Chapter 15

Krestar cradled Lauren in his arms, still shocked that his knot had locked them together. He'd been unable to resist his need for her any longer, but although he had no doubt he would enjoy every second they were together, he'd assumed that he'd be unable to achieve complete satisfaction. He'd been wrong.

He'd never felt so replete, so satisfied, so happy - and so terrified. He'd found the mate he'd never thought to have, but would he be able to keep her? Could he ask her to stay with him, to abandon her world?

The thought haunted him, but he did his best to push it aside, to enjoy the moment. When his knot finally subsided, he gently pulled free, then carried her back to the cabin. If he could never enjoy this again, he intended to savor every moment of the present. He laid her down carefully, then hurried to the sanitary facility for a washcloth to clean her, gently washing the traces of his possession from her body.

To his amusement, she made a soft, displeased noise at the loss, and then again when he left to dispose of the washcloth. He returned and immediately drew her into his arms.

"You should sleep," he murmured.

‘I'm not sleepy." She yawned, then laughed. "Well, maybe a little. But I'm also hungry."

How could he have forgotten to feed her? Appalled at his own thoughtlessness, he started to pick her up again. She laughed and pushed him away playfully.

"Stop that. I can still walk. I'm going to make a trip to the sanitary facility and then I'll meet you in the lounge."

He hesitated a moment longer, suddenly unwilling to leave her, and she gave his tail a reassuring squeeze.

"I'm fine - better than fine. Stop worrying."

"Yes, d'jeri."

The words came out through clenched teeth. When he'd carried her into the cabin he had thought himself completely drained, but one touch of those soft little fingers on his tail and he was instantly erect.

"What's wrong?"

She leaned towards him, accidentally tugging on his tail as she did and he couldn't prevent himself from groaning. Her eyes widened, realization spreading across her face.

"This is sexual, isn't it?"

She stroked her fingers along his tail, the same way she'd stroked his cock earlier and he shuddered.

"Yes."

"Why didn't you tell me before?"

"I enjoy having your hands on me. It is a cruel pleasure," he added, shuddering again as she gave him a mischievous look and raised his tail to her mouth, sucking lightly on the tip. "D'jeri, unless you wish to find yourself bent over this bed while I fill you with my cock again, you must stop."

"Hmm." She hummed around the tip, sending another shockwave of pleasure spiraling through his body. "I'm almost tempted - but I think I need to eat first."

The reminder of his failing allowed him the strength to pull away.

"Food. Lounge. Rest," he reminded himself and she laughed again.

"All of those, and then maybe a little tail play."

He half-stumbled on his way out of the room, her laughter trailing after him, and he found himself smiling despite his aching cock.

She hadn't appeared by the time he'd finished heating the soup and preparing some fruit. He was just wondering if he should check on her when he heard her footsteps. He turned to smile at her and found her clinging to the doorframe.

"Lauren, what's wrong?"

She gave him a tremulous smile, her breathing fast and shallow.

"I hope you're caught up on your reading because I think the baby is on her way."

Panic roared over him, paralyzing him as she started a series of rapid breaths, but he quickly pulled himself together, lifting her gently into his arms. He started to carry her back to the cabin, then hesitated. Would the scanner be better? It was designed more for diagnostics than treatment but he would be able to monitor her condition.

He hovered indecisively, then remembered Zythrak's words about calling for assistance. He carried her to the bed and put her down.

"I will be right back," he promised. "But perhaps the Elorans can assist."

"Hurry," she whispered, biting her lip.

He raced outside, giving the area a feverish survey. He had no idea where the monitors were hidden or what kind of signal to use. He waved his arms frantically, swinging around in a wide circle.

"Lauren is in labor. Send help."

He had no idea if he'd done enough but he couldn't leave her any longer. He hurried back inside to find her even paler, trying to pant rhythmically but unable to settle into focus. At least this he remembered.

"Look at me. Breathe with me."

She obeyed, calming a little as the contraction eased. He forced his own face and voice to remain calm despite the fear eating at him.

"I am going to carry you to the medical scanner now. Just for a routine check."

He kept his voice low and reassuring and she gave him a nervous smile.

"You aren't going to leave me again, are you?"

"Wild banthars couldn't tear me away," he promised and her smile grew a little more genuine.

"Are they fearsome beasts?"

"Very fearsome, although a beautiful human female is far more deadly."

"Flatterer."

Then she gasped, clinging to him as another contraction rippled through her small body.

"Focus on me, d'jeri," he ordered. "Match my breathing."

Her eyes locked with his as she obeyed, the trust in them making his heart ache. He was determined not to fail her but he was all too conscious of his lack of experience.

As soon as the contraction eased, he lowered her carefully onto the scanning bed. The monitor swept over her, displaying a rapid series of reports. Everything seemed to be well within normal parameters, but then she cried out again as another contraction hit. He leaned over her, helping her breathe, doing his best to keep his voice and face calm and untroubled.

Everything was happening so much more quickly than he'd expected. He was trying to decide if he should leave her on the scanner where he could monitor her and the baby or take her back to the bed when a sharp little elbow dug into his ribs. He spun around, his heart racing, and looked down to find a tiny Eloran female, wizened with age. She ignored him, bending over Lauren with a smile.

"I see I got here just in time. Looks like this little one is ready to be born. I'm Maraj."

Maraj cast a quick glance at the monitor, then put one pale tiny hand on Lauren's forehead and the other on her wrist just as another contraction hit.

"Breathe," she said sternly and his mate obeyed.

This contraction didn't seem as strong, Lauren relaxing into it as Maraj hummed softly.

"That was easier."

She gave the old woman a grateful smile.

"Of course it was. Not exactly my first time, dearie. Now then, would you be more comfortable in your bed?"

"Yes, please."

"But…"

One fierce glare from those iridescent blue eyes silenced the start of his protest.

"Let's see if you can put more than one part of your body to use. Carry your mate back to her cabin."

He obeyed silently but Lauren gave him a quick anxious look when he picked her up.

"You aren't going to leave me, are you?"

"Of course he isn't," Maraj said cheerfully but he ignored her.

"No, d'jeri. I will not leave you."

He would remain at her side forever if she would allow it.

Another contraction peaked before they reached the cabin, but Maraj captured her wrist again, humming softly, and it too seemed easier. As soon as it was over Maraj hurried ahead of them and when he carried Lauren inside, the bed had been stripped down to a sheet and covered with towels.

"Would you like your mate to help?"

The old female glared at before he even got his mouth open this time, but Lauren immediately agreed.

"Good, then sit down behind her and support her back. It will be more comfortable for her than being flat on her back," she explained a little begrudgingly.

The material he had read had indicated something similar so he nodded and got into position. Lauren settled back against him with a soft sigh.

"I'm glad you're here." she whispered.

"It is my honor."

He hugged her gently and kissed her cheek, but then another contraction began and they both fell silent, focusing on the steady cycle of breathing as the baby moved closer to its birth.

He was vaguely aware of Maraj moving around the cabin, of her touching Lauren and humming that same melody, but his entire awareness was focused on his mate, on holding her and helping her as best he could. When she started to push, clearly struggling, he wanted to roar with frustration but he could do nothing for her except to be there.

"Just a few more pushes, dearie," Maraj crooned. "Almost there."

He wanted to snarl at her, to insist she do something now, but he was frozen in place. And she was helping. She was easing Lauren's pain. One last push and the baby slipped free, impossibly small, her face red and wrinkled and utterly beautiful. Maraj rubbed the baby vigorously with a towel, so vigorously that he growled, then handed her to him as she snipped the umbilical cord.

"Our daughter," he whispered, cradling her between their bodies as Lauren touched a tiny cheek with a shaky hand.

"She's so beautiful."

"She is. She's perfect."

She winced as Mara pushed on her abdomen, still humming cheerfully, but kept her attention on the baby. Her eyes filled with tears as she looked up at him.

"I want to call her Felicity."

"I think that's an excellent idea."

Felicity made a snuffling noise, her mouth working, and he panicked.

"What's wrong? What does she want?" he asked, panicking.

"Nothing you can give her." Maraj laughed. "She's ready for her first meal. Hand her to Mama."

He obeyed as Lauren fumbled at her top, both of them awkward and anxious, but somehow they for Felicity in the right position and she managed to latch on to a taut swollen nipple.

"Oh!" Lauren's eyes widened. "I wasn't expecting her to be so strong."

"She's a strong one." Maraj nodded approvingly, somehow managing to replace the towels under Lauren so deftly that she didn't disturb mother or child. "I'll give you a minute."

He didn't notice when she left, intent on his mate and child, both wrapped protectively in his arms.

Lauren smiled down at the baby then looked up at him.

"Did you mean it?" she asked softly.

"Mean what?"

"That she is our daughter?"

"Of course." He gathered his courage. "But I only want what is best for her. If you think that means taking her back to Earth…"

She slowly shook her head.

"I think what is best for her is a father who loves her with all his heart - and who loves her mother the same way?"

There was the faintest hint of a question in her voice. How could she doubt his love? Because I haven't told her.

"I do, d'jeri. I love you with everything that I am, everything that I will ever be."

Another tear slipped down her cheek but her smile was radiant.

"I love you too."

"Thank Granthar."

He pulled them both closer, his tail curving over her hip to gently circle the baby's ankle, and he was perfectly, utterly content. Everything he had endured had been worth it because it had led him to this moment.