“Feel free to mark me as you please.” He chuckled. “My body has plenty of scars as it is. A few more can’t hurt.”
“You have too many scars, Kaede.” Frowning, Selena shook her head and cupped his cheek. “Don’t purposely get hurt just so you can brag about your battle wounds. I’ve heard stories about your past from your siblings. You’re a mated male now, with a clan.”
“I swear I won’t endanger myself on purpose, as long as you don’t attract any more...” Kaede’s gaze slid to Ryzen. “Criminals.”
“You think I wanted to be kidnapped?”
“No.” He huffed. “But that doesn’t mean you don’t attract the wrong crowd.”
“Are you sure you’re okay, Selena?” Zyxel hedged. “You aren’t injured?”
“Zyxel.” Rolling her eyes, she twisted to face the crimson male and pointed to her neck. “If you look closely, you’ll see another mark on my neck from another mate. Marking is a part of their tradition. I’ve marked all six of my mates, and sometimes I mark them again in the heat of passion. It’s customary in my clan.” She smiled. “I am perfectly fine, and if Kaede says he’s fine, then there’s nothing to worry about.”
Something about Selena in the presence of unmated males unnerved him, but he refused to ruin the moment with his unreasonable instincts.
Tasting the air, Kaede breathed in her scent and squeezed her tighter as if to remind himself that she was officially his.
No one could deny their claim on each other.
He would kill anyone who dared come between them before he ever lost her again.
The fire in his veins may have been subdued momentarily, but he knew it would soon return in full force. Once it did, Kaede feared what would happen if the curious doctor did something to anger him in Selena’s presence. Perhaps it would be better if they remained within their room for the time being and only left for refreshments.
Glancing at Tori, he found her staring at Selena in awe. Nothing about her attracted his interest. Zyxel’s worry about him ravishing any female in sight was unfounded.
It wasn’t necessarily an unattractive female; she simply wasn’t Selena. He harbored no hard feelings toward the blonde Earth human and welcomed her friendship with Selena, as long as she passed Oeta’s vetting.
Kaede knew that Selena needed more friends, especially female friends, in her life. Regardless of his feelings about the two unmated males on his vessel, he hoped that the guests aboard theAbysswould be fine candidates.
“You bite your mates?” Luwyn asked, crossing his arms. “And they let you?”
“Yes. In fact, they think it’s erotic.” Selena shrugged. “Besides, the markings heal within a day or so.”
“And here I thought Kaede was the dangerous one.”
“I am.” He grinned. “Selena has some catching up to do before she can match my kill counts.”
