Page 53 of Mated By Twilight

Leah shivered as she stepped out of her costume and set it aside to change back into her clothes. Tillos and Sollit had started growling and she had immediately zoned out. Like a hypnotist had snapped his fingers, she’d floated away. Still aware of her surroundings, still in control of her body, but it was like all her anxieties and worries had just vanished in a puff of smoke and she couldn’t think of a single reason to move or be concerned.

The lowcut dress didn’t matter. Being half naked in front of three different males – even if two of them were her mates – didn’t matter. She was just suddenly so relaxed and comfortable.

Right until that sound stopped, then she just popped right back into herself. The change had been too immediate and drastic for her to think it was just a coincidence.

Their growl had done something to her.

What was with that?

She changed quickly back into her own clothes, clinging to the shirt with a higher neckline with relief, before emerging. Sollit had also changed out of his costume, and they were waiting for her with happy smiles.

“Ready to eat?” Tillos asked as they both held out their hands.

She took them and let them walk her out and to the cafeteria. They loaded up their trays and went to their favorite table in the corner where she began picking at her food as she looked between them.

“What was that?” She asked immediately, trying not to sound accusatory. The good feelings she’d experienced had been so consuming. She couldn’t be afraid of the loss of control, even now after it was over. It was like the power of whatever they had done was so strong, even just the memory of it could help relax her.

“Shorvi?” Sollit asked, tilting his head. “Did he bother you?”

“No. I didn’t mean him. I mean, you two. What did you do to me?”

“Did you dislike it?” Tillos asked, his expression carefully neutral.

She opened her mouth, but no response came immediately. The truth was, she hadn’t disliked it. In fact, she already found herself wanting to experience it again. But it had been a surprise, and she wanted to know what happened.

Finally, she shook her head no. And that must have been the right answer, because both of them smiled, pleased.

“We purr,” Sollit told her, grinning. “Well, it’s a growl and a purr. It’s meant as a threat to our enemies, but to our mate, it’s different.”

“It de-stimulates your brain,” Tillos took over easily. “It calms you down and can even block pain. Male avanava use it to help tend their females. Especially when they’re upset.”

“Was I that upset?” She frowned.

Sollit shook his head quickly. “No. We were growling at Shorvi. We honestly didn’t expect it to affect you this early.”

“Why? Aren’t I your mate?”

“You are,” Tillos assured her. “But we’re not bonded to you yet. That happens in our species the first time we have sex. But humans, as I understand it, bond through sight.”

“Which means, we may not be bonded to you, but you’re bonded to us,” Sollit said, smiling. Like that knowledge made him happy.

But Leah could only blink at him stupidly. Because thatwasn’ta good thing, right? Didn’t that mean that she was alone in this relationship? If she was attached to them, but they weren’t attached to her, didn’t that mean they could leave her?

Maybe she was overthinking this, but she was suddenly struck with crippling self-consciousness at the thought that she would be bonded to them, but they weren’t bonded to her. Not that they’d ever given her reason to be concerned about such things, but the worry was immediately there.

Tillos must have noticed her reaction, because he cocked his head curiously. “Leah, is something-”

The chirping ring of his combot cut him off. They all three turned to see the little floating robot flashing at them.

“Oh,” Sollit perked up.

“What is it?” Leah looked between them curiously.

“It’s our parents,” Tillos told her, waving at the combot. “Command: Answer.”

“Huh, wait-”

Too late.

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