Octavia
One phase later
I yawn and I feel my alphas stir. We are all in the nest and for once, morning starlight is slipping in the open curtains.
“Are you hungry, wedari?” Ziam rumbles, sounding half-asleep still.
Sitting up, I rub my eyes. “Mmm, a bit, I guess. I was hoping we might go outside since it’s not raining.”
“Perfect, come here,” he demands, “I have some seed to feed you, my love.”
I laugh even as Lux mutters, “Rude.” She sits up and kisses me gently. “If she’s hungry, she should feast on my cunt.”
I giggle. These three are insatiable, and even after my heat, I find I am too. I’m assuming it’s omega hormones, not to mention the fact that I feel safe, pampered, and loved. It’s enough to turn any woman into a horndog.
“No,” Ati says, pulling me on top of his huge body for a kiss. “My love needs real sustenance. Sex later, perhaps.” He stands easily, holding me to this chest.
“Ugh,” Zee says, “I suppose I must get up, since you hardly know where the cooling unit is.”
“Unkind,” Ati protests as he carries me downstairs, dropping tiny kisses on my head and face. I twist to see his silvery ‘Zatura’smark’ that I put on him. Pride fills me even as my hand slides to one of my markings, all healed and beautiful.
“I love you,” I murmur, rubbing my face on his chest and taking in his delicious scent.
“And we love you, wedari.” He places me on a stool in the kitchen. “I was thinking,” he starts as he digs around in the cabinet for coffee supplies, “that we should order a set of outside dining table and chairs, now that the rainy season is almost over.”
“Oh! Yes please!” I grin.
“We have noticed that you prefer to be outside, even if there hasn’t been much chance with the rain.”
Lux enters, gorgeously nude, her smooth, tight body on display. “Yes, I was thinking we should go further than that, Ati.” She opens the cooling unit and snatches a fruit. “A covered place outside.”
“Like a patio!” I say excitedly. “That sounds amazing! Maybe with big comfy outside couches? I could sit and enjoy the rain sounds and read.”
Ziam kisses the back of my head. “My research says that formerly imprisoned beings often need an extra sense of freedom, though how that manifests varies. That’s why I brought up outdoor spaces.”
I twist and wrap my arms around his waist as I blink back tears.
“None of that,” Lux orders. “Just tell us what you want.”
I grin into the press of Zee’s body. Biting my lip, I decide to go for it. “Could I have a treehouse?”
Silence.
“I do not believe this word translates. Because are we not in a house made of trees now?”
Laughter bubbles out and soon I’m in tears. Happy ones.
WE HAD GOTTEN OUTSIDEfor maybe an hour or so before the clouds rolled in. Thunder shook the trees, surprising me. I hadn’t heard it on this planet before. I wish I had my treehouse or the patio to enjoy the storm in, but my alphas have promised me that I will next season.
I am on the couch in the library, looking out at the river in one of my new outfits. It’s these soft, flowy pants, kind of a cross between harem pants and joggers. The matching top has billowing sleeves that use some kind of elastic at the wrist and honestly, I kind of love the outfit. I might get it in several colors.
Another rumble of thunder. Atiox enters the room, holding a candle. “Better get these lit, just in case.”
“Can I help?” I offer.
“Absolutely not. Keep that gorgeous ass of yours right there.”
Lux and Zee exit the playroom and look down at us from the balcony. I frown.I would have played too.
