Chapter Eleven

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Zenaxor.

Having my mate in my castle is everything I have ever wanted. I watch Lily brush her long hair as I lay on top of our bed, waiting for her to join me. My eyes follow down the curves of her body. I love the way her hips flare out more than the way a Jalix female’s body does. To give her time to get used to living on my planet, I told myself I wouldn’t try to take our physical relationship further, but I know that my restraint is going to be tested tonight. I roll my shoulders and consider washing in cold water again to rid myself of this ache for her.

Eventually, she puts me out of my misery and ties her hair back. Her face is bare of make-up, I prefer it this way. Her cheeks have colour in them as she comes to join me on the bed. I’m glad that she is warm enough here, it means she can keep wearing sixnas cloth instead of her human clothes.

She lifts the blanket as if to get under it. I catch her wrist, stopping her. Her eyes meet mine, wide and filled with a hint of excitement. My gaze drops to her lips and then back up to her eyes again.

“I want to touch you.”

Her cheeks turn a darker shade of pink. It is a similar shade to the colour her bottom turned when I spanked her this morning.

“O-okay.”

She sits down on top of the blanket and places her hands in her lap. She looks at me out of the corner of her eyes and I smile at how nervous she looks. She doesn’t know how to initiate sex with me and that’s okay, I’m happy to take the lead.

I grab her hips, inciting a yelp from her as I tug her over to sit on my lap. She straddles my legs, her soft thighs hugging mine. I can feel the heat of her cunt against my growing erection. She inhales sharply as she feels me getting harder beneath her. Her hips give the smallest, tentative roll. Squeezing her waist tight, I press her down harder and flex my hips, bringing my cock up to rub against her underwear. She moans and her eyes flutter at the contact.

“Are you…” She hesitates and bites that full bottom lip. “Are you similar to human males down there?”

I can’t help but grin at her question. “Yes, mostly.”

Her eyes go wide. “Mostly?” She asks, sounding concerned.

My grin grows. “There are a few surprises.”

“Surprises?” She squeaks.

My grin is pure deviance at this point. “Trust me, you will like them.”

I can see the open curiosity on her face. There is no mistaking the desire and intrigue in her eyes. Despite my earlier promises that I would not rush her, I know that my mate is getting fucked tonight. My cock twitches against her cloth-covered cunt at the thought.

“Am I allowed to look?” Lily asks in a quiet, shy voice.

My cock twitches again. “I am yours, kisera. Of course you can look. You can touch, too.”

Encouraged, she climbs off my lap and kneels beside me. With one tug, I remove my loin cloth and throw the scrap of material across the room. She gulps, her eyes wide at the sight of my erect cock.

Anatomically, we are very similar to human males. There are just two main differences. The rings and the studs. Alternating up my shaft are a series of ridges that humans mimic with cock rings and circles of studs, harder pieces of skin that fill with blood. They are designed to rub the inner walls of a female to bring her to orgasm.

My mate reaches out and wraps her hand around my cock. She points it upwards so that she can run her hand up and down my shaft. A strained groan leaves my mouth as she moves her hand. I have thought about her touching me for a long time and to finally feel her hand touch me where I am most sensitive feels incredible.

“Is this okay?” She whispers.

Instead of answering, I place my hand around her own, being careful to keep my claws retracted, and squeeze harder. Understanding what I want, she moves her hand up and down again but squeezes tighter this time. I moan louder and she smiles, pleased with herself.

My cock is leaking wetness, desperately preparing to enter her. I think perhaps it is a good idea for me to come first before I claim her, it might make it easier for me to go slow when she first takes me.

She moves her hand faster and the pleasure increases. I close my eyes and tilt my head back, getting lost in the bliss my mate is providing. Suddenly, I feel something hot and wet around the head of my cock. My eyes fly open, shock gripping me that my mate has impaled herself on me without my knowledge. It is not her cunt wrapped around me, though. It is her mouth.

I have heard that humans do this. For Jalix, it is not normal to use your mouths for sexual pleasure. Our pleasure comes from feeding on our mates during intercourse. I know that humans call it oral but it did not sound appealing when I read up about it. However, I stand corrected.

Lily takes me further into her mouth. I never thought the place where she eats could feel so similar to a cunt. She runs her tongue over the ridges and studs on my shaft and I groan in surprise at how good it feels. She stretches her mouth and takes me deeper. I feel the tip of my cock hit the back of her throat and go further down. She is taking every part of my cock into her mouth. I am amazed that her body can do this. I knew that cunts were accommodating, but I didn’t know that mouths were too.

“Kisera,” I gasp. “You are making me feel so good with your wicked mouth.”

Her eyes are full of amusement and triumph when they meet mine. She closes them again and resumes sucking my cock. She bobs her head up and down, moving faster. I cry out in surprise, my hips lifting off the bed. I have never experienced anything like this. I feel like a virgin as they call it.

My breathing hitches and I realise that I am going to climax in her mouth. I tap on her shoulder but she bats my hand away. Seconds later, a rush of pleasure flies through me and I come with a growl. My seed floods her mouth and Lily struggles to take it all. I feel her throat contracting around my pulsing cock as she repeatedly swallows.

When I am spent, she sits back and wipes her mouth. She smiles at me, flushed and proud of herself. I grab her and flip her onto her back. She yelps and then giggles. Grabbing the bottom of her t-shirt, I pull it up over her head and throw it across the room. Her body is bared to me, only her thin underwear remains. I pull it from her, my eyes hungrily taking in her pretty body.

“You’re still hard,” she gasps.

“Jalix do not soften like humans,” I tell her. “It will go down eventually but not soon.”

She doesn’t get to ask any more questions because I kiss her. I love kissing my mate. Her lips are soft and fit perfectly against mine. She pushes her tongue out and I groan as it touches mine. She tastes like me mixed with her.

My mate lifts her hips in silent invitation. I run my fingers down her cunt, needing to check that she is ready even though I know she will be. She has made a lot of wetness for me, she can take me. I pull back and spread her legs wider. She is perfect like this, naked and spread wide for the taking.

“I will not feed from you when we do this,” I tell her. “You should have a few more days getting used to Jalexus before we bond.”

She nods quickly, her expression grateful. “Thank you.”

I want nothing more than to be bonded to my mate, but I know she is going through a lot right now. If I bite her while we fuck, she will grow longer teeth and be able to feed from me. I do not think she will want that just yet.

I grit my teeth and ignore the urge to sink my teeth into her neck. Instead, I sink my cock into her cunt. She moans loudly as I enter her. Every stud and every ridge rubs against the soft inner walls of her cunt. I am amazed by how tight she is, how much hotter than a Jalix cunt hers is. When I have pushed all of my cock into her, I sigh in content. We fit perfectly together. Two different species but mates are compatible regardless.

“My beautiful mate,” I murmur and she rubs her lips against mine.

I kiss her slowly while I move my hips. I roll them, sliding my cock in and out of her as we both adjust to this new sensation of being joined.

When she loosens up around me, I start to thrust into her with more force. She takes every stroke. Her sounds of pleasure spur me on. Hearing my mate in the throes of bliss because of me has my chest puffing with pride. I live to satisfy my female. I will not stop until she is crying out in ecstasy.

My mate likes the rings and studs on my cock. Only a few more thrusts and she is coming on my cock. She cries out my name and I decide then and there that her saying my name during orgasm is my new favourite sound.

Her cunt grips my cock in a vice-like grip as she orgasms and I can no longer hold back. I come deep inside her, roaring out her name with my own release.

Lily lays across my chest after, tracing the black marks on my chest that indicate my clan and leadership. I rub my hand up and down her smooth back, marvelling at how everything is working out for me, for us.

I will make sure she is happy here. I will make my mate fall in love with me, just as I am falling for her.

---

Lily.

In the morning, Zenaxor cuddles me in bed. I’m a little sore from last night but so very satisfied. I can’t believe I saw my first alien cock. I was a little taken aback at first, but those strange bumps on his dick really make a difference.

Zee insists on sitting with me when I eat breakfast, but after I am done, he leaves to meet the council. I sit up in our room and read one of the books I brought with me. There are no clocks on Jalexus so I am using the light outside to guess the time. It is mid-morning when one of the staff members arrives. She is a pretty Jalix with twisted horns and purple hair woven into braids.

“Hello, Larsett,” she says in a sing-song voice and a smile that shows her sharp teeth.

“Hello. What is your name?” I ask her.

She frowns and says carefully, “Lumietta.”

“Hi, Lumietta. It is nice to meet you.”

She watches my lips as I talk and must understand because she smiles widely and steps forward. Guessing what it is going to happen, I turn my head and sure enough, she presses her nose to my neck. My heart beats fast as she pulls back and angles her chin, letting me do the same to her.

I don’t think I’ll ever get used to this.

“I have sixnas for you.”

She holds up a beautiful wrap made of shimmering gold and green fabric.

“And Lorsett says I must fix your hair.”

I am not quite sure what she means by fix my hair, but I let her guide me over to a stool in front of a table that is like a vanity unit. She brushes out my hair and then proceeds to braid it in a complicated way, twist it up and then pin it in a bun. It is far better than what I could do.

“Thank you! I love it.”

She smiles widely, pleased that I am grateful. “You go down to sacred room now. Follow blue stones.”

She points to the tile and I notice the small blue crystals imbedded in the grout between the slabs. Zenaxor mentioned this yesterday. Because the room is sacred, where their rituals are held, there is a trail of blue stones to allow anyone to find it. It’s very clever, really.

Lumietta leaves and I strip out of my dress and bra but leave on my underwear. I hold up the wrap, wondering how I am supposed to wear it. It takes me a few tries to get it on and I use up precious time. Eventually, I wrap it around my body, under one arm and over the other shoulder like a sari. I have to pin it with one of my grips but it works. I’m hot and a bit overwhelmed as I rush out of the door. It must have been at least ten minutes ago that Lumietta said I had to leave.

I rush down the hallway, following the blue stones. I wish I’d asked her to stay and take me down, it would have been easier. I should have asked her how to wear the wrap too, but I wasn’t sure she’d know because they only wear theirs on their waists. Finally, the gold-engraved doors appear at the end of the corridor. Two Jalix open them for me and I step into the sacred room.

The high ceilings are vaulted and I’m momentarily stunned by the sight of the beautiful jewel-encrusted beams. It is another ostentatious display of wealth but even I can appreciate its beauty. I step further into the room, my neck aching as I crane my head back to stare at the stunning ceiling. A collection of gasps have me whipping my head back down to look in front of me.

Chapter Twelve

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Lily.

Gathered around a pool of steaming water are a group of Jalix in white wraps and my mate. They are all staring at my feet, their expressions a mixture of horror and disgust. Even Zenaxor is frowning deeply. I look down and wince as I realise I have left my socks on. I remembered not to put shoes on, but my feet were cold on the tiles this morning and I left my socks on.

“Take them off,” Zenaxor hisses, casting a worried glance at the elders. “You must be bare foot in the sacred room.”

Panicking, I turn on my heel and rush to the doors. The Jalix fumble with trying to quickly open them for me and I hop from one foot to the other, frantically tugging off my socks. I throw the offending pair through the doors. They land on the tiles in the corridor and slide across them. The Jalix shut the doors and I turn sheepishly back to the frowning elders. Zenaxor says something to them in Jalix, I wish I could understand.

Whatever he says has the elders bristling and huffing. They all look at me with their scary pupil-less black eyes. I shift uncomfortably under their glares.

Great start, Lily.

One of them says something in Jalix and I listen to the pretty language. Zenaxor replies and then holds out his hand to me. I step up to him and take his hand. It reassures me to feel his warm, rough skin against mine.

“Now, you get into the pool and I will push you under,” he explains quietly to me.

I nod and let him bring me to the edge of the pool. My toes brush the edge of the stone trim and I feel the heat coming off the water. I jump as one of the elders begins say something, it sounds like a chant from the way his voice goes up and down rhythmically.

“Um, how hot is this water?”

Zee frowns. “It is hot. Now step in,” he urges.

Biting my bottom lip, I grip his hand and lower my foot onto the first step. Searing hot water wraps around my ankle. I whimper in pain and yank my foot out, splashing water over the edge. Another round of shocked gasps echo through the elders.

Oh, for fucks sake.

“It’s too hot,” I tell Zee. “I can’t get in.”

A stricken look comes over his face and guilt lances through me. He’s disappointed. I look down at my foot and see it has already turned bright pink.

Just how hot is that damn water?

“You need to get in, Lily,” he says lowly. “It is a vital part of the ceremony for you to become Larsett.”

“I can’t! Look at my foot! It’s too hot.”

I point down at my foot and Zenaxor studies the pinkness of my skin with a deep frown. Sighing, he releases my hand and turns to the elders. For the first time, I am actually grateful that I can’t understand Jalix because none of what they are saying sounds positive. From the tones of their voices and the fact they all speak at once, fast and furious, I don’t think they’re happy with me.

Zenaxor sighs again. He looks pained as he turns to me.

“The elders are offended that the ritual cannot continue. One of them is going to fetch some colder water from outside, but they are not happy Lily.”

“This isn’t my fault!” I protest, my voice coming out louder than expected.

Zenaxor’s eyes widen in surprise and then narrow on me. “Lower your voice, this is a sacred place,” he snaps.

I flinch at his tone. Behind me, the elders are talking amongst each other. My imagination is running wild, it doesn’t sound like anything good.

“What are they saying?” I dare to ask Zenaxor in a soft voice.

He reluctantly tells me, “They are insisting that I punish you for this.”

“Punish me?! Why? I know I should have remembered to take my socks off but it was an innocent mistake! The water is far too hot. Have you not done this ceremony with humans before? Don’t you know it burns us? I don’t have Jalix skin, that’s not my fault.”

I realise that I’ve raised my voice again and Zenaxor shushes me. I bite my lip so I don’t swear at him in frustration. One of the elders comes back and begins to pour a huge vase of cold water into the pool.

“No one has mated a Lorsett that I know of, this ritual has not been done with humans before. I did not know you were so sensitive to heat.”

“Well, I am,” I reply indignantly.

Another sigh. “The water is cooler now. We will continue the ceremony but I am afraid I will have to punish you after.”

The elder starts chanting again so I don’t reply. If he is intending on spanking me again, it is not the end of the world. I feel annoyed that I do not deserve this punishment, but the spanking wasn’t that bad. I may even get another orgasm out of it.

Zenaxor helps me into the pool. It is still uncomfortably hot but it no longer burns my skin. He dunks me under and brings me back up. I have to repeat a line that he says first. He says it really slowly, breaking it down into syllables for me so that it is easy to repeat. Once it is done, we walk out of the pool together holding hands. The elders stomp their feet, which I think is like clapping. It is hard to tell if it is a celebration because they all have faces like slapped arses. It is clear that they do not approve of me being their Larsett. Respectfully, I’m done. I’m overly hot and soaked through. I do not give a flying fuck if they approve or not.

“You will dry off outside,” Zenaxor tells me. “I have to take you for your punishment now.”

I’m concerned that he might be spanking me outside but his tone leaves no room for discussion. I follow him out of the sacred room without comment. Both of us walk past the socks of shame. I will have to collect them later.

Out in the courtyard, he leads me over to what looks like…prison cells. My mouth drops open in surprise. There are two empty ones and one that has a female Jalix inside. Zenaxor opens the barred gate to the one next to hers and looks at me, his face pained.

“You will stay in here for the duration of your punishment.”

“You are serious?”

He narrows his eyes at me. “You embarrassed me in front of the elders and offended our sacred space. This is your punishment. The cells are designed for public display. Jalix walking past will know that you have transgressed. Degradation is the punishment.”

So not a spanking with orgasms then.

“You seriously want to lock me in a cell to embarrass me? When I did nothing wrong?” I ask, my arms folded over my chest.

His jaw clenches as he grinds his teeth together. “That is debatable. Take the punishment with grace, kisera.”

With grace my ass.

“Don’t talk to me.”

I stomp past him, grab the gate from him and pull it into place before he can. I turn my back to him, facing the wall.

“Lily…”

I grit my teeth and refuse to turn around.

“Kisera, please.”

My heart throbs painfully at the tone of his voice but I remain strong, my anger fuelling me. I stand by what I said. I’ve done nothing to warrant this.

“Go, Zenaxor.”

I hear him sigh heavily. “I will be back later,” he says quietly.

Once I’ve heard the crunching of his footsteps on the ground, I turn around. The cell is plain with only a stone seating platform. There isn’t even any water or a toilet. I walk up to the bars and look out. You can see the main street from here. Now every townsperson will be able to come by and gawp at the Larsett in jail.

“Human? Are you there?”

I hear the voice of the female next to me. Moving to the wall, I try to push my head between the bars but they’re too tight.

“Yes, I’m here.”

“What do they call you?”

“Lily.”

“You mate of Zenaxor?”

Unfortunately.

“Yes.”

“Ooh,” she says dramatically. “Larsett. That is big deal.”

“Yes, apparently,” I mutter. “What is your name?”

“They call me Jazkick.”

“How come you are in here, Jazkick?”

“I am…wait, I know human word for it…ah! I am prostitute.”

I choke on air. That is not what I was expecting her to say. Actually, I have no idea what she was going to say. Perhaps she offended the officious elders too.

“Oh…right.”

“My mate died and I am alone. It is lonely and I like the touching.”

Her broken English makes me smile.

“I understand. I like the touching too,” I reply, making her laugh.

“It is good, touching Lorsett, yes?”

My face heats up at the memory of us last night.

“Yes, it is good,” I answer shyly.

“Why are you punished?”

For no fucking reason.

“I made the elders angry.”

“Ah, that is bad. Really bad. I know it must be bad because Larsett should no be in crixus.”

“Crixus? Do you mean these cells?”

“I do not know what cells is. It is this hole with no door.”

“Yes, a cell. Crixus,” I repeat.

“The elders are…” She pauses, searching for the word.

“Stupid?” I offer and she laughs.

“You funny, Larsett. Yes, they are. They do not like me.”

“They do not like me either,” I reply sadly.

“Pride is lots important to them. They put you in crixus to mock you. I learned this word; mock. I am mock a lot.”

I feel sorry for Jazkick as she talks.

“I will not mock you. Tell me more about you,” I ask, wanting to pass the time.

In stilted English that is sometimes hard to understand, Jazkick tells me about her life. It is actually really interesting. I had no idea that prostitution would be a thing on Jalexus but I suppose, no matter where you are, sex sells.

---

After an hour, when I am bursting for a wee and could really do with a glass of water, Zenaxor returns. I glare at him as he approaches the gate. His eyes give me a once over, checking I’m okay, then he unlocks the door.

“We need to go and make the announcement. Everyone has gathered in the square,” he tells me, his voice neutral.

I don’t say anything. I follow him as he leads me back into the castle and up two flights of stairs. We go through a door that leads onto a carved stone balcony. I walk up to the edge and my stomach flips. There are thousands of Jalix below, looking up with interest in their eyes. They catch sight of me and openly stare. I gulp and take a step back, feeling very much like an animal in the zoo.

Zenaxor steps up next to me and places his hand on my lower back. I’m tempted to push him off but I understand this is about appearances. His people need their leader to show a united front. I force a smile onto my face and fake a happiness I don’t currently feel.

Zenaxor addresses the crowd in Jalix. Not understanding a word of it, I entertain myself with people-watching or rather, alien-watching. There are so many subtle differences between the Jalix, the main variation being in their horns. They are all different shapes, sizes and colours. I wonder if some are perceived more attractive than others.

Finally, Zenaxor finishes his speech. Below, our audience stomp their feet. Zee turns to me and gives me a small smile.

“They are pleased that I have found my mate. They are honouring their new Larsett.”

I manage to give a real smile this time as I look out at the Jalix. The stares are still there, but they seem to be genuinely happy.

“Come, let’s go inside.”

I follow Zee back in, my irritation returning with the pressure in my bladder. He turns to face me once the door is closed.

“We need to talk.”

“I need to pee,” I tell him abruptly and turn on my feet.

I leave the room and go down the corridor. It takes me a few turns but I manage to orientate myself and find my way back to our bedroom. I use the cleaning room and come out to find Zenaxor waiting for me. I cross my arms over my chest.

“What do you want to talk about?”

He sighs. “You cannot speak to me with that tone.”

I scoff and shake my head. “Watch me.”

His eyes narrow and he takes a threatening step towards me. He might be a big alien, but he doesn’t scare me.

“Lose the attitude or I will spank it out of you.”

I raise my chin and meet his eyes. “Go for it.”

Chapter Thirteen

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Lily.

I yelp as my world spins. It takes my brain a second or two to catch up. He has grabbed me and flipped me. I’m across his lap as he sits on the bed like before. He lifts one of his legs and pins my own legs down with his thick thigh. I struggle to move and he grabs the back of my neck, holding me down. I am immobilised and I huff in frustration, my fingers clawing at the floor.

“You will take this punishment, Lily.”

His voice sounds over my heavy breathing. I go limp in his arms, knowing that it will hurt more if I am tense. He pushes my wrap up to bare my ass and then rains down slap after slap. It hurts more than before, I don’t know if it is because I am angry and not aroused. Tears pool in my eyes but I refuse to let them fall. I blink them away, sniffing a lot.

It feels like it goes on forever. My butt and thighs are burning, my skin stinging like hell. I breathe a long sigh of relief when his hand finally relents. He removes his leg that is pinning me down and helps me to stand. My wrap falls back into place against my tender skin. I wipe the errant tears away and meet his concerned but determined gaze.

“How do you feel now? Is there anything you want to say?” He asks me.

I glare right back at him. “I feel sore and pissed off. How are you?” I retort sarcastically.

His eyes narrow once more, a tell-tale sign of him losing his temper.

“That is twice now that you have not responded appropriately to punishment,” he admonishes me.

“I don’t care. Your punishments make no sense to me. I did nothing to earn being in that stupid cell.”

“I don’t understand,” he murmurs to himself. “You should be contrite, asking for forgiveness.”

I snort loudly. “Yeah, good luck with that.”

“It doesn’t make sense.”

“No, you don’t make sense. I don’t know what is up with your Jalix relationships but this is not how we treat each other on Earth.”

He looks at me with interest. “Perhaps that is why. You are human, maybe that makes it different.”

“You’re damn right it does! I demand more respect than this. Relationships are about equality.”

He looks at me curiously for another moment and then does something that shocks me. He strides out of the room with purpose, not saying another word. My mouth hangs open in shock. We’re in the middle of an argument and he just leaves?

What the fuck?

---

I give myself a few moments to calm down, then I leave our bedroom. On my way down the corridor, I bump into Tahy.

“Oh, hey!”

She smiles at me. “I was to find you. Zenaxor says that you have food in the kitchen.”

“Oh okay, thank you. Do you…do you know where he is?” I ask hesitantly, wondering where he stormed off to.

“He is in a meeting,” she says. “I will take you to the kitchen.”

A meeting? Who is he meeting with and why didn’t he tell me?

When we get to the kitchen, a wonderful staff member has prepared me a selection of plants that are like fruit and vegetables. Tahy sits with me while I eat, she seems very interested in the way I break apart the food with my fingers to eat it. There is no cutlery on Jalexus. I think I’m finally getting used to the water being green.

“Do you know who Zenaxor is with?”

She nods. “Yes, he is with Kaladran from the Fitix clan.”

Another clan? It must be to do with territory stuff then.

“I didn’t know he had a meeting today.”

She shakes her head. “It was…how you say, the surprise? He told me to find you and make sure you eat food.”

“Oh, okay. Thank you, the food is very good.”

She beams at me and I smile shyly back. Thinking of my punishment this morning, I can’t help but ask.

“Are you happy with Nexor?”

She blinks slowly, as if not understanding the question.

“Happy? Yes, I am happy. He is my mate.”

I guess it’s that simple. If only it were that simple for me.

---

Zenaxor.

I converse with Kaladran in our native tongue, thanking him for coming by at such short notice. It was difficult to get a message to him but thankfully he was travelling through the territories when I sent my workers out.

I explain the situation of this morning to him, all the way up to what Lily said to me when we argued earlier. He remains quiet the whole time, listening carefully.

“I don’t understand. I don’t want to argue with her but she is being so difficult. I have never met a female like her. Punishment does not seem to work.”

“Humans are different,” he says finally. “Very different. I learned that the hard way.”

Kaladran brought his mate Trish back five moon cycles ago. He understands them more than I do and he is the only one I thought could help me.

“What do I do?”

“Human relationships focus heavily on equality. Lily is angry with you because she thinks she was unfairly punished. You were not to know that the water would be too hot, I wish I had known that you had taken a human mate and I could have warned you. Trish does not like her baths that hot.”

“She doesn’t understand that I was trying to make the right choice. The elders wanted her to be publicly punished and I knew from her aversion to being naked in front of others that she would not want me to spank her in front of the council.”

“No, she wouldn’t. Humans are very prudish that way.”

“So the cell was the lesser of two evils.”

“She doesn’t know that, right? Have you explained that to her?”

“No,” I mutter petulantly.

“You need to apologise and explain yourself.”

“Why do I need to apologise?”

“Because you burned your mate.”

My embarrassment grows as I hear his words. He is right. I failed my mate, she was hurt under my watch. I have been so caught up in my head that I forgot to realise that.

“Humans prefer to sort arguments through talking. Lily will want to talk with you, for you both to explain why you are annoyed and then find common ground. Maybe you both apologise, maybe one of you does. It does not matter. But the cells will not work with humans, she will only resent you more.”

I recall with great detail the look of hatred on my mate’s face when I shut her in the crixus. I never want her to look at me that way again.

Kaladran gives me some more advice on handling a human mate and I take it eagerly. I thank him for his help. He gets to his feet and then pauses.

“Has your human had their monthly cycle yet?”

I look at him in confusion and he goes on to explain what a period is. I vaguely recall it from my lessons in human anatomy. Jalix do not have periods. For humans, they are a way of gauging when a female is fertile and when they are with child. Lily and I have mated now, she could become pregnant. A part of me hopes she never has a period again. I want her round with my offspring.

“I will talk to her about it. Thank you Kaladran, you have been extremely helpful.”

I see the Jalix out, then I go upstairs to find my mate.

Lily is sitting in our bedroom with a book open on her lap. I’m glad that we have a lot of English books for her. I should look for some more at the market tomorrow. Her head raises when I walk in, but she ignores me and looks back down at her book again. I come to stand in front of her.

“Lily.”

With a sigh, she closes her book. When she looks up at me, I see the tiredness in her eyes. Guilt weighs heavy on me. I am the cause of her unhappiness. I have failed her as a mate. Her eyes widen as I drop to my knees in front of her, bringing us to eye-level.

“I am sorry.”

Her eyes flare even wider. “Pardon?”

“I am sorry,” I tell her. “I was wrong to punish you. I see that now.”

Her eyes flare even wider. “What makes you say this?”

I sit back on my heels and take the book from her lap. She sits up straighter on the chair and looks at me with interest.

“I met with a Jalix male who has a human as a mate,” I explain. “He told me about the equality in human relationships and explained that typical punishments such as being locked in the crixus will not be beneficial.”

Her lips twitch and she huffs. “No, they won’t be.”

“I understand now why you were annoyed. I promise to never put you in the crixus again.” Remembering Kaladran’s words, I explain myself further, “The elders were calling for your punishment to be a spanking in front of them. I know you would have not have felt comfortable with that. Putting you in the crixus was my way of avoiding your embarrassment.”

She looks unsure for a moment and presses her lips together. “I’m not sure you can use the excuse of avoiding my embarrassment by choosing the humiliating punishment.”

I acquiesce and slightly bow my head. “Good point.”

Testing my luck, I lean in towards her. I hear her breathing quicken as I get close to her neck. Slowly, I bring my mouth down on her skin and kiss it.

“I am sorry,” I murmur against her skin. “I promise to listen to you in the future. To talk about our problems first.”

She doesn’t say anything but she turns her head to give me better access. I kiss all over the junction of her neck. I suck gently on the skin and scrape my fangs over it. She shivers and releases a small moan. The scent of her arousal hits my nose, sweet like the honey they eat on Earth.

“Let me take you to bed and show you how sorry I am.”

---

Lily.

I should say no. I’m still mad at him.

Yet despite my best intentions, my body betrays me. I watch his nostrils flare as he breathes in my smell. I find it both hot and embarrassing that he can smell when I am turned on for him.

His hands slide up my thighs, his mouth still wreaking havoc on my neck. I remember how good it felt when he fed from me last time. I want to feel him feed again. He pushes up the wrap around my waist and parts my thighs. His claws are retracted as he rubs his thumbs over my underwear, right on my labia.

He needs to, right? It’s been a few days…I wouldn’t be a good mate if I didn’t take care of him…

“Do you need to feed?” I ask breathlessly.

He hums into my neck. “More than you know.”

“Y-you can, if you want,” I stumble over the words because my brain loses it when he bites down, stopping just before he breaks skin.

He growls into my neck and picks me up. He carries me over to the bed and gently lays me down on it, then he’s parting my legs and pulling off my underwear. His mouth latches onto my neck, sucking on the skin hard enough to give me a hickey. I open my mouth to protest -I’m not wearing make-up here so everyone will see it- but the words die out as he pushes a thick finger inside me.

Zee groans into my neck and adds another finger. “So warm, so tight, so fucking wet.”

I would laugh at the sound of him using an English swear word if I weren’t in so much pleasure right now. He pumps his fingers in and out of me. His thumb finds my clit and does that perfect rubbing thing. Pleasure spikes down my back.

He speeds up, moving his fingers faster as he nips at my neck. An orgasm starts to build, the muscles in my pussy flutter around his fingers. Just as my climax starts to crest, he sinks his teeth into my neck.

My vision blacks out. I think I cry out, but the sound that I make in my throat is not one I recognise. Zee growls against my neck, the vibrations travel throughout my body. He drinks my blood in long pulls that match the waves of pleasure that coast through me. The feeling is euphoric.

Even after my climax has ebbed away and he has retracted his fangs from my neck, I ride a blissful high. I’m aware of Zee pulling me into his arms. I come round to his steady breathing as he smooths his hand over my hair in a comforting action.

“How are you feeling, kisera?” He asks into my hair, kissing my temple.

“So good,” I reply languidly. “What about you? Did you feed enough?”

He groans and chuckles. “More than enough, I feel as though I could fight a thousand clans.”

I snuggle deeper against him. “Please don’t. Just hold me.”

He chuckles again and rubs my back. “I won’t move until you tell me to.”

“We didn’t have sex,” I observe. “Don’t you want to bond?”

“I don’t want to rush you,” he says. “You need to tell me when you’re ready, this is on your terms.”

It’s what he said last time. It’s reassuring to know he is so willing to wait for me. As clan leader, I thought he would be under more pressure to bond with his mate. I love that he is giving me time. I press my face into his bare chest again, stealing his warmth.

“You’re amazing,” I murmur.

He snorts, a human mannerism that he has learned from me. “You didn’t think that a little time ago.”

That makes me smile. “Everyone knows the best part of fighting is the making up.”

Chapter Fourteen

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Lily.

The next day, Zenaxor sits with me as I eat breakfast, then he announces that he is taking me into town for the market. From what I can gather, it is on most days.

The castle is right in the centre of town, and when we step off the property onto the road, we’re only minutes from the town square. I spend the majority of the time wide-eyed and asking Zenaxor a million questions. He is patient with me, appreciating the fact this is my first time in an alien village so obviously I am going to have questions. My mind is still boggling over the fact the hard ground beneath our feet is a deep purple, like aubergines.

The market is very similar to human ones with stalls and cloth coverings over them. Lots of the Jalix are weaving sixnas cloth behind their stalls as they wait for customers. I’m actually looking forward to Tahy showing me how to do it.

Zenaxor slows down to let me admire all of the stalls. He holds my hand, earning lots of curious looks from everyone. It surprises me that holding hands is a purely human action. There are stalls of expensive jewellery that aren’t very busy. There are ones selling plants. I don’t know why I am surprised that Jalix tend their gardens.

“I found someone who will mix paints for you,” Zee tells me. “We can collect it up ahead.”

“That’s great! Thank you so much.”

A stall with small bottles intrigues me and I wander towards it. Zee releases my hand and goes up ahead to the stall where the Jalix has mixed paints for me. Thankfully, I brought my brushes with me.

“Do you speak English?” I ask the female Jalix who stands behind the stall.

She nods eagerly. “Yes. This is…” she sweeps her hand and says proudly, as though she has learned the word especially, “Apothecary.”

“An apothecary? Wow. What do these do?” I ask her, gesturing to the small bottles.

“They are berries,” she says the word carefully, like most Jalix do when they’re saying an English word. “These are for summer sleeping sickness.” She points to the bottles at the other end of her stall. “These are for winter sleeping sickness.”

Zenaxor mentioned that they only have two illnesses on Jalexus, and they’re both treatable with these berries. I’m lucky to be here. I’ll probably be far healthier on this planet than I was back on my own.

“We have berries for humans,” she says and holds up a bottle with small green pods in it. She points to her large forehead. “This is for the ache in the head.”

“Headaches? That’s good.”

“Yes, headache,” she says quickly, correcting herself.

I thank her for her time and then move on. It’s good to know where I can come if I need to. The next stall is filled with books, and to my delight, some of them are in English.

“You found them,” Zee says, appearing next to me with a wide smile. “I wanted to buy you more. Pick any that you like, money is of no problem.”

Dream words for this girl.

“Thank you.”

When I am down pillaging the stall, we walk back to the castle, books and paints in hand. I have everything I need to be very happy here.

---

“I have a regret at having that easel constructed for you.”

I grin at Zee over my shoulder, brush in hand. I have barely left the tower room in the last five days. Zee has had to come and collect me each time he wants time with me. My creative juices have been flowing with all this new content. I’ve painted vista after vista of the Jalexus landscape, I’m obsessed with the colours.

“Sorry, Zee. I’m in the zone.”

He comes up behind me and places his hands on my hips. He leans forward and kisses my neck. His big body is pressed up against me and I lean back against him.

“You’re always in the zone,” he murmurs against my skin.

“I know. Sorry.”

It’s hard for my apology to sound sincere when I am not that sorry. I have loved being in the creative zone, it has felt so good to paint almost endlessly for days. Knowing that my mate has been neglected, I make myself put down the paintbrush. I turn around and put my arms around his neck. Leaning up on my tiptoes, I brush my lips to his.

“How about this, you go and wait for me in our bed and I will join you in ten minutes and make it worth your while. Hmm?”

His eyes brighten -somehow it is possible even with black eyes- and he smiles. “Very well. I shall be waiting, kisera.”

He leaves the room and I pick up the brush again. I resume the area I am working on and my mind wanders to what awaits for me in our bedroom. Although I have enjoyed the nights Zee and I have spent together the last week, I am aching for more. He explained to me that, because we are mates, our bodies will urge us to mate if we keep withholding sex and feeding. I have felt the sense of urgency to bond with him grow the last few days. It seems our bond is getting impatient.

I don’t mind the growing need. Zenaxor has been very clear that he will not rush me, but in turn he has given me the space to come to terms with this. I am ready to bond with him, to lose some of my humanity and become part-Jalix. A part of me is excited to see what my new fangs will look like. I’m still hesitant about what blood will taste like, but I trust Zee when he says it tastes incredible from your mate.

Finally putting my brush down, I step back to admire the painting. Pleased with myself, I go over to the small water fountain and wash the paint from my hands. When I’m clean, I head down to our bedroom. Sure enough, Zenaxor is waiting for me on the bed, a book in his hands. I go past him into the cleaning room and get ready for bed. I take a deep breath for courage and when I step back out, I haven’t bothered to put my wrap back on. Zenaxor’s eyes widen as I come to the bed fully naked. It’s adorable the way he hurriedly puts the book down. His eyes roam over me, his hands fisting on his lap.

I kneel on the bed beside him and pull him in for a kiss. His lips respond eagerly to mine, his big hands come up to cup my face. His tongue draws a moan from me as it slips past my lips. I get caught up in our kiss, my body focussed entirely on him. When he pulls away, my lips feel swollen in the best way.

“I want to bond with you tonight,” I tell him softly.

He inhales a sharp breath in surprise. His hands move from my face down to my hips and he pulls me onto his lap. I kiss him again, my lips mould perfectly to his. Tilting my head slightly to get a better angle, we kiss more deeply, our tongues exploring each other’s mouths. Zee retracts most of his claws but keeps his index finger claws out to carefully trace my nipples. He teases them until they grow tight at the scratching sensations. I arch my back, pushing my breasts forwards so that he can cup and squeeze them. I grind my hips on his erection, rubbing it over his loin cloth.

He flips me suddenly and I find myself on my back, looking up at the ceiling. I watch Zee remove his loin cloth and reveal his hard cock, bobbing with momentum and leaking pre-come. Unable to resist, I sit up and take his dick in my hands. He hisses as I wrap my mouth around the head and suckle him deep. I love the feeling of the ridges and bumps against my tongue as I move up and down his shaft.

Zee lets me have my fun for a little while, but he pushes me away before I can make him come. With a gentle shove, he has me on my back again. He parts my thighs with his big hands and then he’s devouring my pussy with his mouth. I’m lucky for Zee in a lot of ways, but his love of eating me out makes me feel particularly blessed to have him as a mate.

He licks me all over, spears his tongue as deep as it can go inside me and teases me with gentle nips all over my labia before finally sucking on my clit. He really is the king of foreplay. If I’m not dripping already, I am after he spits on my pussy and smears it his saliva into my folds with his tongue. Just when I think I’m actually going to combust right here on the bed before we can bond, he sucks hard on my clit and sends me tumbling into a powerful orgasm.

I’m still faintly trembling from the aftershocks when he gets to his knees between my legs. He rubs the smooth head of his cock up and down my folds a few times, coating himself in my wetness, before meeting my eyes. With our gazes locked, he slowly sinks himself into me. It’s so erotic that I nearly come again on the spot.

Once he is fully inside, he stays there for a moment. He drops his head forwards and captures my mouth again. As we kiss, I get impatient and wiggle my hips, trying to encourage him to move. He chuckles into the kiss and finally starts to fuck me. He draws out and slides in with long strokes. I dig my heels into his buttocks, urging him to drive into me over and over again.

He keeps his weight off me with one hand and rubs my clit with the other. He matches the speed of his circles with the thrust of his hips. I’m so turned on that it only takes a minute for me to topple over the edge again.

While my clit recovers from another bone-melting orgasm, he brushes my hair back from my neck. He kisses over my sensitive skin, finding the right place to bite me. My body starts to throb in anticipation, recalling how good it feels when he feeds from me.

His thumb finds my clit again and starts rubbing fast. I whimper and dig my fingers into his shoulders. He fucks me faster, his hips working back and forth. Another orgasm steadily builds and then he is sinking his fangs into my neck, surging it forwards to crash through me.

I cry out his name and my pussy clamps around his cock. Zee moans into my neck and I feel his dick twitching inside me as he finds his release. My chest grows warm, my heart practically humming inside me. I know it is the bond solidifying between us. Zee stops drinking my blood but keeps his fangs lodged in my neck. He moans again and squeezes me tightly to him. I can feel breathing matching mine, fast and laboured.

He retracts his teeth and licks my blood from his fangs. His expression is one of total adoration as he pulls back to look down at me. He strokes my cheek lovingly.

“My mate.”

---

I have the best night’s sleep of my entire life. I wake in Zee’s arms and we both have the same loved-up expressions on our faces. He snuggles in closer to me and kisses my cheek.

“Good morning, kisera.”

“Morning,” I mumble back and then wince.

My teeth just scratched my bottom lip. I open my mouth and press the pad of my index finger to one of my canines. I gasp at how sharp it feels. Zee’s eyes are full of warmth as he looks at me.

“Your fangs have grown in, little mate.”

“Does this…does this mean I have to feed from you now?”

“You don’t have to. The plants will still give you enough sustenance if you prefer.”

“But I can feed from you?”

For some reason, the idea seems far more appealing than it did yesterday. This must be the mate bond fuelling this craving, playing with my head.

Zee’s voice takes on a huskier tone as he answers, “Yes, you can. Do you want to?”

My eyes dart from his neck and back up to his face again. At the thought of biting him, my fangs ache in my gums. My body is telling me to do this even if my mind is hesitant.

“Maybe? Um, can I try it and stop if I don’t like it?”

He smiles widely. “Of course you can.”

He lays back on the bed and tilts his head to one side, giving me plenty of access to his throat. I lick my lips and lean in close. As I get closer to his neck, I can see the fluttering of a blood vessel just below the surface of his skin. My whole mouth fills with saliva at the sight of it.

Oh, boy.

I kiss the area first and he shudders. His hands are balled into fists at his sides and his erection is pushing against the blanket. Reassured that he is excited by this, I open my mouth and scrape my teeth over the skin. He groans and I resist a smile. Before I can talk myself out of it, I open my mouth and bite down.

Chapter Fifteen

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Lily.

The moment Zee’s blood touches my tongue, I realise how very wrong I was about this. The flavour bursts over my tastebuds and I moan at the delicious richness of his blood. It tastes like nothing I’ve ever had before. I pull hard on his neck and my mouth fills with his delicious warm blood. I swallow it greedily and draw out more. Zee moans against me, the sound vibrates through us both. I take one last final gulp and then swallow. My stomach already feels full, my body is telling me that I’ve had enough. I swallow again and carefully withdraw my teeth. I lick the wound I’ve created, making sure that no drop of blue blood is left on his skin. I wipe my mouth as I pull back to look at him. His eyes are dazed with lust.

“How was that?” He asks dreamily.

“Incredible,” I murmur. I stroke his jaw. “I take it it felt good for you?”

He grins at me. “I almost came.”

“Like me then!” I reply with a giggle.

He pulls me into his arms and we cuddle in silence for a moment, just basking in each other’s presence. I am so supremely happy.

“You’ve changed my whole life,” I whisper.

Zee holds me tighter and kisses the top of my head. “As have you with mine, little mate.”

He strokes my arm up and down and my eyes lull closed in contentment.

“This feeling that you have right now?” Zee murmurs. “It’s the bond. Over the next week, it will grow stronger each time we feed or fuck and by the end, we will be sealed as mates.”

“Are you saying I have to sleep with you and bite you for a week for the sake of our bond?” I ask teasingly and he chuckles.

“I’m saying exactly that, kisera.”

“What a hardship.”

“It is my duty,” he says solemnly, making me laugh.

Eventually, the ache in bladder becomes too much to ignore and I reluctantly leave the bed. I relieve myself and then brush my teeth in the cleaning room. Zenaxor comes to join me, brushing his own teeth at my side. When I’m done, I take a pill from the blister pack and swallow it dry. Zenaxor frowns in confusion.

“What is that?”

“It’s the contraceptive pill.”

His nostrils flare and his eyes narrow on me. “Contraceptive? I know this word. It means to stop pregnancy, no?”

“Yes, that’s one of its jobs. It also stops me from having a period when I don’t want one. I take this every day for a few weeks, then I have a week off when I…uh, bleed. I don’t think Jalix have periods, do they?”

“No they don’t,” he says through gritted teeth. “You mean to tell me that while I have been lying in bed, thinking of the young we may have created during our mating last night, I was…what is the word?” He frowns, getting frustrated. “Kid? Kidding myself?”

“I’m sorry, I didn’t know you had no idea. I’ve been taking a pill every day since I met you. I thought you knew.”

He shakes his head in exasperation. “You wish to continue taking them?”

My eyes widen in surprise. Obviously I have thought about a future with Zenaxor, but I’ve only just got here! I’m still not fully settled on this new planet, I don’t want to start a family right away.

“Well, yes.”

“Why would you try and stop what is natural?” He demands. “We are mates, this is what mates do, they mate and breed. It is fate.” His shoulders drop and a crestfallen look comes over his face. “Do you not want a family with me?” He asks in a small voice.

“Oh, Zee,” I reach out and he tenses under my hand on his arm. “I do want a family, one day, but not now. Are you honestly telling me that there is no contraception on this planet? That you all just get pregnant all the time?”

He shakes his head. “I do not know, I have never had to discuss contraception with anyone as I have not been with a mate and you can only breed with your mate. Here on Jalexus, our fertility is low. Every pregnancy is a blessing.”

I press my lips together, feeling guilty now. I pull my hand back and put my hands on my hips.

“I’m not saying that being pregnant isn’t a blessing. I’m asking you for time. You didn’t rush me to bond with you, you gave me time to adjust. I need that same mindset now. I want children in our future, but I need to figure out what life on this planet looks like for us first. Do you understand that?”

He sighs heavily at my words, but I think I’ve gotten through to him. After a moment, he nods and waves his hand at me.

“Keep your pills,” he says, his face taking on a determined expression that makes me gulp. “They will not to stop me from filling you with my seed.”

My mouth drops open at his statement. He walks towards the doorway, his bare butt flexing, and then he turns back to me.

“And mate?” I meet his eyes and he smirks. “They will eventually run out and I will breed you.”

He spins back around and walks out, leaving me gaping after him.

The fuck? He will breed me?

“The fuck you will,” I mutter to myself.

I count the pills that I have left. There are not enough. I won’t be ready to be a mother in two months’ time. I was thinking more six months to a year before we have a discussion about it. I’m only twenty-one for fuck’s sake!

I need to find more contraceptive and fast.

---

My back-up plan comes in the form of the apothecary stall at the market. I don’t wait to ask Zenaxor to take me. Instead, when he is busy with the elders (I’ve been calling them the council of dicks in my head. ‘Smelders’ if I’m feeling particularly petty that day), I sneak out of the castle and into town by myself. It’s not really sneaking because everyone stares. I’m like the most conspicuous person on the planet.

“Hello again,” I greet the female Jalix and she smiles widely.

“Hello. Are you wanting to buy medicine? I have the aches for the head berries.”

“Not those, sorry,” I tell her quickly. “I need-” I pause and make sure I remember the pronunciation properly before I say, “kilfass.”

I spent the whole of this morning going through every English-Jalix dictionary I could get my hands on until I finally found the Jalix word for contraception. I have no idea if this stallholder stocks it, or if she even knows what it is, but I have to try.

Her eyebrows raise and she nods. “I have.” She nods again and holds up her clawed hand. “Two minutes.”

She rushes away from the stall and into the house behind it. I shift my weight from one foot to the other as I wait. When she comes back, she is holding a linen bag. She opens it to reveal several dried leaves inside.

“Kilfass,” she says.

“How do I take it?” I ask and gesture to my mouth.

“Hot water,” she says and takes out a leaf. She crushes it in her palm and pours it from one hand to the other. “In hot water.”

“Oh, like a cup of tea,” I reply and she frowns. “Coffee?” I try and her face lights up.

“Yes, coffee. Hot water.”

“How much do I take?”

She pours the crushed leaf bits back into the bag and pulls out one of the leaves. She breaks it in two and holds half up.

“A day,” she says.

“Half a leave a day? Okay.” I pull out the small pouch of jewellery I have with me. Carefully, I take out the small diamond studs I bought myself for my 20th birthday as a splurge. “Are these enough?”

The female’s eyes light up at the diamonds and she holds out her palm for me. I place them in her hand and she brings it close to her face, studying them. They really do treasure jewels here.

“This enough,” she tells me. She grasps the bag of leaves and holds it out. “That give you…” she hesitates and looks to the sky as she works it out. “Six moon cycles.”

Zee told me that a moon cycle is 42 days.

“That’s perfect. Thank you!”

We both thank each other and I wave goodbye to her. I carry my goods back to the castle, feeling triumphant. I don’t know if I’m going to need all the leaves, but it feels good to have a back-up for my pill. Even if I don’t take it for contraceptive reasons, it will be nice not to have periods if I don’t have to.

I stash the bag in the kitchen area where Zenaxor will not look and then I go up to the tower room to wait for Tahy. She comes in a short while later, smiling in greeting.

“Lily,” she says in her thick accent. “How are you?”

“I am good, thank you. How are you, Tahy?”

She beams at me, startling me with her grin. Her hand comes to her swollen stomach. “I be pregnant.”

“You’re pregnant? Congratulations!” I tell her and pull her in for a hug.

She tenses up and I realise that the neck-rub thing might have been more appropriate.

“Sorry,” I tell her and withdraw. “It is a human custom.”

She frowns and says, “Show again?”

I carefully put my arms around her shoulders and press my body to hers. She puts her arms around me, under my armpits. It’s a little stiff and awkward but not too bad. When I pull back, she looks like she is blushing with her dark cheeks.

“What is this name?”

“Oh, what’s it called you mean? It is a hug.”

“Hug,” she repeats. “It is like mating,” she says, blushing further. “You hold in same way.”

I blush with her and giggle nervously. “No, a hug can be for friends. No mating.”

“Friends,” she repeats and grins again. “I know this word. We friends?”

I nod at her. “We are friends. Anyway, let’s talk about you! You’re pregnant.”

She beams again, clearly very happy with the news.

“Nexor is excited to be father, he very proud.”

“He should be. Congratulations again.”

Tahy and I sit next to each other on a bench and she gets the tools out of her bag. She proceeds to show me how to weave sixnas cloth into the wraps we wear. I’m finally learning how to make my own clothes.

“Do you think it will be male or female?”

“I do not know. I want female, Nexor want male.”

“How far along are you?” I ask and she blinks in confusion. “When will the baby be born?”

“Oh! 3 moon cycles. Jalix carry baby for 6 cycles.”

From what Zee told me, Jalix females can lose the pregnancy often, so it makes sense that she has waited half the gestation before telling others.

“Can I ask you something?”

She nods and I hesitate before deciding to go for it.

“I got some kilfass today,” I tell her and her eyes widen.

“You do not want baby?”

“I do! Just not now. Later. In more moon cycles.”

Her face softens and she nods. “Nexor not happy, I wait for baby. I get kilfass.”

“You took kilfass?” I ask in surprise and she nods.

“For 2 moon cycles. I not ready, but ready now.”

I feel relieved that I’m not the only one. Jalix females obviously use it too.

“Should I tell Zenaxor I have kilfass?” I ask her and she nods.

“Yes. He need to know. He your mate.”

“Yes, I guess he does deserve to know.”

---

I’m weaving more sixnas when Zee enters our bedroom. I take one look at the determined look on his face and get to my feet. I squeal with excitement as he grabs me, throws the sixnas down and carries me over to the bed.

“Zenaxor!” I cry with a laugh and he sets me down on the bed. He deftly unties my wrap, exposing my body to him. “What has gotten into you?”

“I want you,” he says and kisses up my neck to my jaw, then my lips. “I want my mate. Our bond needs it.”

I can’t argue with that. I spread my legs wider to let him kneel between them. He throws the loin cloth from his body and then he’s moving down me. He kisses between my breasts and down further. He licks my pussy quickly, targeting my clit with a precision that has me coming in under a minute. Satisfied that I am ready, he grips his cock and pushes inside me. We both groan as he begins to rut against me.

“Zee,” I gasp his name as he thrusts in particularly hard.

“You are mine,” he murmurs and kisses along my jaw. “My mate. My lily. My kisera.”

It’s fast and heated and intense. I wait for him to bite me but he doesn’t. Instead he gets faster and faster until we both come at the same time. I call out his name as he releases his come inside me.

As we lay on the bed after, his cock still inside me, I ask him why he didn’t feed from me. He smirks and leans in to kiss me. Our tongues touch at the same time I feel his dick twitch inside me. I break the kiss with a gasp.

“You’re hard again?”

He grins devilishly and pushes back on top of me. He slides in and out easily, his thrusts slickened by his earlier climax.

“I wonder how much your pill can take?” He murmurs and nips my jaw playfully. “If I fill you up until I’m leaking down your thighs, will it stop working? Will it be able to handle all this come I’m going to give you?”

His filthy words set my face aflame. It appears I’ve unlocked a breeding kink in my mate. I put my hand under his chin to make him look at me.

“I bought kilfass today,” I tell him and his eyes go hard, his jaw clenching. “I will take it until I think we are ready to have a baby, but I want you to know that I want that conversation with you. I want to have a family with you and I will have your babies one day, Zee. I swear it.”

His eyes soften and he sighs. “If that is what you want, kisera.”

“I want you,” I whisper and he smiles, showing off his fangs.

I turn my head to the side, inviting him to feed.

Epilogue

⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆☽Ⓛ❈Ⓒ☾⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆

Lily.

“Good morning, Ilnah.”

The female apothecarist startles at my speaking of her language and she smiles widely.

“Good morning, Larsett,” she replies. “You know Jalix?”

Recognising the words, I translate them in my head and repeat a phrase that I’ve been saying for the last few months. “I am learning.”

Her smile broadens. “That is good.” She looks down at her wares and back up at me. “Would you like more kilfass?”

I shake my head and load up the next words in my head. “I wanted to say hello.”

At this, she smiles again. “Hello, Larsett.”

For a couple of minutes, we have a stilted conversation where I try to ask her how she is and form a suitable response when she asks me. She tells me to come back to her any time I need to practice.

I walk back towards the castle, taking my time while I can feel the breeze on my skin. I’ve definitely gotten used to the warmer climate on Jalexus. I don’t miss rainy England one bit. There are plenty of things I do miss, including music. Zenaxor teases me for how much I sing around the castle, trying to bring some tune into our lives. I thought I would miss food more, but from the moment I first tasted my mate’s blood, I’ve been satisfied.

As I’m approaching the castle, a flash of purple fabric catches my eye. I step backwards and lean back to look around a stall. Leaning against one of the houses is Jazkick, horns shining, lips painted a dark red. She catches sight of me over her John’s shoulder and winks, grinning. He starts to turn to see who she is looking at but she takes his jaw and pulls his face back towards her. I smile to myself and keep walking, pleased to see that old habits die hard. For the most part, having a friend who is Larsett keeps her out of the crixus cells.

Inside the castle, the temperature drops a few degrees. I head for Nexor and Tahy’s wing, eager to see their baby. Their daughter, Dathalia, was born just over two moon cycles ago and is the cutest little Jalix I’ve ever seen. Her tiny stubby horns, blunt claws and big inquisitive black eyes make me broodier than ever.

“Hey, how are you doing?” I ask Tahy she lets me in.

She has been teaching me to speak Jalexus and in turn, I have been helping her with her English. We hug now as well because Tahy feels more comfortable with it.

“I am well, thank you. Dathalia is looking forward to seeing you.”

The moment she puts her baby in my arms, I’m a goner. I snuggle into my niece, rubbing my face in her neck as she gurgles.

“She’s so perfect.”

Tahy grins. “Thank you. Nexor struggle to leave every morning.”

“Struggles,” I correct her gently and turn back to my niece. “I don’t blame him. It’s hard for me to put her down.”

“Soon, you will have your own.”

We share a secret smile. Last week, I stopped taking the kilfass herbs. I haven’t told Zenaxor yet, but at the start of each new moon cycle, he has been asking whether I am ready or not. I know he is so eager to make a family. He thinks making a family for us is him fulfilling his role as mate, but I know it’s also because he sees his niece and he wants desperately to be a father.

I’m finally settled on Jalexus. I think of this planet as home now. The castle is my house, my paintings are hung on most of the walls thanks to Zee. The only thing I could really do without are the calpits. They sneak into the garden and honk like skunks, but the gardeners have come up with clever deterrents.

“I’m going to tell Zenaxor tonight,” I share with Tahy and she claps her hands, another human gesture I’ve taught her.

“He will be very happy.”

I stroke my finger over Dathalia’s soft cheek. “I hope so.”

---

“This is a surprise.”

I look up from my book to see my handsome mate watching me with his hands on his hips.

“What is?”

“To find you in our room and not at your easel.”

I grin at his teasing and put my book down. “I don’t spend all my time painting.”

He huffs and shakes his head. “That is a lie.”

“It is not!”

He gives me a cheeky grin before pulling me into his arms. He buries his face in my neck and kisses along my shoulder.

“Mm, I missed you.”

“You’ve only been gone a few hours.”

“It has been a long day, let me hold my mate,” he murmurs into my neck.

I stroke his horns and he shudders with pleasure. His eyes are shining when he pulls back to look at me.

“You can do more than hold me,” I whisper and his expression darkens.

“If my mate is in need, I should take care of her.”

I nod solemnly. “Yes, you should.”

I squeal as he grasps my hips and throws me backwards. I land on the bed with a bounce, giggling as he tears off his loin cloth and dives down on top of me. My legs automatically raise up and link around his waist. His hands are quick and methodical as he unties my wrap and tugs it free from my body. I’ve stopped wearing underwear beneath the wraps. The delighted look on my mate’s face each time he finds me bare is worth the breeze.

I recognise the look in Zee’s eyes. He wants to devour me. Before he can, I want my mouth on him. I place my hand on his chest and gently push. Concern immediately flashes on his face and he sits back, obviously thinking that I am rejecting him. When I lean forwards and take his cock into my mouth, his eyes flash with recognition.

“Kisera,” he groans and buries one clawed hand in my hair.

I groan around his dick as his claws carefully scratch my scalp. He keeps his hold firm as I begin to bob my head up and down on his cock. I love the feeling of all his rings and bumps rubbing over my lips and tongue. I try and trace them and he growls, clearly not enjoying my teasing.

“I wanted to pleasure you with my mouth,” he says breathlessly.

“My turn,” I tell him, briefly coming up for air and then going back down again.

He huffs and I feel his big hands move down my body. I don’t know what he has planned but suddenly I am lifted in the air. I gasp in surprise as he turns me with my mouth still on his dick. He brings my body over his, putting us into sixty-nine without any contribution on my part.

“Zee!”

“Sh, I’m eating,” he responds and then buries his tongue inside me.

His thorns rub against my thighs as he flicks his tongue back and forth. He pushes it deep inside my pussy and then withdraws to lick all over my folds, growling contently. I manage to return to the task in hand, literally. It is hard to focus on sucking him when his tongue is doing wicked things to my clit. Our mutual sounds of pleasure fill the room. As I come to a body-shaking climax, I wonder again how I got so lucky to have an alien mate.

I climb off him before he can give me any more orgasms. Zee growls in protest but the sound is cut short when I throw a leg over his waist and seat myself on his dick. He groans and flexes his hips up, pushing his dick up against my cervix. I drag my hands down his chest and it rumbles in pleasure. His hands hold tight on my hips, guiding me to ride him.

“You are magnificent,” he murmurs, his face full of adoration as he looks up at me.

I lean down and kiss him. I take my time, moving my lips over his as I roll my hips in circles. He groans and gently presses his claws into my skin. Breaking the kiss, I pull back and look into his eyes.

“I want to tell you something.”

His forehead crinkles as he frowns. “Right now?”

“Right now,” I whisper back and he looks at me in confusion, waiting for me to tell him. “I haven’t taken the kilfass herbs in a week.”

Surprise fills his features and his mouth parts, he sucks in a gasp in shock. His hands tighten on my hips, stilling my movements.

“You are serious?”

I nod quickly. “I’m not joking. I don’t know what will happen, how long it will take to be out of my system…I could start my period soon but it hasn’t happened yet. I don’t know.”

He reaches up and strokes my cheek tenderly, his eyes flicking back and forth between mine. “You want to have a family?”

I give him a shy smile. “I want to try.”

His hand wraps around the back of my neck and tugs, bringing me down to meet his mouth. The kiss is heated, full of passion and love. I can feel his gratitude in the kiss. He’s showing me how much this means to him. My heart throbs in my chest. I want nothing more than to make him happy. After meeting my niece and seeing how cute she is, I really want to see what half of me and him will be like.

Zee thrusts up into me, his movements losing their composure now that he knows the stakes. I can almost feel his need to fill me up. I know what is going through his head, his mind is filled with thoughts of breeding me right now. I’m pretty sure this isn’t the only time we’re going to have sex tonight, he probably wants to fill me up as much as possible to see if he can get me pregnant before sunrise.

“I am going to fill you up,” he says through clenched teeth, his hips working fast to thrust up into me.

I let out a soft laugh. My suspicions were right, then. I reach up and stroke his horns and he groans in pleasure. His dick twitches inside me and I clench my pussy back.

“Rub yourself,” he says quickly. “We come together.”

I love that he is always so generous in bed. I do as he asks and touch my clit, rubbing in fast circles as I bounce on his cock. He moves with me, his hip movements becoming jerky as he gets close.

“Zee,” I moan his name as my orgasm hits.

He groans loudly. His eyes flick open to meet mine just as he finds his release. Holding me on his cock, he comes deep inside me, his expression one of pure bliss and determination. I wait for my climax to ebb away before I lean down and kiss him.

“You have no idea how happy you make me,” he murmurs contently.

---

I wince as I bend down to pick up a strange-shaped toy that has rolled near my feet. I give it back to the small Jalix child that thanks me in his language. I am pleased that I can say ‘You’re welcome’ back to him. Zenaxor says my Jalix is really coming on, but I know he is being kind because he is my mate. It is a hard language to learn, but English is hard too. I know I will get the hang of it eventually.

Ilnah is looking out for me as I approach her stall. She smiles and gestures me to come over. In her hands is a small bottle of viscous blue liquid. It’s a little lighter than Jalix blood and I look at it in suspicion.

“You drink,” she says and pushes the bottle towards me.

I take it gingerly and ask her in broken Jalix, “This liquid will tell me if I am pregnant?”

She nods and replies in fast Jalix. Her excitement makes it hard for me to pick up on the words. It takes me a moment to repeat them in my head and translate them. I think she means that it will taste sweet if I’m pregnant, sour if I’m not.

With no other option because there are no pregnancy tests on this planet, I uncork the small bottle and sniff it. I grimace at the acidic smell and Ilnah scoffs.

“Drink!” She barks impatiently.

Apparently the Lorsett potentially having a heir is very exciting for her. I take a hesitant sip and find that the liquid doesn’t take anything like as acidic as it smells. I take another gulp and it melts on my tongue, sugary-sweet. Too sweet, really.

“It is very sweet,” I tell her in Jalix and her face lights up.

She points at my flat stomach. “Baby!” She declares in English.

I laugh along with her and she rushes around the stall to hug me. I’m slowly teaching the Jalix that hugging is normal. Maybe in 50 years or so, we will move away from the neck-rubby thing and hug instead.

Once Ilnah has congratulated me (by stomping her feet until others looked at us), I rush back to the castle. Zenaxor is working but I have learned that he likes to take his meetings out in what I call the cactus garden. It’s filled with plants that are very similar to cacti. Zenaxor has had several benches put in a circle so that he can meet the council of dicks there.

There are four elders with him as I step into the garden. They all look up. Zee frowns and gets to his feet immediately.

“Kisera, are you okay?”

“I’m sorry to interrupt,” I say in Jalix, nodding politely at the elders. “I need the Lorsett for one moment. I will be quick.”

A few of them making huffing noises but both Zee and I ignore them. They’re never going to like me and I don’t care. I’m here to stay, so they’re just going to have to suck it up.

Zee puts his hand on my lower back and guides me down one of the paths so that we can have privacy. He turns to me, concern on his face.

“What is it, little mate?”

“I’m sorry to disturb you during a meeting, but I had to tell you,” I say in a rush and he looks at me with interest. I reach out and take his hands in mine. “Ilnah just confirmed it. I’m pregnant, Zee.”

There is moment where his face is frozen as he processes the news, then he breaks out into a grin.

“You’re pregnant?”

I nod enthusiastically. “Yes!”

He squeezes my hands and then lets them go. He pulls me into his arms and laughs softly into my neck.

“Amazing,” he murmurs.

He begins to kiss all over my neck, over my cheeks and finally to my lips. He takes my mouth in a sweet kiss before pulling back to grin down at me.

“You are the greatest gift of my life, Lily.”

I tear up at his words but bat him playfully on the arm. “Only for a little while. Hopefully you’ll be saying that about the baby in a few cycles.”

He kisses me again and I feel his happiness shared with mine. I can’t wait to meet our little alien.

---

The End!

Thank you for reading angels 🩵💚🩵