Chapter 4 #3
“Let’s also put out a crew-wide announcement, something along the lines of aggression toward fellow crew members will not be tolerated and is grounds for instant dismissal.
That should clear up any inquiries about Dylan and preempt the other dismissals that are coming.
Both Natalia and Josa have been overheard being aggressive to other crew members before Lila arrived, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that their behavior toward Lila was the final straw.
” William sounds as irked as John looks.
“We need to make sure Lila is protected at all times. We should probably assign her a bodyguard, but that would make her look weak.”
I stand up and pace back and forth, trying to come up with a solution that would help Lila while also preventing her from being a target.
“What if we asked Xavier to be her bodyguard? Nobody would cross him. She has his mark on her back, so we could say they are exploring the attraction. Between him, Link, and me, Lila would never be alone.”
“That’s a good idea. I’ll speak to him once they finish examining her powers. It actually wouldn’t be a bad thing for her to take him as a mate, because then it wouldn’t matter that she didn’t have Skarrian abilities since she could potentially get some of his.” Eric is in scheming mode.
“Hang on. Getting powers is not a good reason to mate someone,” John cautions, narrowing his eyes on Eric. “I don’t want that for Lila.”
“Yeah, I don’t think you have to worry about that.
Lila is the last person we have to worry about mating for powers.
She’s still wrapping her head around the fact that she can be attracted to others even though she and I are now mated.
The power thing isn’t even registering with her.
” I try to reassure John, even though it’s probably breaking Lila’s confidence a little bit, but I’m sure she would hate for him to worry.
“Did she get shape-shifting powers?” William raises an eyebrow at me.
“She can take half form, but she wasn’t able to fully shift into a kraken.
” I sit down so they can’t see my dick harden at the reminder of what she looked like partially shifted.
She was gorgeous. Her skin changed color, but unlike my mottled purple and blue complexion, she was pink and purple.
Her tentacles weren’t as thick as mine, and the top half of her body remained the same except for the color change.
Her nipples were colored purple, and my mouth watered to wrap around them, but a first shift is not the time or place to scare her with my needs.
I must have gotten lost in my thoughts, because I jump when William claps his hands together.
There’s a little twinkle in his eye as he hears that his granddaughter can partially shift.
“Well that’s something at least. Maybe there’s hope for her.
Okay, Cas, make that call to your friend and let us know how it goes.
I think we’ve got Lila’s protection and education organized for now.
” He takes a deep breath, mentally cataloging the next steps as we all listen like school children.
“Link’s going to help educate her on the different species, and Eric, you speak to Saxon about defense training for Lila.
I’m going to contact Iceen and do the ship-wide announcement to cover our asses.
John, you’re going to keep drinking your whiskey and relax, we’ve got it sorted.
How about we all touch base this evening to update everyone? ”
Now that William has given us our marching orders, we all agree on the game plan, and with that, Link and I leave the brothers to sort out the lightning cat situation.
As we walk down the corridor together, I can tell that Link has something he wants to say.
He’s been worrying his lip between his teeth so hard it’s cracked open and I can smell the blood, so I stop and turn to face him.
“Just say what’s on your mind, Link. We’ve been friends for a long time now, nothing you say is going to upset me. ”
“You’re really okay with her and me having drinks or more tonight?” he murmurs, as if saying the words any louder would impact my reaction.
I put a hand on his shoulder, and his eyes widen in surprise as I rub it lightly, trying to reassure him with my touch.
Shifters are a very touchy-feely group, and even though Link isn’t one, I’m hoping it will reassure him anyway.
“Not at all. I knew the moment I saw yours and Xavier’s attraction marks on her shoulders that this wasn’t going to be a traditional one-on-one mating.
Whether it’s you or Xavier or other people entirely, I’m going to have to share her, and I’d much rather it be with people I’m friends with. ”
“Okay, well then, I plan to pursue her fully then,” he announces matter-of-factly, wearing a skeptical look on his face like he’s waiting for the fallout from his statement.
Instead, it’s the complete opposite. I’m happy for Lila and need to communicate my approval more clearly.
My hand drifts from his shoulder to his cheek.
“Enjoy, my friend, and make sure you take good care of our girl.” I wink and continue on to my living quarters.
I need to make a call to Silac then pack up all of my belongings to move into Lila’s place.
The thought alone has my body and my beast thrumming with excitement.
I want to be back before she returns from seeing the warlock.
I bet she’s going to need a drink after having her human mind blown.