“Commander LemAN, do you know of my abilities?” Leader LarIS asked.
“I’m sorry. Your abilities?”
“I can read thoughts if I am close enough or a person is less guarded.”
“I don’t understand what that has to do with the Morinians.”
“I may be stepping over a personal line, but I can read your distress regarding your mate. I have a mate from Earth and she is due to deliver our second young. I understand the concern you have.”
LemAN was slightly embarrassed but also relieved that there was someone who might understand a little of what he was going through. “I lost my first mate to childbirth. I don’t want to risk Teagan.”
“We are more compatible breeding-wise with Earth females. It’s the reason your leader brought them to Katiera to begin with. Have our medics and the Earth medics do a physical to verify her health. Most importantly, talk to your mate. Let her know your concerns. A young is a precious result of your love for one another. Don’t let your fears keep you from experiencing that joy.”
“Thank you, Leader LarIS.”
“We will expect you in an hour at the specified location.”
“I am curious why you didn’t have us meet you at the prime city or directly at the village.”
“There may still be purist rebels or sympathizers here and I am trying to keep them in the dark about bringing the Morinians here.”
A rebel uprising among the three nations occurred within the last few years over Earth females mixing with Katierans. Threats were made and Earth females had even been attacked. Purist rebels on the Colonial Planet bombed the Prime Building, injuring Leader LarIS’s mate.
“The purist rebels would completely go insane over us aiding the Morinians. It wouldn’t matter to them that these are mostly females and young. Their hatred is for anything different.”
“I’ve used my abilities as much as possible to scan those in the prime city, but there could be those living on the outskirts that find a way to block me. I do have my limitations.”
“Have security increased on the surface and I’ll have the security upped on the shuttles.”
“Agreed. Looking forward to meeting you in person.”
He ended communications. The things that LarIS had said really hit home for him. He didn’t want to waste one single moment with Teagan. He stood and left with determined strides.
When he opened the door to their quarters she looked up in surprise. “Is it time already? I was trying to hurry.”
He walked over to her and took her lovely face in his large hands. “I love you, Teagan.”
She smiled and he could swear the room lit up with the radiance. “I love you, too.”
“I swear to protect you and our young with all that I am.”
She gasped then giggled. “Is there something I should know? Am I pregnant?”
“You could be.”
“LemAN, I am on birth control. I have been since I started dating as a teenager. I have several months’ worth of birth control with me so unless I stop taking it, I shouldn’t get pregnant.”
“Does that work with Katieran seed? I thought ours was pretty strong.”
She smiled at him. “I can check with the medics. The point is I understand your worry over me getting pregnant so I don’t mind taking the birth control until we are ready.”
“It’s not that I don’t want a young with you. The idea of you growing round is so appealing, but I worry. I can’t lose you.”
“I know. I feel the same about you, too. We’ll take this one day at a time, okay?”
He nodded then leaned down and kissed her.
“Tell me again,” she whispered.
He smiled. “I love you, Teagan.”
“If only we had time, I would demand you show me how much.”
He groaned and leaned his forehead against hers. “We definitely do not have time. Leader LarIS is waiting on us.”
“Well then, help me finish this up so we can leave. I have to admit I’m looking forward to being on land again.”
“After relocating the Morinians we will head back to Katiera. I want to show you my world.”
“I want that, too.”
