Page 50 of Dealing With Drak

The next few days pass in blissful blur. The watch I found in the cave is a bit of a deadend as it’s not a very helpful clue. But, as it’s a sign of my family, it keeps my spirits up. Well, the watch and Drak keep my spirits up anyway. He’s proving to be a pretty solid boyfriend—er, mate.

Not much has changed within our dynamic. I snap at him less, and he pesters me about the same amount. Now I just don’t force myself to pretend to hate it. I let him make me laugh more and hold my hand while we’re walking if it’s safe to be off our guard. And of course, we kiss much more.

Drak is a naturally caring guy, and it shows constantly. He asks to help me with practically everything I do, and before that would irk me. I would assume he thought I was incompetent or too weak to do it myself. Now I can see that he simply wants me to do things with him. It’s exceedingly clear that Drak’s love language is acts of service. Well, maybe a bit of physical touch too. The greedy alien loves to keep his hands on me.

I didn’t use to like being bothered by gentle and loving touches, not like I do now. It doesn’t feel like a bother at all when he reaches for me. Drak makes me feel wanted.

So while there hasn’t been immense progress in our search, there’s been considerable improvement with us. This man has me genuinely convinced that he’d scour the ends of the Earth with me, never stopping. He hasn’t mentioned going back to the sorority house or even to his planet once. I know it hasn’t been long, but his commitment means more than he can ever possibly know.

We’re taking it easy today, staying in a surprisingly clean and untouched hotel room in one of the bigger cities farther from campus. Don’t get me wrong, most of this place was destroyed, but Drak assured me the structural integrity of the building was fine, and he was able to find more than a few rooms completely untouched. The water doesn’t work, and the power is obviously out as this place isn’t running on solar, but it’s nice enough.

I was able to bathe with a few gallons of clean water we found in an abandoned store nearby and wash my hair with proper shampoo and conditioner. While it wasn’t warm and relaxing, it was relieving just to get sparkly clean. There isn’t a spot of dirt on my skin, and it feels fucking fantastic.

Earlier, we did a quick sweep of the surrounding area but didn’t find much. We took out a city’s block worth of zombies, though, using Drak’s laser bomb to clear out the mass of them and our guns to pick off the rest. We’d run out of energy and bullets if we attempted to kill every zombie we pass, but taking out the bigger groups is a part of our plan now. If we can help make areas safer for any remaining humans, we might just be making it safer for my brothers.

Plus, I mean, it’s sort of fun.

“An-nana, I fear I have made a mistake,” Drak tells me immediately, not even giving me a second to blink. I just finished getting dressed in our shared bathroom for the night, and he looks guilty as hell.

Surprised by his blunt admission, I look at him quizzically. “What’d you do?”

He worries his hands in his lap, sitting on the end of one of the queen beds. “I spoke with Marrec while you were cleaning yourself, and I have told him something I do not know if I was supposed to say.”

Letting out a breath, my shoulders fall with a small relief. If he’s worried he said something he shouldn’t, Marrec would be the most acceptable person to tell. He’s not here to do anything about what’s been said, so I’m not sure why Drak seems so scared to tell me.

Lifting a skeptical brow, I ask, “Did you say something mean about me?”

Drak rears back, gobsmacked by the question. “I would never!”

Hiding a laugh, I bite the inside of my cheek. “Then what could it be? You seem like you think I’m going to be upset.”

My mate hangs his head in shame. “I revealed to him that you are my chosen mate. I did not ask you first, and I am ashamed of my careless?—”

Laughter fills the air, bubbling out of me before I can stop it.

Truly bewildered now, Drak blinks at me.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” I say, coughing to catch my breath. “I shouldn’t be laughing at you, but sweetie, you’re worrying about nothing. You can tell whoever you want about us.”

His lips part in shock, and his eyes sparkle. “You do not wish to hide this? I thought that you did not like others prying in your businesses.”

Affronted, I invade his space, stepping between his knees to put our faces close together. “I’m not fucking hiding you, Drak. You’re my mate, shout it from the rooftops if you want. You are right, I don’t like people prying into my business. And if they try to, I’ll tell them to shut the fuck up and leave me alone. You being my mate isn’t solely my business, though. It’s ours. We’re together, it’s just a fact.”

He’s been struck silent, which is a first.

“The only secret I’ve asked you to keep is why we’re traveling, and you have. Honestly, you could tell Marrec that as well if he would keep it to himself. He’s kind of the perfect person for you to confide in. He’s not here to bother me but experienced in being with a human, so he’s a good resource for you.”

Drak swallows, looking at me like I’ve somehow mesmerized him.

“You amaze me, An-nana,” he finally says, reaching out to hold my waist. His hands surround my ribs, and it gives me a small thrill. I’ve grown to love how big he is.

Blushing, I let some of my wet hair fall forward to hide the pink in my cheeks. “I’m just being blunt.”

“Honesty is one of my favorite qualities you possess, my mate,” he declares, voice dripping in that sultry, lusty tone he uses when he’s aroused.

“Keep that flirty voice to yourself, babe,” I tell him half-heartedly, I just got clean.

Pretending to pout, Drak leans forward to rest his head on my chest. “But making you dirty is so fun, An-nana.” Feeling him lay on my boobs like they’re his own personal pillows should not be as hot as it is.

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