Page 11 of Yorix

Chapter 6

Yorix

The landing pad was on the roof of the Center and upon exiting the shuttle, I quickly spotted the door that led to the inside. I approached it and pressed my palm against the scanner, pleased to note my hands were no longer trembling.

“Hi, Yorix!” Xeranos cheerfully greeted me.

“Hello, Xeranos. Let me in, please?” I asked, my voice tinged with an edge of desperation.

“Certainly!”

I heard the lock disengage and I tried the handle. It turned easily and I pulled it open, revealing a set of stairs leading down. Followed them and found myself facing another door at the bottom.

“It’s not locked,” Xeranos helpfully announced, so I opened that one too.

“Here’s Yorix now!” the Center officer said to the loveliest being ever to walk the cosmos.

The vision of beauty stood up, blushing sweetly as she crossed the floor towards me. We met halfway across the expanse.

“Hi,” she said softly, looking up at me.

“Hello.” I cleared my throat. “Are you ready to go?”

“Yes. Tylip went out and brought my suitcases in. I didn’t know I could bring my cat, so I left him at home.” Her hands flew to her cheeks. “I told Chris she was with my roommates! Do you think he’s going to hate me when he finds out I still live at home with my parents and brother? His parents were just so awful that it felt like rubbing his nose in it if I mentioned I did, because he’d figure out mine are pretty great.” She bit her lower lip. “I don’t usually lie. In fact, practically never…I just didn’t want to kick him while he was down, you know?”

I had absolutely no idea what my mate was talking about, so I looked to the officer for an explanation.

“I’m Tylip,” he introduced himself. “There was a bit of an incident, you see.” He quickly explained the unexpected extra applicant and subsequent matching. The entire time, I held her trembling frame against me, offering reassurance by rubbing the small of her back as she peered up anxiously at me.

“My darling, sweet one,” I rumbled, brushing my lips against hers. “He will forgive you, but I think perhaps that you should tell him yourself and explain.”

She blinked tearful eyes up at me, her expression one of defeat as she sighed and nodded. “You’re right.”

“I have no doubt that we will be invited to their wedding. You can tell him then.”

Her expression brightened. “Yes, we did promise to see each other often. He will be feeling much better then. I told him I just knew we’d be besties and a bestie would truly understand as it wasn’t a cruel fib!”

I growled. No male other than me should be her best.

She giggled, smacking my chest playfully. ”Stop that! I’m allowed to have a best friend! Plus, he’s mated, remember? Two big, tough vampire Mylos with a cute dog and a couple of kitties and everything!”

I sighed. “I’m sorry. I’m feeling a bit…”

“Grrr grr, me alpha male, must claim my mate?” she suggested, looking up at me now with an expression that spoke of mischief.

“Yes.” I wasn’t going to deny it, because how could I? The sight, scent, and feel of her was sending me into overdrive. My skin felt too tight, the itching was at insane levels.

“Oh dear,” Tylip said. “It looks as if your mating display is coming on rather aggressively. Your skin looks rather red, and I can clearly see your scale pattern beneath it. Hold on, I have something Xeranos found which helps. “

He bustled over to the food prep area, opening a cabinet, and took out a small box, taking a capsule out and bringing it to me with a small cup of water.

“Benadryl. It will help reduce the itching. When was the last time you did a partial shift?”

“It’s been quite a while, I admitted, taking the capsule from him eagerly. Anything to stop this drednar itching! “And it always itches more than most, but never anything like this.”

“Will you be alright?” My sweet Lynn was looking at me now with such tender concern that my hearts panged for the anguish my reaction to my scale eruption was causing her.

“Yes. Once my plumage is out, it will stop.”