A knock on the door interrupts him and puts us all on edge. The only time anyone is at the door is when trouble is about, and I don't like it. I don't like this feeling of dread in my gut.
Wen stands abruptly, water sluicing down his fit form, making my body burn. I glance away sharply as now is not the time and notice Olo and his knowing grin. I blush and huff, but it just makes him smile wider.
"Stay here," Wen barks before he leaves the bathroom, not bothering to dry himself off or cover up.
Olo and I get to our feet at the same time and climb out. But unlike Wen, we grab towels and pat ourselves dry before meandering back into the nest. The door is closed, and I go to reach for it, but Olo grabs my hands and pulls me to a stop.
"He can focus better on whoever is at the front door if we stay here."
Olo's words make sense, and I begrudgingly step back. I remember the last time I disobeyed Wen's order and found myself kidnapped. I'm certainly not looking for a repeat of that experience.
I can hear muffled voices through the door and go deathly still.
"What… want?"
Frowning, I struggle to make out what's being said and by whom. It's all just low rumbling that I can't quite make out.
"…crashed my… where… they?"
"…burned…"
"All…"
"…wildlife… home"
"…alone…"
With a frustrated growl, I stop straining my ears and shake my head. The bits of what I heard just confused me more and have left me irritated. Thankfully by the time I bury myself in the furs of the nest beside Olo, Wen's pounding steps warn me of his impending arrival.
Cleary whoever was out there didn't linger. Thank the gods for small mercies.
The moment the door opens, Wen steps through with a curled lip. The sight of his anger shouldn't surprise me; he's very protective, and visitors at the door intrudes upon his territory.
"Is everything okay?" Olo asks with a calming smile.
Wen tries to shrug off his irritation. "I think so, but we need to lay low for a few cycles." His angry gaze finds me. "You especially, Lyra."
My mouth drops open. "Me? Why?"
"There was someone here looking for their ship—their ship that crashed on our planet." Wen's watching me closely, and I can feel Olo's eyes on me too, but I don't turn from our alpha.
"That's terrible.” I hesitate, not understanding the look I'm getting and how this crashed ship relates to me.
Wen scowls harder, his words adamant and fierce. "He won't find it, nor will he find any survivors. I'll make sure of it."
I shake my head, clearly missing something. "I don't understand."
The alpha drops down into the nest and pulls me into his arms, a purr already rumbling from his chest. His brand of comfort does the trick, and I go lax in his hold, even as my mind scrambles to pick up what he’s putting down.
The moment it dawns on me, I panic.
“No!” I cry, trying to free myself, but Wen just holds me tighter.
"You will stay inside at all times, Lyra, and stay away from the windows in case he's lingering around our den. Do you understand?"
I'm shaking, tears flowing down my face as I lose the ability to breathe.
"Do you understand, Lyra?" Wen persists, purr still going strong. "I will protect you. There's nothing to fear, mate. You need to breathe."