Look, look with your special eyes

Ruling Ashen was simple. He had less on his plate here than he had with Fenmyre. No longer did he dabble in the slave trade, instead choosing to focus on his family and making them strong. Days were spent patrolling, making sure his troops were training, and spending time with the newest batch of puppies. They were growing so damn fast...

With the last of his patrols made, the giant man padded back towards his den on the island. The sun was rising, its light kissing the land, as Chimera dipped inside of the den that he'd crafted. It was large and underground, but he'd reinforced the walls and ceiling with trees stripped of their bark and sanded down by ages of laying on the vast expanse of beach. He'd even brought in clay for the floor and chose to cover its hard surface with soft pelts. The children had their own set of rooms to one side while he and Aliana had their own bed chamber on the other side. There was yet another adjoined chamber for Dalila and Siren.

Pushing aside the thick fur that hung over the doorway, Chimera slid into the chamber where his wife waited for him. A yawn pulled from the brute, flashing rows of sharklike teeth that Ali knew all too well. He slid down into the pile of cushions and furs, leaning his forehead against the clouded woman. "Have you been waiting for me?"

"Aliana & Chimera"