Page 44 of Invasion of Sorority Z

“It’s just hard to imagine,” I admit. “What about families and friends? Are you not physical with those you’re close with?”

Drak snorts. “We are warriors. We are very physical.”

I really hope they don’t beat each other up for fun, or for training. Marrec says they’re retired and honestly, thinking of him fighting even his friends makes my stomach kind of queasy.

“I mean, do you guys like, hug each other?”

I watch his brows turn down in the mirror. “I do not know this hug.”

I genuinely hope he means that the word doesn’t translate and not that he doesn’t know the concept. “An embrace,” I try again. “Like you wrap your arms around them and just hold them for a bit?”

“Like during mating? My experience mating was not soft like this embrace you are describing.”

Too much information, but I can’t focus on that. “Drak, are you telling me that no one has ever hugged you? Your parents? Friends?”

He stiffens up. “My father has never so much as touched me to mend a battle wound.Terum is my true father, and he holds my shoulders sometimes. But I have not held my friends apart from pulling them out of the range of fire.” He looks away from the mirror. Away from himself. “I do not know if my mother has hugged me. She perished before I could walk.”

A stray tear falls down my cheek before I can bat it away. “Stand up,” I rasp. Drak does, and I turn to Marrec to take his hand. “Don’t freak out and stab him, okay? This is a human custom. A friendly one. It’s not romantic unless I’m doing it with you, okay?”

Seeming to understand, he agrees with a firm nod and a soft squeeze of my hand. Once again, I’m reminded just how special my mate truly is.

Drak doesn’t seem to understand what is about to happen, but he stands there all the same.

“I’m going to hug you now, if you want?”

His eyes widen, but almost like he can’t help it, his head dips in an eager nod.

I close the distance between us slowly so that I don’t startle him and wrap my arms around his middle. My head rests on his chest, and his heart beats so loud and wildly that I can hear it through his skin.

“And you put your arms around my shoulders,” I instruct. “Or around my back like where mine are on you.”

He doesn’t move immediately, but eventually he does. Gently, his hands touch my back, and he lets out a shaky breath.

Drak stands so still, like he’s sure he’ll make it all end if he moves even an inch. I don’t want to take away whatever he’s feeling too fast, so I don’t. I just hold him, letting him soak up the sensation for a little while.

Eventually, I let go and step back. He’s not crying when I look up at his face, but damn if there isn’t water pooling in his eyes.

I clear my throat, choking down my emotions. “That’s a hug.” Marrec stands behind me, like he knows that I need him, and I sink into him, resting the back of my head on his chest. “And if you’re serious about being my brother, you can have a hug and some braids any time you like.”

“Notanytime,” Marrec corrects, causing the tight tension in the air to erase—Drak’s booming laugh chasing it away.

“I am thankful for your generosity, my sister,” he says, his amusement calming down. “It is good that you are both ferocious and gentle. You will be a champion mother.”

“So quick to me being a mom, eh? You’re ready to be Uncle Drak, are you?”

His eyes practically sparkle with mischief. “Oh yes, I have much to teach the young one. The child will be wielding swords before it can speak.”

“Wooden ones,” Marrec offers at my stunned expression. “Training weaponry only,rightDrak?”

“At first.”

I snort. “All right, come on now.” Gesturing to his seat on the floor, I get back into position. “Let me finish up this pretty hair of yours, and you can ask me your questions.”

“So,” he begins, settling into place. “How many lovers have you had before Marrec?”

My lips pop open, and he cannot contain his burst of laughter.

“I am only teasing, Stee-vee. I wish not to know of my sister in that way.”

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