Page 1 of Captain's Companion

Chapter 1

Captain Ulrik Tonason stood to the side of the departure gate. Settlers wandered off the transport ship carrying luggage and children. The transport vessel carried thousands of passengers and took a long time to unload.

“Captain,” Commander Plav Do said. “Waiting for your companion?”

“Yes,” Ulrik said not taking his eyes off the people.

“You chose a human,” Plav said. “Is she aware you’re mostly Sinivite?”

“It’s part of my profile,” Ulrik said. He watched for the woman he selected as his companion on this three month trip.

“Did you tell her you think she’s your mate,” Plav asked.

“I watched a video,” Ulrik said not commenting on the mate part.

“But you still feel the pull,” Plav asked. “There are easier ways to find your mate.”

“You’re talking about the mystical trip some Sinivites take,” Ulrik said curling his lip in disgust. “I have work.”

“How will you handle the demands of a new mate with your duties as captain,” Plav asked. “You do remember what I went through when I found Mina?”

“My job comes first,” Ulrik said.

“If she’s truly your mate,” Plav said.

“You have duties, Commander,” Ulrik said wanting to have the first sight of his companion to be private.

“I’ll leave you,” he said smiling as he understood Ulrik’s dismissal. “I’ve got to gather up our settlers. You know companions come with a lot of luggage.”

“I’ll take care of her,” Ulrik said.

Plav walked away with a grin on his face, knowing exactly what Ulrik felt. The company required all captains utilize a companion. Ulrik hated them until he saw her recording. Since seeing the recording, he felt distracted, edgy, demanding, and aroused. Companions kept the captain of all ships, particularly those out of touch for long periods of time, satisfied in every sense. Captains with mates or spouses weren’t required to have a companion.

The flow of people slowed from a flood to a trickle. He looked back at the masses of people and wondered if he missed her. Gwyn Meinen. Ulrik obsessed about her since he viewed the recordings of the available companions. Unlike the other companions, she sat in a chair to talk about herself. Her clothing covered her. She worked as a companion for nine months and this was her third assignment. Ulrik wasn’t supposed to know about her previous assignments. A cousin of his sent him everything in her file. Sexually, he wanted her, but he needed her to be his on a more primal level.

“Thank you for helping me,” a woman said. “I don’t know what I’d have done without you.”

“They’re sweet,” Gwyn said.

Ulrik’s head snapped around. She stood with a taller woman who held the hands of two children. The hover cart behind her piled high with luggage. He cringed at the volume. His eyes swept over Gwyn. Her long brown hair swept up in a messy bun at the top of her head. He wanted it down. She wore jeans and a loose shirt. Her breasts bulged over the neckline but nestled against her breasts lay a small child, no more than one year old. Ulrik’s cock swelled and throbbed seeing her holding a child.

A man rushed by him, long strides carrying him directly towards Gwyn. Ulrik fought the urge to tackle him. “Endeara,” he said scooping up the woman with Gwyn.

“Papa,” the two children rushed forward to cling to his legs.

“There’s my big girls,” he said. When he finished kissing his mate, he scooped the two girls up. “Did you miss me during the flight?”

“Yes, papa,” they said.

“Oh,” Endeara said turning back to Gwyn to take the sleeping child. “Let me take her.”

“Thank you for your help,” the man said watching Endeara cuddle their youngest.

“My pleasure,” Gwyn said. “Good luck with your new placement.”

The family walked away with a wave. The hover cart followed them. Gwynn shifted the bag more securely onto her shoulder. Looking up at the boards, she read the locations of the different ships.

Ulrik stepped into view. “You’re Gwyn Meinen,” he asked.

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