There was no way Masmi would lose a star battle. Even in a head-on shoot out, their forces outnumbered the officials and guards who had been sent to collect his clan.
The ramp lowered, revealing a single female Aldawi. If Kaede hadn’t warned him about the harsh punishment her sire had inflicted upon her, Odelm would’ve thought she was a warrior showing her battle scars proudly. Despite her status as a full-blooded royal, Zirene’s sister was scarred from head to toe. Without the missing half ear and the jagged claw marks crisscrossing her bare stomach, she would have been a desirable mate, especially since her coloring was a perfect blend of Royak and Zirene, proving she belonged to the royal line.
The Aldawi Sovereign had wanted to make sure she looked too repulsive for any male to mate with her during her heat. Unfortunately for him, the Stars felt differently and had given her two litters of cubs.
Dressed in a fabric similar to the nightgowns Selena loved, she wore a feminine combination of a bikini and a loincloth, with a crisscross top equipped with a caped hood. Odelm remembered that she hailed from a desert planet, where they dealt with the scorching sun and high winds that created sandstorms. It made sense for her to wear thinner clothes that still had enough fabric to cover her mouth from the strong gusts.
The Aldawi princess headed straight for Selena. Odelm felt the urge to push her and their cubs behind him before he caught the bright smile on her face. He had to keep reminding himself that Kaede trusted this female enough to give her their cubs.
Instead of a salute or one of the handshakes that Selena loved so much, Masmi gave Selena an enormous hug, wrapping her arms around his nestqueen and pulling her close against her chest.
“It’s nice to finally meet you in the flesh,” Masmi beamed. “I wish we could meet under happier circumstances, but there’s always next time.”
“I’m glad to meet you too, finally,” Selena replied, patting the princess’s back. As a female Aldawi, Masmi was far taller than Selena, built sleeker than her brothers. “I hope next time we will be able to spend more time together.”
Masmi released her embrace, her striped tail flicking in agitation as she took in the gathered crowd. She pulled back her lips and hissed at the Aldawi flagship one docking spot over.
Odelm flinched. He’d thought Zirene’s hiss had been loud on the space station, but his sister’s was sharper, and its high pitch made his tentacles shiver.
“They better be afraid,” she taunted, still baring her fangs in that direction, her tail jerking crazily. “Forcing a female—no matter what species—to separate from her offspring to protect them is unforgivable.” She wrapped an arm around Selena, pulling her in. “Have no fear, sister. I will rip out the neck of anyone who tries to take your cubs from me. My daughters will, too.”
“Thank you,” Selena breathed. “You don’t know how hard this is for me. First Zirene, and now this?”
“Not to cut this short,” Kaede interjected, stepping between the gathered females and the neighboring ship, “but we need to get going. Unless you want the males you just taunted to figure out what’s happening and pick a fight.”
“You’re right,” Masmi sighed, grabbing Selena’s shoulders and locking her mauve eyes with hers. “Sister, don’t hesitate to page me if you ever want to talk to your cubs. Kaede can get past the palace blocks, and I will answer right away. I’m hoping this will be a short rendezvous so that you can return with Zirene to your normal lives.”
She gave her a quick shake. “Whatever you do, never turn your back on the Sovereign. Avert your gaze, stare at his feet, but don’t lose track of him. He enjoys taunting his prey, but as long as you don’t meet his eyes and show no fear, you should be fine. If my brothers know what’s good for them, they will prevent you from becoming our father’s next toy.”
“Toy?” Xylo asked, stepping up to place a hand on Selena’s back. “What do you mean, ‘toy?’”
Odelm followed Masmi’s glance at the flagship, checking to see if anyone was coming to collect them. Satisfied, she regarded the clan’s Primary. “My sire likes playing mind games with his guests, especially those who are escorted to the palace. He summoned your clan even after Zirene complied, which means he has something planned. Showing up without the cubs will only anger him.”
“I refuse to allow him to corrupt my cubs, Masmi,” Selena seethed as she watched the three cubs playing with Pavryn. “I don’t care how powerful he is; they’ve been through enough.”
“I know, sister.” She squeezed her shoulders and stepped away. “I know.”
“It’s time for them to leave for Liskta, Selena,” Kaede announced. “Say your goodbyes. The sooner they leave Destima, the safer they will be.”
Sucking in a breath, she nodded.
Odelm watched as she knelt on the ground and called over her cubs. The three instantly climbed off Pavryn and ran over to their mother on all fours, tackling her into a hug.
A strong wave of emotions bombarded Odelm, forcing him to take a step back.
Grief. Sadness. Determination.
Was this how it felt to have children? Had Selena carried this fear and separation anxiety within her for all this time?
It was a strange feeling, something he’d only gotten a glimpse of at the space station. At this moment, Selena’s overwhelming motherly love drove him to protect the cubs the way he protected her.
Circuli didn’t indulge in such strong protectiveness for their children. Favored nestmates blessed with successfully impregnating their
