Chapter 7
APODIS
Gemini wasn’t an omega. There was absolutely no way.
Apodis sighed as she curled up next to him, rubbing her cheek against his neck just as she had the previous morning. It was getting difficult to ignore the facts in front of him, just as it was getting difficult to ignore the raging erection tenting his pants.
Gemini didn’t seem like a deviant, but she was certainly forward.
As forward as an Oslieth omega in pre-heat, something he didn’t want to think about as she scented him with a burst of floral aroma.
No, no. She wasn’t scenting him, just… cuddling? That was a human thing, right? It had to be a coincidence that she was rubbing the exact spot that an omega’s scent glands were most potent.
And why did it have to be a coincidence? Because the thought of her being an omega, becoming an omega after responding to his pheromones, and returning to Earth was upsetting to say the least.
Without a bite, they wouldn’t be properly bonded, but it would still be difficult to part ways, at least for him. If she truly was an omega, he had no idea how having sex could affect her, nor how much of her interest was real as opposed to fabricated by his pheromones.
Yesterday had been perfect, exploring the land with her and Zenith, watching her eyes light up with each new plant he showed her.
Being able to cook for another, treat her with the finest Lumeris had to offer.
Easing her pain as she curled up on the couch, the conversation turning heated despite the chill of his cabin.
If she really did have latent omega characteristics, having sex could put her into heat, which could put him into rut, and he had no clue if a human could withstand the mating like an Oslieth could.
Not that he would hurt her, of course not. He would lock himself up before allowing that to happen, before doing anything against her will, but it would just about kill him not to take her the way he wanted to.
He imagined sinking his teeth into her flesh, that tempting spot on her neck where he could mark her as his.
Stretching that wet heat between her legs with his knot, hearing her moan his name.
All things he needed to stop thinking as she gripped tighter around his middle and his cock throbbed with need.
He’d relieved himself twice in the shower last night, and it had barely taken the edge off his lust.
As he sucked in deep breaths, trying to ignore his cock begging for attention, he noticed the additions to the bed.
Gemini had the pillows from the couch lined along her back like a plush wall, the textured blanket from the living room draped across her legs. No, no, no. There had to be an explanation. Something other than…
“Good morning,” Gemini whispered, her eyes still half-lidded as she smiled up at him.
“G-Good morning,” Apodis answered, caught off guard. “Did you move the pillows around?”
She let out a quiet giggle, the sound filling the room with an adorable lightness which made his heart melt.
“Yeah. I’m surprised I didn’t wake you! I grabbed them from the couch. I was looking around for some candles too, but I couldn’t find any.”
Apodis couldn’t resist curling a mating tentacle around her pillow wall, squeezing her closer to him despite the implication.
“Oh? What do you need candles for?”
“To make it more cozy in here! Of course, your home is really nice, I just thought a few little touches would make your bedroom the perfect comfy spot. I hope that’s okay.”
No, no, it’s not okay. It means you’re nesting, which means you’re an omega, which means you need to leave before it’s too late…
“Sure, that’s fine.”
Galaxies, what was he doing? All his foolishness seemed worth it when her smile lit up the room, a smile she aimed at him. Gemini grabbed the blanket and pulled it up over the both of them, nuzzling against his chest with her cheek and once again marking him with her scent.
“I don’t usually try to redecorate people’s houses. I’m not sure what came over me last night, but I just felt like I had to.”
He should tell her. He needed to tell her.
But telling her would probably scare her.
And if he scared her, she’d go back to her camp, and he’d never see her again.
Which he knew was always going to happen, but he wanted a few more days with her, a few more days of pretending he had a friend other than his caerulian.
He couldn’t deny that the fact that she was not an Oslieth pleased him as well.
The rigid gender designations made it difficult to figure out whether someone liked you for who you were or for your status.
He wasn’t better than someone else simply because he was an alpha, but after a lifetime of conditioning, many omegas didn’t want to hear that.
They just wanted an alpha mate, regardless of the true feelings below the surface.
But Gemini didn’t know any of that. Sure, her apparent interest could be a reaction to his pheromones, but she seemed genuine. Like she really wanted to be friends—or more than friends—without worrying about what he could do for her.
He brushed a hand through her hair, and she purred, the continuous vibration rumbling against his chest. It was a soothing sound, and he wondered if it was normal for humans, or yet another sign of the strange transformation.
“Well, you did a nice job. It’s very cozy in here,” he said, and she beamed at his encouragement.
“I’m really hungry,” she said suddenly, then her pretty eyes widened like she was shocked she’d said the words. “Not that I expect you to cook for me. I can go back to my camp if—”
“No,” he said quickly, cutting her off before she got too into her head. “I’m happy to make you something. And like I said before, you’re welcome to stay as long as you’d like.”
He hoped against all hope that she wouldn’t want to leave today, even though it certainly would be wiser to let her go.
But really, it was all just suspicion. He still had no clear and undeniable proof that she was responding to him. It wasn’t like he knew much about humans anyway. Perhaps everything had a clear explanation that had nothing to do with pheromones or omegas or nesting.
Yes, that’s what he’d keep telling himself, even as guilt welled in his chest, his body relaxing with Gemini in his arms.
“Food would be nice,” she said with a giggle, and he squirmed out of her grasp, crossing his arms in front of himself as if that would make his erection less obvious.
Her eyes wandered down his form until they met his clasped hands, the smirk on her face telling him she’d noticed. As he tried to make his escape, her voice stopped him in his tracks.
“Oh! Do you have any candles? I’d love to light some around here for breakfast.”
He turned and nodded, pointing at the cabinet.
“Sure. I have a few in there if you’d like to set them up. Should be an e-lighter too.”
“Thanks!” she said with a bright smile, cozying up in the pillows and blankets as the door whirred shut behind him.
Apodis let out a deep breath, trying to ignore his persistent cock as Zenith meandered over.
“You should tell her. Ask her to be your mate,” he said, and Apodis grumbled.
“I can’t do that. I looked it up, and humans date for an average of three months before becoming exclusive.
Even longer before they get married, which seems to be the closest thing they have to a mate bond.
And she may not even be monogamous. I’m not clear on how many partners a human female normally has. ”
The thought of Gemini mating with another burned him with jealousy, which was insane since they’d only just met.
Some Oslieths preferred to form packs, but Apodis had always felt most comfortable with a single partner, though he’d never restrict someone from what their heart wanted if that was how they felt.
Here he was, thinking about love, and he knew next to nothing about this human. Just that he enjoyed spending time with her and taking care of her, felt the attraction deep in his bones in a way he’d never experienced.
But how could she possibly want to be with him?
Sure, it seemed like she was interested in sex, but beyond that? He was too old, and not even the same species. She belonged with a male who could give her offspring.
She belonged on Earth, not here with him.
“You will never know if you do not ask,” Zenith said. “And she deserves to know that something is happening to her.”
“We don’t know that for sure,” he replied, but Zenith just rolled his eyes.
“I saw her last night. She came out of your room and gathered up all the pillows and blankets. She’s nesting.”
Apodis scoffed, ignoring the caerulian and boiling some water for so’ala. He set about making sweet zinthian cakes, remembering how much Gemini had enjoyed them yesterday, not having the energy to discuss this any further.
As the rhythm of cooking enveloped him, his racing mind calmed, focusing on preparing each dish precisely. When he was done, he made a tray and carried it into the bedroom, Zenith following behind.
Gemini’s smile radiated through the room, lit by the cozy glow of candlelight. Galaxies, she was beautiful, her hair mussed from sleep, his much-too-big clothing rumpled on her small form.
“Oh, good! You made so’ala! I’m totally beat, even though you carried me everywhere yesterday,” she said with a chuckle, eagerly taking a sip when he set the tray down.
Apodis sat next to her, grabbing his own mug, though his hand was too shaky to bring it to his mouth just yet.
Zenith jumped on the bed, and Gemini scratched under his chin, earning her a contented purr.
“Good morning, Zenith.”
“Good morning, Gemini. Your redecorating is very nice,” he said, and Apodis groaned internally, not wishing to bring more attention to the strange habits.
“Thanks!” she said, taking a bite of a zinthian cake, her eyes rolling as if it were the most heavenly thing she’d ever tasted.
Apodis imagined that look on her face in a different context, then chided himself for such a thought.