Royak studied those behind him and nodded. “It would be an honor to witness such a bonding. The sooner it happens, the better. It will save us a headache later on.”
Zirene nodded and faced Selena. “I agree to your terms. When do you want it to happen?”
“Right now.” She jerked her chin. “Allow everyone in this lobby to witness to prevent any doubts.”
He would not demand that she allow him to take her in front of everyone, as tradition suggested. It would push her farther away from him. He wanted to love her and for her to love him back. He knew she was only doing this for their cubs’ future. He would have to make it up to her and prove to her he was to be trusted and wouldn’t hurt her again.
“If that is what you want, I accept.”
She nodded and pulled their daughter away from her neck, gazing down at the sleeping cub. His eyes followed, and he stilled at what he saw.
His daughter was tiny and could easily fit in one of his paws. She resembled a miniature version of his brother, Royak, but her fur was the same silver of Selena’s hair instead of Royak’s white. Unconsciously, he stepped closer and lightly traced his daughter’s tiny body with one of his fingers. A quiet purr sounded as she opened her eyes to focus on his finger. Her eyes matched his.
“Prince Royak, I believe your niece looks like you but has my silver color hair, instead of your white fur, and Zirene’s amethyst eyes,” Selena beamed. “Would you like to hold her as we complete some unfinished business?”
“I would love to, but typically male Aldawi don’t—”
“I am not an Aldawi, and I believe Zirene would feel honored if you held her while you witness our marking,” she growled.
Zirene felt like an adolescent once again at how Selena carried herself among them.
Even their other siblings and the royal guard had never been this comfortable around them. Was it the fact the Fates made her his Nova? Or was it that she was raised outside of society and was unaware of the social standards around her? Perhaps, after the last nine years, she had grown accustomed and comfortable with him, and being with him in person felt the same to her as if they were in their dreamscape.
“Yes. It would be an honor.”
Selena passed their daughter over and tilted her head, her fiery eyes locked onto his.
“Are you ready?”
Chapter Three Selena
All my preparation and studying worked. The trick to dealing with the Aldawi was not to show any weakness. They preyed on those who were weak or submissive. Being human—even with my enhancements—had me at a major disadvantage.
I felt it when both Aldawi princes asserted their dominance in the lobby. It rolled over my skin like a tingling sensation, but I couldn’t—and wouldn’t—budge. Submitting to him would only allow him to get his way. I was sick and tired of being in the dark about whatever plans he had for my clan’s future.
“Selena. Are you sure about this?” Odelm asked. Worry laced his mental voice, which matched his coloring.
“He can’t back down now. Not in front of all of his men or his brother.”
“Selena. You should not push yourself when your body is still recovering.” Xylo replied, his deep mental voice filled with concern.
“I have to follow through. Doing so will ensure our future.”
“She is still recovering and providing for the cubs, Sires. Her body will need time to recuperate afterward,” Xylo addressed the Aldawi princes.
“Thank you for the warning. I would have us retire in my Royal Apartment once we settle this. Once there, we will discuss what will come from our visit here.”
“Let’s get this over with. The twins will wake up hungry soon, and I would like to be sitting down for that.”
I could feel the room watch me as I pulled my hood off my head, revealing my silver hair for all to see as I took off my cloak and handed it to Odelm.
Zirene towered over me, standing taller than most of the other Aldawi in the room.
Just as Meti looked like their uncle, Prince Royak, my twins, Nocrez and Neazzos, looked exactly like their sire, Prince Zirene.
Zirene was like the blackness of space—devoid of any color. Along his back and sides were pewter stripes that started at the top of his head and covered the whole backside of his body, except his tail. He had a thin black tail with a dark steel bushy end. The front side of his body was ombre, from black to midnight blue.
He had two black-furred triangle-shaped ears on top of his head and long, midnight-blue hair down to his shoulders that matched his puffy upper chest. His face was a dark steel color and shaped like a feline from Earth. His amethyst eyes stood out as they framed a thick, high arched, triangular black nose while a pair of sharp fangs stuck out from his thick human-like lips.
His body radiated both agility and strength. Broad shoulders turned into muscular arms as his chest narrowed to his waist, then to broad hips that turned into S-angled legs. His hands were a strange human-feline hybrid with five thick, furry fingers with pads along their insides. Instead of nails, they had thick black claws. His feet matched his hands but larger.
Seeing adult Aldawi in the flesh explained how the Aldawi were capable of running in both bipedal and quadrupedal stances, due to the shape of their back legs and the length of their arms.
He wore a royal purple long-tailed jacket that went to his knees, covering his elegant black loincloth. Both his jacket and loincloth had silver details and allowed his tail to move freely behind him.
Zirene’s aura screamed dominance, elegance, and power to all who looked on him.
His brother, Prince Royak, was the same, but something seemed a little different about him.
