“You don’t smell like yourself,” he hedged, not wanting to offend her. He knew females didn’t enjoy being told that they stank.
Placing his paw under her chin, he gently turned her head from one side to the other, studying the new marks along her neck, peeking above her suit’s collar. A tinge of jealousy reared its ugly head at the number of marks Kaede had placed; he knew each one came from a time they had mated. Their frequent mating was the reason she carried his scent, which was an issue he wanted to rectify as soon as possible.
“Even though we’ve met every time in the dreamscape,” he muttered, raising her gaze to meet his. “I’ve missed experiencing you in person, and that includes your scent.”
“I missed you, too.” Her deep blue-green eyes softened as a gentle smile crossed her lips. “And everyone else…”
Glancing out the window, she sighed. “Where are our cubs?”
“Healthy, safe, and cared for.”
“But not here.” She frowned.
Zirene hated the disappointment lacing her voice. He didn’t want to fail her yet again, and somehow, he felt he had.
“They are still with my sister on Liskta, enjoying learning about Aldawi culture and playing with other cubs their age.”
Releasing her chin, he combed her silver hair and took note of how short it was. He had known her hair had been cut but hadn’t realized how long it would take to regrow. But he didn’t care about its length, as long as she didn’t, for it was her inner strength that made her attractive to him. She was his.
“They are thriving in the small communities, in true Aldawi fashion. I decided to leave them there until the clan was in a comfortable position.”
“I want to get them back as soon as possible,” Selena breathed, her eyes fiery with the fierce determination of a mother who had been separated from her cubs too long. “I won’t be at ease until my whole clan is together, as a unit.”
She sat on his lap, content, allowing him to touch her freely. That wasn’t normal to him—Aldawi females in her position would have lashed out—but he needed to stop treating her like one of his kind when she wasn’t. She was a demi-human prototype with no equal in character or ability.
She was Selena.
His Nova, Seedbearer, and Beacon.
She was the one who had captured his heart, no matter the distance that separated them.
“I understand and agree,” he assured, trying to ease her worries. “I will make sure you can speak with them whenever Pavryn does his daily report.”
“I would like that.” She gently nodded, relief flooding her features. “I want to be a part of their lives, even if we can’t be together as a clan at the moment. I agree their education and growth are important, but so is family.”
“Masmi and Pavryn are my siblings,” he reminded her, knowing that hadn’t stopped his sire from disregarding them. “I trust them as much as I trust Royak and Vagren. They won’t dare betray us. Our cubs may not be around their parents, but they are still with my bloodline.”
“I know,” she muttered. “I believe you… I just miss them. Being able to speak with them would help me greatly, until we can reunite.”
Selena gasped when the shuttle shook, her eyes widening in alarm. Her fingers clawed at his shoulders as she pulled herself deeper into his embrace.
Zirene glanced out the window and saw the familiar vibrant vegetation surrounding the mountain base’s landing pad.
“All is well. We have landed,” he whispered, unbuckling his harness. He stood with her in his arms. “Your nestmates await.”
Chapter Four
Selena
Zirene carried me down the ramp as it lowered, revealing the beginnings of a lovely binary sunset against a darkening sky. The light reflecting off purple Lunkai led the way—not that Zirene or the rest of the Aldawi needed it to see—and its glow felt welcoming, after my absence. Oceanic winds blew against my hair, flipping my bangs into my face as I rested my head on Zirene’s chest.
Usually, I would have loved to stop and watch the sun set to reveal the night sky, but the golden web that stretched over the three islands felt like a cage, trapping me underneath. The Circuli mental network was confining, continuously pressing against my mental shields.
As its new owner, was I now grounded to Destima and unable to leave? Had I unconsciously trapped myself, and my clan through me, on this moon, with my frantic actions?
Blowing the hair tickling my nose out of my face, I pushed back the panic threatening to overcome me.
I’ve returned, all will be explained, and my clan will heal, together.
