“What?” Shay asked, brows lowered. “No, you didn’t!”
Sekk’thi scowled and dug out a credit chip, tossing it toward Drakkal, who caught it while still maintaining his hold on Leah. “I call foul.”
“I thought it was supposed to be whether she said mama or dada first,” Samantha said.
“No, it was if her first word would be me or Shay,” Drakkal said. “She said kitty. That’s me.”
Shay poked his ribs but couldn’t keep the grin off her face. “You’re such a cheat.”
“I’mnota cheat,kiraia. It’s not my fault everyone insists on calling me that. She’s probably heard that word more than any other.”
Leah wiggled in his arms, and Drakkal bent to set her carefully on her feet. She hugged her stuffed cat and walked back to her presents, plopping down onto Razi’s lap. The big gray crensmiled tenderly down at Leah and picked up another gift for her to unwrap.
Shay smiled. Leah wasn’t lacking in big, strong, scary-ass uncles who were such softies on the inside. She had them all wrapped around her little finger—Drakkal most of all.
Samantha cleared her throat. “You guys will have another chance at that bet before too long.”
Shay’s eyes widened as she looked at her friend. “Really?”
“Why would that be?” Arcanthus asked, arching a brow. “She doesn’t get a second first word.”
Drakkal shook his head and snorted. “Really, Arc?”
Arcanthus’s brows fell, and he turned his face to Samantha. After a second, realization rounded his eyes. “Samantha?”
She smiled up at him, glancing briefly at Urgand, who was seated next to Sekk’thi on the sofa. “Urgand said I’m around eight weeks. He’s not sure what the gestation period is for a human and sedhi hybrid, but he said the heartbeat is strong.”
The corners of Arc’s mouth curled upward to reveal the tips of his fangs, and his eyes softened as he gazed down at his mate. His cybernetic hands settled on her hips and slowly moved up to cradle her middle, his thumbs lovingly stroking her belly. “Ah, my flower, I cannot wait to see you blossom further.”
Samantha reached up and cupped his jaw, and the sedhi lowered his head, bringing his lips to hers as he pulled her close.
“Well that’s not going to be a fair bet at all,” said Koroq.
“Why’s that?” Kiloq asked, nudging his gift toward Leah, who eagerly dragged it closer.
“Sam’s been cleaning us out playing Conquerors for two years,” Koroq said, “and you know for a chunk of that she didn’t really know what she was doing. That terran has luck on her side.”
Leah gleefully tore apart the wrapping paper to reveal a brightly colored tablet. Her attention remained on the wrapping instead of the toy; she crumpled the paper and tore it more, giggling to herself.
“You’re just a sore loser,” Kiloq said.
Koroq glared at his brother. “And you’re just ugly.”
“I look just like you.”
“Exactly.”
Thargen shoved a forkful of cake into his mouth. “That’s the last gift. Now can we admit that my present was the best and finally break out the booze?”
Shay laughed and shook her head. “Okay, firstly, you gave her a knife.”
“Yeah. Pretty clear I win.”
“No, no you don’t. That thing’s half as long as her!”
“She’ll grow into it, right?” Thargen tapped his temple, just in front of his scar. “Thinking long term, terran.”
“She’s not touching that thing foryears, vorgal,” Drakkal growled.