“Do,” Mirror-Copy One grunted out with that surprised look still plastered on his face.
“Did I?” I wondered aloud.
“My Purr-roo speak very goot,” Kehl rumbled out.
“I don’t know how I did that,” I admitted.
“Come natural, ‘fend mate,” Mirror-Copy Two offered from his position beside Daisy. He grinned like this was a good thing I should be proud of.
Growl speak when in a moment doesn’t help me speak it when I want to. Maybe this was more of that stuff that happened to me with the Grays still needing to shake loose. That I had the ability to understand their language at all again was a miracle all its own.
“I wish I could learn the growling talk,” Daisy remarked quietly.
“I wonder what shook things loose in there?” I muttered as I gave my head a little shake.
“Wild Krampus mates like Krampus,” Mirror-Copy One rumbled out quietly.
My eyes widened at the news. Turning to Kehl, I studied him. “You mean I could get cool horn-antler things and a built in shoulder shawl of fur?”
“Male Krampus only have the big pokies from head,” Mirror-Copy Two offered as he mimed a huge rack.
Disappointment filled me. “But that’s the best part,” I grumbled under my breath. My gaze darted from the set Kehl was sporting to my male’s shocked, wide eyes, and I smiled sheepishly. “You’ve got a nice rack, hot stuff, don’t judge me,” I told my mate.
Kehl laughed, the sound sharp, shocked, joyous. That sound was giving ten kinds ofYep, this one is all mineas he wrapped his arms around me and pulled me close. “My Purr-roo,” he got out softly. His voice was low, choked.
His tall frame trembled as he bent to bury his face in my neck and smiled against my skin.
“You don’t have to tell me I won at life with mates,” I whispered as I hugged him tight right back.
Pulling back, Kehl grinned down at me and then leaned right back in and nuzzled my temple.
Mirror-Copy One held his arm out to me specifically this time.
Not knowing what that means or how I’m supposed to respond, Kehl leaned in to rumble softly and show me on his arm, placing my hand were it would go. “Means want forgivedness. Him ask Purr-roo ‘cept his sorries.”
Daisy made a noise that said she didn’t want anyone taking blame for her actions but was quickly quieted by Mirror-Copy Two.
Eyeing Mirror-Copy One, I let him sweat it for a minute peppering Kehl with questions about what would happen if I refused, only half listening, before doing as Kehl had shown me to do if I accepted the apology.
It felt like Daisy’s mates all let out a collective sigh when I stood and clasped his arm, Kehl hovering close, and Mirror-Copy One bowed his head to me. I waited until he lifted his head to dip mine towards him in acknowledgement.
Mirror-Copy One moved closer and held his arm out to Kehl next.
Leaving an arm around me as I retook my seat, Kehl reached out to clasp Mirror-Copy One’s forearm and they both bowed their heads.
“Brethren,” Mirror-Copy One announced in growl-speak as they lifted their heads.
“Brethren,” Kehl growled right back. His eyes looked a little wet at Mirror-Copy One’s words but he was holding back.
I waited until they departed to quietly ask Kehl, “What was that brethren stuff about?”
“Mean they s’pport Kehl and my Purr-roo now on,” he rumbled out in answer.
“Like a pact? A special promise of protection?” I guessed.
Kehl nodded.
“You don’t mind that I said that, do you?” I murmured as I leaned into his embrace. “About the wave at Dace thing to Daisy?”
