Page 33 of K'Vella

"I need everyone at the doors now!" Holoth yells, causing a stampede of movement.

Alik, Jovi, and Sloane are the first out. They don't have any weapons on them, apparently already versed in what they need to do. Essa's right behind them, and then Phial and Avery take up the back of the line.

Avery looks like she's having a rough go of it. The only clothing Phial could get on her is an oversized button-down that he's keeping pulled around her to keep her covered as she keeps complaining about how hot it is.

"They'll take care of her here," Holoth tells Phial as they pass us.

Phial gives him a quick nod, but I can feel his animosity toward Holoth. I hope tonight doesn't impact their friendship too much. I know how much Phial means to Holoth, and I don't want them to lose that friendship.

It's not that I hate that Holoth purred for Avery. That's not the issue at all. I want her to not be in pain, and if Holoth needs to purr for that, then so be it. What hurt me was how easily she responded to him. She answered his commands with the barest hint of authority in his voice. She eased into his purr better than I do.

It makes me wonder if there's not someone better suited for Holoth here, on this planet. It was my biggest fear before I allowed myself to have feelings for him, but it was never going to happen because he told me he never wanted to go to his home planet again. Now we're here, and I've never been more insecure.

"Come on." Holoth nudges me toward the front of the ship and out the door leading to the shipyard.

We're greeted by a handful of short, curvy, beautiful women who all look like they'd be better suited for Holoth than me. They all look soft where I'm hard. They're small, like I know all Rytharian females are, again, unlike me. Not to mention the two arms, two eyes, and beige skin with dark markings. They're all wearing furs and leathers, looking even more like they'd belong by Holoth's side.

I feel my walls going up. One of my hands goes to my abdomen for reassurance. The babe is barely a couple of weeks old, but it's still my biggest comfort.

"Sisters," Holoth says, eyeing the small group of women waiting for us outside the ship. He walks me over to stand beside Sloane, shrugs the fur off his back, and drapes it over my shoulders. He cups my face between his hands. "You keep this on. If we're separated, you tell them you are a mated female. Understand?"

"We're not—"

"As far as any of them need to know, we are." Holoth gives me a soft kiss against my temple. "You're going to carry all my babes, K'Vella. You can at least tell them you're claimed." He gives me a devilish smile before turning around and addressing the women who are gathered in front of our little group.

"I seek aid for a friend," Holoth says, his voice carrying over the silence from the rest of us. "She was altered to have heats at a frequency of once a month as far as we can tell. She beganshowing signs earlier, and I brought her here to beg for your help."

One of the females walks closer to our group, stepping past Holoth and walking straight for Avery, who's shaking in her discomfort. Phial tightens his grip on her like he doesn't trust anyone else with Avery.

I don't blame him. We're on a strange planet, surrounded by strangers, and there's a chance Avery finds someone here suitable for her like Holoth might.

The woman places a hand on Phial's arm. "Our sister is in pain," she tells him gently. "We'll take care of her."

"How?" Phial asks, his scales shimmering and flickering between dark navy and a pale green like he can't stop it.

"We'll take her back to the sanctuary and teach her ways of coping without a partner," the female says, urging Phial's grip to loosen on Avery. "It's difficult, and it will be uncomfortable, but the only other option is finding a male for her to spend her heat with."

Phial hisses his displeasure as Avery whimpers and nuzzles closer to him.

"No males." The female understands Avery's concern without anyone needing to say anything else. "No males, I promise."

She takes Avery's hand and allows the other woman to pull her from Phial's hold. He looks like he wants to reach out to her, but he stays in place. His scales shimmer again, this time starting to disappear completely. Essa wraps her tail around his ankle before he can vanish and holds onto him even as he hisses and curses at her.

"The clan will be happy you're back."

A different female steps up to Holoth and stands much closer to him than I appreciate. Her eyes are bright as she stares up at him, and I don't miss how his features seem to brighten as well. She wraps her arms around him, and for a moment, I think Imight be sick with how easily he holds her tightly to him. Sloane grabs my hand in hers, squeezing it in reassurance.

Then the female says something that makes us both feel foolish for worrying. "Mom's going to kill you."

"I know," Holoth says as he unwraps his arms from the smaller female, who I now realize is his sister.

He's told me about Helna, but I didn't even think that might be who she was. There wasn't any hesitation in me thinking that she might want Holoth. It's a vicious insecurity in me that reminds me that any of these females would be better suited for him than me.

"We need a tour of the clan," Holoth says, turning to face the rest of us. "It was our night when we came. What time is it here?"

"Just after dinner, so everyone's all in the great hall," Helna says.

She stares around her brother and gives me a curious look. She would've seen Holoth put the fur around my shoulders and kiss my temple, right?

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