Chapter 20
Itrail closely behind my mate as she hastily exits the building, but she doesn’t make it far. The moment she steps outside, she stumbles to a stop. To my annoyance, my brother and his mate have been patiently waiting for us to emerge. His human mate was eager to see mine, but I am desperate to keep her all to myself.
Not too far away, the drolvden let out a soft whimper. I had no choice but to tie them to one of the buildings, since they relentlessly tried to reach my mate. Their affection for her matches mine.
My focus shifts back to my mate, her face now pallid. I hover close behind her, prepared to catch her if she faints.
“Eve,” Ariana says.
Eve beams shyly at her, raising her hand and waving it side to side. The gesture is clumsy, but Ariana clearly understands it when she mimics it, her face filled with astonishment.
“Hey, Ariana. I’m so relieved to see you awake again. I was worried.”
“Eve,” my Nika says, “You’re here. You’re alive?”
I furrow my brow at her. I treated her injuries, but perhaps she still hasn’t fully recovered. How could she doubt this when she sees the other human with her own eyes?
Suddenly, our small mates lunge into each other’s arms, their bodies crashing together. If not for their laughter, I would be concerned that they were harming one another. My Ariana clings to Eve as if she might vanish from her grasp.
“I can’t believe you’re alive. We were told you were dead. That a wild beast got you,” my Ariana says.
Eve tosses her head back, laughing, “Oh, a beast got me alright. My mate’s over there. This is Balroth.” She vaguely gestures towards Balroth, who is hovering just out of reach.
Ariana glances his way and flashes him one of her charming human smiles. I tense up, afraid he might mistake the gesture as a threat. Even more so, I hate seeing her smile at another male. Her smiles should be reserved just for me.
I’m beginning to realize I am a possessive male.
“Will you be staying here?” Eve says, recapturing Ariana’s focus.
Ariana casts a hesitant look in my direction. I step forward and reassuringly squeeze her shoulder. “We’ll stay in the village until the threat has passed. It’s easier to defend against an attack here. Afterward, I will go where my mate desires—whether it’s here or back to our cave.”
My mate grins at me, causing my heart to swell with pride, knowing that I have pleased her. I puff out my chest. I want to be the only one to ever bring her happiness, and I want her to be happy all the time. I expect my mate will become quite spoiled in the future as I constantly vie for her attention.
“Now that I’ve got you back, I’m not in a hurry to be separated,” Ariana says while clasping Eve’s hands in her own. Still, her eyes flash up to mine, including me in the sentiment.
Eve’s lips form a resolute line as she nods. “Remember how we made a promise that the four of us would stick together, no matter what? At least I got you back.”
Ariana lets out a faint, rueful chuckle. “Now we just need to find a way to rescue the other two.”
I glance at my mate, her expression clouded by sadness and pain. “If it will make you happy, Nika, I will find a way to bring them to you.”
Eve and Ariana both grin at me, their flat teeth on full display.
“As will I,” Balroth says, grunting to ensure he isn’t outdone. He shoots me a glare, as if it’s my fault for speaking first.
“I’m sorry you thought I was dead. It wasn’t supposed to be like that. I would have come to visit earlier, but life got in the way.” Eve places a hand over her stomach. Now that I scrutinize this other human, her shape is slightly different from Ariana’s—rounder.
Ariana says. “Is that... are you?”
Eve nods. “I’m pregnant!”
Ariana stares for a moment before squeaking and throwing herself back into Eve’s embrace. When both women squeal, Balroth and I flinch at the high-pitched noise. Definitely a defense trait. And maybe some sort of characteristic to alert others of their species that they are happy?
My gaze shifts to my brother. Standing tall and proud, he beams with happiness. In a gruff voice, he says, “We are going to have a youngling.”
My knees feel weak at the thought. In time, Ariana could be in the same position, her belly swelling with my child.
I once prayed for companionship in my life. My mate has given me everything—home, family, and a future.
I pull Ariana into my embrace, holding her close. “I love you, Ariana.”
She is mine, and I am hers. I may act like she’s my prisoner, but she is the one who captured my heart.