Her arms were aching by the time she made it home with the puppy. She plopped him down in Ain's yard, then stood in front of the door. Asha knew it was an ooman custom, but when he answered she threw her arms around him. Then she pointed into his yard with a grin.

"Look what I got you!"

He looked from the hound to her, "I can't accept that."

"I'm sorry Uh'luka killed your last one. I wanted to make it up to you."

"No, in my culture it's not right to take more than is deserved."

"Well, in my culture it's rude not to accept a gift. You're keeping him."

He crossed one arm onto his chest in thanks, then said, "Zagros is in your house waiting for you."

"Oh, great. He and Uh'luka are probably having a staring contest. I better get over there."

She spotted Zagros immediately, patiently sitting on the couch. He got up when she entered. With the skulls on each shoulder, they almost touched the walls in the hallway. She peered around him to look for Uh'luka, but he wasn't there. The storage units on the living room floor were gone.

"The mating season is over."

"Already?" She couldn't hide the sadness in her voice.

"Do not be disappointed if you're not pregnant right away. Our species is compatible, but it can take several tries."

Asha just nodded.

"I've come to check on you. I'm aware you stopped training."

"Yea…"

"If it was because of a male's behavior, tell me his name."

"No, it wasn't anything like that. The medic suggested an easier class and I guess I got discouraged."

"The classes are not divided by age or sex, but by skill. There is no shame in choosing a class that suits your level. I can evaluate a few nearby and give you my recommendation by tomorrow."

Again, she merely nodded.

"You do not seem yourself, Asha."

She shrugged, "Have you seen Uh'luka?"

"Yes, he was around to pack his things."

"He's leaving? Did he say where he was going?"

"On a mothership for a group hunt. I believe its a three-month-long excursion."

She tucked in her lips as she nodded.

"He didn't tell you?"

"No." She croaked.

The mating season was over and Asha knew that meant changes. The male population in the city would drop as males resumed hunting and traveling. The males that did stay wouldn't live with any of their mates. Each pair had different agendas. Males had training to do, females prepared for children. Like Zagros had said before, males weren't concerned with females except during the mating season.

"I'll go back to training. The allowance can't last forever—I'll start looking for a job. I doubt I'm pregnant...but if I am...With Uh'luka gone I'll need some help."

"I will be around for guidance."

Before Zagros left, she had one thing to ask, "I heard about what happened on Earth. Does that mean humans would be able to return if they wanted to?"

"I do not know, but I can find out."

The door closed behind Zagros and Asha just stood there for several moments. Uh'luka was gone. Her stomach growled, but she shuffled past the kitchen. She slid open the bedroom door and plopped face-down onto her bed. The covers still smelled like him. Her fingers dug into them as her face puckered, letting out a sob.

Despite her crying, Asha sat up. What if she were pregnant?

Their tests could detect it hours after conception. She slipped off the bed and headed to the door. The pharmacy or hospital would have tests. She had one foot out the door when she leaned back to peer at the hallway. Asha pursed her lips in thought.

She turned back into the house to check the medical cabinet in the hall. After rummaging through the supplies, she held up several pen-like devices. Each of them looked similar in size and shape. Asha grumbled under her breath, trying to discern what each of them were.

Finally, she found the correct one. Instead of using urine, it tested blood. Asha carried it back into her room and sat at the end of the bed. Her stomach was already fluttering. She took a steadying breath.

Her frustration only grew when she realized she didn't know how to use it. Yautjas didn't print instructions on everything as humans did. She scanned a series of glyphs on it like a barcode, and her wrist computer displayed the item's information. However, Zagros hadn't provided an update for her translator yet. She couldn't read.

"Forget it!"

She chucked the pen, and it hit the wall with a grunt.

Asha tilted her head at the sound, then turned to see it had actually hit Uh'luka. She wiped her eyes, "I didn't hear you come in."

He picked up the pregnancy test, "It is too early for this. We can use the test in a few days."

"We? I heard you were leaving Yaut."

"I am."

"Then…why are you here? Did you forget something?"

"No. I came to speak to you."

"Shoot."

He cocked his head.

The translator wasn't great with slang, "That means start talking."

When Uh'luka took steps towards her, she turned away. "Are you feeling unwell?"

"I'm fine. Just say what you were going to say."

"The ship will travel to different planets, allowing me to hunt with the security of knowing others are nearby in case a mistake is made. It will be well-traveled hunting ground, common prey species. It's not dangerous."

Asha huffed.

"It is a three-month-long excursion. Can you endure that for me?"

"So you get to go on an adventure, see exotic jungles and animals while I sit on my ass for three months?"

"You'll have plenty to do. You have your own armor and weapons. You can hunt, fish, hike, seek out your own adventure."

"I'd get myself killed…"

Uh'luka swept his claws through her hair though she wouldn't look at him, "I will protect you."

"From galaxies away? Pfft. Somehow I doubt that."

Uh'luka grabbed her shoulders with a growl and spun her to face him, "You will never be further away than I can run."

"What do you mean? I'm going with you?"

"You do not have to."

"I want to…If you want me to?"

Uh'luka growled at her coy behavior. "Asha, would you come with me?"

"Yes!" She jumped up and wrapped her arms around his neck like he'd proposed, "When does the ship leave?"

"Two hours."

"What? I still have to pack!" She released him to go to her drawers, "I have to say goodbye to Ain. I have to tell Zagros…"

"There is time."

She straightened with a pair of panties in her hand and let out a breath, "Actually there's something I have to talk to you about before I agree to this trip."

He grunted.

Asha moved to sit on the edge of the bed and dropped her head.

"What is it?"

"I've been meaning to bring this up, but I wasn't sure the best way to go about it…Uh'luka, how do you feel about a monogamous relationship?"

"To mate only one?"

"Yes."

"You'd mate only me?"

"Yes." Her voice grew quieter.

"Is that what you want?"

Asha nodded, already knowing he was going to refuse the idea and leave her alone on Yaut.

Uh'luka wouldn't commit to a monogamous relationship unless he was serious about her, and apparently Uh'luka didn't even believe in love. He'd blatantly told her not to fall in love with him. The ache in her chest told her it was already too late. Asha swallowed, waiting for his rejection.

"It's not common with our lifestyle, but if that is what you wish."

She glanced up through her lashes at him, "Are you sure?"

"I am."

Asha bounced up on her toes to throw her arms around his neck.

Once her things were packed and goodbyes were said, Uh'luka led her through the city to a huge yautja craft. The hallways were ornate. A fog swirled at her knees. She followed close behind Uh'luka, past other hunters toting their belongings. Uh'luka stored her stuff in a wall of cubbies.

"Why not put it in the room?"

"We're not on the mothership yet. The craft is too massive to land. It hovers around the planet. This ship will take us up to it."

After a while, the ship rattled, vibrating the floor. Her knees bent and her stomach felt odd as it rose like an elevator. She watched out the windows as the sky darkened. The smaller craft tucked under the larger one like it was a piece of it. When the doors opened, she stepped out.

The mothership was truly massive. She stared out at a city encased in the belly of the ship and her heart swelled. There were skyscrapers and pyramids, roads and shops. Her eyes traveled upwards at the rings across the walls—individual floors, each with thousands of rooms. She leaned against Uh'luka's side to steady herself. It was the awe and adventure she'd been searching for.