Arrival

A spike of jealously shoots through me.

He sets me down before him and I suddenly feel naked and vulnerable.

Fer’ro sniffs.

“What is that scent? I do not like it.”

My eyes dart around. I don’t know what the hell he’s smelling now.

“You are…disappointed.”

My eyebrows lift. “You can smell my moods?”

His ears twitch a little. “Some.”

My eyes widen a little as I blink a few times.

Well, that explains their thing with sniffing so much.

“I have not pleased you,” he says and proceeds to open my legs once more, his head dipping towards me. I only manage to barely scramble away.

“No, trust me, I am well pleased.” I chuckle a little. And a little bit sore.

“Then…why are you disappointed?”

My mirth dries up as I sigh. “It’s just…it seems like you’re about to… leave.”

He rises and looks at me, his gaze studying me for a few moments.

“I have not fed you and you need medical attention for your skin. I was going to fetch both. I have no intention of ever leaving you.”

This time, I smile.

“I’m not hungry right now. I just…can you stay…here…with me?”

His nictitating membrane moves over his eyes as he blinks and I think he is about to say no.

Fuck.

If he turns me down right now, I don’t know how I could face him confidently again.

But without a word, Fer’ro moves onto the bed with me.

He takes me into his arms and pulls me against his chest.

His symbiotes disappear too and once again, we are naked together.

Silence envelops us and I allow myself to relax against him.

“This is the first time…” His words are low…mumbled against my hair.

“The first time what?”

“I have ever done this.”

“What? cuddled after?”

He takes a moment to think on this. “Yes. Female Vullan usually do not want such closeness afterward.”

“Hmm,” I mumble. Another spike of jealousy shoots through me and I realize…I don’t want to see Fer’ro with someone else. Ever.

I think on this as I settle back against him.

He’s comfortable. Warm.

I find myself drifting off.

“But…maybe it is different with you,” he whispers.

“Hmm? Why’s that?”

Fer’ro buries his nose against my neck and inhales deeply. “Because you are mine. My mate.”

My eyes open as I stare ahead but instead of panic, a comforting feeling fills my belly.

“Your mate?”

Fer’ro growls a little and brings me tighter against him. “Yes. Mine. Forever. Always. From this moment.”

A smile spreads my lips as a flutter goes through my belly.

I want to say something, but nothing seems to fill my tongue.

So I close my mouth and I bask in the feeling Fer’ro sends through me.

If I had to choose someone to spend the end of the world with, I couldn’t choose anyone better.

No one can replace the alien at my side.

The Vullan that has somehow made a place in my heart without me realizing.

I am his.

And he is mine.