and she’s not convinced. Not by a longshot.”
    “Then why is she in your arms?”
    “Because she knows I won’t ever hurt her, no matter which form I am in. I think she can feel the way I am starting to care for her. But my caring for her and her caring for me are two different things. Ry, she’s not ready to care. If I had to guess, I would say someone somewhere hurt her bad. It’s going to take more than just meeting me and knowing I won’t hurt her to heal whatever happened in her past. She told me she was running because of a stalker. A Sudir was after her. When have you known Sudirs to kill animals and leave them on a potential victim’s doorstep or at their jobs?”
    “They don’t, they snatch you, drain you, and go one to the next victim.”
    “The first night she was here we walked to the gazebo. Someone took a shot at her. I think she was in deeper trouble than she wanted to admit when she fled Nevada.”
    “What do we do?”
    “I wish I knew.” He stood up and held her gingerly as his body shape changed back into that of the Arbrin. “Right now all I know is we both need sleep. Close the door on your way out.”
    Rylan gave him a salute and a smart smile before heading for the door. Gabe went into the bedroom closing the door behind him. He laid her on the bed and then joined her. He pulled her close until she was snuggled in his arms, placed the cover over them, and went to sleep.
     
    *~*~*~*
     
    Now this is what it meant to wake up refreshed. Taya snuggled deeper into the warmth holding her, never wanting to open her eyes so the feeling would never disappear. Moving her leg, she ran into something rock