Maggie had spent the first three days holed up in the house, not wanting to talk to anyone. Even poor Rorwick got the silent treatment when he brought her meals, but on the fourth day, she realized it wasn’t very fair to be mad at the entire planet just because her mate was an asshole. When Rorwick came to check on her, she tried to be more pleasant.

“You claimed the human that was found in the life pod, didn’t you? That’s what the others said. Her name is Jillian, right?” Maggie asked.

He nodded. “Jillian is my mate. Why do you ask?”

“I was hoping I could go visit with her for a little bit. I haven’t had anyone to talk to for days, and it would be nice to talk to another human woman. I never really had a chance to interact with females much on my dad’s ship. It would be nice to have a friend right now,” Maggie said.

“You may come with me. Stay for the evening meal and then I’ll return you so you may rest. Be warned, my Jillian can be prickly.”

She smiled. “I take it you pissed her off like Lathim pissed me off?”

“If that means I made her angry, then yes.”

“You cyborgs just can’t help yourselves, can you?”

Rorwick didn’t answer but motioned for her to follow him. His home wasn’t very far away and the walk was short. When they entered his home, Maggie could hear a movie playing on his viewing screen. A redhead was munching on a piece of fruit as she watched a romantic comedy, but when Maggie walked into the room, Jillian smiled and patted the spot next to her.

“You must be Maggie.”

Maggie nodded. “I thought maybe we could visit for a little while. Rorwick offered to let me stay for dinner.”

“He’s probably hoping I won’t throw food at him if we have a guest.”

Maggie’s jaw dropped. “You throw food at him?”

“And anything else I can get my hands on. He’s insufferable. Did he tell you that he kidnapped me so I can make babies with him? I didn’t even know about the baby part until your mate stopped by the other day.”

“So, your mate lied to you too?” Maggie asked.

“Yeah, it would seem so. Rorwick made it clear that he’d taken me as his mate and expected sex, but he’d left out the part where he could knock me up. Maybe he was hoping if I was already pregnant, I wouldn’t be as angry.”

Was that what Lathim had thought?

Rorwick leaned against the doorway. “I didn’t lie to you. It just never came up.”

“Well, it came up with Lathim and he still lied to me,” Maggie said.

“Do you know the one thing we want just as much as mates?” Rorwick asked. “We want families. Children. For ten years, women have run in fear of us. We’d thought we’d never have a chance to have a baby with someone, and now that Lathim has you, Maggie, he wants it all. I know how pleased he is that you’re his mate, how much he cares about you already, but he wants more. When you told him you don’t want children right now, did you stop to think that maybe it was something he’s wanted for a long time and you were asking him to put off his dreams?”

Maggie squirmed in her seat. “Well, no. Maybe. All right, so we’d discussed it a bit and I knew he wanted them, but if he wanted children so badly, why didn’t he just say so? Why did he try to trick me into getting pregnant?”

“Because he worried you would say no, and I’m guessing that he was right. If you’d known there was a chance for you to get pregnant, would you have pushed him away that night? Everyone on board the Mystic7 knew you hadn’t consummated your mating. Claiming you meant that he got to keep you.”

Maggie looked from Rorwick to Jillian and back again. “Are you trying to say that someone would have taken me from Lathim if we didn’t have sex?”

Rorwick shrugged. “It’s doubtful, as long as you chose to remain with him. But he likely thought you would leave him if he didn’t claim you. Lathim wanted you tied to him so you could never leave. You have no idea how lonely it is to know that no one wants you. For ten years, we’ve lived solitary lives with only each other for company, or the paid company of a whore, and even some of those wanted nothing to do with us.”

Maggie suddenly didn’t feel quite so angry with Lathim. If anything, she felt kind of bad. Yes, he’d lied to her and it was wrong on so many levels. He’d done something he knew she didn’t want. But she understood him a little better now. It wasn’t that he’d been trying to take something from her, it was that he was trying to hold onto something for him. She wished he would have just told her how he felt instead of telling what she wanted to hear. If he’d wanted children that badly, they could have talked about it. It took two people to be in a relationship, and she’d only been thinking of herself.

“You’re going to forgive him, aren’t you?” Jillian asked.

“Yeah, I think I am. I just wish he would have talked to me instead of making the decision on his own. If I’d known he wanted a baby that badly, I wouldn’t have just said no right away.”

“You really are one of the sweet, quiet ones, aren’t you?” Jillian asked.

“Maybe you could take notes from her,” Rorwick said before turning and walking away.

Jillian rolled her eyes. “I guess I haven’t been thinking of anyone other than me since I woke up in this strange place with a man who claimed to be my mate. I was so angry that I hadn’t been returned to Earth, that I was claimed like a piece of luggage, that I never stopped to ask why he’d do that.”

“I’m sorry about your baby,” Maggie said. “I’m sure with you mourning your child, that Rorwick won’t ask you to have another one right away. He seems nice.”

“The baby wasn’t mine,” Jillian said.

“Then, why did you have it in the life pod with you?” Maggie asked, brow furrowed.

“Because the guy I was being sold to was going to have the baby as a delicacy. I decided that taking a chance on the life pod supporting both of us was better than me being a slave and that baby being eaten. Who’s to say I wouldn’t have ended up on the menu too at some point?”

Maggie’s jaw dropped. “Who would eat a baby?”

“A Morvik. Nasty looking creatures. Although, to be honest, being on the menu would have been preferable to ending up in that thing’s bed.” Jillian shivered.

Rorwick came back into the room, a fierce look on his face clearly stating he’d heard everything. “Why was slave trading happening on a luxury liner?”

Jillian’s eyebrows rose. “If that thing started as a luxury liner, it wasn’t by the time I got on it. There were rooms of slaves being traded and sold. I was lucky to get to a life pod, and even luckier they didn’t come after me. Maybe they decided I was more trouble than I was worth and decided to cut their losses.”

“A Morvik was purchasing you?” Rorwick asked. “You’re certain?”

Jillian nodded. “I saw him, and felt his slimy tentacles grab my ass. Not to mention the noxious smell coming off that thing. Any fate was better than being sold to him. I don’t know why he wanted me, but if it was for sex, I’m doubly glad I got out of there.”

“You can’t begin to know how lucky you are,” Rorwick said. “Morviks mate with their slaves, and then pass them around to their friends. When the female’s mind snaps, they serve her for dinner.”

Jillian paled. “Good to know.”

“And you balk at having a baby with me?” Rorwick looked pissed. “Have I not treated you kindly? Have I not given you many of your Earth things to make you more comfortable here?”

Jillian held up a hand. “Now isn’t the time. Right now, let’s focus on Maggie, all right?”

He nodded and leaned against the wall.

“Is there a way to get Lathim home sooner?” Maggie asked.

“No,” Rorwick said. “The ship was going straight to the Riley Space Station and returning home. They were only docking there for a matter of hours. There’s not a way to get him here sooner.”

“All right. Then I guess I have a lot of waiting to do. It’s been four days, so I have another three to go.” Maggie sighed. “Do you think he’ll forgive me? I struck him before he left.”

Rorwick grinned. “Puny female, you couldn’t hurt him if you tried, not physically. You wounded his heart more than his jaw. I’m surprised you didn’t break your hand.”

“Lathim was worried about that, but looked it over and I guess it was fine. I wasn’t really in a frame of mind to listen to him right then. And now I wish that I had, maybe he’d have opened up and talked to me if I hadn’t been so angry.”

“I’m going to make the evening meal,” Rorwick said. “And after that, I’ll take you home, Maggie.”

When he left, there was a strange look on Jillian’s face. Almost a look of longing. Was it possible that she actually liked the big cyborg and just didn’t know how to react to him? Maybe coming today had solved two issues. Her fight with Lathim, and whatever problem Jillian had with Rorwick. Maybe Rorwick explaining more about their lives and their desires had opened Jillian’s eyes as well.

“So, I wonder when you’ll find out if you’re pregnant,” Jillian said. “With the creepy way they have of checking our vital signs and stuff, I wonder if they could hear a baby inside of you. Does it even have a heartbeat this soon?”

“I have no idea. I think their medics have special scanning capabilities that the others don’t, so it’s possible one of them could tell me. Do you think I should see one just in case?” Maggie asked.

“Wouldn’t hurt. You could ask Rorwick to take you before he takes you home tonight. Although, if you’re pregnant, I doubt that you’ll be allowed to stay in the house by yourself. If you fell or had an accident, there wouldn’t be anyone there to hear you.”

“Good point,” Maggie said. “So, I lose what little independence I have and find out if there’s a baby on board, or I wait until Lathim gets home and take a chance on something happening.”

“You’re going to the medic, aren’t you?” Jillian asked.

Maggie nodded. “I think it would be the best option. I don’t think Lathim would ever forgive me if something happened to the baby because I was too stubborn to get checked out. I’ll be lucky if he’s speaking to me when he gets home as it is. I must have really hurt his feelings with the way I was acting.”

Jillian smiled a little. “They’re massive, and can be a bit arrogant, but I think deep down they’re like teddy bears. Except with metal parts.”

“Mechanical teddy bears?” Maggie asked.

“Yeah, something like that. Just don’t tell Rorwick I compared him to a stuffed animal. I don’t think his macho male pride could take the hit. It’s bad enough I’ve been throwing shit at him since I woke up and he refused to take me home. I guess I’ve been a bit of a bitch.”

“You woke up to a strange man on a strange world. I don’t think anyone faults you for reacting the way you did.”

“Maybe not,” Jillian said. “But I think I took it too far. Ever since I opened my eyes, all he’s wanted to do is help me. He feeds me, clothes me, brought me all kinds of trinkets he thought I might like. And to repay him, I’ve broken nearly everything in his home that wasn’t nailed down. Yeah. I’m a bitch.”

“Then maybe you can make it up to him, now that you know why he’s refused to take you back to Earth.” Maggie put her arm around Jillian. “It’s never too late to start over. And I have a feeling that Rorwick would be very receptive to whatever form of apology you offered. Especially if you used your tongue.”

Jillian cracked up and hugged Maggie back. “I think I’m going to like you. A lot.”

Rorwick called them to dinner. No one said much as they ate, and the tension between Jillian and Rorwick was palpable. Maggie wondered how long her new friend would hold out before welcoming the big cyborg into her bed. She didn’t miss the covert glances Jillian sent his way, or the perturbed expression on his face at every snippy comment that came out of Jillian’s mouth. She almost felt sorry for the cyborg because he’d definitely met his match.

Rorwick cleared the table after their meal then waited by the front door for her. Maggie hugged Jillian and promised to come see her again soon. When she reached Rorwick’s side, she placed her hand on his arm.

“Can I ask a favor?” Maggie asked.

“Is there something you need for your home?” Rorwick asked.

“No, I was hoping you would take me to the see the medic.”

His eyes widened and he looked her over from head to toe. “Did my fierce mate wound you when I wasn’t looking?”

“No, nothing like that. I’m not hurt. But I hoped that one of your medics could tell me if I’m pregnant.”

“How long has it been? Four days?” Rorwick asked.

“Technically five since the first time.”

“They might be able to tell you. I’m not sure how much the cybernetics have changed us in regards to reproduction. A Zelranian pregnancy can usually be determined within seven days. It may be too soon. Then again, I don’t know anyone of my race who has mated a human before.”

“So you’ll take me?” she asked.

Rorwick nodded and motioned for her to exit his home. He led the way through the base to the medical clinic, where two cyborgs were on duty. They went on instant alert when she stepped into the room, rushing toward her.

“Did the human get injured?” one of them asked.

“Maggie, this is Wrylack and the other medic is Liroz. There are several others on our world and some on board the ships that are currently off world,” Rorwick said.

“It’s nice to meet you both,” Maggie said.

“If she’s not injured, why did you bring her here?” Liroz asked.

“Maggie wishes to know if she might be pregnant,” Rorwick said. “Lathim is currently off world so I brought her.”

Liroz smiled. “We’d be happy to check and see if you’re carrying.”

Wrylack’s eyes began to glow an intense blue. He scanned her from head to toe, then came back to rest on her belly. The lights in his eyes dimmed and returned to normal, although now she could see he didn’t have gray eyes, but metal ones. He must have been one of the cyborgs Lathim had mentioned that had parts on the outside that made them different and harder to match with someone.

“I detect two life forms in your womb,” Wrylack said. “I hope this is happy news. I know the commanders will be overjoyed to hear that there’s been a successful mating. It will give the rest of us hope.”

Maggie placed a hand over her stomach and fought down the momentary panic. She’d never been around children and didn’t know the first thing about taking care of a baby, much less two. She took a few deep breaths until she didn’t feel quite so much like she might pass out. Her hand shook as she smoothed it over her belly and she wished that Lathim were with her. He’d know exactly what to say to calm her down.

“This isn’t good news?” Wrylack asked, looking concerned. “You don’t seem pleased.”

“I wasn’t trying to get pregnant,” Maggie said. “I think I’m just in shock. I mean, you said there are two of them and I don’t even know what to do with one baby. I’ve never even held a baby before.”

“How old are you?” Wrylack asked. “If that isn’t too rude to ask.”

“I’m twenty-two,” Maggie said. “But I’ve spent most of my life on my father’s ship and I was the only female on board. Even when we docked places, it wasn’t often he let me leave the ship and if I did I always had guards with me. I always thought he was just being overprotective. I mean, I’d heard about women being sold to brothels, I just never thought something like that could happen to me.”

Wrylack’s eyes widened. “The females in brothels have been sold? They aren’t there willingly?”

“There may be a few who choose that life, but most women aren’t into doing multiple guys of multiple species every day of their life. A lot of those women have been stolen and sold and are given no choice in the matter.”

Wrylack paled. “I’ll not be using brothels anymore then. I’m sure if you told Lathim about this, then he’s shared it with our Commanders and that information will be shared with all. I didn’t realize the females were being abused like that. It’s the same as force and it makes me sick to think I participated in something like that.”

It sometimes surprised Maggie just how sheltered the cyborgs were. How could they have possibly thought the women chose that life? It just showed that all men, regardless of their race, thought with their little heads and not the one above their shoulders. If they’d stopped for two seconds to think about something other than getting laid, maybe they’d have realized most women wouldn’t want to live a life like that. She wasn’t sure if she wanted to bash them over their heads for being idiots or feel sorry for them since she’d ruined their fantasy with reality. It was almost like she’d just taken their favorite toy away from them. Even Liroz looked a little sickened by the thought of bedding unwilling women.

The cyborgs might have their faults, but Maggie could admit that they treated their women well. They were misguided at times, like when Lathim lied to her, but their hearts were in the right place. They were so desperate for love and affection, for a chance at a family, that they were blinded to anything that might stand in their way and just bulldozed over it. She should probably still be angry with Lathim, but she understood why he did it. She didn’t agree with it by any means, but she understood.

“Since you’re expecting, your body is going to need more nutrients. Will you allow me to administer some injections?” Wrylack asked.

“Just vitamins?”

“You should give her the serum to extend her life. It will crush Lathim if something happens to her,” Rorwick said.

“What kind of serum?” Maggie asked, leery of what they might be injecting her with.

Wrylack hesitated a moment. “It’s a complex compound that has nanobytes that will repair tissue damage and keep you from aging as quickly. You’ll still be human, but just a little extra as well.”

“Just how long do you guys live?” Maggie asked.

“An unenhanced Zelranian can live nearly two hundred years. With our cybernetics, we will live much longer. We also age slower because of what was done to us,” Wrylack said.

“So how old is Lathim?” Maggie asked. “He doesn’t look much older than me, but if you guys live so long…”

Rorwick’s eyebrows rose. “He’s forty.”

“F-forty? But… That’s how old my dad was!”

Rorwick chuckled and even the medics looked amused. She was mated to someone her dad’s age? Not that Lathim looked forty. Her father had been going gray at his temples and there were fine lines around his eyes. She’d thought Lathim was maybe twenty-eight. They’d warned her that they aged differently, but she hadn’t realized how much. Did that mean in ten years she’d look older than her mate? Would he still want her when he looked young and she had gray hair?

“You said the nano-whatevers would make me live longer. Will they make me age slower too?” she asked.

“To my knowledge, Jillian and you will be the first humans to use the serum. It’s hard to say how it will react with your system for certain. Jillian has already been dosed and there were no adverse effects, so it appears to be safe to use on you.”

Maggie’s hands clenched into fists. “What about the babies? Will it harm the babies?”

Wrylack hesitated. “Uncertain.”

“Then don’t give it to me until after I give birth. I can survive nine months without it.” She narrowed her eyes. “You aren’t going to tell me your people are pregnant for like three years or something, are you?”

“Actually, Zelranian females give birth at seven months. I’m not sure how long your pregnancy will last. We will monitor the situation and check on growth and development as the months progress. Within four months, we should have an idea of how long you’ll carry them.” Wrylack smiled. “Lathim is going to be thrilled when he hears the news.”

“If you’re done with Maggie for now, I’ll return her to her home,” Rorwick said.

“We should give her vitamins to boost her immune system and make her stronger,” Liroz said.

“Why don’t we wait for Lathim to get back?” Rorwick suggested. “I think any treatments should be discussed with him first. It would be one thing if her life were in danger, but she seems perfectly healthy.”

Wrylack nodded. “My scan of her systems did indicate that she is in good health. A pregnancy will wear on her body, but the vitamins can wait a few days. It’s understandable that you’d prefer to wait for Lathim’s return. As her mate, he will have final say over her treatment.”

Maggie folded her arms over her chest. “Excuse me, but as it’s my body, I get final say over my treatment.”

Wrylack tipped his head in acknowledgement.

“Thank you for telling me about the babies,” Maggie said. “I’ll come back after I’ve talked to Lathim.”

Rorwick escorted her back across the base to her home. The house seemed cold and lonely with no one to talk to. Lathim couldn’t get home fast enough. He was likely to find her skeleton on the couch, her final resting place from having died of boredom.