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Faron’s gut clenched. It was his father, Rhodan.
His mother’s face disappeared, and his father appeared. “You have a female?”
“Greetings, Father.” Tension radiated from Faron’s core.
He snorted loudly. “Who is she?”
“Nobody you know.”
“He is lying.”
Faron suppressed a growl as he recognized the sly, bitter tone of his brother, Bartlek. He was always sniveling around their parents, earning their favor. “Why don’t you come and tell me that to my face, little brother?”
Bartlek appeared next to their father, the usual smug, self-satisfied expression on his face. “If I could be bothered to chase you across space, I would. I’m busy with my own family, as I’m sure you are aware.”
Anger slid through Faron’s veins like hot poison. “Of course, I do not have the privilege of having a family of my own, so I do not understand the demands they have on your time.”
His brother smirked. “Tell us about this mate of yours. Our mother is practically jumping out of her seat in delight at the thought of more grandchildren.”
Faron’s lips pressed together. “It’s too soon for that.”
“She is suitably healthy?”
“She is.” Faron looked around the room. It felt like he was walking into a trap, a trap he’d created for himself. He should have kept his mouth shut.
“What of her fertility?” Rhodan asked. “Have you sent her for the appropriate tests?”
“Not yet. We are getting to know each other.”
“Getting to know each other.” Bartlek grunted a laugh. “What nonsense is this?”
“Things work differently here.”
“You do not work differently. You are still a Tolong.”
“I am... adjusting to my change in circumstances.”
“You are weak,” his brother sneered. “You do not need to get to know a woman if she is genetically compatible. If you are matched, you mate and have your offspring. Nothing else matters.”
A flare of emotion hit Faron. It was that damned kiss. It was the way Kendra’s mouth had covered his. It opened something in him he’d never experienced before. It had excited and terrified him. It wasn’t something he wanted in his life, but he kept coming back to it. Almost like a drug. She was intoxicating to him, and that was dangerous.
When Faron lost control of himself, his logic faded, and emotion took over. It was something he’d had to watch when growing up. Now he was away from his family and their rigid demands, he’d found himself lapsing into a more emotional state, the way he’d been as a child before being shown what it was to be a true Tolong.
“Did Mother tell you my mate is pregnant again?” Bartlek asked.
Faron’s gaze returned to the screen. “My blessings on your happy news.”
“She is with quads.”
Faron repressed the snarl that bubbled up his throat. Of course she was. Only Bartlek would produce such a huge number of offspring in one go. “Here’s to a healthy delivery.”
“Of course my offspring will be healthy. I offer nothing less to this family.”
Faron nodded but said nothing. Bartlek had all the luck. He’d always been the golden child. He’d found his mate young, and she’d become pregnant after their first coupling. Their mother had talked of nothing else.
At first, Faron had been happy for Bartlek. He’d always been a smug bastard, but this was what they were supposed to do. Now, as he sat on the other side of the wormhole, listening to his brother brag about his perfect life, all he wanted to do was reach through the port screen and smash a fist into his face.
Every word Bartlek spoke tormented Faron. It showed him what he lacked and how he wasn’t good enough to be a part of the family.
