Page 9 of Errik

A warrior who would undoubtedly claim her as his mate.

The thought sent a strange flutter through her.

She pressed a hand to her stomach, then frowned when she realized she wasn’t sure whether the flutter was excitement or anxiety.

Probably both.

What would it be like to live on another planet? To walk through an alien city? To look up at the stars and twin moons of New Vaxx in the middle of the night, gazing upon unfamiliar constellations?

She’d spent years traveling because she wanted to experience new places, new people, and new adventures. She’d dreamed of standing in front of famous landmarks, hiking through beautiful forests, and documenting every incredible place she visited on her blog and other social media accounts. She hadn’t just wanted to explore the world; she’d wanted to share her adventures with other people. And yes, she’d hoped to make some real money as an influencer, though sadly, it had never panned out.

Now she was being offered the adventure of a lifetime without really having to ask for it. The problem was… she had no idea if it would work out. No idea if she would find happiness with Errik.

Would she like New Vaxx? Would Errik like her? Would she like him?

And what exactly did it mean to become a mate?

Her cheeks became hot.

Mating was supposed to be permanent. Intimate. A bond between two people who would remain together for the rest of their lives.

The idea was both oddly comforting and terrifying.

She’d spent most of her adult life alone. She was accustomed to making her own decisions, depending on only herself, and never having to ask anyone for permission to go anywhere or do anything.

Now, in less than forty-eight hours, all that could change.

Dr. Rowan claimed Vaxxlian males treated their mates well, but she’d also said they were possessive and overprotective. That unnerved Holly. What if Errik was controlling? What if he wouldn’t let her leave the house whenever she wanted? What if he not only restricted her movements but wouldn’t allow her to make friends?

For all she knew, he might expect her to stay home, clean his house, cook his meals, and be willing and ready to mate with him on command.

Despite her worries, she found herself flushing again.

She hadn’t gone on a date in over a year, and her last relationship had ended almost two years ago. The idea of being intimate with a stranger was frightening but also thrilling. She thought about the Vaxxlian warriors that were pictured in the commercials advertising the VAMOB program. All were tall, dark-haired, hugely muscled, and possessed glowing green eyes.

And the black uniforms they wore clung to their massive bodies in all the right places…

Was it getting hot in here? Maybe she needed to open a window.

But no. In the aftermath of the warring rebel groups that had just passed through the area, it was too smoky outside. She needed to keep the windows shut and the air purifier running. Despite the medication Dr. Rowan had given her, breathing still wasn’t comfortable and the last thing Holly needed was to inhale a bunch of smoke.

As she glanced at a framed family photo, she thought of her brother. Arnold. What would he think if he learned what she was planning? If he were here, what would he say?

Of course, if he were here, none of this would be happening. He’d had a good job working as an interstellar translator, often traveling off planet, and he would’ve easily been able to pay for her surgery.

She took her phone from her pocket, sent him a text and an email, then called and left a detailed message, informing him of her heart problems and letting him know that she was leaving Earth to become a Vaxxlian’s mate since it was her best shot at survival.

Would he ever come looking for her?

Please let him be alive.

She closed her eyes briefly and sent up a prayer for his well-being.

Then she set her phone aside and started packing. She wanted to be ready to leave when Errik arrived. She got two large suitcases from the storage compartment on the side of the RV and proceeded to go through her belongings, only packing what was most important.

To her relief, she really didn’t have to part with anything meaningful. Her most precious belongings fit inside the large suitcases, and she was able to pack plenty of clothing and shoes too. There was even room for the travel brochures she’d collected from the rest stops, state and national parks, and other touristy places she’d visited. She smiled at one from Mount Saint Helens that had a cartoonlike image of Bigfoot on the front of it.

After she finished packing, she made coffee, had a late breakfast, and took a long, much-needed shower. Then she curled up in bed for a nap. Packing and showering had taken a lot out of her, and she needed her rest. The doctor had told her to get as much sleep as possible while she awaited her Vaxxlian mate’s arrival—and the healing nanobots he would bring.