Episode Forty-One The Lie

N adira

Cold. It's the cold that wakes me up. I don't know how Dhar bathed in that river. I still have a lot to learn about living outdoors in the Down Below.

I'm tucked into my furs, but I'm missing one of my mates. At first, I wonder if Azael left to relieve himself, but when I reach behind me toward Dhar, that space is empty, too.

I sit up with a gasp, terror racing along my veins. It's the first time I've been truly alone since I arrived Down Below. Forcing myself to gaze toward the stump where Thallose sat last night, I see not only is it vacant, he's not in the hut, either.

My teeth clamp together as I imagine what's going on.

I wanted what happened between Dhar, Azael, and me in the furs. Just the thought of it makes my clit pulse as it plumps, readying itself for another round of pleasure.

Yes, I wanted sex. I wanted my mates to wash away the remnants Thallose left behind, but I also wanted to take their minds off what he did. They were furious.

Maybe it's an effect of mating the orc, but I'm pretty sure I can smell emotions now. The burned-rubber smell of fury swirls through the crisp night air.

I don't have to give too much effort wondering where they are. Azael and Dhar are probably scolding Thallose. No. I slowly shake my head. Scold isn't a strong enough word. They're so angry, I wonder if they're hurting him.

I allow myself a swift moment to feel vindicated, then force that emotion out of my heart. I don't like the male. There's good reason for that, but he doesn't deserve to be beaten. Besides, I think out of the three of them, he'll be the most help in the war we're about to wage.

I may not like him, but I hope they don't drive him away. We need him.

There's rustling in the trees. I assume it's my males returning from whatever they were doing out there.

Azael enters first. His surprise is obvious in his widened eyes when he sees me sitting up, a fur tucked around me under my arms.

"My love, did our absence scare you?" he asks as he comes to my side.

Dhar approaches and sits on my other side. "Were you lonely without us?" He leans to kiss my forehead. "We couldn't sleep and didn't want to wake you."

I make a note of his tone of voice. Next time he uses it, I'll know he's lying.

My nostrils flare. I'm worried, wondering why Thallose isn't back. Then I remember Dhar can smell my emotions. For all I know, maybe they both can.

One soft beat of wings precedes the sound of a large body landing on the small deck outside our door.

The male tucks his fluffy white wings next to his body as he dips his head to enter. At first, his gaze darts from mine, but just as quickly, it returns to me. He attempts a smile as he nods and says, "Beautiful evening, Nadira. If we'd known you were awake, we would have asked you to join us as we gazed at the stars."

I guess I can't fault him for lying. It was the other two who agreed to our pact to always be truthful with each other. He made no such promise.

His little falsehood might have soothed my spirit, making me believe perhaps we could be a happy pack, except for the trickle of blood at the corner of his lip.