Meredith's Pride [Galactic Nuptials 3] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour ManLove) by Missy Martine

put both large hands on each side of Mer’s face and stared into his eyes. “He did this to you because of us. Is this all he did?”
    Mer glanced away. “That’s all, Delsin. He never laid a hand on me. I got the impression he wouldn’t dirty his hands on a human.”
    Delsin closed his eyes briefly and then smiled. “Let’s get to the shuttle. Etu and I have just the thing to take away your pain.”
    “You have medicine that will fix this? Cool! Will it hurt?”
    Delsin laughed. “I can honestly say you’ll enjoy getting this medicine.” His little mate would be surprised when they licked him all over to heal his wounds. Their saliva had healing properties.
    Mer bounced from foot to foot. “What are we waiting for? Let’s go.”

Chapter 7
     
    Mer accepted a glass of juice from Delsin and sank back onto the couch. He didn’t think there was one inch of his battered body that didn’t ache. Etu and Delsin had some kind of problem with the shuttle when they flew home, so they never got around to giving him their special medicine to help him heal.
    “Were the cubs happy to see you?” Delsin rubbed his hand over Mer’s head.
    “Yeah! They were all smiles and climbing all over me. It was a great feeling.”
    “I’m glad they’ve taken to you so well. It’ll make our trip home easier.”
    Mer worried his lip between his teeth. “Are we really going back to that planet to live?”
    “Don’t worry, mate. You only saw a small portion of the planet. Our home is on the other side, in the mountains, and it’s beautiful. I know you’re going to be very happy there. And it’ll be completely safe because the other pride is gone.”
    “All of them are dead?”
    “No, but the ones left didn’t want to stay around without their alpha. We offered to let them join us, but they declined.”
    “Where will they—”
    “Alpha!” Knoton burst into the room, a wide grin on his face. He bowed low to Delsin. “Congratulations, my Alpha, on slaying the enemy pride leader.”
    “Is everything okay now?”
    “Everything is fantastic, Alpha. Zintssar sent help with the cleaning up, so we finished early. The biggest miracle is what we found in the basement of Honaw’s palace.”
    Delsin glanced at Mer and then back at Knoton. “What did you find?”
    “Mates! Some of the women from our pride.”
    Delsin’s eyes widened, and he took a step forward. “Explain.”
    “When we searched the cells in the basement we found Athaw, Hula, and Misko. When we questioned Honaw’s man Tokala, he said they’d taken the women to make sure the cubs would be cooperative. It was Honaw’s plan to have the women mate to his own men and raise all the cubs as Mkata. They’ve been prisoners there since the first attack. After I was wounded in the last battle, I didn’t take the time to count bodies. There was no one left alive so I just thought everyone had been killed. It never occurred to me they’d taken our women as prisoners.” Knoton bowed lower. “Forgive me, Alpha. It’s my fault they suffered this long.”
    “There’s nothing to forgive, my friend. You acted correctly, especially since you were injured yourself. The important thing is we have them back. Are they unharmed?”
    “Nothing but some bruises, and they were starving. I guess he didn’t feed them much.”
    Mer watched a light begin to glow in Delsin’s eyes as he discussed the condition of the women with Knoton. If the mates were coming back, where did that leave him? They might be calling him mate, but from what Honaw had told him, they weren’t really mated.
    “This is wonderful news!” Delsin clapped his hands together.
    “Why is it wonderful?” Mer could have bitten his tongue out when he asked his question. He hadn’t meant to say it out loud.
    “Because Hula is mother to Nodin, and Misko is mother to Jacy and Yuma. That only leaves Taima and Keme without a mother. I will only be personally responsible for my brother’s children.”
    “What