why me

27

I was nervous for the first time in a long time. I had prepared my mating gift to Megan finally. It was a custome of the mech to present their mates with a gift before the mating ritual. It was an old custome but one the mech still upheld. I wondered what she'd do with it. Probably throw it at me but I would still give it to her. It was her right. I clutched the small box in my hands as I make my way to her.
"Megan" I call
"Prince" she greeted me from the couch, not looking at me.
"I have something for you" I say
She looks up then curiously, her brow crinkled with confusion.
"What is it?" She asks
I hand her the box containing the jewels. It was a fine necklace that cost me nearly two months worth of my pay, the queen refusing to gift any of her own jewelry to my human, going outside of tradition. My mate deserved to have nice things.
"It's not much but it's yours" I say
She opens the box and takes in the clear blue stones, styled into a draping neckles.
"Thank you" she says absently
"You don't like it" I say
"I don't like you" she responds
I sigh my temper rising. What did I expect? I try to quel my temper but it keeps rising.
"Those Jewels cost more then most families see in a lifetime." I yell
"I thought this wasnt much!? And what does this gift say about your monachy?! Your dripping in wealth good for you." She spat back.
Megan gets up and starts pacing the small space of the living room. She was upset with me again. I shouldn't have yelled at her.
"Let me out of this house." She says bitterly.
Here we go again.
"The last time I tried you had a panic attack." I said
I had to many things on my mind to really give her my full attention. The tension from the new laws was escalating. The queen finally excepting my request for an audience after the updated report of the number of upset mech males came in. The complaints were astronomical. I was ready to get it over with, to make my case to her to change them, if only a little.
"I'll be better this time" She said, unassurance in her voice.
"How do you know that?" I ask
"Because you'll be wearing Jake's face" she commands. My fist clenches. I should never have transformed my face into another males for her.
"Fine" I answer. "Where would you like to go?"
"I don't know this is your planet" She answers sarcastically, then bows her head. Afraid, she did that when she was afraid of me.
"Alright. I'll show you one of our cities. How does that sound?" I ask hoping she agrees.
"Fine" She grumbles.
We make our way to the jeep in silence. There was a smaller city not too far from my residence, it was home to a large military base, which was why I picked this plot of land. It had a well maintained market area, and a lively night life. Not that we'd be seeing that nightlife. Not today anyways. I didn't want to over stimulate megan, still worrying about her health.
"Stay close to myself and one in the city at all times." I said.
"Will do" She replied. I could tell she wasn't really paying attention. Normally a statement like that would set her off.
We headed off to the city, Megan remaining calm the entire drive as she sat in the back seat, watching the scenery go past. I grunted as I watched her through the rear veiw mirror. She looked lovely when she wasn't upset. I wondered if she was so calm because I wore Jake's face.
"How did your trip to the facility go?" I ask
"Fine" She absently responds, still peering out the window.
I sigh. Speaking to this female was so hard. It was either screaming matches, crying, or silence.
"Did you meet anyone?" I ask
Her attention finally snaps to me and she responds coldly. "Why do you care so much?"
"Because you said you needed a friend." I angrily reply, remembering our previous conversation.
"Well I made one" She says
"Good" I say
The drive continues on awkwardly, reprieve coming when we finally reach the city. Megan's eyes light up finally as she observes all the busy streets, bustling with activities from all sorts of different species.
"Everyone looks different." She observed with wonder.
"People from all over the galaxy come to our planet for trade. This planet houses some of the best markets." I say taking pride in all my people had built.
"It gets hectic and dangerous sometimes but the military is close by to patrol it." I say
"That no fun" She replies.
"Do you want danger?" I ask still not getting out of the car.
"A little danger is always fun" She replies unbuckling her seat belt.
I take her lead and we exit the vehicle. All the little shops in this area were painted with vivid art work, unusual for the mech style but common for the Rainer people, who made up the majority of the population in this small city. Ailign absorbed some of the Rainer people passing by, a young family with a small child, dressed in the mech style of white flowing clothes. The Rainer people were humanoid but with snouts instead of noses and six arms. They had trouble speaking the mech language, grunting more then pronounciating.
"What is that species called?" Megan asked pointing at the couple that just walked past.
"Rainer" I clarified.
"Cool" She said.
"Remeber to stay close" I reiterated "now where would you like to go first? There's several kinds of shops here"
"I want food" She said "Rainer style food"
"I don't know if it's safe for you" I say seriously, crossing my arms.
"One?" She says
"There are a few dishes made from ingredients that should be safe for human consumption. I will go over the ingredients list" She says
"See safe" Megan smiles to herself as she starts to trot down the street. "Lead the way one" She says merely.
Megan devoured the plate in front of her like I'd never seen another creature eat. She was stuffing food in like she was starved.
"Are you not receiving adequate food at home?" I ask
"Its... so good" She says between mouthfuls.
"Huh" I say barely touching my own dish.
"After this can we explore?" She ask me
"Yes" I respond still watching her eat like a deranged animal. Watching her made me loss some of my own appetite.
"Then let's go" She says
We walk on for hours, stopping by into little shops here and there, something catching Megan's eye. She seemed to have no quarrel about spending my money. I was glad she didn't. The sun begins to set, and the streets begin to become even livelier. The faine race making their appearance. They were night creatures who kept the nightlife in this city especially entertaining.
"It's time to go home" I say "it's too busy at night you could get lost." Megan had done her part and stuck close to me the entire trip, but it was too busy at night and she was still too fragile. I look behind me when I don't get a response. Megan and one were gone. I look around frantically.
"Megan!" I yell.
Megan was gone. My mate was missing. My weak and defenseless mate in a city full of hostile aliens. Fuck!