Page 64 of K'Vella

"They need a co-pilot," Holoth says through shaky breaths.

"Jovi says he knows enough to get them through until they can find someone else," I say, stepping closer to Holoth.

"The clan leader—"

"Already told you that you could stay," I remind him of what he told me after he went and spoke to the female he protected years ago.

Holoth's whole body trembles as he lets out a long exhale. He looks at me, his eyes intense and blue. "K'Vella, do you want to live here, on Rythar, with me?"

"I want to be a good Rytharian mate," I whisper, reaching up behind me and tugging the top strap of my halter. Holoth lets out a groan of pleasure as the fur falls, revealing my breasts for him. "Do you want me to be your good Rytharian mate?"

Holoth practically pants as I ask, and I use the pause to scramble backward into the nest and remove the rest of my clothing.

Holoth growls, reaching for me before I get in because he knows he's a good male. He'll pace, growl, and seethe from outside the nest until I invite him in.

"Invite me into our nest, K'Vella." Holoth's voice sounds deadly, the command sending a visible shiver over me. Holoth's eyes go wide and then narrow on me. "Do you know when I'm using command?"

"Mhm," I murmur, letting my fingers roam over my body. I roll around in the nest, enjoying how Holoth looks down at me with lust searing his gaze.

"Bratty, mate." Holoth clicks his tongue. "You ignore my commands on purpose, then?"

"Only sometimes," I tease. "Now, tell me we can stay. Tell me I can have a family with you on this planet in this place that feels more like home than mine ever did. Tell me, and I'll be your good mate. I'll be so good for you."

Holoth growls low in his throat, the dark sound causing me to warm without his fingers rubbing against me. "Oh, we're staying.You're going to be filled with my young more often than not, and I'm filling that sweet pussy every night."

He takes a deep breath through his nose, and his eyes become even more erratic when he releases it. "Now, invite me into our nest."

"Holoth," I crawl to the edge of the nest, loving how his eyes fall down to my chest before they dart back up to my face. "Get in this nest with me." I reach out for his hand, but he's already got me turned around, holding my head into the furs as he lifts my hips high.

"I'm going to reward you so much," he groans as he slides inside of me. "Reward my perfect Varon mate—love of my life, mother of my children, fated most beloved. I'm never going to stop rewarding you."

I smile into the furs, my whole body warming as he talks. My mate doesn't make false promises. No, he keeps every single one.

twenty-three

Epilogue

K'Vella - One Year Later

The green glow of a new notification on my comm tablet has me groaning in the nest.

Athna is fast asleep in her bassinet next to the nest, which isn't surprising. The female can sleep through anything. Her soft arms are raised above her head, and her squishy legs are sprawled out. She has her father's markings, and if we're lucky, the next babe will as well.

I'd love them even if they had some recessed markings from Holoth's family, but they're so cute when they look like little versions of their father.

I lift Holoth's hand from my abdomen, trying not to wake him. Athna's been an easy baby, but we both still enjoy it when we can sleep for as long as possible between her needing us. Usually, it's her waking me to feed, but Holoth wakes up and sits behind me, running his fingers through my hair and telling me how much he loves me. Most of the time, he falls back asleep sitting up before Athna has finished eating, but it's the thought that counts.

I lean over the lip of the nest, stretching my fingers long in an attempt to get the comm tablet without having to get out of bed. I groan softly, my fingers scraping the edge.

Before I can grab the comm, my hips are pulled backward. My mate's warm chest falls over my bent-over body.

"Is this an attempt at seducing me?" Holoth purrs.

He keeps the sounds low so Athna doesn't wake, but it's enough to have me relaxing in his hold. I wiggle my backside against him. It wasn't my intention to seduce him, but I'm not going to say no to him now.

"I was trying to get my comm." I roll over onto my back, spread my legs wide, and use my bottom hands to spread myself for him. Holoth growls but hops out of the nest to grab my comm tablet before returning.

"Might as well check it," he says, tossing the comm next to my head before lying down between my legs.

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