Zirene returned the gesture and nodded. “Thank you, brother. I would be in your debt.”
A smile pulled at Royak’s lips. “There are no debts between us. You know this. You will be my greatest ally when I rule.”
They both nodded before facing the doors again.
Their royal personal guards were positioned near them but against the wall. Zirene believed they weren’t necessary, but Royak wanted to put on a show to ensure everyone’s safety and demonstrate their strength. Zirene wanted a more intimate atmosphere and hoped Royak’s show wouldn’t scare Selena, something he didn’t want or need.
“Tell Agent Kaede we are ready to welcome them,” Zirene commanded the nearby officer.
Thoughts of his future plans for her and her clan flashed through his head as he waited for her to appear through the doors. There was nothing he wished more than for her to forgive him and want to have him around.
The party entered with Agent Kaede in the lead. His gaze passed the Circuli princes and their Head of Security, to two males flanking a caped figure. Instinctively, he knew it was Selena surrounded by all of those males.
When the party spread out in an arch formation to kneel on behalf of both Royak and him, she stood as if dazed by the display in front of her.
Of course, she would. She’d never seen a formal greeting between two allies, nor planetary customs before.
This was her first time officially off a ship after being raised on one, then waking up on another. Starting today, she would experience many firsts.
Firsts he wanted to be a part of.
Zirene took in a deep breath.
She looked even more magnificent than the last time he saw her. Even with a black hooded cloak hiding her, he could see her clearly. Her silver hair was longer, framing her bronze face. The dark green dress she wore hugged her curves, making him want to run his paws all over them. She wore a matching sling draped in front of her.
Zirene recognized the two Circuli males beside her, each equipped with identical slings they held protectively, eyeing the others in the room. They must be her nestmates. Kaede had reported how supportive—and needy—they were. They were the ones he would have to learn to live with if he became a part of her life. He knew she would never forgive him if he sent them away, to never see her again, not after what he did to her.
That wasn’t his plan. He knew Circuli males were extremely loyal to their nestqueens. Nestmates would care for and protect their nestqueen above themselves at all costs. That was something he couldn’t find for her anywhere else.
When her gaze landed on him, her eyes locked on his, sending a shiver through him.
“On your knees—”
“It’s you, isn’t it?” His Nova’s voice rang clearly in the air.
“You dare disrespect Aldawi Royalty?” barked Royak’s Guard Leader, Karwyln, looming over Selena with his hand raised, trying to intimidate her into submitting. The other guards hesitated, not knowing if they should aid their leader or allow her a pass of judgment.
Her dark blue-green eyes filled with anger as she tore her gaze from him to Karwyln.
A loud hiss escaped her lips as she wrapped her arms around the sling that laid beneath her breast. Her lips pulled back, flashing her teeth as a rumble from her chest filled the room.
Anger flooded Zirene as his focus landed on Karwyln.
In a blink of an eye, he shifted into his shadowform and shadowjumped, appearing between Karwyln and Selena.
Selena gasped.
Zirene pulled in a deep breath and roared, exuding his dominance on the room.
Karwyln staggered back and fell on his paws and knees, leaving his neck exposed to Zirene. In a ripple effect, one by one, the others in the room followed. Zirene slowly spun and eyed everyone in the lobby, daring anyone foolish enough to challenge him. The only ones left standing, brave enough to meet his gaze, was his brother Royak, his Nova Selena, and her two nestmates. Her nestmates had their appendages extended, caging her in, their bags forgotten on the floor, tucking their slings behind them.
It surprised him to see them proud before him, immune to his dominance even though their Circuli princes were on the ground beside them. Something he would have to look into.
Zirene nodded at both males before turning toward the ungrateful guard who dared threaten his Nova.
“You would strike a defenseless female?” Zirene hissed.
“She was not—”
“She doesn’t need to, you fool!”
A paw gently tugged him away, preventing him from assaulting the offending male.
“Brother, he doesn’t know who she is. Don’t fault him for his mistake,” Royak explained. He let go of Zirene’s shoulder as his voice hardened, addressing Karwyln. “But that doesn’t mean you are excused for your actions. This is a welcoming party, yet you threatened—”
A small cry for food sounded, halting Zirene’s dominant display.
Everyone eyed the lobby, looking for its source.
“Shh. It’s okay, Meti. Your mother has you,” Selena whispered.
Zirene turned around to face Selena, who continued to stand behind her nestmates. She was looking down at the sling, cradling her arm as she pulled down one of her dress’s straps. She held the sling up to her breast as she made a purring sound, and a suckling sound filled the room. The matching slings her nestmates wore held her—their—cubs.
Karwyln was going to strike her while she was defenseless and carrying one of his sired cubs.
He hissed in realization.
Selena flinched. She pulled the sling close and stared directly at him.
“If I knew this was how you would welcome me, I would have refused to come. Not that it would have mattered since your family rules the Aldawi Empire,” she snapped. “Am I supposed to fear for my clan’s wellbeing? It seems you didn’t tell them who I am. Is that because you are ashamed?”
The flames in her eyes burned him, challenging him to answer, but for the first time in his life, he was speechless. This wasn’t how he wanted things to
