It was empty.
Tracing the bond threads to my nestmates, I saw both were already in the common room. I smiled. I pulled open the door to the common room and entered, walking right into the middle of an argument.
Kaede sat on my loveseat with his feet up on the center table, a pair of empty glasses near his feet. My nestmates faced him wearing identical expressions of fury.
They fell silent as I entered the room.
“What’s going on?”
All three turned to face me.
“Kaede decided to move in while we were sleeping. I woke up when I heard our main door open,” Xylo explained.
Glancing at Kaede, I raised a brow and asked, “How did you get in here? Who said you could move in?”
He chuckled with little humor.
“I told you. I have full control of the ship. I also said that I would come back to talk about what happened and follow you around from here on out.”
That was it. That was the last straw. Not so much as a by-your-leave. Arrogant ass. I couldn’t handle him right now. He’d hurt me. I’d asked for space and he still didn’t listen. For him to now abuse his power to get what he wanted—to invade my privacy—was uncalled for.
I turned on my heel.
“I’m going to have breakfast with my nestmates. You aren’t invited. When we return, you’d better be gone. I didn’t approve you’re moving in here. You aren’t welcome. Not until you apologize. Until then, I want nothing to do with you.”
He laughed.
I hissed in outraged anger and stalked out of the suite, my nestmates following behind me. They stayed silent until we were seated in our usual booth in the café—as always, Xylo to my right, Odelm to my left.
“I have been arguing with both Kaede and the princes since I woke. The princes apologized once more—though they refused to get involved in our dispute with Kaede. They said he controls theDestinyuntil we reach CEG HQ and they do not want to cause problems, not when this is a private quarrel between Kaede and our clan. They are not going to intervene.”
I growled, “Can’t we sedate him until we reach the space station? Or something? He has to have some weakness.”
Odelm chuckled. Xylo and I looked over at him in surprise.
“What?”
“Unless Xylo knows something I am unaware of, I can think of only one weakness Kaede has.” Odelm smirked.
“And what is that?” I asked.
Odelm glanced at Xylo before locking his pale green eyes on mine. “Do not worry about it. Let your nestmates take care of it.”
I growled.
Yes, I trusted them, but I hated being kept in the dark. Glancing between them, I tried to read their expressions. Blank. Nothing but blank. They were not planning to tell me.
“Once we get done with your checkup, I think you should go talk to Kaede,” Xylo said, clearly trying to divert my attention. “Only you can fix things between you. He will not listen to anyone else on the ship.”
“Xylo is right. He may have hurt you, but he will not be going away. Like it or not, he is your Head of Security. Unless you have some way to contact his client—to go over his head—he will do what he must to fulfill his mission,” Odelm reminded me.
I growled again, tapping my fingers on the table.
I didn’t know who his client was, but I did have a connection with my cub’s sire. I pondered whether he could perhaps help—maybe get in touch with Kaede’s client... No. No help if I didn’t even know who the client was. Plus, I’d told him to leave me alone until we met in person. Which meant I’d have to ask Kaede’s assistance in contacting him... Nope.
Looks like I would have to deal with Kaede and his shitty attitude personally. I sighed.
Xylo grabbed my hands and I shifted my gaze to him. He squeezed them reassuringly. “Selena, I know you do not want to, but I really think it would benefit you in the long run. Having Kaede on our side when we get to CEG HQ would help us all.”
