Page 58 of Fated to the Alien Chieftain

Krogoth expression darkens slightly. “Young Dracoth and Elder Ignixis are still among the missing,” he reports, shrugging off his massive cloak as he heads towards the bedroom. “Drexios and the other Scythian loyalists fled in the Ravagers Ruin,” he adds, his tone unwavering.

His words cause a pang of anxiety, thinking that we could cross paths with the scary and unsettling Drexios again. “That guy will definitely be trouble,” I assert with confidence.

Krogoth nods in agreement. “I will slaughter him,” his purple eyes flash for a moment until his face softens, as he looks at me with a smile, “Never mind that. How are your preparations?”

“My preparations?”My preparations are a giant pile of unorganized clothes.That awaits just behind the door that Krogoth is currently heading towards Ahh! My pulse rises at the realization. “Wait, Krogoth, the room is a mess. I’m still not done yet,” I protest.

“What’s a little mess between Mortakin-Kis and Mortakin-Kai?” he replies, throwing the bedroom door wide open. A silence seems to stretch on forever as I cringe inside until Krogoth’s shoulders shake with laughter. “Gods, is this all for you? How could someone so tiny need so many clothes?” he inquires, incredulous as we both gaze at the colorful heap that nearly reaches the ceiling.

“I knew you would laugh.” Feeling a mix of embarrassment and frustration. I half-heartedly attempt to tidy up the chaos. “I was still in the process of elimination,” I explain, turning toward him. “You know, survival of the fashionable?”

“An impossible task. Everything is fashionable on you,” Krogoth assures me, his fingers skimming through the pile, his words bringing a smile to my lips.

“You’re sweet, Krogoth. But most of them barely fit me anymore,” I confess as I lean in closer to him. “I think AHI is trying to make me fat… possibly to expand me.” Whispering conspiratorially, I cast nervous glances around for any sign of AHI’s drones.

Krogoth scoffs at the idea. “Expand you? Surely not Pebbles,” he says, disbelievingly.

“Then why does it keep leaving these giant dishes of snacks beside me?” I gesture towards the mostly finished plate. “Every room I’m in—”

“Korgy and Rocks. Dinner is served.” AHI’s interruption cuts through our conversation, almost as if to emphasize my point.

“Coincidence?” Krogoth suggests with a shrug, exchanging an uncertain glance with me.

Already the smell of a hot, delicious cooked meal wafts into the bedroom, stoking my senses.Perhaps my diet can wait another day?Krogoth heads out of the bedroom in a hurry, his voracious appetite leading him by his nose, and I follow closely behind.

“Why does AHI refer to me as Korgy?” Krogoth questions with his eyes narrowed.

I suppress a laugh, having forgotten I’d edited his title recently. “Hmm, I have no idea. AHI is very sneaky, you know,” I reply as innocently as I can.

“Is that so?” Krogoth raises an eyebrow. “AHI, who last edited my title?”

“Korgy. User Roxy,” AHI’s robotic voice answers.

Such a snitch!“That’s what he wants you to believe,” I retort, prompting laughter from us both.

In the dining room, the aroma from the meal grows stronger, beckoning us onward to its deliciousness. Mercifully, Krogothhad adjustments made to my chair, so now the side contains tiered steps up, which I ascend with ease.

My eyes widen, looking at my feast laid out on my plate that rests upon the enormous table, now displaying deep fissures. “Look at this,” I exclaim, stabbing a fork accusingly toward my meal. “There must be twenty pounds of steak here and the vegetables are piled higher than my clothes!” I glance incredulously at Krogoth.

Krogoth chuckles as he surveys my plate. “That is a little excessive.” He rubs his chin.

“Little is not the word I’d use. There’s more on my plate than yours,” I declare, comparing our meals, before sighing deeply.What the hell is going on with AHI?“Do you remember when AHI used to give me smaller portions? Like much smaller than yours?”

Krogoth frowns before speaking. “AHI, why have you given Roxy so much food?” He demands, leaning back in his chair.

“Korgy. User Roxy is expanding,” AHI replies simply.

“You see what I mean?” I ask, glancing at Krogoth, feeling vindicated.

Krogoth scratches his head. “AHI, elaborate on this ‘expanding.’” he urges, his curiosity piqued.

“Korgy. User Roxy is expanding with new life,” AHI’s robotic voice announces, dropping a bombshell that reverberates through the room.

Krogoth and I stare at each other with unblinking eyes, with only the noise of our rapidly increasing breaths breaking the silence as the realization dawns on us.

“I’m pregnant?” I exclaim after what seems like an eternity.

“I’m to be a father?” Krogoth shouts excitedly simultaneously.

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