Page 52 of The Delver (The Vrix #2)

Callie lay on the high table in Diego and Will’s clinic, biting her bottom lip and forcing her arms to remain at her sides as Diego’s fingers probed her lower belly and pelvis. Nervousness skittered through her.

“When was your last period?” he asked.

“A couple months ago,” she said. “After me and Urkot got back from the cave.”

“Have your breasts been feeling tender or more sensitive than usual?”

Callie chuckled, recalling how exquisite it felt every time Urkot stroked or licked her nipples. “Oh yeah.”

Diego paused, smirking as he shook his head. “Guess I don’t need to ask whether you’ve been sexually active.”

“Yeah, that’d be a dumb question. Urkot can’t keep his hands off me.”

Will, Ahmya, and Ivy, who stood behind Diego, laughed.

“Mmhmm. Same for Rekosh,” Ahmya said. “Um, not that I’m complaining.”

“Ketahn tried to abstain,” Ivy said. “It was easy for him while I was healing from childbirth. But once I started ovulating again… I swear some instinctual switch flipped, and it was just like the first time we mated. And God, that sex was good .”

Will chuckled. So did Diego, who withdrew his hands from Callie’s belly and straightened.

“Well”—Diego held a hand out and helped Callie sit up—“whether the sex is good or not, the results are usually the same. You’re pregnant.”

Callie smiled wide, placing a hand over her ever-so-slightly rounded belly. “Really?”

After weeks of wondering, hoping, and questioning every odd sensation and every miniscule change in her body, getting confirmation was almost unreal.

Diego nodded. “Without any equipment, I can’t say for sure how far along you are, but I’d estimate that your due date is around the same time as Ahmya’s, or not long after. Congratulations.”

Ahmya squeed and rushed over, throwing her arms around Callie. “We’re gonna be mommies!”

Callie hugged her friend back as happiness flowed through her. She looked at Ivy as the woman joined the embrace.

“Our kids are all going to grow up together,” Ivy said.

“Can you imagine all the trouble they’re going to cause together?” Callie asked.

Ivy groaned as she withdrew. “If they’re anything like their fathers, it’s going to be a lot.”

“Yeah, hearing the stories from Rekosh about when they were young…” Ahmya chuckled as she stepped back.

With a big smile, Will moved beside Diego and slipped an arm around him. “Congrats, guys. But damn, both of you at the same time?”

Callie chuckled. “What did you expect? Sexy times make babies, and these mated males like to fuck.”

“Callie!” Ahmya gasped, blushing.

“You know it’s true.”

Ivy nodded. “Yep.”

Callie arched a brow at Ahmya. “You really want to act like we don’t hear you every night? And afternoon? And morning? Your den is next to ours!”

“At least I try to be quiet,” Ahmya said. “Can’t say the same for you.”

“That’s trying to be quiet?”

Ahmya glanced away, but not before Callie saw her lips stretch into a smile. “Okay, so maybe I’m not really trying all that hard.”

Ivy crossed her arms with a smirk. “I don’t see how you can.”

Will cleared his throat.

“Look, buddy,” Callie said, pointing a finger toward him, “we were hearing you guys too when we lived upstairs, so don’t get on to us.”

He brushed a hand over his short-cropped hair, brow furrowing. “You guys can be as loud or as quiet as you want. I’m just, uh, thinking about having to help two women through birth at the same time.”

Diego patted Will’s shoulder. “Don’t worry, Will. You’re an experienced veteran now. Besides, all the hard work is on them.”

“Anyway.” Callie slipped off the table and embraced the two men. “Thank you both. Ahmya and I know we’re in good hands.”

“So you two seriously haven’t been sick?” Ivy asked after Callie backed away from the men. “No horrific cramping? Crippling nausea?”

Ahmya pinched her thumb and finger together. “A little bit.”

“Some pain, but no sickness yet,” Callie said.

Ivy scrunched her nose. “Ugh. I had the worst pregnancy.”

“We know,” Callie and Ahmya said together.

“It’s still early,” Diego said. “You could still experience more as your body continues adapting to the alien DNA.”

Callie settled her hands over her belly again and met Ahmya’s gaze.

She could see the spark of fear in the woman’s eyes, the same fear that lurked deep within herself.

Not of the baby growing inside them or the changes they might experience, but of the unknown.

Childbirth was already a risk, even on Earth, but out here?

They had no special equipment to aid them.

The tiniest complication could be the difference between life and death.

However, that fear didn’t erode her happiness.

I’m going to be a mom.

She couldn’t wait to tell Urkot. Couldn’t wait to see him holding their child, playing with them, teaching them.

“Shall we go find our mates and share the good news?” Callie asked.

Smiling, Ahmya nodded enthusiastically.

“Were they doing their tournament thing today?” Will asked.

“Yeah,” Callie replied. “Urkot’s been super excited about it, but he says it will all be meaningless unless he gets a rematch with me.”

“We’ll tag along, then,” Diego said. “Always fun to watch.”

All five humans exited the clinic. The sun was high in the sky, making the leaves especially vibrant against the patches of blue visible through them. Their shadows danced on Kaldarak’s platforms. The air was fresh, sweet, and familiar.

It’s great to be alive.

Such a simple thought, but it struck Callie profoundly. All the misery and hardship she’d faced to get here had been worth it. Those dark moments only made the good times shine all the brighter, and so much of her light since she woke up on this alien world had come from Urkot.

She chatted with the others as they walked, navigating the city’s platforms and bridges with ease and confidence. It still amazed her that this was her life—living up in the trees, calling these big spider people her friends and neighbors. Calling one of them her mate. Her lover.

Her everything.

They found their mates on the central platform with a crowd of thornskulls. The vrix sat around several black circles that had been drawn on the wood floor in charcoal, leaning forward on their hands and bent forelegs, as they took turns tossing small stones into those circles.

Their version of marbles.

It was funny that despite being separated by the vastness of time and space, and being an alien species, the vrix played a game so similar to one that had once been a popular pastime for children on Earth.

She’d never played marbles as a kid, but this version of it held a special place in her heart.

She fondly remembered the day when Urkot singled her out and coaxed her to play with him one-on-one.

They hadn’t understood each other’s languages then, but they’d communicated in a different way—through a simple game and friendly competition.

But what had truly connected them was their passion. She hadn’t realized it then, but those games were the spark that had ignited something which had smoldered beneath the surface for months after.

And now what they shared was like a blazing bonfire, big and bright and warm.

Cole’s blond head stood out amongst the large vrix, as did the black hides of the shadowstalkers who were with him. But it was the vibrant blue-on-black vrix that drew Callie’s notice.

Urkot sat next to Rekosh, Ketahn, and Cole at a circle near the outskirts of the gathering.

Akalahn was crouched alongside them with his little hindquarters in the air, watching intently as the rocks clacked against each other.

Telok was the only one not playing. He stood nearby, arms crossed, gaze roving, looking every bit a grim, vigilant guard.

Callie pointed toward the males. “There they are.”

“We’re going to grab some food before joining the games,” Will said, lacing his fingers with Diego’s.

“Have fun!” Ahmya said.

Diego smiled. “Go give your mates the good news.”

Callie and her friends made their way through the throng of vrix, whose voices rang out in the air in cheers, shouts, and chitters. Many of the thornskulls hailed the humans as they passed.

When Callie, Ahmya, and Ivy neared the shadowstalkers, the males took notice, and their game halted immediately. Ketahn, Rekosh, and Urkot rose and hurried to their mates, sweeping them up into their arms.

Callie laughed as Urkot hugged her close and rubbed his face right above the bite scar on her shoulder. She held him, twining her fingers in his hair. “Miss me?”

“Always,” he rumbled against her neck, the vibrations of his voice rippling through her.

She took in his earthy, intoxicating scent with a soft hum. “I missed you too.”

“What the hell?” Cole said. “You can’t just stop without calling a timeout!”

“Timeout,” Rekosh said.

Cole snorted.

Urkot nuzzled Callie’s neck again and took in a deep breath that he released in a growl. His lower hand trailed down her back to her ass, gripping one cheek fully and drawing her closer.

“Urkot!” Callie admonished with a laugh, giving his shoulders a shove.

He nipped her throat with his fangs, sending a thrill through her. “You smell good, female…and I hunger.”

“You’ll just have to restrain yourself,” she whispered. “For now.”

Grumbling, Urkot eased his hold on her and lifted his head. Fire burned in his sapphire eyes as he looked down at her. “Fine.”

Callie smiled and pressed a kiss to his mouth. “Good boy.”

“For now,” he purred.

Heat flared in Callie’s core, spreading through her in anticipation of what Urkot would do when he was done playing nice.

“So, what’s up?” Cole leaned back, propping himself with his hands behind him as he crossed his legs at the ankles. “Where’ve you guys been?”

“We were visiting Diego and Will,” Ahmya said, still cradled in Rekosh’s arms. She pointed toward the two men, who were conversing with Garahk near the platters of food. “They said they’ll join us soon.”

“Cool.” Cole glanced around, brow furrowed. “Where’s Lacey?”