Page 73 of The Alien Warrior's Vow

Lans squirmed. “Eema and I…”

“You what?” Pin tilted his head.

“Neh.” Zar made a sound that was part laughter and part gasp. “Neh. I do not believe it.”

Tiegan’s eyes widened.

Clavas smirked. “We had to put up the soundproof shields to give them privacy.”

“Did you need to share that information?” Lans grumbled.

Clavas shrugged mischievously.

The Healer laughed. “It seems facing death gave Lans a new perspective.”

“Fantastic, Lans!” Pin slapped his back. His eyes glowed with sincere happiness and affection.

“You and Eema?” Korben pointed his way. Then his questioning gaze snapped to Clavas. “Him and Eema?”

“Do you not see the gentleness in his eyes?” Clavas asked.

“I thought it was from the Healer’s ministrations?”

“Neh. I only heal the body. Not the heras. The human did that all on her own.”

Korben frowned. “I now owe Sah-ah three gold coins.”

“You bet on me?” Lans’s jaw dropped.

Korben nodded. “I was sure Eema would kill you in your sleep. Sah-ah thought…” Korben paused as if contemplating whether he should shareexactlywhat his mate had wagered. Finally, he shook his head. “My mate thought otherwise.”

Lans rubbed the back of his neck. He had tried to hide his interest in Eema by growling and snapping at her. Indeed, at certain points, shehadraked his patience. However, he had not been as successful at hiding his true feelings as he had thought.

“You care for her?” Korben asked. “Truly?”

“You are asking if I only mated her to have offspring?” He stiffened. “Are you doubting my intentions?”

“Neh. I am only confused. It feels so sudden.”

Lans thought of the moment he first saw Eema outside the beluda. “She is bruised on the inside and I am broken. But when I am with her, she pieces me back together. And I care for her wounds so they do not hurt.” He huffed out a breath. “I cannot live without her.”

The Healer strode toward them. “Andthatis why I have chosen you. All of you. Your connection to the females will be the beginning of a new Plutonian dawn. Your offspring will rise and be stronger, faster and,” his lips inched up, “may have the skills of the Healer within them.”

“You mean our broods will be able to heal themselves?” Zar asked, his eyes wide.

“And others.”

Lans’s heras throbbed with happiness. He thought of Eema’s soft body beneath him. Her fingernails scratching his back. Her body shuddering with every thrust. The softest of whimpers as he invaded her, suckling her chest and her lips.

Over and over.

Harder.

Harder.

Coupling with his mate could one day result in a brood that would save his species.

Neh. Having offspring was not the reason he had mated Eema, but he looked forward to it with his every breath.