Chapter 11
Balarr’s throat burned as he held Luna’s gaze. He repeated the mating vows inside his head a few times, wanting to make sure he got the words right. He found himself wanting their exchange of vows to go smoothly. Perfectly.
Hope continued blooming in his chest. How could taking another mate be wrong? They clearly needed one another.
If he hadn’t come to Earth searching for her, she would still be trapped in that awful facility. She would be frightened and in pain.
And Balarr? He would be lonely and trying to outrun his grief. He was still a bit miffed that Commander Marrx had so boldly signed him up for the VAMOB program, but he couldn’t truly remain angry about it.
Yes, he was still grieving the loss of Kiessa and their children, but he suspected it was a pain that would always be with him no matter what.
He just needed to learn to live with it while actually living.
He couldn’t allow himself to remain frozen in time—and sorrow—until the end of his days.
Not when he had a chance at happiness with Luna.
Sweet Luna whose presence made him want to learn how to be a more patient and affectionate male.
He wanted her to enjoy their mating union—wanted her to feel safe and cherished.
He wanted her to be able to depend upon him for all her needs, physical and emotional.
The mating vows. It really was time.
He drew in a deep breath as he cradled Luna in his arms.
“Repeat after me,” he said.
“Okay.” She blinked against a sheen of tears. “I’m ready.”
“Luna, I give you my soul, my body, and my heart.” He paused and gave her an encouraging look.
“Balarr, I give you my soul, my body, and my heart.” She blinked faster.
His throat burned harder, and for a moment, he wasn’t certain he would be able to finish. Not because he didn’t want to, but because he was so overcome with emotion. Feelings. Tenderness. Possessiveness. All for Luna.
“Upon this mating, I am yours, and you are mine,” he finally said, and his voice almost broke. Star God, he wanted her. He truly did.
Her face lit up and some of the moisture faded from her eyes. She appeared touched by the vows, and this brought him even more hope.
“Upon this mating, I am yours and you are mine,” she said, and there was a definite catch in her voice.
Preemptive joy filled him. They were almost finished. The vows were almost exchanged. Just one more line. Then he would physically claim her—and she would belong to him forever.
“May the Star God bless our union,” he said, speaking louder than before in a tone that probably sounded a bit formal, but he wanted her to believe he meant every word. Because he did. To his utter shock, he truly did.
Luna smiled up at him, and the sheen of tears returned to her eyes. “May the Star God bless our union,” she said as a lone tear cascaded down her cheek.
He caught the tear with his lips, kissing it away in a tender, lingering moment. He pulled back and stared down at her, gazing at this beautiful human female who was about to become his.
His cock lurched and his scrotum tingled with sensation, and he found himself moving atop her as the need to be inside her became overwhelming—the instinct to complete the mating act and fill her with his seed.
Careful not to settle his full weight atop her, he leaned down to place a quick kiss to her lips, then he situated his cock at her slick entrance.
Her eyes widened as she glanced down at their almost-joined bodies, though she didn’t appear afraid. Just nervous. Not that he could blame her for it. He was much larger than her, and this was her very first time.
He cleared his throat and waited for her to meet his eyes. “As I told you earlier, sweet Luna, I will be gentle. I realize this is your first time and—”
“Is this your first time too?” she blurted, searching his gaze.
“No, it is not.”
A knowing look crossed her face, and her expression morphed to one of compassion. She knew Vaxxlians mated for life, and now she knew he’d been mated before. She realized he’d lost his mate. But he didn’t want her feeling sorry for him, and he didn’t want to dampen their first mating experience.
“We will talk about it later,” he said, striving for a kind tone. He didn’t want her to worry he was upset she’d asked such a complicated, heavy question right before he claimed her.
“All right. Sorry I asked, Balarr. I was just so curious.” She sighed and reached for him, running a hand up and down his chest.
His blood heated at her touch, and a growl built in his throat. His cock throbbed harder against her slick pussy, and it took all his willpower not to surge inside her at this moment.
“It’s okay, sweet Luna. I will tell you whatever you wish to know… after. What I wish to do right now is claim you. As my mate. As my bride. Forever.”
“Forever,” she repeated with a tiny smile. “I like the sound of that.”
He pushed his cock harder against her core, but he didn’t quite push inside her. “As I’ve already said, I will strive to be gentle with you, but if you become uncomfortable, please let me know. We can take a break if you require it, or we can stop and try again later.”
“You’re very sweet, Balarr,” she said, surprising him. “I’ve never met a male quite like you, and I feel lucky that you’re the male that the VAMOB program matched me with.”
Very sweet? He almost cringed at her choice of words, though he quickly realized she’d meant no offense.
She’d given him a compliment.
But no one had ever called him sweet before. Not even Kiessa. He felt a bit guilty for that. He also felt a bit foolish.
In addition to his lingering grief, he’d feared the war had hardened him too much to properly care for a female. But he’d been wrong—because he couldn’t fathom not caring for Luna in the manner she deserved.
He couldn’t fathom failing her, just as he couldn’t fathom doing anything to make her regret their mating union.
She inspired him to be a better male.
How strange that a female he’d just met could alter his entire universe so quickly—and in such a positive way.
He cupped her face in one hand, and to his delight, she leaned into his touch with a soft sigh.
“No one has ever called me very sweet before,” he admitted. “But I have decided to accept your compliment, Luna.”
Her sudden smile was as radiant as the sun on New Vaxx. Well, he already thought her eyes were the same blue as the skies of New Vaxx. It made perfect sense that her smile would be like the sun.
“I’m glad to hear it.” Her smile gradually faded, though her eyes remained bright. “I was starting to worry I’d offended you.”
He leaned down and nuzzled his nose to hers, then he straightened and gave a firm push of his cock into her depths, filling her with the bulbous tip of his length. “No offense taken,” he reassured her. “But my sweetness is only for you.”
She gasped and parted her legs wider, and the scent of her arousal beckoned him to thrust a bit deeper. His shaft swelled harder and larger as he recalled the delicious taste of her womanly essence, as well as how beautifully she’d whimpered and moaned when she’d shattered on his tongue.
The next time she climaxed, it would be as he pumped his cock into her pussy. He tightened his hold on her hips and prepared to go deeper.