Chapter 6 #6
Ancelin glanced up from her menu. "The steak burger looks good. What's your meat selection today?"
The waitress tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "We've got Triaxen tartis, Earth beef, or Tylon Moon Varga."
"Earth beef for me, please. No sides." Ancelin closed her menu. "And save room for that crayoberry pie I saw at the counter."
The waitress shifted her weight, eyes darting to Krevan before settling somewhere near his shoulder.
"And for you, s-sir?" Her knuckles whitened around her order pad.
"Two burgers for me," Krevan said, his deep voice making the waitress flinch.
"Earth beef and Triaxen tartis. And whatever pie my wife is having—two slices.
" He nodded toward Ancelin. The waitress's eyes darted between them, her mouth forming a small 'o' of surprise before she scurried away, order pad clutched to her chest.
Meanwhile, the little girl kept gesturing towards Ancelin. Krevan watched Ancelin interact playfully with the child and smiled.
"Despite what you’ve said, you seem very interested in children.
After the shot wears off, we could... I mean, if you wanted to.
" He paused, swallowing hard. "My parents had six of us.
" His eyes fixed on hers with an intensity that made Ancelin's breath catch.
Something primal and tender passed between them across the table, and she felt her pulse quicken beneath her wrist where he held it.
"A baby?" Ancelin's voice caught. She reached across the table, her fingers brushing his.
"As I said before, someday, yes. For sure.
" Her gaze dropped to the table. "But after what happened to my family.
..I need time. Those people might still be out there.
I couldn't bear losing anyone else." She swallowed hard. "Especially not our child."
Krevan's jaw tightened. "No one will touch what's mine."
"That's not—" Ancelin shook her head. "I don't want bloodshed. I want peace. Safety." Her voice softened. "A home where violence and fear can't find us."
"I give you my word," Krevan said, his voice dropping to a resonant whisper. The silver in his eyes brightened until she could almost see her reflection in them, twin moons caught in his gaze. Something electric passed between them across the restaurant table, sealing his vow.
Ancelin's breath quickened. The restaurant faded around them—the clattering dishes, the murmuring voices—until there was only Krevan. His presence pulled at something deep within her, a yearning that made her fingers tremble against the tabletop. She wanted to be closer, needed to be closer.
Suddenly, a high-pitched cry shattered Ancelin’s daydream like glass breaking—a sound that scraped against her eardrums and made her blood run cold.
Ancelin's head whipped toward the source, her neck muscles tensing as she spotted the little girl with food-smeared cheeks.
The child's mother's hand cracked across the girl's face again and again, each impact leaving angry red welts blooming on skin as delicate as flower petals.
Something primal ignited in Ancelin's chest—a molten fury that propelled her upward.
Her chair screeched against the floor tiles before toppling with a hollow clatter.
Three long strides carried her across the restaurant, her heart hammering against her ribs like a war drum.
Without hesitation, she thrust herself between mother and child.
Behind her, she heard the scrape of Krevan's chair and sensed his towering presence. “What do you think you’re doing?” Ancelin demanded, her voice firm.
“Stop hurting her!" The little girl's cheek flamed crimson beneath tear-streaked skin, a perfect imprint of four fingers visible even from across the table.
The restaurant atmosphere crystallized into silence—the clinking of cutlery ceased, conversations evaporated mid-sentence, and dozens of wide eyes locked onto the confrontation.
The woman's face transformed, her features twisting into something untamed as her pupils contracted to needle-points in muddy brown irises.
"My kid, my business." She sneered at Ancelin, glancing at Krevan.
"Back off before I make you regret breathing my air," she hissed through yellow teeth.
"This ain't Earth with your precious rules and child protection nonsense.” Her gaze flicked toward Krevan, lips curling back to reveal a nauseating smile.
"Look who's preaching about abuse—sharing a bed with one of those Triaxen beasts.”
Ancelin's hands trembled like leaves in a storm, but her voice cut through the restaurant's silence with the precision of a blade. "I understand there are laws here protecting children from abuse. I'll report this to the authorities before nightfall."
"How dare you, bitch.” The child's mother grew more furious at Ancelin.
As the woman raised her hand to strike Ancelin, Krevan swiftly grabbed her arm.
"Don't force me to break your arm in front of your kid," Krevan warned threateningly.
"If you hit my mate, you'll face much worse from me.
Do you understand? If I injure you, my mate might get upset with me—or maybe not.
She's usually kinder and doesn't favor violence.
But if she does get angry with me because of you, I'll take it out on you even more.
Am I clear?" The restaurant fell silent, waiting for the woman's response.
Another woman in the restaurant stood and called out to Ancelin, "I know who she is, and I can tell you where they live. She hits her kids all the time and needs to be reported. Those poor children are always being beaten. I'll report her too. She should be stopped."
"Thank you. I'll get some paper for you to write down the details, and I'll file a report," Ancelin replied.
Krevan's fingers encircled the woman's wrist like a steel manacle, the blue veins beneath his knuckles pulsing with restrained power.
His emerald eyes had darkened to gun metal, and when he spoke, his voice carried the low rumble of distant thunder.
"Are you going to behave now?" The words emerged through barely parted lips, revealing the edge of those unnaturally sharp canines.
"I really hate to hurt you, especially in front of the child.
I like children." His gaze flicked momentarily to the little girl, softening for just an instant.
The woman's face had drained to the color of curdled milk. A bead of sweat traced the hollow of her temple as she swallowed hard, her throat clicking audibly in the silence. "Yes, I’ll be good," she whispered, her voice like dry leaves skittering across pavement.
"Harm this child again, and you'll have more than me to worry about.
Vallex follows where I lead, and trust me—you don't want him at your door.
" She pocketed the witness's contact details and turned to Krevan with a sigh.
"I need food. And thank you for intervening.
Another moment and I'd have knocked her flat.
" As they settled back at their table, the restaurant's usual chatter had diminished to whispers.
Diners stole glances at Ancelin—some nodding with newfound respect, others watching with wary fascination.
A woman with auburn hair hesitated briefly before approaching their table. "Hello, Mr. Vallex, could I speak to your partner?" the woman inquired.
Krevan nodded.
"Not many stand up to Melra like that," the woman whispered, glancing over her shoulder. "Been happening for months. I'll back your report." She squeezed Ancelin's arm before disappearing into the crowd.
Krevan nudged the untouched plate toward Ancelin. "Your burger's congealing."
Ancelin poked at the food, her appetite dulled. "I couldn't just sit here. Not when she was—" Her voice caught. "Not when I could do something about it."
"You did the right thing. I used to care about such matters too.
Earth humans, not familiar with Triaxe, and other humanoids often misjudge Triaxen males, thinking we're mean.
I was a skilled doctor, saving lives—Earth humans, other humanoids, and Triaxen humanoids alike," Krevan explained to Ancelin.
"I have a special concern for children and would never harm an innocent one. "
"On Triaxe, other humanoids don’t think Triaxens are mean?”
"No, they're not as fearful. They can be cautious, but they understand us better. We coexist there. People tend to fear unfamiliarity, especially if it’s stronger or larger.
Earth humans sought my medical expertise because my skills exceed those of an Earth human doctor.
They wanted my surgical abilities but might not invite me to share a meal," Krevan elaborated.
"My reflexes and Triaxen abilities made me an outstanding surgeon, among other things.
I cherished my work, saving lives, and offering people second chances. "
"If Earth humans were wary of Triaxens, why did Mr. Grusop want you to marry his daughter?" Ancelin asked.
"Greed. Pure and simple. Plus, he knew more about my people," Krevan's jaw tightened.
"Her father dangled me like a prize, and she saw the benefits—extended youth, perfect health.
They assumed I couldn't resist her." His eyes darkened.
“However, only out of obedience to my grandfather and honoring my father, I married her, but I couldn’t mate with her.
He shook his head. "Our marriage lasted barely eleven months.
We lived separate lives under one roof. The wedding was theater—extravagant, media-saturated.
Gillian basked in every camera flash. We were Triaxe's power couple, headline news even on Earth.
" His laugh held no humor. "Those wedding photos mock me still.
They painted us as star-crossed lovers when we were anything but. "
"Was there ever a connection between you two?"
"Not even remotely. She always rubbed me the wrong way."
"That must have been difficult."