Nebula Book 1: His Breeder

“Who is the cutest hybrid on all of Ezron? You are. Yes, you are.”

Terra blinked at Nebula as she gushed nonsense. Nebula was completely in love with her. For many nights, she cried over the loss of Earth. She accepted that there was no way to teleport back, and that humans would face extinction. Terra was proof that there was light of the end of the tunnel. Maybe full-fledged humans will no longer be around, but their trace could still be found within Terra.

Nebula knew that her clock was ticking. Months had passed since Akdronis’ assault, so she soon had to join Kirra and Lamara in the waddling-club. No one rushed her, but it was obvious that she had to become pregnant soon. The problem was that while Kira and Lamara got to fall in love and birth babies to their knights in shining armor, Nebula had no one. Although many sexy aliens walked around half-naked, ripped with muscle and thick with dick, she never invested time in getting to know them. She had no sense of urgency, so she spent her days messing around with Kira’s inventions and playing with Terra.

“Nebula, give me the little one.”

“Aww Kyros, but you just had her.”

“I want her again,” the alien insisted.

“You have a whole pregnant woman. Go harass Lamara.”

Kira sighed. “Will you two stop fighting? Terra can’t even crawl yet. It’s not like she’s going anywhere.”

Nebula grumbled, but passed the baby to a grinning Kyros. He glady took over the job of cooing at Terra.

Nebula stood up, headed for Kira. She didn’t get too far. A hard wall of flesh smashed into her nose. She stumbled back, only to be grabbed by a set of strong hands.

Her breasts were now flat against the wall. She tipped her head back and found the eldest Ezron looking down at her. Before she could react, he gently pushed her aside.

“I apologize,” Ak said.

Over time, he got better at retreating. Whenever their fingers skimmed, he pulled his hand away. Whenever he got caught staring at her, he would look away first. It got to a point that Nebula no longer felt so nervous around him.

“Kyros, put the child down and relieve Ni’ev of guarding duty,” Ak ordered.

“No way. I just got her. Why don’t you go and guard the mystery female yourself? Bring a flower and replace that ugly scowl with a smile. Maybe she’ll like you.”

Nebula was struck by the idea.

Akdronis and the mystery girl? Why did the combination make her breast tremble and her breath shorten?

She shook her head and palmed her chest to hide the ridiculousness inside there. It was absurd. She wasn’t attracted to Akdronis. She could barely stand being in the same room with him.

“How’s this, Nebula?”

She rushed to Kira’s side, more than eager to forget about the confusing blip in her heart rate.

“This is the tent you’re making for the men?”

“Yep.” She held up the paper to offer a better view. “What do you think of the skeleton?”

“Hmm… the foots of the poles don’t look very detailed. The terrain around the pyramid is pretty tough, so you need to make sure the foots have something to cling onto.”

Kira nodded. “Good point. Thanks, rock lady.”

Nebula laughed. “Oh yeah, I definitely spent so many years in education to earn the title ‘rock lady.’”

– • –

Nebula wished she had a rock to crack her head open.

It was late at night. Kira had fallen asleep on Vrox’s lap across the fire. Lamara was eating in Kyros’ arms, and the rest of the Ezron brothers were chatting.

The night was heavy in the sky, and the chill in the air fought the blazing fire. This night was the same as all the others, but at the same time, it wasn’t.

She couldn’t stop thinking about the mystery girl. The one that was pretty even under all those layers of grime. The one with the scared expression. She was like a small animal in need of protection. If there’s one thing the Ezron brothers liked to do, it was take care of human females. It was only a matter of time until one of them got attracted to the girl, stole her heart, and knocked her up. It had already happened twice.

Until the mystery girl arrived, Nebula had no competition. Now, things were different. Ak was free to pursue another woman.

She never took the time to reflect on it, but Ak had changed. He was a better man, determined to make up for his mistakes. He took her to the camp after he gave up on his kidnapping expedition. Once they reached The Ruins, he respected her space.

The only acknowledgement she received was the nod of the head, and the only times they exchanged words was when it was absolutely necessary. Even then, the conversations were short.

She saw movement coming from the entrance, and she stood up when she identified Vee.

“You little rascal,” chased him down. “Where have you been? Kira and I have been worried sick. Do you think you’re grown now?”

“Nebula.”

She jumped, recognizing the baritone of that voice.

“I will not hurt you.”

She turned around and swallowed hard. Because damn her, but she knew that he was being honest.

“You should not walk around alone during these hours.”

She hadn’t gone far. She only made it three feet outside of the room. Ak seemed to have noticed, though. He was never too far away. He was always there, silently watching to ensure her safety.

“I just–” she pointed behind her. “Vee…” she shuddered.

“Come inside before you get ill.”

He kept the conversation short, because he knew she didn’t like talking to him. He waited for her by the entrance. Nebula passed him on the way into the room, and could swear that she felt his breath reach the nape of his neck.

That night, she didn’t sleep.

– • –

“You’re out of it.”

Nebula blinked. “What?”

“I asked you what you think of these features I added to the feet of the poles. You spaced out.”

“Shit. I’m sorry, Kira.”

“Is everything okay?”

Nebula pushed her paperwork away, feeling ashamed of her ridiculous thoughts.

“How’s the girl?”

“The mystery girl?” Kira asked. “Still mysterious.”

“And…” Nebula licked her lips. “Who is guarding her right now?”

“Funny you ask. Ak is watching her. He came to me this morning and asked me what my favorite flower was.”

Nebula ran a hand down her face, and then another.

“Girl…” Kira drew out. “You look kind of sick. Do you have cramps or something?”

“I…”

Her gut was tight, but not because she was menstruating. Why did the thought of Ak flirting with another girl unnerve her.

“Anyway…” Kira drew out. “So I asked why, and he said he wants to give me a gift for bringing Terra to Ezron. Isn’t that so sweet of him? Totally unexpected of the guy.”

Nebula laughed nervously. “I think I’m going insane.”

Kira remained silent, welcoming her words. “Yesterday, Kyros suggested that Ak tries to soften up the new girl. The idea made me uncomfortable, but I don’t know why. I don’t like Ak.”

“Hmm… but you like his attention.”

Nebula snapped her head in Kira’s direction. “What?”

The mother shrugged. “Maybe you’ve grown to like his devotion to you. It makes you feel special. I mean, he brings shiny rocks whenever he comes home from a hunting trip and leaves them in the Common Room where he knows you’ll see them, and he looks after you more dedicatedly than anyone else. That’s why I say maybe you don’t like him, but you like his attention.”

Nebula swallowed, hard.

When did this become so complicated?

“It’s… wrong.”

They had such a morbid history. The man kidnapped her for heinous plans. It would be totally inappropriate to see him under a romantic light.

She had to fix this.

She had to start dating men.

She had to forget about Akdronis and the new girl, because whatever happened was none of her business.