Odd Coupling Read Online Free Page B

all at the same time. However,
her response amused him. The little female was feisty, and she
seemed to have overcome her fear of him.
    The ride was rough, and he shifted his
weight to get more comfortable. He closed his eyes. Various scents
mingled with the smoke and chemical smells trapped in his nose. He
slightly curled his upper lip and drew in a tasting breath that
allowed the air to flow over the glands in his nose and mouth. The
truck smelled of grains, leather and a heady fragrant mixture of
perfume and female. The little human scented of fresh air, fruit
and musk. She smelled delightful, very attractive. He wondered what
he’d detect if he nuzzled her neck. Would her scent strengthen for
him?
    Although he realized he should never
attempt such a thing, he toyed with the idea, anyway. Even in his
impaired state, her smell called to him, and his body tried to
answer despite his mind’s warnings. To his surprise, his cock
swelled. It soon competed with the pain in his head. To ease the
pressure, he pushed up to a semi-seated position and leaned his
head toward the window. Fresh air rushed against his face and
helped him revive. It also masked the female’s arousing
scent.
    Clearly he was severely injured and
out of his mind for even considering such thoughts. If his skull
wasn’t fractured, the commandant and Mendoran ambassador would make
sure it was cracked if they found out he’d even entertained the
idea of coupling with a human female.
    After she spoke to him, he took his
time to make sure his words would be understandable. Like all
aboard his ship, he had a translator implant. Most of the
first-contact personnel were taught at least one of the Earth
languages. The ambassadors insisted it was the best way to
communicate with a new species.
    Vren had taken a cycle’s worth of
teaching probes to learn English. The process was painless but
time-consuming. They couldn’t teach everything, and his implant
helped him understand her meaning whenever his vocabulary fell
short. The more they communicated the better his language skills
would become. Right now, he was glad he’d endured the teaching. He
wanted to talk to this female. His first instinct was to thank her
for her help. By her response, he knew he’d pleased her. Afterward,
he enjoyed their brief conversation, even when there were a few
lapses and breakdowns.
     
    * * * *
     
    Commandant Tram, captain of
the star cruiser Seeker and leader of the entire Alliance taskforce,
turned his back on the main screen. No one on the bridge spoke.
They were all too respectful to intrude on their high-ranking
captain’s personal grief at the loss of a friend and fellow
officer.
    “ Alert me if further
details become known.”
    Before his emotions could overcome
him, Tram stalked away from his command chair, intent on reaching
his office. It was located between the engineering officer’s
station and communications. He made it inside, and the door closed
before an anguished yowl sprang from his throat. He slumped into
his chair and propped his elbows on the desk for support as he
leaned his weary forehead onto his palms.
    The door swished open, then closed
once more. Soft padding steps approached. His mate’s welcome scent
enveloped him. Her gentle fingers started near his backswept ears
and stroked through his thick mane. The tip of his tail stopped
twitching at her touch.
    “ The fly over you requested
will take place shortly. One of our shuttles is leaving the NASA
facility at this very moment. They have the medical instruments on
board to detect Commander Vrenden’s personal transponder signal.
Perhaps…”
    “ At least we’ll know the
exact location of his body.” Tram raised his head and looked at his
mate’s concerned face. Her pale gold eyes narrowed as she gazed at
him. “His striker crashed, Misha. None of our pilots would’ve
survived.”
    She gave him a wry look. “Vren isn’t a
normal pilot, and he has a warrior’s luck. If anyone