Not wanting to leave my home, my friends, my job… for what? To be stuck in this same dead end spiral without a way out. I don’t know why, but after some sleep, a different way of thinking about things surfaces.
 
 I feel like the room is spinning, so I close my eyes. Drainok’s fingers send shivers down my spine as they play along my skin. The sensation is both soothing and overwhelming.
 
 I don’t want to end my life on this planet stuck in a spiral of dread. So what I do next shocks both myself and Drainok. I open my eyes and look directly in his as I lick my lips. My throat is dry and unwilling to speak.
 
 “Fine. I will go with you back to your home planet.”
 
 “Dravexil,” Drainok breathes as he leans into my side.
 
 He captures my mouth with his, and I kiss him back for a moment before pulling away.
 
 “I reserve the right to return home at any time. Especially if things don’t work out between us. I won’t be a prisoner on your planet.”
 
 “Deal. Zahra, I will make sure you don’t regret this. I want you to be happy at my side.”
 
 “Me too. I do want you to know that I have severe depression. Happiness does not come easy to me.”
 
 “All the more reason to come home with me. If you are sick, then I will take care of you. I will make sure that happiness comes to you, not the other way around. You are mine to care for now, and I will ensure that you have everything you will ever need or want.”
 
 He doesn’t even hesitate as he promises me the world. It makes the ball in my chest loosen even if only slightly. It feels good to choose something for myself. To make sure that I have a chance. I don’t know what else could make this moment better, but somehow I know I did what I wanted for once.
 
 I chose me. I chose Drainok. I chose life.
 
 CHAPTER TWELVE
 
 Drainok
 
 Zahra stares at me like she has never truly seen me before. Like the last twenty-four hours weren’t real. Yet here we are. In her bed. I fucked her into exhaustion. Though I think she was already nearly asleep when I arrived here earlier.
 
 Her post sex, sleepy gaze makes me want to fuck her again. I can’t get enough of her. She’s like my favorite drug that enters my system with just a look. It’s addictive. I don’t want it to end. So when she opens her mouth to speak, I lean in and claim her mouth. Silencing her protests as I kiss her.
 
 Her mouth is soft and warm against mine. She tastes of peaches and something else. It’s an odd contrast to everything that she is. A sweet taste to a strong attitude. She is something I don’t think I could ever live without.
 
 Zahra pulls back and I smile down at the woman that has completely captured every piece of me. A tiny human compared to our race and yet, she is perfect in every single way.
 
 “Thank you for saying yes. We leave in a week. We have to wait for the rest of my crew to see if they can find their ownmates. Then we will head home and hopefully you can meet my family and settle into my home.”
 
 “A week? That’s not a lot of time. I need to…”
 
 “You need nothing. I will provide everything. All you need to do is tell those you love that you are happy and will not be back for a while, if ever. I’m hoping you choose to stay with me once you see my home planet. We can come visit, but maybe not too often considering how far away we are. Plus, it isn’t great to travel if you are with child.”
 
 “Wait. Wait. Wait. Pregnant? I’m not ready to have children!” Her voice is shrill and panicked.
 
 “Don’t worry, Dravexil. We have plenty of time before a child is growing inside of your belly. Nothing to worry about.”
 
 “Kids are a lot when we don’t know each other.”
 
 “True. But that’s why you are coming home with me. We will learn about each other and then I will watch as your belly grows with my child. I will fuck you so full. Knot you so my seed can find your egg. I will worship the ground you walk on and you will never have to lift a finger.”
 
 She still seems hesitant, but I can see the desire hidden within. She wants this as much as I do. She just doesn’t want to admit it yet. I lean in and place a kiss on her lips. Slow and firm, but then pull back.
 
 “My people need the women of Earth. We are a dying people that need help to reproduce. We no longer have enough females that aren’t related to each other and we are dying out as a race. I need you. We need you. So if children are off the table then maybe a surrogate, but I’d much rather it be you that carries my seed. I want to see your belly round with my children and mem fucking you until you can barely walk.”
 
 “I didn’t say that I would never have children with you, just that it’s very early and we just met. I’m not even sure that this planet can sustain a human like me. What if I can’t live there?”
 
 “Don’t worry. We did extensive research into the matter. Earth was the most compatible with our people. All the way down to that tight pussy, taking my cock.”
 
 A blush creeps up her neck, and I kiss the side of it. Shit, she is so perfect. So needy. I want to fuck her again and again. Maybe even get her pregnant before we leave for home. One week is a long time together. We will need to pass the time somehow.