Kal waved him off. “Ensign Wyn, how are you?”
“Fine,” he said in a strangled voice.
Glancing at me, Kal said, “I’m sure.” Urgg moved to smack me, but Kal yanked me against his side. “Do not strike my mate.”
Their hand fell.
“Kal,” I hissed.
“They left a bruise on your arm once. I won’t allow anyone to hurt you.”
Black tongue licking their lips, Urgg asked, “I hurt you?”
“You didn’t mean to. I’m fine.” I glared at Kal. He didn’t say anything, keeping me close.
Wyn patted Urgg’s arm, peeking at me.
“I swear, I’m fine,” I repeated.
“I apologize for hurting you,” Urgg said.
“You don’t need to.”
Kal frowned. He was worried; he always worried about me. Something I didn’t think would ever change, though, this time, his protectiveness didn’t bother me as much.
Letting Kal’s hand go, I slipped an arm around his waist. His breathing spiked, and he pressed closer. His breath tickled my ear, his spicy scent enveloping me.
“My Seth,” he whispered.
A blush burned me at his soft tone.
“Are you alright, Seth?” Wyn asked, moving closer. “You’ve turned an odd color.”
“I’m fine,” I said in a tight voice, and Kal chuckled in my ear, making more heat surge into my face.
Thankfully, the commander stepped onto the center of the middle mat. He was barefoot, and his long silver hair was tied into a messy knot. His clothes were pure black and loose—similar to the outfit that Kal wore—but Kal’s was much tighter, hugging his muscular frame. I tried very hard not to look too closely at Kal because it sent sensations straight to my dick. I did not need an erection to tent the front of my pants, especially with this many people around.
Kal’s cousin quickly arranged people into pairs based on their abilities. When he called my name, Kal held on to me.
“Kal, you offered to let me join,” I reminded him.
“I thought you would train with me.”
Of course he had.
I unzipped my hoodie, revealing a blue shirt that had an almost invisible pattern of vines. Slipping the hoodie off, which made Kal release me, I held it out. He tugged it on, and I suppressed a groan. I liked him in my clothes, probably more than I should have.
“Alright, Husband. I will be right here.”
I pushed him in the other direction. “You’ll be training with Urgg.”
Kal grunted but didn’t fight me. When he faced Urgg, I turned to the commander, who said, “My little cousin’s mate. I believe this is the first chance we have gotten to speak alone.”
I hadn’t really wanted to speak with him—I didn’t really want to talk to anyone. Not to mention, I couldn’t for the life of me pronounce his name. I’d heard the gigantic name a few times, but it wouldn’t stick in my mind. I hoped by all the cheese in Wisconsin I wouldn’t need to say it and embarrass myself.
“Can I say one thing for my cousin?”
“Of course.”
