Page 29 of Errik

Until Holly, he had never entertained a single romantic or dreamy thought in his life. Before the war, mating unions on Vaxxlia were usually arranged. Couples often met as complete strangers on their mating day. Since he was an orphan who’d come from nothing, his parents long dead, there had been no one to make such an arrangement for Errik. He used to believe that he was destined to be alone. That a mating union was not in his future.

But the war against the Irrcons had changed everything.

It had changed the way his people approached mating unions.

And now practically any Vaxxlian warrior who wanted a female could acquire one through the VAMOB program no matter the status of his birth.

As he stared down at Holly, the beautiful human female with whom he’d just exchanged mating vows, he felt a rush of gratitude.

Despite coming from nothing, the Star God had blessed him with a mate.

With a sweet female to call his own.

Errik would treasure her until his dying breath.

Her insides tightened around him every so often, drawing deep growls from his throat. Pleasure quaked through him in heated, tingling waves. He plunged deeper, watching her face for any sign of discomfort. But the urgent, blissful look remained, and her hips kept lurching as she repeatedly met his thrusts.

He took her faster. And even deeper.

Her needy whimpers echoed in his head. Her tight, slick pussy gripped his cock so fluxxing hard that he saw the universe expanding. The sound of flesh slapping flesh filled the room.

Then she cried out, and her insides began contracting around his length.

The realization that she was coming again sent him over the edge. A pulsating surge of ecstasy overwhelmed him, and he soon joined her in a long, drawn-out climax, his growls joining her whimpers and moans. Her nails dug into his sides as she continued crying out and writhing beneath him, lost in the waves of pleasure as she accepted his deepest thrusts yet.

With a feral roar that resounded off the walls, he spurted his seed inside her, filling her up, claiming her as his for all time.

His precious darling mate.

He didn’t withdraw from her center until the last quaking remnant of his release faded. Her hands fell from his sides, and she went still on the bed, aside from the rapid rise and fall of her chest as she panted breathlessly.

He gathered her close, brushed her hair from her face, and pressed a soft kiss to her forehead.

“Now we are mates,” he murmured quietly, hugging her tighter. “Mates.”

And you are mine.

Mine mine mine.

Chapter 11

Holly could scarcely believe her eyes. Starzzia wasn’t just a beautiful city, it was magical. Pristine white-stone structures stretched for miles, the houses surrounded by open markets and colorful shopping districts. The bright blue sky was dotted with billowing clouds. Vaxxlian cruisers and small gliders occasionally zipped through the air, most of the vessels coming and going from the main hangar in the center of the large settlement, though some landed on landing pads on the rooftops of the larger houses.

Errik’s house had a landing pad on the roof. They’d arrived on New Vaxx only moments ago, and she stood near his ship, gazing across the city and the landscape beyond. Excitement surged through her. She couldn’t wait to go exploring. She couldn’t wait to see all the sights, meet new people, and find the best walking paths. Was it safe to walk in the forest behind Errik’s house? She really hoped so because she loved a good hike.

Her new mate—her heart fluttered at the thought—wrapped an arm around her as they both stared out across the city.

“What do you think?” he asked.

“It’s breathtaking. In all my travels, I have never seen anything like it. I can’t believe this is my new home.” She turned in his arms and smiled up at him, enjoying their newfound intimacy. After that first mating session aboard his cruiser, they’d made love countless times during the remainder of the journey to New Vaxx. She’d honestly lost count, and she supposed the healing nanobots were the only reason she wasn’t too sore to walk.

“I am glad you like it. We will go exploring tomorrow. I promise. But it will be dusk soon, and I would like for us to get situated in my home—our home.”

“Will you give me a tour of your house?” she asked, placing a hand on his muscular chest. Tingles rushed through her as she recalled just how sexy he looked without his shirt on. Would he claim her later? She could only hope.

“Yes, I would be honored to give you a tour. But,” he said, lifting an eyebrow, “it is our house. Not just mine. It belongs to you just as much as it belongs to me. I want you to feel at home here, Holly. I want you to feel as though you belong.”

Her heart warmed at his words. Tears also burned in her eyes. Errik had a habit of saying just the right thing at just the right moment. And after she’d been alone and afraid for so long… well, she had no defenses against this kind of sweetness.