“Why not steal the painting now? I’m all on my own here.” As she said the words she realized they were not true. She had Alton and Zan. She had Miri, Wells and Molig. They were her family now and had only ever offered her kindness and concern.
“You think I didn’t try? Those two brutes live in a damn fortress.”
“I heard you trying to break in,” she said. The skittering noises at night. Sophia assumed they were mornclaws trying to breach the homestead’s shielding.
“First I tried pulling them away with those disgusting bugs.”
Sophia’s gaze drifted back to the large white sacks. The surface rippled, like something inside demanded to be let out. Mornclaw eggs. Gavis bred them. Alton warned her that mornclaws gestated rapidly. How soon until those eggs hatched and the barn was overrun with hungry bugs? Gavis wasn’t so foolish as to stockpile eggs on his own land. No one was that foolish, right? But he was foolish enough to keep a full grown mornclaw as a pet. He must have some way to keep them from hatching.
Derek continued, “That worked but I couldn’t get in the house. Then I tried to get you alone but they never strayed far.” For good reason, apparently. “Then I found the obvious solution. I hired local muscle to bring you to me. I’ll ransom you for the painting.”
That would work. Her mates would hand over the painting without a second thought. No matter how precious the object was to Sophia, it was not worth her life. They would not hesitate for a minute.
“Enough talking,” Gavis said, tugging at her shirt. “Let’s see what a million credits buys.”
Sophia thrashed against the constraints that lashed her hands behind her to the chair. Her feet were free. She kicked at the ground, forcing the chair to fall backwards. She landed hard, the back of the chair digging into her spine. She rolled to one side, inching away.
A pair of strong hands lifted her up. “Where you going, little Terran?” Gavis’s rank breath on her face made her flinch.
“Alton and Zan will kill you if you hurt me.”
“I’m not afraid of them.”
“They won’t give you the painting, Derek, if I’m hurt.” It was a desperate move but she was pretty desperate. “They’ll destroy it and you won’t get your money.”
“Wait!” Derek’s command stopped Gavis. “She’s right. We still need her. Unsullied.”
Gavis released Sophia. She slumped into the chair with a sigh of relief, safe for the moment.
Alton
It was not a challenge to track Gavis and his two brothers. Their obvious trail led directly to a derelict barn on their property. The mornclaw infestation hit their ranch hard. Years after the local infestation was mostly contained, the ranch never recovered.
Alton studied the barn with his visor.
“How many?” Zan asked
“Three Corravians. Two smaller ones. Must be Terran.”
“It’s her.”
“And the other?”
“About to be liquidated.” Zan’s hands flexed. His weapon of choice, two thin swords, were strapped to his back. Alton preferred long range weapons. He had his rifle ready. He’d lay down cover and let Zan charge. It was their typical strategy and it worked well for them.
“Think they have a trap inside?” Alton asked.
Zan snorted. “Not clever enough to lay a trap.”
“Don’t underestimate the enemy.” It was a refrain he often said before they charged into a mornclaw clutch. The bugs were mindless but vicious. Even a mindless creature would lash out in desperation when cornered.
“We are the superior warriors,” Zan said. “It’s not a fight worthy of us.”
“They have our mate. We need to be careful.” Four against two trained warriors was not even a concern. Gavis and his brother were big but they had no skill. They were slow and lumbering. But they would be armed. And the other Terran was unknown. They could be a worthy opponent.
“I am tired of talking. I want our mate in our bed, so let’s get her.” Zan moved silently through the tall grass. His armor was a deep navy, blending seamlessly into the night. Alton followed, just as quiet and just as deadly.
They slowed their approach when they heard voices from the barn. Gavis and his brothers and the clear, worried voice of Sophia. Another, unknown male spoke in Terran accented Universal.
Alton knew who the Terran male was: Sophia’s ex, Derek.
He crept toward the open door. Light from inside spilled out onto the ground. He stayed to the shadows and positioned himself for the best vantage. From this spot he remained hidden by the shadows yet had a view of the interior. Sophia was bound to a chair. Gavis and his filthy brothers crowded around her, excited and touching his mate provocatively. He growled, causing Zan’s tail to twitch.
Unacceptable.
Four males. Unarmed. No contest.
Then he spotted the real danger.
An adult mornclaw was contained in a poorly secured paddock and a dozen mornclaw egg sacs clustered along the back wall. If they hatched, a hundred bugs would swarm out. If the adult escape the paddock, it would attack. He and Zan wore armor and could resist their toxic bite and razor sharp claws. Sophia was completely exposed.
Fire was best for cleaning out an egg clutch. They did not bring their flamethrowers. He’d have to get creative.
Alton took aim with the rifle and waited for Zan’s signal. The fight was already over. The men inside just didn’t know it yet.
His partner crouched, ready to spring into action. He took a deep breath and nodded to Alton.
“I’d thank you kindly to keep your paws off my mate,” Zan said.
Sophia
Zan appeared in the door, framed by the night, like a wraith. At once he launched himself, moving with a deadly feral grace. He ran in as quick as a blur, drawing his swords.
Alton squeezed the trigger.
Gavis was dead before he hit the ground.
Linis fell when Zan sliced his tendons.
Vinis tried to flee but Zan lobbed a sword in his direction, pinning him to the ground.
Alton hit Derek in the kneecap, dropping him to the ground.
The fight was over before the barn occupants had time to react.
Zan untied Sophia and carried her to the exit. He nodded to Alton. Time for clean up.
Alton plunged his knife behind the head plate on the adult mornclaw. It gave a shrill cry and thrashed until the light left its strange iridescent eyes.
“The egg sacs,” Sophia said, twisting in Zan’s arms. “I saw them moving.”
“I will handle it,” Alton said.
“Use the fertilizer.” Sophia pointed to the stacked bags. Alton gave her a confused look. “The ammonium nitrate will burn if you feed it a spark.” He nodded, understanding. He ripped open the bags and dumped the content over the now pulsing egg sacs. The rest of the fertilizer bags were placed around the clutch. Satisfied, he stood back.
“I would leave now,” he said to Derek, who crawled toward the exit. He plucked the sword out of Vinis’s back, releasing the squirming male.
Zan held her tight, clearly not intending to ever let her go. “Don’t let Derek die,” she pleaded. Derek wasn’t going to make it out of the barn before Alton started the conflagration.
“Why spare him? He endangered you.”
“He wasn’t going to hurt me. He just wanted to rob me. It’s the thugs he hired…” She couldn’t finish the thought. Derek didn’t mean to put her in such a terrible position, but he did. Once again, his short sighted greed endangered her. “Please. I don’t care for him but I don’t want him to die.”
“You are compassionate, mate,” Zan said, giving her a squeeze before releasing her. He strode into the barn and lifted a mewling Derek like he was a bag of grain. Slung over his shoulder, Zan carried him out of the barn and deposited him on the ground. “Satisfactory?” he asked,
“Very.”
Zan crouched down and spoke directly to Derek. “If you ever think to harm my mate again, I will
not be so compassionate. Understand?” Derek nodded, eyes wide.
Alton finished his preparations. “Clear!”
Zan put an arm around Sophia and escorted her back from the barn.
Alton took a small device from his hip pocket. A matchbook. Sophia recognized the ancient artifact from the list of banned items on Aldrin One. No fire starting devices allowed on the space station. He struck a match, an orange glow casting light on his face before he tossed the lit match to the ground.
Sophia held her breath, watching the match smolder on the dry hay. The glow sputtered, finally dying.
Alton’s shoulder sagged in disappointment. He started to move towards the clutch. “Wait!” Sophia shouted.
The explosion was enough to knock Alton to the ground. A fireball engulfed the barn. High pitched squeals of the freshly hatched mornclaws filled the night. Zan tossed a medical kit on the ground before he and Alton sprang into action, neutralizing any bug that escaped the fire.
Using the medical kit, Sophia stopped the bleeding on Derek’s leg. He wasn’t her favorite person at the moment but she didn’t want him to die.
She wanted him to suffer a long time in prison. Kidnapping had to come with serious consequences on Corra. Her Brace would make sure of that.
Vinis was still breathing, barely. Medics arrived and took them to hospital.
Sophia stayed as far back from the heat as she could tolerate, watching her men work well into the night.
Chapter Eighteen
Sophia
In a few hours the fire was subdued and the mornclaws destroyed. Exhausted, her mates took her home. Despite being covered in soot, bug guts and blood, the males insisted on stripping Sophia and inspecting her for injury. They stripped at the door, discarding their filthy clothing and armor.
“I’m fine,” she protested. Fortunately her only injury was the busted lip.
“It is not fine,” Alton said as he applied a salve. “I was selfish and only thought of my own needs. My actions left you vulnerable. Forgive me, asali.” His face was a canvas painted with circles under his eyes, haunting despair, sincerity and purple tinted bug goo.
“You big lug,” Sophia said with a slow smile. “I forgave you like three days ago. I just needed to cool down. But just to be clear, honesty from here on out. No more half-truths. No lies by omission.”
He nodded, joy spreading across his face like the sun breaking over the horizon. “Of course, asali.” He leaned in for a kiss but Sophia put a hand up to stop him.
“Let’s clean up before we celebrate.”
Alton hustled everyone into the saniroom. Her mates bathed her, lathering soap into her hair and rinsing away the evening’s events. The motions were clinical but Sophia understood the importance of providing care. They nearly lost her. They needed the reassurance of touch.
“Now let me do you,” Sophia said, plucking the washcloth from Alton. He nodded, handing her the soap. She lathered up his back, appreciating the firm muscle. His front was even more exciting. Her hands worked the soap across his hard chest and rippling abdomen. She squatted to work on his thighs, putting her at just the right level to appreciate his cock. It was already hard.
“You’d think you’d be tired,” she said, voice growing thick. She’d expect to be too tired as well, but nervous energy still coursed through her veins.
“We’re always ready for you,” Zan said, pressing his own hard cock into her back.
Sophia chuckled. “Well, let’s hurry up then. I’m not kissing either of you covered in bug guts.” The males quickly finished, drying themselves and stalking her into the bedroom.
Wrapped in a towel, Sophia giggled as she scrambled across their massive bed. Alton growled as he reached for her, gripping her ankles and pulled her to him. He lifted her with ease and planted a deep, thoughtful kiss.
Sophia turned her head to kiss Zan, who attacked her lips with fervor. Zan sighed, tension leaving his lean body. His hands rested on Alton’s damp hair. Her men, together. Zan reached for her, removing the towel with a tug.
Alton tossed her on the bed. With a giggle, she bounced as she hit the mattress. The crisp sheets cooled her overheated body. She spread her legs and arched her back, displaying herself to both her mates.
Zan pushed her toward the edge of the mattress, her head hanging over. He pressed his face into the apex of her thighs and breathed deep. “The taste of you,” he said. His tongue lapped at the folds.
Alton stood at her head. His cock was near enough to her lips that she licked the glistening tip with her tongue. He entered her mouth, dipping his cock in and slowly dragging it out. She moaned in ecstasy.
Zan’s tongue circled and flicked her sensitive button. Her hips bucked. Alton’s cock filled her mouth, muffling her enthusiastic cries, pushing down as far as he could. She couldn’t take much of this. She needed cock. A lot of it. She ached to be filled.
“Think she’s had enough?” Alton asked.
“I don’t think she can ever get enough,” Zan replied.
Zan lifted himself from her pussy, face glistening with her juices, and positioned himself at her side. Alton climbed into the bed. Snug between her mates, Sophia understood she was loved and adored.
“We’re going to take you at the same time,” Alton said, brushing back my hair and kissing my neck. “Zan in the front and I’ll claim you here.” Alton’s fingers parted her cheeks. He worked his finger into the crease of her ass, stroking her tight and virgin passage. Already wet, his fingers probed an area no one had ever entered.
“I’ve never,” Sophia said, voice a moan. Alton’s finger pushed into her slowly, stretching her in a new, unexplored way.
Zan lifted her chin and pulled her face to his. A kiss on her brow reassured her. “Neither have we,” Zan said. “Corravian tails get in the way but it’s something we saw in a video.”
“Researching Terran porn?”
“Researching how to satisfy our mate,” he said with confidence.
Coherent thought left Sophia as Alton’s finger worked in and out of her tight passage.
“She’s so tight,” he said to Zan. “Put your cock in her. I want to feel you fuck her.” Sophia moaned her agreement.
Zan lifted her leg and hitched it over his waist. He entered her in a swift motion. She gasped from the sensation. He moved into her, lifting her leg to go deeper.
“I can feel you,” Alton said. “Imagine how full she’ll be when I put my cock in her.” Sophia moaned, weak at the thought. Two mates. Two cocks. At the same time. Yes. Yes. Oh pretty please, yes.
“How is it, my love?” Alton asked.
“So good.”
Alton worked a second finger in. His teeth pressed against the back of her neck but he did not break the skin.
“I’m going to enter you now,” he said. Alton pushed into her puckered, tight entrance, slowly, stretching her inch by inch.
Sophia’s eyes opened wide. Both men were in her. She could feel them moving in tandem. Caught between them, she could only stretch her hands out and intertwine her fingers: Alton in the right and Zan in the left, resting on the curve of her hip. Her mates.
The climax wracked her body. Her muscles shivered and burned. Every nerve ending was on fire. It was too much. She tried to wriggle away but the two men held her in place.
“Please,” she gasped. “I can’t take any more.”
“You can take more,” Zan said. “You’re going to take all our come, aren’t you?”
She nodded. Yes, all of it.
“Tell me you want it,” he commanded.
“Stars! I want it!”
“Tell us you want us,” Alton said from behind.
She did. She wanted them both, tender and gentle Alton and hot-headed Zan, flaws and all. “I love you both,” she cried.
Alton’s mouth pressed against her ear, moan escalating into a cry. He couldn’t last much longer. He came first. His cock slammed into her tight passage, pumping his seed. It leaked onto her cheek
s.
Zan was close. He grunted and sweat dripped off his nose. Her cries spurred him on, increasing the vigor of his thrusts. He pounded her mercilessly, like a male who needed his female to know she was adored. And she was. Sophia knew it in her bones. Finally, he emptied deep into her, coating her womb with his seed.
A satisfied smile flickered across her face as he pressed his forehead to hers. She stroked his horn and his eyes closed in a look of bliss.
Exhausted, she rolled onto her back. Both her mates rested at her side, one on each arm. Alton interlaced fingers with Zan, their hands resting on her abdomen. Their family was new but it was resilient. They would thrive on the harsh world and make something beautiful.
Sophia fell into a contented slumber, happy in the home they made.
Epilogue
Four Years Later
Sophia
“Mom! Watch me!” Zalhia bounced brightly on the back of the horse as her father led the animal around the paddock.
Sophia leaned against the fence. “You’re a natural.”
Her daughter was such a perfect combination of her fathers. She had Zan’s golden honey complexion. Alton’s dark tawny hair. Zalhia was a picture perfect little Corravian. Sometimes Sophia felt sadness that her daughter didn’t look more human, more like her.
“I wanna go faster!” The daring she got from Zan.
“Not today, little one,” Zan said.
“You’re no fun,” she said with a sulk. The attitude? That was all Sophia.
“Oh, you wanted the fun dad? Well, Fun Dad has the day off. Today you have Boring Dad and No Dessert Dad.”
Zalhia stuck out her tongue. Yup. All Sophia there.
Choosing a name for their daughter had been a months long argument. Corravian tradition combined names. Sophia refused. There was no good combination of their three names. Salton? Zophia? Sopton? Alzan? Finally they agreed on Zalhia. Zan strutted around like the cock of the walk for a solid week. It was insufferable.
Delivered to the Aliens: Cosmic Connections Page 13