Page 17 of Warrioress

Kam shrugged as he tipped an ear toward his triad brother. “It is your attitude that is harming you more than anything. And this is your idea of peace,” he reminded the male with a bark of laughter. “She cannot help the weather or that our sensitive hearing amplifies the sound of the wind along the cracks in the walls any more than she can help the drafts that make her even more miserable than we are. But you are determined to antagonize her as if she will not find a way to turn it back on you. I would say that it is you who are making your brothers suffer.”

Vrin shot him a malevolent look as he turned in an attempt to get comfortable in the bedding, but Kam merely smiled back at the male, unperturbed as Laro chuffed quietly from his corner. Kam shot his lead a grin, his smile widening as he turned it toward Vrin. The male did not bother him. He was more than accustomed to his brother’s surly moods and dark humor, and besides, hearing Laro’s laughter more than made up for any retaliation he might receive. Truth be told, he pitied any female who joined their triad who could not hold her own against him. He had not given it much thought before as he had confidently left the entire matter in the hands of his brothers, but after seeing Uma stand up to Vrin and manage to get the male at least somewhat under control, he worried about any female who lacked her strength.

What good was a docile, obedient, and submissive female to them? They had not wished for another Ragoru female, but that was going too far.

Not that he had much memory of Ekeren to judge from, but he had seen enough evidence on his brothers to understand their desire. While Kam had been protected by his brothers from Ekeren, and often sent far through the territory to patrol their borders and hunt for food to please their mate, it had been Laro and Vrin who had born her anger and later her abuse when she failed to conceive season after season. Although neither had spoken of it, Vrin’s already waspish demeanor became sharper and more aggressive—one might even say crueler—although he never targeted Kam or Laro beyond playful barbs. Yet there was an occasion that he had approached the den that a vicious snarl came from his brother that he had never heard before. Kam had crept warily closer but came to a stop when Laro tossed Vrin out of the den with a growl that made the other male bristle angrily. He had not understood then, other than knowing that his brothers had not been at odds with each other. Vrin had reeked of rage, but there had been desperation and worry clinging to Laro as he chased their brother from the den, leaving Kam little option but to follow after Vrin to make sure that nothing happened to him while he was not in his right mind.

But between them all, it was Laro who suffered the most. He had changed from a jovial and affectionate male to one who became withdrawn, guarded, and often in pain. His body was scarred in ways that Kam did not even wish to think about as he was punished for protecting them, and for his failure as a lead male to sire rogs. It was because of them that he committed the ultimate transgression to keep them safe from Ekeren’s fury. They had not spoken of what had transpired since that day, but even in safety his brothers remained damaged and unable to recover, and it had made Kam wonder more than once since arriving at the citadel if a triad as broken as theirs could even care appropriately for a mate.

Especially a female who would be the opposite in every way of the female they were once mated to. Where Ekeren had been strong, they would choose a female weak and vulnerable. Where Ekeren had been short-tempered, they would choose one who was of a sweet disposition and mild. A gentle female with a quiet voice—and likely as bland as the food Uma was force feeding them.

A female who would shrink and wilt whenever Vrin snapped at her in one of his rare moods, and who would wait endlessly for Laro to notice that she was there and approach her.

He shook his head, his ears flattening. That would not work. Not at all. He had been mistaken to go along with his brothers’ plans. Now they were penned in the most uncomfortable cell and yet Laro was smiling and laughing for a change, and Vrin was being testy and sarcastic rather than sinking deeper into a dark inner place. And it was all due to a sharp-tongued human who refused to back down.

Uma was... good for his triad.

Kam’s ears pricked, his eyes widening momentarily before he rolled the thought around in his mind. She was a lot more interesting than what they had planned... and fun to be around. Not only could she hold her own against Vrin, but she had no problem being drawn into his own playfulness or talking quietly with Laro, drawing the lead out of his shell. Not only that but his fingers itched to touch her everywhere and explore her various textures while he also enjoyed her scent and flavor. Of course, to get her meant dealing with his brothers and bringing them around to his way of thinking.

“You are whimpering like a rog,” he pointed out cheerfully, earning him a reproachful look.

“This cell is not meant for anything larger than a rog,” Vrin replied sourly, and Kam chuffed.

“It is not that bad,” Laro commented.

Kam glanced over at him in surprise. It was not often their lead got involved in their arguments—or said much at all unless giving an order.

Vrin rolled back over and sat up to direct a look of disbelief at the male. “How can you say that? We all barely fit on this floor.”

Laro shrugged and rested his head against the wall. “It reminds me of when we first started digging out our den. We worked all day to expand the cave that we found, and in the end we barely fit in it at all.” The corner of his mouth rose as he glanced over at Kam. “I believe Kam’s tail was hanging out the entrance. I was so certain that something would come along and remove half the hair while he was sleeping.”

Vrin barked with laughter and shook his head as he dropped back to the floor. “I remember that.”

Kam grinned at his triad brothers. “I lost a few hairs to a rodent, I think.”

The quiet sound of laughter from Laro sent a happy feeling straight to Kam’s chest. Yes, this felt right.

“I will probably lose hairs just from my tail being caught under your butt,” Vrin muttered. “I am sure she has plenty of space to sleep.”

Kam sighed inwardly. Vrin just could not help himself. Rolling up some bedding, Kam thrust it under his chin as he sprawled on his belly as much as the given space allowed and closed his eyes. “Just admit that you want to crawl into her bed.”

Vrin made a choking sound and sputtered, bringing a smug smile to Kam’s face. “I do not. But I would not mind kicking her out of it, and putting her in this cell, so I have somewhere warm and comfortable to sleep.”

“In her bedding... that smells like her,” he agreed and laughed when Vrin’s foot shot out and connected with his thigh.

“I do not care how she smells, there is nothing that will make me want anything that has been in close contact with her,” the male growled.

“So she smells good, does she?” Kam pressed as he turned toward his triad brother with a grin.

Vrin gave him a disgusted look and turned over, giving him his back as he drew a blanket around himself. “Shut up and go to sleep.”

Kam grinned at the male’s back, and his smile widened further as the quiet rumble of Laro’s laughter filled the cell. Perhaps this would be easier than he expected.

Chapter 14

Uma adjusted her cloak as she checked herself quickly to make sure that she had everything she needed as Katiera stood watchfully at her side. Jessie stood on guard, watching wide-eyed just a handful of steps behind her. The storm had finally passed, and this was their first time outside the confines of the station since it had been locked down.

Drawing in a deep breath of clean air, she took in the sight of the busy street in front of her. It seemed that the entire lower district had the same idea. Stalls were set up boasting bright seasonal colors, and the smell of cooking meat and sweet spun candy filled the air as crowds of people drifted among them, busily buying last-minute gifts for Mother’s Night with the break in the weather. A small group of children ran by swinging long, green ribbons in the air behind them as they shrieked with laughter.

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