(Amaia)

Alnitak holds me like a woman holds her precious jewels. Mintaka comes to himself, and his eyes find me, looking slightly apologetic. I fix my bra so my breasts don’t remain exposed.

"Seriously, Taka. How could you let him hurt her?" Alnitak gently turns my shoulder towards him so he can see the wound on my neck. "See."

Guilt flashes in his eyes and he tiredly stands up, taking a step towards us.

"I am sorry..." He already puts himself down and feels low because of his other self and now Alnitak blaming him will only increase his remorse.

"Didn’t you have words with him before you let him out to meet her?" Alnitak’s anger makes his body shake.

I turn around and place my hand on Alnitak’s chest and softly say, "Calm down. It’s not his fault. It was I who insisted on meeting him and gave him permission to hold me like that."

Alnitak’s gaze leaves his brother and finds me. "You don’t know him. Taka does and yet he lets him get handy with you."

"He doesn’t listen to Min, don’t blame him. He has a mind of his own, personality of his own and is extremely smart." I press my hand where his heart is.

"And let’s get one thing straight, Ali. If we are going to make this work, I am not going to become a reason for you to fight with your brother." I shake my head. "Don’t, because I am not a porcelain doll. I can handle a little pain when I agreed to it beforehand. Take a deep breath and calm down."

The bond between us sizzles with my logic, understanding and calmness, overpowering his agitation and anger.

He does as I have said. His gaze flips back to his brother, who stands about two feet away from us, watching with an apologetic expression.

"I..." he begins but Mintaka cuts him off.

"It’s the newly formed mate bond. I understand how possessive you are of her." Mintaka slowly and nostalgically smiles. He knows because he has been through this.

He continues, "That devil inside of me has the tendency to push others to the edge. He enjoys it."

"I know. I understood that. You don’t have to explain." I offer Mintaka a wide, understanding smile.

"We need to clean her wound. It can get infected," Alnitak says, more calmly this time.

"I will fetch cotton and antiseptic." Mintaka moves towards their wash area while Alnitak helps me sit down on his bed, still keeping me in his arms. His fingers gently graze around the wounded area near my neck.

"Jealousy took hold of me. The bond woke me up. I felt your distress, Amaia and it was the worst feeling." His confession makes me lean against him.

"This is all very overwhelming, I understand. Emotions are running deep because it’s all new for you. It will become better, I hope." Deep inside I know this is not going to get better. It’s only going to get worse, especially when I am going to be with Rigel. Alnitak can feel my emotions now, even when he is sleeping. He will know and I can only pray he won’t come looking for me out of jealousy.

I am so exhausted already...

Alnitak presses his lips on my head. "Me too."

"Give me something to wear. My shirt is not salvageable," I request with a yawn.

Mintaka comes out of the wash area with the cotton pad and a small bowl of antiseptic.

"Let Taka clean your wound then I will give you my shirt." Carefully, Alnitak picks up my hair and holds it, exposing my neck.

Mintaka kneels in front of me and begins to clean my wound. It prickles slightly but I am too tired to care.

Alnitak blows on it affectionately. "Get her a shirt to wear."

Once Min is done cleaning my wound, he gets up and brings me his shirt to wear.

"Here, raise your arms," he encourages me.

I do as he says and he dresses me up. His scent is imbued in his white shirt and it makes me even more sleepy and snuggly.

I am half-conscious, half-unconscious with sleep. 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

"Lie her down. Let her sleep. We have exhausted her," Mintaka says to his brother.

"Yeah!" He gathers me up and lays me down with him, not wanting to let me go.

They begin to talk among themselves while I drift off to a peaceful sleep in the arms of my mate, tethered to his warm, comforting body.

This day couldn’t have been better. One of my mates recognises me and the other is on the path. I have met their darker selves and tomorrow I am going to be meeting their parents.

What can go wrong?

Finally, I stir and slowly open my eyes. The curtains have been drawn on the window but I can see partial sunlight filtering through.

I glance in the direction of the clock and it’s already 3 pm in the afternoon.

Damn! How much did I sleep?

I flip away the blanket in panic and jump out of bed.

"Hey! Princess, you are awake," Alnitak’s amused voice comes from the corner of their room. My eyes follow his voice and I find him sprawled on the couch there with a plate of food. Fully dressed in black jeans and a blue t-shirt that smoothly hugs his torso.

Mouth watering, I can never get enough of this man.

Mintaka is nowhere to be seen.

"I slept so much. You didn’t wake me up."

Alnitak ushers me towards him with the wave of his hand and I comply.

"You were so tired. We let you sleep and get as much rest as you can. It’s going to be a hectic evening."

I plant myself beside him and he hands me the plate of food.

"Was I really snoring?" I pout my lips and accept the plate from him. It’s half eaten.

His chest rumbles with escaping laughter. "Every girl gets conscious about snoring, but I promise, you look cute."

He reaches with his hand and playfully ruffles my hair, making my heart tingle with the love and affection he is showing.

"Eat up, I have a surprise for you."

I obey, ready for the surprise.

Alnitak’s voice thickens with seriousness.

"And yes, you were right. I couldn’t tell Mintaka about the curse or anything related to it. He is on his own in finding his way to you."