Page 120 of The Delver
Urkot sat next to Rekosh, Ketahn, and Cole at a circle near the outskirts of the gathering. Akalahn was crouched alongside them with his little hindquarters in the air, watching intently as the rocks clacked against each other. Telok was the only onenot playing. He stood nearby, arms crossed, gaze roving, looking every bit a grim, vigilant guard.
Callie pointed toward the males. “There they are.”
“We’re going to grab some food before joining the games,” Will said, lacing his fingers with Diego’s.
“Have fun!” Ahmya said.
Diego smiled. “Go give your mates the good news.”
Callie and her friends made their way through the throng of vrix, whose voices rang out in the air in cheers, shouts, and chitters. Many of the thornskulls hailed the humans as they passed.
When Callie, Ahmya, and Ivy neared the shadowstalkers, the males took notice, and their game halted immediately. Ketahn, Rekosh, and Urkot rose and hurried to their mates, sweeping them up into their arms.
Callie laughed as Urkot hugged her close and rubbed his face right above the bite scar on her shoulder. She held him, twining her fingers in his hair. “Miss me?”
“Always,” he rumbled against her neck, the vibrations of his voice rippling through her.
She took in his earthy, intoxicating scent with a soft hum. “I missed you too.”
“What the hell?” Cole said. “You can’t just stop without calling a timeout!”
“Timeout,” Rekosh said.
Cole snorted.
Urkot nuzzled Callie’s neck again and took in a deep breath that he released in a growl. His lower hand trailed down her back to her ass, gripping one cheek fully and drawing her closer.
“Urkot!” Callie admonished with a laugh, giving his shoulders a shove.
He nipped her throat with his fangs, sending a thrill through her. “You smell good, female…and I hunger.”
“You’ll just have to restrain yourself,” she whispered. “For now.”
Grumbling, Urkot eased his hold on her and lifted his head. Fire burned in his sapphire eyes as he looked down at her. “Fine.”
Callie smiled and pressed a kiss to his mouth. “Good boy.”
“For now,” he purred.
Heat flared in Callie’s core, spreading through her in anticipation of what Urkot would do when he was done playing nice.
“So, what’s up?” Cole leaned back, propping himself with his hands behind him as he crossed his legs at the ankles. “Where’ve you guys been?”
“We were visiting Diego and Will,” Ahmya said, still cradled in Rekosh’s arms. She pointed toward the two men, who were conversing with Garahk near the platters of food. “They said they’ll join us soon.”
“Cool.” Cole glanced around, brow furrowed. “Where’s Lacey?”
“She’s not here?” Ivy asked with a frown as Ketahn set her down on her feet next to Akalahn, who was reaching for her. She crouched down and opened her arms for the little one, and he clambered into them, nuzzling her chest with a trill. “We thought she was here with you guys.”
“We have not seen her,” Ketahn said.
“We thought she had accompanied you, Ivy,” Rekosh added.
Callie shook her head. “She wasn’t with us.”
“I will look.” Telok moved forward with long, powerful strides that carried him swiftly away from the group.
“So…” Callie pulled her gaze from Telok and looked at her friends. “Should we be worried? The two of them alone together?”
