Page 51 of Guardians

She nodded. The entire subject was surreal. If she hadn’t seen it for herself, she’s not sure she would have believed it was possible. “Kane and Zion both have positions of authority. Is that in part because of their ability to control their shift?”

“It’s a skill like any other. They both have impressive control, but they are also born leaders.”

She nodded again. She’d likely have more questions as her mind absorbed the reality, but she was ready to move on to a different subject. “If I ask you a question, do you promise to answer honestly?”

His brows drew together and hurt darkened his hazel eyes. “Why is that even a concern? I’ve never lied to you.”

“Something Kane said when he explained what happened to him during his captivity has been bugging me ever since. I don’t want to ask him because the memories clearly torture him. Will you please tell me the truth?”

“If I know the answer, I’ll tell you honestly.”

She encouraged him with a smile, but tension banded her belly. “How were the breeders able to impregnate human females? I’m a scientist. I know that shouldn’t be possible.”

“Kane would never harm you,” Malik insisted passionately.

Trepidation washed over her in a chilling wave. Malik had just confirmed her deepest fear. “What is heableto do? What did he do to those women on the Nuevo outpost?”

Malik sighed, looking intensely uncomfortable. “The breeders were controlled through drugs and torture. They were slaves, helpless to prevent?—”

“I don’t blame him,” she assured. “I just need to understand.”

Malik went to the kitchen and refilled his mug before he finally told her the entire story. “Breeders are equipped with self-replicating nanobots. They can be expelled during sex without the female knowing. The nanobots then go to work making changes, targeted mutations that create interspecies compatibility. It isn’t always successful, but it is always necessary.”

“Then Kane could, at some time in the future, make it possible for me to carry his baby?” She thought she’d find the idea more upsetting. Instead, she felt warm and hopeful.

“Is that something you would want?” His tone was cautious, as if he was afraid of her response.

“I want a family,” she admitted without hesitation. “But I’m thinking years from now, not months.”

Malik smiled. “I think we can work with that. And in the spirit of full disclosure, if you went through the transformation, you would be able to carry children for any of your mates, not just Kane.”

Malik departed a short time later, leaving Lexie alone with her thoughts. She straightened up and did the dishes while shemulled over what Malik had revealed. The possibility of children made the future more interesting. But Rydaria was such a harsh environment. Was it responsible to expose children to such a dangerous world?

Restless and filled with speculation, Lexie decided to go check on Tara and Bianca. Lexie pulled on her boots and was wiggling into her coat when someone knocked on the door. Thinking it was Tara, Lexie twisted around and pulled the door open. “I was just about to…”

“Do I get to fill in the blank?” the tall, lanky hybrid male asked with a flirtatious smile. His long dark hair was streaked with gold, and he had the strangest eyes she’d ever seen. The irises were bright orange and the pupils seemed oversized. This wasn’t a feline hybrid. If she had to guess, she’d say raptor. She knew they existed, but she’d never met one before.

Shaking away her momentary distraction, she asked, “Can I help you?”

“I need to speak with Diego.” The stranger’s voice was deep and his gaze began to assess her.

“He’s not here right now. Can I give him a message?”

“My brother said Diego had claimed a mate.” He sounded amazed. “I wasn’t sure I believed him.”

“And you are?” He seemed harmless, but there was no way she would let him in the cabin. She zipped up her coat and stepped out onto the porch.

“Forgive my rudeness. I was not expecting a female to open the door.” He dipped his head. “I am Raphael. My brother, Gabriel, and I head the raptor convocation.”

“Convocation?” It was such an unusual word. “As in a group of eagles?”

His regal head dipped, and his orange eyes shimmered in the sunlight. “Raptor village if you prefer, but we like the accuracy of convocation.”

“It’s nice to meet you. I’m Lexie, and as your brother said, Diego is one of my mates.”

“You’re shivering,” he noted. “Should we step inside?”

Trepidation tingled down her spine. He hadn’t said anything out of line, but she didn’t know him, and her trust supply had been obliterated by the wolves last night. “I’m fine. Why did you need to speak with Diego?”

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