“Thank you, Mwe.”
“I shall be the one thanking you for your sacrifice for the future of the CEG species.”
A similar wave passed over me from before, but I was prepared for it. I felt my connections solidify, with Xylo’s and Odelm’s more vibrant than the princes.
Multiple mental shouts of my name came through as a feeling of comfort flooded my Ulax bonds.
I lightly gripped all four golden bond threads, grabbing their attention while I spoke to all four of them together.
“There is a lot to be discussed, but at the moment, I need Xylo to check my injuries and I want to see my cubs.”
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Z’fir
Z’fir watched his new nestqueen stomp away. Their golden courting bond thread became fainter as the distance between them grew. He took a hesitant step after her, conflicted whether he should follow her, but something wrapped around his arm, preventing him from continuing forward.
“I wouldn’t, if I were you,” Xylo scolded. “If Selena wants to be left alone, you are better off giving her the space she needs.”
Z’fir heard the words he spoke, but there was a nagging pull deep down in his chest that told him to be with her.
“There is nothing to see!” Zirene shouted, his paws opening and closing along his sides.
The crowd eyed Zirene warily as they dispersed.
A pair of Aldawi Royal Guards shoved their way through the thick crowd.
“Sire! Sire!” shouted one guard.
“Sire, do you want us to find her for punishment?” asked his partner.
It was clear by the dimness in his eyes, Zirene would notpress charges. Z’fir didn’t need to be an Ulax to see how Zirene’s fight with Selena was affecting him.
“You are correct. His aura radiates an array of colors of emotions. Prince Zirene didn’t believe he was doing anything wrong and now regrets his decision,”V’dim confirmed.
“We weren’t the cause of the clan’s rift, but we should help our nestbrothers fix it before it gets worse. There is a multitude of big decisions about the future that need to be made. If the clan remains the way it is, I fear what would come.”
“No. Leave her be. What happened between us was between mates and nothing else,” Zirene growled. “I want her to be left alone. She has her own personal guard to handle her safety.”
“Understood.”
Both Royal Guards saluted Zirene and left.
The crowd had died down. The only beings around were stragglers. Some of which failed to hide their interest in Z’fir’s party.
“Secrets. They ruin everything,” Odelm murmured.
Z’fir glared at the young musician. The male was staring down Zirene, whose focus was on Selena’s retreat. Odelm growled, his coloring shifting between red anger and orange worry, as he advanced on Zirene.
“You did this. You had us keep secrets from her. Secrets that she should have already known. Why?” Odelm threw up his arms in rage as his tentacles loosened themselves from their default wrapped up position.
“Look what you did,PrinceZirene. I have done everything to prove myself to her… and now, you ruined everything I built up. Our clan just fell from its nestqueen’s grace because of you. If this is how you are going to treat her, then I will do everything in my power to keep her away from you.”
Zirene’s eyes hardened, his tail swishing in agitation as his ears pinned back.
“How do you expect to do that?” Zirene chuckled darkly.
Prince Royak stepped forward and grabbed Zirene by the shoulder, his face laced with anger as he eyed his brother.
