It was done.
I released him from my grasp and stepped away, spitting out his fur. His blood and fur covered my face, but I didn’t care. Let those within these walls know what I had done.
All the guards from the three species had a range of unease and wariness on their faces and in their stances. Prince Royak watched Zirene with a smile on his face.
“That looks like the mark will stay.” He glanced up at me. “I didn’t know you had it in you. Your kind seemed ill-equipped to do such damage.”
I blushed as my gaze fell on the mark I left. He was right. Gruesome as it may be, the bite mark looked like it would indeed scar.
“Now, it is your turn.”
“What do I need to do?”
“Pull your hair to the side and expose your neck as I did to you. I will try to make it as quick, but it won’t be painless.” He glanced behind me, addressing my nestmates. “Am I right?”
I turned to face them.
Did I really hurt them amid our passion?
Xylo looked sheepish. “The bliss of our coupling and having my bonding spores accepted by her overrode the pain of her bite. It was more surprising than painful.”
“I felt the same way.” Odelm locked his light jade eyes on mine and winced. “Selena, it will hurt. Humans do not have the protective skin that Aldawi and Circuli have.”
“It needs to happen,” I shrugged. “Pain is something I am not afraid of.”
I pulled my hair over my shoulder, exposing the left side of my neck to Zirene.
“Selena. I know things between us aren’t ideal, but whatever you do, don’t move,” he cautioned.
Nodding, I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.
Soft pads pulled me closer, my body pressing against his as my face rested on his furry chest.
Slowly, he ran his paws along my body, tracing my sides before resting them on my hips. I felt heavy breathing against my ear.
“I am using all of my restraint. Please don’t tempt me.” A low rumble escaped him. “I will make this up to you. I promise.”
Gentle kisses pressed behind my ear and traveled slowly down my neck. The sensations, heightened with my eyes closed, caused my body to react to him.
My body knew him. So did my heart. Yet my mind knew better.
I could feel the slickness starting to develop between my legs as my body reacted to him, not caring we were in front of everyone.
He was the male who had spent almost every night with me in our dreamscape and he was now caressing me with kisses. If he hadn’t made me a mother against my will, I would have thrown myself at him—had him take me away to somewhere private, so we could explore each other in person. I would have been excited to be together again.
But this wasn’t a happy reunion.
There was still an unsettled atmosphere between us. We were going through the motions to protect my clan, surrounded by everyone to make it official.
Zirene purred as he placed his lips against my collarbone.
A sharp pain exploded. My mouth opened to a silent scream, but I refused to allow myself to wince, to cry, or to make any noise.
I was stoic, as I always was when they experimented on me. I willed myself to ignore everything around me—to become numb to the world around me.
This was my price for safety for my clan: making it known I was his.
Claws dug into my waist. I could feel blood seeping out and soaking my dress, but I refused to move. Moving would mean I failed; that I wasn’t strong enough to be his Nova and to be connected to one of the most powerful males in the galaxy.
