20 Rowkin

After a short conversation with Kikila's father, I'm certain we can find a way to help Novark, even if they must still be separated from most species due to their quills and temper.

I stand in line in the ceremonial hall of the top floor of the Abr complex, dressed in my species' bonding uniform, a set of leather armor trimmed with brown and maroon silk layers of fabric that trail behind me like a cloak.

I feel like an idiot, out of place, like I have not earned the right to wear the ceremonial garb. But I have fought for my mate. I have rescued her. And she has rescued me.

The males ahead of me glance back in my direction. They whisper and tilt their heads like they're all talking about me. I fear my attire looks silly to them. But then someone behind me taps my arm.

I turn to discover the young Alustri who was nervous when we first arrived standing behind me with a grin on his face.

"They're all worried they don't compare to you. Most picked females that also wanted you."

"I saw."

"Who'd you pick?" he asks. "The Terran security female you chased?"

"Yes. You?"

He motions through a cracked door to a woman in deep red satin with dark curly hair and gold-brown eyes. "She sort of caught me." He chuckles. "I may have tripped over a fighting cluster of others, and we shared a good laugh."

I smile at him. "I'm glad you found someone."

"Thanks. You, too."

The male ahead of me climbs up onto the podium and bonds with a human in frilly pink.

And then it's my turn.

I step up onto the stage alone and wait. Camera drones hover throughout the room. From the room on the side, Kikila exits in our traditional red satin ceremonial dress. The way her soft blond curls frame her face and the satin gleams around her curves, I'm certain she's the most beautiful creature I've ever seen and ever will lay eyes on again.

"For our most interesting couple," Rosy's assistant calls out over the speaker. "And most likely to enhance the relations of our nations within the Federation, Kikila Amali of Terran Security and Rowkin, honored Royal Ranger of Alustri.

My female looks up at me in shock. "Royal? You turdmuffin. You lied to me!"

I chuckled. "I thought you were just some average woman in security, not the daughter of the head of the whole Terran department."

She pouts as the announcer pauses.

"Is there a problem?"

"I don't have one," I admit. I offer Kikila my hands.

My female eyes me with a smirk then takes my hands. "No problem. But I am going to want an explanation afterward."

"Of course."

"Shall I proceed?" the announcer asks.

We both nod.

"Kikila and Rowkin, do you both willingly elect to bond with the other, forever, under the watch of all those who participate in and view the Alien Bride Race?"

"Hell, yes," Kikila replies.

My body feels light and shaky as I reply. " Hell , yes ."

This makes my mate laugh, and I'm eager to find more ways to evoke such delightful sounds from her.

I wrap my mate up in my arms, lift her feet from the floor, and kiss her, savoring the plush heat of her lips and the way she smiles at me.

"Let's get out of here," she whispers.

"You got it." I set her feet down, then turn to the young Alustri and hold out a fist as he climbs the stage. "See you at home, kid."

He bumps my fist and seems to find a little more confidence.

I guide Kikila out of the doors to the ship lowering its ramp outside. I take her hand and lead her up the ramp. "Kiki, meet Scrapper and Zoshun. Oh, wait, you already have."

She scans between them and smiles. "Corin. Nice to meet a few others of the Royal Rangers ."

Scrapper groans. "We're really not into that name."

"Just because we're from warrior bloodlines doesn't mean we're anything special."

"You two are," Corin remarks as I collect Kikila in my arms and take her into a room in the back.

She hooks her arms around my neck. "You have a human on your team. I would love to know sometime how that happened."

"Corin is the one that likes my sister."

"Oh." She grabs the straps across my front and pulls me into her. "That's cute."

Scrapper calls back to us, something about which route home we want to take.

"The long one!" I call back before slapping the door button and closing the panel between us.

Kikila and I become a wild mess. We can't get free of our clothes quickly enough.

"No delay this time," she whines. "In me, now."

I free my cock, guide her dress up over her hips, bend her over the bed, and find her opening with my tip. My skin ripples and hardens as I guide myself into her.

"Fuck—" She's so tight and hot and wet. Her cry of pleasure and the way her pussy grips me makes me Revup. I pump into her with increasing fervor, feeling like a wild animal driven by nothing more than the desire to feel more of her and to savor the sound of my name on her lips.

"Rowkin—"

My heart beats finally sync as my balls tense and fill my mate with my seed. It gushes out and drips down her thighs, and still I cannot stop bonding with her. I do not want it to end. But when she melts against me, I slow and guide her up and against my chest. "I love you, Kikila."

"You too, sexy hunk." She gasps, spins around, and pushes me back on the bed. "I hope you're ready for round two. This time, I'm in charge."