Page 24 of Possessed By the Leonid King

“Yes, Captain.”

“Quarters, news?”

The voice switched and the media viewer in Layla’s room flickered on.

A Leopardine journalist in a lavish purple dress was explaining that Felix Ore, the largest space ore mining company in Felix Orbus, had reduced crews to essential personnel and that it was going to impact profit margins.

“Damn.”

“The Servali planets are scrambling to halt all on-world traffic this morning as three further deaths were reported in conjunction with a mutation of the Queen Fever Virus that is tragically impacting our Canid neighbors. Our hearts go out to them at this time. The Leopardine Prime Minister recommends that all females, especially those in high-contact professions, obtain an additional dose of the QF vaccine. Word is expected today from the Felix Orbus High Council on whether all F.O. planets will restrict traffic and place a mandatory six-week quarantine on docking ships. For further—”

“Oww. Ow. Oh, shit.” Layla was awake and wincing.

Quickly, before her squirms could arouse him, Rupex ripped his semi-soft organ from its sweet nest. Even soft, he was still a good number of inches in length, probably about the size of a human male’s erect genitalia. Layla made a yowl of pain that shot him in the heart and made him grab her back, pulling her against his chest. He purred and licked her bare back and shoulders. “Shh, shh, my Layla. It’ll be all right. A hot shower and rest in bed. You can come to my quarters while your quarters are cleaned.”

Layla nodded groggily and pulled free of his embrace. Rubbing her eyes, she stretched, yawned, and gasped. “Am I already pregnant?”

Rupex blinked. “I would love that to be the case. Do you feel pregnant?”

“No, I look—” Layla stood up and pointed at her puffy lower abdomen.

A torrent of cum gushed out from her when gravity took hold.

“Ick. Why is cum so sexy in the moment and gross later?” Without waiting for an answer, Layla scurried off to the shower. “I need something to wear, too!”

Clothing and cleaning. That was the least of his worries.

MARCUS WAS IN THE MEDICAL bay, but he didn’t even look up when Rupex came in.

Rupex paused. As a captain, the ship was his from stem to stern. Still, he usually didn’t invade Marcus’ privacy.

Right now, Marcus was speaking to an old Servali Queen, the monitor of his database computer revealing a small, regal female with her head wrapped in the traditional red Servali kerchief.

“My love to you, too, Mama. No, I think the young Queens will be fine without another dose. They only had one last cycle.”

“The schools will be closed for six weeks. The Servali High Council already announced it.”

“Good, good. Can’t be too careful.”

“You cannot be too careful, either. Kaya told me you wanted to mess about with viruses and pathogens, blood cells and chromosomes. Tch.” She made a snorting noise of disapproval.

“I am not dealing with immunology in terms of the virus, Mama. Only in terms of reproduction.”

There was a silence.

“My Kaya would have been proud of you.”

“Thank you, Mama.”

Mama? Marcus was a Leonid. His mother was not a Servali! Furthermore, that Queen must have been in her mid-fifties or even sixties, just a decade or so older than Marcus. She couldn’t possibly be his mother! Not that Rupex would have cared if she was, but he admitted to feeling puzzled. “Hrm. Marcus, a word when you’re free?”

Marcus gave him a curt nod.“Mama, I must go. Love to all the little ones. Keep them close to home.”

“Bastet go with you, my son.”

“And you.” Marcus slapped the screen with a huff and it went back to displaying medical data. “Good morning. Or should I say afternoon?”

Rupex’s tail lashed. It was still morning—barely. “This was your idea.”

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