Dex strolled along the walkways of the base flanked by his Onugra guards, Nipaw and Dipaw. What he really wanted was to be with a certain female. As if conjured up by his thoughts, he caught a whiff of that sweet aroma that was hers.
He changed direction and made a beeline for the northernmost corner of the base. He paused when he saw the garden. The bright flowers seemed out of place against the dull colors of the base. Sitting in the middle of the plants, surrounded by the little creatures called birds, was Jewels.
Dex was sure a human wouldn't have noticed her; she sat that still. Even her psi-energy was quiet, almost suppressed. If he hadn't caught her scent, he would have missed her.
Yet, he did know her scent, and it intoxicated him. He cleared his throat, and the birds scattered. He was amused by the annoyed glare Jewels gave him.
"Do you mind? I was trying to have a peaceful moment."
"I do mind. You should not be left alone. I do not trust the people here." Dex crossed his arms and gave her a look meant to intimidate her into listening to his advice.
Her stern expression softened. "Your Highness, I am fine, I promise you. No one bothers me here." She stood up and dusted her pants off.
His eyes tracked her every movement. None of her actions was wasteful. She was like his kind, tightly coiled and alert to the surroundings. "Are you sure you don't have Gatoan DNA?" he joked, wanting to see her smile.
Jewels snorted instead. "I highly doubt that. We just met your kind. How could we have any of your DNA here? Unless you lied and you've visited us in the past?"
Dex, impressed with her quick retorts, moved closer until he was only inches from her. His little human was very much in heat. Idly, he wondered if humans knew the mating signs or was his human somehow different. He considered what to do. He knew he was the one for her. He wanted to bask in her heat and make her yowl her pleasure at his skills.
He reached out and stroked her face with his paw. Her eyelids closed, and her breathing became ragged. Her arousal filled his nose, and he took in a big gulp of air just to savor it.
"Ah, Jewels, you are so precious to me. Little Human, may I sample you? Let me drink of your sweetness, little one."
"You say the strangest things, your Highness," Jewels murmured as a pink flush spread across her cheeks.
Dex heard her sigh wistfully as she stepped away from his paw. She turned her back to him, and it angered him. Here was another female, rejecting him.
"Don't turn your back on me, Jewels," he snapped and stepped up to her.
She gasped and spun around, putting them face-to-face. "What do you want from me?" she demanded. "I don't understand you," she added in a whisper.
Her confusion gave him pause. Why was he being aggressive with her? Was he that out of control?
"I am sorry. Perhaps I should go." Dex turned to leave, but froze when Jewels flung herself against him, her arms wrapping around his waist.
"No! I mean...please. Please don't leave me." The heat of her breath stirred the fur on his back.
Stunned, he didn't move at first, and then, awkwardly, he turned and placed his paws around her in a hug. "I am here. I will keep you safe," he rumbled as he started to purr. He stroked her hair and stopped to consider the object in her hair.
"What is this?" he asked and touched it.
She laughed. "It is called a hair tie. Humans use them to move our hair away from our faces so that we can see or work more easily."
"I don't like it. Can you remove it?"
"You want to see my hair down?"
"Yes, I want to see you without restrictions."
Her warm breath tickled his fur when she huffed. "For you, your Highness, I will do this. I usually keep it up." She reached behind her head and, with a quick tug, let her hair fall free.
Dex marveled at the length. He ran a paw down it and enjoyed the silky smoothness. Her hair was like his fur. "Now I am convinced you have a Gatoan ancestor."
"You wish," she joked and closed her eyes.
So she liked to be petted too. That was good to know. He wanted to do more than pet her. His blood sang and he could feel his member coming alive. He would have her. His hunt was not over yet.
"Jewels!"
He scowled when he heard Jeremy's voice. Jewels jerked away, blushed pink, and hurried around him and past his guards.
"Wait!" Dex yelled.
::I can't, my Prince. I must go. Jeremy does not bother me here unless he needs me.:: She paused and shyly added, ::Thank you. For the comfort.::
And then his little human surprised him by giving him a mental kiss before breaking their connection.
He grinned. Happy at his progress with Jewels, he went back to walking the grounds. He missed his guards' expressions of worry. His mind was on his female and what he needed to do to win her for himself.
* * *
Larry Mellen sat in the shielded communications room and nervously waited for his conference with the President. He'd been ecstatic when he volunteered for and was accepted for this assignment. A chance to work with aliens was not something one passed up. It was turning out harder than he expected.
The Gatoans, especially Prince Dex, were volatile and unpredictable. The headstrong Prince wanted to take part in a psionic ceremony. Larry shook his head and bemoaned his eagerness to assume this post. The vid beeped, signaling an incoming call. Larry straightened and activated the screen. "Good afternoon, Mr. President."
"Liaison Mellen, I can spare five minutes. Please make this quick."
"Of course, Mr. President," Larry stammered before composing himself. "Sir, the Gatoans have requested to participate in the Choosing ceremony for Special Lt. Enbran."
The President's eyebrows rose, and he stared. He didn't say a word. Larry started to sweat.
"How many?"
"Sir?" Larry stared at the President.
"How many do they want to place in the Choosing ceremony?"
Hearing the President's impatience, Larry stiffened. "As many as we will allow. The only stipulation was that Prince Dex be among the contenders."
"I will have a decision by tomorrow. Brigadier General Maussey has been singing your praises."
Larry preened at the compliment. "Thank you, Mr. President."
The President nodded, and the screen went dark. Feeling more confident, Larry went to tell King Renten the news.
* * *
Renten had returned to the scout ship to speak with Master Chief Leftclaw about what he suspected was wrong with his heir. Dex's increasingly erratic behavior and fascination with the female could be one of two things. One meant death for the human. It was unheard of for a Gatoan to mate-bond outside their own kind, but that could be the other reason.
They entered the tiny meeting room and sipped their blood juice. Renten sagged into his chair, the weight of so many concerns pressing on him.
Leftclaw sat down. "The room is secured, sire."
"Thank you, old friend. I am afraid my son is experiencing heat."
Leftclaw sat up straight. "Truly? Which one?"
"I believe it to be the mating heat," Renten replied cautiously.
"This is great news, my King! We had despaired of it ever happening for him. This will definitely improve confidence in your bloodline."
"It is not that simple." Renten sighed at Leftclaw's puzzled expression. "I think the mate-bond will be to the human female that touched our minds when we first landed here."
Leftclaw surged to his feet. "Impossible! They are not like us!"
"No, you are wrong. They are very much like us. Perhaps this is why the bonding is trying to occur. The female does not seem adverse. She is baffled by her reactions to him, yet she is not rejecting them either. My son, on the other hand, does not realize what is happening to him."
"You must have a healer check him and verify the truth of the matter. If he will endanger this mission, he needs to go back to the ship."
"I know. He will fight me fang and claw. He might have to be collared." Renten ignored Leftclaw's horrified look. "I will not lose our new ally over my heir's lust. I have, however, decided to test my theory. The human female is losing her partner due to a peculiar problem with her psionic ability. The humans have a Choosing ceremony where telepaths of a certain age come and go through three trials. Those with the high scores are presented, and then one is chosen as the female's new anchor. I asked, and permission was granted, for some of our males to be included. I, of course, told my son he could participate. He seemed thrilled at the news."
"But, sire, what if he fails? Not having his mate-bond fulfilled will drive him mad."
"I am aware of the risk. I'm betting on my son. I just wanted you to be prepared, just in case."
"Yes, my King. Is there anything else?"
"Yes, please check on Rialla. I know she's probably feeling neglected. I want to wrap up negotiations and leave in four days."
"It will be as you order, my King."
Renten smiled. "Thank you so much, old friend. Keep holding down the fort."
"Don't I always?" Leftclaw chuckled and watched Renten teleport off the ship. He stared out the window. Why would the prince react to one of the furless ones? Leftclaw had no answers, only more questions. He sighed and went to contact the main ship.