a little more complicated than that. The women kind of flirt from a distance, from what I’ve heard. If the men flirt back, that’s when the woman will approach to start a fight. She wouldn’t do that if he ignored her and wasn’t interested.”
Roth never ignored Vera. That was promising.
“I haven’t gotten to the really difficult part yet. Both Veslors shift into their battle forms and go at it if the woman wants to accept him as a mate. I’m talking about sex. It bonds them. It’s something in the male’s sperm while he’s in battle form. They never have sex in battle form unless it’s with a mate. Not only does it mark them as mated, but they have, like, super sperm in battle form, and it’ll most likely knock a woman up.”
Vera managed to keep her mouth from hanging open that time. Barely.
“We don’t shift. Obviously.” Abby waved at her flat stomach. “I’m not technically mated to Drak as Veslors normally are because I don’t want to risk having a baby just yet. There’s a really high risk of getting pregnant when you mate to a Veslor. And Drak has been patient with me. We’re still mates in every other sense, though. He’d kill anyone who said otherwise. So would I. He’s mine.” Abby paused. “To fully bond to a Veslor, they have to shift—and you can’t. Think about that. When we decide to have a baby, Drak will shift into his battle form while we’re having sex to complete our mating. It’s the only time they’re fertile. Unlike us.”
That was even more shocking to Vera.
And Abby wasn’t done yet. “It also means whenever you want to have another baby, they need to shift again during sex. But Drak told me they only shift at the end of sex, so it’s not like you’re making out with them in their battle form to get in the mood.”
“What do they look like shifted?”
“Well…you didn’t run or faint from hearing the most terrifying part about mating to a Veslor. So you must be serious about Roth. Think big alien panther kind of cats with leathery skin. Terrifying to see, but they’re the same person inside.” Abby reached up and tapped her temple. “Same brain. Just different body.”
Vera wanted to sit down badly. Her knees felt shaky, but she locked them and didn’t move. “Okay. Understood.”
“Veslors mate for life. You should know that, too. There is no divorce if you commit to one. No days of separations, either. Mates live together. It’s why I’m still on Defcon Red instead of returning to Earth. They would hate being on our planet. Veslors live in groupings. You’ve met the other Veslors, right?”
Vera nodded.
“They’re like brothers. Only much tighter. You accept one, you live with them all of them for life. It’s a tight-knit family forever. I not only got a mate, but three big brothers and a sister-in law when Gnaw mated to Darla. Her sister is considered family, too, but she refuses to live with us so far. The two cubs Darla and Gnaw had are basically my niece and nephew.”
Vera nodded again, taking in the information, her head spinning. It was a lot to digest.
“So basically, being in a grouping means you’ve inherited a small village of people that lives and travels with you for life. Separate bedrooms but shared living spaces. Their dream is to retire on one of the Veslor planets eventually. I’ve seen vids of the one they’ve chosen. It’s beautiful. Woodsy area with rivers and streams, like on Earth, only without any pollution or overcrowding.
“Take on Roth, Vera, and that will be your future one day, too, when they stop working. They’ve been discussing moving there within the next few years, ever since Gnaw and Darla had their babies. Growing up on a fleet ship isn’t ideal for children. They put cubs first. And yes, that’s what they call their babies.”
“That actually sounds nice. My biological piece-of-shit father abandoned my mother right after she had me. Not that he was a keeper. He isn’t. My mom died not too long ago. I have no family left on Earth.” Vera took a deep breath. “Do you have any regrets over being with Drak?”
Abby smiled wide. “Not a damn one.”
Vera appreciated her candor. “Thank you.”
Abby’s smile turned sly. “It’s also the best sex you’re ever going to have. Let Roth take you doggy style and I promise, you’re going to love one of their differences. They have this protective―”
A