Xylo was her Primary, but he could both sense and hear how she felt the same way toward his clanbrothers—even with how new her relationships with the princes were.
She loved them all equally—and each one of them gave her something that she needed. Xylo was determined never to fail to provide her with what she needed from him.
He felt that he needed to improve as her Primary and make sure she was provided for, especially since she was currently pregnant, unannounced to herself.
While he agreed that he wouldn’t be the one to tell her, he was worried that she might pick up a fleeting thought from either his or one of his nestbrothers’ connections.
It was the excitement of a new life.
The Fates had gifted their clan with another offspring—a new life being born from the tragic experience they had.
This was their chance for a new beginning—something he believed his clan desperately needed.
Right as he was about to reach for his nestqueen to wrap an arm around her and give her the comfort she needed, the nestroom’s entrance doors slid open, revealing a smiling Oeta. The rest of his crew followed closely behind her. He wasn’t surprised that Celyze and Zyxel were missing, especially since Zirene wanted to keep the nestroom private. The Fab Five and original medical staff were the only ones allowed within these walls.
Xylo didn’t miss how his fellow healers peered at his clan, nor did he miss how his fathers locked eyes with him, giving him wary glances. A light flutter pressed against his mental shields, and he willingly accepted their request to communicate.
“Are you well?”Suvax pathed, filled with concern.
“Does your clan need anything, son?”Yuwal asked, worried.“Or your nestqueen?”
“No fathers,” Xylo replied, touched by the level of care they projected.“I believe the only thing we need is time to heal and get past all of this. No matter how much I wish it weren’t so, we can’t change what happened and how long it will take for everything to return to normal.”
“Your nestqueen has injuries she is still recouping from, on top of being pregnant,”Suvax hedged, shooting a wary glance at Selena.“Has anyone told her yet?”
“No, we’re leaving it to her newest mate, Kaede,”Xylo replied.“He’s the sire, and it would be respectable for us to allow him to deliver the exciting news to her.”
“We understand,”Yuwal promised.“There’s still a lot that needs to be done, especially since Selena brought those outsiders back; it only adds more responsibilities your clan has to endure.”
“She will have to find a way to allow them to stay here on her moon. I fear that there’s much to come soon, especially with Zirene changing the capital to Lunkai.”
“The Stars will it,”Suvax pathed.“Then you must walk it. “
“I know,”Xylo replied.“But even if we follow it without question, it doesn’t mean the future will be easy.”
Oeta halted before Selena. Her aura flickered in intensity as she pulled her wings tighter behind her, leaving room for the other medical staff members to pass by. Her piercing fuchsia eyes studied Selena, following her gaze to the vidscreen.
Oblivious to all around her, his nestqueen continued to watch her cubs follow Masmi as they returned to the others and began cleaning up their afternoon meal.
Xylo wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her close. She peered up at him with red-rimmed eyes as she wiped the tears that had soaked her cheeks.
“I know they are well, but it doesn’t hurt the heaviness in my chest,” she mumbled, placing a hand between her breasts. “I feel like I have missed so much of their lives already stolen away from me that I can never get back.”
“We’ll get through this,” Xylo promised, instantly wishing he could take away her sadness. “But right now, the healing team is here to inspect us.”
She glanced over her shoulder and gave the others a weak smile as she continued to wipe her eyes.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t hear you come in.”
“It’s okay, Selena,” Oeta comforted, nodding. “We understand how much stress you have and how hard everything must be for you.”
“It seems that every time I believe that I’ll finally be able to settle down with my clan, something happens to prevent me from doing so.”
“I assure you that we are doing the best that we can to help your clanmates. We’re here right now to do check-ups.” Oeta pulled out a medscanner from her sling bag. “We should scan you first.”
“No, that is not needed.” Selena raised her hand and shook her head. “I am perfectly well. If there is something wrong with me, Vowels would have told me by now. I feel healthy and don’t feel drained from his nightly healing sessions.”
“Are you sure?” Oeta hedged, glancing at the scar in the middle of her chest. “It would only take a moment.”
