Behind Titus were four warriors, all huge, none in battle mode. Titus had seemed a bit uneasy but hopeful when he made his request.
“It’s just that we’ve never seen a pregnant human female and the Zargonnii female only let Finn near her. We’re all curious, Bay.” Titus anxiously rubbed his hands together.
Bay moved aside and waved them in. Shaking her head in exasperation, Bay removed her top wrap. She had known she would end up on display no matter what Zane had said. She supposed she should be annoyed, but she wasn’t; even on Earth, people were curious when a woman was pregnant. Under her outer wrap, Bay wore a halter top to cover her breasts and a small skirt, leaving her middle bare.
There were the oohs and ahhs that always accompanied seeing her rounded tummy. Titus bullied himself in front of the others and, with a gentle hand, he touched her tummy. His huge hand was warm and gentle. Bay felt the baby kick—so did Titus. A wide grin spread over his face.
“The babe battles me, from inside. What a fighter, to take on a Zargonnii warrior from inside.”
“Let me feel,” Jax said.
Bay was used to this warrior, and to Thorn, who waited less than patiently for his turn. Jax chuckled when he too felt the babe kick. Bay could feel the baby jump with hiccups. All the warriors were satisfied there was indeed a baby growing in Bay’s belly after feeling it move. Bay looked at it from their prospective. Since the warriors had never seen a pregnant female, they wouldn’t have known that as the baby grew so would the mother. They all marveled over the fact Bay had no wrinkles and yet her tummy protruded.
Bay had been touched by every warrior on the ship after Titus smuggled them in a few at a time during Zane’s shifts. Bay was positive Zane was given extra duty by Titus, who allowed the men to touch only once then guarded her as though her life depended on it—or perhaps his life depended on it, Zane was way too overprotective. Bay felt certain the Zargonnii leader would make a wonderful mate to a human female. Titus was apologetic to the point of being embarrassing when he said he would never again hit a human female on the nose.
Large arms wrapped around Bay as she gazed at the backyard, jarring her from her thoughts. Draven was at school and it seemed Zane was finished with work for the day. Bay settled against him.
“Can we go for a walk?” she asked hopefully. Zane had taken her for walks in the early stages of her pregnancy, and Bay was getting used to the strange, weird, unearthly world.
The planet’s seasons were odd. One season was very dark; it had just passed and Zane wouldn’t let her outside at all. There were a few cyron who could slip past the Zargonnii females in the darkness and during this time, Draven remained home from school. Bay was happy to have him around. The Zargonnii rarely traded at this time due to the inconsistencies of the wormholes. This new season that had started seemed brighter, more alive. Zane explained the creatures on the planet took the dark season to mate; their offspring would be emerging from deep caves or hollows. The pastel colors of the sky shimmered breathtakingly. The three planets that hung in the sky were oddities. They orbited the Zargonnii planet and they were the cause of the strange season changes.
“Is that wise in your condition? To be out and about?”
“Pregnant women should do some easy walking.”
Zane looked skeptical. “You do more waddling.”
Bay scowled at him and Zane blinked, realizing she was pissed. “We don’t have to go far, and there is still some weird stuff I’m guessing I haven’t seen, like the new baby creatures you mentioned, but if I can handle a cyron, I will be fine.”
“The cyron can’t get through when the females are in their domain and the planets are shining; the cyron must pass them to get to us—that won’t happen until the next Holiday cycle next year. The female Zargonnii hate the dark season; it makes them annoyed and any cyron who was dumb enough to pass is more than likely dead.”
“Well, I’ve seen you kick a bangore’s ass so I’m not scared. Please, Zane. I’m going loopy just sitting around.”
Zane turned her in his arms and studied her before nodding. “Finn says exercise is fine to a degree. You don’t look pale just a little, um, gee…let’s go for a walk.”
“Were you going to call me fat?”
“No, no, not fat.”
“If you call me poofy again, I won’t be impressed. I also don’t care much for the term: well-rounded female.”
“In my defense, I’ve never seen a pregnant female, I had no idea you would grow so…”
“Fat?”
“Even more cute. I swear, I’ve never known a being to grow larger and become even more vulnerable. It just doesn’t seem fair.”
“Never mind. I’m just being hormonal.”
“Do you need more food?” Zane looked wary.
“Will you relax? It’s normal for a pregnant woman to eat more.”
“Eat more? You mean eat everything,” Zane mumbled under his breath. Bay knew better than to whack him one, she’d only hurt her fist.
Bay took Zane’s hand and they walked out the front door. Mist swirled around their legs like a dog sniffing them over, and Bay chuckled with her thoughts. The pastel sky overhead mixed with black gaping holes. Bay had come to understand these were wormholes, or portals, enabling the mercenaries to get to their destinations quickly after they punched in coordinates. A shrill scream rent the air, and Bay didn’t decrease her stride. The creature that made the noise was six inches high, covered in purple fuzz and had a long tail like a monkey. Zane assured her it was harmless. It made a big noise to cover up its small size—kinda like Bay. Bay smacked him and then groaned as her hand throbbed.
Zane was in battle mode, he was every time he took her out of his home. They met a few more Zargonnii males in the woods who always grew to battle size when they realized Bay was out and about. Zane said other warriors were aware of one another to a degree. In battle mode, all of their senses heightened and, because each warrior within the area had at one time felt Bay’s tummy move, they were inclined to protect her unborn child.
The gnarled tree branches and roots were a deep brown and smelled earthy. Bay loved the feel of the soil beneath her feet. When they were deep in the jungle, Bay noted the large branch she had fantasized over. The sky’s colors made interesting patterns as they danced across the deep brown of the wood. Bay removed her wrap and dropped down in front of Zane.
“Bay?”
“I thought you might like to change places as well as positions,” she said innocently, except she was horny as hell and dying to get her hands on him.
Zane looked around. “Are you sure? I’m in battle mode.”
“I’m sure.” Bay was beyond sure, her pregnancy hormones were wild and primitive, and she wondered if it was because of the half-Zargonnii baby inside of her.
“There could be other warriors out here.”
“I’m not normally an exhibitionist, but I don’t care. Maybe if they see what fun they could have with an Earth female, they will want to try harder to protect my race. Besides, I don’t see anyone.” Bay had also fantasized about her big Zargonnii warrior taking her in the wild jungle.
Zane was about to say something, but groaned instead when her lips settled over the tip of his massive cock which she exposed. Two-handed she rubbed him until he was long and hard. Zane moved his hips against her in a rolling motion.
“Bay, you realize after this baby is born, I will bring you out here and it will be a wild ride?”
She released him. “It better be. It’s all I can think about—you, me, out here wild and primitive, rolling around on the jungle floor, climaxing, screaming. Your massive cock thumping into me while I beg for more.”
“Shit, Bay. You always know what words will drive me crazy.”
Zane helped her up and Bay settled her hands onto the branch, sending moving vines sliding to get out of her way; she bent her elbows and bowed her body forward. She spread her legs as Zane settled in behind her. Bay wouldn’t have to take all of
him but, from his size, it would be more than enough. She cried out when he entered her. All day she had been thinking about Zane doing this to her, and she was wet and ready for him. Zane’s hands were on her hips, holding her in place while he thrust and retreated.
Bay’s head dropped and she let Zane take her to where she wanted to be. The slow-paced ride was no less satisfying, and when he began crooning to her, Bay settled further. Zane’s hands rubbed up and down her back, his fingers squeezed her ass cheeks. One long arm wrapped around her middle to hold her belly and Zane gripped the tree branch. He pumped harder and higher while she cried out wanting more. Zane was growling and snarling and Bay wondered if it was because other jungle creatures had come to watch.
The creatures were harmless when Bay was with Zane; they wouldn’t dare challenge him, especially if he was with a female—and had apparently dominated her. It made the Zargonnii male that much more dangerous. Bay loved the feel of his fur as it rubbed against her naked thighs. His claws were dug into the branch and he was shredding the wood. Zane’s pants were still on but lowered. His massive booted feet sank deeper into the rich soil with each thrust.
Bay had been right; their passion was intensified with the sounds of the wild jungle in stereo surround sound. Zane was in his primitive element and was the dominant male; she was the eager female. Bay bounced back against him and though he continued to croon to her, his claw-like fingernails gripped another tree branch off to their side and with sheer power, he crushed the branch.
Zane roared his release and pulled out. Bay gasped as she stood there, legs apart. Water gushed onto the jungle floor.
“Bay what happened?”Zane cried out, horrified.
Bay slowly lifted her spent body up; she turned and smiled up at him. She’d hoped this would be the end result. “Let’s go have a baby.”
“Now?”
“Now is as good a time as any, my warrior mercenary.”
Leaving her clothes on the jungle floor, Zane grabbed her up into his arms and began running as though a cyron were hot on his heels.
* * * *
Zane stood watching Bay sleep. Experiencing an actual delivery gave Zane more respect for the female population. Watching a head push its way through a small opening that stretched to accommodate was enlightening. Bay wasn’t even in possession of the expanding wrinkles, it was all her. Bay was the real warrior. Her battle cries had been impressive to expel the infant and when she slipped into her native tongue, Zane had wondered at the odd words. Zane only knew a few English words as she called them and never once had he heard her say, “God damned cock sucker, this fuckin hurts,” what on earth did it mean? It was a mystery. Perhaps some female Earth ritual to welcome the infant.
Finn had marveled over the tiny infant as he checked her perfect fingers and toes and made certain her airway was clear. The doctor was reluctant to release her, but Bay still had need of him. Zane grimaced at all the strange red blood; there was a lot of it, but Finn reassured him he read it was normal. Bay looked a little too white. There had been a cord attached to the baby, making it look like Bay was reluctant to give her up. When Finn had cut it and severed mother and child’s bond, Zane felt saddened for his infant. He had also felt a little queasy, something he would never admit to another, even if tortured. But if he hadn’t been prepared by Finn, he would have thought his child was being mutilated.
Zane was told he had at one time had an umbilical cord. Zane was amazed, but sure enough, after searching his fur under the bare oval patch, he found a belly button. The idea was astounding. He never even knew Draven had one. At one time, Zane had been attached to his mother; Bay was right, Vala must have grieved over the loss of each son. How sad for her, but Zane couldn’t imagine life without Draven.
After Finn had handed him his baby daughter, Zane refused to part with her. The child looked so miniscule in his arms, he was afraid to put her down. He couldn’t bring himself to expose her to the open emptiness of the vast room when she was so helpless. Draven had been three times her size when Zane first found him, and Zane had thought he was tiny.
Standing there, Zane felt so many emotions. The babe was naked, yet warm in the safety of his gentle embrace, pressed against his furry chest. She had two perfect eyebrows like her mother, except the babe’s were fine white lines. She was also bald, except for the stunning thick patch of black hair on her head hanging to her shoulders. On either side, white streaks,a quarter finger in width, went from the sides of her hair to the tips.
The babe was staring at him with startling eyes. The insides were black like Bay’s—she had called them pupils, surrounded by intense red. She had to be the most beautiful child in the universe. She…the thought almost dropped Zane to his knees. The Zargonnii mother kept the female of their species; without the females, the males wouldn’t survive. The females were stronger, they offered more protection. What if something tried to harm his infant?
After that thought, the fiercest emotion took hold of Zane. His body grew into battle mode. He felt his entire body grow and stretch, and for a moment it was painful; it was like feeling the growth spurts of youth as his body expanded larger than previously. Zane felt stronger than he ever had in his life. He felt stronger than when he battled the female Zargonnii and won. Ten cyron could invade his home, and Zane knew without a doubt he could kill every one of them.
Why? How?
Zane studied his babe. She possessed no telltale wrinkles of the Zargonnii; she would never grow into battle mode. Her perfect fingernails were black, perhaps they would get longer, time would tell. She had no teeth—none. She was even more helpless than her tiny mother.
“I feel it too,” Finn said and Zane noticed him staring oddly at him.
“She’s defenseless.” Zane thought he should feel more concern; oddly, he didn’t.
“Look at you,” Finn said.
Zane wondered at Finn’s odd stare. Finn suddenly grew to battle mode and Zane’s eyes widened in disbelief. Finn, a large male Zargonnii, was bigger than he had ever seen him, his body also changed as though he had hit a youthful growth spurt. Zane went to his mirror and gasped. He was also larger now. His teeth were bigger and sharper, his claws were two inches longer; he was as big as some female Zargonnii. What a warrior I am. Though Finn had grown as well, it seemed miniscule compared to Zane. He was no longer the smallest warrior he had ever seen. Zane turned to look at the doctor.
“What’s happening?”
“I’m uncertain, but just smelling the female child makes me feel insanely protective and she’s not even mine.” The doctor looked just as stumped. “Females are necessary for our survival; perhaps that is why the mother is so large.”
“I wonder what this means for our planet,” Zane muttered.
“I’m uncertain about the planet as a whole, but in this area I can feel a change. Every male Zargonnii is aware of this female child; I’ve never felt more aware of my fellow warriors. The radius is large. I can also sense a bangore that had been approaching is now slinking off in fear. The power of protective male pheromones is thick in the air. Your babe is with her mother, and she is staying with her mother. Bay can’t defend her on this planet like our females can. That means the job is yours; only, your responsibility has empowered every male Zargonnii near her.
“Your babe is a wonder, my friend. An absolute wonder. Do you realize what this means? If our males mate with human females we are the stronger sex; we need to be, to protect our offspring. We can protect our offspring.”
“What does that mean to Zargonnii females?”
“I don’t know. There are many males who will want a human female, but many will also be drawn to the mating fight. You can’t mate-fight a human female, you’d kill her.”
Zane cuddled the baby closer. “She can’t mate-fight either. She’s too tiny.”
The doctor chuckled. “Just because she has no wrinkles doesn’t mean she won’t grow. We get our ability to grow in height from our mothers; this child’s mother
is human.” Finn moved closer and ran a finger across the babe’s satin skin. “Her skin is like her mother’s; it will stretch as she gets older.”
“She has no teeth,” Zane said and worriedly stuck his finger in her mouth to examine her gums. The babe immediately latched on and began sucking.”
“Perhaps human females are born with no teeth. Bay’s breasts seem vulnerable.”
True.
“I’m afraid to put her down.” It wasn’t exactly the truth—Zane never wanted to let her go.
“During the first month of our lives, female Zargonnii mothers never put their male offspring down. It’s too dangerous. You are remembering your first month. It’s why our parting with our mothers is so traumatic to us; it’s the first time we haven’t been in her arms.”
“I slept with Draven the first two years of his life.”
“This child may grow faster. From what Bay has said, Earth had twelve months in a year, four seasons. We have six seasons, four months in each. So for every Zargonnii year you are, you are actually two Earth years.”
“I know, first I thought I had a thing for my pet, then Bay tells me her age and I thought I was mating a child, until she explained the differences in our seasons and time. I was mortified. Even though I’m fifty-two in Earth years, I’m twenty-six in Zargonnii years and her age.”
“We still have a lot to learn about human females.”
“She’s worth it,” Zane said and glanced from the babe to Bay.
Bay was waking. Her gaze settled onto Zane and Finn. She gasped. “What is it? What’s wrong? Why are you both ready to battle, is someone attacking? Zane, you’re huge, I mean huger than normal huge.”
“Nothing is wrong.” Zane hurried to reassure her. Zane went and sat beside Bay on their bed. Bay reached for their daughter and it was all Zane could do to let her go. He settled himself closer instead. “Having a female babe has changed my battle mode, it’s in overdrive—so is Finn’s, and every other male Zargonnii within miles of here.”
Bay's Mercenary [Unearthly World Book 1] Page 11
