Page 41 of Master (The Outlander Book Club… in Space! #3)

Clara

A beeping comm was the worst alarm clock ever. It sounded like the alarm on an iPhone... on steroids.

Heavy steroids.

Beside me, I felt Tarook stretch, taking care to rock his hardening manhood against me. He yawned, trying to make the movement appear involuntary, but the smirk on his lips told me otherwise.

I rolled over, pressing my breasts against his chest and hooking a thigh over his.

"My goodness, you're insatiable." He growled, nibbling on the curve of my neck.

I giggled in response. I couldn't deny his charge, especially since we'd spent most of the last two days in bed. If it wasn't for Mei bringing by trays of food, we'd surely have starved.

"You're the one that set the alarm," I countered, letting my fingers trail down the washboard abs to curl around his hardened cock.

"That's not an alarm," Tarook smirked, trailing kisses over my cheeks. "It's a signal. The Bardaga has entered orbit around Tau Ceti."

"What?" I pushed against his chest. Excitement at seeing my friends on top of lust turning my blood into frothy champagne. "How long before they get here?"

Tarook pulled me back against his chest. "The shuttle from the Bardaga to the surface usually takes about twenty of your earth minutes."

I relaxed, letting my arms wind around my mate's neck as I pulled his lips toward mine.

"Tarook my love. Have you ever heard of the Earth concept called a quickie?"

Exactly twenty-two minutes later, I made my way—showered, dressed, and very well pleasured—toward the far end of the settlement where the shuttle would land.

The village flurried with action, people rushing around throwing together an impromptu welcoming party for the Bardaga. Mei and Bartholomeus stood hand in hand, directing the action, while the faint chug of Buck and Lula's truck approached from the south.

Tarook led me to a small field past the general store specifically set aside for a shuttle landing.

"Are you nervous?" Tarook held me close as a metallic glint became noticeable on the horizon.

"Excited," I breathed. I wanted to see my friends and begin my new life with Tarook.

My mate.

The shuttle reminded me of the ship that transported me to the Hartouk Lenaii, dull gray, boxy, with few windows. It landed with a soft swish, barely disturbing the surrounding air. When the door opened and the ramp descended, all comparisons to hateful aliens stopped.

I don't know what made the first sight of Emmy and Daisy so strange—the fact they looked forty years younger than the last time I'd seen them or the two massive warriors at their side.

Both males dressed like Tarook, with black leather-like pants, boots, and something that looked like the baby of a vest and tunic corraling the massive muscles of their chests and shoulders.

The male holding Emmy's hand was close to Tarook's height, with thick black hair pulled back into a braid.

The male with his arm around Daisy's shoulders stood taller, with dirty blonde hair that reminded me of a lion's mane.

Both men sported golden irises swimming in a cobalt sea, although the shade of gold differed from male to male.

"Clara!"

I don't know which woman screamed my name.

I launched into a run, arms open wide, as Emmy and Daisy sprinted toward me.

When the three of us got our arms around each other, we dissolved into a blob of laughter, tears, and " Oh my Gods" sprinkled with comments about how fabulous each thought the other looked.

Vaguely, I noticed the males standing around, laughing during their own greetings.

"Thank you for finding her," Emmy tearfully told Tarook, giving him a pat on his shoulder.

His hand rested on the small of my back as I detangled myself from the reunion blob.

"It was my very great pleasure," Tarook said with a sly grin.

One auburn eyebrow arched in my direction as Emmy shot me a questioning glance. I smiled and shrugged, drawing a bark of laughter from her lips.

"Clara, this is my mate Khaion, chieftain of the Bardaga and the war chief Daicon… and Daisy's mate," Emmy told me, pointing to each male in turn. At the mention of his name, each warrior squared his shoulders, lifting a fist to give three sharp taps over his heart.

"It's the sign of respect when meeting another Vaktaire's chosen mate," Tarook murmured near my ear, repeating the same motion for first Emmy and then Daisy.

"It's so wonderful to meet you," I said, and meant it. Daisy and Emmy hadn't looked this happy in years.

"As it is to meet you," Khaion said with a smile.

"Tarook's a handful. Are you sure you don't want to look around? We got a lot of other males onboard." Daicon teased with a sly wink.

"I'm sure." I smiled at my mate.

My mate .

Damn, I liked the sound of that.

Khaion stiffened, his glance returning to the shuttle. "Orzon is bringing the children." At his words, both my friends drew nervous breath.

A small blue cherubic alien strode down the ramp, leading the pack.

The group consisted of eighteen beings—all different species, all different sizes, but definitely all children.

They moved in single file from the ship toward the town square, and my heart squeezed with memory.

I knew that moment… the steps you take toward strangers hoping to become family.

One small being broke from the group, bounding in our direction.

He was short and chubby, covered in grayish brown fur with expressive dark button eyes.

He reminded me of those teddy bear creatures from the Star Wars movies.

Beside me, Tarook's sharp gasp conveyed there was more than cuteness to the little creature.

His arm went around my waist, pulling me close to his side.

"Is that a Ker..." Tarook began, foreboding in his voice.

"That is our son," Daicon said, gently laying a large hand on Daisy's shoulder. The glance he gave Tarook brooked no argument.

At my side, I felt the low rumbling of a growl begin in Tarook's chest, but he said nothing. I repressed my own trepidation with a heavy swallow. While I didn’t think the child running toward us posed a threat… he was a Kerzak—a species I hoped to never see again.

"George, the other child remaining with the Bardaga, elected to stay on the ship," Emmy told us, oblivious to my mate's mood.

"He is a Garoot—the species that created the machine that gave us all our twenty-something asses back.

He and Toovis, the ship's healer, are in the middle of some experiment. "

"I think George found it too hard to say goodbye," Daisy sighed like she knew exactly how he felt. She plastered on a wide smile, holding her arms wide toward the furry little alien tottering her way.

"Hello, sweetie!"

"Hi, Mommy... Dad!"

A faint blush colored the paler patches of fur on his cheeks as the young Kerzak ran straight into Daisy's arms, tightly returning the hug.

"Is everyone excited to meet their new family, Ewok?" Daicon ruffled the gray-brown fur on his head, making two small ears twitch happily.

I grinned at the name. It couldn't be any more perfect.

"Uh-huh," he answered, flashing the beginning of small fangs that made a chill wash through my blood.

But it didn't take long to see the furry little boy bore no resemblance to the creatures that hurt me.

His smile was broad and happy, and the child loved Daisy and Daicon as dearly as they loved him.

Tarook seemed convinced as well. The gaze I caught him giving the small family looked wistful and warm.

Daisy shooed Ewok off to help the other children settle with another hug and a kiss on his black button nose.

"Look." Emmy’s gentle voice drew our attention towards the bustling town square, where a group of shy children met their new parents for the first time.

The sunlight cast a warm glow on the scene, illuminating the bright colors of foliage and the excited chatter of the townspeople.

In the center of it all, the children stood in a line, their small hands fidgeting nervously until an adult chosen to be mom or dad stepped up and, with a simple touch or smile, welcomed them home.

The six of us moved through the bustling crowd, our footsteps light and carefree.

My friends and their mates introduced themselves to the villagers, who welcomed them with open arms and warm smiles.

The proud new parents joyfully presented the children in a beautiful display of love and family.

As I observed these heartwarming interactions, tears of happiness welled up in my eyes, touched by the pureness and beauty of it all.

My early years spent in the foster care system were far from ideal. I often felt lost and alone, longing for a stable and loving home. But as I watched the children welcomed into the Tau Ceti community, I couldn’t help but feel grateful that they would have a much better experience than I did.

As I looked around the bustling hub of activity and heard the laughter and chatter of families coming together, I knew this place offered all the things any child truly needed for a happy and fulfilling childhood. It filled me with hope for the future of these children in this loving environment.

Mei stood pressed to Bartholomeus' side, her arms joyously wrapped around a tiny creature sporting reddish skin, a long, tufted tail, and small black horns.

Nearby, Buck and Lula stood with their hands linked with a tall, awkward gray adolescent sporting hair that looked like strands of thick black wire.

Catching my gaze, Lula squealed, prompting the trio to wave broadly as we walked closer.

"Oh my God," Emmy gasped, her eyes going wide. "Is that Elvis?"

Close enough to hear my friend's question, a shiver of alarm passed over Lula's face.

"That's Buck and Lula. They're good friends," I told Emmy, watching Lula's mouth curve into a wide smile as she overhead.

"Sorry," Emmy waved at the couple. "After meeting Marilyn Monroe, I guess I'm on the lookout for dead celebrities."