“Most?” was all she could manage, her mind reeling.
Instinct?Pregnancy.What the hell was going on?
Keriva let out a sigh, but she made a chirring sound as she did.“Some, particularly the elders, do not believe in…mixing the Luxirian race with other species.”
Oh God.
“Only some,” Keriva hastily said.“Most believe that this is the only path for the future of our race.This is my belief as well.If we do not adapt and evolve, then we choose death.Our Prime Leader knows this.That is why he sought you out.”
Her presence on this planet waswaymore involved than Kate had realized.And suddenly, she was hurt that Vaxa had not told her any of this.Obviously, he believed that he could get her pregnant.The question was…would he try to before the month was out?Was that what this mating ceremony was about?Had that been his plan this entire time?Get the human female pregnant so she wouldn’t be able to return home?
Because Kate knew that if she was pregnant, she wouldn’t be able to leave.How would she be able to take care of, not to mentionexplain, an alien child?What needs would the child have that she wouldn’t be able to provide for on Earth?
Vaxa had lied to her by omitting the complete truth.
And she couldn’t wait until he returned home because she wasachingto rip him a new one.
FOURTEEN
Vaxa’an guided hisxrellexax—his hovercraft—back to his dwelling.The council meeting had run long.As suspected, he’d been met with opposition from a few of the elders, who had been on the council during his own sire’s early spans as Prime Leader.Frustration rose in Vaxa’an.They did not understand that mating and procreating with humans and other species would be the only way that their race would survive.It was progress.If they remained stagnant, they would be wiped out within less than a hundred rotations.
It was simple logic.It was a simple solution.Theonlysolution for the future of his people.
As Prime Leader, he would set the example.
Vaxa’an felt some of his tension drain at the sight of hisluxiva, as he guided his hovercraft down in front of his dwelling.Kat was leaning against the terrace, her arms folded on the balcony, looking out over Luxiria.The twin suns were setting.Tomorrow, at this time, he would be taking his female to the plains of theRavrax’tor.He resisted the urge to take her there this night.
She stole his breath as he disembarked from thexrellexax.The air was cool, a soft breeze blowing in from theTervatorregion.A surge of satisfaction lightened his mood when he saw Keriva’s handiwork.His female was dressed in the traditional female coverings that flowed lightly around her lush curves.Vaxa’an was suddenly very impatient for his nightly bathing with her.
Kat turned her head to regard him as he approached her and his chest puffed out a little, pleased with her perusal.
He was filled with confusion, however, whenever she placed a hand on his chest to prevent him from kissing her in greeting.
“We need to talk, Vaxa,” she said, a hint of anger edged in her tone.
Vaxa’an smiled, already feeling himself readying for another fight.Was it so wrong that he enjoyed their fights?Luxirians liked their females feisty.His Instinct had chosen well for him.
His cock thickened in his leg coverings, the frustrating council meeting fading in his mind.
“Okay, female,” he purred.“But let us talk in the bath.”
Kat bit her lip and he growled when he recognized the flash of arousal that passed over her features.He didn’t need to scent her anymore.He was becoming in tune with his female’s needs.
“This is serious, Vaxa,” she said.“Keriva told me some things.And I need you to tell me the truth.”
Her voice was steady, her tone stern.
“I should not have let her get the language implant.She loves to hear the sound of her own voice,” he said, with some affection.Keriva had been in his life since as long as he could remember.Her mother had been a renowned seamstress across all of the Luxirian outposts.She’d often come to outfit his own mother and Keriva was always with her.
Kat inhaled sharply, reaching her patience level.Vaxa sobered, placing his hands on her shoulders before running them down her bare arms to circle her wrists.
“Okay, female.Let us talk.What has been troubling you?”
“You didn’t tell me about the attack,” she said.A breeze made strands of hair float over her face and Vaxa’an pushed them away.“You didn’t tell me about the virus that killed most of your women, that killed yourmother.”
Vaxa’an’s lips pressed tightly together and he released her wrists, backing away.“It was not Keriva’s place to tell you those things.”
“Why?” she questioned.“Because you didn’t want me to know?You wanted to keep me in the dark?”
