Chapter 16 #2
“Thus far, only my species, the domini, have proven reproductively capable, but that is because we are the only ones who have had a chance. There might be more. That is one of the things we wish to study. Just how capable your people are of hybridizing. Just how fertile you are.
“Because there are likely mates among you, we ask only for the chance to find them. No one will be forced to accept a mate against their will. No human must offer themselves up to be a mate to someone. It will only be voluntary. We make no demands on this front. Only a chance.”
He had been carefully coached by the females on what to say on this topic. On how to emphasize that no one was trading their life for Earth’s advancement. He thought it strange that he would need to reassure them so strongly of this, but it did seem to ease tensions slightly.
“We are eager to learn from you. To develop this friendship further. To bring you into the universe and welcome you among our number. A great many plans must be made, but the hardest part, securing Coalition permission, has already been done. Now, all the power rests in your hands. Your future is yours to decide.”
Survii finished his speech with a formal salute, recognizing their sovereignty. The various members of the assembly began to clap. Their expressions were fierce, like beasts on the hunt, but their movements were polite and eager.
Survii turned to smile at Alanna – silently thanking her for her assistance.
She smiled back at him, but the expression wasn’t the same as it was before. It was guarded and distant – a disgrace upon him.
He hated how easily she controlled him, just with a dissatisfied smile. It made his knees want to bend, to subjugate himself before her and beg her forgiveness for his insult. His deceit. His lie that he dared to utter, letting her believe he didn't want a mate. Didn't want her.
It was an obscene mistruth, and he was a terrible male for saying it.
But before he could unstick his tongue from the roof of his mouth, Alanna had turned and was saying something to Hattie in their tongue. And Hattie received her genuine smile. A pain that he had brought upon himself.
Their speech over, their intentions known, they were now being herded towards a wide-open hall so that they could have a small welcoming party – a chance for all the world leaders to meet them.
It was not being recorded, unlike the speech.
They weren’t going to begin negotiations yet – the humans wanted a chance to think about their offer and their response first.
That was more than fair. Survii had no complaints as he followed the others down the hall and into the large conference room.
Music was playing from somewhere – light and instrumental – while drinks were being poured from a bar in the corner.
There would be food later, but for now, there was nothing else to do but circle around and chat.
The aliens, by unspoken agreement, all broke apart and separated into different areas of the room. Giving plenty of space to be approached individually. And, since none of them spoke the language, each of them had a human female to accompany him.
He was eager to spend more time with Alanna. More excited than he expected or wanted. But before he could have any feelings about his own reaction, Hattie separated herself from the crowd and came to stand beside him. She offered him a sweet smile.
And it meant nothing to him.
“Where’s Alanna?” He asked without preamble. Almost rude.
Hattie, however, only grinned. “I thought she wasn’t your mate? That you didn’t want one?”
Survii grumbled under his breath, making her laugh. And that only made him angrier.
He usually loved the sound of feminine laughter.
Loved their smiles. Hattie, in particular, was absolutely adorable.
Her body was all softness and curves. A sweet place for a male to come to rest upon.
A full body for him to grab and enjoy. Thighs that could smother a male as she sat upon his face, thick hair he could grab as he yanked her back on his cock, a body made for hard loving.
And he felt nothing!
He thought, objectively, she was gorgeous, but she stood beside him and no heat rose in his blood, no yearning in his gut, his cock and knot remained soft and uninterested. Not even a twitch.
Because she wasn’t his mate, his own, traitorous voice whispered in his mind as he searched the room for Alanna. He wasn’t surprised to find her near Tuvo.
Of course, the two of them had traded places. Hattie was uncomfortable around Tuvo, while Alanna was, rightfully, shunning him.
And that was absolutely wrong. His mate dared to run from him? Didn't she know that only tempted him into chasing her down?
“Hattie,” he looked to her with barely restrained desperation, “I think I messed up.”
She smiled, understanding but no mercy in her sweet features. “Yeah. You kind of did.”
“Is this irreparable?”
“Because the mate bond hit you out of nowhere, and you said something stupid? No. I don’t think that’s unforgivable. You have some work to do though.”
“Will you help me?”
She beamed. “Of course! There’s nothing that makes me happier than seeing my friends happy. She really is your mate though, isn’t she?”
Survii groaned, putting a hand to his chest. It hurt, because he had hurt her, and his own body was rejecting the very idea. Punishing him for his foolishness.
“I didn't want one. But now that I feel it, now that I feel her rejection, I don’t think I knew what I wanted. It’s like nothing I’ve ever experienced before.
The greatest orgasm I’ve ever had is nothing compared to the joy I held in my heart whenever she smiled at me.
And now, she doesn’t smile at me anymore. ”
“Aw.” Hattie smiled like she was melting from his words. At least his ability to charm the feminine species wasn’t gone – just his desire to do it to anyone but Alanna.
He focused back on Hattie – sweet, kind, disregarded Hattie – and his resolve hardened. “You help me, Hattie, and I shall help you in return. Someday. Somehow.”
“Oh, that’s okay.” She waved away his words. “You don’t owe me anything. My matchmaking services are completely free of charge. Ask the other guys. I’m apparently the relationship expert. I mean, I guess so far as humans are concerned…”
Survii took her by the shoulders and looked at her seriously. “Tuvo is a bigger fool than me. I’ll help him. And in doing so, I’ll help you. My vow.”
Hattie face turned pink and she looked away. Her smile turned sad. “That’s okay. Tuvo doesn’t feel that way about me, and I’ve made my peace with that.”
Survii didn't bother to argue with her. Now wasn’t the time.
There were already humans gathered around them, ready and eager to speak to him in his official capacity as ambassador.
He would let the subject drop for now. He was good at reading people, and he knew he wasn’t wrong about her and Tuvo.
He didn't know what made Tuvo think he had to keep away from Hattie, but he would help her as she would help him.
His decision made, he turned with a smile to face the first humans.
Time to get to work.