Chapter 11 #2
"You found each other," Vida said, her expression softening as she squeezed Ancelin's hand. "That deserves celebration." She moved around the kitchen island with surprising grace for her size. "Come, daughter. The tartis sandwiches are ready, and those men won't wait forever."
As they entered the office, Krevan stood head and shoulders above many of the other Triaxen males.
His eyes found hers immediately, and something warm unfurled in Ancelin's chest. The grief that had driven her across the stars seemed to recede a little more each day.
Krevan crossed the room in three long strides and took her hand, his fingers intertwining with hers.
Chapter 16
For fourteen more days, the storm howled outside their shelter.
The pantry shelves grew bare as twelve hulking Triaxen males and their two female companions depleted their stores.
When Ancelin prepared a simple chocolate pudding one evening, Krevan's eyes narrowed at the other men who reached for it.
He positioned himself between them and the dessert.
"She made it for me alone." His possessiveness only worsened as the days wore on, his dominance over the other males becoming more pronounced while the cramped quarters frayed everyone's nerves.
Yet whenever Ancelin's illness flared, Krevan would transform instantly—his fierce demeanor melting away as he cradled her, his whispers tender against her ear.
The morning winds finally stilled, Ancelin padded into the kitchen alone.
Sunlight streamed through frost-edged windows, illuminating the unusual sight of sleeping Triaxens sprawled across furniture and floor.
She measured the last of their coffee grounds carefully, inhaling the rich aroma as it brewed.
A celebration was in order. As she gathered ingredients for a cake, Vida appeared wrapped in a thick robe.
"Need any help?" she asked, tightening her belt.
"The men exhausted themselves last night—out there in the snow, wrestling like children. "
"They were fighting? In the snow?" Ancelin's jaw dropped. "Why?"
"Cabin fever," Vida said, massaging her forehead. "I woke to shouting and found them all bare-chested in the snow, steam rising from their skin. The cold doesn't affect them like it used to."
"Their bodies adapted that quickly?"
"They can't help themselves," Vida said, her fingers whitening around her mug.
"I barely made it to the window before Krevan had three of them on the ground.
The others just circled, waiting their turn.
" She leaned closer, voice dropping. "Then his father stepped into that circle.
The sounds they made..." She shook her head, then her expression softened unexpectedly.
"Hours later, they were all sprawled across our furniture, bruised and bloodied, snoring like satisfied children.
Without these... displays of dominance, they become dangerous.
Like predators without territory." Her eyes locked with Ancelin's and she smiled.
"Krevan has been different lately," Ancelin admitted. "More... demanding."
"He was different before Hellgate. Krevan was much more mellow," Vida whispered. "But first things first—Coti soon for your test.”
“What test?” Ancelin asked.
“A pregnancy test,” Krevan replied.
“There you are.” Ancelin smiled and filled a mug with steaming coffee. "Drink this." The rich scent made her stomach growl. "I'm starving today. I think I'll bake something to mark the end of the storm."
Krevan slipped behind her, his breath warm against her neck. "Where's my breakfast?"
"Patience, son," his mother said. "She'll get you your breakfast.”
"I’m just teasing." Krevan spun Ancelin around, claiming her mouth with his.
When they parted, Ancelin studied his face. "Someone woke up cheerful."
"Was I that unbearable before?"
"You know you were. The others could barely breathe without setting you off."
"Fine. I was... difficult."
"'Difficult' is generous." As Ancelin spoke, she noticed Vida tense, her eyes darting between them.
Krevan's silver eyes gleamed. "I was a beast, I admit it. But the snow's stopped, and I showed those fools who's boss yesterday." He lowered his voice. "Though I'd be much more agreeable with some private time with my mate."
"Krevan!" Ancelin jabbed his rock-hard stomach. "Your mother!"
He backed away, hands raised. "My apologies." Dropping to one knee, he pressed his face against her middle. "Forgive me, love. And Mother, if I've offended."
"Don't mind me," Vida murmured. "I've been around long enough."
“Now, what do we have to eat? Let’s eat and then we’ll go into Coti. I’ll see if I can call the doctor and let him know we’re coming. Fix me six eggs and some meat for my breakfast. Where’s my coffee refill?”
“In the coffee pot.” Ancelin pointed to the coffee maker. Krevan’s face broke out with a bright smile.
"I'll pour myself some. Would you like more, my sweet girl?"
"Please," Ancelin said, turning back to her cake batter. "Breakfast is next, once this goes in."
"Take your time," Krevan said, disappearing to tinker with the SatView. The system roared to life just as Ancelin glanced up to find Aiden beside Vida, studying her with curious eyes.
"The way you manage my son," Vida said. "Like you've been mated for years. And he actually listens to you."
"Is that unusual?"
"He's... difficult. Worse since Hellgate. Demanding. But you navigate him like you've known each other forever. Even Vida and I had an adjustment period," Aiden said, nodding toward his mate.
Ancelin folded the last of the flour into her batter. "We survived together. That changes things. He's bossy, yes, but never cruel. I let him believe he's running things, and everyone stays happy."
"Let me believe what?" Krevan's voice came from directly behind her. "And where's my breakfast?"
"I've been talking. Give me a minute." Ancelin stretched up and kissed his freshly shaven cheek.
"Did I just hear you say I only think I'm in charge?" The room fell silent. Every pair of eyes fixed on her, waiting for her response to the male who had established his dominance so forcefully the previous night. The teasing glint in his eyes was unmistakable.
"You heard correctly." Ancelin squeezed past him to retrieve eggs and meat from the cool unit.
"I'll need to consider this development," Krevan said, silver eyes gleaming as his mouth curved into a bright smile. Ancelin realized none of the other males' eyes ever shifted to that metallic hue. "Finish cooking quickly, mate. The clinic appointment awaits."
"I thought it was tomorrow?”
“No, it’s today.”
“Then step aside so I can work." Ancelin playfully swatted at him. "I'm making breakfast for everyone. Vida, would you mind helping?"
"Certainly, dear." Vida circled the island and took the skillet from Ancelin's hands. "It's good to see you feeling well enough to cook today."
"Krevan, fetch me some yeast. I want to bake bread later," Ancelin said.
"As you wish," he replied, departing immediately on his errand. The others watched her with what seemed like newfound respect. She decided to push further.
"I'll visit the clinic when I'm ready, Krevan. You can inform the doctor. I have several things I want to accomplish first before heading to Coti."
"Ancelin," Krevan said, his tone cautionary.
"Yes?" Ancelin met his gaze, those metallic irises gleaming back at her. "Your eyes turn silver whenever you're worked up. Nobody else's do that. Why?"
"Only you have that effect on me," he said with a half-smile before ducking out to contact the doctor on the SatView.
"He can make them turn, you know.”
“Really?” Ancelin turned to look at Vida.
“Yes,” Vida nodded. “Let me help with breakfast," she offered.
"I'll handle the eggs if you cook the ham steaks.
" Working side by side, they had the meal ready in short order.
When Ancelin delivered Krevan's plate with a quick peck on his cheek, his arm snaked around her waist, pulling her firmly onto his lap.
"Testing me, little one?" His voice dropped to a dangerous purr. "It's working." She twisted in his hold, but his arms became iron bands around her. "You're staying right here until I say otherwise. Unless you'd care to beg for your freedom."
"If that's how it is." Ancelin settled against him, snatched up his fork, and took a bite of his breakfast. "Then I'll help myself. You're quite the cozy seat." Her eyes found Vida's across the table, who covered her mouth to hide her amusement.
"Wait—I'm starving and that's my breakfast." Krevan nipped at her shoulder with the edge of his teeth. "Though you'd make a more satisfying meal."
"There's your plate," Ancelin pointed to the counter with her fork.
Vida glided over with a dish trailing steam. "Here's another," she said, placing it on the table.
"Thank you, Mother. My mate seems determined to test me today."
Ancelin ate in silence while Krevan, after swapping their plates, held her against him until he finished.
"We should head to Coti soon for the clinic appointment.
No time for dessert now." In one smooth movement, he lifted her and carried her upstairs, nudging their bedroom door closed with his heel.
"Are you feeling adventurous today, little one? "
"What exactly do you have in mind?"
"Bold," Krevan repeated, his eyes glinting. "Powerful. Are you?"
“No, I feel loved and lucky today.” Ancelin flung herself into his arms. They rolled onto the bed and quickly disrobed.
They made passionate love. Their voices rose as they climaxed.
Ancelin felt energized by his boost of venom and the euphoric feeling of their joint ecstasy.
“I’m ready to go to Coti now. I’ve done what I needed to take care of,” Ancelin announced as Krevan withdrew from her.
“Have you? That’s what you wanted to take care of?”