Page 12 of Orange Tundra
ROQS
I ledBrynn into the small, enclosed room, my steps measured. Her other mates stayed close enough to hear if she needed them, far enough to grant us privacy. Their trust wasn’t lost on me. It humbled me in a way I wasn’t accustomed to. The beast within me growled its approval, but I tempered it. There were things Brynn deserved to know, but I wasn’t sure I had the right words to say them without acting like agnat.
The door clicked shut behind us. I turned to Brynn, but my throat tightened. She stood there, watching me with her curious, steady gaze, waiting for me to speak. Instead, I gestured to the daybed tucked against the far wall. She moved toward it without hesitation, her steps light, her trust evident. That trust sent a pang through me. I didn’t deserve it. Not yet.
I sat beside her, careful to keep a respectable distance, though my beast snarled at the space between us. Its instincts were primal, demanding I close the gap, hold her, claim her— *keep her safe.* I ignored it, focusing instead on the stray strand of hair that had fallen across her face. My fingers brushed against her skin as I tucked it behind her ear, earning a raised eyebrow raised from her. Yet, the gesture settled something inme, though my chest still felt tight. That’s right, I’d been acting weird ever since I met my mate and found out Brynn was pregnant.
“I—” The single word caught in my throat. I cursed under my breath, frustrated with myself. I was the Alpha of the Silver Tribe. Words were supposed to come easily to me, yet here I was, fumbling like an untested whelp. I’d wanted to tell her about the possessiveness that had taken root in me since the moment I’d realized she carried Zirc’s child. About how that possessiveness had grown into something more, something deeper, each time I saw her. But now, with her sitting so close, her tempting scent filling the space between us, I found myself at a loss.
Brynn tilted her head, her expression softening as she reached for my hand. Her touch was gentle, grounding. “Take your time, Roqs. It’s going to be okay.” There was no judgment in her gaze, no impatience. Only understanding. It left me feeling exposed. Vulnerable. I swallowed hard, my grip tightening around her smaller hand.
“I’ll bring him back,” I said, my voice low but firm. It wasn’t enough, but it was a start. “And I’ll clear my name.”
The corner of her lips quirked upward, and for a moment, I saw Coone in her expression. That smirk—playful, knowing—was so unlike her usual demeanor. Had she picked it up from him? “Of course, you will,” she said, her tone teasing. “Once the alphas of the Purple Tribe see Nim and Sim alive, all will be well. I really don’t understand why we’re running away from them.”
I stilled. She didn’t know. Of course, she didn’t. Her mates had been shielding her, protecting her from the truth. I wanted to tell her, to explain why we couldn’t simply walk into the Purple Tribe’s territory and demand an audience. But how could I, without burdening her with the knowledge of the Elders and their relentless laws? Without telling her that the High Councilwould see her pregnancy as a threat to our already fragile planet?
“You’re right,” I said finally, choosing my words carefully. “All will be well. But there are things we need to do first. Steps we have to take to ensure everything goes smoothly.”
She studied me for a moment, as if sensing there was more I wasn’t saying. But she didn’t press. Instead, she leaned back slightly, her posture relaxing. That trust again. It both comforted and unsettled me.
“There’s one more thing,” I said, the words coming out heavier than I intended. “Before we leave, I need to mark you, Brynn.”
Her brows drew together. “Mark? Like a cut? A scar?”
I shook my head, a faint smile tugging at my lips despite the tension. “No. My beast... it’s driving me insane to mark you with my seed.”
Her mouth opened slightly, her eyes widening as the meaning of my words sank in. “Oh,” she said softly, her cheeks warming with a blush that only made her more endearing.
I couldn’t help the small chuckle that escaped me. She didn’t reject the idea outright. If anything, she looked intrigued. The beast within me rumbled its approval, though I kept it firmly in check.
“But I thought we’re not mates?” she asked, her confusion evident.
I exhaled slowly, leaning forward to rest my forearms on my knees. “I wanted to be honest with you, Brynn. At first, I wanted us to be mates because you were already mated to Zirc. I thought... I thought you would be the bridge. A way for us to form a triad.”
Her brows knitted, her lips pursing slightly. “A triad?”
“Yes,” I said, my voice steady despite the turmoil churning inside me. “A triad. Crix, Jigen, and Volks are one. Sometimes,it takes another manastian—a person—to trigger the mating instinct. It’s rare, but it happens.”
She blinked, processing my words. “Were you hoping that would happen with Coone?”
I snorted, the sound unexpected even to me. “Coone and I tolerate each other because of Zirc. That’s all.”
Her laughter bubbled up, soft and infectious. She tried to stifle it, but her eyes danced with amusement. “Tolerate?” she repeated, her tone teasing.
I found myself chuckling along with her. “I need to have you Brynn. I tried to stay away...” I saw the moment she realized why I wasn’t staying with them the past few nights. Even though I bristled at Coone, Nim and Sim warning me to stay away from Brynn, I knew they were right. However, this separation from her will drive me insane. I just need to mark her with my seed to satisfy my urges.
Instead of answering, Brynn gave me an honest smile and kissed me on my lips.
7
ROQS
She looked up at me,her eyes filled with trust and curiosity. I knew what I wanted, what my beast demanded, but I needed her consent, her submission.
I reached out, my hand cupping her cheek. Her skin was soft, warm. I could feel her pulse quickening under my touch. “Brynn,” I murmured, my voice a low rumble. “I need to mark you. Thoroughly.”
Her breath hitched, her eyes widening slightly. I could see the questions in her gaze, but also the spark of interest. She didn’t pull away. Instead, she leaned into my touch. “What does that mean exactly?” she asked, her voice barely a whisper.
