by Pearl Tate
“Well, I don’t understand… where’d he go?” Jo-Anne turns from me to look at Remus on her other side, but he just shrugs.
“He said he had to get his logs and reports together for the Discovery’s arrival.” My voice chokes up on the end as the finality of the situation sinks in. I don’t—no can’t play second fiddle to his job. That just isn’t going to happen.
I’ll have to talk to the Ashen when they arrive…
“You’re back! Thank God. I prayed for you and only one potential casualty. That’s good, right?” Jenny’s optimistic voice greets us just inside the door as we file in.
There’s murmuring around me as Lisa and Travek lag behind us as we follow Jenny into what looks like an apartment building. Large windows let in light to the main floor as she leads us up some stairs.
“I think considering the sheer number of males out in the wilds, we made out very well.” Amari’s voice behind me answers her as she points to a door on the right. “This place is for Remus and Jo-Anne. I’m excited about dinner, but I know you guys have had a long trip and might want to clean up?”
“Thanks, Jenny.” Jo-Anne agrees while entering the apartment with Remus right behind her. Jenny sticks her head in behind them. “Devlin and I are the last place at the end of the hall on the left if you need anything, but why don’t we plan on meeting in an hour to walk over to the cafeteria for chili?”
“Sounds good!” Jo-Anne’s voice is faint from somewhere deep inside. Jenny pulls the door shut and shuffles across the hall to open the next door on the left.
“This is Lisa and Travek, over here.”
“Thanks, Jenny.”
Slowly, we work our way down the hall with Rachel and Amari dropping off into their place too. Jenny opens a door to the second to the last door on the left. “You look like you could use a shower. Let me show you how everything works and get you set up.”
Quickly Jenny walks me through the place that’s nicer than I ever imagined a home would be on this planet. Sure, I don’t recognize the mechanics of the appliances in the kitchen, but the living area and bedrooms are almost identical to what you’d expect in a nice condo. Compact, but totally usable.
After a quick lesson in the bathroom, Jenny leaves me with some towels and a new jumpsuit she says should be identical to the one I’ve been wearing. She offered me some other clothing, but honestly, I’m really digging this fabric and the flexibility it gives me. The only thing I miss is my jo, and I’m kicking myself for leaving it on The Top Pick. I’ll have to talk to Travek at dinner about getting it back to me.
Finally, I’m alone. I think I’ve held it together admirably, but the shower is therapeutic as I allow tears of frustration and disappointment to squeeze out.
I’ve come a long way in the last couple weeks. Sure, at first I was in a little bit of denial. Wouldn’t it be typical that I was dead and this was just the afterlife—with a new life?
But the thing that really got my attention was it’s a fresh start. A way to reinvent myself to be exactly what I want to be. There’s no one around trying to mold me into the perfect daughter with the perfect career. I’ve spent so much of my life following the rules and doing as I’m told.
I started Aikido when I was ten, and I’m sure my parents originally agreed to it for a couple of reasons. I was one of those chunky adolescents. Overweight and not super inspired to get out there and run around outside playing sports. So, when I showed an interest in taking Aikido with a friend from school, they let me.
After two years though, my friend Sue dropped out, but I really enjoyed it. My parents, especially my mother, were impressed with my dedication and slimming body. At ten, my breasts were already as large as hers! Not that they’ve really shrunk over the last nine years, but I’ve definitely grown into them.
Now, here I am, able to pursue a dream buried so deep, I’ve never uttered it out loud. I’m on a real live adventure, discovering unknown worlds and using my Aikido training in real life situations! How fucking cool is that!
Yes, I do want to talk to the Ashen, because even though things aren’t going to work out with my mate—this Selas who can’t seem to be bothered to get to know me, I don’t want to go back to Earth either. I know, I’m a bit weird. But this is all just way too exciting!
The greys are real! Aliens are real! What else is out there for me to discover?
Rinsing my hair, I feel a sense of calm and rightness settle over me. Yes, this isn’t perfect. I’m hornier than I’ve ever been in my life, and when my hands slide over my cleft a zing of awareness shoots through me. The girls told me that meeting my mate would make me horny, and they’re right—it’s just not going to happen if his work keeps him so busy that we never get to see each other.
A shadow moves in the corner of my eyes, and I drop into a defensive posture, turning to the shape behind the strange water shield this shower uses. There’s definitely someone in here with me. “Who’s there?”
I’m impressed my voice is as steady as it is. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s calm and focus, but every nerve in my body is on high alert.
A large hand pierces the water shield as already familiar mating marks move into the space beside me. “It’s me, my mate.” Selas’s bruised but perfect form steps into the shower, making it feel much smaller than it is.
What the hell?
CHAPTER ELEVEN
- Selas
“What’re you doing here?” Bren’s shocked expression has me responding back puzzled.
“Reporting in?” But that should be obvious. It’s my job and responsibility to always recap verbally along with any recorded logs.
Stepping forward, we clasp forearms, and I’m taken aback as he pulls me into a hug. “Yes, but I heard the news. You now have mating marks—and I assume a mate to settle in?”
As he pulls back, his eyes narrow. “Have you been to the medical clinic? You look like shit. Can you even see out of that eye?”
Laughing, I shake off his suggestions. “Yes, I’m fine. And I’ll get to medical eventually for myself. I followed Tier in, and he may survive, shockingly enough.”
“All thanks to your mate too, I hear.”
“How have you been briefed already?” I wasn’t at medical long. Just long enough to confirm that Tier was being given the best care—and that he made it still breathing.
“Because I’ve already been contacted by Amari and Travek, but not about your mission.” He looks at me seriously while my mouth opens and shuts a few times. What could they be saying about me already?
Sure, I led two others into uncharted territory, totally under armed, and almost got one of them killed. But I thought they—or at least Amari, agreed with the tactic. If we go in with a large contingent of males, it appears aggressive. I’m not going to be replaced already, am I?
Other than the past seven rotations, since Tuono was killed, things have been… alright. Not perfect, of course. But that’s to be expected.
“Do you have a reassignment from the Council? Are you or them replacing me?” I’d rather know than wonder. That’s one thing about Bren’s commanding and yes, domineering attitude that I appreciate. He speaks clearly.
“No, you fucking idiot. Your mate is upset that you took off to work as soon as you landed—even though you’re quite hurt yourself. And that’s the part that makes me mad.” His angry tone and raised voice takes me aback. It’s very uncommon for Bren to become emotional, and that includes angry, in reference to work.
“You’re one of my closest friends, and you were almost killed today. Do you know how that makes me feel?” I blink slowly, trying to follow along with this shift in the conversation. I’d no idea he considered me such a close friend. Or really—a friend at all.
Sure, we’ve talked and spent time together, but always in conjunction with the work on the Discovery. I’m still trying to catch up with this new direction of the conversation as he continues.
“Angry.” Obviously, he didn’t expec
t me to answer that. “Angry that we’re in a situation so dangerous that you were almost killed. Angry that you now have a mate, and you’re putting a job as a higher priority than thanking her—for getting to you just in time! What’re you thinking?”
“Well… when you met Hannah—”
“It was the first mating! It killed me to leave her for any length of time. And we weren’t even sure what was going on for sure or what to expect. You…” He throws his arms wide and gestures wildly at the walls around us. “…of all the people here, know what the mating does to a male. The advantages and disadvantages.”
Blowing out an exasperated breath, he hits me in the arm lightly. “Does that hurt?”
Flinching at bit, I wonder why. Am I really that bruised up? I’ve been running on an adrenaline high for so long now, I’m just starting to register all the aches and pains in my body.
“Yes.”
“Yeah, well, it’s going to hurt a lot more when I punch you upside the head. Go! Spend time with your mate. Take some time off. You deserve it. Amari suggested you go out to his old place. They still go out there once in a while, so it’s all set up.”
I look at him, indecisive. My indecision must be clear on my face as I think about what he’s telling me to do. Abandon my work.
“Your place here is secure. Your position, job… whatever you want to call it. As long as it still exists, based on how things go with the Council—it’s here for you. But you need to learn how to step back and enjoy your life. Your priorities are going to change. If they don’t, you’re going to have trouble with your mate. Jo-Anne is her best friend, and it sounds like Karen holds it against her father that he put work responsibilities ahead of their family. Don’t make that mistake with her. Bond or no mate bond, she can still get pissed and hold a grudge. Trust me, that’s no way to live.”
My mind spins as I consider the feelings I sensed as I took off to make sure that Tier would make it earlier. Is that what the problem was? If that’s all it is, I can fix that. Right?
“Go, you idiot! You stink, too. Even I’d have appreciated if you took a shower before showing up.” Bren softens his words by laughing deeply.
In a daze, I turn and exit, pausing outside the door. I feel as if a great weight has been lifted. I’m so relieved that Bren doesn’t think less of me for not having successfully fulfilled my mission here.
Walking quickly towards my dwelling, I think about the long rotations along with all the struggles and squabbles I’ve sorted out. Everything from males coming to me to report that they’re being used by another to complaints about how the food tastes. I never know whether I’ll want to scream in frustration or just walk away in disgust.
But now… now I have another purpose. Another goal. One that makes my heart lighten in joy.
Is this my reward from the Sacred Mother for my diligence and hard work? There have been so many rotations when all I wanted to do was quit. Go back to Quasar and find a menial occupation to struggle with, but how different would that be than where I am now?
Now, we have a new purpose to consider for our species. It’s a grand, life-changing purpose. With Hannah and Shelly pregnant, we have renewed hope that our lines will carry on in a new combined bloodline. It’s just a matter of making sure we have a safe and habitable place to develop that goal. The prison planet is looking more and more like it isn’t going to be the destination.
As I enter my unit, I realize immediately that Karen is here. With so many scents in the hall, hers included, I wasn’t sure where she’d be. From the sound of how frustrated she was with me, I was afraid she’d have gone into another dwelling, and I’d need to track her down. But she’s here!
Stripping off the now filthy jumpsuit from my equally mud-caked body, I open the door to the bathing facility. Sure enough, I’m hit with the scent of my mate in need. Behind the water shield, I see her form shift into a defensive pose.
“Who is it?” Her voice is calm and self-assured, and I’m struck again by how fierce and self-reliant my mate is. I won’t need to constantly worry about her—although I’m sure I will. There’s a fierce need inside me to shelter and coddle her, but in all honesty, she doesn’t need it.
My cock rises as I move toward the water, ready to take my mate in the most primitive but intimate of ways. Pushing my hand through the shield, I answer, “It’s me, my mate.”
Stepping in beside her, I’m blessed with the most beautiful of sights. Karen’s naked form is more breathtaking and arousing than I could have imagined. Her wet hair makes it appear darker as she relaxes and comes to her full height out of her defensive stance and into a defiant one.
What would she have done if it was someone else? Technically, that shouldn’t be a concern, but there have even been females taken right from their dwellings in this building by past guards of the Warden Benard. You can never be too careful.
“What’re you doing here?” Her tone is indignant as she steps back slightly to put more room between us in the small space. I take the opportunity to let my eyes roam down her water-slicked form. Her breasts are much heavier than they appeared in the tight jumpsuit. The fabric must have compressed them to hold them so flat.
Her tiny waist and rib cage accentuate the curve of her breasts and hips. My eyes screech to a halt as they reach the apex of her thighs. Like our species, she has a thin patch of light hair over her cleft. Damn, she smells so good that I’m inexplicably drawn to her. I couldn’t stay away if I tried.
“I’m getting clean just like you are. I’m sure you noticed how filthy I am. The mud in the clearing we were secured in—”
“No.” I falter at her negative word as she cuts me off. Certainly she doesn’t mean I’m not welcome?
“I mean, what are you doing here in this shower, this house or apartment or whatever you all call it.” She’s turned into the water spray, and my brain stutters as her backside is presented to me. The flare of her hips with two dimples centered above her ass… “Focus up here.”
Her hand jerks up to her face as she looks over her shoulder at me. Blinking slowly, I can’t help the smile that creeps across my face at her question.
“This is my dwelling. My bathing facility. Didn’t Jenny tell you?”
CHAPTER TWELVE
- Selas
There’s a clear look of horror, then resignation that crosses over Karen’s face. I’ll have to come up with a thank you gift for Jenny. Whether it was intentional or not, she’s hand-delivered my very naked mate to me.
“Well, let me get out of your way. I was done enough—” Karen moves to slide out, but I grab her upper arm gently.
“Wait.” My voice is pleading as I come up with the only excuse I can think of quickly. “I’m quite sore. Do you mind helping me get cleaned up? The tension from having my arms tied above my head so long…” Her eyes narrow skeptically. “…And my legs were spread so wide… my low back…”
Leaning forward, I place my hand not on her arm against my body and wince, trying to look convincing. It’s a last ditch effort to garner sympathy, but I’ll do anything to get her to spend more time with me and potentially touch me.
“Have you gone to see the doctor?” Karen turns completely around, lifting her hand to press the tips of her fingertips to a spot under my eye that flares with pain, and I can see the skin move into my line of vision. It’s still very swollen.
“Not yet. Do you think I should?” If it takes talking about my injuries to keep her here with me… actually, I admit I’ll do anything she wants, even go to see the medical doctor. They don’t bother me. I’m not as familiar with the doctors here on the planet. I’ve only had brief status updates from Fax who heads up the two other Junior medics I’ve dealt with more extensively, mostly Cordon.
“Yes! Of course.” Her eyes roam my face before dropping lower, and I watch with fascination as her face flushes red. Her scent blooms around us, filling the tiny space.
Groaning, I move closer, wrapping my arms around her to tug
her into my body. “Well then, I agree to go to the medical center, if you’ll agree to leave the dome with me right after.”
“To where?” Her indignant tone surprises me. Isn’t this what Bren meant? She feels that her father put work above the family?
Maybe I haven’t explained it properly. “I spoke with Bren, reporting in, and he’s granted me time off to spend with you. A leave of absence to get to know each other… properly.” My voice trails off as I try to sense how she’s taking my words.
Even holding her now, I’m surprised at how little I feel. She’s very controlled as she seems to consider my offer. She hasn’t said no, though. Pressing my idea, I try to appeal to the obvious adventurous spirit in her. “Amari spent many rotations living out in the wilds here on the planet outside the dome in a cavern under some falls in one of the valleys not more than a day away. He’s offered to let us stay there since it’s still a place that he periodically takes Rachel to… just to get a night away from the chaos here. Would you like to see more of this planet?”
I wait, holding my breath and trying not to be distracted by her breasts pressing firmly just above my now bent at an awkward angle cock. When she only blinks slowly, still trying to find some answers in my own face, her eyes drop to my mating marks that I can tell have flared with color.
“Please, Karen. Give this a chance between us. Get to know me. I swear I’m not a bad male, and I never imagined I’d be blessed with a mate. Let alone a mate with your talents and beauty.”
A small smile touches her lips, and her eyes continue to stare straight at me. Her lips pucker right before her mouth opens to answer, “Okay.”
The relief and happiness that floods my body is an indicator of how worried I was that’d she turn me down. Of course, I wouldn’t have given up, but this is so much easier. I’d follow her anywhere, do anything she wanted to complete the bond with her. I can smell her need and arousing scent cocooning me as I wince from my smile that spread my lips too far.