Page 45

Another day passes before I’m strong enough to stand and walk a short distance.

In that time, I’ve had enough broth to fill a lake. If Warrix brings me one more cup, I swear I’ll pour it over his head. Fortunately, today I’ve been granted solid food at last.

And by the goddesses, it’s glorious.

The first bite of rich dicro meat nearly melts on my tongue. I almost groan out loud because it’s that good.

Emily sits beside me, insisting on feeding me despite the fact that I’m more than capable of using my own hands. I could take the utensil from her easily, but if fussing over me gives her comfort, I’ll gladly let her do it.

I’m still in awe that she’s truly my amoris, and that she accepted the bond. A part of me keeps waiting for someone, maybe Warrix or Vrenner, to burst through the door and announce there’s been a mistake. That this has all been some cruel misunderstanding.

But they don’t. Because this is real.

She spears another bite and lifts it to my mouth. “You know, this looks like something humans call steak.”

I chew slowly. “Then humans eat well.”

She grins and offers me another piece. But before I take it, my gaze drops to her lush lips, then lower. My voice turns low and rough. “There’s something else I’d rather be feasting on.”

Emily chokes and her face turns bright red. “Vrok!” She swats my arm, but there’s a spark of interest in her eyes that gives her away.

I chuckle, pleased by her reaction. “It’s the truth.”

She mutters something under her breath, but rather than scold me, she shifts closer, until her thigh brushes against me. The eating utensil dangles from her fingers, forgotten, as she tilts her head, studying me with a look that sends heat coursing through my veins.

“Oh? And what exactly would you feast on?” she murmurs, her tone matching mine.

My hand slides around her waist, and in one smooth motion, I pull her into my lap. She lets out a soft gasp. Her free hand lands on my shoulder as she stares down at me.

I smile up at her, slow and deliberate. “Would you like a demonstration?”

The utensil slips from her fingers and lands with a clatter on the floor, but neither of us pay it any attention. Her fingers flex against my bare skin, sending a shiver through me. She’s so close now. Her lips part as she sways toward me until her breasts brush against my chest.

My hands skim up her back as I savor the feel of her body against me. “You smell incredible,” I murmur, my voice dropping to a growl. “Like something I’d devour slowly.”

Her pupils dilate at my words. Then, before I can say anything else, she closes the distance between us and kisses me. The moment our mouths meet, a spark ignites and she melts against me.

The kiss is slow and teasing, until I tighten my arms around her. Her mouth opens on a soft whimper, and I take full advantage, sliding my tongue in to tangle with hers.

A deep growl rumbles in my chest as heat coils low in my stomach. My cock is a hard bar of need between us, and when Emily rocks her hips against me, it’s all I can do to keep from thrusting into her right then and there. My hands grasp her waist as I shift, ready to roll her beneath me to?—

A throat clears.

Loudly.

Emily jerks away with a startled noise, scrambling off me so fast she nearly tumbles from the bed. I catch her with one hand, steadying her.

Groaning in frustration, I glance toward the doorway.

Chief Daggir stands just inside with his arms crossed, a bemused look softening his usually stoic features. And behind him, Draggar grins like a fool, his eyes bright with barely contained laughter.

“I see you’re recovering well,” Daggir says dryly, his brow ridge arching high on his forehead.

Emily makes a strangled noise, somewhere between a squeak and a cough, before throwing herself back into her chair.

Draggar snorts. “Don’t stop on our account.”

She shoots him a glare that could melt dicro hide, but Draggar only grins wider.

I stifle a laugh before sitting back against the pillows and meeting the chief’s gaze. “I assume you’re not here just to check on my health.”

Daggir sighs before stepping further into the room as his bemused expression gives way to something more serious. “I am here to check on your health, but as chief of this tribe, I also need to hear what happened.”

Emily straightens in her seat, still clearly flustered, but she pulls herself together quickly. She straightens her shoulders and smooths her hands over her lap. For a moment, she hesitates, glancing to me as if to gauge my reaction.

Then, she lifts her chin and meets Daggir’s gaze. “Well, it all started when I broke Vrok out of that sad excuse for a jail you’ve got.”

Draggar lets out a sharp laugh, and even Daggir’s lips twitch, though he manages to keep his expression mostly neutral.

Emily rolls her eyes skyward. “It’s true. I broke him out and talked him into helping me find my cousin, Lily. He wasn’t exactly eager at first. I had to do a fair bit of convincing.”

I grin at the memory. She’s been so stubborn, so determined. Even with fear flickering in her eyes, she hadn’t backed down.

I listen quietly as Emily launches into the story. She recounts how she freed me with nothing but a dull knife, how we fought our way through the jungle, and how we finally reached the Tussoll village and rescued her cousin.

When she reaches the part where my father and the Tussoll warriors appeared, her voice falters. She glances at me from beneath her lashes, hesitating.

I take over. My voice is calm and steady as I lay it all bare. I tell them how I followed my father and watched him meet with our enemies, and I did nothing. I say the words without flinching, but inside shame coils inside me.

Then, I describe the confrontation, how my father tried one last time to twist my loyalty, and how I stood firm. And how my amazing, brave mate saved my life by ending his.

I pause, drawing in a breath. “I should have told someone. I should have spoken up the moment I saw him with the Pugj. I know that. And for that… I apologize.”

The silence that follows is thick and heavy, but I don’t look away. I face them as the warrior I am. A male who has made mistakes, but refuses to run from them.

The chief exhales slowly, his expression unreadable. Then, he gives a single nod. “You did well. Both of you.” His gaze settles on me. “Vrok, I owe you an apology.”

My brow lifts in surprise. Of all the things I expected, that wasn’t one of them.

“I was wrong to doubt your loyalty,” he says. “Yes, you made a mistake by not disclosing what you witnessed, but that doesn’t make you a traitor. You’ve always fought for this tribe honorably. You are not your father, Vrok. I should have seen that sooner.”

His jaw tightens. “If you choose to leave the Anuriix, I would understand. But know this… you are, and always will be, a valued member of this tribe.”

His words hit me like a blow. One that shakes something loose inside me.

For so long, I’ve been caught in my father’s shadow.

Not just because of suspicion, but because he never allowed me to stand anywhere else.

While other kitlings played and forged bonds, I trained.

There was no room for games or friendship, only purpose.

He told me I was destined for greater things, and I had no need for such distractions.

I spent my life chasing approval I would never receive, pushing myself beyond my limits to become the son he demanded. But it was never enough. Not for him. No matter how hard I fought, how much I bled, his demands and his disapproval trailed me like a shadow I couldn’t outrun.

My gaze drifts to Emily. My beautiful, stubborn mate with a heart as gentle as it is fierce. She hides her fiery spirit, but I can see it burn behind her eyes.

She watches me now, her soft gray eyes filled with calm understanding. There’s no judgment in her gaze, no expectation. Just love.

My father is gone. He’s no longer here to dictate my every action and poison every bond before it can take root. For the first time in my life, I am free to choose my own path.

I could leave. Start fresh elsewhere. No doubt, some will still question my loyalty. They might even still see him when they look at me. It would be easier to walk away.

But this is my home. I was pulled from the womb here. I trained here. I’ve bled for this tribe. Most importantly, Emily is here. And I won’t let my father steal anymore from me.

I lift my chin and meet Daggir’s gaze. “I want to stay. This is my tribe, and I will not abandon it.”

A smile breaks over Emily’s face that is brighter than the sun rising after a stormy night, and I know I’ve made the right choice.

Daggir nods, approval gleaming in his eyes. “Then you will always have a place here.”

A weight I hadn’t realized I was still carrying lifts from me, leaving something lighter in its place.

Draggar steps forward and claps me on the shoulder with a grin. “It’s about time you admitted you actually like us.”

I snort, shaking my head, but before I can reply, Daggir clears his throat.

“There is still the matter of Zahrik.”

At that moment, a familiar figure appears in the open doorway. Zahrik steps inside, his sharp gaze sweeping over the room.

“I came to check on you,” he says. His eyes flick briefly to Emily before returning to me. “You look like you’ll live.”

A smile tugs at my lips. “Disappointed?”

His mouth twitches, but he doesn’t respond to my quip. Instead, he inclines his head toward Daggir. “I’m leaving at sunrise and returning to my tribe.”

Emily sits forward in alarm. “You’re leaving? Isn’t that dangerous? Surely, they know you’ve been working against them by now.”

“They might suspect, but they don’t know for sure,” he corrects. “Anyone who could confirm it died in battle.”

She doesn’t look convinced. “But what if?—"

“I’ll be careful.” His voice is steady, but something unreadable passes over his face. Then, he faces Daggir again. “Before I go, I need to speak with the Council. There is something you all need to hear.”

I study him, and I recognize the weight behind his words. Zahrik has already risked so much. If he wants an audience with the Council, it means what he has to say is important.

Daggir watches him for a moment before nodding. “Very well. The Council will hear you in the morning before you leave. Vrok and his mate, Emily, will attend.”