"Please, don't cry," Ancelin said, shifting to Kellie's side and tracing gentle circles on her back."I'm genuinely thrilled for you both.On Earth, family support was my specialty—it's just what I do."
"Your profession?"Derrick inquired, leaning forward.
"Social work initially," Ancelin replied, her voice softening with memory, "followed by doctoral studies in psychology.Finished my doctorate just before..."She let the thought trail off as she knelt beside Kellie, gently taking the woman's quivering hands in her own.
"That's quite an achievement," Kellie murmured, eyes downcast."I never finished my schooling after..."
"Degrees are just paper," Ancelin said with a gentle smile."And right now, those pregnancy hormones are doing exactly what they should—making you care deeply about everything.My friend Lena couldn't even watch commercials without tissues.Consider this my gift for your little one's arrival, please?"
Kellie's chin dipped in silent agreement.
Ancelin stood, her gaze traveling across the simple furnishings of the home, feeling the weight of everyone's attention."Krevan."
"Yes, Ancelin?"
"The next transport is bringing all my things from Earth," Ancelin said, her eyes brightening."I had too much shipped.But now I see it's unnecessary for our home."She glanced at Krevan."Perhaps Derrick and Kellie could use some of it?Save us the storage trouble?"
"We couldn't possibly—" Derrick began, but Ancelin cut him off with a wave.
"Please, I insist."she laughed, then sobered."The old house I rented from Krevan is nothing but rubble now, and even if it weren't, half these things wouldn't fit through the door.Your place has space."She leaned forward, her voice softening."There are also my father's tools—what Krevan doesn't claim, you're welcome to have.It would mean a lot to know they're being used."The expression she fixed on them made it clear refusal wasn't an option.
"That sounds good, Ancelin," Krevan replied on behalf of the group.
"I should verify the ship's arrival schedule tomorrow in town," Ancelin murmured, her fingers tapping against her thigh."The shipping company needs my updated address.With the volume I've sent—they mentioned my items alone filled nearly a quarter of their cargo hold—they might prioritize an earlier delivery."She glanced at Krevan, then back to her hands."The all-terrain vehicle alone cost a small fortune to transport, not to mention all those household items."A self-conscious smile flickered across her face.“It will be helpful if you take some of my things.”
"I've never met anyone as kind as you, except Derrick," Kellie whispered, eyes downcast.
Ancelin crossed the room to where Krevan sat, her fingers finding the tension in his shoulders."Forgive me if I've steamrolled over everyone," Ancelin said with a self-deprecating smile."For my birthday celebration—come around noon.We'll make a day of it—lunch, dinner, everything in between.Just yourselves, nothing else."She bent down, her lips brushing Krevan's cheek."Ready to go home, love?"
Following her tender gestures, Krevan stood up eagerly, ready to head home."Yes, Ancelin, I’m ready to go home," he said as he guided her out the front door."Thanks, Derrick, for having us.I’ll see you at Ancelin’s party."Krevan then assisted Ancelin in the car.
Back at their residence, they each turned to their respective tasks.Krevan's pattern emerged—he would work for a time, then find her, drawing her into an embrace, his lips brushing against hers as he murmured comforting phrases.Though Ancelin recognized his attempts to ease her mind about the troubling message from the computer, anxiety continued to shadow her thoughts.With the evening meal prepared, she ventured out to summon him to dinner.The greenhouse door stood ajar, revealing Krevan meticulously tending to the plants in the now-thriving space.Rather than interrupt his progress, she retreated to the kitchen, taking her time to arrange the place settings.
With everything ready, she called out, "Krevan, your dinner is ready.It’s on the table."She knew she didn't need to raise her voice, as he could hear her clearly even from the greenhouse—a testament to Krevan's exceptional capabilities.
"What's on the menu, Ancelin?"Krevan's voice came from directly behind her, making her jump.She spun around; one hand pressed to her chest."How do you always do that?I never hear you coming," she said, studying his towering form."Is that a Triaxen thing, or just you?"
"We Triaxen learn to restrain ourselves around others," he said with a casual lift of one shoulder.His arms encircled her waist from behind as he inhaled deeply."The kitchen smells wonderful, though not as enticing as you."The warmth of his mouth found that perfect hollow beneath her earlobe, sending a pleasant shiver down her spine."I thought we might visit the rooftop after dinner—the night sky will be particularly clear."
"The roast is what smells delicious, not me," Ancelin laughed, twisting out of his embrace and tugging him toward the table.
"I can distinguish between dinner and my mate," Krevan whispered, pulling her back against his chest."And I find you far more tempting."
"You're quite intoxicating yourself," she murmured, reluctantly extracting herself."But this meal won't stay warm forever."
"I don't mind cold food."His pupils dilated slightly as he traced a finger along her wrist."My appetite runs in other directions right now."
"After all the work I put into this meal?"She pulled her hand away with a playful firmness."The roast first, me second."
"I'll hold you to that," he said, settling into his chair with a predator's grace disguised as patience.
They ate without speaking, the silence was comfortable between them.Krevan's fork moved in a blur as his plate emptied in half the time it took her to finish a few bites.
"Do you even taste the food at that speed?"Ancelin asked, her eyebrow raised.
"Every delicious morsel," he assured her, winking.His eyes flickered—forest-green one moment, liquid silver the next.Ancelin's grip tightened on her utensils, her pulse quickening at the sight.The dining room contracted around them, leaving only their shared space, crackling with unspoken tension.She caught herself leaning toward him, his smile erasing the day's anxieties as effectively as an eraser on chalk.Her thoughts dissolved, replaced by sensory memories: his hands, his mouth, the way he'd murmured that she tasted sweeter than the chocolate he treasured.Their bond had ignited instantly yet settled into something that felt ancient and inevitable.Was this desperate attraction, she wondered, or the profound connection he claimed made them mates?"
Krevan's brow furrowed as he studied her face across the table."Your thoughts seem far away.Is it about the message from earlier?"
