The Gorison Traveler Incident (Veslor Mates #1)

by Laurann Dohner

  “No. I was really careful to avoid getting pregnant. I was on the shot while on Earth.”

  He breathed out in relief. “Good.”

  “I also wouldn’t have left the Gorison Traveler without my child if I had one. You’d have picked us both up floating in space. I’m never going to be like my mother.”

  He remembered. “You are an extraordinary female, Vivian. It’s her loss.”

  “Thanks.” She scooted closer and he opened his arms. She curled into him, letting him hold her.

  He felt happy. His mate enjoyed his touch. They may never have cubs but she was more than enough. He nuzzled her head. “I should get some work in. The males have covered for me to give us time to bond. How would you like to learn what I do?”

  She lifted her face to peer at him, smiling. “I’d love that! Maybe you can teach me how to do something useful around here to pull my weight.”

  He thought about it and understood her need to do so. “You are very useful already. You’re my mate. You make me happy.”

  “I’m happy too. I’d still like to find something to do on your ship.”

  “You could make those announcements. Many males would like to learn about your females. Especially after they hear that we’ve mated.”

  “Are you going to tell them?”

  He nodded. “I will register our mating with my home world. We all do. Our king will be notified, too, since I need to report what happened with your vessel. We’re required to do that when we have any contact with another alien race.”

  “Are you sure your people are going to be okay with us?”

  “Certain.” He nuzzled her head again. “They will be happy for us.”

  “I’ll stop worrying then.” She uncurled from him and stood. “Show me your ship and let’s find me a job.”

  He rose to his feet and took her hand. “Just stay close to me. That’s more than enough.”

  He meant it. Being near Vivian and looking at her made him happy and content. Having a mate was the best thing ever.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Vivian typed in the last sentence and read over what she’d written. She’d chosen report format, the way the cultural center requested. It was how she was trained to assess aliens and record information. Only now she wasn’t sending it back to Earth, and the topic was about human women.

  The doors behind her opened and she turned, smiling at Brassi. He checked on her often when she spent time on the computer in his office. He had a small one off the common room. He held a snack and a drink.

  “You’ve been in here for hours.” He placed the plate and cup down, moving behind her to stare at the screen. “I can’t read it.”

  “I have to translate it into your language, and then you can read it over.” She looked up at him. “I’m nervous.”

  He leaned down and nuzzled her head. She smiled, loving that he did that often, along with giving her kisses.

  There was no doubt she was already madly in love with Brassi. The words hadn’t been said but they weren’t needed. She knew he felt the same for her.

  “How did inventory go?”

  He sat on the edge of the desk. “Nothing is missing. It never is. We just do it out of habit before we land or dock to offload.”

  “Better to be safe than sorry. What’s the cargo again?”

  “We traveled to that out-of-the-way planet to buy seeds for a growing colony. That’s why we were in your part of space when we heard your distress signal. This colony we’re approaching asked us to gain them various samples. We have hundreds of crates of seeds.”

  “Did they pay you well?”

  He grinned. “Yes, and I found a mate. Best trip so far.”

  “Yes, it was.”

  He glanced at her screen. “How did your announcement turn out?”

  “I basically went over how we met and mated.”

  He frowned.

  “I didn’t go into many details. Just introduced myself, gave the basic rundown of us meeting, and the attraction we felt. I explained some of our physical differences and how we mated. I made it clear human women wouldn’t be wrestling with your males to show sexual interest.”

  “I look forward to reading it.”

  “You can veto anything I put in there, and I’ll fix it.”

  “Veto?”

  “Change it. Take it out.” She picked up what looked similar to a sushi roll and popped it into her mouth. It wasn’t raw fish. Just rounded white rice-like cakes with some kind of cooked meat in the center. They seemed fried, and were very tasty. “Are you sure anyone on your planet will want to read this?”

  He nodded. “Not only our planet, but our growing colonies. Every male in space will want to read it, too, and learn about your females, since we’re compatible.”

  She grinned. “Very compatible, and often.”

  He chuckled. “We work.”

  “Yes, we do. I wish I could write something like this for Earth, to let our women know what they’re missing out on, to encourage them to mate with Veslors. But we haven’t heard from Abby.” Her good mood faded. “So for all I know, Earth has an arrest warrant out for me. It’s only been three weeks since you picked me up. The investigation may not have even started yet.”

  He slid off the desk and surprised her by scooping her out of the chair. She wrapped her arms around his neck. “They are stupid if they decide you did anything wrong. They won’t arrest you regardless. We can avoid any Earth allies, if that’s so.”

  “You want to open trade negotiations with United Earth.”

  “For my people. I won’t risk you, mate. We’ve done great without them so far. We’ll continue to do so.”

  “What if your king makes alliances with Earth and they order me turned over to them?”

  “I told you that it won’t happen. I sent in my report, and even spoke to my king.”

  “I know. You said he was glad that we’d mated, and I’m considered a Veslor now. Earth can put a lot of pressure on others, though. They’re really good at that.”

  “Stop worrying.” He carried her toward the door. “You need to not think.”

  She grinned. “You just want me naked.”

  “Always. Work is done. Now we bond in our quarters.”

  They were in the lift when nausea hit her suddenly. She wiggled. “Put me down!”

  Brassi lowered her, and she put her hand over her mouth, trying to breathe through her nose and fight the urge to be sick. The lift stopped and opened. She rushed out and found a trash panel, yanking it open. She quickly lost the meager contents of her stomach.

  Brassi gently held her until she was done. He snarled, rubbing her back. “That’s the third time it’s happened. We’re going to see Vassi, now.”

  She shook her head. “No. It’s just me adjusting to your food. I guess those round meat things are out. Just like that chili-like stuff I ate the other night that made me throw up. It guess it was too spicy.”

  “You’ve eaten that meat before and weren’t sick. I’m taking you to Vassi.”

  “I’m fine, Brassi. Food adjustments. That’s all. I had the same thing happen when I went to Earth at first. I wasn’t used to eating that much real meat. Most of the stuff on fleet vessels are plant-based and just flavored to taste like meat.”

  He scooped her up and turned them, entering the lift again. She kept her face averted, since she figured her breath would be bad. He got off on the next level and carried her to his brother’s door, chiming to get in.

  It opened, and Vassi stood there in just shorts. “Meet us in medical.” Brassi strode away, down the hallway to the exam room. He carried her inside and put her on the bed.

  She slid off it and went to the sink, opening one of the drawers beside it until she found what she was looking for. It had been a glorious day when she’d discovered Veslors had toothbrushes and toothpaste. Vassi kept paired packets of them in the exam room. She brushed her teeth and cleaned her mouth.

  The door opened, and she turn
ed. Vassi had put on more clothing and looked alarmed now, with worry in his eyes.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “My mate lost the contents of her stomach again.”

  “It’s just me adjusting to your food.” She gave him a shrug. “I told Brassi I’m okay. I feel fine now.”

  “Up.” Vassi pointed.

  When she finished rinsing her mouth, Brassi grabbed her before she could move and put her back on the bed. He adjusted her as if she were a child, draping her gently over the surface. She sighed, peering up at him. “I’m fine. You worry too much.”

  “You’re my mate. My heart.” His voice deepened. “We don’t know much about humans. What if you picked up a virus that is harmless to us, but not to you?”

  “I gave her every vaccine we have,” Vassi reminded him. “I uploaded all medical information available about her race to our computer. There was a lot. They don’t hide that information from others.” He turned on the scanner and the large machine above her lowered.

  Brassi stepped back but still hovered close. “I will feel better once you check her.”

  “I’m doing it.” Vassi met her gaze. “What does it mean when humans vomit?”

  “That food didn’t agree with us for some reason, or we’ve picked up a virus of some kind. It’s only happened three times, and I always feel better right after. The last time was four days ago.”

  “I don’t like it,” Brassi growled.

  “Me either. Puking isn’t fun.” She tried to get him to smile but he didn’t, glaring at his brother instead.

  “Find what’s wrong with her and fix it.”

  Vassi nodded. “It probably is the food. What was it this time? The ket stew?”

  “No. I avoided your version of chili after the last time.”

  The scanner started, a low hum filling the room. Vassi grabbed a pad, reading as the machine sent data to it. “Your temperature is a degree higher than normal.”

  “Probably from puking.”

  He suddenly shot his hand out and touched something on the side of the bed, his features tensing.

  “What is it? Is she sick?” Brassi stepped closer.

  Vassi jerked away, pressed the pad to his chest briefly, eyes widening, and then he ran his fingers over the side of the bed where the scan controls were located.

  Finally, after a few tense minutes, he met Vivian’s gaze. “I know what is making you sick.”

  “Is it curable?” Brassi grabbed Vassi by the arm. “Tell me you can fix her!”

  His brother broke free of Brassi’s hold. “Calm. I’m going to show you.” He moved around to the other side of the bed and picked up another tablet device, tapping into it. “There’s no reason for alarm.” He suddenly grinned when he looked up. “Watch.”

  He tapped the tablet and a screen slid down from the wall next to him. It came on, and then an image filled the monitor.

  Vivian stared at it, trying to make sense of what she was seeing—then she panicked, grabbing for Brassi.

  But he didn’t reach for her. He was staring at the screen with his mouth hanging open and his eyes wide.

  She clutched his arm. “What is that?”

  He didn’t seem to hear her, his focus completely on the screen. She turned her head to look at it again. Whatever showed on the monitor was moving slightly.

  Vassi chuckled and zoomed in on the blob…and what Vivian saw then shocked her to her core. It was a live feed of something inside a sack full of fluid. The shape became clearer—and it finally sank in.

  It was a tiny alien panther curled into a ball.

  “Your mate is breed compatible,” Vassi announced. “There is your son! Vivian is approximately three weeks along. You did more than mate—you created life together! Your son is probably the source of her puking. It’s very common with pregnancy.”

  Tears blinded her. She was pregnant?

  Brassi grabbed hold of her hand on his arm, and she turned her head. He had tears in his eyes, too. His mouth closed, opened, then closed again. He stumbled closer and bent, putting his head against hers, nuzzling her.

  She was pregnant! They hadn’t thought it was possible. Then something occurred to her. “It looks like your battle form.”

  Brassi nodded against her and released her hand, wrapping his arm around her ribs, hugging her. He kept his face buried in her hair and his body shook.

  Vassi moved around the bed and smiled at her, putting his hand on Brassi’s back. “He’s overcome with happiness. Give him a minute. Every male wants cubs, but we thought it might not be possible with humans. We were wrong…and that’s a great thing.”

  Brassi nodded against her again and squeezed her gently. “Happy,” he rasped.

  She blinked back tears. “Me too. Stunned though.” She reached up and caressed the back of his head but kept her attention on Vassi. “It’s in battle form, right?”

  “All infants are born that way.”

  “Wow. I didn’t know that. So it’s got claws? Is that safe for me?”

  “The claws and sharp teeth won’t present until after a cub is born. You’re safe.”

  She felt extremely grateful for that. She’d seen Brassi shifted, and his claws were terrifyingly sharp. “How big will this baby get?”

  Vassi reached out and gently touched her stomach, petting her, before picking up a pad and tapping it. “Average human baby weight is seven to eight pounds, according to what I’ve learned. Average Veslor cub births are between five and six pounds. What may be curious is the span of your pregnancy.” He glanced up at the monitor. “I have to ask. Have you two copulated with Brassi in battle form again, since you mated?”

  Brassi cleared his throat and moved, nuzzling her once more before he straightened. He took her hand, pulled it to his mouth, and kissed it. Their gazes met and he grinned. “We’re having a cub.”

  “We are.”

  “I need to know. One of you answer me, please. Was it only when you mated or again since?”

  Brassi answered his brother. “Why do you ask?”

  “If it was just when you mated, by the rate of growth of your cub, her pregnancy is proceeding in the common Veslor way. If not, I’m alarmed by the size.”

  Vivian reached down to touch her stomach. “Is something wrong?” It would devastate her. She’d just found out she was pregnant! Nothing could happen to their baby. He was her and Brassi’s miracle.

  “Just the once, when we mated,” Brassi told him.

  Vivian nodded. “We’ve talked about doing it again but we already damaged one couch.”

  Vassi frowned. “How?”

  “The cub,” Brassi reminded him. “What does it mean? Is our son fine?”

  Vassi stared at the monitor, tapped on his pad, and finally smiled at them. “He’s perfectly healthy, and growing just like a Veslor.”

  “Because he’s in that form instead of your, um, relaxed one?” Vivian was still a bit wigged out that her baby was in alien panther form instead of looking more like a combination of her and Brassi.

  “His size. As I said, all our infants are born in battle form. They won’t shift until after birth, when they learn to control their emotions.”

  She took that in, surprised by the information. She’d thought their current form was their natural one. Instead, it seemed alien panther was. “What about his size?”

  “Human pregnancies last nine months. Which would mean your son would be much smaller than he is. Veslor pregnancies are three months. That’s the size of your son as he should be at this point.” Vassi put down his pad and used his hands to make a shape about the size of a baseball. “He’s growing at a perfect Veslor rate.”

  She looked from his hands to the screen, before reaching down to her stomach. She had noticed that her belly was growing a bit but Brassi was always bringing her snacks. The male was obsessed with keeping her well-fed. She hadn’t gained much weight, though. Maybe two or three pounds.

  Then she replayed what Vassi had told her, did the math�
��and was glad she was lying down.

  In just over two months, their son would be born.

  Brassi moved closer and gently brushed her hand aside, resting his large palm over her belly. She met his gaze. He grinned wide. She couldn’t help but feel his happiness.

  “You need to eat more,” Vassi explained. “Avoid fried foods and anything with cha spice. That is probably what made you vomit. It’s typical with our females. I would have warned you and run a scan if I’d thought you could breed. I’m sorry, Vivian. You never should have gotten sick. It’s my fault.”

  “No, it’s not.” She shook her head, unable to look away from Brassi. “We didn’t think we could get pregnant.”

  “We were wrong,” Brassi whispered, caressing her stomach tenderly. “We will have a cub. I’m the luckiest male.”

  “I’m going to have to make a list of questions. Please tell me that your women push out babies, and they don’t, like…claw their way out.”

  Brassi’s eyes widened, and he turned to Vassi.

  Vassi chuckled. “Birthing is the same for both races. Cubs are harmless in pregnancy. As I said, he has no sharp claws now. After he’s born, his claws will grow and thicken. No teeth to worry over until he’s about six months old. It is also safe for you to copulate for now. I’ll keep doing checkups every week and let you know if that changes.” He put down his pad and nodded to his brother. “Take your mate to your quarters. Avoid fried foods and cha in what she eats. Her sickness should be over.”

  “Human women have morning sickness,” she countered.

  Vassi met her gaze. “Your body is behaving like a Veslor’s right now. Everything indicates it. But if you get ill again, come to me right away.”

  Brassi scooped her up, being extremely gentle. “Don’t tell anyone. We’ll share tomorrow. Right now, I want to cuddle with my mate.”

  “You have my word. Congratulations to us all.”

  Vivian curled into his chest as Brassi carried her to their quarters. Neither spoke the entire way, until he placed her on the bed and curled around her.

  “We’re having a baby.”