The Hunter's Song II: Lost Blood

1: Invaders (Mourning Crow)

"Mate."

I opened my eyes, panting, with tears smeared across my cheeks.

"It isn't real," Eh'kt dried my face.

My heart raced and our dimly lit bedroom didn't feel real.

"You are safe," Shale rumbled from behind.

I shut my eyes and plunged my arms into Eh'kt's short mane of undulating black quills, tugging him tight and grazing my bicep on the silver Forged emblem branded into his neck.

Shale squeezed in behind me to help ease my trembling.

"I saw the circle again," I wasn't ready to explain that the nightmare once again involved Bold Step. The mere mention of his name always stirred up rage in my mates, along with the memory of when he infected E'pire and instigated her death.

"The frequency of these dreams has increased these last few months," Shale stroked my ears with his long crimson cranial tendrils.

I eased my grip on Eh'kt and reached back to pull Shale's hand around my chest.

The motley of furs lining our bed, combined with my mate's scent and leathery scales, reminded me that I was home, safe, and far from the abyss.

"I believe it is you and I who are at fault," Eh'kt spoke over me to Shale.

Shale hissed in defiance.

"We should be more thorough in wearing our mate out," Eh'kt chittered and nudged my face up. "To ensure she sleeps uninterrupted throughout the night."

I flinched a coy smile and felt my mates unfurl against my legs

"Hmm.." Shale's grumble perked up as he flicked my nipples free one-by-one. "This theory may have merit. At the very least, it's worth testing and performing our due diligence in discovering what methods are most helpful."

Eh'kt kissed me and intertwined his warm, forked, black tongue with my own. I grabbed his sharp black horns and tugged him close.

Bonded in all ways...

Shale's fingers delved down my center and caressed my slick opening.

Here, I am truly wanted...

I opened my legs and gasped when Shale's longest digit slid inside.

"And should this method fail," Eh'kt released my mouth and hoisted my leg further. "We will think up another tactic, something more rigorous and less gentle."

The warmth of my mate's swollen cocks jousting against my wetness made me purr and wriggle in anticipation.

"Who knew our mate was so enthusiastic about troubleshooting," Shale snuck in a second finger and guided my opening toward Eh'kt.

I reached back into the tangle of Shale's long red quills and clasped one of his big coiling horns while he nibbled on my neck.

Suddenly, my ear flicked straight up in startle at the pre-dawn scamper of tiny clawed feet and high-pitched giggles rampaging through our carved-out mountain home.

"Intruders!"

My mates were quick to tuck themselves back inside before the boys barged in and usurped our bed.

"The sun's up!" Raven Tide climbed on top of Eh'kt. "Time to get up!"

"No more playing with Mommy!" Crazy Wolf forced his small body between my torso and arms. "We're ready."

"You make many demands for pups without rank or reputation," Eh'kt laughed at the two miniature white Zhaguai with Shale's long mane, Eh'kt's sharp stacked horns, my long razkur ears, and tiny wagging reptilian tails.

"You promised we'd start training today," Raven Tide clicked at me with his sinewy three-foot tall body draped casually over Eh'kt's side.

"It's morning," Crazy Wolf snuggled his face into my chest.

I hugged him and kissed his forehead, recalling fondly the moment of their birth.

Eh'kt had carried Raven Tide, and Shale bore Crazy Wolf.

The twins were perfect and beautiful. Each possessed the vigor and intelligence of their fathers, paired with an innate vocal aptitude inherited from their razkur lineage.

Eh'kt had initially been nervous by their diminutive size, as each could fit easily within the palm of his hand. That was until the physician noted that in comparison to newborn razkurs, the boys were enormous.

"The promise will be consummated," Shale boomed over my shoulder. "Have you eaten?"

Raven Tide shook his thin white shoulder-length long quills.

"Then this is your first responsibility," Shale sat up. "Physical maintenance is paramount."

Crazy Wolf squirmed to his knees and yanked for me to sit up. "Let's go, Mommy!"

"Your mother must attend a summons today," Eh'kt tugged Crazy Wolf to his chest.

He and Shale had no choice but to adopt the razkur paternal title. According to Zhaguai designations, we were all bearers and sires, and dissecting the differences was too confusing to explain to a toddler.

"You will train with us today," Shale stated.

The child drooped his ears and pouted.

"Lesson two," I lifted Crazy Wolf's chin and raised his silver eyes to mine. "Is to listen and follow instructions. I will join you later and give you something fun to try out."

Crazy Wolf's silver eyes lit up.

"Told you," Raven Tide thumped his fist on his twin brother's shoulder. "Scorch-pikes!"

"Weapons are not rewarded to two unDreaded pups who cannot even feed themselves," Shale laughed as he got up from the bed and scooped the two boys into his arms. Then he paused and sniffed their wriggling quills. "Have you not bathed?"

"What for?" Crazy Wolf splayed his ears asymmetrically. "We're going to get all dirty."

Shale sighed and put them down on the floor. "To the hygiene chamber, now."

My wristcomm buzzed, drawing the attention of my mates. I shook my head, letting them know it was nothing critical.

But that was a misdirect.

It was an encrypted message from Peleon, Shale's bearer.

.

.

.

...

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