Chapter 3
3
Zirene
“ T ake this time to relax for a while longer, Odelm,” Zirene instructed, his tone firm yet gentle. “Once Mwe arrives, we will be busy until Selena and I return from the assembly, and even then, I can’t guarantee peace for our clan for a while. Who knows when we will have another opportunity to rest.”
Odelm nodded, pressing a soft kiss to Selena’s forehead before passing her over him.
Zirene took Selena into his arms, her wet form pressing against his black and deep blue striped fur. He didn’t care about the dampness seeping into his coat; his focus was solely on her.
He enjoyed the feeling of her against him. Her weight was a comforting pressure after having her taken away from him. Her scent—underneath Kaede’s aroma—was a soothing balm to his soul. Something he couldn’t get enough of.
His gaze swept over the private backyard once more, taking in the sight of Z’fir sunbathing, Xylo and Kaede standing beside Odelm, V’dim sitting on the edge of the pool, and Ryzen and Zyxel relaxing in the shadows across the yard.
They were all staring at the same thing—his Beacon—as if they, too, were drawn in by her very existence. Though he didn’t put much stock in the Cosmic Order, perhaps it was true that Selena was the center of their clan’s constellation.
And the outsiders couldn’t help but feel her ethereal pull, too.
“We leave directly after the midday meal,” he announced, turning his attention back to Selena. “It’ll give us enough time to get down the mountain to the space port.”
Selena perked up. Hope filled her eyes as she gripped his mane. Her fingers threaded his strands, instantly grabbing his attention. “Do you think we could eat at one of the local restaurants? I’ve been wanting to see what was built while I was gone and check on the current state of Destima’s districts.
“We had planned to give the students of the military academy free access to the main island while restricting outside visitors to a private VIP list soon. But now that we have about three thousand new citizens from the asteroid base who need a home, I believe opening up my moon to others will have to be postponed until Destima is stabilized, once again.
“I understand that others in the CEG may disagree with what we’re doing, but they are the reason these humans are refugees in the first place. So we should focus on our current and soon-to-be citizens’ wellbeing first.”
“Those are legitimate concerns, Selena, but now isn’t the time to discuss them.” Zirene cast a glance at Kaede, who nodded and then vanished in a teleportation blink. “Kaede will look into whether any restaurants can accommodate a party of our size. Once we’ve welcomed Master Mwe, we can summon Vagren and inquire about Destima’s current state, and you can make updated plans for your moon.”
He pressed her against his chest harder and lowered his nose to her neck, inhaling her scent and letting out a low growl at how Kaede had tainted it. “We have plenty of time to talk about our plans, my Beacon. Have no fear.”
“Time appears to be something we never have enough of.” She sighed, sinking deeper into his embrace. “I can’t wait until we can establish a daily routine in our lives again.”
“Selena, you’re my Beacon, and you’re carrying our young,” Zirene told her gently. “Let your clan take care of you.”
Closing his eyes, Zirene slipped into the shadows, shifting himself and his Beacon through the abyss and reappearing in the clan’s newly remodeled master bathroom.
“You know how much I despise that sensation,” Selena grumbled, glaring at him. “I wish you’d let me know before you shift. I get the impression that you and Kaede enjoy surprising me in order to get a reaction from me.”
“Maybe I want to be punished by you.” He teasingly flicked his tail against her back, causing her to flinch and gasp. “Anything to ignite your fiery passion and have you turn it on me.”
“You’re lucky we have a busy schedule today.” She bit her bottom lip and watched her hands as they played with his mane. “Because I’d like to teach you a lesson.”
“I can have that arranged…” He pressed the end of his tail between her legs and ran his nose along her neck, nipping her ear.
“We’re busy, remember?” She squirmed in his arms, her hands pressed against his chest. “You must behave. We can’t smell like sex while greeting one of the galaxy’s most powerful and influential beings.”
“We could,” he teased as he continued to slide his tail between her legs. “I’d mark you, so everyone knows whom you belong to.”
“You would be claimed by me as well,” she mumbled, pressing harder on his chest. “No. No matter how enticing the thought may be, we simply cannot. We must present ourselves as respectable Aldawi leaders.”
“As you wish, my Beacon.” Zirene chuckled as he gently placed her on the marble floor and ran his paws against her sides, his gaze never straying from her face. “Would you mind entertaining me by letting me dress you?”
She bit her bottom lip and nodded, her dark blue-green gaze fixed on his. “You certainly may.”
Zirene gently untied her bikini top, his eyes remaining locked onto hers. The tiny garment fell away, revealing the long, jagged scar that marred the skin between her breasts. His breath hitched at the sight, a painful reminder of what she had been through. He reached out, his paw shaking slightly as he traced the scar with a claw.
He could feel the bumps and ridges of the healed wound under his paw pad, a stark contrast to the smooth skin around it. Zirene leaned forward, his tongue darting out to gently lick the scar, as he poured out all his love for his Beacon, trying to smooth out the scar even though he knew it was impossible.
As he pulled back, his eyes met hers again. “I’m sorry,” he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. “I’m sorry I wasn’t strong enough…wasn’t wise enough to prevent this.”
His paws drifted down to her stomach, gently resting on the spot where their unborn child was growing. He couldn’t believe that there was life forming underneath his pads, another daughter for the clan to love. “I will do everything in my power to ensure that our empire is safe for our future offspring,” he vowed, his eyes never leaving hers. “All of them, including those I don’t sire.”
Tears welled up in Selena’s eyes, spilling down her cheeks in silent rivers. She nodded at his words, her hands coming up to cover his. “I’ll be the Beacon you need,” she promised, her voice choked with emotion. “I’ll grow stronger. I’ll be your equal, the leader you need by your side as we unite our empire and secure a safe future for our children.”
Zirene saw his future reflected in Selena’s eyes. As his Beacon, she illuminated his path, blazing through the darkness of his mind and keeping the shadows at bay. She was a radiant force, a fiery glow in the perpetual darkness that had once threatened to consume him.
He would let no one take her away from him ever again. Not when she was his greatest strength and his deepest vulnerability.
Ensuring she was aware of the vast power she possessed was his responsibility. He was resolved to equip her with all the resources she needed to stand proudly beside him, as equals, as partners, as leaders.
“When we meet with Master Mwe, don’t let his power intimidate you,” he said. “We are rulers of one of the most powerful territories in the galaxy. Others should be cautious of us, not the other way around.”
His grip on her tightened, a silent vow of protection. “Never allow yourself to be starstruck by others, for you are the star that others aspire to be. You are in a position many would covet…a position they would willingly tear away from you if given the chance.”
Selena lifted a hand to cup his cheek, her blue-green eyes searching his. “Are you okay?” she asked, concern etching her features.
Zirene sighed, his chest heavy with the burdens he carried. “Things are starting to fall into place. I’ll be better once our cubs are safe in our care, and at home, where they belong, and we’ve returned from the assembly.”
She tilted her head. “Have you spoken with Royak yet?”
His ears tilted back, shame washing over him as he let out a slow breath, admitting the truth. “I haven’t had the chance to reach out to him.”
“You’re still avoiding him,” she deadpanned, lifting an eyebrow as she pursed her lips. “I thought you said yesterday that you were going to contact him. Zirene, the two of you haven’t spoken since you’ve taken over. You need to rectify that.”
“You’re right.”
She shook her head, her gaze steady. “You two were once close,” she reminded him, lifting a hand with two crossed fingers. “You shouldn’t let your relationship deteriorate any further. He was your greatest ally, and as you said, we need a united front in order to rule our empire.”
Zirene let out a slow sigh, knowing that Selena was right.
“What should I do?”
Gently, Selena cupped his face, pulling him down to her. Their foreheads pressed together. The affection in her touch made him tremble, anchoring him with her love and indomitable spirit.
“Call him.” Her deep blue-green eyes met his, as steady and unwavering as the depths of the ocean. “Invite him to the Harvest Festival. It’s essential for him to be there so the Empire will see that we stand united and there’s no animosity between the two of you.”
Zirene nodded. Royak had been intended to rule originally, with Zirene serving as the military commander. Now that he had taken over, wouldn’t it be fitting for their roles to reverse?
“He would be the perfect choice for military commander,” Selena continued, as if reading his thoughts. “Royak has the strategic skill and mental strength to safeguard our borders. Moreover, the two of you have always gotten along, and he’s loyal to you . Neither of you wanted the Sovereign position, but he was willing to take it because that’s what your late sire wanted. That was what the two of you agreed on.”
Zirene closed his eyes and nodded in agreement.
“By appointing Royak as military commander, he would remain close by, here in the new capital. He doesn’t have a clan of his own, and now that I do, it’s only fitting to have him by my side as my right paw.”
“So when will you call him?” Selena inquired softly.
“Tonight,” he said, opening his eyes to meet hers again. “I’ll reach out to him tonight once we’ve settled matters and retreated for the night.”
“I’d like to be part of that conversation,” Selena said, her voice soft but determined, leaving him with no room to disagree. “I believe Kaede would appreciate that as well.”
He nodded, acknowledging her input. “That sounds like a plan, Selena.” A soft purr escaped him as he pulled her closer. “But first, let’s get you dressed.”