Total pages in book: 175
Estimated words: 166095 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 830(@200wpm)___ 664(@250wpm)___ 554(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 166095 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 830(@200wpm)___ 664(@250wpm)___ 554(@300wpm)
Hot tears slide down my cheeks as I rock the baby in my arms. “I love him,” I choke. “Thank you so much. Both of you. Was it super expensive?”
Jamef immediately covers Bethiah’s mouth before she can answer. “It doesn’t matter,” he says in a firm voice. “You’re worth it. You’re our mate and we want you to be safe and comfortable, even if we’re off ship doing a job.”
It’s perfect. It’s an amazing gift. I’m so humbled and so happy that words fail me. I love that they think of me at every turn, and they make me feel so important and so, so loved. The knot in my throat is formidable, and I run my hand down the leathery scales of the baby carinoux, petting it. The other in the box lets out a sleepy mew, and I reach in to take him, too.
“We’ll absolutely have to visit Risda again,” I point out as Bethiah helps me adjust the second sleepy kitten against my other side. My arms are full of both babies, but this might be one of the best moments in my life and I don’t complain.
“You don’t mind, do you?” Jamef asks, and his mouth is twitching, trying to hold back a smile. “I suspect Simone will be pleased.”
“Simone is going to shit her pants,” I agree with excitement.
“Kef, I sure hope not.” Bethiah makes a face. “So you’re happy with the gift?”
As if she doesn’t know. “I love you both so much,” I declare fiercely. “So keffing much.”
“We love you, too,” Jamef says, and gives me a meaningful look. “Did you want to bring up your question to Bethiah? About the serum?”
“It can wait.” Something about this gift just makes me feel so safe. It’s not that they bought me a pet attack-cat that will grow up to be an amazing protector. It’s that they’re thinking of me constantly, trying to determine the best way to not only make me happy, but to ensure my safety. I’m important to them. Vital to them. And that makes me feel safer than any nanobots in the universe. I know that as long as we’re together, Bethiah and Jamef will always look out for me and I’ll always watch out for them.
We’re more than a team. We’re a triad. I don’t care how corny that is. It’s us and it works.
I kiss one baby lizard-cat head and just beam at my mates. “Did you pay for these or did you use Bethiah’s rule number one?”
“My rule number one?” she asks, puzzled.
“Always take what you want,” I remind her, laughing. “You forgot?” When she shrugs, I laugh even harder. “Is there even a rule number two?”
“I don’t keffing know.” Bethiah slides a hand into Jerrok’s belt and puts her other on my shoulder. “I’m making this up as I go.”
I should have known.