“So was Drak. Look at them, though. They’re running out of vid range to take on more Elth. That wouldn’t be happening if they were seriously hurt. None of them are even limping.”
“Maith is naked.” Darla lifted her free hand and covered her eyes to block the image of the medic accepting a med kit from a suited tactical team member on the large screen. A few more medics rushed to that area, also carrying med kits.
“Yeah. You get used to seeing that when they shift. Just keep eye contact and it’s no big deal. They don’t view nudity the way we do.” Abby paused. “Someone just passed Maith a pair of pants. I think seeing his dick is making the blue aliens nervous, but at least they’re talking to him. I wonder what they are? I’ve never seen those kinds of aliens before.”
“Jessa would probably know.” Darla lowered her hand to peek at the screen. Maith had put on pants and was crouched down to talk to one of the smaller blue aliens. It appeared to be a child. The blue kid suddenly hugged Maith, and he smiled. “We should let her know she’s about to have a bunch of patients. She’s the alien specialist, after all.”
“Why don’t we go help her prepare?” Abby stood. “We’ll get notified when our mates are on their way back. I think we’ve seen enough here for you to be assured of what I said. Our guys are badass. They’ll always come home to us.”
Darla nodded. “I’m glad you brought me here.” She glanced once more at the screen. Gnaw wasn’t in view; it still showed the medics and Maith treating the blue aliens. He was going to be fine, though.
She reached down and rubbed her stomach.
Her babies had a fierce fighting daddy who would always keep them safe.
Epilogue
Four months later
Darla lounged on the couch, eating fresh fruit. She had her bare feet propped up on a pillow and watched an entertainment vid on a handheld player. The exterior door of their home opened, and she turned her head.
Maith walked in…with Becky at his side.
“That is utter shat,” her sister laughed. “You are teasing me.”
“It is true. I will show you after I shower and change.”
“You do that. I’ll be here.” Her sister smiled at her and headed toward the seating area. “Did you hear?”
Darla turned off the device. “I have no clue what he wants to show you. I’m almost afraid to ask.”
“He said there’s a plant on one of their growing worlds that has legs and chases small animals. The plants supposedly tackle them and eat their fur to leave them bare-skinned, before letting them go.” She took a seat in a chair. “But that’s not what I’m asking you. Have you talked to Abby?”
“Not since this morning. She and Drak left early.”
Her baby sister grinned. “She got our family jobs! She’s arranging transportation for them to get here in a few weeks. They’re going to work in the garden section with me!”
Darla sat up quickly and put the bowl of fruit on the table, grinning. “Really?”
“Yes!” Becky squealed and launched out of the chair, hugging her. “We’re going to be a family again!”
“We were always a family. It’s just that now we’ll be able to see them every day.”
They separated, and Becky went to her knees on the floor. “Where’s your mate and cubs?”
“Gnaw’s giving them a bath. He told me to relax, so that’s what I’ve been doing.”
“He’s a really good man.”
“I know.”
“I envy you for the way he looks at you. That man loves you so much. Of course, then I remember you giving birth.” She wrinkled her nose. “Labor looked painful. I’m not looking forward to having a baby one day when I find the right man.”
“The labor lasted less than an hour. My cubs were in a hurry to be born. That’s normal for Veslor cubs, according to Maith.”
Becky suddenly laughed.
“What?”
“I was just remembering when you pushed out Roshi. Maith caught him and Jessa yelled out that he was a boy. And then Maith snarled at her because he wanted to be the one to tell you.”
“Don’t remind me. They kept arguing the entire time.”
“You were in too much pain to notice when Jessa stomped on his foot and elbowed him out of the way to catch Rasha, when she was born next.”
Darla flinched. “I’m glad that I missed that. At least they’ve avoided each other since. And I’m still glad we used Jessa’s lab for a birthing room, to give us privacy. I dreaded the idea of going into Med Bay with all the nurses and doctors. Everyone would have wanted to see our cubs born. Some of them hounded me to become my doctor and asked to document it for history’s sake, since they were the first half alien babies born on a fleet ship.”
The bedroom door slid open and Darla glanced over, grinning as Gnaw stalked out only wearing loose black pants. Roshi and Rasha were sprawled against each side of his bare chest as he held them against him.
“There’s my niece and nephew. Give me!” Becky got to her feet.
Rasha turned her head away from her daddy’s skin and made a happy grunt. Becky took the cub and cuddled her to her chest, placing kisses on the top of her head. Roshi growled low, wiggling.
“Floor,” Gnaw ordered Becky. “My son is full of excitement and energy. He’s also growing in strength. I don’t want you dropping him. He won’t get hurt since cubs are tough, but you will feel bad.” He shot a look at Darla.
“I still feel guilty,” she admitted. “He’s already so strong, and at least I only
