“Promise?” he grumbled.

  “Promise.”

  He took my word for it with a knowing smirk. His hands slid down my waist, bracing me for the incoming impact.

  A cry was wrenched out of me as his head pushed past my entrance. I gasped for air. He was so fucking big.

  Kur’tok furrowed his scaly brow and searched my face as if expecting a stop signal. But I shook my head.

  “I didn’t say stop, did I?” I sassed him.

  Kur’tok huffed, then rocked his hips slightly forward. I squealed embarrassingly as his cock plunged deeper. The new pressure came with a warm rhythmic pulse, as if Kur’tok was unknowingly altering my body as we spoke. It felt like it shouldn’t have fit, but it did.

  “Still good,” I assured. “But wow, you’re huge.”

  “You went into this situation knowing that, human,” Kur’tok replied, amusement in his gruff voice.

  “True.”

  A thick growl hummed in Kur’tok’s throat. His fingers clenched my skin as he arched over me, his broad shoulders engulfing me in their shadow. I felt his cock twitch inside me, and I knew he was intensely aroused. It probably took all his willpower not to fuck me like a wild animal.

  As the initial sharp sting faded, pleasure took its place. I suspected Kur’tok’s alien pre-cum was already changing my DNA. Unlike Jaeyoung, I didn’t know anything about science or biology, so I just accepted it as a fucking miracle.

  I relaxed with a sigh as warm tendrils of sensation spread across my skin. I still felt the thick obtrusion of Kur’tok’s cock, yet it wasn’t uncomfortable. It was cheesy as hell, but it felt like I was made for him. I suppose it was, since Maeleon pre-cum literally altered my body to take his dick.

  Sweat dripped down my forehead. Each time his cock inched deeper, it felt like it physically couldn’t go any further—and then it did. I glanced down to see the lowest part of my belly bulging from Kur’tok’s cock. I shivered, pleasantly overwhelmed by the sight.

  “Shit, that’s hot,” I mumbled.

  Kur’tok ran his long tongue over his mouth. “Yes, it is. And I’m going to fill you to bursting.”

  Pleasure jolted me. Even his dirty talk was amazing.

  Kur’tok suddenly snarled. “I can’t take it anymore. I need to fuck you, Paz.”

  I nodded, feverish. “Please.”

  Kur’tok released the reins. With a feral growl, he gripped my hips tighter and slammed into me. My cry of ecstasy was extended as he did it again and again. Wave after wave of pleasure crashed over me. I lost my mind from it.

  Kur’tok panted above me. His dragon-like snout opened, flashing his sharp teeth as he breathed hard in time with his thrusts. His red eyes burned with arousal, and his feelers blinked rapidly with flashing colors like a rave.

  He lowered his face towards mine, his gaze locked onto me. “Paz.”

  I whimpered at the way he growled my name.

  Another thrust. His gigantic cock filled my emptiness, scraped every last inch of me with thick velvety pleasure.

  Sweat drenched my skin. Stars exploded in my vision.

  He slammed deep into me and hissed through his teeth.

  “I... I love you,” Kur’tok said.

  An emotional, wrenching shudder tore through me.

  Everything hit at once. My back arched; my toes curled; my mouth dropped open with a ragged scream of ecstasy. I came harder than I’d ever come in my life.

  Kur’tok roared. Suddenly, a flood of warm liquid unloaded inside me. I gasped as I was stuffed full of it. The feeling made me moan, and though I’d already had an orgasm seconds earlier, my cock stiffened again.

  Kur’tok breathed in heavy rasps. Wet sounds filled the air as he continued fucking me sloppily. I shivered knowing that he was using his own cum as lube. My head lolled to the side as I glanced down to watch. Rivulets of honey-like fluid leaked out of me as Kur’tok rocked his hips back and forth.

  Fuck, that was hot.

  Kur’tok licked his lips as he stared at my belly. It bulged from his ejaculation—which I didn’t think was physically possible without being dangerous, but I felt totally fine. Thanks, alien cum.

  With a possessive growl, Kur’tok dragged his wet tongue along my chest and down my swollen belly until it found my hard cock. I moaned as he lapped at my sensitive flesh, replacing his tentacle as he wrapped his prehensile tongue around it.

  “Don’t do that,” I whined halfheartedly. “If you do, I’m gonna—”

  Too late. My hyper-sensitive cock was no match for Kur’tok’s sexy tongue. Another orgasm hit me like a truck, sending me into a wild craze of pleasure. So many embarrassing sounds spilled out of me. I must’ve sounded like a porn star.

  As I floated down from my high, Kur’tok chuckled breathlessly.

  “You should make those noises more often,” he said with a cheeky grin.

  “I’d love to,” I replied through gasps. Then with a smarmy grin of my own, I added, “By the way, I told you so.”

  He huffed in amusement, nuzzling my cheek with his. “Fine, human. I admit it. You were right about my cock fitting inside you.”

  “Mm, I love to hear that.”

  Speaking of love, I suddenly remembered what Kur’tok said earlier—that he loved me. My cheeks flushed with heat. He’d said that right before I came, so his sweet words were the trigger for my orgasm. Apparently, on top of being horny as hell, I was also a big romantic sap.

  I threw my sweaty, shaky arms around his neck, careful not to brush his vulnerable feelers. “I love you too, Kur’tok.”

  He grunted but looked profoundly pleased. He was getting better at taking compliments. Enveloping me with his powerful arms, he lifted me up against his broad chest. “You are filthy in more ways than one, little human. Let’s clean you up.”

  14 / Kur’tok

  After a thorough washing, Paz and I returned to my throne where he draped himself across my lap like a limp animal. His smile never faded. It seemed that after finally getting what he wanted—my cock inside of him—he was utterly pleased with himself.

  Although I couldn’t say I wasn’t happy with the events, too. I never expected to find my filum at all, much less in the form of a fragile little human who gazed, enamored, at me like I was the most important thing in his life.

  I stroked Paz’s head fluff as he hummed in contentment. It was nice to touch him and simply be with him. I felt strangely... peaceful. It wasn’t a feeling I was used to, but I preferred it to the constant rage and stress I’d endured for so long.

  Paz’s stomach growled.

  “Oops,” he said.

  A possessive yet caring urge struck me. I stood, carefully placing him on the throne.

  “I will fetch you food,” I offered. “Stay here.”

  He stretched happily. “’Kay. Don’t be gone long.”

  My heart fluttered. “I won’t.”

  I rushed to the nearest fruit tree, wanting only fresh ones for my filum. Arr’tow and Haz’rull were already there. They paused as I approached, searching my face warily as if unsure of my mood.

  I felt a stab of guilt. They looked nervous. Had they always stared at me that way? Was I too focused on myself to notice their unease?

  I cleared the lump in my throat. “Greetings.”

  Haz’rull gave me a stiff but polite nod. “Greetings, Kur’tok.”

  Gesturing to the tree with my tentacle, I said, “I’m fetching food for my filum.” Realizing what I’d let slip, I quickly added, “I mean, for Paz.”

  But I couldn’t unsay what I’d said. To my surprise, both their eyes lit up.

  “Your filum?” Arr’tow cried excitedly.

  Haz’rull seemed less shocked. They already recognized what kind of relationship we had. “It’s about time you admit it,” they said, tossing me the closest fruit.

  I caught it with my tentacle. “Thanks.”

  My tongue felt unaccustomed to the word, but I was getting used to it.

  What I wasn’t used to yet was the fact that I had a filum. Why me, of all people? Why hadn’t it happened to Arr’tow or Haz’rull instead?

  Suddenly feeling sullen, I stared at the ground, but Haz’rull caught my gaze.

  “What’s wrong, Kur’tok?” they asked. “You should be happy, but you look subdued.”

  The emotions simmering in my chest exploded to a boil, threatening to overflow. I clenched my fists at my sides.

  “I... I don’t deserve this,” I muttered so quietly it was barely audible.

  The other Maeleons exchanged a rapid glance. Their silence was intense. It was the first time I’d acknowledged any fault in front of them.

  Arr’tow swallowed, long throat bobbing. “Does Paz know yet?”

  A tense pause followed their question.

  “No.” A chill ran down my spine. “If he knew, then...”

  I didn’t even want to say it out loud. I couldn’t imagine a life without Paz—my filum.

  It wasn’t fair. Why couldn’t the past go away? Why did it have to crawl into the present and torture me?

  I wanted to run away. I wanted to forget. But I couldn’t—not again. I’d never leave Paz, and I refused to run away from my problems anymore.

  “Why haven’t you two abandoned me yet?” I asked, facing my two former friends.

  Arr’tow’s feelers flashed a sad blue, the opposite of their pink scales. Their reply was soft and quiet. “We know you didn’t mean it, Kur’tok.”

  Haz’rull solidly met my gaze, their eyes flashing. “And we know there’s more to you than what you’ve become.”

  Both of their comments churned inside me like a frothy river. After everything I’d put them through, the two Maeleons clung to me like stubborn burrs. Did I even deserve their undying friendship? I wasn’t sure.

  “You selflessly saved Paz from that krokutta,” Haz’rull reminded me. “You didn’t worry about getting hurt. You only cared about him.”

  My hand grazed absentmindedly over the healing wounds. I hissed as they stung. But if Paz hadn’t tended to them, they’d be much worse.

  Despite their comforting words, my stomach still clenched with hot anger, all of it directed at myself. It poured over and over, cycling through me like a waterfall. Saving Paz couldn’t make up for all the horrible things I’d done...

  “Show him,” Haz’rull said abruptly.

  I stopped breathing for a few seconds. I couldn’t.

  Could I?

  “Show me what?” Paz asked.

  I nearly jolted out of my skin as Paz strolled up beside me. He casually grabbed the fruit from my tentacle and took a bite.

  My heart pounded. How much had he overheard?

  And how long would I keep hiding things from him?

  I dragged my gaze onto Paz’s adorable face. His warm brown eyes were like little beacons of sunshine. He was the sun breaking through my tumultuous storm.

  I exhaled low and slow through my nostrils. I couldn’t keep lying to Paz anymore. He had to know the truth.

  “I need to show you something,” I muttered.

  Paz stopped mid-bite. He furrowed his brows. “Okay. Why do you sound really serious all of a sudden?”

  “Because this is serious.”

  Paz blinked, then glanced at Haz’rull and Arr’tow. But they had nothing to offer him.

  This wasn’t their battle. It was mine.

  “Come,” I said solemnly. “If we leave now, we can be there and back by dark.”

  Paz sounded unsure. “Okay.” He narrowed his eyes. “Are you okay, Kur’tok?”

  I wasn’t sure anymore. Because if Paz knew the truth and he no longer wished to be my filum, then I would very much not be okay.

  “I will be,” I promised, although I couldn’t be certain.

  The journey was rough on my healing body, but I’d been through worse. With Paz clinging to my back, I ran hard and fast across the wilds. Every step jolted my memories, stirring them up like a disturbed riverbed. I tried to ignore it, but the closer we got, the more difficult it became.

  Paz felt tense as he clung to me. Was he reacting to my own tension? I hated worrying him, but I couldn’t pretend that it was all okay. If he knew what happened in the past, he might leave me. If he did, I doubted I’d ever be okay again.

  My stomach felt sick by the time we approached the hill overlooking the location of the incident. I slowed to a halt and allowed Paz to dismount onto the grass.

  “Phew,” he said, brushing himself off. “That was fun, wasn’t it?”

  He flashed a grin, trying to lift my mood, but I couldn’t return it. I was too anxious. When I didn’t smile, Paz rubbed my shoulder.

  “Kur’tok, what’s bothering you? Please tell me. You’ll feel better if you do.”

  I grimaced. “Never made me feel better before. It’s only made things worse.”

  “What are you talking about?” Paz asked, sounding frustrated.

  “That.”

  I pointed aggressively over the edge of the hill.

  Paz frowned, then followed my lead. He peered over the ledge. When he saw what was below, he gasped.

  The charred remains of what was once my home stood stark and gray compared to the surrounding greenery. Every den had crumbled to ash. All the communal gardens, every outdoor space, burnt to a crisp. Everything was gone.

  Memories of the acrid scent flooded to my nose. I clenched my eyes and shook my head, but it didn’t vanish. It was so strong, I could still taste the burnt air on my tongue.

  My feelers trembled. They flashed violent and terrified shades of red.

  I didn’t want to be here. I never wanted to return. But Paz had to know.

  “What... what happened here?” he asked, staring in horror at the ruined village.

  “Me,” I said in a low rasp.

  Paz turned slowly to face me. His eyes brimmed with confusion. “What are you talking about?”

  I wanted to wrench my gaze away from the ruins, yet I forced myself to stay steady. But as anxiety coursed through my blood, my knees trembled. I sat down on the grassy hill beside Paz.

  “When I was a youngling, I made a terrible mistake,” I murmured.

  Paz put his hand on my arm. Even now, he offered me comfort.

  I shook my head bitterly. “Don’t try to reassure me. I don’t deserve it.”

  Paz didn’t remove his hand. “Just keep talking,” he urged gently.

  The way he spoke was disarming. One of his many unexplainable powers. After a few seconds, I relaxed under his touch—as much as I could relax at the moment.

  “Good. Now take a deep breath,” Paz coached.

  I shut my eyes and my mouth, and I listened to him. Against all odds, I felt slightly better. When a couple beats passed, I found the strength to continue.

  I croaked out, “A long time ago, I burned down my village.”

  Paz reeled like he’d been buffeted by a gust of wind. “Slow down, Kur’tok. Let’s unpack this.”

  “What is there to unpack?” I snapped. “I did it! That’s it!”

  Paz was undeterred. The relentless little flesh-bag searched my gaze imploringly, his soft palm still pressed to my arm.

  “Why did you do it?” he asked. I didn’t know how he managed it, but there wasn’t an ounce of judgment in his voice.

  “Who cares?” I muttered.

  “I do.” Paz’s eyes flashed with determination. “People don’t do things for no reason. Were you hurting, Kur’tok?”

  Something twisted in my chest.

  “No,” I said quietly. “There was... somebody.”

  “A Maeleon?” Paz asked, surprised.

  “No.” Old memories stirred like thick sludge in my mind. “He was from elsewhere. There were two of them—Unit 44 and Assistant 23—but Unit 44 had the bigger personality. He was like... my mentor.”

  Paz listened intently, but he furrowed his brow. “Unit 44? That’s a strange name. What species was he? What planet was he from?”

  “I don’t know,” I grumbled. Frustration welled inside me that I couldn’t answer Paz’s questions.

  “What did they look like?” Paz pressed.

  I gnashed my teeth as I recalled the two beings. Unit 44 stuck out in my mind like a brand—burnt into my brain, unwilling to be forgotten.

  “He was large. Bipedal, like us. Not as tall as I am now, but bigger than you, wider and stronger. His flesh was a strange texture—soft, but not like yours. A bit too smooth to the touch. It felt unnatural.”

  Paz mulled this over. “What about his face?”

  “It was a dark screen.”

  “What?” Paz asked. “Was he... a machine?”

  I sighed in frustration. “I told you, I don’t know. I would tell you everything if I did.”

  Paz nodded sympathetically, but his face remained edged with confusion. “That’s okay. Sorry, Kur’tok. I know this must be rough.”

  Recalling his image, I said, “They looked similar, but Unit 44 had a birthmark on his chest like this.”

  I dragged my claw into a sandy patch of soil and drew the mark. Even after all these years, I never forgot it. It was permanently imprinted on my mind.

  Paz stared at the symbol thoughtfully for a few seconds. “I recognize this symbol,” he said in a low voice.

  I whipped towards him. “You know it?”

  It took a moment for Paz to respond. When he spoke, it was mechanical and emotionless. “It looks like the intergalactic space-faring symbol for mental health and psychological services. I saw it during my diplomatic training.”

  Something surged within me. I grabbed Paz’s shoulders. “Yes!” I cried. “He said he was a doctor of the mind.”

  Paz was pensive. He looked like he wanted to say something, but held it back.

  “So, regardless of his species, Unit 44 was a psychologist,” he said instead. “Were you two close?”

  The old pain in my chest flared. “Yes. When he and Assistant 23 arrived at our village, I was ecstatic. Even as a youngling, I had difficulty making friends, but Unit 44 was so eager and kind. He wanted to know everything about Maeleons, and in return, he taught me many things.”

  I expected Paz to smile at my story. Instead, there was a wary neutrality on his face that I didn’t understand. But he knew where my tale ended up—in ruins—so why should he smile? I didn’t press him.