Epilogue
Sharon laughed at seeing MarIK trying to hold onto the squirming tiny puppy. The pup was from a litter of puppies of golden retrievers that Prima Lindsey had gotten from Prime Leader RendEL. RendEL’s mate was pregnant, emotional, and missing the dogs from Earth. RendEL ordered that his warriors bring some of the dogs from Earth with the next transport of females.
When the dogs started breeding, the prime family quickly began to give the puppies out to anyone they could. Prime Leader KadEN and Prima Lindsey ended up receiving two of the small gold-brown furry things, a boy and a girl. Sharon held the calm and endearing female puppy while MarIK struggled with the very lively boy puppy.
“What is wrong with this creature? He won’t sit still at all.”
She giggled along with KadEN and Lindsey’s little girl. “Big strong warrior brought to his knees by a tiny little pup.”
He glared at her but there wasn’t any real heat in the stare — just a promise that he would tease her back later. Shivers ran up and down her spine at the naughty images of what his payback might be. MarIK gently placed the puppy down on the ground as he stood up.
“Take a walk with me?” He lowered his hand and there was no way she would refuse. She placed her hand in his and glanced at Lindsey and KadEN, who had knowing looks on their faces.
“We’ll see you all later.”
Hand in hand, they walked down to the shore of the river that ran into the Kiljorn seaside, where Prime Leader KadEN had a vacation home. The sun was setting and it created gold and red hues in the horizon. “So beautiful.”
MarIK took her in his arms and looked down into her face. “You are so beautiful, my Sharon.”
She smiled, “You say that even when I look like crap.”
“You never look like...crap.”
She laid her head on his chest and breathed his scent in. “Lindsey said that we could have our mating ceremony here if we want.”
“Is that what you wish for?”
“Yes, I think this would be the perfect place.”
“Then it will be as you wish it.”
“No regrets?” she asked, worried that he would miss living on his home world of Katiera.
“None. I have you and that is all I will ever need. My life is full and happy.”
She bit her bottom lip. “You may have a little more than you expected.”
“What do you mean?”
She turned to face him. “I think I’m…I mean, I am…pregnant...breeding.”
“You are? It’s only been a few months since we returned to Kiljor.” He pulled away to look down at her.
She nodded her head. “I went to the medic wing before we came here to the beach house. They confirmed it. I have been trying to find the right time to tell you.”
He looked off into the distance and she was afraid this pregnancy was going to be too much too fast for their relationship. “Are you okay with this?”
The look in his eyes when he looked back at her filled her heart with so much joy. He cupped her face in his large hands. “I have never been happier, my love. Thank you for giving me this gift.”
Tears trailed down her cheeks as she smiled up at him. “I love you, MarIK.”
“By the stars, I love you, my Sharon. Mate of my heart.”
She couldn’t believe she had finally found the one for her after all the time she spent searching for him. Her future was bright and she would hold onto him with both hands and never let go.
*****
On the Colonial Planet
