He should tell her. Heneededto tell her. But telling her would probably scare her. And if he scared her, she’d go back to her camp, and he’d never see her again. Which he knew was always going to happen, but he wanted a few more days with her, afew more days of pretending he had a friend other than his caerulian.
He couldn’t deny that the fact that she was not an Oslieth pleased him as well. The rigid gender designations made it difficult to figure out whether someone liked you for who you were or for yourstatus. He wasn’t better than someone else simply because he was an alpha, but after a lifetime of conditioning, many omegas didn’t want to hear that. They just wanted an alpha mate, regardless of the true feelings below the surface.
But Gemini didn’t know any of that. Sure, her apparent interest could be a reaction to his pheromones, but she seemed genuine. Like she really wanted to be friends—or more than friends—without worrying about what he could do for her.
He brushed a hand through her hair, and she purred, the continuous vibration rumbling against his chest. It was a soothing sound, and he wondered if it was normal for humans, or yet another sign of the strange transformation.
“Well, you did a nice job. It’s very cozy in here,” he said, and she beamed at his encouragement.
“I’m really hungry,” she said suddenly, then her pretty eyes widened like she was shocked she’d said the words. “Not that I expect you to cook for me. I can go back to my camp if?—”
“No,” he said quickly, cutting her off before she got too into her head. “I’m happy tomake you something. And like I said before, you’re welcome to stay as long as you’d like.”
He hoped against all hope that she wouldn’t want to leave today, even though it certainly would be wiser to let her go.
But really, it was all just suspicion. He still had no clear and undeniable proof that she was responding to him. It wasn’t like he knew much about humans anyway. Perhaps everything had a clear explanation that had nothing to do with pheromones or omegas or nesting.
Yes, that’s what he’d keep telling himself, even as guilt welled in his chest, his body relaxing with Gemini in his arms.
“Food would be nice,” she said with a giggle, and he squirmed out of her grasp, crossing his arms in front of himself as if that would make his erection less obvious.
Her eyes wandered down his form until they met his clasped hands, the smirk on her face telling him she’d noticed. As he tried to make his escape, her voice stopped him in his tracks.
“Oh! Do you have any candles? I’d love to light some around here for breakfast.”
He turned and nodded, pointing at the cabinet.
“Sure. I have a few in there if you’d like to set them up. Should be an e-lighter too.”
“Thanks!” she said with a bright smile, cozyingup in the pillows and blankets as the door whirred shut behind him.
Apodis let out a deep breath, trying to ignore his persistent cock as Zenith meandered over.
“You should tell her. Ask her to be your mate,” he said, and Apodis grumbled.
“I can’t do that. I looked it up, and humans date for an average of three months before becoming exclusive. Even longer before they get married, which seems to be the closest thing they have to a mate bond. And she may not even be monogamous. I’m not clear on how many partners a human female normally has.”
The thought of Gemini mating with another burned him with jealousy, which was insane since they’d only just met. Some Oslieths preferred to form packs, but Apodis had always felt most comfortable with a single partner, though he’d never restrict someone from what their heart wanted if that was how they felt.
Here he was, thinking aboutlove, and he knew next to nothing about this human. Just that he enjoyed spending time with her and taking care of her, felt the attraction deep in his bones in a way he’d never experienced.
But how could she possibly want to be with him?
Sure, it seemed like she was interested in sex, but beyond that? He was too old, and not even the samespecies. She belonged with a male who could give her offspring.
She belonged on Earth, not here with him.
“You will never know if you do not ask,” Zenith said. “And she deserves to know that something is happening to her.”
“We don’t know that for sure,” he replied, but Zenith just rolled his eyes.
“I saw her last night. She came out of your room and gathered up all the pillows and blankets. She’s nesting.”
Apodis scoffed, ignoring the caerulian and boiling some water for so’ala. He set about making sweet zinthian cakes, remembering how much Gemini had enjoyed them yesterday, not having the energy to discuss this any further.
As the rhythm of cooking enveloped him, his racing mind calmed, focusing on preparing each dish precisely. When he was done, he made a tray and carried it into the bedroom, Zenith following behind.
Gemini’s smile radiated through the room, lit by the cozy glow of candlelight. Galaxies, she was beautiful, her hair mussed from sleep, his much-too-big clothing rumpled on her small form.
