AllFreeNovel
Share Us
This is why we were declared a failed batch of soldiers. We were genetically modified to make us protective of those weaker than us - but instead we grew the mating pulse instinct. It makes us bigger and stronger when activated. We are highly trained soldiers. We can fight. But the instinct that was supposed to drive us into a hormone-fueled frenzy instead made us... focused. We will protect our mates to the ends of the universe, but we want to stay by their sides, care for them. Just be with them. We saw it with Riom. And I feel it myself, now.
Not exactly mercenary material.
I hear the roar again. It’s further away now, too far for human ears. It seems like it’s migrated, too, further from our camps. The growing distance is a relief. But where are these creatures going?
?????
My mate wakes early and slips back inside her tent with the other humans before they wake. I don’t understand this secretiveness but I won’t push it. I will wake them up, though. Amcyth found a large horn-shaped shell in the sands - I dared him to blow into it to wake them, but he’s still wary of the human creatures. “They look like they bite,” he said, shrinking away when they get within his reach.
So I step in between the tents and I blow into the shell. It makes a satisfying hoot of a sound. “Wake!” I bellow. The humans stumble over each other, scrambling from their tents. I laugh, and Amcyth and Zoxsym join my laughter from a safer distance.
Some of the humans give us dirty looks, but Maysee can’t hide her amusement.
“Is that how they wake you up in soldier school?” she asks.
I don’t know what “school” is yet, but I think I understand what she’s asking. “Wake us with sharp claws or cold water,” I say. She grimaces. “But now, wake us with the suns!” I point to the sun rising over the cliffs, the other rising where the sea meets the shore in our eyeline. It is beautiful, but even better is observing her. Her smile glows in the morning light. This isn’t a time to linger, though, and so we quickly pack up the tents and continue our journey to the camps.
We return too soon, in my estimation. Given the choice, I’d rather explore this planet with Maysee at my side than help the humans leave this surface. But it’s important to them. So we return to the human leader with all that we found before parting. Maysee is busy with her work. She takes on many responsibilities, many tasks. I will support her however I can, as a mate should - but it seems that sometimes that means getting out of the way. It is confounding. But it’s how humans do things, and really, what do I know? I was created and raised and taught only to fight. A job I have no interest in performing, unless it’s at her defense.
No, we will adopt their ways as part of our new start, our second chance at life. A better chance at life. With them. With her.
