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ORION

Selena’s wide smile was the brightest thing I’d seen from her in a long time. It made me wish I’d seen her more this past week. But she had asked for space, and I was not one to deny her anything she wanted.

“I’m so glad you’re here,” she beamed. I pressed a quick kiss to her forehead. “Sorry, it’s been a while. Dad’s been… insufferable.”

Her face twisted, and I regretted bringing up my dad instantly. I couldn’t tell if it was because he didn’t approve of us or if it reminded her of her late father.

I quickly changed the subject, realizing she was holding something. “What do you have there?”

She looked at the paper in her hand and quickly clutched it to her chest. “Come inside, I’ll tell you. But first, tell me about your day.”

Diana passed us on the way inside the house. She looked at her sister with a slight frown before ducking into the kitchen, where it smelled like someone was working on dinner.

As Selena and I climbed the stairs, I began to regale her with the events of the day. “There was a big meeting today, about the border. Jesse got in a tizzy, and I’m sure my dad just pissed him off even more.”

Selena’s responding chuckle sounded distracted as she opened the door to her room. I plopped on the end of her bed.

She lowered herself onto the mattress, waiting for me to continue.

“Then Dad and I got into an argument, of course. He disapproves of me coming here, as always.” I rolled my eyes.

She tilted her head, and her frown was sympathetic. “What started it this time?”

I hesitated for a moment and then decided she should know the truth. “Humans. Not locals, we don’t think. There are a few inside our territory.”

Her eyebrows shot up, along with her posture. “Okay.”

She paused, but before I could explain further, she added, “I don’t understand. Why argue about humans?”

I suppressed the now-familiar urge to sigh. I needed to be patient. I didn’t want this conversation to unravel. “We just disagree on how to handle the situation. It doesn’t matter anymore.” My eyes went to the paper still in her hands. “What did you have to tell me?”

Her bright smile returned, settling some of the unease in my stomach. “I solved our problem.” She smoothed the paper out on the bed.

“What problem?” I asked, craning my neck around to see the paper.

“The coupling ceremony, of course.”

I saw the stationary logo:University of California, Berkeley. I didn’t see the connection between the university and the Blue Flower Moon. My brow furrowed. “You’re going to have to explain.”

She rolled her eyes. “It’s soobvious—”

“Dinner’s ready!” Terra called from downstairs.

"Okay, Mom!" Selena called back.

A reprieve. I didn’t know where this was headed, but lately I couldn’t seem to say anything right. Selena was grieving and I wanted to be her rock, not cause her more anxiety.

I kissed her furrowed brow and led her downstairs to join Terra and Diana at the table. The meal was simple and hearty, but something was missing. The clatter of silverware against dinner plates was too loud. It looked like there was some intense ritualistic study of plates happening.

Awkward.

I swallowed a mouthful of potatoes. “Dinner is delicious, Mrs. Asher,” I said.

Terra smiled, meeting my eyes and nodding her head toward the girls. “Diana has a way with cooking, whether or not she wants to admit it.”

Diana continued her intensive plate studies, jaw seeming to clench at the failed praise.

Selena spoke up, “How was your first day back at training?”