Page 143 of I'm Not Your Pet

That in itself was not boggling.

You know what was?

The fact that the Sahrk species hadfemales.

Which was…a shock to discover—as I’d never seen one before. They were far larger than their male counterparts, easily standing at fifteen, maybe eventwentyfeet tall. And they were far less colorful. Most were a beige-y pale shade that made them stand out even more in a city so full of pastels.

The first time I’d seen one, I’d literally tripped.

Roark had informed me that there weren’t many of them left after The Great Calamity had struck. There’d been a mural on the wall at the Capitol that showed what had been the saddest depiction of hunger and sickness I’d ever seen. He’d told me that was why the birthing pods had become more and more important as years passed. That once, they had been a viable option—and now they were integral to the planet’s survival.

Before we left, Roark had made sure that every last human was vaccinated against the illness—and others—that were common on planet. And I’d finally received the check-up he’d been so desperately wanting me to get.

Apparently, I was no longer malnourished—because of the bambuu Roark had been feeding me. It had been good news. Which I was more than a little glad for. Roark had insisted the doctor be as thorough as he could, and I couldn’t be angry.

Not when only a day previously I’d spent a good chunk of the day handling poison.

Only when I was in the clear had Roark relaxed and decided it was time we went home.

I’d been exhausted—my arm sore from being injected—but my head was full of fun new facts as we’d made our way across the city. Below us, I’d sleepily ogled the balconies that decorated all of the residential buildings. Sahrks swam inside the pools that took up the entirety of them. Pool toys, parties, celebrations exploded colorful and bright wherever I looked.

It seemed the whole city was celebrating the safe return of their captain and his crew.

I hadn’t realized what a big deal Roark was.

Not until he’d explained the purpose of his supply runs.

And it was with new respect and admiration for him that I’d snuggled into his side and admired the place that I now called home. Creatures that resembled fish and Roark called “Feesh” floated in the air—as high up as we were—fanning their fin-like wings as they flapped along by the windows.

“Tired?” Roark had asked me, still gently stroking my cheek.

“Yes,” I’d agreed, melting into him even more. “So tired.”

“Excited?”

“So excited!” I’d jerked a little, and the translator I wore nearly fell off. It was a little finicky up in the air like this. But the city was equipped with signal towers that gave most places access to the devices. Roark had told me that fact genuinely surprised him, considering they rarely, if ever had space visitors.

I was too grateful to question it though, glad that my luck was still looking up as the shuttle paused at our stop, and Roark rose to offer me a hand up. I was so tired I swayed, and he’d scooped me into his arms so I wouldn’t have to walk.

Down the street we went. A quiet street. So close to the edge of the city that it didn’t feel like a part of it at all. Tall drooping lavender trees lined the peaceful cobblestone drive. A few fat frogs—biggest fucking frogs I’d ever seen, omg, the size of bulldogs—hopped across the road. Roark had barked out a laugh when I’d jerked upright, staring at them in fascination.

They were as shiny and as pastel as everything else here. Roark, because he was Roark, had allowed me to watch them hop until they disappeared inside the pink bushes. Everything was opposite here. All the “greenery” seemed to be comprised of a variety of pinks and purples of varying color intensity.

When we’d reached the end of the driveway, Roark’s home was not what I’d expected.

It was bigger, for one.

More of a mansion than anything else.

At least—that’s what I’d thought as we approached a building that was easily six stories tall, but was clearly not an apartment building like the others we’d passed in the city. It was made of what looked like baby-pink stucco, and there were bulbous purple vines trailing up the front. The structure itself wasn’t too dissimilar to what you might see on Earth. It was less round than some of the other buildings I’d observed, and there were doors and windows.

It was more than a little relieving, I’ll admit that.

Not that I’d mind a super alien-looking home—I just…I mean…

It was nice not to have to adjust to one more thing.

I’d quickly realized that while this was Roark’s house—it would not be where we were staying. At least, when the front door opened and fifteen or more full-grown Sahrk’s spilled out. Following after the adults had to be the cutest creatures I’d ever seen. Children—my first Sahrk children—scurried between their legs, thumping across the lawn to greet us.

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