Hope for the Alien Warrior (Treasured By the Alien #12)

CHRISTMAS ON TREVELOR

This story takes place four months after Luxor, Felicity, and Nina settle on Trevelor.

Luxor’s tail twitched in frustration as he and Krestar pushed through another stand of willowy Trevelorian trees. The delicate branches swayed in the breeze, nothing like the sturdy evergreens Felicity had described.

“She said it needs to be full at the bottom and taper to a point at the top.” He ducked under a low-hanging branch. “And the branches must be strong enough to hold decorations.”

“I am sure we will find one soon.” Krestar’s voice was as calm and unruffled as always.

“Your mate is not depending on you to bring this tree home,” he snapped, his frustration getting the better of him, then sighed. “I am sorry. It was nice of you to accompany me on this search.”

Krestar briefly dropped a hand on his shoulder.

“I enjoy spending time with you—and I suspect I will be making the same search next year so this will be good preparation.”

He nodded. From what he had heard Felicity and Lauren discussing, the only reason Lauren had not requested one this year was because their daughter was still so young.

“I do not understand this obsession with bringing the outdoors inside to celebrate the turn of the year, although my mate has tried to explain it.” He ran his hand along another trunk, testing its strength. Too flexible. “But she said Nina will be pleased by the decorated tree with the gifts beneath it.”

“Then that is the only thing you need to understand, my friend,” Krestar said immediately, and they shared a smile.

My friend. The fact that Krestar had become such a good friend still shocked and delighted him. The other male had had a high-ranking position on Ciresia and had been deeply involved in the Council’s efforts to repopulate their race, and yet he did not judge Luxor for either his false conviction or his subsequent departure from Ciresia.

They pressed deeper into the grove. Most of the native species had a similar willowy quality, but finally the trees began to change to a more rugged, sturdy form. One particular tree had a pleasing triangular shape.

“Perhaps this one?” Krestar suggested.

He examined it, studying the thick, rounded branches. “Yes, I believe this is the type Felicity showed me.”

“Then we should take it before we lose the light.”

Between them they managed to sever the trunk, although it took quite some time since they did not have the appropriate tools. He was preparing to drag it back to his house when he saw Krestar eyeing a similar, much smaller tree.

“I know Lauren said that it could wait until Fliss is older, but I do not want her to miss out on anything. So perhaps just a small tree…”

“Of course.”

Hiding a smile, he went to help Krestar take down the small tree.

Felicity wove through the bustling market stalls, her hand pressed against the swell of her belly. She was only seven months pregnant but she already felt as if she were ready to pop. The scents of spiced treats and exotic foods mingled with the only slightly cooler air. Trevelor’s climate was so temperate that even at the turn of the year the weather was still mild and pleasant.

No more white Christmases, she thought. But as she turned to smile up at their daughter, perched on Luxor’s broad shoulders, she knew that the happiness she’d found with her new family more than made up for it.

“Mama, look!”

Nina pointed at a display of crystals arranged in intricate chains that caught the sunlight, sending rainbow patterns dancing across the ground. The Trevelorians used them as suncatchers but they would be perfect as ornaments on the tree.

“Very pretty, sweetheart.”

Before she could move towards the stall, Luxor’s tail wrapped gently around her waist.

“I will get them. You should rest.”

“I’m pregnant, not an invalid.” She let him guide her to a nearby bench, then patted his tail and gave him a teasing look. “Though I wouldn’t say no to a sweet roll from that stand over there.”

His eyes narrowed.

“Did you not tell Nina last week that they contained too much sugar?”

“Because you were going to get her a third one! But one won’t hurt, especially on a holiday.” She grinned up at him. “Besides, the baby wants one.”

His stern features softened, and after he placed Nina on the bench next to her, he brushed a sweet kiss across her mouth. Perhaps a little too sweet. He’d grown increasingly cautious as her pregnancy advanced. It hadn’t helped matters that between her pregnancy and her new job at the hospital, she’d been exhausted for much of her second trimester.

As much as she’d appreciated his solicitousness, her energy had returned, along with her libido. Unfortunately, he was still treating her as if she was made of spun glass. He needs a little encouragement, she decided—and she had the perfect way to provide it.

She gave his tail a little tug as she leaned back against the bench and watched his eyes heat before he stepped back.

“Stay here. I will return momentarily.”

Nina leaned against her as they watched him walk away, his tail swishing above that perfect ass. It had definitely been too long since she’d enjoyed her husband’s many charms, and she fully intended to remedy that situation tonight.

He returned a few minutes later, carrying a tray of pastries and the ornaments.

“Pretty,” Nina breathed, touching one with a cautious finger. “Tree?”

“Yes, we’ll put them on the tree as soon as we get home. Have you thought about what you want for Christmas, sweetheart?”

Nina’s small lips pursed together thoughtfully before she grinned.

“Sister! Like Fliss.”

Luxor choked, and she smiled up at him before turning to Nina.

“I’m sorry, sweetheart. You’re going to have a baby brother. This time.”

“This time?” he asked hoarsely and she shrugged, relishing the way his eyes dropped to her breasts as they moved with the gesture.

“We’ll have to see how things go, but there is always room for more love.”

His eyes darkened and he dropped a kiss on her forehead.

“You are an amazing female, t’davi. I hope you are prepared for me to show you just how much I appreciate you.”

“Tonight?”

She let her eyes drift down his body and saw him respond to the sultry note in her voice.

“Tonight,” he agreed.

Oh, yes, she thought contentedly, but then a sticky Nina gave another excited squeal.

“Look, Dada!”

This time Nina had spotted a stall selling stuffed animals. Luxor’s credit chip appeared instantly.

“You’re spoiling her,” she whispered.

“She deserves it.”

He scooped Nina up and the two of them went to inspect the stall. While Nina was deciding on a toy, Felicity slipped away to pick up the purchase she’d ordered the previous week. She’d just tucked it away when he joined her, his tail twitching with concern.

“You left the bench.”

“Just stretching my legs.” She reached up to tickle Nina’s foot. “Did you find anything else you ‘needed’ to buy her?”

“She requires proper clothing.”

“The three dresses we bought last week weren’t enough?”

His tail curled protectively around both her and her belly. “The temperature is dropping.”

“By what? Two degrees?” She laughed at his disgruntled look. “Come on. Let’s go home and get out of the entire lack of cold.”

Luxor held the tree steady while Felicity wrapped strands of twinkling lights around its branches. The soft glow reflected in Nina’s wide eyes as she grabbed ornaments from the lowest branches, moving them a few inches to the left or right with intense concentration.

“Higher, Dada!”

She stretched up on her tiptoes, holding a glittering star. His tail curled around her waist, lifting her up so she could reach. Her delighted giggle thrilled him. If putting decorations on a tree brought her such pleasure, they should have one all year round.

“Perfect placement, little one.”

He set her down gently, watching her scamper off to find more treasures to arrange on the tree. In addition to the crystal ornaments they’d bought, she’d added a variety of items. A strand of ribbon, a piece of bright blue fruit, and several shiny stones. It didn’t matter to him that it looked like a complete mishmash of items. The only thing that mattered was that they pleased her.

Felicity flicked a glance in his direction, her lips curving into a smile.

“She loves decorating the tree. Thank you.”

“It is a strange custom, but I enjoy seeing her so happy.”

“I do too. And the way she’s running around, she’ll be ready for an early bedtime.”

She gave him a teasing look and took hold of his tail, running her hand along it and squeezing it in the way she knew excited him. His cock jerked in response and he growled, covering her hand with his to still her movements. She was so delicate, especially now that she was with child.

“You should not touch me like this.”

“Why not?”

He gestured at her swollen stomach. “I do not want to put any additional demands on your body.”

“I’m fine. In fact?—”

Nina reappeared before she could finish and he hastily turned away to adjust his aching cock. It is my job to take care of her, he reminded himself. My desire for her must come second.

Once Nina was distracted by joining Felicity in the kitchen, he slipped into his workshop. The wooden spaceship he’d been crafting was almost complete. He just wanted to add a few final touches to make it perfect.

The sounds of Nina helping Felicity bake drifted through the walls—the clatter of measuring cups, his mate’s patient instructions, Nina’s excited chatter about “cookies for Santa.” He still didn’t fully understand this Earth holiday, but seeing his family’s happiness made it worthwhile.

He insisted his mate rest while he cleaned up the results of Nina’s ‘help,’ then prepared a simple meal of soup and bread before tucking an exhausted Nina into bed. As soon as she was asleep, they arranged presents under the glowing tree, then stepped back to admire it.

“It is surprisingly attractive,” he admitted, his tail curving around her waist. “Do you think she has enough presents?”

“She has more than enough,” she said firmly. “Boundaries as well as love, remember?”

“I suppose you are right.”

He sighed, and she smiled up at him before stroking his tail again, her soft little fingers teasing him. His breath caught, but then she moved away, her hips swinging seductively, before bending over to pick something up from beneath the tree. Her gown drew tightly across the lush curve of her ass and he groaned as his cock stiffened even more.

“T’davi…”

“Here.” She turned back to him, a teasing smile on her face. “I have a present for you.”

“You told Nina that she could not open presents until tomorrow.”

“This is a night before present. Just for you.”

She handed him a white box tied with a red silk ribbon. Inside, lengths of crimson silk ribbon spilled over his fingers, soft as starlight, and his breath caught.

“T’davi, does this mean?—”

“Yes. Come to bed, my love, and wrap up your gift.”

“But—”

“No buts. I want you. I want this.”

She trailed her fingers through the ribbons, her smile so full of promise that his heart and his cock ached in equal measure as she took his hand and led him down the hallway.

Felicity’s heart thudded with anticipation as she steered Luxor into their bedroom. His tail teased every inch of her skin as he stripped off her clothes and laid her on their bed. Her heart raced at the intensity in his dark eyes.

“You are so beautiful,” he murmured, his deep voice sending shivers down her spine. “Are you sure about this?”

“Very sure. You’re not going to hurt me. Now take off your clothes and start wrapping.”

He obeyed, golden drops already pearling on the head of his massive cock as he turned to her. She licked her lips and reached for him, but he shook his head.

“I want to wrap my present first.”

The silk ribbon slipped through his fingers, a sensual whisper against her skin as he began winding it around her. He wrapped the ribbons in intricate patterns along her body, his touch light and teasing. Her breath hitched as he wrapped them around her breasts, heavy and swollen from her pregnancy, the light restraint sending a bolt of excitement straight to her swollen clit.

“The ribbon is the same color as these pretty nipples.” He flicked them lightly with his thumbs and she squirmed eagerly.

“Not quite. I think they need a little extra attention.”

“Perhaps you are right.”

He bent down and drew one into his mouth, shockingly hot and wet, and sucked on the taut peak. Her back arched towards him as he worked both nipples until they were red and swollen and glistening. At last he nipped lightly at each one and drew back, despite her protests.

“Now they are a perfect match.”

He moved lower and kept wrapping the silk around her, turning her into a living gift. Each brush of the silk against her skin felt like an extension of his hands, crisscrossing her body in an increasingly complex pattern. Her breath quickened as he parted her legs. His tail wrapped around her upper thigh as he raised her leg, his knuckles lightly brushing her slick folds. She whimpered and tried to press closer but he pulled back with a low laugh.

“Not yet, my beautiful mate.”

He carefully bound her legs in an intricate lattice before sitting back and looking at her. The look in his eyes made her quiver with anticipation as he bent down to kiss her, his spicy scent surrounding her.

His hands cupped her face as the kiss deepened. She moaned into his mouth, her body melting against his much larger one. The ribbon shifted against her skin with their movements, adding another layer of sensation that made her dizzy with need.

“My mate,” he growled against her throat, his words vibrating through her. “My gift.”

Her fingers dug into his shoulders as his mouth blazed a trail down her neck. The silk ribbon tightened and loosened, a constant reminder of how thoroughly he had bound her—not just with silk, but with his love.

At last he drew back, looking down at her again.

“I am not sure where to start unwrapping,” he said slowly.

She could feel the heat of his gaze lingering on her breasts, her hips, the exposed folds between her legs.

“I’m happy to give you a suggestion,” she said breathlessly, lifting her hips again. “Anywhere you want.”

“Anywhere?”

“Everywhere.”

He groaned, and then the hot length of his body covered her again as his mouth descended on hers. She strained eagerly towards him, her tongue tangling with his. His hands roamed across her body, touching everywhere the ribbons touched—everywhere except where she needed him most. She was on the verge of begging when he finally pulled back and ran his finger down along her ribbon-covered body.

“I will start here,” he growled, pressing a kiss to her thigh.

She tried to spread her legs wider as he dipped his head, his tongue sliding along her swollen flesh. The ribbons restrained her, forcing her to endure the slow, steady pressure. She whimpered and tried to arch her hips towards his mouth, but his tail tightened, holding her in place.

His dark eyes met hers as his tongue flicked against her clit, then circled it with an increasing intensity until she shattered, crying out his name. Her vision was still hazy when he gently turned her over, making sure the pillows supported her stomach.

His fingers skated down her back, following the ribbons, then dipped into her folds. She gasped as his mouth returned to her clit then slid his tail inside her. She whimpered as the small bumps rubbed against her sensitive flesh, an overwhelming sensation of pleasure. He increased the pressure of his tongue, circling her swollen clit, and the combination of sensations pushed her over the edge again. She trembled helplessly in his grip as pleasure washed over her.

He withdrew his tail, leaving her empty and aching, but then the huge head of his cock replaced it, pressing against her entrance. She arched her hips back towards him and he pushed inside with that first wonderful stretch, still almost too much even after all this time. As he sank deeper into her, his tail slid higher, teasing her bottom hole. The tip pushed gently inside and her climax roared over her, shattering her into a million pieces.

He held her in place as she trembled and quivered around him, his tail working deeper into her bottom hole as he began to thrust slowly. Her nipples rubbed against the ribbons, the slight friction sending another wave of heat over her. She pushed back against him, encouraging him to move faster, harder. He growled, and then his hands clamped down on her hips as he plunged forward in a hard stroke.

“Yes!”

He drove into her over and over as the pleasure built again. She could feel his knot swelling inside her, locking them together. The exquisite pressure had her quivering on the edge of another climax as he came with a hoarse cry, his seed jetting against the mouth of her womb as his tail pressed deeper. Her breath was coming in shallow, desperate pants, and his hand slid beneath her to tease her clit, the delicate flesh almost unbearably sensitive, and then her own climax roared over her in wave after wave of pleasure so intense she thought she might pass out.

His arm swept around her, holding her close against his chest as they collapsed back down on the bed and he rolled them to one side. He gently stroked her skin, gradually loosening the silk ribbons. When his knot subsided enough for him to withdraw, he drew them from her body, then traced his tongue along the pattern he’d made with them. The sensation made her shiver, and his arms tightened around her.

“Are you well, t’davi?”

“Very well. I love you, Luxor.”

“I love you too.” A gentle hand stroked her stomach. “Both of you.”

She turned her head to kiss him, a long, thorough kiss, and felt him stiffen against her leg, but she was exhausted and he seemed to realize it.

“Rest now, t’davi.” His tail curved against her, pulling her close. “I have you.”

“I know, my love. Always and forever.” She snuggled against him, her heart full. “Always and forever.”

Luxor caught the pitter-patter of tiny feet racing down the hallway just before Nina burst through their bedroom door. He reached out to catch her, hoping to prevent her from jumping onto Felicity.

“Careful, little one. Mama needs her rest?—”

Felicity’s laughter cut him off.

“It’s Christmas morning, my love. Let her be excited.”

She smiled up at him, flushed and glowing, her hand resting on her swollen belly. A sudden wave of emotion swept over him and he pulled both of them closer, his family. A family he never thought to have and yet he’d been given this precious gift.

“Dada, presents!” Nina gave an impatient tug on his hand.

“Very well, little one.”

She grabbed both their hands to drag them toward the main room.

The tree’s lights sparkled in Nina’s wide eyes as she took in the pile of wrapped presents beneath it. His tail curved protectively around Felicity’s waist as they settled onto the couch to watch their daughter dive into her gifts.

Nina squealed with delight at each present, but her face lit up brightest when she unwrapped the wooden starship he’d carved for her. She launched herself into his arms, pressing her face into his neck.

“Thank you, Dada!”

His throat tightened at the word. He still couldn’t believe this was his life now—a mate, a daughter, another child on the way. Things he’d never dared hope for.

Felicity handed him a small package wrapped in shimmering paper. He gave it an inquisitive look and she smiled at him.

“Your gift. Open it.”

“Thank you, t’davi, but you have already given me so much.”

“And I’m giving you this too. I hope you like it.”

He started to tear away the paper, then hesitated, appreciating the sight of the shimmering paper, the delicate bow, the thought of his mate taking such care in wrapping the gift. He opened the paper carefully, revealing a small wooden box. Inside the box, a wide silver band rested on a bed of velvet. He stared down at it and then back at his mate.

“It’s a human custom,” she explained. “A symbol of our mating. Our names are engraved inside. But if you’d rather not wear?—”

Her voice choked off as he immediately slipped it onto his finger.

“I am honored to wear a sign of our mating.”

She gave him a watery smile as he reached for his own gift and handed it to her. Her mouth dropped open as she unwrapped it. Inside was another ring, this band inlaid with sparkling blue stones the color of her eyes.

“A wedding ring? How did you know?”

“Krestar may have mentioned your custom to me.”

Her fingers trembled as she pulled the ring from its cushion and read the inscription.

“‘To my t’davi. Forever.’”

Her smile dazzled him before he gathered her close, his tail wrapping around her as Nina continued to play with her new toys.

The morning light streamed through the windows, casting everything in a warm glow. Later there would be friends and food and celebration, but for now, this quiet moment with his family was everything he’d ever wanted.

Thank you for reading!