Sharell winced. “I’m
not getting into bed with two men I just met.”
Chaya’s eyes
narrowed, and he realized she was searching for a sign of his strength and
testing his ability to control their hierarchy. Dark father had warned some
primitives would question his dominance. With some species, if he failed to
convince her, she would try to choose another. “Tian, get me her collar.” Chaya
fought to keep his anger from surfacing. He thought his mate understood his
dedication after retrieving the tablet.
Sharell’s stomach
cramped, but she kept her eyes on his. She saw Tian from the corner of her eye
hand the wide black strap to his brother. Sliding her long legs around, she
reached out to kick him and propel herself back to the couch. She cringed at
Chaya’s glare.
“The Commander has
ordered all mates collared.” Chaya felt a surge of arousal run through him. He
had wondered if they would ever find a mate worthy of their collar.
“He meant the
Casiquas so they can be seen,” she shot back. Anger was replacing her fear.
“All mates.” Chaya
let go of her arm and grabbed her braid, pulling until she shrieked and rose to
her feet.
Her fists pummeled
against his chest and he felt Tian’s distress, though he stayed out of the
argument. Shadowed under Sharell’s anger, he shared his brother’s arousal and
need to place their collar on her. Tian had never seen a woman attack her mate,
but it looked like Chaya was not surprised.
Tian held her chin
and turned her head so she was looking into his pale blue eyes while Chaya
locked on the training collar. “Calm, Sharell. We physically cannot join until
after the ceremony. It is an impossibility bred into our kind since ancient
times. No other male can ever have you, except the twins you hold ceremony
with.”
Her fists stopped
ripping at Chaya’s hands and her gaze fixed on Tian’s features. See how she
already calms by my words, Chaya. Tian was thrilled with his progress. He was
worried light father’s teachings might not have an effect on this new species.
“Oh,” Sharell
whispered. “I’m never going to figure this out. Between your size and your
weirdness…” Her eyes filled with uneasy confusion.
Chaya released her
into his brother’s arms. “We aren’t weird,” he scowled, stripping in front of
her and dropping his clothes on his way to the sleeping platform.
Sharell stared at
the taut muscles of his butt while he walked. If Tian had not coaxed her to
follow him towards the chair, she would have remained frozen in place. “Come
on, light father told me what mother enjoys, so I know what to do.”
“What to do? To me?”
Her voice sounded far away. All the time they spent together seemed like an
instant. I can’t get naked in front of two men.
Tian felt her panic,
and Chaya called out, “Sachan, Tian.”
“Yes, brother.” He
poured a small glass, considering the wine she drank at dinner.
“I don’t want it.
This is wrong.” For some reason, she could physically battle Chaya, but Tian’s
voice and soft urges seemed to hypnotize her.
“Drink, Sharell.”
“Please.” She began
crying again, but Tian could feel his brother’s push to make her comply.
She needs rest, Tian, as do we. That will not happen
until she is peacefully sleeping between our protection.
Once more, Tian felt
the sting of not recognizing this. Chaya was right. It had been a long,
eventful day for all of them. “Drink, Sharell. That’s right. Now, you’ll feel
better.”
“Now I’ll be drugged
so you guys can… can…”
“Can what, little
mate? Pamper you and let you know how much you mean to us? Let you know how
happy we are that our search has finally ended and we can finally build our
family?” He held her against his chest until he felt her calm.
“Tian, this is
wrong,” she sighed. His warm chest felt so good against her cheek. Her arms
wrapped around him and she inhaled his soft scent.
His hand stroked
down her back. “You can feel it is not, Sharell. Inside you, you know you are
just frightened.”
Chaya lay back in
bed with the blanket thrown back, ready to cover Sharell. He watched Tian
through soft brown eyes with expectation on his face. Tian slipped the band off
the end of her hair and lifted her feet to pull off her boots. Her head
remained buried against his chest and she quivered occasionally.
How much did you give her?
Just a drop. I don’t think she’s had much wine
before, though. Tian slid her leggings down and lifted her tunic. “Arms
up.”
“It’s wrong,” she
murmured.
“Okay.” Tian watched
his brother’s eyes, scanning their mate’s body.
She’s beautiful, Tian. Wait ’til you see.
Tian slipped his
fingers through a thin strip of cloth covering her and he pulled it down,
rolling his palms over her bottom. Neither man had questioned the cloaking
covered an imperfection. They realized she could not travel safely through the
Manerea vessel with her beauty on display, and their men were cowards and
unable to protect their women. “Into bed.” He lifted her and laid her down so
her head rested on Chaya’s chest.
Tian stripped and
lay behind her, curling against her and continuing to wash her with his calming
caress. Her head rubbed on Chaya’s chest muscles and he groaned, slipping a
slightly shaking hand over her hip.
It is worse… and better…. Her skin is so soft and
warm.
This is even more difficult than watching our
brothers with Milana, Chaya agreed. His hand slid up her rib cage and
curled around to cup her breast.
Tian thrust between
her thighs. Her bottom pushed back against him and he shuddered.
Careful, Tian, or you will have a most uncomfortable
weight to carry until our bonding ritual.
I understand now how this trial of bonding denial
strengthens our family. Even I feel the urge to rip apart any man who looks on
our mate.
I did not give Laiya the respect he deserved for his
control, Chaya agreed.
How do we last six months until our return to Actana
for the ritual? I will burst before then. Tian buried his face in her
tresses and inhaled her scent.
Chaya smiled and
rested his lips on his sleeping mate’s forehead. Father
is anxious to get home, and he told me he would slip the Cathisis into
hyperdrive just after dinner. I felt our change in speed while we walked back
to our quarters. Chaya pressed a kiss onto her head. We will be orbiting Actana
by morning.