Protecting Its Own  

"Where the fracking Dark Lord are you going?" hissed Pure, pulling me closer to his chest as I felt Ma'stbaut trying to untangle himself from my body. Unfortunately for him, he was much too comfortable to let go.

I rubbed my cheek against his hard exoskeleton, which felt like one of the softest things I had ever touched. Next to the furs, of course.

My movement caused both males to freeze, and it was all that I could do not to smile. I wasn't fully awake quite yet, but the more that they talked and moved, the less I was able to sleep. And I really, really wanted to sleep.

"I'm going hunting. She seems to like the konjin meat I brought back yesterday, and I wanted to give her some more," answered Ma'stbaut. I didn't need to open my eyes to see the confusion on his face. I could hear it just fine.