Gemini fluttered her eyes open, a lazy smile tugging at her lips.
“Hey,” she said, her voice husky with sleep.
“Hello there,” he replied, brushing his fingers through her hair.
When his knot had deflated after their joining, he’d carefully eased her from his lap and settled her in the bed. Thankfully, she’d taken a few sips of water before falling asleep for good, and he hadn’t wanted to disturb her by cleaning her. His seed had antibiotic properties and would deal with any issues caused by the rough sex.
And now, despite his rut drawing to a close, he felt an arrogant swelling of pride at the dried white streaks coating just about every part of her.
“I’m a mess,” she said with a giggle, as if she noticed the way his gaze traced over the marks. “And now I know why you call them mating tentacles. I can’t believe you alphas walk around with them exposed like that.”
Apodis laughed, pressing a brief kiss to her lipsbefore he could stop himself, though she didn’t seem to mind.
“Well, they are only used for mating while an alpha is in rut, though most refrain from touching non-intimate partners with them,” he explained. “Are you feeling okay? I know I was… quite vigorous with you.”
Gemini paused for a moment, as if taking stock of her body, then gave him the most radiant smile he’d ever seen.
“I feel fine. A bit sore, sure, but not as much as I expected. That was hot. Worth a little pain,” she said with a wink, pressing her cheek against his chest.
“Good. I am ashamed to say I do not have any emergency contraception on hand, but I can have it delivered within the hour.”
He was mortified at the way he’d spoken to her during the rut, but she shook her head with a laugh, pressing a kiss to his cheek.
“You’re sweet, but I have an implant. I promise that no little half-human, half-Oslieth offspring were created yesterday. Today? However long it’s been. The breeding talk was super sexy, though.”
Apodis’ face heated, and she bit her lip slyly, like she was pleased to garner this reaction from him.
“I’m glad you enjoyed it. I enjoyed it too.”
Gemini reached for his hand, linking her fingerswith his.
“I enjoyed it very much. You’re a lot of fun when you let loose like that.”
Leaning forward, she planted a kiss on his mouth, nibbling at his lower lip and sending a jolt of need through him. Though the rut was over, his attraction to the human hadn’t dissipated in the slightest, and he was just as eager to feel her muscles clenching around him as before.
“You’re sure you don’t regret anything?” he asked when she pulled away.
With an Oslieth omega, he was always careful to discuss boundaries before they were too far gone, but he had foolishly tried to pretend nothing was happening with Gemini until it was too late.
“Of course not. If I didn’t need a bath so badly, I’d want you to fuck me again right now. But I’m not sure I can take any more of your…marksuntil I’m clean.” She paused for a moment as if considering her words. “Doyouregret it?”
“No!” he said quickly, wanting to reassure her. “Not in the slightest. That was… unlike anything I’ve ever experienced.”
It may have sounded sappy, but it was the truth, and he wanted Gemini to know.
“I’d have to agree,” she said with a cheeky grin.
A moment later, her face contorted into a wince, and she pressed a hand to her belly. Gemini turned her attention to her lower half, huffingout a low groan, and when Apodis followed her gaze a tremor of fear radiated through him.
“You’re bleeding!” he said, quickly sitting up so he could examine her more closely.
“Oh, shit. Yeah. I’m sorry about your sheets, though they were already pretty dirty.”
A small bloom of bright red blood stained the white fabric, but the mess was the least of his concerns.
“Are you okay? Did I hurt you?”
“No! No, it’s just my period. I’m due for it anyway, and sometimes it gets a bit of a jump start from…intense sex.”
