Cal’s mouth is hanging open as he stares at me. Lowering himself down onto the stairs slowly, I watch him deflate. “This is an Earth convention?”
“Faithfulness?” I snort, shaking as I put my hands on my hips and spin in a circle slowly. I want to run, and the nervous energy has my voice vibrating with rage. “No, Cal. It’s a fucking Edith thing. I don’t share. I deserve the best, and in return, I give the best. I get there are differences between us as species, but all of Earth isn’t faithful in relationships. There are all different kinds of relationships out there, as I’m sure there are here. But I’m only in one.With you!”
He blinks, licking his lips as I watch him listening to the end of the translation. “I deserve to get what I want. I want someone kind and caring who doesn’t fight and kill others. Someone faithful!” I pound my fist against my chest, so maddened by having to explain this. “So I won’t be with someone who has sex with others, male or female,” I clarify for good measure. As long as we’re discussing this, I’m going to make sure there are no loopholes down the road.
Part of me feels stupid for not having this conversation before. This is my norm. My deal-breaker speech that I give at the beginning of every relationship. “You can do it. Fuck around on me, I mean.” I raise my eyebrows. “Feel free.” I take a step back. “But I won’t stick around.”
I think I’ve laid it all out there. Letting out a sigh, I try to slow my breathing. Picking up my hair again, I curse my lack of a hair tie.
Cal leans back, rubbing the top of his head. “While we were Ropor prisoners, women were... not available. Not unless we won them as Trophies. I’ve never been here before, but... yes, in Baloo, the malesdohave sex with multiple partners. Or so I’ve been told. There are only so many Orcleen females.”
My stomach drops. Iamfucking naïve!Fuck, fuck, fuck!Duh. That’s what I get for giving people the benefit of the doubt! But shit! I assumed... based on his whole claim I was his mate, there wouldn’t be anyone else in the picture? I never specificallyasked!
“My mother gave birth to me at the Ropor’s Roportorium. They allowed me to stay with her, even after she was put into the Trophy rotation again.” When I stare at Cal’s explanation blankly, he adds, “They took me from her when I was old enough to train.”
I nod, letting him know I heard and understand. What can I say? That’s fucking shitty. Is this his version of an excuse?
Turning my back to him, I fight tears while my heart aches.For him. He really has had a terrible life.
“I don’t want her, Edith.” Cal’s powerful arms spin me around, picking me up and pinning me to his chest as he lowers back down onto the stairs that lead up to the Dishif.
Pounding on his shoulders again, I let out my frustration. “You went into the bedroom with her! She got naked!”
“I was trying to talk to her—”
“Well, it’s pretty cut and dried,” I grit out, dropping my feet to the floor between his legs and yanking my wrists away. “It’s her or me.”
Crossing my arms again, I fight my tears, giving up as my voice breaks. “I can’t believe how much it hurts you’d do this! That you’d even consider it?!”
I turn away, wiping my eyes on my dress shoulder. I see Nako, Luc, and Serlo hanging out by the doors while the trainees file out. “How would you feel if I had sex with another Orclan? Like Serlo?” I gesture to him. “Or what if I was just alone and naked with him when you walked in? Or he was? What would you think?”
Cal’s irate growl follows him as he sprints a few steps toward Serlo before coming to his senses and spinning back to face me. Everyone, including Serlo, disappears as Cal snarls, “I would kill him.”
Throwing my hands in the air, I roll my eyes. “No fucking shit, sherlock! Don’t you think that’s how I feel? I’m not sure what I’d have done if I had a weapon earlier. The anger you feel right now is just a pale comparison to how I feel—because it fucking happened to me!”
My voice breaks as I scream the last words, and my vocal cords give out. Sobbing, my body collapses, and I crumple to the floor. I can’t focus as the anger morphs into heartache, and I hug my legs, letting my face drop against my knees.
Strong arms pick me up, and Cal traps me against him while he moves back to the stairs. “But you didn’t let me finish. I went to talk to her because she looks like my mother. Just like her. The Ropors told me they’d sent her here.” Grabbing my fists, he pins them against his chest. “But she doesn’t recognize me. She thought I followed her for sexual relief.”
I stiffen. No. He must be making excuses.
Sensing my disbelief, he continues. “Our worlds and cultures are different. But your feelings right now, this anger and sadness, I do comprehend. I swear, no other females... or males, Human or Orclan. I never meant to hurt you, Edith. Never.”
I sniff, studying his face to see if he means it. Can I trust him?
“Did you want her? Sexually, I mean?”
“Her? The Orcleen that looks like my mother?” When I nod, Cal lets out a snarled, “No!” Leaning over, he captures my face in his hand, holding me still. “I said no. Always no. She is absent minded and childlike. I thought she didn’t recognize me because I’m older and much bigger than when she left.”
Cal’s head drops, and he scrubs a big green hand over his face. “But she doesn’t remember me. She doesn’t remember the Ropors. And I feel nothing sexual for her. You’re mymate, Edith. My unique Human who has me dependent in every way. I would do anything for you to stay with me, and if that means you’re the only one I have ejaculations with... forever... agreed.”
Cal leans back, releasing me while I straighten to study him. Can he be telling the truth?
“You’re sure? No others? Because I can’t deal with you breaking my heart...” I clutch my chest, memories replay of him in the room with her naked.
“You are the only one I want. Forever, Edith. I swear this.”
Taking a deep breath, I let out a sigh. He looks sincere. I want to trust him. He’s killed for me, and I know he cares for me.