Page 26 of Dreikx

“Meanwhile,” she says, “you asked for a Regha Omega.” Tamey stands. “Well, listen here, Telean, my heat is coming, my nest is almost ready, and I will have you know that I require service.”

“I’m familiar with your needs.”

“But unwilling to fulfill them.”

“That’s not true.”

“It is true!” she screeches.

“Temper, Tamey.”

Tamey narrows her eyes. “If you won’t service me, I’ll put out a call for a pack.”

I stand and slap my palms on the table. “Absolutely not.”

“Oh, try me, Telean!” She spins on her toes and walks away.

“Return this instant.”

Soft footsteps climb the stairs.

“I know you heard me.”

“I heard you, and I’m ignoring you.”

“I will punish your disobedience.”

“Ha!”

“Ha. Ha.” I climb the steps.

Tamey sprints upstairs. I rush after her, getting there just as she tries to close the door. I slap a hand over it and barge into the room. And blink. Tamey stripped the bed down to the bare mattress, but otherwise, the room is as I left it. “Your nest is beautiful. Clean and neat, not the messy thing I imagined, with fire hazards everywhere. And no furs. I’m very pleased.”

“This isn’t my nest.”

I sniff. “What is that smell?”

“Candles.”

I gasp. “Those are fire hazards.”

Tamey shrugs. “I like them.”

“Where did you get them?”

“From the helicopter guy.”

I tilt my head. Rage rises and chokes me. I can barely utter a word. “What guy?”

“The one who comes to take pictures of me.” Tamey smiles.

“I’m not aware…” I swallow the rest. Rage overloads my good sense. “Show me the intruder report on the holograms now,” I bark at the house.

“Ready, sir.”

I head downstairs and open all the screens across the living space, scanning the past few days. Sure enough, there’s a helicopter approaching, the man inside snapping pictures. I make note of the time and day. Next image, helicopter again, Raven throwing a rock at the camera, then leaving. Helicopter returning and Tamey speaking with the man. He’s barely able to hold a conversation from the saliva he’s gulping at the sight of her. Tamey wears her short dress, and the human male, who has never seen a Regha Omega before, drools. Then he grabs his phone and starts tapping.

I command the audio.

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