Chapter 22

Leah

What was that?

Leah shivered as she stepped out of her costume and set it aside to change back into her clothes. Tillos and Sollit had started growling and she had immediately zoned out. Like a hypnotist had snapped his fingers, she'd floated away. Still aware of her surroundings, still in control of her body, but it was like all her anxieties and worries had just vanished in a puff of smoke and she couldn't think of a single reason to move or be concerned.

The lowcut dress didn't matter. Being half naked in front of three different males – even if two of them were her mates – didn't matter. She was just suddenly so relaxed and comfortable.

Right until that sound stopped, then she just popped right back into herself. The change had been too immediate and drastic for her to think it was just a coincidence.

Their growl had done something to her.

What was with that?

She changed quickly back into her own clothes, clinging to the shirt with a higher neckline with relief, before emerging. Sollit had also changed out of his costume, and they were waiting for her with happy smiles.

"Ready to eat?" Tillos asked as they both held out their hands.

She took them and let them walk her out and to the cafeteria. They loaded up their trays and went to their favorite table in the corner where she began picking at her food as she looked between them.

"What was that?" She asked immediately, trying not to sound accusatory. The good feelings she'd experienced had been so consuming. She couldn't be afraid of the loss of control, even now after it was over. It was like the power of whatever they had done was so strong, even just the memory of it could help relax her.

"Shorvi?" Sollit asked, tilting his head. "Did he bother you?"

"No. I didn't mean him. I mean, you two. What did you do to me?"

"Did you dislike it?" Tillos asked, his expression carefully neutral.

She opened her mouth, but no response came immediately. The truth was, she hadn't disliked it. In fact, she already found herself wanting to experience it again. But it had been a surprise, and she wanted to know what happened.

Finally, she shook her head no. And that must have been the right answer, because both of them smiled, pleased.

"We purr," Sollit told her, grinning. "Well, it's a growl and a purr. It's meant as a threat to our enemies, but to our mate, it's different."

"It de-stimulates your brain," Tillos took over easily. "It calms you down and can even block pain. Male avanava use it to help tend their females. Especially when they're upset."

"Was I that upset?" She frowned.

Sollit shook his head quickly. "No. We were growling at Shorvi. We honestly didn't expect it to affect you this early."

"Why? Aren't I your mate?"

"You are," Tillos assured her. "But we're not bonded to you yet. That happens in our species the first time we have sex. But humans, as I understand it, bond through sight."

"Which means, we may not be bonded to you, but you're bonded to us," Sollit said, smiling. Like that knowledge made him happy.

But Leah could only blink at him stupidly. Because that wasn't a good thing, right? Didn't that mean that she was alone in this relationship? If she was attached to them, but they weren't attached to her, didn't that mean they could leave her?

Maybe she was overthinking this, but she was suddenly struck with crippling self-consciousness at the thought that she would be bonded to them, but they weren't bonded to her. Not that they'd ever given her reason to be concerned about such things, but the worry was immediately there.

Tillos must have noticed her reaction, because he cocked his head curiously. "Leah, is something-"

The chirping ring of his combot cut him off. They all three turned to see the little floating robot flashing at them.

"Oh," Sollit perked up.

"What is it?" Leah looked between them curiously.

"It's our parents," Tillos told her, waving at the combot. "Command: Answer."

"Huh, wait-"

Too late.

The chirping ring ended as the combot projected a holographic screen into the air. On it were three people, looking out at them. Two males and a female.

The two males had bright, pale blue scales. Their white hair was long, one keeping it up on top of his head and the other loose and free. Their eyes were as white as their hair, blinking curiously as they cocked their heads in a way that was incredibly familiar.

The female who sat between them really identified who these people must be. She had the same lavender purple scales as Sollit and Tillos. Her hair, just as white as the others, was wavy and cut in a short bob just under her ears. Golden eyes gleamed in an elegant face.

But there was something… different about her.

Leah had seen a female avanava. She knew, generally, what they looked like thanks to that one fangirl – which was mostly just smaller than the males. And that was certainly true of this female, but there was something noticeably different about her. Her eyes were half closed like she was drunk. Her hair seemed more like liquid, flowing down so smooth and beautiful. Her scales shined in the light, like they'd been recently polished. She was wearing a loose, but beautifully patterned, orange and yellow dress. Her head was leaning against the male with the loose hair, while the male who had his hair up was gently massaging one of her hands with the casual ease of someone who didn't realize he was doing it.

Was she high? Was she drugged? Did female avanava just look like that sometimes?

"Mother. Fathers," Sollit and Tillos greeted together.

" My sons, " the loose-haired male started, though he was very clearly staring at Leah. " By the gods, you weren't kidding. I thought it was a joke ."

"Why would we joke about our mate?" Sollit asked, putting an arm around her. "Leah, let us introduce you. These are our fathers and our mother. That's Sorten, Ariell, and Netros." He pointed to them, from left to right, starting with the loose haired male and ending with the one with his hair up. "And this lovely creature is our mate – Leah. Isn't she beautiful?"

" She truly is ," Netros agreed easily. " It is lovely to meet you, Leah. And may we say, we're quite pleased that you've accepted our sons' courtship. "

Sorten was nodding along eagerly. Ariell, between them, didn't even seem to realize what was happening. Was she alright?

"It's nice to meet you both," Leah said politely, old training kicking in. She didn't dare be rude or question the parents of the males she was with. Even if she was only half with them.

" Have you two been courting her properly? " Sorten asked, looking between her males with a critical eye as if trying to catch them lying.

"Of course, we have, father," Tillos responded evenly. "We're not children."

"We can handle this," Sollit agreed. "She already responds to our purr and everything."

" Really? " Netros looked surprised. " You've mated this soon? Are you sure you're courting her properly? Rushing into this will be bad for your mate, you know ."

"Father, please," Tillos huffed.

"We're not rushing into anything. We've only just begun the feeding process."

What were they even talking about?

Leah didn't dare to ask. This felt far too much like the men talking at church, and she was too well trained to break the habit of staying silent while that happened. Especially when most of her focus was on Ariell.

The female still hadn't said a word. Though she looked content, she also looked slightly comatose – like she was barely awake, and a good dream was trying to draw her back into sleep. She didn't even move when Netros finished massaging one hand and set it down to start on the other. She was a rag doll between them – a beautiful one, to be sure, but she seemed oblivious to everything around her. And neither male was even purring to explain it.

As Leah was staring, Ariell blinked and focused on her. It wasn't really focused though, she just kind of looked at her face. She still seemed completely out of it, her eyes foggy and dreamy. She offered Leah a smile – but it was such a soft upturning of her lips, it was almost like it wasn't even there.

Leah was trying to ask, with her eyes, if she was okay. But Ariell either couldn't understand her, or she was too far gone to respond.

She was so focused on the other female, she didn't hear the rest of the conversation going on. The males didn't seem to need her input, however. They were perfectly happy to speak around her and Ariell both.

Was that… a bad thing? The ladies at the shelter had told her what it was like being in an abusive relationship. Being ignored like this, like she was secondary to the men, was one of the things they had warned her about. Should she be concerned? Why wasn't she moving?

The comm ended, surprising her. She hadn't realized they were saying goodbye. The blue males even said goodbye to her, clueing her back into the conversation just in time for the hologram to disappear. She still wasn't convinced that their mother wasn't drugged.

Tillos and Sollit turned back to her. Grinning. Expecting. Leah quickly fixed a smile in place.

"Your parents seem nice," she said.

"They really liked you," Sollit chuckled, pushing a bowl of some kind of custard ice cream towards her to enjoy.

"You think?" She picked up her long, big spoon and poked at the offering. "So, erm, your mother was pretty quiet…"

"Naturally," Tillos chuckled. "Our fathers take good care of her."

"Right…" She pushed a bite of the sweet past her lips. That didn't really answer her question, and now she was afraid to ask another one.

"You'll be like her soon enough," Sollit promised, pushing her hair back. "She's been under our fathers' care for a long time. It will take a while to get you caught up, but you'll eventually be the same way."

"Right…" She said again, heart thumping. Was that why they were pushing food on her? Was this stuff drugged or something? Was Ariell okay? Should she talk to her privately? If she had to help her, was there something like an alien women's shelter they could go to?

"Leah?" Tillos cocked his head at her curiously.

She fixed her smile back again. "I'm actually still kind of hungry. Can you get me something else to eat?"

He smiled. "Of course."

"I'll get it," Sollit said, standing eagerly.

Leah spooned some more of the custard into her mouth. Concerned now.

What was up with Ariell? And was she okay?

Would Leah be okay?