Can You See What It Could Be?

A home. It was such a simple yet impactful answer from the massive brute at her side. This island, significantly larger than the one he'd claimed for Siren before, would be their paradise—his kingdom. He explained how he wanted to make it a safe place for the wolves who were important to him, then mentioned her as an example. Ali turned surprised eyes to Chimera, her ears turned back in an abrupt show of shyness. She hadn't expected herself to be considered amongst those important to Chimera. He'd always treated her as if she were disposable, a product for him to use up and be rid of when he was finished. It was why she'd put so much effort into being something he'd want to keep around. Not that her personality or behavior would have been any different if it weren't the case, but things tended to be considered much more greatly when your life was always on the line. To hear Chimera speak of her like she was something valuable to him, it threw her for a loop.

Aliana had opened her mouth to thank him for the gracious compliment, but her words were cut off when Chimera mentioned her eventually bearing children for him. Her heart wrenched and plummeted in her chest, her ears folding to her crown once more while her tail dipped submissively between her legs. Oh gods, that's what she'd been so afraid might happen... Chimera had a taste of the total possession that came with breeding a fae and filling her with his pups, and now he lusted for more. And with her starting her first heat season in less than a week, it felt like a time bomb had been started between them.

Ali swallowed hard, trying not to picture the situations this revelation might put her in. She'd seen how Chimera approached fatherhood with Cerberus, completely aloof and distanced, and knew he would dote endlessly over the children he'd sired with Siren because... well, she was Siren. But with herself... Aliana was nothing like Siren or Viper to Chimera. If he didn't give a damn about his son with the woman he'd held close to him before her, how terribly would he treat pups that he put in her? Ali had already escaped one forced breeding situation, was she about to find herself in another if she told Chimera that she wouldn't bring children into this world the same way that she had been, without knowing love, abandoned by a parent? She would not do this alone; she refused. Chimera would either have to be ready to be an involved parent, or abstain from his breeding fantasies with her.

Ultimately, Ali said nothing to his comment and did her best to hide the anxiousness his words stirred inside her. When they reached a spectacular wooden structure, Ali gazed over the vine-covered architecture, still in wonder of the splendor the ruins that dotted Boreas and Auster had. Chimera broke down the front door for them, the small fae following close behind him and into the grand space. The building had clearly once been opulent and designed to inspire awe; it was certainly doing so in her right now. The high ceilings and open airiness of the building gave it a natural feel, with plenty of light and a warm coastal breeze rippling through the empty windows. Amazed aqua eyes wandered up the tall tree in the center of the atrium, looking from the canopy to the vines that ran along the ceiling's rafters and beams. She didn't know if the building had been designed this way intentionally or if nature had simply begun to blend with the unnatural structure, but it was beautiful either way.

This was to be their new home. It wasn't lost on Ali that Chimera had said "our" home. That lifted her heart and distracted her from her nervous baby-laced thoughts. She had been afraid that once she'd been freed and Viper threw a shit fit that Chimera wouldn't want her staying with him anymore. She'd been prepared to find her own space to dwell—and maybe she still would when she wanted somewhere to relax or be with her own thoughts—but knowing that Chi still wanted her around helped reinforce the point that she was indeed important to the king. "It's truly wonderful. Thank you for bringing me here," she replied in airy tones while he nuzzled behind her ear, making the appendage flick on reflex while her neck craned to lean into his touch. He didn't show affection often, but when he did, Ali soaked it up. "The others will love this place. It's perfect! It will be even more perfect when you and Siren have your family fill the halls."

The clouded slate and snow fae stepped briefly away from Chimera, sauntering over to the tree with a sway of her hips and tail. She gazed up at the large tree, trying to identify what type it might be, raising a dainty white paw to rest on the sturdy trunk. She'd never seen a tree like it before—not that she'd seen many trees in her life—and wondered if it was something rare and native to the tropical climate. She glanced back over her shoulder at the massive brute who had transitioned her from a slave to something akin to his mate, though she didn't know what their dynamic could be called. Bright aquamarine eyes locked with his, casting a little smile to him while she looked around the atrium and the various rooms and halls that branched off from it. "Shall we continue to see what our new home offers, my king?"

"Aliana"