Mission: Planet Biter (Veslor Mates #4)(47)

Relief had him grinning. “Yes. You and our cubs will want for nothing, Vera. I will care for you and them.”

“Are you sure that’s not a deal breaker? I’ve never met or heard of a man willing to do that. Both people always have jobs to pay the bills.”

“I’m not human. Our females stay close to cubs until they are old enough to fend for themselves. It’s our way. I will help you care for any cubs we have, too. It is not strictly on the female alone.”

“I believe that. You’re going to make a wonderful father. I already knew that by how amazing and caring you always are with me. What else do we need to talk about? I’m good with moving to your home planet. I know your grouping stays together, too. Abby told me it’s like a big forever family. I’m actually looking forward to that.” She paused. “I’ve been alone since I lost my mom. We only had each other.”

That saddened him, hearing she’d had no one to look out for her. “Wasn’t there any other family? Where are your mother’s parents?”

Vera got more comfortable, sprawling on him, resting her chin on her hand on his chest. “My grandma died when my mom was a teenager. My grandfather got remarried to a much younger woman and they had two more kids. The new wife didn’t want my mom around after she turned eighteen. She was a reminder that my grandfather had another life before they’d met. It hurt my mom, but it wasn’t like she had much say in the matter. Her dad and his new family just cut her out of their lives completely.

“You already know I’m not close to my biological father, and I have no idea if he even has a family. None of them ever tried to contact me or my mom.”

“You will have family now.”

She smiled. “And a mate. So what do we need to do to make that happen? I’m up for anything.”

Roth wasn’t so certain. “We will discuss it tomorrow,” he stalled. It would hurt him deeply if Vera changed her mind.

“I know you need to shift. Abby told me about that, too. I’m not afraid of you, Roth. I know you won’t hurt me.”

“I would never,” he promised. “We should sleep for a few more hours. After we eat first meal—humans call that breakfast—we’ll go over the details.”

“Okay. I’m all in. Just know that.”

He smiled. “I am as well. You are mine, Vera.”

She opened her mouth to respond but a yawn broke from her instead. Then the pale skin of her cheeks turned pink. She softly laughed. “Okay. Maybe I do need a nap. You turn my brain to mush with all your sexiness and amazing bedroom skills.”

“Lights, off.”

The room turned dark, and Roth closed his eyes as Vera put her cheek against his chest. She didn’t attempt to move off him. He liked her there. Roth gently wrapped his arms around her to make certain she didn’t roll off.





Chapter Thirteen



Vera loved Roth’s grouping. They all sat at the table eating breakfast together. Everyone had been extremely welcoming. Her gaze kept going to the cubs playing on the living room floor, nearby. They had stuffed animal toys, and were currently chewing on them, sprawled together near the couch.

The little girl and boy Veslor cubs were adorable. The two also gave her a good idea of what a Veslor would look like shifted. They kind of resembled panther cubs from Earth, though with very different dark, leathery skin. Both had their father’s unique eyes. They were a bright blue in color, with some vivid green streaks.

“You seem fascinated with the cubs.”

Roth’s soft words pulled Vera’s gaze away from them. “I am.”

“They’re teething,” Darla announced. “Their fangs are coming in. That means my breasts are now closed for business.”

Gnaw chuckled. “To our cubs. Never to me.”

Vera watched the other woman blush, but Darla smiled at her mate. It was easy to see how in love they were with each other. She liked that. “Closed?”

“I nursed them from birth.” Darla explained. “Now they’re going on solid food and their milk supply isn’t coming from me anymore. Their fangs are also sharper now, and while Rasha is gentle, Roshi…not so much. He’s more aggressive.”

Gnaw’s humor faded. “I’m teaching him to be very careful with you and the other females.” He reached out and took Darla’s hand, lifting her arm and scowling at the bandage near her wrist.

Darla kept her smile in place. “He didn’t mean to scratch me with his growing claws. It’s a tiny cut. Even human kids have some issues as they grow and get stronger. My sister liked to bite us as a baby, when she got her first teeth. She outgrew it pretty fast, after she realized it hurt.”

Maith snorted. “Human teeth are harmless.”

Drak smiled. “They feel good.”

Abby laughed. “I’ve just never tried to hurt you with mine, mate.”

Roth leaned in closer to Vera. “Becky is Darla’s younger sister. She works and lives on Defcon Red. So do her parents and brothers. You’ll meet them soon. They visit often, but didn’t wish to move into our family cabin.”

Vera stared into his golden eyes. “I’d like that.”

“You are not alone anymore,” Roth assured her. “Our family is large.”