“I’m not seeing any foreign drugs that the Elth might have given you, or they aren’t present anymore,” Jessa muttered loud enough for Darla to hear. “How in the fuck did this happen?” She turned her head to frown at Darla. “Did Gnaw make you his mate?”
She shook her head. “I don’t think so.”
“Veslors are damn liars!” Jessa cursed, facing the monitor again. “All of them said they could only get a mate pregnant. I mean, to be fair, the Elth could have dosed you both with some form of super-fertility drug to make it happen. I should have done bloodwork and a full scan on you when we were in here last time.”
“I didn’t want one.”
Jessa turned her head. “We were both at end of our ropes. I won’t beat myself up too much if you don’t do the same. We know now, and we’re going to figure everything out and fix this.”
“Deal.”
Jessa went back to work. “Your hormone levels are almost normal for a pregnant woman but we totally need to consult with Maith.”
“Is something wrong?”
“No. This is the first time I’m looking at results from a human impregnated by a Veslor. It’s normal to expect some abnormal things. Nothing alarms me. I swear.”
“The babies are okay?”
“You saw them.” Jessa turned from the monitor and walked back to her, stopping feet away. “The scan picked up tiny heartbeats. They’re fine. A little larger than what a human pregnancy would be at this stage, but again…Veslor. They’re big bastards.”
“Am I going to get morning sickness?”
Jess shrugged. “Unfortunately, I don’t know.”
“Shat.”
She grinned. “Just say shit. This is the time to start using real curse words.”
“Old habits.”
“Right. Well, just be you, Darla.” Jessa smiled again. “Now that the shock has worn off, are you a little excited? You’re going to be a mamma, and I have to say, their daddy is kind of hot.”
Darla bit her lip. “Will he hate me?”
Jessa stepped closer. “I don’t think so. But you didn’t answer me.”
“I want these babies.”
“Good.”
“I feel guilty, though. I basically forced him.”
“Gnaw can get the hell over it if he’s upset at first.”
“It’s not just about him, though. It’s my job to look out for my sister. Now I’m going to be a mother. What if this goes wrong and I’m sent back to Radison? She’ll be alone. Will the fleet send her back, too? She doesn’t know the truth about what happened between me and Gnaw.”
Jessa reached out and took her hands off her stomach, clasping them. “I’ll make you a promise. I’m going to do my damnedest to keep you on this boat. Absolute worst case, I’ve got your back and will take care of your sister.”
Tears filled her eyes. “Thank you.”
“Don’t cry! Please, Darla. I’m shit with tears. Though, pregnancy hormones make women pretty emotional. It’s perfectly normal. Is your headache gone?”
“Yes.”
“Good. Why don’t you go home to rest and I’ll go find Gnaw? I’ll have him go to your cabin, even if I have to use a sedative and bring him there on a gurney.”
Darla laughed.
Jessa didn’t. “I wasn’t kidding. I’d so do that. I’ll even admit I’ve thought about it a time or ten since the Veslors came onboard, just to get one of them on my scan bed to learn more about them. I just haven’t done it because they’re scary as fuck, probably hold a grudge, and the fleet would punish me by tacking on more time to my contract.” She suddenly grinned. “At least they wouldn’t fire me. They invested too much damn money in me as a kid. I definitely have job security.”
Chapter Fourteen
Gnaw chewed his food, keeping his head tucked low. They were in the cafeteria eating an early dinner. Abby had family business to tend to and wouldn’t be meeting them until later at home. He planned to ask her to go talk to Darla in person if Maith forgot to bring it up.
Roth grunted.
He looked up at the male.
“The food did nothing to you. You are stabbing it hard enough to break the plate.”
“Apologies.”
“We are all angry about the Elth,” Drak assured him. “No matter how many of them we have killed, it is never enough.”
“I’m only sorry we’re being assigned to protect the humans on that planet and our repair teams.” Roth glanced at all of them. “I’d enjoy watching another Elth ship being destroyed. I’m certain Clark or Commander Bills will allow us to watch the recordings when we return from our mission.”
Maith suddenly snarled, and his body tensed.
Gnaw turned his head, following the male’s gaze. It was Dr. Jessa Brick. She was one human who was easily identifiable, with her black hair and those bright blue streaks running from the top of her head down to the ends. Her eyes were memorable as well.
She seemed to be heading right toward their table.
Maith rose to his feet, glaring at her. It didn’t make her change course. Instead, she jutted her chin up a little higher, her hands balling into fists. She even picked up her pace, walking faster, until she stopped near Roth.
“Female,” their leader said by way of greeting. “We still do not wish to answer your intrusive questions or allow you to run tests on us.” He shot a glare at Maith. “Sit.”
Maith sat. “No means no. Isn’t that an Earth saying?”
Jessa narrowed her eyes on Maith. “Yes. It is. So is shut your trap and let the adults talk. Why don’t you think about the meaning of that one?” She turned her head, addressing Roth. “We need to speak. It’s important.”
Roth sighed, setting down his silverware. They used them in the dining room since eating with their fingers generated stares
