Kaede
Kaede was almost afraid to open his eyes, believing if he did, everything that had happened would turn out to be a dream. Not until he breathed in Selena’s unique scent and his blood compass confirmed she was directly beside him did he know it was all real.
His dream had finally come true—he was Selena’s, and she was his.
There was no need for him to revert to his old ways, for she knew how he felt and how much he regretted what had happened. They would pick up the pieces of their lives together. He just prayed to the Stars that this chapter of her life would soon be over because he didn’t know how she would survive if one—or all—of her mates died before they arrived.
He had collected from Oeta’s reports that they were cutting it close. Selena had been separated from her nestmates for fifty-three days and Circuli males began to lose their will to live around ninety. Once he entered the galaxy’s borders, he could try reaching out to Oeta and establishing a connection to her nestmates. While he hated to admit it, having both Celyze and Ryzen aboard the ship could work in his favor if he needed them to boost Selena’s connections to her mates.
First, he needed to discuss this with the telepaths. He planned to ask them privately because he didn’t want to get Selena’s hopes up in case they couldn’t grant his request. She had been through enough and he didn’t want to cause any more strain.
< I HATE TO INTERRUPT SINCE YOUR VITALS HAVE CALMED SINCE YOU WENT TO BED, BUT TWO MALES ARE REQUESTING YOUR PRESENCE. >
Hissing, Kaede opened his eyes and was surprised to remember he wasn’t wearing his visor. Now that he was on the Abyss, he didn’t need it. The Oetsae were fully capable of defending the ship and REI could personally monitor the feeds for him.
It was a sacrifice he was willing to make for the female in his arms.
< WHERE ARE THEY LOCATED? >
< THE GALLEY. >
< PORT ME THERE WHEN POSSIBLE. >
< CONFIRMED. >
Closing his eyes, he felt his world shift and his feet touch the ground.
Screams filled the air. Kaede’s eyes snapped open, hissing as he searched wildly for a threat, only to find none. Tori hid behind Luwyn’s body as every other male besides Zyxel tried to shield their eyes from his direction.
“What’s wrong?” he demanded. “Why was I summoned?”
“You seem to be without clothes,” Zyxel replied, raising his eyebrow as he sipped his drink. “I’m assuming Celyze didn’t expect you to appear in the nude when he asked the system if you were available.”
Of course, he was in the nude. He had just woken up.
< REI. SUITDISK, PLEASE. >
< CONFIRMED. >
“I’m sorry.” He smirked. “I’m so used to traveling alone that I forgot my clothes. Normally, Selena’s mates don’t leave her side with any clothes on.”
He felt the suitdisk appear in front of him and reached out, placing it on his breastplate and activating the bodysuit. Instantly, his body was covered from his neck to his toes with protective, living material. Only his head was left bare for Selena’s sake, since she enjoyed finally being able to meet his eyes.
“I’m dressed now,” he announced, eyeing the passengers still covering their faces. “Why have you summoned me at such an early hour?”
Slowly, they lowered their hands one by one as if they were afraid of what they might see. His cock couldn’t be that scary; Selena wasn’t afraid of it.
“I mentioned to Ryzen that I sensed more people than just us on the ship,” the sapphire male said, his gaze holding mine as if he knew more than he let on. “I wanted to report that to you in case you decide to investigate.”
He pursed his lips and flicked his gaze to the emerald Dagger-boy. “Is this true?”
“I’ve picked up a similar signal. I also find it peculiar that I can’t even get a glimpse of your mind or Selena’s.” His glowing emerald eyes searched his newly armored body. “I know humans are naturally strong shielders, but I’ve never felt minds as strong as yours amongst them.”
The hairs on the back of his neck stood up at Ryzen’s observation. He had known these passengers would be too observant for his liking, but Selena had insisted they all needed to come. He could tolerate Tori and her clan, for they were all bonded together, and Celyze had already proven his usefulness, though he needed to keep an eye on that.
But the other two? He could already sense problems forming.
The things he did for Selena…
