The doctor halted, color rising in his weathered face."Pardon the intrusion.I should have—" He gestured at them."I see genuine affection here.This female is your mate?"
"She is," Krevan confirmed with a curt nod.
The doctor's shoulders relaxed, creases around his eyes softening."I see.Forgive my presumption."He adjusted his collar, fingers lingering at his throat."During my years on Triaxe, I observed their devotion to their mates—quite extraordinary, really.Somehow your physiology becomes...compatible once the mating occurs.”His gaze flickered to her abdomen."Your test shows no conception."He made a note on his pad."The nurse will be in with your contraceptive shortly."With a curt nod, he slipped through the door, the latch clicking softly behind him.
Minutes later, injection complete and bill settled, they exited the clinic.
"The shipping company next," Krevan said, checking the time."The market vendors are still arranging their wares."
Ancelin quickly handled the shipping arrangements, giving the company her changed home address.They estimated her shipment would arrive in about a month.Satisfied, she and Krevan headed to the market.
She adored the market, and true to his word, Krevan bought everything she asked for without complaint.She found most of the specialty foods on her list.Next, they planned to visit the Silos grocery store—a far bigger operation than Coti’s.There she would stock up on clothing and supplies for Kellie’s baby.
As they moved from stall to stall, Ancelin caught the subtle shift in merchants' eyes when they recognized Krevan—widening slightly before dropping in deference.Conversations hushed when he approached.Vendors who had ignored her moments before suddenly produced their finest wares, hands trembling slightly as they wrapped her purchases.She noticed how the crowd parted around them, creating an invisible boundary that no one dared cross.
The mood shifted when a woman with copper-bright hair abandoned her slipper stall and approached them.Her lips curled with contempt as she looked Ancelin up and down."Quite brave, aren't you?Bedding a Triaxen when most humans know better."Her voice dropped to a theatrical whisper that carried to nearby shoppers."When he tires of you—and they always do—come find me.I know places that pay well for girls with your...experience."
Shame burned through Ancelin like acid.Before she could respond, Krevan's shadow fell between them, his silent presence suddenly filling the space.The woman's face drained of color, and she retreated without another word.
Ancelin forced a smile that didn't reach her eyes."I think I've found everything I need.Can we go now?"
Krevan's muscles tensed beneath his skin as he studied her face."That woman's words got to you, didn't they?"
"I'm fine," Ancelin said, the slight tremor in her voice betraying her.
"No, you're not," Krevan countered softly."That woman speaks from envy.Many desire what you have—a Triaxen's devotion.They fantasize about our power, our dangerous nature."His lips brushed her forehead, tender despite his words.Throughout the market, he'd marked her as his—fingers interlaced with hers, casual kisses stolen between vendor stalls.
Whispers followed them, eyes tracked their movements.The message was unmistakable: she belonged with him, treasured and protected.Ancelin welcomed the attention, hoping it would keep men like Donvick and Kurt at bay.
As the day wore on, the stares and catcalls diminished—no man wanted to risk Krevan Vallex’s wrath.The message was clear: anyone daring enough to approach her would have to answer him.And fortunately, Ancelin saw no more troublemakers that day.
"Fine," Ancelin said, her fingers twisting the fabric of her sleeve."That woman got to me, alright?The way she looked at us like we were...like I was..."Her voice caught."Who is she to judge what we have?To judge me?"She looked up at Krevan, her cheeks flushed.
Krevan's hand found hers, stilling her fidgeting fingers."Better now?"
Ancelin exhaled slowly."Better.It's out of my system."
"Let's get something to eat at the Silos restaurant," Krevan said, guiding her with a gentle hand at the small of her back."We won't have to wait for a table."His lips curved into a knowing smile."The staff there see a Triaxen coming and suddenly find space available.They'll serve us quickly too—nobody wants the dangerous ex-convict from Hellgate to lose his patience."He bared his teeth in an exaggerated grimace, then wiggled his eyebrows comically."I might bite."
Ancelin's laughter bubbled up despite herself."You're ridiculous sometimes," she said, shaking her head."Do they fear you personally, or just any Triaxen who walks through their door?"
"It's both," Krevan said, leaning closer to her."When humans see these," he tapped his elongated canines with one finger, "or catch my eyes shifting color when I'm agitated, their instincts scream danger.No Triaxen leaves our homeworld without good reason—usually exile or escape.And me?"His mouth twisted into something between a smile and a grimace."Word spreads when you're one of the few who has ever left Hellgate alive.My first month here, three men tried claiming my land.Two left with broken bones.The third..."He trailed off, eyes briefly flashing silver."Let's just say people typically leave me alone except when you showed up.”He winked.“Somethings are hard to resist.”
"You're in a good mood today."She nudged his arm with her shoulder.
"Being with you does that to me."His eyes crinkled at the corners."I used to smile and laugh all the time before Hellgate.When I was on Triaxe I was always happy.My family made me happy—they're quite the characters."His voice softened."I owe them everything.The materials for this place?All shipped ahead by my parents before I even got released.And the construction—my brother Kurvec and my cousins Aven and Koen helped me build my house."He pulled her closer against his side."Without them, I'd be sleeping under the stars."
"I'm excited to meet your family someday," Ancelin said, leaning into his side.
"They're eager to meet you as well."Krevan's voice lowered."That doctor today...he only understood fragments of Triaxen biology and culture.If he truly knew our ways, he'd understand that pregnancy would only be possible between true mates."He tapped his ear with a slight smirk."And those clinic walls?Might as well be paper to Triaxen hearing.I caught every whispered word."
A line of hungry patrons snaked outside the restaurant entrance.As Krevan approached, the crowd instinctively shifted aside, creating a path.He held the door for Ancelin, then ducked his head to follow her inside.The hostess's eyes widened when she spotted his towering figure.
"Mr.Vallex," she said, her voice pitching higher."Dinning with us today?”
"Just the two of us," he replied, his hand resting protectively on Ancelin's back.
"Follow me, please."The hostess grabbed menus and led them past the waiting customers."Beverages?"
