On the Gatoan ship, there was much rejoicing. Only minor injuries had been suffered. Dex saw his father's relief and it made him happy. Amidst the celebrating, he slipped from the bridge and headed to the scout bay.
::Leaving, my son?::
::Yes, Father. I must go planetside. She is waiting for me. I will be bringing her with us.::
::I thought you might wish to do so. Is she all right with that?::
::Yes, Father, she is. My little human has spirit.::
::Of that, I have no doubt. Go, then, my son. Fetch your mate and bring her home.::
::Thank you, Father.::
Dex reached the bay and quickly boarded the shuttle. He impatiently paced as they flew to the Fort Blackwater base. He thought about the battle. His heart had been in his throat when he'd felt Jewels' mind right before she demolished all but the lead Lupine dreadnought.
When Jewels had appeared on the screen, his heart filled with pride as she stood up to the enemy. Now he wanted to hold her in his arms and make sure she was truly all right. He needed to breathe her scent and feel her mind link with his.
The door opened and he hurried down the ramp. He scanned the area that was filled with excited celebrating humans. He felt Jewels' mind first and then he spotted her. Jewels was running across the courtyard with a huge smile on her face.
Dex roared and the crowd parted as he ran down the middle toward her.
::Jewels! My little human!:: Dex cried and caught her easily when she leaped into his arms and smothered his face in kisses.
::Never, ever leave me! I want to be with you always,:: Jewels ordered.
She was trembling and he hugged her hard. He saw her tears and licked away the salty drops from her face. ::I will never leave you, my mate. My little human. Always and forever. You truly are a gem to me.::
::And I wouldn't have it any other way,:: Jewels added and kissed him hard.
Both their minds, hearts and souls were at last together and Dex felt at peace.
::Come, let me show you how much I need you,:: Jewels whispered, her violet eyes focused on Dex's green ones.
::Oh? And what does my little Onugrass have in mind?::
::I don't know. Maybe something like this,:: she purred and sent him a flurry of images of what she wanted to do to him.
He growled eagerly, thoroughly enjoying this playful side of her. ::I do believe I like the way your mind works.::
::Thought you might.:: Jewels abruptly grew quiet and Dex realized the other humans were staring. ::Let's go some place quiet.::
He caught the picture of a beach in her thoughts and without waiting, teleported them there. Dex felt her surprise and relief.
"Thank you, my prince, I always feel like a freak when so many people gawk at me." Jewels snuggled closer to him and closed her eyes.
He felt an undercurrent of emotional pain from her and he wondered. He decided to ask later and held her tightly, breathing in her scent.
Dex loosened his hold and gently kissed her upturned face. He stroked her cheek and she glanced up at him. "You are safe, Jewels, but if you ever again pull a stunt as you did during the battle today, I will show you how dominant my will is," he warned.
Jewels' eyes widened and then she glared at him. "Oh, no. I refuse to deal with the 'I'm Alpha Male. Bow down and scrape.' I'm fully capable, your Highness, of defending myself and those I love."
He sighed. "Jewels, my little warrior, I know you can. For my peace of mind, let me take care of you. I am your mate and your anchor. Trust me to keep you safe."
Dex knew this moment was crucial. He had read the detailed file on Jewels that the President had given them two days ago. Jewels had overcome much. Yet despite everything, she still fought. He loved that bravery.
Jewels stared at her feet before turning her gaze on him. The vulnerability in her eyes shook him and he sucked in a breath, prepared to say more if it would help her comprehend the depth of his determination to make her happy.
"Dex, I've waited a long time for a man that would love me as I am and not be afraid of my powers. I wanted a man to be strong so that if I got weak he could hold me up. I grew up knowing that my anchors were never going to be permanent. That's why Jeremy was such a surprise. Five years and when he said his gift was almost exhausted...."
"Jewels," Dex whispered, unhappy that she was sad. He reached out a paw and wiped away her tears that had started to fall. "I feel the depth of your loneliness. Did you tell any of your anchors this?"
She shook her head. "I was too little to understand, but once I got older and learned the name for the emotion, I was too accustomed to hiding it. Besides, when working for the military, you never let them know you have emotional issues. It's the fastest way to either get booted or earn a reputation as a loony."
Dex hated feeling useless, but he wasn't sure what to do. He would never understand the complexities of humans. It was time to change topics. "I do not pretend to know how it felt, but I hope, my little human, that one day I will. Right now, I wish to mate with you."
Her feminine response to his seductively purred words were immediate. Her arousal scent rose sharply and he grinned. He gently tugged her to him and rubbed his cheek against hers. He chuckled when Jewels giggled.
"Dex, your whiskers tickle!"
"Yes, and I will be tickling other parts of you very soon, my human Onugrass."
Jewels sucked in a breath and her fingers wrapped in the fur on his arms.
He leaned in and whispered, "My precious gem, care to tangle with me?" He licked a slow, sensual path from her ear to her neck.
"Yes!"
Her eagerness was amazing and Dex was happy to oblige. He reached up to undo her hair tie, wanting to see her hair free.
::Um, hmm. Sorry to interrupt you two lovebirds, but we have a situation happening here and I need you back immediately.::
::You know, Colonel Lingley, your timing is atrocious.:: Dex snapped.
::Sorry, your Highness, duty before pleasure. You two must get back here right now.::
"Dex? Dex, why did you stop?" Jewels complained.
He blinked and focused on Jewels' concerned face. "You didn't hear him?"
"Hear, who?" Jewels peered about. "I don't see anyone. Dex, are you all right?"
Dex pondered this unexpected turn of events. "You didn't hear Colonel Lingley's telepathic summons?"
"No," she replied slowly and then she paled.
"Jewels?"
She pulled away from him and backed up two steps.
"Jewels?" Dex repeated and reached for her, but she shook her head.
"No, Dex, stay there for a moment."
Baffled, he watched her close her eyes. After a moment, Jewels opened them and her panicked expression raised his protective instincts.
"Jewels, what is it?"
"Dex, I can't hear anything."
"I do not understand." Her hearing seemed to be working fine. After all, she'd just responded to his question.
"I don't mean with my ears. I can't 'hear' anything telepathically. Not even the insects buzzing about. There is silence except when I touch your mind. What has happened to me? What is going on?" she demanded.
Comprehension dawned and Dex frowned. "You cannot sense any psionics?"
"That's right, only you," she grumbled.
"Is that such a bad thing?" he teased.
"No...Maybe. What if I need help and you are out of range? If I can't 'hear' another that could save me, I'll end up dead."
"Good point. Look, Jeremy said they have some situation and that he needs us back. We will have to deal with this later."
"Agreed. Shall I do the honors?" She took his paw in her hand.
"Yes, my mate, I will not rob you of your entrance."
"Thank you, Dex." She stroked his fur and he rewarded her with a loud purr. She grinned and teleported them to the base.