Page 37 of Doom

“Babies,” I said, my voice devoid of any emotion as understanding finally dawned on me.

Anita nodded slowly, her dark gaze never straying from mine. “They’ve been here five months, traipsing all over the planet, and you’re still the only soulmate pair to have been formed.” Her face took on a pleading expression as she leaned forward and took my hand, the lovely brown of her skin contrasting sharply with the snowy paleness of my own. “Proof that a human female can birth more Xian Warriors would cement their commitment to protect our species to the bitter end.”

I heaved a sigh, hating to be seen as some kind of a broodmare. However, in all honesty, the same thoughts had crossed my mind.

“We’re already trying,” I said somewhat stiffly. “If it were up to Doom, we’d be on baby number ten already. If the Coalition recommends that I keep taking the serum, then that means it shouldn’t have any effect on my ability to conceive. Do you really think they haven’talsobeen tracking things with me and running tests of their own? I, too, have been running tests. Doom’s sperm count is fine and all my girly bits are fully operational. Some women become pregnant whenever a guy sneezes in their general direction. In my case, it might take a little longer, but wearetrying.”

Anita nodded, an expression both grateful and relieved on her face. “Sorry for putting you on the spot like that. I realize this is a heck of a lot of pressure on you and—”

“Don’t worry, I understand,” I interrupted with a smile.

“Your baby will come,” Anita said with confidence. “And he will be a true miracle for every world in the galaxy.”

From your lips to God’s ears.

* * *

Iwas rushing to complete the final report Dr. Soroz had given me as part of my training with the Coalition’s medical research team. The Tegorian female was a real dragon when it came to meeting expectations—although her species resembled far more a cross between a lycan and a fox. While I loved the way her bright blue eyes popped in her triangular face covered with short white fur, it was never a good thing to have them glaring at you.

But Doom would be arriving soon. After six days separated while he fought on the western coast of Canada, I wanted to be at the docking bay to greet him. Although I’d already showered this morning, his return today had been a last-minute surprise as we hadn’t expected him before tomorrow. While he probably wouldn’t even notice my clothes, a girl needed to primp herself up a bit for her man!

Tina had promised to mind-speak me a warning of their approach as soon as they were within my psychic range—which meant about ten minutes before they landed inside the docking bay. I finished writing the report, quickly read through it again, then electronically sent it to Dr. Soroz.

After turning off my computer, I ran to the door only to have her stand in my way. Almost as tall as a Xian Warrior, the Tegorian female was both beautiful and intimidating. Their people usually lived completely naked. However, to spare other species’ sensibilities on the Coalition vessels, they wore some kind of a loincloth to hide their naughtiest bits. In her case, it was made of black leather with a silver pattern embroidered around its edges. She stood barefoot, with only a few bracelets, a silver band around her right upper arm, and three silver rings pierced along the side of her right pointy fox ear. The same short white fur partially hid the double set of nipples on her bare chest. Unlike us, they didn’t have boobs per se, but there was a slight bump beneath each nipple. A long, bushy tail wagged lazily behind her.

“You seem in a hurry. Is something wrong?” Dr. Soroz asked.

“No,” I said, trying to control my voice. “It’s just that Doom will be landing soon, and I want to be there when he does.”

“Hmmm. You humans are endearing with these mating rituals,” she said pensively, looking at me with that ‘you’re such a weird creature’ way she often did. “Is it required to strengthen your bond?”

“No.”

“Would he be angry or feel disrespected if you weren’t there waiting for him?” she asked.

“Well, no. It’s not an obligation. It’s just something nice to show the person you love that you missed them and so they feel wanted and lovingly welcomed back home,” I explained, my patience running low.

“Therefore, it would be perfectly acceptable for you to just wait to see him in your quarters without subjecting yourself to all this stress and pressure?” Although Dr. Soroz’s tone implied a question, it was clearly more a statement intimating she found my behavior silly.

“Yes, it would be acceptable, but I don’t want to wait because I do miss him, and it pleases him for me to come greet him,” I replied, this time barely hiding my annoyance. “So, unless you have a specificand urgentneed of me, I would like to get going.”

My time aboard The Avenger was testing my patience to its limits. The cultural challenges humans faced with other nations from Earth paled in comparison to dealing with truly alien cultures that found many of our traditions and ‘rituals’ completely illogical—makeup and high heels featuring at the top of that list. As much as discovering their ways fascinated me, I’d stopped counting the number of times I’d been itching to commit murder.

Dr. Soroz didn’t answer right away, merely content to stare at me with a provocative smirk. Despite their somewhat beastly appearance, the Tegorians weren’t a belligerent species although they loved testing and challenging people, physically and mentally. While I could enjoy these little games, now wasn’t the time.

“I need a slight clarification about one line of your report,” she said at last, just as I was about to lose my shit.

Biting my tongue to suppress the litany of curse words that wanted to spill out, I complied. She quite literally wasted ten more minutes of my time with inane questions before setting me free. It made no sense. Dr. Soroz jealously valued her time and was beyond OCD when it came to efficiency and time management. So, what was all that about?

Refusing to waste any more time dwelling on her odd behavior, I hastened to the elevator. When I reached the living quarters floor, the elevator doors opened on Laura—Legion’s Soulcatcher—looking every shade of spiffy in a killer long black dress with the same gold accent as the Vanguard.

I made the mistake of complimenting her on it. She hogged me to discuss her hot plans with her boyfriend for the evening and then requested an impromptu medical consultation about some girly issues which she didn’t feel comfortable discussing with alien doctors on board The Avenger. As she intended to do naughty things with her boyfriend that night and certain condoms or lubricants caused her irritation, she wouldreallyappreciate my assistancenow.

This was a freaking conspiracy.

Of course, I agreed. Forever went by before I could finally make it to my quarters, actually stunned that Tina hadn’t reached out to me yet to say they had landed. When I opened the door, my heart nearly stopped beating from shock.

White and blush floral arrangements and white ribbons decorated the short corridor into the living area. There, more flowers awaited me, surrounding a tall mannequin dressed in a stunning wedding gown in a shimmering white fabric definitely not of this world. In keeping with my boho fashion tastes, it was a sleeveless, simple A-Line design with a sweetheart neckline and flower patterns that appeared embossed in the fabric.

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