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“The nest is supposed to be like a proposal. This is why we only bring those we wish to spend the rest of our lives with. On Kadri, females expect an aerie filled with treasures, artifacts, and gems we’ve collected over our lifetimes. It is a promise that we have enough material wealth to care for her and our future family. It is the first and most important criteria of whether she stays or not.”
I looked around my meager nest. Perhaps it had been for the best that she hadn’t known. What would she think of this place now?
“So it’s like showing your date the amount of money in your identity chip. Except a lot more elaborate and with more steps.” She laughed. “And this works with your females?”
“It is expected. I had a beautiful nest in Kadri.” My face fell, realizing there was no point in telling her of a nest I no longer owned.
She pulled me down onto the bed next to her. “And what are the other criteria your females look for?”
“There is our ability to support and care for them emotionally. Do our pheromones work on them properly? Are we a good match genetically? And finally, are we good at pleasing them sexually and therefore capable of producing heirs?”
Her hands, which had been rubbing my scalp, stopped. “Back up. How does pleasing them sexually have anything to do with producing heirs?”
“Female Kadrixans cannot conceive without orgasms.” I’d been surprised to find out it was uncommon among other species. “Males are taught many skills to achieve this.”
“Well, that explains a lot.” Her hands started massaging my head again. “When you asked me what I thought about the nest, you were asking if I wanted to stay.”
“Affirmative.” I wanted to be nervous for her answer, but her fingers didn’t let me as they moved closer to the base of my horns. It was as if she had full control of me with just a few flicks of her fingers.
“I like it here,” she said, leaning over to give my horns a kiss. “No, not just like. I love it here. Not because of how much your nest is worth, but because you did everything you could to pull it together in a few days. How well you can care for me goes beyond your nest; the entire stronghold is a testament to your ability to provide.” She cupped my face with her palms and looked me in the eyes. “I have no doubts about your ability to care for me.”
I wanted to roar in triumph, but she had not yet said she would stay.
“And the other criteria?” I asked.
“Pass and pass. Your pheromones are most definitely working. They calm me when I’m scared or worried and make me want to jump your bones whenever I can. Whenever I’m around you, I feel a sense that I’m cared for, loved even.” She looked away, almost shy.
“I do love you,” I said. “I know it is hard for females to understand since you do not feel the bond as males do, but I’ve loved you since the moment we met, and I will love you until the stars stop shining.”
She threw herself at me, hugging me, and I hugged her back.
“I’m staying, Krxare. I decided it yesterday already, but now I know for sure.” Her voice cracked, and the last words were said through happy tears. “I’m happy here with you, and I’m staying.”
This time, I roared aloud in triumph. Clara was mine, and today was officially the happiest day of my life.
She hadn’t said she loved me yet, but that took time, even with Kadrixan females. She was staying. That was all that mattered. Now I had the rest of our lives to earn her love.
Chapter 20: Clara
The phone rang four times before someone picked up, but instead of Chris’s familiar voice, a strange female answered the call.
“Hello?”
“Um. I'm looking for Chris.”
“Oh.” The woman on the other line paused for a moment before continuing. “I'm sorry, honey. This isn't his number anymore. This is the number for my new baby boy. I'm so, so sorry.”
No. This couldn't be. Residents of the colony didn't just change their contact numbers. Our contact numbers were ours to keep for life. They were linked to the chips installed into our arms as children; our contact number was a part of us. The only time it was given to someone else was when—I didn't allow myself to finish the thought.
“No.” My voice sounded strange and distant. “There must be a mistake. My brother’s not dead.”
“He was your brother,” the other woman replied awkwardly on the other end. Then, after another long silence, “I’m sorry for your loss.” Then she hung up.
Something wasn’t right. There was no way Chris was dead. He had no illnesses that I knew of, and his finances were stable. I refused to believe that I was alone in the world now.
“Clara, are you OK?” Tasha watched me with concern. “You're just standing there shaking your head.” Then she noticed the phone in my hand. “What happened?”
“My-my brother. He was fine when I talked to him before the rut. The lady just told me it's not his number anymore.” My head kept shaking as if I were a bobblehead. “I don't believe it.”
