by V. K. Ludwig
“I will return to you in a moment, Vekoshi,” Kerien said, offering Thuran his shoulder as he jutted his chin toward the ship.
Thuran accepted the offer and leaned onto his Vekosh, limping over a carpet of lush grass. “You’ve chosen your mate well, my Vekosh.”
“Drana chose her for me,” Kerien said, guiding his juketar toward the ship while Vohri skipped along. “Warrior, help the juketar up the ramp so he won’t strain his leg too much.”
“Yes, my Vekosh,” the warrior said, immediately hurrying to aid.
Thuran turned, the shame he still carried on his features fading much too slowly for Kerien’s liking. “Can you smell it? I never did with Anna, but my scenting has always been mediocre at best. I’ve heard of other males who were able to dissect it without issues.”
Kerien smiled, a flutter coming over his stomach at this sense of nervous anticipation. “My mate can hide nothing from me. I’ve scented it weeks ago. Sweet like treeblood, with traces of blossoms and roses in bloom.”
“A blessing.”
“One of many,” Kerien said and turned away with a wave of his hand. “We will speak about the quarterly meeting tonight. The Vekoshi suggested we hold it on Aura Station, though I doubt the board members would brave such an invitation.”
Not after the way that first meeting went on Ada’s birthday, with an Aurani warrior positioned behind each of them as she initiated the vote to remove the senator from the board.
He walked back to where she stood with her back arched, thumbs digging into the tense muscle on her lower back.
“You didn’t sleep well,” he said and wrapped his arms around her from behind. “Did our Varaci keep you awake all night?”
She took his hand and placed it onto her stomach big with child, a smile on her tone. “I still don’t believe you can smell that it’s a girl. But yes, he or she kicked up a storm.”
“Most definitely a she,” he rasped. “A treasured princess, though she kicks into my palm like a warrior. How are you feeling, Vekoshi?”
“I mostly just have to pee,” she groaned. “Osacore Estate is gone, so I’m officially homeless.”
Kerien turned her around in his arms, his heart drumming faster at the sight of a face even more radiant with their ureshi growing between them. “Your home is with the Aurani.”
“I know,” she whispered, caressing her palm down the scarred side of his face as if they weren’t there. “And Xaleon is recovering nicely. The proceeds from the settlement rights on one of the dwarf planets should cover the cost to feed the animals for two years or so. More if I can get the board members to increase the restoration fund.”
Another kick into his palm brought a fat grin to his face, his core so full of love there was no room for doubt. “I cannot wait for her to arrive.”
“Considering the gestation for an ureshi is only five months, you won’t have to much longer. We’re already more than halfway through.”
“By the time she arrives, the first hessa lambs will be born.”
The smile she gave him made the breath hitch in his throat. “You are just so convinced it’s a princess, aren’t you?”
“I have no doubt,” he murmured and let his hands roam over a breast already filling with milk to nourish their child. “A beautiful princess.”
“With manners, I hope.”
“No manners, just like her father,” he teased. “But a kingdom thanks to her mother.”
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This concludes Alien’s Beauty. Do you have 5 minutes to spare? If you enjoyed this book, please consider leaving a review. If you’re excited for the next book in this series, sign up for my newsletter.
Also by V. K. Ludwig
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I accidentally bought myself an alien concubine.
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