“Xylo! Odelm! Where are the cubs?” I yelled, panicked.
Both males jerked awake and scrambled to their feet.They stood in a defensive stance with their appendages and arms spread out, looking around the room as their bodies’ patterns glowed brightly in the darkness.
“Where are they?” I demanded as I stood up. “Where are our cubs?”
As one, they both turned to me as they lowered their limbs, relaxing from their defensive stances, Xylo’s face softening.
“Zirene offered to watch the cubs so you could get a full night’s rest. He said we had not been alone together since the cubs were born, and he wanted to allow us to do so.”
My fear dispersed as I calmed from the news, and I felt my rapid heartbeat slow down as my breaths normalized.
It was kind of Zirene to help my nestmates give me an undisturbed sleep, but I wished they had told me before I excused myself for the night from the Royal Commons.
A slight tickling sensation trailed down my cheek—tears. I hadn’t realized I started crying. I turned away from Xylo and wiped them. A sigh escaped my lips as I sat back down on the bed.
“Do you believe we can trust him?” I glanced at both of my nestmates.
“Trust him…?” Odelm asked in confusion.
“Yes. Selena, don’t waste time thinking about Zirene betraying you again. He is determined to get back in your good graces. Allowing anything to happen to our cubs would ruin his chances.”
“It’s just… I’m scared.”
Odelm stepped forward and pulled me close. I could feel him trying to soothe me through our bond.
“Everything will work out. Zirene won’t let anyone take you—or our cubs—away from him. Not again,” Xylo whispered as he wrapped his arms around me. “We won’t let anything happen to you or the cubs either. This, I swear.”
“I swear,” Odelm murmured and squeezed me slightly. “Having you unconscious and recovering for five days was too much. I knew why, but it reminded me of the moment on theDestinywith the princes… I don’t enjoy being unable to aid you.”
Their words stunned me. I understood the logic behind them, but Odelm’s confession about feeling useless struck a chord with me.
“You both have done so much for me. You are my base. My shelter. Because of you both, I feel like I can be myself. I feel appreciated and loved by the simplest actions… I hope I am doing the same.”
“Selena. You are everything I hoped for.”
“Everythingwehoped for,” Odelm corrected.
“Are you sure?”
“Let us help calm your worries and put you back to sleep,” Odelm whispered.
“Let us take care of you, Selena.”
I nodded and pulled away from their embrace. They let me go willingly, and I climbed back into our bed.
“We can help you get some rest, Selena,” Odelm said as he knelt next to me.
I closed my eyes as one of his tentacles bolted to my stomach, tickling me. The sensations of the little suction cups slowly traveled up toward my breasts. Even though I was used to the body temperature differences between the three of us, I still got goosebumps during moments like this. Whenever they touched me sensually, I felt cherished and loved. At this moment, I could feel my body awaken with need.
Xylo’s gentle hands guided me to lie down on my back.
As soon as my back hit the bed, a pair of lips attached themselves to my breasts and sucked.
My eyelids burst open to see Xylo looking up at me. Hepaused as his mouth curled up in a smirk. Odelm watched me as he continued to assault my breast.
I watched both of my nestmates as they sucked my beaded nipples. Their dual attacks sent sensations down my spine to my center. I could feel my arousal heighten as they nibbled. The slight nips from their teeth made me squeeze my legs together from the wetness forming between them.
A hand traveled slowly from my knee up along my leg to my inner thigh. I shivered from its coolness on the bareness of my body. Unconsciously, I opened my legs for him to ease my growing, throbbing need.
