Page 38 of Hooded (Gladiators of the Gryn #5)

KLYNN

I don’t like the smell in this building and attempt to keep my nose as close to my mate as I can. It has a scent like the Drahon, one I don’t think I’ll ever forget.

“You are the Gryn?” one of the male Fenere asks. “I am the senior medic here. My name is Trok. My colleague, Cali, says your mate requires assistance?”

I want to growl, but I’m mindful of the rule imposed by my Fern.

“My mate is carrying my youngling. We wish to be sure both her and the unborn are well,” I say evenly, my claws wanting to extend and rip someone apart, but instead I place my hand over Fern’s stomach, to protect her.

“And you will not complete our forms?”

“No.” I glare at him. “We will not.”

My mind is a sheet of violence. I can’t recall if there was a rule about snarling.

“We have credits,” Fern says quickly. “We can pay for any treatment I need.”

Trok looks between us. I imagine how easy it would be to slice him limb from limb.

“Credits are not needed here, but I wanted to be sure of your intentions,” Trok says. “We treat all equally and, should you wish, anonymously.”

I feel the growl rise within me, but I glance at my Fern and hold it back.

“Good,” I say, pleased with myself for keeping my tone un-growly.

“If you’ll follow me,” Cali says with an easy smile.

My feathers bristle. I do not want to follow her, but Fern is already on her feet.

“It is not usual for males to attend these appointments,” Trok says, stepping in front of me.

“I don’t care,” I respond. “Where my mate goes, I go.” It takes everything I have not to remove his head from his shoulders.

He stands aside. “As you wish.”

I quickly catch up with my mate and the female Fenere who takes us into a smaller room off the atrium. A room I have to enter sideways due to my wings and because the Fenere are so vrexing small.

“Sit, sit,” she says to Fern and gives me a side eye. “Males do not attend these appointments.”

“I do,” I manage without a growl.

“I’d like him here, if that’s okay?” Fern says.

Cali snorts as if we’ve personally offended her.

“Gryn protect their females from danger, and there is plenty on my planet. It is an instinct I cannot disobey,” I say.

The Fenere narrows her dark little eyes. So far, these creatures have been indulgent of my foibles, whether instinctual or not.

“Very well,” she says at last. “You can stay, but I do not want any interruptions. This is for mother and young.”

I spot Fern giving me a smug smile, and a feeling rises within me which is not about violence. It’s a desire to turn her over and apply my hand to her delicious ripe bottom. Fern colors, a flush rising from her neck, and a scent fills the air.

The scent of arousal.

The thoughtbond has worked in a way I wasn’t expecting.

I like it.

A lot.

“Stand back.” Cali shoves me against a wall with a sharp elbow to my abdomen. “Try to keep those wings out of the way,” she tuts.

Fern suppresses a laugh, and I absolutely know I will be dealing with her later as I see fit. Her face flushes again and I am pleased with myself.

A wide tube lowers from the ceiling.

“This will scan you, tell you all about the young you are carrying,” Cali says to Fern. “You might also see, Gryn,” she adds as an afterthought.

The room fills with the sound of thumping, as if my heart has exited my body. I look at Fern and she holds out her hand to me, pulling me close.

“Your young has a strong heartbeat,” Cali says.

“This is our young?” I query.

“It is not you.” Cali shakes her head before muttering something about males.

“It’s the baby’s heartbeat,” Fern whispers, her hand curling around mine tightly.

I open my mouth, but no sound comes out.

“Here is an image of your young,” Cali says, and a holo image appears above Fern’s chest.

The tiny creature is curled in upon itself and looks nothing like a Gryn or a human. I see the head, then a hand, a foot, small nubs on the back where the wings should be.

Fern can’t stop staring at the creature. Water in her eyes again, her chin wobbles.

“My sweet mate.” I take her hand.

“It’s our baby.” She looks up at me as the water runs down her cheeks.

My heart should be aching, drumming, disliking the water, but it isn’t. Instead I put my arms around her, dropping to my knees beside where she lies. Her body shudders as we both gaze on the holo, which turns slowly before us.

“Our youngling,” I whisper. “Look what you made.”