Chapter 21 #2
Charick stood and clasped my shoulder briefly. "Brother." His grip was firm and familiar after the hours we'd spent talking since Avalon, filling in gaps and sharing memories. The hard conversations were behind us.
"Charick." I returned the gesture, grateful for his steady presence.
Kavak caught my attention next as my other brother rose slowly with an uncertain expression, one hand moving to button his jacket before stopping halfway, as if unsure whether this moment called for formality or intimacy.
We'd barely spoken since my return—just brief words over comm when everything was still raw and unclear.
"Enslak," he said quietly. "It's good to see you like this. Yourself again."
"Kavak." I moved toward him, and after a moment's hesitation, he pulled me into a fierce embrace.
"I'm sorry," he said against my shoulder. "Sorry we didn't find you sooner. Sorry for—"
"Don't." I pulled back and met his eyes. "We're here now. That's what matters."
He nodded, his throat working. Then he turned to the red-haired human beside him. "This is Olivia. My mate."
"Hello, Olivia. It's nice to meet you." I held out my hand the way humans did in greeting.
Olivia looked at it for only a moment before pulling me into a tight hug.
"I'm so glad you're okay," she murmured. Then she released me and turned the same affection on Niki. "Both of you."
Kavak watched his mate with an expression that suggested behind the stoic exterior, he was completely besotted.
"I voted for the mercy death," he admitted, his voice rough. "On the Bardaga. When Mother asked us what we thought should be done. I said..." He swallowed hard. "I said you were too far gone. That it would be kinder to let you go."
The admission hung between us, heavy and painful.
"I know," I said quietly.
"I was wrong." Kavak's eyes shone with unshed tears. "So wrong. And I'm sorry. I gave up on you when I should have had faith. Should have believed—"
"You saw what everyone else saw," I interrupted.
"A broken creature that couldn't speak. Couldn't recognize anyone.
Couldn't function. You made the decision you thought was merciful.
" I gripped his shoulder and felt the stiff fabric of his uniform beneath my palm.
"But Niki saw something different. She saw past the walls I'd built. "
"He was worth saving," Niki said simply.
My chest tightened with something I couldn't quite name.
Willa stepped forward with the small boy still in her arms. "I'm Willa," she said, her voice warm. "Charick's mate. And this is Titus. Your nephew."
The boy had been staring at me with wide, fascinated eyes, but at the mention of his name, he perked up.
"Un-un!" His voice rang bright with wonder as his chubby hands reached toward me.
My nephew. A nephew I'd never met. A small piece of family I'd missed entirely.
"Someone's excited to meet you," Willa said with a laugh, setting Titus down on unsteady feet. She steadied him as his bare toes gripped the floor.
He toddled toward me immediately, arms outstretched, babbling excitedly before crashing into my legs. His small arms wrapped around my calves, and he looked up at me with pure wonder, his miniature jacket riding up to reveal his soft belly.
"Big!" he declared, patting my leg with both hands. His tiny fingers barely made a dent in the fabric of my uniform pants. "Big, big, big!"
I knelt slowly, bringing myself to his level as my formal jacket pulled tight across my shoulders. His gold eyes—so like Charick's, so like mine—went wide with fascination.
Without hesitation, he reached out and grabbed my hand, wrapping his tiny fingers around one of my claws. His pelt felt impossibly soft and warm.
"Big," he said again, giggling as he traced the curve of the claw with his finger.
Completely fearless.
"Titus, gentle," Willa said softly, though she was smiling. "Uncle Enslak's claws are sharp."
I carefully curled my hand, letting him explore safely. He laughed—a pure, delighted sound—before pressing his small palm against mine and marveling at the size difference.
Something in my chest cracked open.
This child, this innocent, joyful child, didn't see a monster. He didn't see the scars or the differences that remained from my captivity. He just saw his uncle.
Family.
"He's been asking about you," Charick said quietly, moving to stand beside me. "Ever since we told him you were coming home." He smiled. "He's been practicing 'uncle' for days, but two-year-olds have their own pronunciation."
"He's perfect," I said, my voice rough.
Titus's attention shifted as he turned toward Niki, his eyes lighting up. "Ni-ni!"
Niki knelt beside me with a soft smile. "Hi there, Titus."
"Hi!" He abandoned my hand and threw himself at her, wrapping his arms around her neck in a clumsy hug. She caught him easily, laughing as he patted her face with both hands.
"You're very friendly," she said.
He giggled and babbled something incomprehensible but clearly delighted.
I watched them together—my mate and my nephew—and felt something settle deep in my chest.
Titus climbed into Niki's lap, still chattering away and occasionally pointing at me while announcing "Un-un!" with great enthusiasm.
"He's wonderful," Niki said, bouncing him gently on her knee. He grabbed her hair, fascinated by the dark strands.
"Gentle, Titus," Willa reminded him.
But he was already distracted, reaching back toward me.
"Un-un! Up!"
I lifted him carefully, and he squealed with delight, his small hands patting my face and exploring my features with innocent curiosity. He traced my jaw, touched my nose, then giggled when I made a soft growling sound.
"Again!" he demanded. "Again, Un-un!"
I growled again, softer this time, and he dissolved into laughter, his whole body shaking with it, his bare feet kicking against my chest.
Mother settled beside Niki, and Titus immediately reached for her, wanting to be held by everyone at once. The room filled with soft laughter as he made his rounds, spreading his toddler joy to each person, his little hands grabbing at Mother's braids before she gently redirected him.
"Such a gift," Mother said, watching Titus with obvious affection, one hand smoothing the purple fabric of her robes. "He reminds us what we're fighting for. What matters."
"Family," I said quietly.
"Yes." Mother's eyes met mine. "Family. Which is why I need to ask you something, Enslak. What do you want now? What do you need?"
The question hung in the air.
"I don't know," I admitted. "I'm still figuring that out."
"That's okay," Cullen said, speaking for the first time. "You don't have to have all the answers right now. You've been through more than anyone should have to endure. Give yourself time."
"But you have options," Mother added. "You could stay here on Calpa. Take a position in the Alliance if you want. Or return to Vaktaire—we still have holdings there, the family estate. Or..." She glanced at Niki. "Or go wherever you and your mate choose. The galaxy is open to you now."
The weight of those options pressed down on me.
A century ago, my path had been clear—warrior, son of the Prime. But that person was gone, and the person I was now...
I was still discovering him.
"I think," I said slowly, "I need time to decide. Time to just be."
Mother nodded, understanding in her eyes. "Then take it. Take all the time you need. The Alliance will be here when you're ready. Your family will be here. Whatever you need."
"What about Asad Intelligence?" I asked, turning to Niki. She'd been receiving offers for more missions.
"They can wait," Niki said firmly. "Or they can find someone else. You're my priority. We're my priority."