Ka'Cit's Haven (Riv’s Sanctuary #3)

Nia shook her head. “I don’t think he wants a relationship.”

“You’re wrong.” Riv’s deep voice made Nia jump and she realized at the same time that Lauren wasn’t surprised by it. Apparently, she’d gotten used to how he and his brother walked silently, even outdoors.

“What do you mean I’m wrong?”

“What you just said. You’re wrong. A relationship is the one thing Ka’Cit has always wanted.”

Something clenched inside Nia and she had to swallow hard as a ball of emotions rose into her throat.

“So…just not with me then…” She fought to push her emotions down.

It was fine.

She was a big girl.

But Riv only shook his head. “I saw the way he looked at you.”

Nia shrugged and choked on a mirthless laugh. “This is all just confusing. I mean, when someone ghosts you, it usually means they’re trying to turn you down easy without having to actually say it.” She shook her head again and turned to walk toward the house. “Don’t worry, guys, it’s ok. I’m okay. And thanks…thanks for trying to cheer me up.”

She took a few steps toward the main residence before Riv’s voice caught her ear.

“He doesn’t think he’s worthy of a mate.”

That made her pause.

“What?”

Riv growled and let out an exasperated breath. His gaze fell on Lauren and he studied her for a bit before letting out another breath. “He’s…even worse than me…my…deficiency.”

Nia’s brows furrowed. “I don’t understand. What deficiency?”

Riv’s gaze darted away and for the first time since she’d been on the Sanctuary, Nia saw the vulnerability in his eyes.

“Riv’s tail,” Lauren whispered as she wrapped her arms around her mate.

Nia’s gaze fell to Riv’s torso. That’s right. He had no tail. It had been removed long ago by some evil slave owner.

She remembered Lauren had mentioned Riv’s reluctance to be with her because of his lack of a tail, among other things.

In Merssi culture, they seemed to place high value on the males. Females were cherished and the males had to be perfect specimens.

But this didn’t explain anything. Nia’s brows only furrowed more. “Ka’Cit has a deficiency?”

For the life of her, she couldn’t think of what that was.

She’d seen him naked and he was perfect.

Confusion swam in her eyes as Riv raised a hand and pointed to his forehead.

For a moment, she didn’t understand what he was pointing at, but then realization dawned.

“He is smooth-faced,” Riv said.

Nia blinked.

Yes. Yes he was. She’d noticed that but she hadn’t thought it was a big deal.

“What does that mean?”