Page 7 of K'Vella

Strange.

I lift my head enough to see what he's so upset about, and that's when I see the two Varon males standing in the entryway of this small medical room. I focus on the dark bands wrapped around their arms. Proof that these males have either found a bonded mate or they've chosen to devote themselves to one without the bond.

One of them smiles brightly before shooting me a small wave and disappearing back down the hall. The other stays firmly planted, taking up all the space he can with his four arms crossed over his chest.

"Get out," Holoth snarls, his presence growing to match the perceived threat he seems to think the Varon male poses.

Essa's at ease watching the two interact with one another. She leans against a wall, her tail lazily flicking back and forth between her legs as the males size one another up and stare at each other.

There's no danger to me here. Not from this Varon male. The markings on his skin prove he's devoted to someone else. He won't want anything to do with me. Varon males are nothing if not loyal to those they choose.

I shift where I'm lying, no longer calm and ready for sleep without the soft vibrations to lull me into slumber. A thin blanket covers my body, and on top of it is a thick fur that smells of a warm and sweet spice from my planet. It's mostly used during the cold holidays, reminding me of celebrations that even my mother and sister couldn't spoil.

I pull the fur higher up and press my nose into it, inhaling it deep until the cozy feeling fills me. The sound of my sniffing or the movement catches Holoth's attention. He glances at me from the corner of his eyes over his shoulder. I think he smiles for a second, but then he turns back to Varon and snaps his teeth at him.

"She should be fine," Essa says.

She lets out a huff of a laugh and moves to stand between the two males. She braces her hands on either side of her, separating the males and making it seem like a fight might break out at any moment. Between them, she's as tall as Holoth and just barely shorter than the Varon if her horns don't count for her height.

"I don't think there's any reason Alik needs to interfere, do you?" Essa keeps her attention on Holoth, who's still just as tensed, his hands balled into fists at his sides. Her pupils constrict a fraction, their length remaining the same but thinning to reveal more of her bright yellow iris.

"I want to know if Holoth's going to forgive himself if I let him loose on her?" the Varon in the doorway, Alik, snaps at Holoth and adds his growl into the mix as though that's what this room needs even more of. Nothing could help this situation more than the rumblings of aggressive males. "I need to know what you're thinking right now and how far you think you are from falling into your rut. It's for all of our safety. You know you're about to get territorial, so I need to know."

My chest flushes a bright violet at the thought of the shirtless Rytharian male going into a rut because that's exactly what I'm here for. I'm wondering if no one knows why I came. They have to, right? They wouldn't have let me onto this ship without knowing why I'm here. There's no reason for them to let a stranger join them.

Sure, Via told me she cleared it with someone, but with how the three crew members I've met so far are acting, I don't think any of them know that I very much would like this male in front of me to use me for his rut. I'm still deciding if I find him handsome or not, but that can grow on me.

I know I like how protective he seems to be over me already. I also know he makes a soft purring sound that calms and relaxes me. His body is nice, especially his backside. It fills out the leather pants he's wearing in such a way that I wouldn't mind using my lower hands to hold him close to me as he tries to impregnate me. Yes, I think that would be nice.

Everyone's attention snaps over to me like I've said something, and I realize too late that I said, "That would be nice," out loud.

My eyes go wide as I look around the room, not stopping until they land on the strange two-eyed man in front of me, shirtless and looking at me like he isn't struggling with deciding if he finds me attractive or not.

"I'm so glad you're talking now." Essa beams. "I don't know how long Holoth will allow the rest of us to be near you, but I dofeel like I need to make sure you are aware that there's a male here who's close to going into a rut and that our friend has told us you wish to be with him."

The burning in my chest is my blood trying to turn all of me a deep violet color in embarrassment. It's not that I care about them knowing my reason for being here since we're all adults and know how children are made. It's more so that we have to talk it through right now when tensions are so high.

"Yes, I'm here to help a Rytharian through his rut," I say, keeping my gaze on Holoth's and feeling a little proud of myself when the warm vibrations begin in his chest again. It's loud and soothing and so wonderful as it lulls me into peace.

"You know your species are not compatible?" Essa asks.

The question has me frowning. I don't want to go into all the details because it's none of their business.

Well, none of their business except for Holoth's. He might be worried he's going to hurt me or that I might be more of a tease than anything else through his rut. I can see a flicker of concern in his eyes, and it helps me give them some answers that might make it easier for them to know I'm telling them the truth about being able to be with Holoth.

"I've been altered to carry Rytharian young," I say. "I can assure you, there will be no physical incompatibilities between us."

The answer is enough for Essa, who shrugs and moves toward the door where she's now trying to shoo Alik. His gaze narrows on me, and a flicker of recognition sparks deep in my mind.

I doubt I know him since I only went through a few houses before I became sick, and I don't remember seeing him at any of the housing ceremonies. I would remember Alik if I were housed with him or his male partner. He also has bond marks around his wrists and elbows, making it clear he's found a female.

He opens his mouth to say something but just shakes his head and shoots another look at Holoth.

"Pleasure crew rules," he says before tossing a silver pendant at Holoth, who grabs it and fists the jewelry. "I'm sure it's hard now, but you need rules, especially if what Sloane told us is true."

He gazes down at me one last time before patting the doorframe and leaving. Essa files out behind him, her tail swishing softly as she leaves.

As soon as Holoth and I are alone again, the purr vibrates louder in his chest. He doesn't move closer to me, but his blue eyes burn something fierce.

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