Page 46 of Bikar

“As you wish, little doe.”

Sneaky male. He’s figured me out, and knows saying “I love you” like Wesley does to Buttercup is something I find romantic as all get out.

CHAPTER 40

BAMBI

The building Gorg shows us to is a lot nicer than I expected, though I’m not exactly sure what I anticipated. It’s a large ground-floor structure with no stairs to be had. From what I heard on the way over here, there is a smaller building, similar to a mother-in-law cottage, that Shagar and Atasha are going to stay in. That way they’re close, but not so close that an impressionable child might catch her older siblings doing things that are only for adults.

Coming back here was a hard decision for Shagar to make, and she’s been quiet and withdrawn since leaving the Zenith. Einar and Slavic settled her and little sister into their new home first, before tackling moving their mates off the Zenith.

Pausing, I grab Bikar by the hand and pull him to the side of our new front porch. A couple of the girls look at me, but I wave them on. This structure… house—whatever—is a little isolated from the rest of the community, and I realize I haven’t seen Heather since she stormed off earlier.

“Bikar?”

“Hmm?”

“Where is Heather staying? I haven’t seen her since she left the meeting this morning, and it just dawned on me that she’s not staying with us.”

“Ah, yes. Per what I overheard…”

Narrowing my eyes, I interrupt him. “You mean what you snooped and found out.”

He has the nerve to look slightly offended. “My mate. I wouldnev…”

“Oh, cut the crap, Bikar. We both know you would and did, so spill it.”

“If you would stop cutting me off midsentence, I would be happy to acquiesce to your request.” He pauses for dramatic effect, and when I just stare at him, he carries on. “As I was saying, per what I overheard, she requested a dwelling built for single occupancy. Vornek saw no issue with this, and found one for her… the downside is that it’s a bit of a walk from here. By my calculations, it will take almost ten of your humanminutesto get from our home to hers.”

Contemplating that for a second, I have to admit it makes sense. Heather loved her husband dearly, and she has no desire or use for another man in her life. I’m not sure she’s ever going to let another back into her heart. Having a quiet space she can decompress in after socializing all day is perfect for her, and I’m glad Vornek was able to give her what she needs. She’s told me several times that she’s going to die an old cat lady, and is utterly content with the notion. Her being a ten-minute walk isn’t as close as I would like, but it’s not like she’s in another city or something.

“You’ll show me how to get there, right?”

“Of course. I would be happy to.”

Smiling warmly, I turn and walk through the front door of my new home. Scanning the open area we’ve entered, it seems that all the common areas are centrally located with multiplehallways splitting in different directions. Trying to picture it in my mind, I realize it looks similar to a human hand with each“finger”being a separate wing. There isn’t a lot of décor, but that’s not unexpected since no one’s lived here in years. Peering closer, I’m surprised—and pleased—that there isn’t a layer of dust and dirt on everything. Vornek must have had someone run over and spot clean before we arrived.

It’s so nice!

This should work well for all of us. Each brother and his wife—mate—can have a wing with private living quarters to themselves, but the communal areas for socializing.

The guys haven’t been apart since they escaped the Aynar from this planet, and I don’t think any of them are dealing with Falon’s absence. Not that they would ever admit to something like that. None of them have brought up their missing brother once since Bikar told everyone he left.

One by one, the Ruks drop their collection of items in the middle of what I’d call the living room floor. Watching Einar and Rowan retreat hand in hand towards their wing as Ruby is hoisted over a growling Slavic’s shoulder makes me smile.

We’re healing.

Slowly, but the speed of improvement isn’t important. Progress is progress, especially when you’ve dealt with the type of shit we have.

Rowan is a specific example of that. It took a lot of cajoling to get her off the Zenith, but between Ruby and Einar, they got it done. Rowan had it harder than any of us back on Earth, so her trauma runs a lot deeper than ours.

Ruarc shakes his head at Slavic’s antics, but that doesn’t stop him from scooping up his Kallen, ignoring her surprised shriek and stalking off muttering under his breath. Whatever he says makes her burst into joyous laughter that echoes off the walls.

Murgul—or possibly Vrog, it’s hard to tell—not to be outdone by the rest of the males, scoops Gwen and Neera up with his tail before deftly settling them in his arms. His altered body practically prowls away from us in his haste to get his mate alone. Murgul isn’t really one for socializing outside of spending time with Gwen, so I don’t foresee them joining us for supper… or breakfast often if Murgul has his way. Gwen, though, is super social.

The massive pile of bags, cases, crates, and personal belongings left in the middle of the communal area makes me snicker. I suppose they’ll all come back for their stuff… eventually.

Afterwards.