by Olivia Black
“No,” the male answered. “The game isn’t over. Just patch me up and send me on my way.”
Talr strode over to the wall and turned on the full-body scanner. He tapped a few buttons on the keyboard, and a light came on. It ran over the Sweshian male’s body, and a 3D image of Zukan’s insides appeared. Talr looked over the image and highlighted the break in the male’s arm, along with a fractured ankle and some bruising. For a male that had played a rough game of kumbhika, Zukan’s injuries weren’t too bad.
Talr brought up the male’s medical history on the room’s computer. The documents appeared on a wall screen. The male had a series of injuries spanning several years. It wasn’t really a surprise considering Zukan was a warrior. Talr closed the file and gathered the instruments he needed.
He started with the break in Zukan’s arm, repairing the bone. Talr knew the male had to be in pain, but he didn’t react. He sat still, allowing Talr to work. Talr set the bone back into place before wrapping a healing cuff around the injury. The device started working, knitting the bone and skin back together.
When he was done with Zukan’s arm, Talr said, “Put your leg up. I need to fix your ankle.”
The male obeyed Talr’s request. He spun to the side and lifted his legs, placing them on the exam table. Talr fixed the male’s ankle before focusing on the scalp laceration and then wiping cream over the bruises marring his flesh. Talr worked quickly and efficiently. When he was done, Talr took a step back and examined his work.
“Thank you, Doctor Talr.”
Talr nodded. “I want you to take it easy for the next day or two. Your body needs time to heal, and I don’t want you to undo all of my hard work.”
Zukan didn’t look happy, but the male didn’t argue. He merely nodded in response. Although Talr had a sneaking suspicion that the male wouldn’t take his advice. He was sure that Zukan would end up in the arena to finish the kumbhika game with his team.
“Take care, Zukan.”
“Good day, Doctor Talr.”
Talr left the room. He walked around the medical facility, doing rounds on his other patients, before heading to his office. Talr tried to stay focused. He needed to work, but it was difficult, especially since he knew Bryson would be at his home when he got off work. The human belonged to him for the week. He would finally be able to spend time with the human outside of the medical building.
Talr took a seat behind his desk. He entered his passcode into the computer and opened a few patient records, typing notes and updating files.
“Talr.”
The doctor jerked his head up and watched as Kiev, the leader of Sweshan, strolled into his office. Talr rose to his feet and gave a slight bow in greeting. “It’s good to see you, sir.”
Kiev grinned. “It’s good to see you, as well.”
“What can I do for you?”
“Do I have to have a reason to visit an old friend?”
Talr dropped down in his chair and leaned back, making himself comfortable. “Let me guess, Paed called you.”
Kiev sat in a chair on the opposite side of Talr’s desk. “He mentioned that you were interested in a human.”
“The human’s name is Bryson Garrett,” Talr told him. “He’s been here for three months, and he hasn’t found a mate yet. My interest is for his well-being and mental health. Bryson needs a break. And I think it’s time for him to be given a job.”
It was true. Bryson did need a break, but Talr also wanted to spend some time with the human.
Kiev gave him a pointed look. The male studied Talr closely, and he did his best not to squirm under Kiev’s watchful gaze. After a moment, the male nodded, as if content with Talr’s explanation. Talr thought he was off the hook until a slow smile spread across his friend’s lips.
“You like him.”
Talr started shaking his head, rejecting Kiev’s words.
Kiev’s eyes narrowed. “You really like him.”
Talr opened his mouth to respond, and Kiev held up his hand, stopping him before he could deny the claim out loud.
“I’m really happy for you.” Kiev smiled. “You’ve been alone for a long time.”
Talr sighed heavily. He knew where this conversation was going, and truthfully, Talr wanted to avoid talking about the past. He’d been single for many years. It was a choice that he’d made a long time ago. But things had changed.
Talr had feelings for Bryson. He no longer considered the human to be just his patient. Bryson was so much more. Talr really cared about Bryson, and he was hoping that, eventually, the human might care for him, as well. It was going to be tough, though. He couldn’t just claim Bryson as his own. The human needed to have a positive pregnancy test at the end of their week together.
The government took the matching process very seriously. They wanted Sweshian males to find a well-suited partner. Unfortunately, compatibility wasn’t the only thing that mattered. Procreation and the survival of the Sweshian race were their main concern.
Bryson had already been placed with thirteen Sweshian males, and at the end of each week, he came into medical and was given a pregnancy test. So far, each one had been negative.
The connection Talr felt toward the human wasn’t something he could explain or put into words. Whenever Talr was around Bryson, he wanted to wrap his arms around the human and never let him go. He couldn’t stand to watch Paed take Bryson away from medical each week. It was incredibly difficult. And when Bryson returned, Talr secretly rejoiced with each negative test. He didn’t want any other Sweshian male to end up with his human.
“What’s going to happen to him?” Talr asked.
Kiev’s brows furrowed. “What do you mean?”
Talr sat up and leaned forward, placing his hands on the desk. “Bryson has had thirteen prospective mates. He’s gone through more of our males than any other human brought to Sweshan. What will happen to him if he doesn’t find a mate?”
Kiev gave him a perplexed look. It was obvious that the male didn’t know what to do about Bryson. “I’m not really sure what to do with the human. Like you said, this is a unique situation. What do you think? I’m sure you have an opinion.”
“I’d like to teach him how to be a medic,” Talr said. “He needs to learn a how to live here on Sweshan and take care of himself. I don’t think Bryson can handle much more. The human is depressed. He’s changing, and I don’t like it.”
Kiev nodded. “You think that he needs a break.”
“Yeah,” Talr agreed.
Bryson needed more than a break. The human shouldn’t have to worry about finding a mate among the Sweshan males, not after going through thirteen prospective mates. But Talr knew that Kiev wouldn’t let a fertile human simply live on Sweshan. The humans were brought to Sweshan to procreate.
“I like your idea, Talr, but don’t let this week slip away from you.” Kiev rose from his chair. “This is your chance. Bryson might be your mate. I know that you care about him and his well-being, but you need to think of the future.” The male smiled before turning on his heel and walking out of Talr’s office.
Chapter Four
Bryson strolled through the Sweshian male’s dwelling. He had no idea who his fourteenth prospective mate was, but the placement officer told him to make himself at home until the male joined him. Bryson strolled through the house, investigating his new surroundings, although he wasn’t sure it mattered. He would only be here for a week, and then he would be taken somewhere else.
The home looked like every other Sweshian dwelling he’d been in, except this one was on the top floor, which meant that his prospective mate held some rank within the Sweshian community.
When Bryson reached the threshold leading to the master suite, he toed off his shoes and removed the Sweshian-issued jumpsuit, tossing it aside. Naked, Bryson strolled through the bedroom and into the adjoining bathroom. He glanced down at the oval bathtub carved into the floor and smiled. A hot bath was exactly what he needed.
Bryson knel
t down and pressed a few buttons on a rectangular-shaped keypad. The water started, filling the tub, pouring in from the bottom. Bryson walked down the stairs. He waded through the water and sat down on a bench cut out of stone.
Bryson leaned his head back and stared up at the glass ceiling, watching brightly colored fish swim by overhead. He took a deep breath, inhaling and exhaling. He concentrated on his breathing, trying to relax, but it was incredibly difficult. He was tense. Just thinking about his next prospective mate put him on edge and made him jittery.
Bryson stayed in the water until it turned cold and he became uncomfortable. He didn’t want to get out, but he didn’t have much choice. Bryson leaned over the edge of the tub and pressed a button, and the water rushed down the drain. He stood up and reluctantly walked up the stairs. Bryson grabbed a towel from a nearby shelf and started drying off. When he was done, Bryson dropped the towel onto the floor and walked back into the bedroom.
He climbed onto the bed and moved to the middle of the soft mattress. Bryson knew what was expected of him, and he wasn’t going to fight it. If he were completely honest, Bryson was still holding on to a sliver of hope that he might find a mate, although he was sure it would never happen. Bryson had built a wall around his heart, protecting it. The fragile organ had been through too much already. And after thirteen prospective mates, Bryson did his best not to care. It made it easier to make it through each week.
Bryson dropped down onto the bed. He lay on his stomach, giving the Sweshian male a perfect view of his ass. He posed, waiting. He heard the front door slide open before closing shut. Bryson’s heart went wild, pounding rapidly as anxious energy raced through his system. He turned his head toward the threshold and schooled his features, waiting for the male to walk into the bedroom. When Talr came into view, Bryson froze.
His eyes widened, and his mouth dropped open in surprise. The last person Bryson expected to see was the doctor. Bryson’s mouth moved, but no words emerged. He was tongue-tied.
Talr’s eyes connected with Bryson’s, and a staring contest ensued. The male didn’t blink. He stared at Bryson, his yellow globes seeing everything. After a long, drawn-out moment, Talr blinked and broke contact.
“Bryson.” The way the male said his name made Bryson shiver. The seductive tone vibrated through him, and his shaft instantly hardened.
Talr strode across the room, stopping in front of the wall unit, and started removing his medical uniform. His bare, sculpted abdomen emerged from beneath his loose-fitting tunic, followed by a broad chest. With each move he made, the bluish-green scales glistened beneath the light flooding in from the Sweshan suns’ rays shooting through the water overhead. Talr’s arm muscles rippled as he moved.
The male’s face was all sharp angles except for his full kissable lips, which curved into a pleasant smile. His wavy blue hair brushed against his shoulders, tempting Bryson. He wanted to reach out and run his fingers through the thick strands. Bryson watched every move the male made, drinking in the sight before him.
Talr grabbed some clothing and got dressed, pulling on a pair of loose-fitting trousers and a tunic. He looked so different, relaxed and comfortable. When he was in his usual gray jumpsuit and white coat, Talr seemed more professional.
“What are you doing?” Bryson asked, the tone uncertain.
“I’m changing my clothes.”
Bryson sat up in the center of the bed and discreetly covered his cock. Why wasn’t Talr doing anything? Shouldn’t the male be trying to seduce him? All of the other males Bryson had been delivered to wanted to fuck as soon as he stepped into their home.
“Aren’t you going to fuck me?” he asked.
Bryson’s question seemed to catch Talr by surprise. The male’s posture changed. His body went rigid, and he visibly cringed, as if Bryson’s language offended him. Or maybe he didn’t want Bryson.
Talr stared at him intently. “Do you want me to fuck you?”
Bryson wasn’t really sure how to respond. His brows drew together as he studied Talr closely. Talr was giving him a choice. The male wasn’t trying to seduce him into having sex, like his other prospective mates. He was giving Bryson a choice. What if he said no? Would Talr respect Bryson’s decision, or would he try to convince him to change his mind? Bryson paused, thinking it over.
He was attracted to Talr. He wanted the doctor more than any other Sweshian male he’d been introduced to. Bryson felt a connection to the male. He’d felt it the first time they met.
There was a part of Bryson that wanted to say yes, but he lied to Talr and said, “No.”
Talr nodded as if he expected the response. “There is a guest room across the hall. Please, make yourself comfortable. I’m going to the kitchen to make dinner. I’m hungry. If you want, you can join me.”
Again, he was giving Bryson a choice. Talr strode out of his room without another word. Bryson sat there, dumbfounded.
“What the fuck?” he muttered under his breath.
He stared at the threshold, waiting for the male to return, but he didn’t come back. After a few minutes, Bryson climbed off the bed. He collected his Sweshian-issued clothing and shoes from the floor and walked across the hall. He pressed the button on the wall, and the door slid open, granting him access. He stepped inside, and the door shut. The room was simple. There was a large bed, a wall unit, a desk with a chair, and another opaque glass door that led to the adjoining bathroom.
Bryson dumped his Sweshian-issued jumpsuit into the soiled clothing basket as he walked over to the wall unit. He pulled out a pair of loose-fitting pants and a tunic and got dressed. Bryson adjusted the waistband so that the pants sat low on his hips. When he was done, Bryson spun around and walked out of the room.
He stepped into the hallway and inhaled the aroma of the fragrant food that wafted from the kitchen. The scent was a pleasant mix of Sweshan and Earth food. It was a nice reminder of home. Bryson’s stomach growled, turning itself inside out. He was hungry. Bryson rubbed his flat abdomen as he made his way down the hall toward the kitchen. When he stepped into the main part of the living quarters, Bryson paused. Talr was standing in the kitchen, slicing up söl. The large, red leaves were a big part of the Sweshian diet and contained iron, calcium, magnesium, and protein.
Bryson stood there for a minute, unsure of what to do. When Talr glanced up, their eyes connected.
“I’m glad you decided to join me,” Talr said. “Please, come over and take a seat.”
Bryson strolled over to the kitchen counter. He pulled out a barstool and sat down, placing his hands on the flat surface.
Talr smiled. He lowered his head and continued cutting the plant into bite-sized strips. “I hope you’re hungry. I had some Earther food delivered for you earlier today.”
A warm feeling filled Bryson’s heart. Talr really was a thoughtful male. He’d always been kind to Bryson.
“Thank you.”
Talr divided up the food onto two plates. He slid one of the plates across the bar, placing it in front of Bryson. He picked up his utensil and started eating, shoveling small bites into his mouth. The food was a combination of peach-colored meat and richly flavored vegetables. The flavors exploded onto his tongue, and Bryson moaned, chewing.
“It sounds like you enjoy my cooking.”
Bryson nodded as he swallowed down his bite. He licked his lips and said, “It’s really good.”
“Did you have a nice nap?”
“I passed out as soon as my head hit the pillow,” Bryson told him.
“Are you feeling better?”
Bryson shrugged.
“What’s wrong?” Talr asked. When Bryson didn’t answer right away, the male said, “Talk to me.”
Talr was so genuine. It seemed as though Talr really did care about Bryson’s feelings.
“I’m…” He sighed, shaking his head.
“What?”
“I don’t know how much more I can take.” Bryson put down his utensil and stared at Talr, giving the m
ale his full attention.
“I’m sorry.”
“It doesn’t really matter, though, does it? I volunteered to come to Sweshan.” There wasn’t anything Talr could do to change Bryson’s predicament. “I’m stuck here until I find a mate. And the males are going to keep fucking me until I’m pregnant.”
“You’re right,” Talr agreed. “You’re here on Sweshan because we need humans in order to procreate. Our race is dying, Bryson, and you’re saving us from going extinct.”
Bryson could see the pain in Talr’s eyes as the man spoke, and it made his chest ache.
“But you’re more than just a vessel to carry young. Believe me when I tell you that you will meet your mate and you’ll be treasured and loved for the rest of your life.”
Bryson wanted to scoff at the male. Treasured. Loved. Was that even possible? Would he find a mate here on Sweshan? Bryson was losing hope.
“Do you know why we need humans?”
Bryson nodded. “I’ve heard a few stories.”
“Toxic chemicals were dumped into the water. The lethal substance killed the female part of our body. It destroyed the egg tissue, making it impossible for us to bear children.” Talr took a deep breath, slowly inhaling and exhaling before he continued. “I watched it happen, and I couldn’t do anything to stop it. I felt so hopeless, so useless. I’m a doctor, and I couldn’t help my own people. I watched in despair, wanting to save them but unable to do anything.”
Bryson reached out. Without thought, he grasped Talr’s hand, pressing their palms together. The pain in Talr’s eyes spoke volumes. It didn’t matter when the toxic dump had happened, Talr, like the others, were still carrying around the tragedy with them.
“I’m sorry.”
Bryson didn’t know what else to say. He felt bad for Talr and the other males. The Sweshian people didn’t really have a choice. If they wanted their race to survive, they had to depend on humans. It was the only way.
