Epilogue

The village was a sight to behold.

It was nestled within the heart of Vasz"s wild, scenic jungles, a place where the alien planet"s lush greenery stretched as far as the eye could see, untamed and unspoiled.

It had been three months since Rhys had been brought here, since he had been claimed as a mate by a certain golden alien. And despite the odd circumstances that had led to him being here, he was starting to think of the place as home.

He sat in the living quarters that he now shared with his mate, listening to the sound of rain pattering against the building"s roof. Taryn was out on official business, leaving Rhys to his own devices.

Elian was in the middle of excitedly chattering about something, his eyes bright as he gestured with a piece of circuitry in his hands. Rhys had long since learned that when it came to tech, the man just couldn"t help himself. "And then I managed to rewire the whole thing to boost the signal, can you believe it? Out of nothing but a couple of broken transmitters and some spare wire!"

"I can believe it," Rhys said, a wry smile tugging at his lips. "Because I"ve been listening to you talk about it for the past two hours."

That earned him a good-natured swat on the shoulder. Despite the circumstances that had brought them together, Rhys had found a true friend in the other man. Like Rhys, Elian was a fellow human, the only other one in the entire village. They might come from different worlds — Elian was from a generation ship, intended to be part of humanity"s salvation, while Rhys was common station trash — but they still had plenty in common.

Elian was a good guy. He was optimistic in a way that Rhys hadn"t been in years, unbroken by the hard knocks of the universe. Despite the alien surroundings, despite the war that had brought him here, for the first time in a long time, Rhys had found himself enjoying himself.

Elian had a way of making that easy.

The radio that Elian had been piecing together crackled to life, the sound of its speaker cutting through the gentle hum of the jungle outside. Despite Elian"s best efforts, the thing was a temperamental beast, and he"d been working on it for weeks. But now, finally, it seemed to be in working order.

The two men leaned in, listening to the transmission. It was some kind of news report, speaking in complex terms that Rhys only half-understood. Humans and Borraq both spoke a common tongue, but the terms of Borraq politics were still a mystery to him. Their newsreaders spoke fast and efficiently, like they were delivering vital dispatches.

Thankfully, the same couldn"t be said for his companion. Elian"s eyes narrowed in thought as he listened to the words. "They"re talking about a diplomatic meeting," he said, his voice grave. "A potential temporary peace between Borraq and humans."

"A temporary peace?" The concept was almost too big for Rhys to wrap his head around. Humans and Borraq, putting down their weapons and agreeing to not fight. It seemed impossible.

But doable. After all, Rhys had found getting along with the Borraq to be surprisingly easy. Despite their fearsome appearance and the dark rumors that swirled around them, it turned out that they were just… people. Kinda scary-looking people, but just people. You showed them respect and you kept your word. In return, they treated you with honor. It was as simple as that.

But showing them respect… Yeah, that was going to be a problem for a lot of humanity.

"Peace," Elian mused, his voice thoughtful. "It"s what everyone wants, right? Humans and Borraq both. We"ve got to stop killing each other eventually."

Rhys nodded, even though the sentiment was half a universe away from his day-to-day concerns. "Yeah. It"s just… I don"t know. It seems too big, you know?"

"Maybe. But that doesn"t mean we can"t hope for it."

Hope. It was a dangerous thing. Rhys had learned long ago not to let himself get too attached to the idea of things turning out well. But still, as he looked out of the window at the village, nestled in the heart of a beautiful alien world, something warm stirred in his chest.

He wanted it. He wanted humans and Borraq to stop killing each other. He wanted peace.

But was it possible? The gulf between the two species seemed too wide, the wounds between them too deep. How could anyone bridge that gap?

Belatedly, he realized what time it was. The transmission had distracted him and Elian both from the task at hand.

"Damn it — we"re going to be late!" Rhys yelped, and he and Elian scrambled to their feet. They rushed out of the building, the lush greenery of the jungle flashing by as they hurried through the village.

They burst out into the central square, and there it was: the beginning of the ceremony, just starting.

Rhys had been living among the Borraq for months now, but there were still plenty of customs and rituals that were new to him. The entire clan was gathered in the square, all of them facing a raised platform at the front. Taryn stood at the head of it, his powerful form a striking silhouette against the golden light of the setting sun.

At his feet, a group of young warriors-to-be stood at attention, their faces a mix of determination and nerves.

The young warriors stood in a line at the front of the raised platform, their golden skin gleaming in the fading sunlight. Rhys studied them, a hint of a smile tugging at his lips as he took in their finery. In a short time, they had come a long way from the brash youths who had first captured him.

Soren was easy to pick out, his massive frame towering over the others. Back when they"d first met, the big warrior"s bulk had been intimidating, a physical threat that Rhys hadn"t known how to deal with. But now, decked out in the ornate armor of a Borraq warrior, Soren looked regal, his broad shoulders squared with pride. There was still that youthful glint of cockiness in his eye, but it was tempered by a newfound sense of discipline.

Next to him stood Jorah, the slender warrior"s gaze fixed straight ahead with laser focus. Rhys remembered him as the quietest of the group, always watching and observing from the sidelines. That same pensive air still clung to him, but now it radiated a sense of steady confidence. Jorah knew his place, knew his role. He was ready.

Krye was a study in contrasts, his lithe form seeming almost delicate when compared to the hulking figures of his peers. But the set of his jaw and the fire in his eyes spoke of an inner steel, one that had always been there, simmering beneath the surface. If anything, the cocky smirk that so often played across his features had only grown more pronounced.

And Worrack… Rhys had to stifle a smile. The determined jut of Worrack"s chin was a dead giveaway for the bundle of nerves that he surely was. Rhys could see the slight tremble in his breathing, the way his eyes kept flicking from side to side. He looked like he might vibrate right out of his ceremonial garb.

Despite their vastly different demeanors, they all shared one thing: pride. These weren"t the untested youths who had met Rhys all that time ago. Taryn had been training them well. They were warriors now, their expressions a mix of solemnity and quiet self-assurance.

Despite the alien nature of the village and its inhabitants, there was something deeply familiar about the sight: young men about to prove themselves and transition into full adulthood.

Taryn"s gaze flicked over to Rhys and Elian for a moment, acknowledging their presence, and then he began to speak. His deep voice echoed out across the square, and the ceremony began.

Taryn"s warriors didn"t have to fight any beasts or pass any physical trials. Instead, the rite was a test of their minds and their loyalty. They had to answer questions, prove that they understood the laws and customs of their people, and demonstrate that they were ready to lead with honor.

Despite the solemnity of the occasion, Rhys couldn"t help but feel a sense of pride as he and Elian watched the ceremony unfold.

He"d been accepted into this village. Despite being a human, despite the countless differences between him and the Borraq, he was a member of this community. Taryn had claimed him as a mate, yes, but it was more than that. Rhys had been welcomed. He had a place here.

Here on Vasz, Rhys had found something that he"d long given up on ever having: a community.

The weight of the moment was clear on the faces of the young warriors. As each one was called forward to be initiated, a mix of reverence and determination was etched on their expressions. They were proud to be recognized as Taryn"s men, ready to take on the responsibilities that came with it.

Rhys"s eyes sought out Taryn, the leader at the heart of this community. Despite the alien features of his face, the curve of his horns, the golden hue of his skin, there was something deeply relatable about him.

Underneath the differences, Taryn"s pride in his men, his commitment to leading them, his desire for his people to thrive… it was something that Rhys could understand. Taryn"s values were the same as any good leader"s.

Taryn"s values were the same as his.

As the ceremony drew to a close and everyone began to file out of the square — dragging the now-officially initiated young warriors with them, the poor boys looking half-dead with embarrassment as the older Borraq teased them — Taryn approached Rhys.

His mate"s gaze was intense as it locked with Rhys"s, a charged moment passing between them. Despite the noise of the crowd around them, despite the distance that they kept between their bodies, the depth of the bond between them spoke volumes.

No words were exchanged. None were needed.

Elian discreetly excused himself, clapping Rhys on the shoulder as he headed off to join the rest of the rowdy group heading to the dining hall. His smile was nothing but good humor, but there was a knowing twinkle in his eye too.

With the ceremony concluded, Rhys turned to Taryn, a warm smile spreading across his face. "You did an excellent job leading the rites. Your warriors are lucky to have such an honorable leader guiding them."

Taryn"s intense gaze softened as he looked at his mate. "And I"m lucky to have you to come back to." He reached out, his large hand cupping Rhys"s cheek with a tenderness that still took the human"s breath away.

Rhys leaned into the touch, his eyes fluttering shut for a moment as he savored the intimacy of the gesture. "Always."

Their eyes met, a charged moment passing between them as the crowd faded into the background. Rhys"s heart raced, his body thrumming with a now-familiar longing. Before he could second-guess himself, he closed the distance between them, claiming Taryn"s lips in a needy kiss.

Taryn responded instantly, his powerful arms encircling Rhys and pulling him flush against that solid, muscular frame. The kiss was passionate, all-consuming, a celebration of their bond"s resilience in the face of adversity. And yet, beneath the intensity burned a profound tenderness, a depth of emotion that still left Rhys breathless.

When they finally broke apart, Rhys was flushed and dazed, his lips tingling from the force of Taryn"s affections. The Borraq warrior"s eyes smoldered with a mixture of desire and adoration as he gazed down at his mate.

Before Rhys could even fully process the need in Taryn"s gaze, the Borraq swept him up into his arms, cradling Rhys against that powerful chest. Rhys let out an undignified yelp, his cheeks flushing even as a secret thrill shot through him.

"Taryn! Put me down," he huffed, though his half-hearted struggles did little to deter his mate. "I can walk perfectly fine on my own, you know."

Taryn merely chuckled, that deep rumble reverberating through Rhys in a way that set his pulse racing. "But why should you have to?" He nuzzled against Rhys"s temple, his lips brushing over the sensitive skin there. "Allow me to indulge myself, my mate."

A shiver raced down Rhys"s spine at the heated endearment, his body melting against Taryn"s despite his feeble protests. He knew there was no use arguing — not that he truly wanted to.

He"d always been alone, looking out for himself. There was something intensely gratifying about being held so securely in those powerful arms, about allowing Taryn"s impressive strength to support and cherish him.

"You"re impossible," Rhys grumbled, though the effect was somewhat ruined by the way he nestled closer to Taryn"s warmth. "Absolutely impossible."

Taryn"s only response was another low, heated chuckle as he carried Rhys away from the crowd, back towards the privacy of their shared home.

Or… not?

Rhys frowned in confusion as Taryn carried him not towards the comforting coziness of their little house, but right past it.

"Taryn?" he asked, his voice rising. "Taryn, where are we going?"

The Borraq didn"t answer. His powerful strides ate up the ground as he carried Rhys through the village and out the other side, heading straight for the dense greenery of the surrounding jungle.

Oh. Rhys"s heart began to race. He knew exactly where this was headed.

He also knew that Taryn knew that he knew, and that the Borraq was pointedly ignoring the rising mix of embarrassment and anticipation in Rhys"s pheromones.

The rest of the village was busy celebrating the new warriors in the safety of the dining hall, surrounded by the familiar sights and sounds of their home. But here, out in the depths of the jungle, with the sun setting and the calls of alien beasts beginning to echo through the trees, here was the Borraq"s true home.

Here was the wilds, the heart of Vasz, the place where the instincts of the golden-skinned aliens truly came alive.

Here was the place where, after the heat of the rite of passage and the heady mix of pride and camaraderie, a certain something else stirred in a Borraq"s blood.

And now, here was the place where a certain something else could stir as well.

"Taryn," Rhys protested, his voice coming out in a half-hearted whine. "Taryn, come on. You can"t be serious. Taryn!"

His words were met with nothing but the sound of Taryn"s steady footfalls as he carried Rhys deeper and deeper into the jungle. Soon, out of earshot of the village, Taryn put Rhys down and pressed him against a tree.

Despite his protests, Rhys"s body betrayed him. He squirmed in Taryn"s grip, the thick muscles of the Borraq"s arms holding him securely against that broad, armored chest. His hips shifted, rubbing against the hard planes of Taryn"s body, the thick muscles that promised exactly what the Borraq had in mind.

"Please, Taryn," Rhys half-begged, half-teased. "Have mercy on this poor, delicate human—"

His voice trailed off into a breathless gasp as Taryn"s thick thigh pressed between his legs, rubbing against the growing hardness there.

"Rhys," Taryn rumbled, his voice low and dangerous, thick with the primal heat that swirled around them both. "I"m going to remind you exactly what kind of creature claimed you as his mate — and exactly what kind of treatment I know this "poor, delicate human" enjoys."

Despite the embarrassment that colored his cheeks, Rhys couldn"t help but smile.

Taryn"s desires were anything but human, but in the deep, wild heart of an alien world, they were exactly what Rhys needed.

Rhys gasped as Taryn"s powerful hands roamed over his body, the heat of the alien"s touch searing through the thin fabric of his clothes. The Borraq"s fingers dug into the curves of Rhys"s hips, pulling him flush against the hard planes of Taryn"s muscular form.

"Taryn," Rhys breathed, his voice a desperate whine as desire coiled low in his belly. He arched against the delicious friction, his neglected flesh straining for more of that maddening contact.

A low, rumbling growl vibrated against Rhys"s throat as Taryn nuzzled against the sensitive skin there. The sound was pure, primal hunger, a promise of the claiming to come.

"You"re mine, Rhys," Taryn rasped, the words a heated brand against Rhys"s racing pulse. "Mine to take, mine to claim. Do you understand?"

Rhys could only whimper in response, his fingers scrabbling against the hard plates of Taryn"s armor as the Borraq"s clever hands divested him of his clothing. The hot, humid air of the wilds caressed his bare skin, thick with the scents of earth and growing things.

And beneath it all, the heady, intoxicating musk of Taryn"s desire.

With a powerful tug, Taryn yanked Rhys"s hips flush against his own, the thick ridges of his dual-shafts rubbing against the human"s heated flesh. Rhys gasped at the electrifying contact, his back arching.

"Look at you," Taryn purred, his voice a velvet purr as he drank in the sight of his mate, flushed and desperate beneath him. "So responsive, so needy for me. You were made for me, Rhys."

Rhys could only groan in response, his hips rolling as Taryn"s thick shafts ground against him. The dual lengths were thick and hot against his cock, the ridges rubbing deliciously with each roll of Taryn"s hips.

One of Taryn"s hands slid up Rhys"s body, his palm skating over sweat-slicked skin until his fingers found a nipple. He teased the peaked bud, rolling and tugging at the sensitive flesh until Rhys was a breathless, whimpering mess in his arms.

"Please," Rhys panted, his voice breaking on a desperate keen. "Taryn, please, I need—"

"I know what you need, my mate," Taryn rumbled, his lips brushing over the sweat-dampened skin of Rhys"s throat. "And I"m going to give it to you. Right here, in the heart of my world, I"m going to take you. Claim you as only a Borraq can."

Taryn reached down to grab Rhys"s knees, and hauled him up into his arms like Rhys weighed nothing at all. Rhys yelped in alarm; he gripped Taryn"s shoulders and wrapped his legs around Taryn"s waist to keep from falling.

Not that Taryn would ever let that happen, he knew.

A desperate whine spilled from Rhys"s lips, his body arching as Taryn"s thick shafts rubbed against his entrance. One slick, ridged length caught against his rim, the promise of that thick stretch leaving him breathless with need.

Taryn kissed him, deep and powerful. Rhys moaned against his mouth, helpless in his strong arms. Soon, each pass of Taryn"s cocks against his skin left hot slickness in their wake.

Borraq were eager in all aspects of their lives. Rhys was no stranger to hooking up, but he"d never seen so much precome as when Taryn got worked up — even adjusting for the fact he was packing twice as much. And from rather illuminating discussions with Elian, Rhys knew that Taryn wasn"t alone in that.

Not that that was a bad thing. In fact, it made certain acts much easier…

With one slow, powerful drive of his hips, Taryn buried himself inside of his mate.

Rhys"s cry echoed through the jungle, swallowed by the cacophony of alien sounds that surrounded them. His back bowed, his fingers scrabbling against Taryn"s shoulders as the Borraq claimed him in one hard thrust, mating him.

The stretch was incredible, the thick length filling him to the brim, the thick ridges sliding against his inner walls. Taryn"s second cock rubbed between Rhys"s thighs, sliding full and thick against Rhys"s balls. Rhys gasped for air, his senses overwhelmed by the feeling of being so deliciously full, so thoroughly claimed.

Taryn didn"t give him a chance to adjust. The Borraq"s hands tightened on Rhys"s hips, his thick shaft sliding almost free before snapping back home in one possessive thrust.

Rhys"s breath hitched as Taryn"s powerful hands gripped his hips, pulling him down onto the Borraq"s thick shaft. The ridges of Taryn"s cock rubbed against his inner walls, sending sparks of pleasure shooting through his body. He could feel every inch of Taryn inside of him, the thick muscles of the Borraq"s thighs pressed against his own as they moved together in a primal dance.

Taryn"s lips found Rhys"s throat, his teeth scraping against the sensitive skin there as he growled low in his chest. The sound sent a shiver down Rhys"s spine, his body responding instinctively to the primal display of dominance. He could feel the heat of Taryn"s desire, the thick musk of sex filling the air around them, mingling with the scents of the wilds.

Rhys"s fingers dug into Taryn"s shoulders, his knuckles white as he struggled to hold on. Taryn"s hips snapped forward, driving his cock deeper into Rhys"s body, the thick ridges dragging against his prostate with each powerful thrust. Rhys could feel the pressure building inside of him, the pleasure coiling low in his belly like a living thing.

Taryn"s hands roamed over Rhys"s body, his fingers tracing the lines of his muscles, the angles of his hips. Rhys could feel the Borraq"s love for him in every touch, every kiss, every needy growl — and Rhys hoped that Taryn could feel his own feelings in every desperate moan that Taryn wrung from his lips, every throbbing pulse of his body.

He knew that he was Taryn"s mate, his partner, his other half. And in that moment, Rhys felt more loved and cherished than he ever had before.

Taryn"s fingers found Rhys"s cock, his grip firm as he stroked the hard length in time with his thrusts. Rhys could feel himself teetering on the edge, his body trembling with the effort of holding back. He wanted to come, to give himself over to the pleasure that Taryn was offering him. But he also wanted to hold on, to savor the feeling of being claimed by his mate.

Taryn seemed to sense his struggle, his lips finding Rhys"s ear as he whispered, "Let go, my love. Let me feel you come around me."

The words were like a trigger, the dam inside of Rhys breaking as he cried out, his body shaking with the force of his release. He could feel Taryn"s cock pulsing inside of him, the thick heat of the Borraq"s seed filling him as they came together.

Rhys"s body shook with the force of his release, his muscles clenching around Taryn"s cock as he rode out the waves of pleasure. He could feel Taryn"s seed dripping from him, the thick warmth of it already coating his thighs as he panted for breath.

For a moment, they stayed like that, their bodies entwined, their breaths coming in ragged gasps. Rhys could feel the sweat dripping down his back, the heat of the jungle pressing in around them. But he also felt loved and cherished, his body sated and content in the arms of his mate.

The contrast was delicious. His head spun with it, overwhelmed by sensations. Taryn"s lips found Rhys"s again, his kiss gentle and tender.

But Taryn wasn"t done with him yet.

The Borraq grinned, his teeth flashing white in the dim light of the jungle. He slid his spent cock out of Rhys"s hole, then, holding Rhys exactly where he wanted him, slid his other cock in.

Rhys whined, overstimulated and oversensitive, but the sound quickly turned into a gasp of pleasure as Taryn began to fuck him again. The second cock was just as thick and ridged as the first, the feeling of it sliding into him almost too much to bear.

But Rhys didn"t want it to stop. He wanted to feel Taryn"s claim on him, in him, to feel the Borraq"s seed filling him up, spilling over.

Rhys had always been greedy, wanting more than what his life gave him. Thankfully, his mate didn"t seem to mind at all.

Taryn"s hands gripped Rhys"s hips, his fingers digging into the soft flesh as he thrust into him again and again. Rhys could feel the Borraq"s muscles tensing, could feel the heat building inside of him as he neared his own release.

How long they stayed like that, coupling in the wilds, Rhys didn"t know. He didn"t know anything except the feel of his mate inside of him, holding him tightly, filling him fully, kissing him tenderly.

Soon, though, Taryn"s thrusts grew more frantic, his hips snapping forward as he drove his cock deeper into Rhys"s body. Rhys could feel himself teetering on the edge again, his body trembling.

But he didn"t want to hold back. He wanted to give himself over to the pleasure, to let Taryn claim him completely.

With a final cry, Rhys came again, his body shaking for a second time. Taryn followed soon after, his cock pulsing inside of Rhys as he filled him with his own release.

Rhys collapsed into Taryn"s grasp with a groan, his body trembling with aftershocks. He was sore and spent, but satisfied in a way that he had never been before.

But then Taryn"s voice rumbled in his ear, low and dirty. "You don"t know what you do to me when you"re like this, Rhys. Full of my seed, mated and bred."

Maybe there was too much of a good thing, after all. He could feel Taryn"s first cock stiffening against his thigh again, the thick length already hard and ready for more.

Rhys groaned. "Taryn," he protested weakly, his voice barely above a whisper. "I can"t... I can"t take any more…"

But Taryn just chuckled, his hands roaming over Rhys"s body as he nuzzled against his neck. "You can, my love."

Rhys groaned again, but he couldn"t deny the spark of desire that flared in his chest at Taryn"s words. He was Taryn"s mate, and he loved every moment of it.

With a tired grin, Rhys tightened his legs around Taryn"s hips. "That sounds like a challenge, big guy."

Rhys couldn"t believe how his life had turned around since he first landed on Vasz. He had come here seeking a way to pay off his debts, never expecting to find love in the process. But now, as he lay in Taryn"s arms, he knew that he had found something far more valuable than any amount of money.

Taryn"s strong, muscular body was pressed against his own, their sweat-slicked skin sliding together as they moved in perfect sync. Rhys could feel the Borraq"s heartbeat pounding against his chest, a steady rhythm that matched his own. He knew that he was exactly where he was meant to be.

As they continued to move together, Rhys felt a warmth building in his chest, a feeling of love and contentment that he had never experienced before. He knew that he would do anything to protect this moment, to protect Taryn and their future together.

Taryn"s lips found his own, their kiss deep and passionate. Rhys could taste the sweetness of the Borraq"s mouth, could feel the heat of his breath against his skin. He knew that he was completely and utterly lost in this moment, and he never wanted to be found.

With a contented sigh, Rhys closed his eyes, his body relaxing against Taryn"s own.

He"d found paradise, and he wouldn"t have it any other way.