the "alien" story

Zerri was on a short vacation to a fairly primative planet with his mate, Mara, when they meet with a horrible accident that kills Mara and leaves Zerri unconscious... to be found by the native population. Unfortunately, Zerri's people are one that cannot live without a mate, and the death of Mara sends Zerri's body into a search for a new mate that will bit by bit eat at Zerri's very body... until he either dies or maters.

So what is Zerri supposed to do when he finds a proper match... with one of the locals?