by Tracy Lauren
“Do you think you have it figured out?”
“Yes. Well, sort of, at least. I think it’s just that I’ve never had a real family, you know? I had my dad, but after he died I had nothing. When he was around though, I was a total daddy’s girl. I’d go everywhere with him and he was the only person who ever really took care of me. And just to be clear, I don’t mean this is a gross daddy complex type of way. I think I just really miss being taken care of—by family. I think I’ve been missing that my whole life.”
“We are your family now, Reagan,” I tell her earnestly. “Sovolians are born into this life alone, but we create our families along the way. You are my sister and I will always defend you as such.”
“Wow. Uh, thanks? I don’t know what to say to that,” Reagan admits, rubbing the back of her neck and looking flustered. “I mean, the feeling’s mutual, you know? I’d do anything for you guys. All of you. But there’s more to it than that. While I miss having a family and I like the idea of having someone to be loyal to me and take care of me…I’ve always been terrified of the alternative and I think that’s what’s kept me from living my life.”
“What’s the alternative?” Mel asks.
“Being okay with being alone. Like, really being okay with it. I just keep wondering what my life would have been like if I hadn’t always been running from my loneliness.”
“Can you imagine it?” Mel questions.
“Yeah, I’ve been trying to, you know? Maybe I’d have gone to college, I could have joined the military, or even done some traveling,” Reagan looks down at her feet dangling off the side of the dresser. “For a long time I felt like I missed my boat. But I’m young, I’m only 20. Maybe there’s still time for me.”
“Reagan, there is absolutely still time for you!” Mel tells her friend. “Happiness isn’t some magical gift that gets dropped into our laps, it’s something we have to work for. If there’s something you want you have to go for it!”
V chimes in. “Speaking as someone who spent a long time running away, I have to tell you, all that time was wasted running in the wrong direction. You can try to outrun your fears, but no matter how far you go they’ll always be right there with you. The best thing you can do is run toward the other stuff… whatever it is that makes you happy.”
“It’s just scary. I don’t know if I’m brave enough to do this,” Reagan admits.
“Reagan, you are young, smart, and beautiful. Not to mention one badass bitch. There’s nothing you can’t do. Every single person in this room knows you can achieve anything, you’re just the last person who needs to be convinced,” Mel encourages.
Reagan laughs and wipes an errant tear from her eye. “I am a badass bitch,” she agrees, letting something between a sob and a laugh shake her.
Group draws to an end and I linger as the females depart. Mel shuts the door behind them and turns back to me, giving me a warm smile. Silently we begin collecting the mugs left about the room.
“I’ll wash and you dry?” she offers.
“I’ll wash,” I tell her, passing her the towel.
We are quiet as we work and I find myself enjoying the ease of our companionship. This thing with Mel just feels so easy, so right. At first I was drawn to her for simple reasons—her kindness with the others, her beauty, because I could sense Mire cared for her. But the more I get to know her, the more I find myself enthralled by her.
“We make a good team,” I tell her, handing off another mug for drying.
“We do,” she agrees, warming my soul with that soft smile of hers. “It feels good to be part of a team…to be close to people here, you know?”
“I am glad we have been growing closer,” I confess.
“Me too.”
I watch her as she loses herself in our work, and I admire the golden tint to her hair, and the way she tucks it behind one ear, exposing the softness of her neck. I wonder if Sovolian females were anything at all like her. The thought makes Mel that much more precious to me… To think that she was almost lost, like all the females of my race were so long ago. It gives me a sense of great urgency.
I want Mel. I want to be hers and not just for a moment in time, but always. In this simple moment we quietly share together I am struck with the weight of what I am feeling. I could pledge myself to this female forever. I do not want to waste another second.
But I don’t know the human ways and customs. Hell, I don’t even know my own. But I do know my instincts. Sovolians are brazen and loyal. Once we deem a person worthy, we are quick to form bonds, bonds so strong they are seldom, if ever, broken.
My heart races in my chest as I work to collect the words I hope to share with Mel, yet somehow I am at a loss. I have never experienced such a thing before. I am known for being a talker, a charmer even, and I pride myself in those traits. I have always been the more outgoing and boisterous brother. Yet now I somehow find myself speechless. My heart is racing in my chest, but I hardly even realize it until Mel breaks me from my flurry of thoughts.
“Gile, are you okay? Your hands are shaking,” she points out.
I take a deep breath and put the dishes aside.
“I feel Mire and I have found a kindred spirit in you,” I begin. Mel looks flustered, as if not sure how to respond. “You are fiercely loyal to your friends. You treat them as if they are your own flesh and blood. That is a quality which is highly respected amongst my people.”
“Thank you,” she responds, a flush rising on her sun-kissed cheeks. She does not seem accustomed to such bold praise, but I do not let that deter me. I want Mel to know exactly how I feel.
“But you are more than your loyalty. You are passion, which is something I have only aspired to be. You look at these people here and you dive in, not thinking twice over what the costs might be for you. I see you, Mel. I know you carry their burdens for them.”
“Oh…I don’t know. I don’t think of it like that. It’s just something I do, something I’ve always done. And believe me, a lot of people think of it as a personality flaw,” she tells me, half frowning.
“Like your ex-mate?” I guess. Gary, his stupid name echoes in my mind.
Mel shrugs, telling my guess was accurate.
“It takes a special kind of fool to not know a good thing when he has it. I would never be like that. Neither would Mire.”
“I don’t know either of you that well yet, but I can see that. Whoever you end up with will be a lucky woman.”
I smile at her words, feeling encouraged by them. “You know me well enough, I think. You know all the things that matter most to me at least, and there is much joy in discovering the little things over time.”
“I look forward to it,” she tells me.
“As do I.”
“I noticed you didn’t share in group today,” Mel points out, leaning her hip against the counter.
“At first I felt uncomfortable…after what happened with the others. I was wondering if I should step out or stop coming entirely.”
“Please don’t quit on us, Gile. I’m so sorry Gabby made you feel unwelcome. This group is supposed to be for everyone who needs it. Our community, it’s more than just humans…it’s all of us. We’re starting fresh here, together. It’s important we live like it.”
“That is only how I felt at first,” I emphasize. “I am glad I stayed. In truth, I did not feel I needed to share today. What was said to Reagan applied to my situation as well. It gave me much to think on.”
The happiness coming from Mel is apparent. “That’s the beauty of groups. There’s always something to take away. A person can find help where they never expected it.”
“Do you believe what you told Reagan?”
“I don’t know, remind me what I told her,” Mel says, laughing, tucking her hair behind her ear again.
“You said each of us is the driving force of our own fate. That if we see what we want, we must steer towards it.”
“Wow, I don’t think I said it as eloquently as al
l that. But, yeah. I believe it. Anything worth having in life takes work and effort.”
“So, if I know what I want, I should embrace it?”
“Yeah, take the leap. Why waste time when it comes to your happiness?”
“I do not wish to waste any time,” I tell her. Before Mel has the chance to speak again, I pull her into my arms and press my lips to hers. For a moment her body is stiff with shock, but quickly she melts against me, wrapping her arms around my neck and losing herself in our kiss.
Her lips have the spicy flavor of ceata still lingering on them and it sends a jolt of heat to my soul. My heart pounds, feeling fuller than I ever knew possible. For the first time, I hold my mate in my arms. This moment is the start of the rest of our lives. I cannot wait to tell Mire.
Mel nips at my bottom lip and moans eagerly against my mouth. It is as if all my senses have been charged by an electric current. I should be here in this moment, but instead all I can think of is the future and what this means for us. We are a family now. A true family. It is beyond my wildest dreams. I pull away from her, desperate to express my joy.
Mel’s eyes look heavy with lust and it only brings more joy to my heart. I do not know how I could be so lucky.
“This is…this is—” For the second time today I am at a loss for words. Instead I let out an excited whoop and pull Mel into a bear hug, spinning her around before planting her on the ground again.
“Whoa, um…okay…” she starts, but I cannot contain my joy.
“I cannot believe this! I…I have to tell Mire!” I shout, turning and running for the door. I stop before I reach it though and spin back around to give my mate a kiss goodbye. This time I match the heat she shared with me. Digging my hands into her golden hair, I surge into her mouth and stroke her until she’s panting against me, clinging to my shoulders. As much as I adore this woman, I must go tell Mire the good news. I cannot bear having this much joy and not sharing it with my brother. I release Mel one last time and let out a final whoop of excitement before I rush from the room.
The courtyard is already full with people readying for the evening meal, but Mire is no longer in his seat beyond the fountain. Though I do see Holly standing near the fire pit and I run to her.
“Mire! Where is Mire?” I ask frantically.
“Is everything okay?” she questions, looking worried.
“I have good news for him. The best news! I look forward to telling you too, little sister. But first I must tell my brother. Have you seen him?”
“Yeah, uh…a little while ago he took off towards the airfield.”
“Thank you!” I shout back at her, already halfway to the gate.
“Sure thing!”
I run so fast I’m practically flying along the path, desperate to get to my brother. I must share this joy with him. Every second I hold it in my heart is a second he deserves to revel in as well.
“Mire!” I shout, my feet pounding against the metal grate of the ramp. “My brother!”
“What is it?” Mire asks, his eyes concerned as he rushes to meet me in the corridor.
“Good news! Amazing news!” I throw my arms around him in an embrace, but he pushes me away, annoyed.
“Speak then, fool. What are you shouting about? You worried me, I thought there was trouble—”
“It is Mel!” I declare, cutting him off. “She has accepted us!”
Mire’s entire expression changes, his eyes go wide and he staggers.
“Do not look so solemn! This is a day of joy!” I say, shaking him.
“It is,” he agrees, falling back against the wall. It reminds me of Gorrard’s reaction when he learned he was finally going to be a father. Then I think of the fact that Mire and I will soon be fathers as well and I break into great peals of laughter until I too must lean against the wall.
“What are you laughing at?” Mire asks with a frown.
“It is simply that I have never been this happy before.”
Though Mire’s expression practically seems grim, he nods meaningfully at my words and I know he feels what I do—just in his own way.
“Go to her,” I encourage. “She is waiting for you.”
“She is?” he questions.
“I told her just moments ago that I was on my way to share the good news with you.”
Mire takes a few steadying breaths before pushing off of the wall. “I am going then,” he tells me.
“Good!” I give him a happy clap on the back. Mire takes a few steps, but falters.
“What is it?” I ask.
“May I borrow some of that scented oil you got from market station?”
“Wait right here,” I tell him, grinning broadly. “I will grab it for you.”
Chapter 16
Mel
I don’t think I’ve ever felt so giddy in my life. Though, Gile’s reaction to our kiss set the bar for giddiness pretty damn high. I throw myself onto my bed and bury my face in my pillows, screaming excitedly into them.
I cannot believe Gile kissed me! I did not see that coming at all. One second we were talking about happiness and the next second his lips were on mine.
I replay the conversation in my head. The first time around I was listening to his words as a friend, not a woman. Now I thrill over the things he was saying.
Was he really thinking about me all through group? Trying to gain the courage to make a move? He said he wanted to embrace happiness, then he took me into his arms. I revel in the moment we shared, not allowing myself to think about the future or what this means for Gile and myself. It’s been so long since I’ve felt such pure and simple joy, I don’t want to taint it with anxiety about what comes next. I’m just happy we got here at all.
And when I think about how happy Gile was, I have to kick my legs in the air and scream into my pillow again. I never imagined one of these alien men geeking out so hard on a kiss. I mean, he had to run go tell his brother, for goodness sake!
For a split second I worry about Mire’s reaction. I can tell he’s struggled since Gorrard effectively left their group. I don’t want him to feel left out just because something is starting between Gile and me. Rather than worrying over it, I vow to make him feel included.
With that thought in mind, there’s a knock at the door. I gasp, my heart cartwheeling in my chest, and jump from the bed. Hastily I straighten the covers, then race to the mirror to make sure my hair isn’t doing anything crazy. I take a few deep breaths with my hand on the latch before I swing the door open, fully expecting to see Gile standing there with a giddy smile on his face.
Instead it’s Mire…and his expression sure as shit isn’t giddy.
I feel the smile drop from my face and suddenly my heart is pounding for a different reason entirely.
“Mire—” I start, but he doesn’t wait for me to welcome him into the room. No, he stalks in like a lion, like a predator, and instinctively I fall back. But he just keeps advancing on me, his bronze eyes trained on my every movement. Vaguely I’m aware of the sound of the door shutting behind him, but when my back hits the countertop along the far wall I become more focused on the fact that I have nowhere to run.
My mouth moves, but I can’t make any words come out. I thought he might be upset by the kiss, but I didn’t think he would react like this.
The big golden alien gets so close to me I can feel the heat radiating off his body. Every breath I take in is perfumed by his spicy scent. He reaches for me suddenly and despite myself I nearly scream, but the sound is swallowed a second later.
To my utter shock, Mire hauls me onto the table. Gripping me by my ass, he digs his fingers into my soft flesh in a way that practically feels pornographic, then presses his hard body against mine. Before I can utter a word of protest he steals my lips in a kiss. And while this one is as shocking as Gile’s, perhaps even more so, there is little else in common between the two.
Where Gile was sweet and almost boyish, Mire is like a force of nature. He ravages my mouth and I fee
l helpless against him, like a woman on the cover of a romance novel. Were I wearing a bodice right now, I’m sure he’d be ripping it off. And what am I supposed to do in response? Swoon? I’m completely dumbstruck by this kiss and it isn’t until he drags my hips closer to his manhood, grinding his obvious erection against my core, that I finally pull myself from this sudden madness.
“Mire!” I protest, gasping for air. I turn my face away from him, but instead of stopping, he devours my neck, licking and sucking at me like the beast that he is.
“Mire, wait!” I beg breathlessly.
“What is it, my mate?” he growls against my neck and my eyes go wide as I attempt to process his words.
Did he just say mate?
Chapter 17
Mire
With her hand on my chest, Mel holds me at bay. “Mire…did you just say mate?”
“Of course, what else should I call you?” I ask, burying my nose against her neck. Mel smells delicious, but I’d rather taste her, I think, as I tease her flesh with my tongue.
“Mire! Stop!” she gasps, with her eyes wide.
“Speak your mind, my—”
“Don’t say mate!” she warns, pushing me away to look into my eyes. “Mire, I have to tell you something important. Just a little while ago Gile was here.”
“I know this.”
“Okay, but what you don’t know is that we also kissed.”
“You are wrong.”
“I’m wrong? What the hell do you mean, I’m wrong? Gile just kissed me.”
I chuckle at the misunderstanding. “No, you’re wrong to think I do not know. I am here because Gile kissed you.”
Mel’s face screws up in confusion and she gapes at me. “Mire, I’ve been enjoying getting to know you and Gile both, but I’m not going to come between brothers,” she says, pushing ineffectually at my chest.
“If you do not wish to be between us we can keep things separate. First Gile, then me,” I tell her, running my fingers through her hair. “I,, too, enjoy privacy at times.”
