The Uncertain Scientist (The Lost Planet 4)

“Does he look more human or mort?”

“His skin is the same pale color as you or me and his eyes are like ours too.”

We both nod because it pleases us. Our kind is strong and fierce compared to the humans. If they grow to be fine males one day, they’ll need our strength.

“I know you didn’t come here to discuss Calix and Emery’s new mortyoung. Something is bothering you,” Breccan says, not meeting my gaze. “Want to talk about it?”

I let out a sigh and find a rock to sit on. It’s cold and freezes my rump, but I like the biting chill. Anything to stave off the heat burning through my lower region. My mind drifts to the way she was spread over his cock. Her juices were smeared along his cock and I thirsted so rekking badly to taste them. To the point of madness. I should have left them alone and allowed them to mate to deal with their problem, but I had to involve myself. I wanted to be a part of it. The craving to bring her pleasure as she rode my mate was sick and mad, but a craving nonetheless. It was selfish, but I did it anyway.

“It’s about Grace,” Breccan says.

I jerk my nog up and find him watching me with a knowing stare.

But he doesn’t know. It’s too complicated and wrong for him to even guess.

“Breccan,” I start, and then scrub my face in frustration. “I don’t know where to begin.”

He stands and walks my way. “Start from the beginning.”

With a heavy sigh, I admit what’s weighing so heavily on me. “It’s about Sayer.”

His brows furl and he crosses his massive arms over his chest. Ever since he found Aria, he’s been calmer and at peace. I’d been at peace with Sayer…until Grace. Now my mind is at war.

“Sayer’s my mate,” I blurt out. I lift my chin in defiance against my commander, ready to take on whatever punishment he feels like delivering, but also hoping desperately he’ll come at me with advice instead.

“I figured as much.”

“Wait…” I trail off. “How did you know?”

He smirks. “You’ve been joined at the hip for as long as I can remember. Wherever he goes, your eyes follow. Where you go, Sayer’s not far behind. You’re secretive, sure, but I’ve seen lingering glances and touches that are too intimate for friendship.”

Heat burns through me. “Are you angry?”

“Angry, no. I suppose I’m confused. We’ve been given the books of those before us. I don’t quite understand the mechanics of having a male as a mate, but if I use my imagination, I can figure it out.” He cocks his nog to the side. “Do you love him like I love my mate?”

I nod rapidly. “I do. Rekk, how I do.”

This pleases him because he smiles.

“But…”

“But?”

“Then we discovered his mortling is growing in the new alien, Grace.” A brief flash of her large, round breasts bouncing teases my memory. “The pheromones…”

“Ahhh,” he says with a frown. “Did they…you know?”

“They didn’t want to,” I explain, “but I encouraged them. For the mortling. For their health. It was making them crazed with need. A need that required sating.”

“And how did you feel about that?”

“I was angry at first, Breccan. Jealous. I didn’t want her touching him. But when they were both hurting, I couldn’t do it to either of them. Grace didn’t deserve being put in the condition she’s in and Sayer was helpless too.”

“So they mated,” he says softly.

“And I watched.”

His eyes bug out. “You watched?”

“For their safety,” I utter. The lie on my lips tastes bitter. I watched because I was aroused by the idea of seeing them together. I watched because I wanted to. My curiosity at seeing the female naked and stretched out over his cock drove me wild.

“How did that go?”

“It was her first time. She wasn’t, er, ready to take him.” My ears burn in shame. “So I helped them.”

A stormy expression crosses over Breccan’s features. “You helped?”

“The book,” I rasp out. “Explained how to pleasure the female. Sayer was so lost to the need he couldn’t focus. I didn’t want her to be in pain and I promised I’d look after them both.” I swallow down my shame. “I touched her and made her come. And when she was under the effects of the toxica afterward and Sayer fell asleep, I comforted her.”

“And now everything is a confusing mess?” he offers, a wry grin on his lips.

A rush of air escapes me. “Yes. I want…” I close my eyes and shake my nog. “I wanted to be with her in that way too. But it feels like a betrayal to Sayer to even think that way.”

“How does Grace feel about all this?” He nudges me with his elbow, drawing my eyes to him. “We’re not Kevins, Jareth.”