Page 63 of Possessed By the Leonid King

“No! Honestly, one day, we’ll go to Tigerite-One if you’d like to see it. Beautiful place! Jungles. Temples. So much lush, green land. It’s one of the system's chief agricultural belts. I have had a Tigerite crewmate before, back when I was young and my father was alive. I think his name was Burton—yes, Burton, from Tigerite-Three. Burton told me most Tigerite males make a sort of pilgrimage into the main city on their planet to get their higher education, and then return to their homestead, take a mate, and live a few miles from anyone else. Their cities would be like Leonid-One’s districts or Sapien-Three’s provinces or states because they’re so spread out.”

“Huh. Wonder why he wants to be aboard a ship then?” Layla wound her arms around her future husband, burying her nose in his back, wiping her eyes on his uniform.

“Well. Times are changing. Maybe he wants to break with tradition. Maybe there’s not much work for a security systems expert out in his part of the world. We certainly had to change after the Queen Fever. Had there not been a shortage of females, Marcus would not have experimented with the idea of chromosome compatibility. Then you wouldn’t have been asked to partake in this damn foolish experiment, and I would never have found the love of my life!”

Layla felt anger surge and spike in her. Seconds ago, she thought she would die without Ru’s touch and now she wanted to smack him. Foolish experiment? Is that how he thought of their attempt to produce a family?

Calm down. You didn’t even want a family. You wanted to get knocked up, get paid, and get gone.

Yeah, well... Now, I don’t feel like that and I don’t like him saying that.

It didn’t matter that Ru didn't know her feelings. Irrational as it was, Layla couldn’t let go of her anger, even knowing how precious family was to Rupex and aware that his words had been poorly chosen.

Layla grabbed the small handheld tablet she’d been using. “I’ll let you get on with the Tiger-guy.”

“Layla?”

“Gotta go.”

“Layla, my love, what’s—”

“It’s nothing. Just... something foolish.” Layla banged her palm against the panel that opened the command deck’s doors.

Ru’s paw crashed over hers. “You’re angry with me.” He blinked in surprise as he turned her face toward his.

“I’m just... I feel like crap. I love you. I don’t know if it’ll ever work out for us, but I hope one day we have kids. Cubs. Babies! Maybe it’ll work out for other couples, healthier couples. I’m polluted.” Layla rubbed her eyes. “Let me go. I wanna lay down.”

“I’ll be there soon to check on you, my Queen.” Ru kissed her with concern in his eyes, paw lingering on her shoulder until she was completely out of the room.

LAYLA BYPASSED HER own quarters, a feeling of sadness and misery that she couldn’t describe hanging over her. It was worse the further she got from Rupex. Her anger faded into a confused ball.

“Maybe I have something wrong. Intergalactic flu.” Layla stepped into the elevator and leaned against its steel wall.

This was where she’d first been pressed to Rupex. He’d been angry then. A lot had changed in a month.

Wow. Had it been a month?

Six weeks, technically, since she’d been trafficked and ended up in this cargo bay. Four since she’d made a bargain with the handsome Leonid who has won her heart.

The elevator doors opened to reveal Marcus pushing a cart toward the medical bay.

“Marcus?”

“If you’ve come to apologize, it’s all right. I’m an old Leonid. I’ve seen enough body parts from various species to last me a lifetime. Never expected to see my handiwork displayed with such... hrm. Enthusiasm.” The older Leonid cleared his throat.

“I don’t want to apologize. I ... I want to sit down.” Layla staggered past him and made her way unevenly to the bed where she’d had her first exam.

“Layla?” Marcus’ voice took on a note of alarm.

“I feel... hot. Really hot. And sad. And angry.”

“I think we just found out that humans can not tolerate a twice-weekly booster,” Marcus said as he hurried to stand beside her, one hand on her head. “It was noble of you to try it this week, but no more.”

“I’m going to be okay, right?”

“I think you’ll be fine, but feverish for a few days. Why don’t I take you back to your room so you can rest there? It’s got a lot more ambiance.”

“But not the great doctor.” Layla smiled at him.

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