Luna’s Alien Mates

Chapter 13

Luna

Well, this was new.

Vallyn was looking at her as though she had hung not only the moon, but both of the twin suns that crowned their alien sky. His expression was bright, unguarded, and startlingly tender, so unlike the serious, disciplined male she had grown accustomed to. He wasn’t shy about showing how excited he was to see her either—his body betrayed that much—and his tails quivered restlessly behind him as though they had a mind of their own.

The sight of him like this sent heat spiraling through her chest. Where had the stoic, distant Vallyn gone? This version of him—smiling, proud, so open in his happiness—was disarming in ways she had never expected.

But then her gaze caught on the black ink marking his thighs. Two bold stripes curved over the muscle of each upper leg, marks she was almost certain hadn’t been there before. Tattoos? Scars? Or something more? It was easier to focus on those than the obvious proof of his desire straining against the thin fabric of his clothing.

Her cheeks warmed. Oh God. Did these men… go into heat? Was that what this was?

“Vallyn, um… are you in heat?” she asked carefully, her voice wobbling as the words left her lips.

He didn’t understand her words, she knew that much. But his eyes lit at the sound of his name, the syllables spilling from her lips like a gift. One of his tails lifted, moving with the gentlest precision, and coiled softly around her wrist. Her breath caught. The texture was unlike anything she had ever felt—silky, smooth, alive.

Tentatively, she reached over with her other hand, brushing her fingers over the end. The tail vibrated at her touch, humming faintly against her skin. The sensation startled her at first, but then curiosity melted fear, and she let her fingers trace its softness.

Axoh said something in their language, and suddenly the other males turned to look at her and Vallyn. Unease prickled at her. Oh no. Did I just… agree to something? For one wild moment, she wondered if stroking his tail was the alien equivalent of marriage vows. If so, she had just bound herself to him in front of everyone.

But the thought didn’t fill her with dread. Not really. Because she liked Vallyn. A lot.

Axoh’s voice broke through her thoughts, calling her to enter the hut. With Vallyn still tethered to her by his tail, she followed him a few hesitant steps inside—only to stop short as the stench hit her. It was dark within, the air heavy with the rank odor of decay. She gagged, covering her nose, while Axoh grimaced as well. He barked a name—Zigur—and almost instantly another male appeared, looking sheepish as Axoh scolded him.

The gesture of Zigur pointing outside was enough for her to guess the meaning: they wouldn’t be staying here tonight.

Her heart sank. She was so tired. Hungry. Thirsty. The thought of trying to sleep in trees again made her stomach turn. “No,” she groaned, shaking her head. “I can’t. I don’t want to sleep in trees.” She tried to make the words clear, gesturing to the hut. “Down. Here. I don’t care if it stinks.”

Vallyn’s sympathetic gaze found hers. He brushed his hand against her back and pointed to the trees, clearly suggesting that was the better option. She shook her head stubbornly. “No. Hell no. I’m not climbing again. I want down.”

Still, his tail clung to her wrist, a tether he hadn’t once let go of. Without thinking, she stroked it again, and once more it vibrated happily beneath her touch. She pulled back quickly, worried she was giving the wrong signal. The moment she did, his face fell, shadows chasing away the brilliant joy she had seen only moments before.

Her chest squeezed. She didn’t want to see him sad. She didn’t want to take away that light. So she reached out again, deliberately curling her hand around his tail.

The reaction was instant. The others erupted into cheers, their voices ringing with what sounded like congratulations. Axoh clapped Vallyn into a rough embrace, his tails flaring with delight. Zigur and Nvaa smiled broadly, calling out words that needed no translation.

She realized with a start what she had just done. She had chosen him. Officially.

“Vallyn,” she whispered, testing the word on her tongue. “Mate?”

At once, his face lit with joy, his arms tightening around her wrist as though he would never let her go.

Warmth filled her chest. It was true—she had come here for this, hadn’t she? To bond, to find someone among these people. And if she had to choose, she couldn’t imagine anyone more fitting. Vallyn was gentle, protective, sweet in ways that melted her walls.

Yet, as Axoh lingered close, his smile soft, his eyes full of something unspoken, her heart twisted. He didn’t touch her with his tails, though they swayed behind him, betraying his excitement. She was relieved… and yet, a quiet sadness threaded through her. If she were capable of giving herself to more than one, if her human heart could stretch that far, Axoh would have been her second choice without hesitation.

“Come, Luna. Tree nest,” Axoh urged, pointing upwards.

She stomped her foot, frustration boiling over. “No, Axoh. Down. Hut.” She jabbed her finger toward the small hut again. “No more trees.”

Before anyone could argue further, Vallyn swept her up into his arms as though she weighed nothing. He cradled her against his chest, murmuring to the others. The deep rumble of his voice vibrated through her body, soothing her in spite of her exhaustion. He was strong, unwavering. He was hers.

While Zigur disappeared inside the hut, likely to clean, Vallyn carried her to the base of a tree and sat with her in his lap. She sagged against him, too tired to protest, too tired to care. Her stomach twisted with hunger, her throat dry with thirst, but she bit her tongue. Everyone else must be just as hungry. Just as thirsty.

Purple mushrooms sprouted at the tree’s base. Her gaze lingered on them. Could those be food?

“Vallyn… eat?” she asked, pointing.

He followed her gaze, then nodded. Plucking one from the ground, he bit into it easily, then offered the rest to her lips. She hesitated only a second before taking a bite. The taste was earthy, almost identical to mushrooms back on Earth. Under any other circumstance, she would have grimaced—but hunger made it taste like heaven.

Her stomach growled, demanding more.

Before long, Zigur returned with water and fruit, placing them before her. She drank greedily, relief shuddering through her body. The sweetness of the fruit nearly brought tears to her eyes.

Vallyn stayed close, his tails draped over her lap and ankle, his dark eyes fixed on her with unshakable devotion. Each bite she shared with him only seemed to deepen the connection between them. The intimacy was almost overwhelming—especially under Zigur’s startled gaze—but she didn’t care.

When at last she was too full and too tired to continue, Vallyn guided her gently into the nest Zigur had built within the hut. He lingered beside her, his hand pressed to his chest, whispering a word again and again.

“Enoh,” he said softly, as though it carried more meaning than she could understand.

She didn’t know the translation, but she knew the feeling. Whatever it meant, it was more than “mate.” It was devotion. Promise. Forever.

And with his warmth surrounding her, she let herself drift into sleep, her dreams filled with visions of strong arms and silken tails, and the many ways Vallyn might one day love her.