Page 67 of Orange Tundra
I turned to survey the rest of them. Nim wiping blood from his massive bicep with casual efficiency, Sim wringing thermal water from his clothes like getting tossed into the shallow pool was just another Tuesday. Both were discretely adjusting themselves where their cocks had hardened in response to my display of dominance. Neither showed any wounded pride or resentment at being commanded. They simply accepted the new pack hierarchy and waited for orders, aroused and attentive.
"Now," I said, placing both hands on my rounded belly in a gesture that somehow managed to be both protective and threatening. "Let's discuss why you're all going to do exactly what I tell you to do."
The babies shifted inside me, and I felt that primal certainty settle deeper within me. This wasn't about politics or tribal allegiances or hurt feelings. This was about survival—mine, theirs, and the precious lives I carried.
"I'm pregnant with hybrid offspring that represent the future of your species," I continued, my voice carrying harmonics that made them lean in despite themselves. "That makes me more valuable than every other person in this alliance combined. It also makes me more dangerous."
I let that sink in, watching realization dawn in their expressions.
"You need me alive and healthy to carry these children to term. But I need my mates—all of them—alive and safe to help me raise them." My smile was sharp enough to cut glass. "Which means anyone who threatens this mission threatens my children. And mothers who feel their offspring are in danger tend to be... creative... in their responses."
The threat was subtle but unmistakable. Cross me, and find out what a desperate pregnant female with nothing to lose was capable of.
"So here's how this is going to work," I said, moving to a raised section of rock that gave me height advantage over the group. The position felt natural, powerful energy flowing through my veins.
"Roqs, you're going to stop second-guessing your mate's motives and start trusting his intelligence. You're the Alpha of the Silver Tribe—act like one. Coone, you're going to channel your protective instincts into tactical planning instead of territorial posturing. CG, your crews are going to follow orders without question because that's what professionals do. Nim and Sim, you are heirs of the Purple Tribe and your people—" I pointed to Xy, Clitasoxdfwe'h and CG's crew who were mostlymixed but predominantly of the Purple and White Tribes. "They depend on you!"
Nim and Sim straightened their posture at the same time.
I paused, letting my gaze sweep over the assembled group. "And all of you are going to remember that failure isn't an option, because I won't tolerate losing any more of my family."
The word 'family' hit them like a physical blow. I could see it in their expressions—the recognition that I wasn't just talking about romantic bonds, but about the pack structure that was forming around my pregnancy.
"Questions?" I asked, and when silence greeted me, I felt that feral satisfaction deepen. "Good. Then let's plan a siege."
As they began to arrange themselves for tactical discussion, I caught Nim's eye. The Purple Tribe heir was studying me with an expression I'd never seen before—not just attraction or protective instincts, but genuine respect for displayed dominance that had nothing to do with genetic heritage or tribal politics.
"Remind me never to threaten your children," Xy murmured as he passed, settling cross-legged on the stone without any sign of wounded pride.
"Smart," I replied, feeling the babies flutter in what I chose to interpret as approval.
Sim squeezed excess water from his hair and took position beside his mate, one hand briefly palming his erection through wet fabric before settling cross-legged on the stone. "So," he said conversationally, as if he hadn't just been bodily thrown into a pool and wasn't currently sporting wood from watching me dominate a room full of warriors, "what's our timeline?"
Roqs approached me and brushed the back of his hand against my cheek. He exhaled roughly, tail swishing across wet stone. "Zirc knew you were special, little one. I remember the first time I saw you when he left you at his sanctuary. If only hewere here. Trill's actions weigh on me. Part of me wants to kill him for handing Zirc over to Kilo. And yet, a deeper bond pulls me, like a chain around my spine. The fated connection."
I gently laid a hand on his forearm, feeling the muscle tense beneath my touch. "The bond might be predetermined, but your choices are not. Trill's actions matter. If he's working now to save Zirc, we'll do our best to honor that... and if not?—"
A slow nod. "Then he faces the consequences."
I squeezed his arm gently. "Roqs, you're allowed to be conflicted. But we can't let this confusion stop us. Zirc needs us." In my peripheral vision, I saw Nim and Sim cross their arms at the same time, smirks on their faces.
He lowered his gaze to my rounded belly, his features softening. "How do you stay so calm? So... resolute?"
My laugh sounded more tired than I intended. "I'm not calm at all. I'm terrified. But I can't let that rule me. We've all put our hopes in rescuing Zirc and forging alliances that might change everything for your people... and for me. So I'm choosing forward motion, no matter how scared I feel."
It took him a long moment, but I saw his shoulders relax as if I'd just eased some weight off them. "You sound like an alpha," he said quietly, almost smiling.
Before I could answer, Nim huddled with us. Sim was a step behind, scanning the perimeter. "We're ready, Brynn," Nim announced, his purple fur catching the new sunlight. "CG's mercenaries want a quick briefing. They've rallied a few stragglers from the old trade routes."
I felt the baby—babies?—flutter, and a wave of determined energy filled me. This was exactly the moment I needed to step forward.
"Let's do this," I said.
The alliance that reformed around me was different from what had existed before the fight. Stronger. More cohesive.Built on recognition of natural authority rather than desperate cooperation. If only my adoptive parents could see me now, they would be so proud.
And as I settled into planning the assault that would bring Zirc home, I marveled at the transformation that had occurred inside me. The gentle, confused human female was still there, but she was wrapped now in something far more dangerous.
Something that would kill to protect what was mine.
