Page 11 of Orange Tundra
“Something’s wrong.” I murmured as the guards stiffened around us, their postures tense and alert. I knew then we had to move location again. Not surprising, as we were running from the Purple Tribe and still had to find a way to rescue Zirc from the Elders.
A guard rushed in, dropping to his knees and holding out a note. To me. Nim and Sim folded their arms in front of their chest at the same time, an eyebrow raised at me. “Aposhkabrought it,” he said, his voice laced with concern.
“A what?” Sim glared at me, his brow furrowed. “You trained the local animals?” Of course they were surprised. This was their mega “secret location”, after all.
I couldn’t resist a playful smirk. They should be used to my skills already. Even if I came from another planet. “Of course I did. I’m a spy, remember?” I loved needling Sim, even if it wasn’tthe most prudent time. Being a spy had its perks, and I was proud of my ability to use unconventional methods.
“This was supposed to be a secret location!” Sim’s voice growled, and I had to bite back a chuckle. He was so easy to rile up.
As I scanned the note, my smile fell. “It’s from Zirc. He’s escaped from the Elders with Axad and Cruuvex.” My heart raced, worry for my mate flooding my senses. I couldn’t bear the thought of anything happening to him.
Roqs tensed at the names. “Axad? That traitor?” I could see the anger and distrust in his eyes. For a split second, his beast peered at me. Axad was a dead manasty walking.
“He’s with my mate now, so watch your tone.” I pulled Brynn closer, my protective instincts kicking in. I wouldn’t let anyone, not even Roqs, upset her.
“We need to go to Crix’s at Orange Lake,” Sim said, his voice tinged with urgency. “Zirc will look for us there.”
I couldn’t resist one more jab at Roqs. “Going to hide there too?” I knew it would get a rise out of him, and I couldn’t help myself.
Roqs bared his teeth and growled, “I am the Silver Tribe’s Alpha. I do NOT hide!” His pride and stubbornness were always a source of amusement for me.
Nim and Sim shot me warning looks. Brynn tried to pinch my side, giving me her adorable “behave” look. I sighed dramatically.
“Fine, fine,” I sighed. “But someone needs to go find Zirc.” I knew this was important, and I couldn’t let my playful nature get in the way.
The plan crystallized quickly. Roqs would meet Zirc en route. Nim and Sim exchanged meaningful glances, silently communicating something. Instantly I knew. They wanted me to accompany Roqs - partly to split up and make tracking harder.
“You and Roqs should go,” Nim said, and I couldn’t help but groan inwardly. I stole a quick glance at Roqs, his beast partly showing in his eyes. Perfect. Being stuck with Roqs was not my idea of a good time. In a way, it made sense. One, the Purple Tribe will find it harder to find them if they split up. Two, I was positive that Roqs wanted to meet with Zirc and personally tell him that Roqs met his manastian mate. For that alone, I wanted to be a bug on the wall. That conversation is going to be explosive for sure.
I squeezed Brynn, who looked like she wanted to protest our separation.
“Seven days,” I told Brynn, nipping her nose playfully when I saw the worry in her eyes. I wanted to reassure her, even if I was anxious about being separated from her too. “We’ll all be together again.”
“The prison tunnels,” Sim said. “We will use those to go straight to the Orange Lake.” I couldn’t help but feel a little uneasy about that, but I trusted the twins, no, they’re mated twins, twinsie mates - just mates? Fuck, whatever they want to call themselves. I trust their judgment. It was their turf after all.
I watched Brynn touch her belly again, and a wave of protectiveness washed over me. “What do you think, sweetheart?” I asked, my voice soft and reassuring. I needed to know she was on board with the plan.
Her smile warmed the room, and I felt my heart swell. “Bring Zirc home,” she said. I understood exactly what she meant - home was wherever we were all together.
I watched with unease as Roqs approached Brynn, the larger male’s posture was still tense and his eyes narrowed. A low growl rumbled in Roqs’ chest, and I felt my hackles rise in response. Nim and Sim also stiffened, ready to defend our mate.
“I need a moment with Brynn,” Roqs rumbled, and my fur bristled.
But then, to my surprise, Brynn stepped forward and placed her hands gently on Roqs’ chest. “It’s okay,” she said, her voice soft and soothing. “I feel safe with him.”
I blinked, taken aback by Brynn’s unexpected reaction. My mate has no sense of self-preservation! I watched as she continued to stroke Roqs’ chest, the larger male gradually relaxing under her touch. The aggressive growl faded, replaced by a deep, rumbling purr.
Roqs’ gaze never left mine, Nim, and Sim, but the intensity had lessened. I hesitated, not wanting to provoke the larger male, but also unwilling to simply submit. Instead, we lowered our gazes slightly, breaking eye contact without fully submitting.
The tension in the room slowly dissipated, and I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I'd been holding. Brynn’s ability to calm Roqs with her gentle touch was remarkable, and I’m beginning to think there’s something more going on with the kind of power she wielded over the fierce alpha.
“I guess I have to trust you do your own thing,” Brynn mocked me, her eyes meeting mine. There was a silent plea in her gaze, a request for me to watch over Roqs and bring Zirc home safely.
I nodded, my usual playful demeanor tempered by the gravity of the situation. “We’ll find him, Brynn. I promise.” I glanced at Roqs, a hint of a challenge in my eyes. “And we’ll bring him back, no matter what.”
With a final nod, Coone turned and willed himself not to snatch Brynn from Roqs. When Roqs walked to an enclosed room and gently pushed Brynn inside, he, Nim and Sim stiffened, until I sighed and all three of us shared a look. We had to trust our mate. And be there for her whenever she needed us. That was why I only walked a few steps away and planted myself on an armchair while Nim and Sim talked with the guards. Our eyes every now and then glancing at the closed room. Roqsbetter treat her right. Otherwise, alpha or not, he has three enraged mates to deal with.
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