“What about the Clark guy? Is he family too?”
“He’s a close friend and completely trusted by our grouping. Uncle Howard personally chose him to run the tactical teams after some bullshit went down with the first human asshole in charge of our guys. That’s a story I’ll share with you later, when we’re alone. It upsets the males when it’s mentioned.”
“I look forward to hearing it.”
Roth and Drak stood, walking toward the kitchen. Abby tapped her screen and shut it down.
“We’re hungry,” Drak announced.
“I will prepare our second meals.” Roth headed toward one of the food storage drawers.
“What can I do to help?” Vera rose to her feet.
“Sit,” ordered Roth.
“Yeah, shopping totally wore us out. It’s tough to look at pictures of stuff, before buying it.” Abby rolled her eyes and pulled Vera back down to her seat.
Drak got drinks, passing them out. “I hear your sarcasm, mate. Enjoy being waited on by males.”
“Is everyone else joining us?” Vera hadn’t seen the rest of the grouping since she’d gotten up that morning.
“Maith and Gnaw are working with the tactical teams. Darla and the cubs are with them.”
“Doing what?” Vera asked.
Roth came up to her chair and leaned down, planting a kiss on her head. He grinned at her. “The cubs are highly active at this age now. They enjoy playing in the training room with some of the humans.”
“Don’t ask,” Abby whispered.
Vera couldn’t help it. She frowned at Roth. “How do the cubs play with humans? Should I be concerned over how gleeful you looked when you said that?”
Roth laughed, walking away to grab their now warmed food and carrying a few plates back to the table. “The cubs like to chase some of the tactical team members. It gives them plenty of exercise, since our cabin isn’t large enough for them to run far. We’ve made a game of it recently.”
“I told you not to ask.” Abby cracked a smile though, appearing amused. “They have those poor bastards suit up in armor and try to outrun the cubs in a race to a finish line they set up. What do you give the team members who volunteer? A ten-second head start?”
“Fifteen,” Drak chuckled. “It improves the humans’ speed, carrying the weight of their armor while running to reach the finish line—if the cubs don’t leap and land on their backs to take them down before they reach it. Armor also protects the humans from getting hurt if the cubs accidently use their claws.”
“That’s…” Vera wasn’t certain what to say.
“Why I told you not to ask. The cubs do love it. And most of the tactical team members sign up for that shit. Darla always goes with the twins to make sure they don’t get hurt.” Abby shrugged.
Roth sat next to Vera. “We wouldn’t put the cubs at risk if there was a chance of them being harmed. Only humans we trust are permitted to play this game.”
Drak set down two plates for him and Abby, taking a seat next to her. “They are Veslor cubs. Not humans. Your young are frail. Cubs are not, and they need the challenge of learning to run fast and take down prey by leaping on moving targets.”
“That’s not disturbing at all,” Vera muttered.
Abby leaned over and bumped her with a shoulder. “Welcome to the world of Veslors. Different cultures and all that. The cubs are super tough, though, and always come home happy as can be. They also sleep better once they use up all that energy. You don’t want to see hyperactive cubs.” Abby jerked her head toward one of the couches. “That’s the third one we’ve gone through. The cubs attacked them when their claws started to grow out.”
“They know better, now that they are older.”
Vera peered up at Roth when he spoke. “That’s good.”
“And they would never play that game with a human not wearing an armored suit.” Roth dug into his food.
“Or a female,” Drak added. “Some of the human tactical team females have signed up to play with the cubs, but both Roshi and Rasha refuse to leap on them. They just brush up against their legs, if they catch them.”
Vera nodded, then studied Roth. “Will our cubs play this game too?”
“Not until the cub is old enough, and only if we remain on Defcon Red that long. I would never put our cubs at risk.”
“I believe you.” Vera knew she had a lot to learn, but she trusted Roth. “I’d like to go see the cubs play sometime.” It would help her feel at ease if that was a part of her child’s future.
“I will take you to watch the games once we find the human who tried to hurt you. Until then, you don’t leave our cabin.”
She nodded, giving her attention to the food in front of her. It looked like a large chunk of pot roast with some roasted potatoes and gravy. It smelled delicious. She cut off a bite of the meat and tried it. “Mmmm.”
“More prepared meals from the chefs at D Corp,” Abby informed her. “We eat really well.”
That was something Vera could easily adjust to.
* * * * *
Roth appeared nervous to Vera when he led them to one of the doors in the cabin that she hadn’t entered before. He paused before it, facing her.
“What’s in there?”
“Drak ordered a breeding bench to be created for him and Abby. It hasn’t been used, since she’s not ready to risk having a cub yet. He’s given it to us. It’s simple to order another, since they already produced one and kept the design for us. We stored the bench in this unused sleeping room.”
She remembered Roth and Drak’s seemingly intense conversation on the couch earlier while she’d shopped with Abby. “Okay. What exactly is a breeding bench and why would he give us one?”
“Follow me.” Roth accessed the wall pad with his palm print and the door slid open. He entered first, and Vera trailed behind. The lights automatically came on.
It was a bedroom without a bed. In the center of the room sat the weirdest piece of furniture she’d ever seen. It was the length of a couch, able to seat at least three adult people side by side. Where arms would normally be, each end was open. Instead, two raised arms ran along both sides of the wide cushions, down the entire length of the bench. The long arms were inches thick, made of what appeared to be sturdy wood. The cushioned center area between the arms had thick padding that cascaded over the side, going down to the floor, with an additional cushion attached and extending from the foot of the bench at one end.
“It was the best assimilation of a Veslor breeding bench that we could have created on Defcon Red by their furniture-making department. Humans have no need for one.” Roth approached her side.
“Explain what it is. I mean, you said this is for mating, right?”
“Yes.”
Roth still appeared nervous as he stared down at her.
“Breathe.” She took a deep breath and blew it out to show him what she meant. “I’m not going to freak out. Just give me a rundown on what that thing is and why we need it.”
Roth nodded and took her hand. “I will show you. We’ll remain dressed. Nothing is going to happen between us until you are comfortable.”
“Alright. Show me.”
He urged her to walk toward the open end of the piece, pointing to the thick padding on the floor attached to the end. “That is for your knees. You bend over the higher cushioned area.”
Vera gave his hand a squeeze and released him. She swallowed hard but lowered to her knees, putting them on the cushion on the floor. The thick padding was sturdy and surprisingly soft.
“Lean forward to place your upper body on the cushioned bench.”
She bent forward and lay her upper body as requested. There was enough room between the arms on each side that she didn’t feel squished in the space. The padding under her and against her hips felt comfortable.
“What now?” She turned her head, looking at Roth over her shoulder.
He slowly lowered to his knees behind her and pressed his hips aga
inst her ass.
“While we are bare, and when you become extremely aroused, I would enter you this way. I would stay in this form until I give you enough pleasure to distract you.” He leaned forward, pinning her upper body with his against the cushions she lay on. He used the thick wood on each side to brace his arms. “I’ll support my weight here while we copulate.”
She nodded. Nothing scary so far. “Any other reason for the wood arm things? Are they to keep me from falling off the sides? The wood doesn’t look comfortable for you. Won’t you hurt your arms? Why aren’t those padded, too? Everything else is.”
Roth’s gaze remained locked with hers. “When I transform, this solid texture will prevent my claws from shredding anything.”
Vera swallowed hard. “Like me?”
“You would never be in any danger from my claws. It’s to help me keep a good grip, and to stay in place and not do damage to the rest of the breeding bench. If you were a Veslor female, there would be a hard surface above the padding under your head for you to dig your claws into. It helps us remain in place while transformed into our battle forms.”
Vera tried to lift up. Roth hesitated, then raised his chest from her back. She only moved a few inches, staring at the wood surface of the arms. It wasn’t smooth, but it also didn’t look as if it would give off splinters. The surface kind of reminded her of a flat tree trunk with small groves and holes in it.
“Are you frightened, Vera?”
“No. Just thinking.”
“What are your thoughts? Please share them with me.”
She turned her head enough to see him where he hovered over her. Inches separated them. “I think I understand. I was mentally imagining everything. This breeding bench is really comfortable for me. I just wish I could say the same for you.”
“This is exactly what I need.”
“Is mating going to hurt me at all? It won’t change my mind. I just want to be prepared.”
“I would never cause you harm.”
She nodded. “Alright. I’m ready. Is it time to lose the clothes?”
Roth’s golden eyes widened, as if she’d surprised him. “You are still willing to mate me?”
“Yes.”
“I will prepare you well before we mate. I hope that you don’t even notice when I transform.” He backed away from her and got to his feet, removing his shirt and tossing it aside.
She got up too and was glad neither of them had put on shoes. That meant there was less to take off. “What about…” She waved her hand at his groin. “That? I mean, is that going to change when you do? I didn’t exactly check out your penis when you shifted for me this morning.”
“My rod remains the same shape and size.”
Vera raised a hand and wiped her forehead. “Whew. That’s a relief to hear. You’re already big down there. I might have felt a flash of fear if you got even larger.” She smiled, hoping he’d laugh.
He didn’t. Roth remained sober. “Are you certain you wish to mate with me now? I don’t wish for you to feel rushed.”
“I’m ready.” Vera took off her top, removed her bra, and then unfastened her pants. “I’m all in with you. One thousand percent.”
Roth suddenly approached her before she could remove her underwear. He cupped her face gently in his hands. “I give you my vow to be the best mate to you. I am very blessed that you have come into my life.”
Tears filled her eyes, and she reached up, placing her hands on his bare velvety chest. “I feel the same way about you, and promise the same.”
He lowered his head and brushed his lips against hers. Vera went to open her mouth to deepen the kiss but Roth straightened. “Remove the rest of your clothing. I am impatient to bond to you.” He released her face and stepped back, removing his pants.
Vera shoved her underwear down and stepped out of them, leaving her completely naked. Roth approached her again. She couldn’t help but notice that his alien cock was already fully erect.
Roth motioned his head toward the breeding bench. “Lay on your back for me.”
“I thought I was supposed to bend over it.”
“Not yet. Lay down for me, Vera.” His voice had deepened into almost a growl. He licked his lips. “Give me access to your slit.”
She had a pretty good idea how he planned to prepare her. “Oral sex?”
“I am going to put my mouth and tongue on you.”
She turned, hurried to the breeding bench, and sat on the edge of the higher cushion, lying back on the padding. Roth dropped to his knees and gripped her ankles where her feet still touched the padding on the floor. He lifted them and spread her thighs. They couldn’t widen too far without hitting the raised arms on each side, but Roth just pushed her bent legs higher with his hands and lowered his face. Vera ended up with her calves on the rough wood. Not that she cared, once Roth pressed his mouth right against her clit.
His tongue swiped out, a slow, long lick. Pleasure hit instantly. He had the best mouth. Roth pressed against her sex more and growled, creating vibrations.
Vera reached up, clutching the wooden arms on each side of her. Moans tore from her throat as Roth mercilessly manipulated her clit with his tongue and the vibrations. Her entire body tensed as a climax built rapidly, and he kept her pinned in place with his large hands on the backs of her thighs.
“Roth!” Vera cried out his name as she came hard. The world and everything she knew fell away as ecstasy flooded her.
She barely realized when Roth released her thighs and gently pulled her down the padding by her hips, until the bottom of her ass slid off the end. He kept her from sliding right to the floor, using his hands to help her roll over and position her knees on the padding where they should be.
Vera panted, trying to catch her breath and find her senses again. Roth had a way of blowing her mind. She turned her head as he positioned her until she was bent over in front of him, her hips pressed against the curved padding at the side of the breeding bench.
His golden gaze locked with hers. “Get comfortable. Are you ready?”
She placed her hands on the long cushion and scooted up a bit, until her hips were firmly pressed against padding. “Yes.”
Roth adjusted his body a little more and reached between them. One of his hands firmly curled around her hip. He used the other to position his cock until he pressed against her pussy. He entered her slowly.
Vera moaned as Roth thrust in a little deeper, lost in sensation. He released his cock and braced his arm on the wood next to her, taking his time, pushing inside her until his yunce pressed against her oversensitive clit. Vera closed her eyes at the feeling, using her fingernails to claw at the cushion beneath her.
Roth paused there, not moving his hips.
“You are everything to me, Vera.”
She opened her eyes, staring at his handsome face over her shoulder as he lowered his body over hers, curving around her until their faces were merely inches apart.
“You’re everything to me, too.”
“Turn your head and close your eyes. Only feel the pleasure I give you. I don’t want you to see when I transform.”
“It’s you, Roth. All of you.”
“Please, Vera?” Roth appeared tormented as something resembling fear flashed in his eyes.
She reluctantly gave a nod and turned her head, putting her forehead against the cushion. Roth only kept enough of his weight on her to keep her pinned in place, without crushing her.
He began to thrust his hips, his cock moving inside her. His yunce rode against her clit, the lubricated bumpy surface almost too intense for her to handle, the pleasure was so great. Vera moaned louder.
“My sexy mate,” Roth rasped. “Mine!”
“Yes,” she panted.
He increased the pace of his thrusts. Vera knew she wasn’t going to last long. Having sex with Roth was too extremely satisfying. She’d never been made love to better. It wasn’t a matter of whether her Veslor could get her off. It was a given.<
br />
“Oh god! I’m going to…”
Roth fucked her harder, and she realized then that the velvety texture of his chest along her back and against her ass had changed. He’d transformed.
It was tempting to turn her head, to look at him, but then she was coming too hard to do anything but cry out against the cushion.
She felt it as Roth followed her over. Wet heat shot inside her. He stilled, more of his weight pressed against her back, and she felt him transform back. His leathery skin once more became soft fur.
“We are mated,” Roth rasped.
Vera smiled, trying to catch her breath. She turned her head at that point, lifted it a little, and met his golden gaze. A fine sheen of sweat showed on his face when she took in his features.
“You’re really fast at both shifting and getting me off.”
He smiled. “I was motivated. You are human.”
“A brave one who isn’t afraid of you when you’re in your battle form.”
Emotion flashed in his eyes. “You hold my heart.”
“You own mine, too.”
He moved his arm and slid his hand under her stomach. “I hope that you hold my cub, as well.”
“How long until we find out?”
“Soon.”
“We can try again if I’m not pregnant.”
That time, Roth did appear shocked.
Vera grinned. “What? I want cubs with you, and this breeding bench is pretty comfortable.”
“You are a brave human, and I am very blessed to claim you as mine.”
“I’m the lucky one, Roth.” One day, she hoped he’d understand that.
Chapter Fifteen
Vera woke up with Roth curled around her. She immediately smiled, remembering their previous night of celebrating their mating. Roth had helped her get dressed and they’d walked hand in hand back to their own bedroom from the other one. No one had been in the living areas of the cabin, and Roth had told her their grouping was giving them privacy. She’d been grateful, not ready right after they’d had sex to see everyone.
They’d spent hours making love. Someone from Roth’s grouping had pinged their bedroom door later that night. Vera covered up under the blankets when he opened the door to retrieve a large dinner tray, and she finally got to taste the prime rib Abby had bragged about. It was probably the best thing she’d ever tasted.
Mission: Planet Biter (Veslor Mates Book 4) Page 16