by Celia Kyle
He glanced over at his best friend, Hiren, who was busy chatting with and charming a group of humans, all of whom hung on his every word.
Ah, that was how he’d ended up here.
Hiren was Sevith’s “Bahn,” his beta, his second-in-command on the Battleship Avash and therefore his partner in life. And also, the specific male who’d insisted they attend this ridiculous affair. Hiren enjoyed speaking to humans, regaling them with stories of famous Droktenian war-time exploits on faraway planets.
Sevith did not.
Yes, this was a good place to be if one wanted to find a human mate. Many Drokten were here tonight for that exact purpose. But Sevith already sensed that none of the females surrounding them at the moment were meant for him or his Bahn so…
And then something caught the corner of his eye—a female he hadn’t seen before. This female had somehow avoided his notice until now.
Who was this?
He blinked and stood at attention as a lithe human female strode across the room with a tray of food in her capable hands. He examined her from head to toe. Colorless hair was swept back from her exotic human features. Her teats looked full and the perfect size to cup in his hands. Her waist was narrow, the exact size to fit between the tips of his claws and her rounded ass… A growl rumbled in his chest. Her ass was perfection. He stared at her, entranced by her movement and the subtle sway of her hips as she walked purposefully across the room. A strange tingling entered his body—a sense of anticipation. He could easily imagine this female in a large family bed, snuggled securely between him and his Bahn.
Who was this female?
Do you see what I’m seeing? his Bahn voiced in his mind.
Sevith glanced over to see that Hiren had moved over to join him, and they were now both staring slack-jawed at the same human female.
To the human observers at the party, it would merely appear as if Sevith and Hiren both silently stood side by side, watching the raucous crowd with intent gazes. Yet they were able to silently speak to each other through a natural telepathic link, with none the wiser. All the Drokten stationed on Earth were paired as they were—Azi and Bahn—and had this same innate ability.
Due to a devastating disease that swept their home planet, the Drokten now had few unmated females of their own species left to claim as Oso—mate. Sevith’s generation was forced to look elsewhere for breeding compatible mates, and it turned out, human females were a compatible species. All of the Drokten at this event were Azi-Bahn pairs, longing for the day they found their Oso to complete their family triad.
Drokten did not pleasure mate. By the time males reached maturity they’d already been identified and placed in either their Azi or Bahn categories. Sevith had met Hiren during their first mission together as Drokten warriors fresh out of academy and they immediately formed a comradery and their telepathy snapped into place right away, confirming their Azi-Bahn pairing.
The humans found the fact the Drokten mated in triads as “weird.” It was hard for them to understand this mating difference. But this was the way of their species for millennia. Sevith and Hiren both would remain sexually dormant until the day they met their Oso, who would awaken their pheromones with her touch and scent. They were in essence waiting for their mate to arrive so the second phase of their life could begin. Sevith and his Bahn had been focused on war and command, but he and Hiren often spoke of how they were now ready to slow down and focus on a mate and offspring.
But only with the right female. Was this delectable human female the right female? Their Oso?
Sevith’s nostrils flared. His cock felt, thick and itchy—almost enflamed. He shifted on his feet. What is wrong with me? Why am I reacting like this?
I feel it too, his Bahn answered with an edge of something unrecognizable to his thoughts.
And suddenly this evening was much more interesting.
I told you I thought someone would catch our eyes tonight, Hiren flashed him a grin.
There you go again, Sevith snorted, vaguely annoyed. Always hunting for an Oso.
It’s best to be prepared.
Is that why you’re wearing that odd human scent? Sevith asked, nose twitching.
They call it cologne.
Sevith privately conceded that something was uniquely nice about the bold, masculine scents humans liked to concoct. Even if he thought it was all somewhat excessive. Drokten were warriors with a military culture that had carried them across the stars. They did not need “cologne” to attract a female.
His life had recently devolved into nothing more than reports of Zignill activity, deploying warriors and waiting for them to come back empty-handed. That had been the routine for the warriors of the Avash recently, without much to shake up that cycle. It was as wasteful as it was frustrating, and Sevith’s temper was shorter than ever because of the unsuccessful hunts. It had been far too long since he and his troops had been in a proper fight.
You can brood after we get our Oso and start filling her with our offspring, Hiren interrupted.
I hope I don’t need to remind you, Sevith countered, that those two Drokten who happened to wind up with a human between them were just in the right place at the right time. On a battlefield. For all we know, it could have been the rush of battle that made things happen. It doesn’t mean Earth is open for hunting mates at some human party.
But she became pregnant with and birthed their offspring. Didn’t she? Hiren reminded him. A very healthy half-human, half-Drokten female offspring, at that. She’s fully mated to Drogta and Pellz and part of their triad. Don’t tell me you wouldn’t like an Oso like that.
Sevith rolled his eyes. Yes, it would be amazing to have an Oso who could possibly birth daughters, which would then continue their species. This was true.
When the Drokten landed on Earth to stop the Zignill from laying waste to the planet and all its inhabitants, the last thing any of their warriors had been expecting was to find a mate. And yet, that was precisely what had happened. Drokten mating rituals typically involved three: one fertile female and two males, an Azi and a Bahn. Despite the fact that there was one healthy, happy Drokten-human pregnancy, Sevith wasn’t convinced human females could easily become Osos. Maybe those two males had found the only female with a mind/body Oso connection on the entire planet.
Besides, this isn’t just some dinner party, Hiren reminded him. This is the first human attempt to adhere to the accords. They’re trying to help us out by bringing in a group of unmated females to one location who have all shown interest in becoming an Oso. We should at the very least look like we want to find our mate tonight.
I pretend for no one.
We aren’t pretending. We need to seek this female out and see if this means something.
Yes, it was true, this one particular female was quite tantalizing. But…You’re too trusting, Sevith said dismissively. He’d been around humans long enough now to realize they were all very different from each other. While one human could be trusted implicitly, the very next one you met could be a murderer. It was most annoying. It made it difficult to know who amongst them to trust. These are humans we’re talking about. Any women they present to us tonight are very likely to be trained operatives with orders to spy on us—or worse—not true offerings.
Even if that is true, Hiren went on, we would know who amongst them is our true Oso. If it’s a human, she would find us so irresistible and spill all her commanding officers’ secrets. We’d have an informant and a mate on our hands.
I think you put too much faith in your charms, Sevith turned and gave his Bahn a challenging smile.
Well, I am charming.
Sevith could have thought of a dozen reasons to protest, but he smiled, giving a single nod. Fine then, he conceded amicably. And I see that female we’ve been watching is walking over here right now. Let’s see what the humans have to offer.
She is? Hiren turned to look. You’re right. This is highly unusual.
The female that had cau
ght their eye had been exclusively on the other side of the room. But now she was marching straight for them. Did she sense them, as they had sensed her?
You talk to her first. I don’t want to frighten her, Sevith said.
Good idea.
Sevith moved and leaned behind a nearby pillar. It was best if Hiren made first contact. His Bahn was good at speaking to the humans. They liked Hiren and listened to him. Sevith knew he tended to scare them off. He would still be able to hear every word the two said because his Bahn would keep their mind link open.
The human they’d been watching was carrying a tray of that awful human food. She wound her way through the crowd and stopped right in front of Hiren.
And a cacophony of sensations came with her, blasting over their link. Sevith blinked and realized his usually dignified expression was cracking and a smile threatened to creep across his face.
Do you feel that too? Hiren questioned.
Yes.
He couldn’t help but stare. Who was she? This female was everything he’d imagined when the prospect of entertaining prospective human mates was brought before him. The many shades of human hair color, or lack thereof, were all utterly foreign to the Drokten. This woman’s soft colorless locks were no exception. She was tall, too, and sturdy. No Drokten would feel shame in giving her a second glance, and that made it all the more intriguing that she had been weaving her way through the crowd of warriors and dignitaries to get to them, specifically.
It was a sign of boldness. Sevith had to wonder if she had any idea of the ranks and renown of the beings she’d pushed her way past. All in all, whether she knew it or not, this human had just put on a very promising audition.
And to think, he had been ready to cancel this entire event.
As soon as she started speaking, Sevith heard her voice twice, almost overlayed. Worse, some of the “second voice” wasn’t quite the same as what she was saying out loud. It sounded like the same idea, but it didn’t quite match up.
His Bahn held up a hand. “Slow down,” he said in a firm yet soothing voice. “One more time. What are you saying?”
Their female stopped midway through her sentence, and she stammered for a moment, looking around at the other Drokten who stood close.
The other males are making our female nervous, Hiren noted.
Get rid of them, Sevith growled. Any discomfort experienced by their female was unacceptable. Period. It was causing interference in their link formation.
“Excuse me, would you give us a moment?” Hiren ordered the nearby males in a much more polite tone than Sevith would ever use. The other warrior-pairs exchanged looks before politely nodding and giving Hiren and the unknown human female some relative privacy in the crowded room.
“I’m sorry—” the female gasped, but that wasn’t all Sevith could hear.
His mind was pummeled with more of her thoughts through their budding link, words beyond what she spoke, all scrambling to get to the surface, and all half-panicked. It was almost too jumbled to make sense, but Sevith understood the ideas: a threat, something to do with the humans, and a warning?
He picked up on distinct emotions, too. The human experienced fear and anxiety for Hiren’s safety and the safety of all Drokten. And she was intimidated by Hiren, but also drawn to him.
And then it hit him. There could only be one reason that he and Hiren could hear and feel the thoughts and emotions of this one particular human female so clearly. They’d never sensed this before with any of their own females, and not with any of the other unmated females of any other species they’d ever met.
Along with the fact that he wanted to throw her on the floor and mate with her immediately.
She was their Oso.
Sevith was right now looking at the female who would sleep each night in his family bed and birth his offspring. He was looking at his future.
This was almost as amazing as the moment Sevith’s link with Hiren had been established. Drokten were not meant to live or work alone, in silence. It was a glorious right of passage to form the initial Azi-Bahn bond, but it was even more amazing to find that last link—their Oso.
Sevith offered a thought of gratitude to the multigods. How were he and Hiren so lucky to find their Oso when so many other Drokten were unable to find mates? All this crossed his mind in a matter of seconds as he tried to rein in the agitated human’s words and thoughts. He continued to remain hidden, allowing his female a moment with their Bahn. Hiren was better at providing comfort than Sevith.
I am grateful too, Hiren remarked.
Hiren took the tray from their future Oso’s hands and placed it on a nearby table. He then put a claw on her shoulder. “Don’t worry,” he murmured in a deep, gentle voice. “Please, tell me again, but try to keep your mind clear and calm.”
She made a confused face—nose wrinkled, and brow furrowed—at the order but nodded. Yet her thoughts put up more of a fight than that easy agreement. She took a deep breath. “I’m trying to warn you…that some of the people here might be conspiring to hurt the Drokten. I overheard a man, Secretary Wells, talking to a woman about a plan to keeping you all off Earth, and I-I have reason to think it could be serious. I don’t know what they’re planning, but I think Secretary Wells wants to hurt the Drokten somehow, and I-I wanted to warn somebody, anybody.”
A lightness formed in Sevith’s chest and he let out a deep, gratifying sigh.
“You are a very brave female,” Hiren praised.
I agree, Sevith commented, feeling a subtle sense of pride. Their mate had no qualms marching up to an officer and warning of a potential threat. She was loyal. The thought was so delightful that he had to continue to fight to keep from smiling.
“Thank you for seeking me out with this information,” Hiren told her. “Do you know who I am?”
All she did was open her mouth to struggle for words, but they both heard her thoughts loud and clear. He was the most important-looking Drokten.
Sevith chuckled and shook his head. He knew Hiren found that amusing and flattering in equal measure.
“My name is Hiren J’tallen,” his Bahn told her, bowing his head politely. “I am second-in-command to the Battleship Avash.”
“I’ve seen you on the news. I’m sorry, I overheard the secretary talking and I didn’t know who to go to,” she said breathlessly, “because it could be time-sensitive.”
She’s telling what she believes to be the truth, Sevith surmised.
I agree, his Bahn replied.
“You did the right thing,” Hiren responded. “Although I am… saddened to hear it, your words are valuable.”
You were right to be suspicious of some of these humans, Hiren admitted to him.
Heh.
“Not all humans are as forward-thinking as you,” his Bahn said to their female, “and some have reservations about our presence on Earth. Unfortunately, the nature of diplomacy means having events like these despite that knowledge,” he added with a soothing smile that seemed to calm her down. “Tell me, what is your name?”
“Oh!” Her cheeks flushed in embarrassment. “Sorry, I’m Jenna. Jenna Perry. I’m just one of the servers here.”
Sevith hadn’t failed to connect the fact that she was dressed like the other workers. It made him worry she was not one of the females who was being presented to the Drokten tonight. Did that mean the humans would consider her off-limits? It couldn’t possibly be. Could it? All the females here tonight had been warned of what might happen if they encountered their Drokten Azi and Bahn this night.
She knew what being here tonight meant for her, surely.
“Never mind that,” Hiren said, waving a hand dismissively and smiling down at their female. “Jenna. That is a lovely name. Human names sound unusual to our ears, but yours is delightful.”
Jenna blinked in surprise, and Sevith could hear her thoughts despite the fact that he was clearly not meant to: He thinks my name is cute? What does that have to do with anything?
Sevith felt his lips twitch.
“Um, thank you,” she said out loud. “I like your name, too.”
Ask her if she understands the terms of attendance tonight. I want to make sure she is available for mating.
“Jenna, tell me,” Hiren asked, “did you agree to the same terms as everyone else when you entered Drokten Main?”
“Terms? Oh, right! Of course, I did,” she laughed. “They wouldn’t have even let me through the front door if I hadn’t agreed to the release.”
Good, she knows what our mating entails and is open to the idea of finding a mated pair here tonight. Sevith had come to understand that humans took their own prolonged mating rituals very seriously, and that it was often wrong to rush things along, especially if having more than one mate at a time was on the table. Most humans on Earth seemed to think that a female having two husbands at once was “immoral” in some way. However, he had also learned that this was not always the case. Humans were beautifully versatile. It sounded like his female was one of those humans who had a more casual outlook on mating and the number of mates.
“Good,” Hiren answered. “I am a negotiator and representative as much as a warrior. I work and live with Sevith J’tallen, the commander of the ship. We are an Azi and Bahn pair. Will you come with me and meet Commander Sevith? I need you to tell him what you told me. Are you comfortable doing this?”
“Yes, yes, I am,” she said, looking relieved and glad. “Thank you, Hiren!”
Warmth glowed in Sevith’s chest at her lack of fear at being introduced to the commander of the entire Drokten fleet stationed on Earth.
Sevith stepped out from behind the pillar to greet his female for the first time, but before he could catch Jenna’s gaze, he saw her turn and look back.
“Oh no,” their female gasped.
What’s wrong? Sevith pushed past guards and diplomats to move toward their human.
“We have company,” Hiren tipped his head toward a human who approached from the other side of the room.