The light from the television reflected off something shiny that was partially hidden beneath a piece of paper and caught his eye. Underneath the folded paper was one of those clear containers with something inside. He lifted it up to inspect it and then dropped it in shock.
It was a Rkekh cock in its basic form.
She already knew what he was and had claimed one before him, maybe even one of his missing clutchmates.
Loud booms sounded outside, signaling the beginning of the fireworks display.
Xizi grabbed the evidence of her misdeeds with his tail and threw a blanket on top of hisenax, wrapping her tightly before picking her up.
The once joyful moment was now ruined.
Having her in his arms felt wrong. He felt… used… lost. His body was aligned with her, and now, there would be no other for him.
Should he leave her on Earth and allow whatever the Fates had planned between the Yaarkins and the humans? Or should he bring her along to question and let the Verya deal with her?
He growled, angry at himself for not questioning everything, for being led into such a trap, and for being betrayed by the very being who was supposed to be his everything.
Something told him to take her with him—whether it was his bond, curiosity, or the sliver of hope that she had an explanation for all the male appendages.
Was this what humans called being a hopeless romantic?
He wanted to believe hisenaxwas innocent in all of this, and they could start anew—somehow—together away from the Yaarkins and Earth.
Xizi shook his head and cleared his mind as he lifted his unconsciousenaxfrom her couch.
It was time for him to get off this cursed planet.
Stepping outside, he looked up at the fireworks highlighting the clear night sky. He hissed, pinning back his ears.
What was the point of making so much noise? Couldn’t they just make a light show without trying to deafen everyone?
Off in the distance, away from the city, a blip caught his eye.
It was a ship—his freedom.
Xizi purred and watched as it flew closer, pausing a few times along the way, his heart pounding with excitement as the ship came to a stop above him.
“Thank the Stars.”
Suddenly, he was surrounded by a bright light, his body tingling with energy. As his vision blurred, he felt a warm sensation, as if he were being lifted off the ground.
Ten
Xizi
When the light faded, he found himself standing on the deck of the ship, surrounded by a group of aliens—not humans—for once after all of these years. A sudden sense of familiarity, a sense of belonging, washed over him at the sight.
He was finally safe.
“You are free, clutchbrother,” a familiar voice, Rylyx’s clutchbrother, said in their native tongue, his voice low and rumbling. “I am delighted to be able to see you again.”
Xizi’s eyes welled up with tears as he took in the sights of the ship, the crew, and the stars beyond.
They’d been through so much together, faced so many challenges and dangers. For the first time in many years, they were reunited, and he felt a sense of freedom and hope for their future.
“I can’t believe it,” Xizi said, his voice barely above a whisper. “I never thought I’d see space or my people again.”
Xizi felt his heart swell with emotion as he reunited with his brothers Fybl and Xarl. They hugged each other tightly, their bodies trembling with joy and relief. His clutchbrothers Fybl and Rylyx looked at him with the same intensity, their eyes glowing with emotion.
