Rogue Warriors of Lorr
Captured By the Alien Chapter 21

Scarlett melted into the kiss, feeling relief flood every inch of her body. She couldn't believe she was finally back in Grux's arms. Goosebumps tingled down her back as her muscles eased, and she finally began to relax after her ordeal.

When Grux broke off the kiss, he looked at Meshka and Targol over her head, his eyes hard. Scarlett knew he still wanted to punish them for what they had done to her, even though she had asked him to spare them.

"What's wrong, Grux?" she asked.

He shook his head. "I'm not sure they will keep their promise," he said.

She took his hand and urged him toward the door. "The authorities have the message," she said. "Let's just go."

"Things like that can be faked," Dezar muttered. "It might not be over."

"Let's just get out of here." Grux wrapped an arm around Scarlett. They had only taken two steps when a sharp pain rippled through her, and she stumbled, going down on her knees. "Scarlett!" Grux cried. She gasped as she felt a great wave bursting inside her.

Warm fluid gushed out around Scarlett's thighs, accompanied by a sharp twist deep in her belly.

"My water just broke!" Scarlett cried.

For the next few seconds, all the men shared glances that hopped from face to face as every single one of them tried to figure out what to do.

"Please," Meshka said calmly. "Let me help her. It's obvious none of you men have the faintest idea what to do."

"I don't trust you!" Grux snapped.

Meshka nodded. "Fair enough, but Scarlett needs help, and you have no time to call on anyone else. I doubt other Xoyosans would help you, anyway. Tell your men to stand down."

Grux looked down at Scarlett, and she nodded, pleading with him to let Meshka help. Even though they had kept her prisoner, Scarlett really didn't think they would let her or the baby die, especially not after they let her go to the doctor to take good care of the baby. "Stand down," Dezar snapped reluctantly.

His men lowered their guns, and they removed the Flemlars' rifles. Meshka immediately ran to Scarlet

"Breathe, girl," Meshka said. "Just breathe. Can you lie down?"

Scarlett looked around the room at all the men with shocked faces and drawn weapons. "Not... here. Please" she whispered.

Meshka nodded and hauled Scarlett to her feet. "This way," Meshka said, ushering her into a parlor. As Scarlett carefully lowered herself to the floor, Meshka found a blanket that she put under Scarlett, making her as comfortable as possible.

"Grux!" cried Scarlett as the first contractions began to ripple through her. To her relief, he hurried through the door, putting his weapon down as if it was barely an afterthought. Scarlett wondered if the men outside were still pointing guns at each other, but that hardly mattered to her right now.

As Grux knelt beside her and took her hand, a sharp bolt of pain shot through Scarlett's body, and she gasped, almost pressing her thighs together. Meshka held her knees, gently encouraging Scarlett to open from the hips.

"You must relax and drop your legs down," Meshka muttered. Scarlett shuddered, holding her belly.

"It hurts so much."

"I know," Meshka replied. "But the birth will be easier if you listen to your body and to the baby."

For the next few minutes, Meshka helped Scarlett settle her breathing into a steady pattern. Grux sat behind Scarlett, her back propped against his chest. Scarlett had never been so afraid, but she took strength from Grux's gentle hold on her. "Okay," Meshka said, holding Scarlett's knees. "Push now, just a little. We'll see if you are far enough along."

Scarlett gripped Grux's hand and leaned back into him. With all her strength, she pushed down, feeling the baby move against the tightening of her womb. She cried out with a sharp sound that was almost a scream. "That's it!" Meshka encouraged. "You can shout, yell, scream if you like, just keep those breaths even."

Scarlett gasped, trying to blink sweat out of her eyes. Meshka's words meant very little to her. Scarlett was in too much pain. The only thing that was real was Grux's warm grip on her hand and his body cradling hers. "You can do it," he whispered in her ear. "Beautiful, strong woman. Mate of a Lorr Prince, full of a warrior's courage. You can do this."

Grux's words brought her strength, and Scarlett let out a ripping scream as she bore down against the pain. Her stomach rippled, the baby kicked, and she had to stop, panting desperately.

"Rest for a few breaths," Meshka said. "Then one more push, and you will have your baby in your arms!"

Scarlett lay against Grux, gasping and making little cries of protest. It didn't seem like enough of a rest when Meshka urged her to sit up and push again.

"Now, Scarlett, now!" Meshka ordered. Scarlett sat up and clung to Grux as hard as she could as she groaned in pain, pushing with all her strength.

She felt a tremendous sense of release, and a wave of joy and pleasure swept through her. When she heard a faint cry, hope surged in her chest.

With a big smile, Meshka sat up between her thighs, quickly wrapping up a small bundle and then handing it to Scarlett. Her arms could barely hold the baby, and he fell against her chest, his beautiful purple cheek resting against Scarlett's heartbeat. Grux watched over Scarlett's shoulder as his son was placed against his mate's chest. He was very glad Meshka had proved true and delivered the healthy child. If anything had gone wrong, her head would have been the first to come off, no matter what he promised his mate.

His focus was completely taken by the baby male's sweet face, the tiny, curved lips that already seemed to be smiling, and the big, dark eyes. The child's skin was a dusky violet, a scattering of lilac hair gracing his head. Grux watched in amazement as the child nuzzled into Scarlett's chest and found her breast, beginning to nurse.

Meshka stood up suddenly, and Grux looked up at her, daring her to disturb the moment. Dezar came to the door of the parlor at the same time and looked at Meshka uncertainly, shaking his gun.

"Everything okay in here?" Dezar asked.

Grux nodded. "Yes, we're okay."

Dezar spared a glance at Scarlett and the baby, smiling happily at them.

"Congratulations, Your Highness," Dezar said, bowing slightly.

Grux felt new emotions competing inside him. He was overjoyed by the birth of his son, but the responsibility was quickly filling up his future.

My father will be very pleased.

The thought didn't comfort Grux. He knew his father would use this to his political advantage, and he could do nothing about it.

Scarlett sighed with pleasure as she stroked the baby's soft head, cuddling him against her while he fed. Grux looked up to see Meshka still watching them with wide eyes.

"What do you plan to do?" Grux asked her, his voice hard.

She shook her head, her face twisting in shame. "I have seen the heir of Lorr born right before my eyes," Meshka said. "I was wrong to try and hold a Lorr mate and the unborn heir. I will never again quarrel with your kingdom, Prince Grux."

Grux could see that Meshka was sincere, but he still did not trust a single creature on this planet. He got up slowly and kept a close eye on her, even though Meshka kept her eyes down and her head bowed.

When his son had finished his first meal, and Scarlett was ready to stand, he helped her to her feet and supported her out to the foyer. Dezar cheered, and the sound was taken up by his men.

Grux saw Scarlett blush as red as her name as she took in the adoration of the pirates. Even Targol was watching her with a kind of awe. He gave a low bow to her but did not approach too closely.

"I offer apologies to you, Scarlett," Targol said. "I did not fully understand the situation. I see now that you are, indeed, a mate of the royal prince and a princess in your own right. I will never meddle in Lorr business ever again."

Grux was getting tired of hearing it. The two of them should have known not to interfere. Perhaps seeing the faint purple blush of the baby's skin convinced them. The hue was almost identical to his own.

And they know my father will unleash the full might of the Lorr army against them should they try to keep a royal heir from him!

The moment of silence was broken by a rushing sound outside. Grux hurried to the door to see that the airship was landing in the courtyard, flattening quite a few of the trees. Dezar must have sent his men for the vehicle while Scarlett was still in labor. Grux wrapped his arms around his mate and escorted her to the ship, helping her up the ramp and into a big, plush seat.

He wrapped a blanket around her, gently kissing her forehead as he made sure she was comfortable. "Are you all right, my love?"

Scarlett nodded. "I'm fine. A little sore. I still can't quite believe this. We're going back to Lorr?"

"Yes," Grux said apologetically. "It's the only way to keep you safe."

Scarlett nodded, not protesting. Grux was pretty sure she didn't care where they went, so long as it was far from Xoyosis.

As the ship took off, Scarlett held out the small bundle to Grux. "Would you like to hold your son?"

Grux held out his hands awkwardly. "I don't know how."

"Just wrap your arms around him... like that, yes. Support his head and snuggle him against your chest. There." Scarlett sat back and watched him with a satisfied smile.

Grux looked into the little boy's sleeping face, amazed by the sensation he felt holding his son. He had never felt more alive than he did at this moment, so strong and vital yet so weak at the same time.

"He's so beautiful," whispered Grux.

"Of course, he is." Scarlett smiled. "He's yours."

Grux felt tenderness overwhelming him at her words. He looked down into the baby's face again and was entranced by the child yawning and turning in his arms. The baby snuggled against him, pressing its tiny body against his chest as if to listen to his father's heartbeat.

Grux could not believe this tiny, fragile child was the heir to Lorr, the next prince, and ruler of his entire kingdom. Just by being born, the little one had changed the fates of everyone around him, especially his mother and father.

He stroked the soft purple fuzz on the baby's head, rocking him gently as he slept. He may be a great ruler with a future full of promise, but right now, the tiny baby was simply his son, and Grux knew he need never be more than that to be loved, wanted, and cherished for all of his days.