Kaalen winked at her. “We’re going to be here for a long time. It only makes sense to adapt. We can do it a lot better than our brother, who’s a giant pain in the ass.”
Ella chuckled, and Dhiro growled. “I can do everything far better than the both of you.”
Bronn pointed at him. “And that’s why you can never fit in with these Earth people. You’re way too competitive. You need to learn to chill a little.”
Dhiro shook his head. “I don’t think I can be around them right now. They’re mocking me.”
Ella got to her feet and wrapped her arms around his waist. “They’re mocking you, yes, but they’re also showing you that if we go without them, they’ll be safe. I am so sorry, you guys.”
“You’ve got nothing to say sorry for, Ella. It’s our brother, as usual, jumping to the wrong conclusions and panicking.” Bronn shrugged.
Ella laughed. “I’ll leave you boys alone. It’s so hot, I need a shower.”
Dhiro watched his mate leave, and he heard her go into their bedroom, the door closing behind her. He hated her being out of his sight, but the moment she was gone, his shoulders slumped.
“Are you okay?” Kaalen asked. “We can joke around, but you’re going to be a father. The first one on our planet in some time. That’s a huge deal.”
“I do not want to leave you.” He felt so guilty. “We can fix the ship. I know we can. I don’t care what they say.”
Kaalen came to him, putting a hand on his shoulder. “Brother, we are going to be fine. Trust us and our people. It will be only a matter of time before we return. I have faith and I have hope. You and Ella have given us that. Do not fear.”
“It has always been my responsibility to take care of you.” He shook his head. “I failed.” Never had he uttered those terrible words.
“You didn’t fail. Look at the opportunity you have given us all. We are on Earth. We are together and have each other. There’s a chance here for the two of us to find our own mates. Do not look at the bad or fear what could happen. Think of the opportunity here. We’re surrounded by Earth women. We blend in a lot better than you. There’s nothing for you to worry about. Not for us.”
“You’re my brothers. I will always worry about you.”
“There is no solution here,” Bronn said. “You have to accept it, and you’ve got to take Ella back. We do not know how her baby is going to react to this environment, nor how she will either. She is already highly sexual and needs your constant attention. You must protect her and our nephew or niece. You know this.”
“I can’t believe I am going to be a father. I have wanted this for so long. I had resigned myself to a life dedicated to the finding of advancement for our people.”
“And in doing so, you have given us back hope. You need to see the truth of that,” Kaalen said. “Others will be unwilling to wait the many cycles before Ella gives birth and a cure for the infertility is created. They will come to Earth for mates, and we will have a way back home.”
This was all bittersweet. It wouldn’t be the same returning to Trenu Zel without his brothers. Their mother would be devastated.
Dhiro went back to his room to find Ella sitting on the bed, waiting. “Are you okay?” she asked.
He shook his head.
She opened her arms to him, and he went to her, wrapping his arms around her, not wanting to let her go.
“I’ve got you,” she said.
“I do not want to leave them, but I want to take you somewhere safe. I feel I failed them.”
Back home, he may be seen as a hero for what he’d been able to achieve, but this was nothing heroic. He never should have rushed off or assumed the worst of his people. His love for his mate had driven him to the extreme.
“You haven’t failed anyone. Honestly, I think you can do anything. And I know you’ll be an amazing father.”
Holding Ella in his arms, he felt the stirring of his cock, but she wasn’t aroused, at least not yet. Kissing her neck, he licked over the pulse that he knew caused her a great deal of pleasure. He needed to be inside her, to feel the connection, the bond. His need was so fierce. This was more than a basic sexual release. He felt lost and needed Ella to ground him.
“I need you, Ella,” he said.
“Then take me, Dhiro. I’m yours. I will always be yours.” She giggled. “I’m usually the one who needs you lately.”
This time, he wasn’t gentle as he tugged at her clothing, removing the negligee that covered way too much. He wanted to see Ella naked, to witness the slight growth of his baby inside the mother’s stomach.