“You haven’t slept,” she announced as she reached him. Not an accusation. Just fact.
“Neither have you.” Xylo set the younger cubs down and brushed a gentle hand over her ear. She leaned into the touch despite herself. “How was the journey?”
Meti’s jaw set in a way that reminded him painfully of Selena. “Mama’s sad. Something happened. She won’t tell us.”
“I’ll take care of her.” He met the cub’s gaze with quiet certainty. “That’s what we do.”
Behind Selena, the rest of the clan emerged from theShadowClaw.Zirene first—massive, shadow-wrapped, the Sovereign reduced to a male desperate to keep his mate in sight. V’dim and Z’fir followed in perfect synchronization, tentacles and vines settling into relaxed positions now that they’d reached safe ground.
And there—hovering at the edge of the group, crimson scales catching afternoon light—Zyxel.
The serpent male’s posture screamed uncertainty—tail coiled tight, chartreuse eyes darting between faces, body angled as if ready to defend or flee depending on his reception. Like he still couldn’t believe both she—and everything that had happened—were real.
Through the bond, Xylo examined the new thread properly for the first time. Crimson, yes—deep and rich, woven into Selena’s golden mental shield with surprising stability for such a fresh connection.
Interesting.
The observation carried no jealousy. Only recognition. The Stars had led Zyxel to Selena for a reason, just as they’d led Xylo himself. The scientist in him appreciated the precision of fate.
TheAbyss’sramp descended, and Kaede strode down with predator’s grace—visor retracted, neon green eyes already scanning the perimeter even as his body oriented toward Selena. He’d been flying escort the entire journey, Xylo knew. Protecting from a distance because that’s what he excelled at—and theShadowClawwas too crowded for the male who preferred working alone.
Selena’s gaze found Xylo across the landing pad. The full force of their bond crashed into him—relief, love, desperate gratitude, the bone-deep need to be held by someone who understood.
He moved before he could think, closing the distance in long strides. Odelm matched his pace on one side. When they reached her, Xylo didn’t hesitate—he pulled her into his arms and pressed his forehead to hers.
“Nestqueen.” The word came out rough. He cleared his throat. “You’re home.”
“I’m home.” Her voice wavered, and her fingers dug into his mossy shoulders. “Stars, Xylo. It’s been...”
“I know.” He cupped her face, tilting it so he could examine her properly. Pallor beneath the spots. Faint tremor in her muscles. The signs of someone who’d been running on adrenaline and willpower for too long. “When did you last eat? Sleep?”
A weak laugh escaped her. “Are you healing me or interrogating me?”
“Both. Always both.” He pressed a kiss to her forehead, letting his lips linger. Through their bond, he sent warmth, stability, the quiet promise that he would hold her steady no matter how hard the storm blew. “The kitchen prepared your favorites. A bath is waiting. And the nestbed has fresh sheets.”
“You’ve been busy.”
“Preparation is how I love.”
Her spots flared pink—true pink, warm and soft, the color of happiness bleeding through exhaustion. “I know it is.” She turned her head to press a kiss to his palm. “Thank you.”
Odelm moved in on her other side, arms wrapping around both of them. “We’ve missed you,” he murmured against her hair. “The villa’s been too quiet without you.”
The cubs reattached themselves to Selena’s legs, giggling as she reached down to ruffle their fur. Even Meti pressed close, her usual guardedness softening in the relief of homecoming.
For one perfect moment, the war didn’t exist. The Verya threat faded to background noise. Zirene’s impending departure became tomorrow’s problem. There was only this—his nestqueen in his arms, his bondbrother at his side, the cubs safe and whole, the clan reunited on Destima’s familiar ground.
Home.
Xylo held onto the moment, knowing it couldn’t last.
The clan moved toward the villa as a single unit, Selena at its center. Zirene’s shadow wrapped around her like a living shield. Kaede flanked her left, psydaggers dormant but ready. V’dim and Z’fir bracketed the rear, their presence a wall against anything that might approach from behind.
Zyxel walked apart, not quite in the formation, not quite outside it. Finding his place.
Behind him, the others who went on their journey, along with the Aldawi female, Eshe, who’d fought to become Selena’s Captain of her new Beacon Royal Guard.
This was what they’d built. Seven males orbiting a single star, each in their designated position, each serving their purpose in the greater whole. It functioned beautifully—a system designed to protect, to support, to love in all the ways their nestqueen needed.
