Josie gestured at the small group of women. “I told my Matt several times that these girls were being coddled. The men were spoiling them, insisting on doing everything for them. It wasn’t good for them. He insisted that as soon as we got to the sanctuary that the girls wouldn’t need to worry about struggling to survive. Told me not to worry. Now look at them, caught in their grief, helpless as children while they ignore their babies. They aren’t going to do a thing for themselves. Like the rest of us aren’t grieving too. Who would feed us if we all collapsed as they are, taking the luxury of doing as if it’s their right?” She made a sound of disgust in the back of her throat, one hand coming up to wipe away the tears at the mention of her newly departed husband. “If they weren’t so afraid of your guy, I wouldn’t doubt they would be trying to latch onto him. I would watch for that anyway, because Lacey over there has that look about her like she’s about to get brave.”
Terri sighed. “Of all things for her to focus on. She would be better off seeing to herself and her child. She has no chance of gaining anything from Veral other than his ire.”
“Hmph, that was what my daughter Becky thought until Lacey got her hooks into her man. He started sneaking the girl extra rations whenever she complained and spent all his time with her because she said she was scared to be alone. Eventually, he fathered a child on her and decided that Lacey needed him more. She used it to her advantage, getting him to take care of her. My poor Becky took it hard, but she’s a fighter. Those men don’t know what they’re in for keeping her against her will. I hope she kills a couple in their sleep,” Josie ground out.
She gave Terri a troubled look. “Now that her man’s gone, it won’t be long before Lacey looks for someone else to provide for her. If she or any of these other girls get it into their minds that they will be well cared for by your guy, they’ll do everything in their power to win him. This world isn’t kind to those who aren’t strong, as you know. They will see it as a matter of survival to find someone to protect and care for them.”
“How can they even tell that Veral is male?” Terri blurted out in surprise. “I didn’t even know it until he told me.”
Josie chuckled, her eyes gleaming with humor and sympathy. “The way he tends to you gives it away. And sometimes the front of him bulges out a bit when he’s close to you. His armor must have some impressive give to it to allow that kind of flexibility,” she observed wryly.
Terri felt her cheeks heat. Well, shehadasked. Despite the fact that she didn’t like other women staring at Veral, it was at least good to know the facts of the matter.
“I’m not worried.” She laughed convincingly despite the twinge of anxiety that made itself known.
Josie made a doubtful sound in her throat. “If you say so. Still, the sooner we can get to the sanctuary, the better. There will be plenty of men happy to take them off my hands.”
Terri smiled, but her eyes strayed again to the young woman ignoring her toddler. The baby had finally managed to wrestle his mother’s breast free and was hungrily suckling despite her apathy. Lacey’s head was lowered, but from between the long tangle of her hair, Terri could see that the woman’s eyes were following Veral’s every movement. Lacey was afraid but there was something speculative in her eyes. Or maybe Terri was just imagining it.
She knew that Veral wouldn’t be interested in the other female; he barely tolerated being near them. Still, she couldn’t help feeling a bit exhausted at the idea of having to deal with another woman trying to wheedle her way into his affections. It wouldn’t work, but the thought of the woman even trying made her want to throw her out into the street to fend for herself against the Reapers.
Once again, the thought wasn’t that kind, but Lacey had better watch herself lest Terri be tempted too far.
Frowning, she began to instinctively search out her mate. Turning to go to him, she ran into the solid wall of a male’s armored abdomen. Teetering precariously, she squeaked until her mate’s arms wrapped around her, anchoring her to his front. Terri sighed and melted into him, resting her head against his chest as his vibrissae slid over her hair. Even the gentle scrape of his claws over her back helped her relax against him.
Terri lifted her head to meet his gaze, but instead of seeing him looking down at her possessively, he was scowling at Josie. No doubt he’d heard every word that the other woman said. His eyes were still tracking her angrily, not that she seemed disturbed by it, but he paused to hiss at Lacey when she attempted to sidle nearer. The girl blanched and backed away so fast that she stumbled, nearly tripping over Krono when he darted around her, leading a train of children chasing after him. With her hand fisted over her chest, Lacey dropped back to her place on the floor beside where her little one had fallen asleep on a pile of rags. Terri snickered into his chest as his arms tightened around her. He apparently decided that the other females were no longer worthy of his attention, because his jaw dropped beside her cheek and his mandibles vibrated their comforting, humming purr.
His nose brushed the side of her face. “Do not worry about these females, anastha,” he said in a low voice. “You are my mate. I belong to you as much as you belong to me. My species doesn’t feel the effects of desire until we already form an emotional and mental bond with our female. It cannot be reversed or overridden by the presence of another.” He inhaled slowly, drawing her scent into his lungs. “They can never compare to my mate. I will never let you go,” he hissed.
Terri relaxed in his arms and smiled up at him. “I know. I just don’t look forward to beating weepy, clinging women off you with a stick.”
One horned brow raised. “I might enjoy watching my female demonstrate her dominance. If you wish to strike them away from me, I will not stop you,” he trilled with pleasure, sending a tingle up her spine.
“I’ll keep that in mind,” she murmured as her fingers slid over the armor protecting his belly. Veral made an approving sound and nuzzled her before stepping out of her reach. She pouted up at him, but he responded with a chuff of laughter.
“I will see to gathering what we need to enter the human compound. Inform me if these females bother you. You have worked enough for their comfort. They can get anything else they need. Rest, anastha,” he demanded, his eyes narrowing on her until she nodded. Pleased, his mandibles rattled, his hand caressing her hair briefly before he strode away.
She smiled after him, his dark form wading through the smaller women who scattered out of his way without the least bit of provocation. He ducked into the hallway leading to the rooms. The nursery was the smallest room in the wreckage of the house, but it was comfortable and cozy for them. They agreed to allow the other women to make use of the other three rooms. She had a feeling that most of the women would cram into the master bedroom. It was already difficult separating them from each other. She would probably have to herd them into the room when night fell. She debated just letting them stay in the remains of the living room if they insisted, just to save her the headache, but she couldn’t do that. It wasn’t safe.
At least she wasn’t going to have to worry about Josie and her friends. They would likely make themselves comfortable in one of the other rooms and enjoy the relative privacy compared to those who would be crowded in together. Terri was just glad that she and Veral had a room to themselves. She didn’t even bother suggesting that they open their room up for use. Her mate wouldn’t have tolerated it. He was jealously possessive over their room, warning away any woman who so much as touched the door.
At that moment, laughter broke out in the center of the room. Terri looked over and grinned at the source of the disruption. Krono lay on the floor, his mouth gaping in an alien equivalent of a canine grin as children circled around him. Some of the smaller ones were snuggling up against him, playing with his vibrissae, while a little girl was busy crowning the brute of a beast with wreaths of wildflowers that she’d plucked from around the house. The happy squealing of children rung out as they were licked by the dorashnal’s huge tongue. A pair of mothers giggled as they watched.
One of the women stepped over to Terri, a concerned look on her face. She had a very upset seven-year-old by the hand.
“Is that thing safe? Mandy wants to play with it like the other children… but I don’t know. I’ve never seen such a creature, and the mutated animals tend to be aggressive.”
“He is perfectly fine. He isn’t a mutated coyote or anything like that. Krono is a dorashnal… He’s Veral’s companion. An alien dog, more or less,” Terri explained.
The woman went pale and swallowed. “Oh, I see.”
She didn’t seem all that comforted by the information.
Terri smiled reassuringly and tried again. “Dorashnals are good animals and very smart. He won’t hurt them. I believe Veral once told me that he’s had Krono from the time he was very young.”
“Well, if you’re sure,” the other woman murmured uncertainly. Plastering an uneasy smile on her face, she reluctantly let go of her daughter’s arm. “Go ahead, Mandy. The lady says it’s okay.”
The little girl eyed her mother doubtfully as if uncertain the nervous woman would change her mind. Her mother’s smile wavered before becoming firmer as she waved encouragingly. “Go ahead, baby.”