The Beast Lover's Anthology: Vol. 1 - Star [Alien x Reader] M/F

Chapter Two

The best thing about being pregnant was the ability to breathe the air on the ship. A few days after Star had laid his clutch inside me, the eggs started making subtle changes in my biology, and after a few weeks of gestation, I was able to exist in Star's presence without becoming inhibited by his toxins.

"How are you feeling?"

"I'm fine," I spoke softly, my gaze lowered submissively, glued to my swollen belly. It had been almost a month since my frightful encounter with Star, but looking him in the eyes still set my heart pounding with fear. I didn't know what to expect from the birth, and Star was a new level of terror all his own, though he'd been nothing short of kind since he'd claimed me. He was my mate, and he'd expressed that my willingness to become the mother of his children would grant me immunity from any harm, but the situation hadn't become any less terrifying.

"Do you need anything?" Star asked, crouching before me and lifting my face toward his. I swallowed when I met his stunning green eyes, my muscles tensing.

"No," I shook my head weakly. "but thank you."

"You are still afraid of me." He muttered, trailing a claw down the column of my throat.

I didn't answer, my eyes lowering once again.

"Or, is it what I've laid inside you that you're afraid of?"

"Both," I whispered, tearing up. "I know I agreed to this, but-"

"But you are a human on an alien ship surrounded by predators and packed with young you know little about; your fear isn't without good reason, and I understand that. I'm not angry with you, little one. You would know if I was."

I was without a response once again, and Star lowered his snout to press it gently against my bump, closing his eyes.

"I can feel their energy through you." He said quietly, and a ghost of a smile touched my lips at his words. I placed a cautious hand on his face, stroking his cheek.

"Are they healthy?"

"They are doing well, yes. Your chemistry is a perfect match for them. I chose well when I set my sights on you."

"... I'm glad you did, Star."

"Are you?" Star tilted his head to the side, eyeing me.

"Yes. Even though I'm afraid, I'm happy to be alive, at the very least."

"Not just alive," He rose from his position, and I recoiled a bit when he licked gently at my eyes, scrunching them shut as he lapped up my tears. "loved, as well; you are loved, human. I know you may not see it that way, and we have not been mates for very long, but I do love you. You are the mother of my children and, now, the most important thing to me."

"Star, what you feel for me is not love..." I spoke defeatedly. "you only care for me because I've agreed to carry your eggs."

"You're wrong, human. Your importance to me is not summed up by what's inside you. I could've chosen any female, but you stood out to me. I told you before that our species is only male, and because of that, there are no cultivated mating habits. I read that humans find suitable mates through years of dating, but we are driven by more unseen chemical connections. Over all else, reproducing is naturally focal in our minds. Though your current condition is of unimaginable importance to me, it doesn't define our relationship or my feelings toward you. I hope one day you will see that."

"I hope so too." I nodded, biting nervously at my lip. "If I'm going to remain by your side, I want to be able to consider you my partner; I just... it will take time, Star."

"That's understandable, and I will be patient with you." I knew Star's statement was genuine, and a subtle warmth touched my cheeks when he nosed at my face, a gravelly purr sparking to life low in his throat.