I close my eyes, feeling Ryuth's pulse against my lips where I rest them against his smooth throat.

I'm so damn proud of him. He's working hard, trying to show he can contribute to the Tribe. Being a hunter isn't easy, and he's succeeding! Not that I ever doubted he would.

He's trying so hard to rebuild his relationship with his brother. It takes a lot to admit when you're wrong. I know exactly how strong that makes Ryuth.

But all of that is a little on the backburner in my mind right now.

There's something else I have to tell him. Something that's been difficult to keep to myself. I haven't said anything yet because I wasn't sure until now. I didn't even realize I was late until a few days ago.

At first, I thought maybe it was just the stress. God knows there's been plenty of that to go around. I mean, a lot went down over a fairly short period of time.

The kidnapping.

Surviving in that oasis.

Being with Ryuth.

Ryuth leaving.

Going to save and stop him and fighting the zemlja . . . 

Yeah. I think I can be forgiven for thinking it was just stress. But as soon as I started having bouts of nausea and smells started setting me off . . . 

I knew.

The joy I felt when I fully realized it actually caught me by surprise. I hadn't really thought that far ahead, to be honest. There were so many more immediate concerns that kept taking my attention.

Stupid, I know.

Especially considering how much Ryuth jumped my bones, and how much I liked to jump his. To top things off, I wasn't on epis for a bit there, so my body wasn't exactly equipped to be running on all cylinders.

Pregnancy was the last thing on my mind.

But now . . . 

I cover my stomach with my hand as Ryuth carries me all the way to our little corner of the rock wall. Now, I'm so happy, I'm almost bursting with it.

My only worry is Ryuth. What if he isn't ready for it? I mean, he literally just started speaking again. He went through so much and he's just getting his footing here in the Tribe. I don't want to overwhelm him with something else.

I bite my lip as he lowers me to the bed, all his possible reactions running through my mind. He sits down on the bed next to me and frowns when he sees my face. I must not be hiding my worry very well.

He takes my hand in his. "What is it, my treasure?" he asks in a soft voice. "Why are you worried?"

I sit up, feeling too vulnerable lying down. Now's the time. I can't put it off. He has to know and I can't handle keeping it in.

"I have to tell you something."

"I am listening," he says, looking at me expectantly. "What is it? You can tell me."

I know that. Doesn't make me any less nervous.

"I . . . I'm pregnant, Ryuth." I cup my hands over my stomach, trying to smile.

His eyes follow the gesture as he blinks.

His face goes slack with surprise as comprehension dawns

"You are . . . with child?" he asks, his eyes coming back up to meet mine.

I nod. What is he thinking? I can't tell. "Could you say something, Ryuth?" I urge.

He reaches out with his free hand to my stomach, covering mine. "Our child?" he whispers. When he looks up to meet my eyes again, he's grinning from ear to ear. "A baby!" he exclaims, leaning in to give me an enthusiastic kiss.

I laugh, kissing him back, a wave of relief and joy hitting me.

I pull back. "You're happy?" I ask, just be sure. "You don't feel like this is too fast, like you need a little more time?"

He shakes his head incredulously. "Why would I not be happy?" he asks. "We are having a child! A baby that is both you and me. Why would any time be a bad one for something so wonderful?" He cups the side of my face, his expression turning serious for a moment. "You cannot doubt my joy at this news."

He's right. I can see it on his face. The same happiness that I'm feeling right now is reflected in his eyes.

"Okay," I say quietly. "Okay."

His smile is tender now, his eyes warm. "I cannot wait to see you growing round with my child."

I laugh, shaking my head. "Maybe that'll be fun for you," I say wryly. "There are some things I'm not looking forward to."

Especially the bed rest I'm going to have be on towards the end and then the actual birth . . .  Those babies are huge! But even my nerves about those things aren't enough to dim this moment.

"I know you will look beautiful," he says, his eyes darkening. "But perhaps a demonstration of exactly how attractive I find you is in order."

I laugh as he abruptly starts pulling at my clothes, stripping me with an efficiency that has to count as a skill. But I stop him as he moves to come down on top of me.

"No," I say.

"No?" he says, looking confused.

"Your clothes too. Take them off."

"Ah," he says, his face clearing. "Yes, I can do that."

He all but rips his clothes off, making me laugh again as he layers his muscled body over mine. And then his mouth is on mine. And I'm not laughing anymore.

He makes love to me, so tenderly there are tears in my eyes.

He takes his time, kissing me softly, slowly. Everywhere. My breasts. The insides of my wrists. The delicate skin covering my ribcage. My ankles, where I didn't even know I liked to be kissed.

And then between my legs. Where his lips and mouth work slowly but thoroughly, drawing two orgasms out of me. Until I'm glowing with pleasure, any worry or fear drowned out by it.

When he rises onto his elbows on top of me and slowly pushes in, he kisses me gently.

"I love you," he says in a deep, hoarse voice, the control he's exerting over himself clear. "More than anything."

My heart is so full, it aches.

"I love you, too," I say, my eyes half closing as he seats himself inside me all the way. I can never get used to how he fills me. I love it so much.

I watch him and he watches me as he starts thrusting, his body moving smoothly in and out of me, the spike at his base hitting my sensitive clitoris.

My vision blurs as I come a third time.

A fourth.

He comes with me that time, his eyes tightly shut, his jaw clenched as he shudders around me, inside me.

And then his secondary cock comes into play.

At this point, I think I might be coming continuously.

My head tosses from side to side as he lifts my legs to his shoulders, thrusting in and out of me slowly. But it doesn't matter how slow he goes when he's that big. It always feels just short of overwhelming, in the best way.

By the time he's finished, I'm limp, sated beyond measure.

The future is looking brighter than I could ever have dreamed it to be.

Ryuth lies down next to me and then pulls me on top of him, skin to skin, his arms tight around me.

"I love you, my treasure," he says again, kissing my temple. "And I already love our child so much," his voice breaks a little. "I cannot wait to be a father."

I lift my head to look at him, feeling so lucky. "You're going to be an excellent father," I say. "I love you so much. And we're going to spoil this kid rotten."

He frowns. "Spoil . . . rotten?" he questions. "That does not sound healthy . . . "

I snicker, propping my head up on my chin. "It means we'll give our child whatever he or she wants."

"Ah." His face clears. "Then yes. We will spoil our baby rotten."

I chuckle, laying my head down on his chest. I snuggle in and close my eyes.

Knowing I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be.