Chapter 30

Kayla

“Here, I made this for you.” Hai handed me a clay bowl while doing her best to hold back a laugh.

I couldn’t help the cackle that escaped me the moment I took in the sight of this train wreck of a vessel.

“I’m sorry,” I said, trying to catch my breath after laughing so hard.

“It’s so awful, isn’t it?” Hai was laughing now too. God, it was good to be back home. I needed this. I needed a deep laugh with Hai over our shitty pottery skills.

I looked around the cavern at everyone enjoying themselves. Orsu and Julie were making dinner. He cracked a joke while chopping vegetables and Julie laughed while stirring a pot of stew.

Tarak and Gabby sat together as they chatted with Drondia and Neelu. His tail wrapped around her waist and her hand rested on his knee.

Jax, Sarah, Sozu, and Talia were off in one corner, playing a rustic-looking strategy game. Jax touched Sarah’s shoulder to get her attention, and she blushed. Sozu’s tail wrapped around Talia’s leg. She gave him a shy smile, and he apologized and wrapped his tail around his arm lest it make its way to Talia again.

Hai ran their fingers through their short hair as they made eyes with Lumod, and Fatima rolled her eyes at Hai, who clearly wasn’t paying attention to the conversation.

Axon and Rhaz were doing their best not to look at the females while they sharpened spears while Ashely and Anusha walked arm in arm to the ridge to get some fresh air.

I leaned back against Drovo, who had me in his lap.

“It’s good to be back, isn”t it?” He asked.

“It is. It’s good to be home.” I smiled up at him and he held me tighter.

Home with my mate. What could be better?