Page 32 of A Mate for Haax

My eyes don’t know where to look first as we make our way to his… Well, I suppose it's our home now. There is something to see on every corner. It is surprising to not see very many Grekarian women or children on the planet. I knew that there probably wouldn’t be, but knowing and seeing are two very different things.

A yellowish-green scaled hand reaches out and grabs my own. I’d always thought that scales would be hard like that of an armadillo, but they’re actually soft. I wonder if they change during battle. Do they toughen up like fingernails? Another thought occurs to me, and I audibly inhale.

I am now mated to the Commander of the Flighten, how often will I be alone when he’s on assignment. Does he leave the planet often? If so, can I go with him? Shit.

He gently squeezes my hand, commanding my attention. “I may be the commander, but a lot of my duties are right here on Grekaria. It is rare for me to be called up to duty unless the situation is dire. I have daily check-ins with my command stations, who keep me apprised of any issues that may arise and require my immediate attention.”

I didn't realize it at first, but I let out a small sigh of relief, which brings a smile to his handsome face. A sharp jawline fans upward to high cheekbones. His eyes are amethyst with silver rings, much like Traxx, Rhea’s mate. I’ve never seen quite an exquisite color. They must all have the same eye color because I’ve yet to see an alien, half or full Grekarian, whose eyes are different.

Not like humans, who tend to have a random array of hair and eye colors. Despite the eyes, I can tell slight differences between them. The shape of their scales, the color of their hair, the shading on their bodies. Some of the Grekarians have scars, leading me to believe they’re soldiers.

We continue on our journey. I keep waiting for the pain in my leg to spike again, but I swear that regenerative healing chamber thing worked wonders. If I was still on Earth, there’s no way I’d be standing, let alone walking, on that leg right now.

I wiggle my toes and move my foot in my shoes. It all feels so normal. Or maybe I’m just so caught up in the way Haax held me and told me everything would be okay, even if he didn’t know it would be. Once again, my mate shows his compassion and care for me and my safety.

Small shops line the road. Some of the signs are in Grekarian, so I’m not exactly sure what the businesses are, but some are easy to guess based on the customers holding different treats. Like, one definitely has to be some sort of bakery or ice cream store.

One male is holding a tiny ice cream cone in his hand, and I have to laugh at the size comparison. It would be comparable to me holding a mini ice cream, like a child’s size. This alien has blue and purple scales. From what I can tell, he is tall like Haax, definitely a full bred Grekarian. Two scoops of ice cream hang on to a tiny cone held in massive hands.

“It’s so pretty here. Like someone opened a book and decided to bring things from their imagination to life. I love the colors. It’s sad, though, not seeing any smiling children or women. It must be lonely to live here alone.”

“We have women who live here, even though they are not Grekarian. Do not worry about the males. They all manage to seek out pleasure just fine. We have pleasure givers here, much like on your planet.”

“You have prostitutes, you mean?”

“No, our pleasure givers do not accept money for their offerings. It is freely given because they like the feel of sex with another.”

“Interesting.” It’s the only thing my poor little brain can come up with to say.

I open my mouth to ask him something else when the cruiser comes to a halt. “Here we are.” He announces proudly. “Welcome home, Esme.”

My eyes widen at the sight before me: A massive treehouse. A small stream flows below it, and a swinging bridge meets my eyes as I capture the whole picture. And what a picture it is. To the side, I see a fire pit, similar to what a human would have, and things that resemble chairs but are huge.

The house is surrounded by foliage everywhere you look. It’s like he picked this house right out of the jungle and plopped it here. Flowers dot the stream in a bright array of turquoise, and I can’t help but want to pick a bunch so I can look at them forever.

My mate. What is that pretty little head of yours thinking right now? The expression on his face when I turn to him is one of devious delight. It’s also predatory like an animal who wants to hunt his prey. I am that prey. The thought hits me like a speeding bullet, sending a shiver down my back, and I can’t stop the words springing from my lips next.

“Do you enjoy the chase?” I ask, returning my eyes to the jungle.

“Are you suggesting what I think you are, Esme?” He quirks an eyebrow as his lips form into a smirk.

“And if I am?”

“I will hunt you down if you run. We are predators known for our excellent hunting skills. If you run, I will find you. If you hide from me, I will find you. And would you like to know what I will do to you once I find you?”

I gulp at the image my brain shows before me. “Yes.”

“I will chase you, throw you down on the ground, and then have my dirty way with you until you’re begging me to stop and only then will I stop. I take your pleasure very seriously. Then I will proceed to spank your bottom so you remember how much running from me is a bad idea.”

“But if you fuck me, and that’s what I wanted, then why would spanking, which I also apparently like, turn me away from doing just that?”

Heat flares in his eyes, and his nostrils widen with an intake of air. “Do not tempt me, little minx. You will not like the consequences, and right now, you need to rest. I imagine the healing chamber took a lot of strength from your body quickly to fix your bones.”

As if he’s pulled the yawn from my lips, my mouth opens on command. I lift my hand up to try and shield it, but he just grins at me.

“Now… would you like to see the inside of our home?” My heart beats soundly in my chest and warms with affection over his use of the words our home.

Chapter 20

---