Page 61 of 20% Stud 80% Muffin
“Hey, I’ve taken some rather large steps for a guy who doesn’t like change.” D’ovey waved from his shop entrance, and a few enforcers called out hellos as we passed, their eyes focused on Ginger, Charz and Pika. Men outnumbered women here ten to one.
Oblivious to their interest, Ginger patted my arm. “That you have.”
“So.” I sucked the inside of my cheek. “Are you sure you’ll be okay without me for a couple of hours?” The sono was quiet when we entered, and I showed Ginger her bunk opposite mine. “Sully will be here with TeyTey and their boys soon, and the rest of the crew will show up for dinner in about half an hour.”
“Geo, I get it.” She rolled her eyes. “Of course, you must go meet Makir’s brother and his wife. He’s only here for a couple of days.” Ginger’s black bangs highlighted shadows under her eyes as she yawned. “Plus, I’m beat. I’ll just have a quick nap with the pups.” They jumped onto the bed when she patted it, instantly nuzzled under the blankets, and curled into balls. “TeyTey and I have been traveling together for two weeks, Geo. We’re friends. Honestly, I’m fine. Iknow all about Rock Dwellers. I’m good.” She pushed me away from where I hovered over her. “Now, shoo.”
22
Bonic sat at mylong kitchen table with a container of whiskey in front of him. “When will I meet this alpha who has swept my brother off his feet?”
Bonic had been my protector my entire life, and while I was happy his pheromones no longer affected me in the same way, it signified my independence and saddened me. Though he would always protect me as a brother, his role as family alpha existed firmly in the past.
My tail whipped behind me in excitement, giving away the forced calm of my voice. “He’ll be here any minute. His best friend just arrived, and he’s getting her settled.” I washed away the pheromones Bonic fanned my way as he tried to calm my jangled nerves. His alpha instincts to soothe me as he haddone my whole life had been triggered. My eagerness to have Geo at my side was tempered with nerves over him meeting my brother. “Quit it. He’ll be frustrated if he smells you on me.”
Jast held her round belly, laughing at my expense. “Finally, there’s someone who understands Bonic’s alpha in hyperdrive.” Her light blue fingers smoothed over the rich fabric covering her firm belly. “It’s been working overtime ever since this seed was planted.”
My tail brushed over Jast’s knee. “Better you than me. I’ve been dealing with him ever since his alpha designation revealed itself.”
“Fine.” Bonic huffed in a very un-alpha-like manner and slumped into his chair. “I know when I’m not welcome.”
A knock sounded at the front door. My heart tripped, and I spun to face my brother before forcing myself into a calm walk to answer it. “I expect your best behavior.” I pointed at him.
His shoulders slumped farther as he let out a “Hrmph.”
“Hey, hey, Mak.” Raz’s tongue slithered over the nickname he’d given me. His heavy hand landed on my shoulder, and my fur stood on end before I stumbled backward.
Blant. I should’ve looked through the door hole. Raz had made himself scarce after Geo’s threat.
“The delicious s-s-smell coming from your dwelling is wafting through my door.” The sharp outline of his spiky teeth flashed in his open-mouthed grin. “I thought I would come and ask you for the recipe s-s-since you kindly shared your mantu with me.”
My fists clenched at my sides. I’d suspected when I’d given Raz some mantu that he might take it for more than face value—me paying back a debt, as any Lornian would. He’d fed me often when I’d lived off nothing but ration bars, and I owed him.
Raz’s talons clicked across the polished concrete floor as he strode toward my brother, uninvited, with an awed expression strangely out of place on his long jaw.
“I wouldn’t have interrupted if I knew you had visitors-s-s.” His tongue rattled on the ‘s’ sound.
What is he up to?He’d seen me with my brother and his mate when they arrived.
“Makir’s sharing a recipe from his friend D’irk with us.” Jast’s helpful voice carried from the kitchen, where she filled a container with water.
Raz’s unnatural focus on my brother wavered as his gaze locked on Jast’s pregnant belly. He dipped his head as he neared my brother and bowed forward in a formal greeting. “I, Raz S’Lant of the Third Clan of Hotner, am indebted to you, Bonic Tuniga, High Commander of the Elite Protectors of Lorne, for the aid given while Hotner was under siege from the Jugga.”
Strange. How did Raz know my brother? I stood behind my chair, shuffling my feet from side to side.
Bonic rose and placed a solemn hand on Raz’s shoulder, and Raz’s head lifted to meet his gaze. “There is no debt to bear, Raz S’Lant of the Third Clan of Hotner. Your slate is clean. Hotner has paid the price in those lost.”
Bonic’s ability to slip into his role as high commander awed me, and Raz’s unexpected sincerity had me second-guessing how quickly I’d judged him.
“Well, you must join us for dinner, Raz, and tell us of your time on Tern.” My brother’s commanding voice brooked no arguments.
Raz’s lips turned up in a smug smirk at the invitation as if he had expected it. My stomach dipped. Even if I were curious about how Lorne had aided Hotner, I did not want Raz at my dinner table. “Ah, Bonic…I’m—”
Distracted by the loosening tether, I turned toward the open door, my anxiety easing, and my steps turned light and floaty. I hadn’t seen Geo in days.
“Makir!”
My smile flattened, and as I neared Geo, I was slammed with a wall of summer fields pheromones. Geo’s tense arms were clamped to his sides, trying to rein it in, but the alpha in him broiled too near the surface, and he blew.
