by Olivia Black
“We may never have young,” Ragnon said.
When they first spoke of Dennis as their pet, neither of them had mentioned the fact that they may never have children. The only thing on either of their minds was Dennis. In truth, Ragnon didn’t believe that they would have any young, but that didn’t matter to him. Ragnon loved Dennis, and he was committed to having a wonderful future with his mate.
“As I said, I wasn’t myself.” Gogrek kissed the top of their mate’s head. “Besides, Dennis is more important than anything else in my life. I don’t need children to be happy.”
Ragnon understood that feeling. When Dennis came into their lives, the young man changed them for the better.
Chapter Thirteen
Several hours later, a spike of pain shooting through Dennis’s stomach woke him from a sound sleep. Cringing, Dennis wrapped his arm around his midsection. Breathing through his mouth, he was careful not to make a sound. He didn’t want to wake Gogrek or Ragnon. As carefully as he could, Dennis climbed out of bed and went to the adjoining bathroom. He pressed his hand against the wall, and the door closed.
In the privacy of the bathroom, Dennis took a few deep breaths. He didn’t know what was wrong with him, but the pain was almost unbearable. Dennis leaned his back against the wall and slid down to the floor. Rubbing his stomach, Dennis sat on the ground. When the door opened, Dennis glanced up.
“Are you okay?” Gogrek asked.
“My stomach hurts,” he admitted.
Gogrek sat on the floor and pulled Dennis onto his lap. The male wrapped his arms around him. The contact had a soothing effect, and the pain in his stomach subsided. Dennis tucked his face against Gogrek’s neck and sighed.
“Do you want me to take you to medical?”
Dennis shook his head. “I’ll be fine.”
“Are you sure?”
“Uh-huh,” he said on a yawn.
Gogrek hummed softly and swayed side to side. The sound and gentle movement quickly lulled Dennis back to sleep.
The next morning, Dennis groaned as he woke up. His stomach rippled, and Dennis rubbed his belly. When his hand came into contact with something rough, Dennis immediately sat up and stared at his stomach. Around his belly button, there were scales similar to those found on his mates. He knew without a doubt that the scales hadn’t been there the night before.
Jumping out of bed, Dennis rushed into the bathroom. He stared at his reflection in horror. What was happening to him? Was he becoming a Noglion? Dennis rubbed the scales and picked at them, trying to remove them from his skin. But the more he irritated them, the more the scales spread, covering his stomach.
Shocked, Dennis stumbled back. Fear, unlike anything he’d known before, choked him. Stumbling out of the bathroom on shaky legs, Dennis walked over the bed and dropped down. Moisture filled his eyes, and tears slowly dripped down his cheeks. Lifting his hand, he wiped his face.
What the hell is wrong with me?
“Ragnon! Gogrek!” Dennis shouted, his voice cracking.
Ragnon appeared in the doorway a moment later. The male looked as if he were ready for battle as his eyes swept the room. When the male realized there wasn’t a threat, he relaxed his stance. Ragnon walked into the room and knelt down. Lifting a hand, Ragnon wiped Dennis’s face, removing the tears.
“What happened, pet?”
“I think there’s something wrong with me.”
“What’s wrong? Tell me,” Ragnon gently coaxed.
Dropping his hands away from his stomach, Dennis showed Ragnon the scales. The male’s mouth dropped open, and his eyes widened. The look on his face would’ve been comical if he weren’t staring at Dennis’s stomach.
“What is it?” Dennis whispered, fearing the worst.
“You’re…” Ragnon placed his hand on Dennis’s stomach, covering the scales with his large palm. “Gods above.”
“What?” Dennis’s voice rose, panic clawing at his insides. “What’s happening to me?”
“You’re…” Ragnon took a deep breath, and Dennis stared at him, waiting for the male to finish. “You’re pregnant.”
Dennis sucked in a sharp breath. He knew that he could get pregnant, but he didn’t really think it would happen, especially after his talk with Hokr. The male said that getting pregnant by a Noglion was difficult for other alien species.
“The scales,” he murmured, rubbing his hand across Dennis’s belly. “They’re on your stomach to protect the baby.”
“Oh my God,” Dennis muttered.
A smile spread across Ragnon’s lips, and his face lit up with pure joy. “This is a blessing from the gods.” He chuckled lightly. “You’ve made me so happy, pet.” The male rose to his feet. “We should go to medical and get you checked out.”
Dennis nodded in agreement as he stood.
“I’ll call Gogrek,” Ragnon said. “He can meet us there.”
“No, don’t bother him. He’s probably busy working.”
“Gogrek is never too busy for you,” Ragnon told him. “You’re our mate. You’re more important than anything else. Trust me, Gogrek would want to be with us. He wouldn’t want to miss this.”
“Okay.” In truth, Dennis wanted both of his mates by his side.
Ragnon grasped Dennis’s hand and led him from the room. The male stopped beside the communication device and made the call. Dennis placed his free hand on his stomach, rubbing the slick scales. I’m pregnant. He was so stunned that he didn’t even hear the conversation between Ragnon and Gogrek. In fact, Dennis didn’t realize that they had left their home until he nearly tripped over his own feet.
“Are you okay?” Ragnon asked, his voice filled with concern. “Am I walking too fast? Should I carry you?”
“No, I’m fine. I wasn’t paying attention.”
“What’s wrong?”
“I just…” Dennis shook his head. “I can’t believe it.” He couldn’t believe he was pregnant. But the evidence was on his stomach.
“Don’t worry. We’ll take care of you, pet.”
Dennis smiled. “I know.”
He wasn’t worried. He was surprised. Even though Dennis knew pregnancy was possible, he didn’t expect it to happen. Dennis kept his free hand flat against his stomach, trying to hide the scales. He felt a bit self-conscious and didn’t want everyone staring at him.
Was he really pregnant? Could he be carrying Gogrek and Ragnon’s child? It seemed impossible.
Soon, they arrived at medical. Dennis wasn’t sure what he’d been expecting, but seeing this facility made him realize that Noglion was well-equipped to handle any medical emergency. It gave Dennis peace of mind, knowing that he would be giving birth in a medical center. Ragnon ushered Dennis to a sitting area.
“Wait here,” he said. “I’m going to check in with the staff.”
Dennis nodded. He sat down in the chair and covered his stomach with his hands. Dennis didn’t have to wait long for Ragnon to return to his side. The male took a seat beside him and wrapped an arm across Dennis’s shoulders.
“Are you feeling okay?”
Dennis nodded.
“You don’t feel sick?”
“I’m fine.”
“Good,” Ragnon sighed. “That’s good.”
Turning his head, Dennis looked up at his mate. Ragnon seemed overly concerned, and it made Dennis feel a little uneasy. Before he could ask any questions, Gogrek dropped to his knees in front of him. Dennis moved his hands, and Gogrek stared at his stomach in awe. He reached out, his hand shaking, as he touched Dennis’s flat belly.
“The scales…” he murmured. “They weren’t there last night.”
“I know,” Dennis said. “When I woke up this morning, they were around my belly button, and they keep spreading.”
“The scales will protect your stomach and our young.”
“Gogrek,” Dennis said, and the male looked up at him. “Do you think the baby’s okay?”
Gogrek smiled. “He’s perfectly safe.”<
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The sincerity in Gogrek’s voice made Dennis believe that everything was going to be okay.
“Vemm,” a male voice called out.
Gogrek grasped Dennis’s hand and helped him to his feet. Together, the three faced the newcomer. The Noglion wasn’t wearing a loincloth with his chest exposed. Instead, he wore a tan-colored shirt and pants made of the same material.
“Let’s go to an exam room.”
The male turned, and Gogrek, Ragnon, and Dennis followed. They walked through the large facility and down a hallway lined with private rooms. The doctor stepped into one of the room and moved aside, making room for Dennis and his mates.
When the door closed, the male said, “I don’t have much information. I was only told that you needed to see a doctor.”
“This is our mate, Dennis,” Gogrek said, introducing him.
“Hello, Dennis.” He smiled kindly. “My name is Doctor Rhad Rhezir. How are you feeling? Can you tell me your symptoms?”
Dennis didn’t bother responding. He simply dropped his hand, revealing the scales around his belly button.
Doctor Rhezir’s eyes widened, and his mouth dropped open. It was clear from the look on the male’s face that he was surprised. There was a good chance that he didn’t see many pregnancies from non-Noglion males. Rhad looked at Gogrek and then glanced over at Ragnon. It seemed as though he wanted to say something to the males, but instead, he focused back on Dennis.
“I think you may be pregnant, but let’s do a scan to confirm.” Doctor Rhezir took out a metal device. It was a large, round, flexible disk with a screen on one side. “Can you get on the exam table and lie down?”
Dennis started to do as the doctor asked, but before he could move, Ragnon picked him up and carefully laid him down.
Doctor Rhezir placed the disk on Dennis’s stomach. He pressed the sides, and like a suction cup, the device molded itself to Dennis’s belly. When the male pressed a button, the screen lit up. Within seconds, a picture flickered onto the screen and a sound, unlike anything Dennis had ever heard before, filled the room.
“What’s that sound?” Dennis asked.
“It’s a heartbeat.” The doctor stared at the screen as if he couldn’t believe what he was seeing. “You’re pregnant.”
Gogrek and Ragnon moved closer, crowding Dennis.
Lifting his head, Dennis stared at the image on the screen. “What’s that little oval-looking thing? Is that the baby?”
“That oval-looking thing is an egg,” Rhad told him. “Noglion babies develop inside of an egg until they’re ready to be hatched.”
Dennis’s brows shot up in surprise. “An egg?”
“While the baby grows inside of your body, it’s in an egg. The young receives nourishment from a yolk sac, and he’s enveloped within a clear-colored, membrane while he grows. When the baby is ready to be born, the egg will hatch in your body.”
“How exactly am I going to have this baby?” It might seem like a simple question, but it wasn’t as if Dennis could push it out.
“Your body will tell us when the baby is ready to be born. Since you’re human, we will perform surgery to remove the baby. It will be safer for you and your young.”
It sounded easy, but Dennis was sure there would be a lot of unexpected surprises.
“Do you want to sit up?”
Dennis nodded.
Rhad removed the device, and Dennis sat up.
“I know that you’re probably feeling a little overwhelmed right now, but do you have any questions for me?”
“How long are pregnancies on Noglion?”
“Normally, about five months, but you’re human, so it might differ from Noglion males.”
Again, Dennis nodded. There were a lot of unknowns.
“Before you leave, I’d like to run a few tests.”
“Do you think there might be something wrong?” Dennis asked, wondering if he should be concerned.
“I just want to make sure you’re both healthy.”
“And you’re hoping to find answers about Dennis’s pregnancy. You want to know how he got pregnant when so many others haven’t been able to conceive, right?” Gogrek said.
“As you know, there aren’t many pregnancies from non-Noglion mates. So, yes, I’d like to check Dennis’s hormone levels and run a few extra scans. But it’s more than that. He’s human. He’s from Earth. It’s a planet where males don’t get pregnant or give birth. I need to monitor Dennis closely so that he can have a safe pregnancy and give birth to a healthy child.”
“Run the tests.” Dennis’s priority was the baby, but if it was possible, he wanted to help the other non-Noglion mates.
“Are you sure?” Gogrek asked him.
“Doctor Rhezir is right. I’m human. I need to be monitored. Plus, if I can help other mates, then I should, right?”
Gogrek nodded. “You’re right.”
“It won’t take long,” Doctor Rhezir promised.
Dennis was prodded and poked, examined and scanned. The doctor, Rhad Rhezir, and a small team of Noglion scientists ran a series of tests. Through it all, Gogrek and Ragnon stayed by Dennis’s side. True to his word, Rhad moved quickly. It was a whirlwind of activity. And each new male that Dennis came into contact with was overjoyed when they realized that Dennis was, in fact, pregnant. It was as if Dennis had accomplished something extraordinary when, in reality, he’d only had sex. Finally, after what seemed like hours, the tests were complete, and Dennis was able to breathe a sigh of relief.
“Here.” Rhad held out a tan-colored shirt and pants, similar to the clothing he was wearing. “You can wear these home.”
Dennis arched a brow. “I can wear clothes?”
“There are things that are going to change now that you’re carrying a Noglion child.”
“And wearing clothing is one of those things.”
Rhad nodded. “Your status has changed. You’re now an official member of Noglion society, which means that you’re allowed to wear clothes.”
Dennis didn’t need to be told twice. He grabbed the buttery-soft material from Rhad’s outstretched hand and got dressed. Truthfully, it felt strange to be wearing anything after being naked for so long.
“And you no longer need to be leashed,” Ragnon added as he took off the leash. “The collar will remain around your neck, though. It’s a sign that you belong to me and Gogrek.” He fingered the collar. “We’re a family.”
Dennis smiled. He liked the way that sounded.
“I’d like to see you next week,” Rhad said.
“I’ll be here,” Dennis told him.
Doctor Rhezir escorted them out of the medical facility, and Dennis waved goodbye.
Walking home, Dennis stayed between Ragnon and Gogrek. The males kept Dennis tucked close. Gogrek had an arm wrapped around Dennis’s shoulders, and Ragnon was holding Dennis’s hand. Along the way, Noglions came up to them, offering their congratulations. Since Dennis was wearing clothes, everyone knew that he was pregnant. Ragnon and Gogrek were polite, but they refused to let anyone get too close.
A few males wanted to touch Dennis’s stomach, but Ragnon and Gogrek hissed angrily, as if to protect him. It was a side of his mates that Dennis had never seen before. The males were on guard as they escorted Dennis home.
Chapter Fourteen
As soon as they got home, Gogrek asked, “Are you hungry?”
Dennis nodded.
“I’ll make you something to eat.” The male kissed the top of Dennis’s head before walking to the kitchen.
“I’m going to comm our fathers and tell them the news.” Ragnon grabbed the portable comm device from the counter and disappeared down the hallway.
Dennis stood in the foyer, utterly confused. Gogrek and Ragnon were acting a little weird. They both seemed out of sorts. After a moment, Dennis shook his head and went after Ragnon. He stopped in front of the male’s private bedroom and watched his mate. The warrior was removing the weapons from the walls as he spoke
to Hokr and Bheilf on speaker.
“Gods above,” Hokr said, “it’s a miracle.”
“Are you sure?” Bheilf asked, his tone disbelieving.
“We just returned from medical,” Ragnon told them. “They confirmed it. Dennis is pregnant.”
“Oh, Ragnon, I’m so happy for you all.”
“The doctor wants to monitor Dennis throughout the pregnancy though, since he’s human.”
“That’s understandable. His pregnancy may be different than it is for Noglions.”
“I’m packing up my room so that we can get it ready for the baby. We’ve got a lot to do to prepare for his arrival.”
“I’ll take Dennis shopping,” Hokr volunteered. “Do you think that would be okay?”
“I’m sure Dennis would like that.”
“I would love to go shopping,” Dennis said, stepping into Ragnon’s room. “Are you available tomorrow?” He took a seat on the edge of Ragnon’s bed so that he was close to the communication device.
“Yes,” Hokr said. “Tomorrow would be great. We can meet near Qinqra Marketplace and share a meal. It’s close to your home. Ragnon and Gogrek can give you directions.”
“How are you feeling?” Bheilf asked.
“I’m good,” Dennis told them. “We were at medical for a while. They ran a lot of tests. So far, everything seems fine.”
“This is amazing news, Dennis,” Hokr said.
“I wasn’t sure we would be able to have children, so this has all been really surprising,” Dennis said.
Dennis looked at Ragnon, and the male smiled softly. He walked over and sat beside Dennis. Ragnon took his hand, intertwining their fingers. Then he placed a kiss on Dennis’s lips.