by Olivia Black
“I’m just thinking about my friend.”
“What’s wrong?”
“My friend, Georgie, he was one of the men that was sent to the singles dormitory after the auction ended. He’ll be leaving Glecerus soon, heading to Sweshan.”
“And this upsets you.”
Sebastian nodded. “When Georgie found out that he wouldn’t be staying here, he cried. He was so upset. I just wish things could’ve been different for him.”
“Not all the humans that we bring to Glecerus stay here. Some are chosen by high-ranking males from other planets. You don’t need to be upset for your friend. He’ll find a mate and be treasured.”
Sebastian sighed. “Even on Sweshan?”
“Sweshan isn’t a bad place,” Regin told him. “It’s just different from Glecerus.”
“I heard that the people of Sweshan are referred to as fish people. And that they keep a human for a week and have sex constantly. If the human becomes pregnant, then the pair can become mates. If not, the human is sent to another.”
“In a sense, that is true.” Sebastian cringed, and Regin continued, “The only way for the people of Sweshan to recognize and claim their mates is to impregnate them. Truthfully, I feel sorry for the Sweshan people more than the humans.”
“Why?”
“Because the males of Sweshan spend a week with someone, caring for them and loving them, hoping that they can claim them. And if they do not succeed in getting the human pregnant, the human is taken away from them and given to another.”
“Oh,” Sebastian’s face fell, and his shoulders drooped forward. “That’s sad.”
“I couldn’t imagine how it would feel to love you for a week, only to lose you. The pain would make my hearts ache terribly. Their customs may be different to us, but the people of Sweshan still possess strong emotions.”
“Now I feel bad for the people of Sweshan.”
“I don’t think you need to worry about your friend. He’ll be okay. He’ll find the place where he belongs.”
Sebastian smiled. He let go of the guilt he was feeling. Georgie, like the other humans going to Sweshan, would be okay. He would find the right male, even if it was on a different planet.
Sebastian’s stomach gurgled. It made a terrible noise as a violent cramp tore through his gut, flipping his stomach inside out. He clutched his stomach, holding his palm over the flat surface as bile rose to his throat, choking him. His eyes widened, and he shot a panicked look at Regin.
“What’s wrong?”
“Bathroom.” Was all he could manage to say.
Jumping up from his chair, Sebastian ran toward the back of the eatery. He slammed his hand against the wall, and the glass door slid open. He barely made it. Dropping down to his knees, Sebastian retched into the toilet. He sat there for several minutes, emptying his stomach, dry heaving. When the cramps finally faded and he had nothing left to vomit, Sebastian slowly stood up and flushed the toilet. Sebastian dragged his feet, shuffling toward the sink.
Turning on the water, Sebastian cupped his hand beneath the facet. He splashed a handful of cold water onto his face before leaning forward and taking a sip. He rinsed out his mouth a couple of times, trying to remove the acidy burn.
“Are you okay?”
Sebastian turned his head to look at Regin. The male held out a small washcloth, and Sebastian took it, patting his face dry.
“I don’t feel good. My stomach hurts, and I’m nauseous.”
“Uh-oh.”
“What?” Sebastian’s brows furrowed. “Do you think it’s food poisoning?”
Regin shook his head. “I think you might be pregnant.”
Sebastian’s eyes widened in surprise. He wasn’t shocked that he could be pregnant but because it had happened so fast. One night with Auden and Regin and he was knocked up. How the hell was that even possible? Sebastian lifted his shirt and stared down at his stomach. He didn’t notice anything different, not yet anyway.
He pressed the pads of his fingers against the surface, and a sharp pain tore through his gut. It was so intense that Sebastian’s eyes watered. He grabbed hold of the counter for support and took a few deep breaths as the pain slowly faded away.
“We need to contact Auden right away,” Regin said.
“Why? What’s wrong?” Sebastian questioned.
“I don’t know.”
Chapter Nineteen
Auden’s eyes scanned the room as he rushed through the treatment center toward medical bay, searching for Sebastian and Regin. When his communicator had beeped, Auden initially ignored the device, but he was glad he’d finally answered. Hearing Regin’s frantic voice on the other end of the communicator sent Auden into a panic. He left his meeting without a word. He ran all the way to the treatment center as fear gripped his hearts in a tight vise. The only thing on his mind had been Sebastian.
What happened to Sebastian? Was his mate okay?
When he found his mate, Sebastian was lying on his side and Regin was on the bed behind him, their bodies spooned together. Regin’s right arm pillowed Sebastian’s head, and his left hand was possessively splayed over Sebastian’s bare stomach.
As Auden got closer, Regin lifted his head and said, “He’s okay.”
Auden breathed out a sigh. He was so relieved that he felt lightheaded. Walking up to the bed, Auden leaned down and placed a kiss on Sebastian’s cheek. The human’s eyes opened. Moisture filled the blue globes, and his lower lip quivered.
“What’s wrong, love? Are you in pain?”
Sebastian shook his head. “I’m pregnant.”
Auden combed his fingers through Sebastian’s hair, trying to soothe his mate. He was excited by the news, but he didn’t voice his feelings since Sebastian was clearly upset. Auden wasn’t exactly sure what to do. Should he apologize to his mate? After all, he was responsible, at least partially anyway.
“The doctor did a scan of Sebastian’s abdomen,” Regin added. “He confirmed that Sebastian is pregnant. They are both okay. I was a little worried considering how fast it happened, but the doctor assured me that it’s normal. It seems most of the humans become pregnant right away due to the inoculations they receive when they arrive. That and our DNA is aggressive.”
Aggressive was an understatement.
“Do you want to go home?” Auden asked Sebastian.
Sebastian nodded. With Regin’s help, Sebastian slowly sat up. The other male handed Sebastian his T-shirt, and he pulled it on over his head. When he was done, Sebastian climbed off the bed. Auden held out his arm, and Sebastian came to him, leaning into his side for support. He wrapped his arms around his mate and held him close.
“The doctor also gave us some vitamin pills.” Regin held up a container, giving it a little shake. “They should help keep the sickness away.”
Auden kissed the top of Sebastian’s head. He looked at Regin and said, “Thank you for taking care of our mate, Regin.”
“I’m just glad he’s all right.”
Auden nodded. “Me, too.”
They left the treatment center and made their way back home in silence. Regin tried to fill the empty space between them, but Auden barely heard a word he said. His mind was completely focused on Sebastian and the future.
When they reached his suite, Sebastian stripped off his clothing and crawled into bed. He pulled the blankets up to his chin and rolled onto his side, presenting his back to both Auden and Regin. Auden glanced at Regin, but the other male simply stared down at Sebastian, worry marking his brow.
Auden removed his robe, throwing the heavy material over a nearby chair. He climbed onto the bed and moved in behind Sebastian. Auden slid his right arm underneath Sebastian’s neck and rested his left hand protectively against his mate’s stomach, holding him close. “I’m sorry,” he whispered.
Sebastian tilted his head to the side at an awkward angle as he tried to make eye contact with Auden. “Why are you sorry?”
“You’re upset by the news.”
“I’m not upset. It just…” He let out a heavy breath. “It happened so fast. I wasn’t expecting to wake up this morning and find out that I was pregnant.”
“I should’ve warned you.”
“You knew this could happen?”
“I knew that there was a possibility that you could become pregnant, but, like you, I didn’t think it would happen this fast.”
“Oh, well, the doctor did say that the tea I drank the day of the competition could’ve helped the process along. He said it had something to do with the aphrodisiac and natural herbs. He used some other medical jargon, but I wasn’t really paying attention.”
“How do you feel about being pregnant?”
Instead of answering his question, Sebastian asked one of his own. “How do you feel about starting over again?”
“What do you mean?”
“You already have three sons.”
Why would you want more? That question went unspoken, but from the look of uncertainty on Sebastian’s face, Auden quickly realized that Sebastian was unhappy because Auden hadn’t given a reaction. Auden smiled. “I’m happy that you’re carrying my son.”
“You are?”
Auden nodded. “Yes.”
“But you didn’t say anything.”
“I didn’t say anything because you looked upset,” Auden told him. “But I want you to know that I’m looking forward to having a child with you. And I’m sure Regin is as well.”
“I am,” Regin said, joining them on the bed. He took position on the opposite side of Sebastian. “I can’t wait to become a sire.”
“Why didn’t you say anything at the treatment center?” Sebastian turned his head, questioning Regin.
“I’ve been waiting to have a mate and a family for a very long time. When you heard the news from the doctor, you started crying. I was afraid that you might wish you weren’t pregnant.”
“You don’t look that old.” Sebastian laughed. “You couldn’t have been waiting that long.”
“Time moves differently here on Glecerus than on Earth. I’m thirty-one Glecerian years.”
“You’re six years older than me.”
“There are about seven Earth years to one Glecerian year.”
“So, that makes you…” Sebastian paused for a moment, as if trying to figure out the numbers inside his head.
“Two hundred and seventeen Earth years.”
“Oh my God!”
“Auden is much older than me though.” Regin chuckled. “He’s three hundred and fifty Earth years.”
“How long do Glecerians live?”
“Two to three hundred Glecerian years.”
Sebastian gasped. “Really?”
“Yes.” Regin nodded. “And since you are now living here on Glecerus, you will age like us. The inoculations you received before leaving Earth altered your DNA.”
“If you would’ve read the manual…” Auden started, but Sebastian silenced him with an elbow to the gut. “Ooof.”
“I don’t want to hear about the manual.”
“I’ll never mention it again.”
Auden bit his lip to prevent himself from laughing. He knew how Sebastian felt about the manual. Even though Sebastian was genuinely amazed by each thing he learned, the human could’ve avoided all the surprises by simply reading the manual.
Sebastian pushed his ass back against Auden’s crotch and shifted his hips side to side. Auden’s cock took notice, stiffening. Auden tapped Sebastian’s hip. “You’re playing with fire.”
“Maybe I want to get burned.”
Auden could hear the need in his mate’s voice. He unlaced his pants and pulled out his hard cock. Auden slid his hand down his shaft, collecting his own natural lubricant. He smeared the slick substance between Sebastian’s cheeks, covering his tight hole.
“Don’t make me wait.”
Auden lined up his cockhead with Sebastian’s opening and rubbed the tip up and down, smearing on more lube. He slowly pushed forward, and the tip of his shaft breached Sebastian’s hole.
“Oh God,” Sebastian moaned in pleasure.
Auden gripped Sebastian’s hip with his left hand and slowly eased in, burying himself. Auden placed open-mouthed kisses along Sebastian’s shoulder, and Sebastian grabbed ahold of his arm, sinking his blunt nails into Auden’s skin. Auden pulled back before snapping his hips forward and plunging deep in one hard stroke. He slammed in long and hard, hitting Sebastian’s gland with each stroke, and Sebastian cried out.
“Auden,” Sebastian moaned. “Yes. Harder. Faster.”
Auden obeyed. He held his mate firmly in place as he thrust faster, harder, driving his cock in and out of Sebastian’s ass.
“Regin.” Auden looked toward the other male. “Suck his cock.”
Regin grinned. He followed Auden’s orders, inching his way down Sebastian’s body. When his mouth enveloped Sebastian’s cock, their mate cursed. “Fuck!”
Sebastian moved his hips, thrusting forward into Regin’s mouth before pushing back onto Auden’s dick. Sebastian set the rhythm, pumping frantically as he moved back and forth along the soft sheets, and Auden enjoyed the ride. Auden’s body tingled, his release blasting through his system. He stiffened, and then he exploded. Thick jets of warm semen shot from his shaft, filling Sebastian’s ass.
“Auden…Regin…Auden!” Sebastian shouted. His body stiffened, and his hole fluttered, tightening around Auden’s cock.
Sebastian’s body fell limp against Auden, slumping back against him. Auden held Sebastian, his cock still buried deep inside his mate. Regin kissed his way up Sebastian’s chest. He took Sebastian’s mouth in a passionate kiss before cuddling close.
“Mmm…” Sebastian moaned. “So good,” he slurred.
“Get some rest, my mate.”
Sebastian sighed. Soon, his breathing changed, signally that he’d fallen asleep.
* * * *
When Sebastian woke up again, his stomach rumbled. He rubbed his eyes and rolled over, coming face to face with Auden. The male leaned forward and placed a kiss on Sebastian’s lips.
“How are you feeling?” Auden asked.
“I feel good.” Sebastian smiled. “Better than good.”
“I’m glad to hear that.”
Sebastian yawned and stretched out his muscles before asking, “How long was I asleep?”
“It’s almost time for evening meal.”
At the mention of food, he stomach growled, loudly. “I’m hungry.”
“Then we should feed you.”
Auden climbed out of bed. He held out his hand, and Sebastian took it, allowing the male to help him to his feet.
“Where did Regin go?”
“He’s in his room.” Auden tilted his head toward the connecting suite. “Unpacking his belongings.”
“Do I have time to take a shower before evening meal?”
“Take your time. We’ll leave when you’re ready.”
“Okay.” Sebastian hurried past Auden to the bathroom.
Sebastian went quickly. He jumped into the shower and scrubbed his body. When he was done, Sebastian dried off and wrapped the towel around his waist. He walked back into the bedroom suite, combing his fingers through his short hair.
Auden and Regin were waiting for him, both of the males dressed and ready to go. Auden handed Sebastian a clean set of clothing. He removed the towel, dropping it to the floor, and got dressed, pulling on the black tank top and pants.
When he was done, Auden and Regin escorted him from their bedroom suite to a small dining room a short walk away.
Sebastian stepped over the threshold and looked at the other guests in attendance. The royal family was waiting for them. Jason, Jett, and their son, Bastian, were seated around the rectangular table, as were Auden’s other two sons, Tyak and Lef. There was also another human that Sebastian didn’t recognize, along with two other boys around Bastian’s age.
“I’m sure most of you have met my mate, Sebastian,�
� Auden said as he pulled out an empty chair. Sebastian sat down and smiled at the other guests. “And this is Sebastian’s secondary mate, Regin Priq’aq.” Regin took the seat on the opposite side of Sebastian.
“I heard you have some news to share, sire,” Tyak said.
Auden nodded. “Yes, we’ve got some news to share.” Auden placed a hand on Sebastian’s shoulder before announcing. “We just found out that Sebastian is pregnant.”
“Pregnant?” Jason eye’s widened as he stared at Sebastian from across the table.
“I guess the new inoculations are working.” Jett chuckled.
“The inoculations mixed with our aggressive DNA,” Regin added. “The doctor said the human mates are getting pregnant at an accelerated rate. He’s thinking about lowering the dosage.”
“I believe a toast is in order.” Tyak grabbed his goblet and rose to his feet, holding the cup up in the air. “To the High King, his mate, Sebastian, and Regin. I wish the three of you a long and happy life together.”
“Hear, hear,” Jett said.
The other guests lifted their goblets and drank, congratulating them. When Tyak took his seat, the servers walked into the dining room, carrying large silver trays. They placed large plates, filled with Glecerian food, in front of each guest before exiting the room.
Sebastian picked up his utensil and started eating. He was so hungry he was practically shaking. He ignored the conversations and pleasant chitchat around him. Sebastian shoveled large bites into his mouth, inhaling his food.
“I hope you don’t mind, sire, but I took your place in the meeting with Ambassador Rett T’Rul.”
“Thank you, son, I appreciate that. The ambassador had a unique problem.”
“I’ll say.” Tyak laughed.
“Do you care to share with the rest of the group?” Jett asked.
“As you know Rett is our ambassador to Sweshan.”
Hearing the other planet’s name drew Sebastian’s undivided attention and pulled him into the conversation. Once again he thought of Georgie and the other humans.