Chapter 7
Balarr stood at the main communication console on the bridge, staring at Commander Harnn—an old comrade he hadn’t seen since the destruction of Vaxxlia.
He hadn’t expected to find the aging warrior on Earth, and he was even more surprised to learn his reasons for visiting the human planet—he’d been sent to track down a group of Vaxxlian insurgents known as the Threxals.
“As I’m sure you know,” Balarr said, “Not long after we first settled on New Vaxx, I was part of a contingent that eliminated several Threxal cells hiding in the mountains near Starzzia. I’m familiar with their tactics, and with their ideology—and I have to admit, it’s disturbing that any of them have made it to Earth. ”
The Threxals were radical purists who believed Vaxxlian blood should remain untainted by human influence.
They had tried to sabotage the VAMOB program multiple times, and their extremist views bordered on fanaticism.
According to their doctrine, the surviving Vaxxlian females should be forced to bear as many offspring as biologically possible—or worse, have their eggs harvested for controlled reproduction.
The Threxals had even begun developing artificial wombs in secret, hoping to grow a new generation of “pureblood” Vaxxlians—without ever involving human mates.
“I agree it’s disturbing that the Threxals have made it to Earth,” the commander finally said.
“There have been similar purist groups that have threatened the VAMOB program, but I daresay the Threxals are the worst. They have tried harming human females before, and they have also tried kidnapping Vaxxlian females.”
“How many Threxals are on Earth?” Balarr asked.
“Not very many—only about fifty—but they all brought their own Vaxxlian cruisers. We believe they are spread out around the planet, and we think they are gearing up for a coordinated attack on the VAMOB program.” Commander Harnn gave a weary sigh, making Balarr wonder how long he’d gone without sleep.
“The recruitment centers,” Balarr whispered as a sickening feeling came over him. “They will likely attack the recruitment centers. They will also likely try to hack the VAMOB website.”
“They’ve already hacked the VAMOB website.
Did you really think a glitch on the Intergalactic Dating Agency’s end was the reason for the recent delay in matches being made?
But yes, I agree that they will look at the recruitment centers next.
” The commander glanced at another screen for a moment, then returned his attention to Balarr.
“We have increased the security at the VAMOB recruitment centers, and we are trying to hunt every last one of the Threxals down.”
“I’m going to transmit my latest auto-navigation protocols to you, and perhaps you can install it in all your cruisers’ systems,” Balarr said.
“That way if the Threxals fire on your ships, your navigation controls will automatically evade the weapons fire. It shouldn’t take you long to install, and you can transmit the protocols to the other ships in your contingent. ”
“Thank you, Warrior Balarr. I appreciate your assistance.”
Balarr gave a deep nod. “I plan to depart Earth tomorrow and bring my human female back to New Vaxx, but if you have any difficulty installing the protocols, please do not hesitate to contact me. I wish I could offer to stay and help you hunt down the blasted Threxals, but I am eager to get my mate to safety.”
“Thank you again.” Commander Harnn suddenly narrowed his eyes at Balarr. “If you’re eager to get your mate to safety, why haven’t you already left Earth? Why are you lingering in the mountains of Colorado?”
Balarr briefly explained the circumstances in which he’d found Luna, as well as his plan to contact Vaxxlian diplomats stationed on Earth for assistance.
“Government-funded organ harvesting?” The commander scowled.
“It is no wonder so many human females are signing up for the VAMOB program. It seems nearly every country in the world is descending into corruption and chaos. But I think your plan to contact the diplomats is a sound one—they shouldn’t have any difficulty infiltrating Zalora Biotech’s database, tracking down the escaped patients, and rescuing anyone who might remain trapped in the facility. ”
“I know I could depart Earth now and send the diplomats a message on my way to the Eshunna Passage,” he said, referring to the nearby wormhole that significantly shortened the travel time between Earth and New Vaxx, “but I wanted to wait for their response and inform my mate of their action plan. She suffered greatly at the hands of the doctors and surgeons at the facility—they kept her imprisoned for two years and removed five of her organs.”
“You can tell me the full truth,” Commander Harnn said with a knowing smirk. “You aren’t just planning to wait for the diplomats’ response. You’re also planning to go on a little killing spree, aren’t you?”
“You know I would never admit such a thing to a commander,” Balarr said with a touch of humor in his voice. “While on Earth, Vaxxlian warriors are only permitted to kill humans if it’s a matter of self-defense.”
Commander Harnn barked out a laugh. “In that case, I wish you great luck during your remaining time on Earth.” He glanced at a nearby console and frowned at whatever he saw. “I must go now, but I’ll be watching for your transmission of the new navigation protocols. Goodbye, Balarr.”
“Goodbye, Commander Harrn.”
Balarr ended the communication and immediately transmitted the auto-navigation protocols to the commander’s ship.
Then he sent detailed messages about the goings-on at Zalora Biotech to every Vaxxlian diplomat on Earth.
He was confident the diplomats would organize a clandestine rescue operation to free any remaining patients and help those who’d escaped.
Technically, his people weren’t supposed to get involved in state matters—and considering that the facility was government-funded, it qualified as a state matter—but it was a rule they broke time and time again.
Next, Balarr hurried to the engineering room where the materials replicator had been installed.
He quickly replicated several dark green shirts and pants in a variety of human styles, multiple pairs of thick warm socks, five pairs of shoes, and undergarments for Luna.
He also replicated a hairbrush and a dark green dress in the Vaxxlian style, just in case his mate liked wearing dresses.
Satisfied with his creations, he scooped the items into his arms and rushed out of the engineering room. He’d spent far too long speaking with Commander Harnn, and he worried Luna was already finished taking her shower.
He hastened down the corridor toward his quarters, his thoughts on the little human who would soon become his mate. His cock thickened as he recalled the enticing aroma of her feminine excitement. She’d started becoming slick between her thighs just from thoughts about their impending mating union.
But his steps slowed when Keissa’s face appeared in his mind. What was he doing? Was he truly about to forsake her memory?
He reminded himself that he wasn’t the only Vaxxlian warrior who’d lost a mate during the war against the Irrcons. Thousands of previously widowed warriors had already claimed human mates, and many of them already had children.
Was there something wrong with him?
He wanted Luna. He couldn’t deny it.
But he still missed Keissa. His heart ached whenever he thought about her. How could he mate with a human female in good conscience when he was lost in the past?
Should he be honest with Luna and tell her about Keissa? Or should he continue trying to hide his pain?
He cursed under his breath. He didn’t want Luna to think he was weak, and he didn’t want her to worry he might reject her.
He finally strode into his quarters and headed for a dresser near the bathroom, planning to deposit all the replicated clothing items on top of it, only for the bathroom door to open.
He froze and peered at Luna. She was wrapped in a towel, and she was staring at him with wide eyes. Clearly, she hadn’t expected to run into him before she’d gotten dressed.
The towel covered her well enough—he couldn’t see her breasts or the area between her thighs—but just the knowledge that she was completely naked under the towel was enough to send all the blood in his body rushing straight to his cock.
Fluxx. His pants were suddenly so tight, he wasn’t certain how he would manage to walk. He held the clothing items a bit higher, showing Luna all that he’d brought.
“Wow, that’s a lot of clothing,” Luna said. “And it’s all… a beautiful shade of dark green. Even the shoes and the hairbrush.” Her cheeks turned a deeper shade of pink as she stared at him. Still standing in the bathroom doorway, she fidgeted in place, and her fingers tightened around the towel.
Somehow, Balarr managed to walk to the dresser, and he placed the items down, arranging them as best he could. Then he set the shoes on the floor.
“You said dark green was your favorite color, however, if you would like more of a variety, I can replicate more items for you later. It would be no trouble.” Warmth filled him as he looked at her, and most of his reasons for wanting to delay claiming her fled his mind.
Star God, he wanted her.
Right fluxxing now.
He wanted to rip the towel off her body, carry her to the bed, and spend the rest of the day kissing her all over and surging into the wet heat between her thighs.
He wanted to rut her repeatedly—until she was dripping with his seed.
“I think it’s sweet that you made everything completely green,” Luna said, her eyes lighting up.
“Even the soles of the shoes. Thank you, Balarr. I can’t wait to try everything.
It’s been so long since I’ve had anything to wear besides hospital gowns or the sweatpants and shirt I’d been wearing upon my arrival at Zalora Biotech two years ago. ”
Before he could respond, her gaze lowered to his crotch, and she gasped. Her eyes also went wider, and she swallowed hard as she openly peered at the front of his too-tight pants.
As she continued fidgeting in place and clutching the towel, the invigorating scent of her womanly essence reached him—sweet and pungent and uniquely her.
His nostrils flared as he took a deep inhale, savoring her delicious aroma. What would she taste like? His tongue vibrated slightly in his mouth as he imagined settling his face between her quivering thighs and lapping at her essence.
He wanted to feast on her and feel her shatter against his tongue. He wanted to make her cry out in the throes of ecstasy.
Primal urges built inside him, until he felt as though he would go mad with need if he couldn’t bury his cock in her pussy soon.
He reminded himself of her inexperience—she’d admitted to being a virgin. She’d admitted that no male had ever seen her naked before. The knowledge that he would be the one to guide her and teach her was heady indeed, and his cock thickened further.
But he would also need to treat her gently. At least during their first time together. He couldn’t rut her with abandon and hurt her—that was the last thing he wanted to do.
His protectiveness for her swelled.
He drew in another long breath, and a growl emanated from his throat. “You smell delicious, Luna.”