Chapter Twelve
Octavia
The door closes, and my shoulders droop. I still clench my inhaler in my fist, though.
Aliens. I’m on an alien planet, with three huge aliens that want to fuck my brains out.
I stare at the door, trying to slow my breathing. Anxiety. It’s anxiety, not asthma.
When I’m fairly certain they aren’t coming back, I lay back and close my eyes, trying to sort things out. As I do, I feel my body relax. Aliens. Aliens are better than prison, right?
But this is forever.
So? A part of my brain asks. What’s back on Earth that you want? Family? No, they are ashamed of me. A partner? Also no. I’m not into pets as a general rule, and I even got rid of my plants before I got sent to jail.
The only thing I had was my career, which is surely in shambles: I will never be trusted near a computer again.
A rich, sweet scent seems to surround me as I toss and turn among the numerous pillows. It’s creamy and mouthwatering and yet manly as fuck, for lack of a better explanation. I realize suddenly I’m horny.
Very horny.
Oh hell no, I am not falling victim to some alien sex pollen, I think as my eyes snap open.
They mentioned my own bed, didn’t they?
I carefully sit up and wiggle to the edge of the bed. As I put my bare feet onto the wooden floor, I remember that I have no clothes. I frown. Okay, that is my first order of business. Clothes.
Tugging the blanket firmly around me, I explore the room.
They all had clothes on, so there must be a closet or something somewhere.
I find a bathroom with a toilet without a back or tank to it, but there is a handle.
Thank God, I could not have been sent to a planet without indoor plumbing, fuck all that noise.
Eventually, I find a chest of sorts with folded pants and shirts. I dig out a light blue shirt and pull it on. It drapes to my knees. Alright, that counts as a dress, I suppose. I roll the sleeves up so I can use my hands.
I can do this. I repeat the mantra several times as I stare at the door. I blow out a long breath and grab the metallic handle.
The heavy door swings on hidden hinges, completely silent.
I’m met with a wide balcony that is open to a larger room, easily three stories tall.
I stand frozen, listening. But the only thing I hear is the patter of the rain.
Candles are lit and flickering happily. Stepping forward, I see three doors to my right and stairs down to my left.
I notice a slender set of stairs leading upward. I step towards it, but stop.
Curiosity killed the cat, my mother’s voice sing-songs. Yeah, about that. Just cuz I can do something doesn’t mean I should, I know.
But I’d totally break into the government website all over again, I think, grinning.
I turn towards the regular staircase down.
As I get to the first floor, I can see the gorgeous, huge fireplace, built out of smooth river stones.
My eyes are drawn to it, the rocks smooth and oval and more orange that I ever saw on Earth.
The fireplace’s chimney spans all three floors, and there is a happily crackling fire in it.
The wall next to it is glass, or, I guess, the alien version of glass, and overlooks a wide, calm river, currently rippling with raindrops.
I blink hard. The trees and plants are mostly blue.
The low lilt of voices in conversation drifts to me. I stand straighter. I can do this.
My own bed. My own clothes. Surely I deserve no less. I got that even in prison.
I pad to the kitchen. As I get to the open archway, I bite down a gasp.
The ceiling in this part of the home is glass.
Alien-glass. How cool. I immediately imagine early mornings here, the moon shining down as it fades in the rising sun.
Wait, they have a moon, don’t they? Droplets patter rhythmically as the trees’ and shrubs’ leaves dance in the rain.
And around a large, tall table are the three aliens I met earlier.
My alien, Atiox, with the deer horns with chains and almost green-blue skin with his long, black hair smoothly down his broad back, stands, leaning his hip against the table.
Lux, her skin a pretty ocean blue with horns that curl and deep blue hair, cups her large hands around a mug of something steaming.
Ziam sits next to her, his very sharp cheekbones on display on his pastel blue face.
His tail is curled around Atiox’s where he stands.
Aw, they’re holding tails. Cute, I think as I smile.
“Octavia!” Lux nearly yells as her blue eyes land on me.
They all jump up but freeze. I try not to cringe.
Atiox slowly approaches me as he says, “How are you feeling, wedari?”
I clear my throat as they all stare intently at me. “Um, alright I guess, given I was beamed across the universe.”
I try to be casual but their expressions drop, the worry clear.
“Could I get some water? And my own room?” I thread my fingers together, nervous. “Oh, and clothes.”
Lux frowns harder, “I had intended to keep you na—”
“Yes,” Atiox interrupts hurriedly.
Lux blinks, but nods, “Yes, of course. I’ll get the request comm.”
“Regarding your room,” Ziam says as he stands, “We’ll bring you there shortly. But let us get some sustenance in you first.” He smiles, lips closed, but I haven’t forgotten how sharp their incisors are.
Ziam pulls a very tall stool out and I climb up, as he watches me carefully. He looks ready to catch me if I fall, like I might to a toddler climbing a chair. For whatever reason, it makes me less nervous.
“Good, now, sweetheart, I am the cook around here, and I have some fresh hyras bread and a trufflenut paste for the top.”
I try not to grimace as I see the blue bread. Ziam picks up a knife and spreads the reddish dip on a slice before putting it on a plate and handing it to me.
My stomach rumbles. I’m going to have to eat something here eventually. Might as well bite the—blue—bullet.
I lift the bread to my mouth and take a nibble. The bread is soft and chewy and perfect, tasting a bit like rye. But the dip is incredible. It does taste a bit like mushrooms, but is complex. I chew slowly as the three aliens watch me. It’s rich, and creamy, with the barest hint of spice.
“Mmm,” I mumble as I lick my lips. Ziam looks quietly proud and I scarf down several bites. “S’good,” I say, hand over my mouth.
Ziam turns and heads to what I assume is the sink, though the faucet is... flaccid for lack of a better word. Atiox sits across from me, the golden chains dangling between his horns distracting.
“I was hoping we could schedule a procedure to take care of your chronic medical condition.” His face is open and kind, watching me closely as he waits for my response.
“You mean my asthma?” My eyebrows furrow.
“Yes,” Ziam answers for him, placing a hand on Atiox’s shoulder as he slides a glass of water to me.
“A... procedure? Like, surgery?” I shake my head as I say it, already thoroughly freaked out by the idea.
Lux sits smoothly next to me. “Well, I assume it would be more a metal tool inserted and—”
“Absol-fucking-lutely not,” I blurt, chest feeling tight at the mere thought.
“Wedari,” Atiox starts, his large face gentle, “It would eliminate your need for the medication.”
“Nope. No, thank you. No tools or lasers or magic alien fingers in my lungs. My asthma is usually fine. I’ll keep doing what I’m doing.
We can talk if I ever get to a place where it’s not.
” My voice is firm and even, and I spare a moment to be proud that I stuck up for myself.
Before that feeling wears off, I quickly add, “Though I need my clothes to have pockets so I can keep my inhaler on me at all times.”
It’s a bit hyperbolic; I used to leave a spare in my car or backpack and venture out without it but I’ll be damned if women’s clothes on an alien planet don’t have pockets, for fuck’s sake.
Ziam silently slides me another slice of bread and dip.
I pick it up eagerly even as he offers plates of the snack to Lux and Atiox.
We all eat in companionable silence. But I’d be lying if I said I felt relaxed or comfortable around them.
But, in fairness, I am getting used to their presence, and that’s something, I suppose.
But soon, Lux presses her long, lean body to standing. I jerk my eyes away from her small tits. Jesus, when did I become such a horn-ball?
“Come, omega, let us show you your nest,” she says quietly, her tail extended towards me.
When she notices my eyes upon it, it lowers slowly. I stand as I clear my throat. “Let’s go,” I say in a fake-cheerful voice. I can make the best of this. I know I can. I did of prison, and this is... similar, I guess.
I follow Lux up the first flight of stairs, the guys close behind me. We walk past the first door, which is Atiox’s room, where I awoke. I assume the next two doors are Lux’s and Ziam’s rooms but at the last door, I pause. Is this mine?
However, Lux heads directly to the narrow steps up to the third floor. Guess not.
The third floor is much like the second, being that it’s a hallway, with the open space of the library to the left. But two doors marks the wall to the right.
Lux opens the first door and gestures me inside. I bite my lip as I do so, nerves warring inside me.
And what I find makes me gasp. The ceiling slopes inward, like you might expect from A-frame, but the left side is fully alien-glass, and the blue needled trees outside nearly kiss the window.
Above I can see the sky, its glow a happy orange even through the drizzle.
Curtains drape, held to the window wall by what appear to be living boughs.
A humongous bed, fully square and large enough for a football team, waits.
To the right is a red-wood wall, one door in it that is surrounded by what I guess is alien art.
Each abstract piece is framed in black and the paintings are bold, done only in shades of blue.
My eyes turn back to the cracked open door, to which I assume is to a bathroom. At least I hope it is.
I turn back to the bed and notice the piles of blankets and pillows lined up neatly under the windows.
“Choose, sweetheart,” Ziam rumbles, “What shades and textures do you prefer for your nest?”
I look between the three of them and see only kindness in their eyes. I turn back and slowly step into the calm space. I already feel at ease here, and when I spot a desk tucked into a corner, looking out the huge windows, I smile, yet again envisioning a life here.
I walk across the room and drop to my knees near the pillows. I glance over my shoulder as I feel them approach.
“It is your nest,” Atiox says, his already low voice rough. “You choose what it will feel and look like. Then we will await your invitation to enter it.”
Turning back, I am immediately taken by a fluffy looking blanket that is a pretty peach shade.
I scoop it up, pressing my face to it. It is indeed soft and snuggly.
Holding it against me, I look around. Several muted green pillows catch my eye and I stand, grabbing them and sliding them closer to the bed.
I hear the alphas make noises of approval.
I suddenly feel like I’m on a shopping spree to decorate a new apartment or something, and I grin.
I search out anything peach-y or pink-ish, grabbing sheets, blankets of different textures, various pillows.
I look over the pile of options and grab out several more green items, a huge shell-shaped pillow and another that’s wedge shaped, imagining laying on it and reading.
An incredibly soft woven blanket in a mossy green.
I see a small green cloth with gold threaded through it, and I snatch it, standing and crossing the room, laying it over the shade of a lamp.
I realize my alphas are purring, and that I feel more relaxed than I have in years. I can’t say I hate it, but I internally complain again about alien sex pollen, even as I enjoy the calming effects.
“We’ll dress your nest now, wedari,” Atiox rumbles. The three of them step further into the room and begin making the bed.
“I’ll help,” I offer, not wanting to just stand and stare.
“No,” Lux says gently, turning her sharp but pretty face to me as she arranges a blanket, “It’s our duty, and we are happy to.”
I stop and wait, my eyes accidentally roving over their large, strong bodies. I realize I’m ogling them and I shake myself, crossing to the window to gaze at the forest. This side of the home is opposite the river, and I can see mountain peaks in the distance.
I’m on an alien planet. Just wild.
“It’s ready, wedari,” Atiox rumbles, voice low and sexy.
“Get in, feel your nest,” Ziam encourages.
I take in the gigantic bed, covered in the pillows and blankets I chose. I cross to it slowly and climb in. It’s high off the ground, and bumpers edge it under the blankets. I settle in, leaning back into the insane amount of pillows as I grin.
“It’s perfect. Thank you,” I say, smiling at them.
They all stand at the foot of the bed, an edge to their looks. But I can’t exactly tell what it is. Desire is a part of it, which causes both a shiver of fear and one of anticipation in me. What the hell. But there is something else in their eyes.
“You must invite us into your nest, the first time, Octavia,” Lux says. “It is sacred.”
Oh.
“Okay,” I say, forcing a smile. “Thank you again.”
Their faces fall, but the disappointment is quickly hidden.
“We will let you settle in,” Lux says, voice strained. She turns, tail taking Atiox’s even as she uses a hand to turn Ziam towards the door.
When it’s closed behind them, I sigh and lie back into the pillow just as the tears begin to fall.