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

dressed quickly, Mer.”
     
    * * * *
     
    Mer tripped in his haste to pull on his shorts, breathing a sigh of relief when Delsin stopped him from hitting the floor. “What do you think is wrong?”
    Delsin shook his head. “Let’s just go find out.” He moved toward the front of the cave with Mer following close behind. “What’s wrong, Knoton?”
    Mer blinked several times to adjust to the sunlight and focused on Knoton. The man’s lips were pressed together tightly, his nostrils flaring. “I’m sorry for the intrusion, my Alpha, but a small craft has landed on the opposite side of the moon. Etu and Hakan are on the way with the cubs, and he has your weapons.”
    Mer’s mouth dropped open when he saw the belt Knoton had around his waist. Something resembling a large gun hung at his side. “Did anybody see who was in the ship? Maybe it’s someone from Arridia paying us a visit.”
    Delsin shook his head. “They would have used the landing site. If they’ve landed on the opposite side, they’ve set down outside the forest. They want to stay hidden.”
    “Have you got their bed ready?” Hakan walked out of the woods carrying a huge basket with Yuma and Keme curled up inside. Etu was right behind him with Taima strapped to a harness on his back and Jacy and Nodin in his arms. All five of the babies were sleeping.
    “How in the world did you get them to sleep all at the same time and get them here without waking them up?” Mer moved closer and peered into the basket at the sleeping cubs.
    Etu moved toward the cave. “We sent a suggestion to their minds. They won’t wake for a few hours, and then they’ll be pretty grumpy. Hopefully this will be over by then.” Bending, he moved through the small cave entrance.
    Mer followed and helped get the sleeping children onto the bed. “Will they be okay?”
    Etu caressed his back. “They’ll be fine. The suggestion works because their minds are still infant. They’ll be able to resist it as they get older.” He turned toward the mouth of the cave and stopped. “I also gave them some herbs with their lunch that will help to mask their scent. It’ll last for several days. I’m pretty sure Honaw and his men will search the area thoroughly, and I didn’t want them finding you by scent. I didn’t have enough to give you, and I’m not sure it would even work on a human. I’d recommend you take some of the moss and rub it over as much of your body as you can. It’ll keep you hidden for a while.”
    “Mer, I want you to take these.” Delsin held a weapon in each of his hands. One was a dagger-like, curved knife with an ornate handle. Mer took it and stuck it into the waistband of his pants.
    “What is that?” Mer asked.
    “It’s a laser weapon.” Delsin showed him how to activate the gun. “You only have to press this lever and it will shoot a thin laser stream. It’s not particularly deadly, but it can drive away an enemy and incapacitate them for a short time.”
    “Wow!” Mer giggled. “My first ray gun!” He choked back another laugh when he saw the frowns on Delsin’s and Etu’s faces. “Sorry! It’s the adrenaline. When I’m nervous it makes me silly.”
    Etu rubbed up and down Mer’s back. “We trust you, Mer. I know you’ll do everything you can to protect the cubs. Just stay in the cave and everything will be fine. We’ll come get you when the danger is over.”
    “No, you should stay here with us. If we all stay here the other pride will get bored and leave. Or, maybe Arridia will send people to drive them away. You’ll be safer here with me.”
    “That’s not possible, Mer. An alpha does not run and hide from his enemies. I’m the alpha now, and I’m going to handle things in a way that would have made my brother proud.” Delsin moved toward the mouth of the cave. “Do as Etu ordered. Stay in this cave until we come for you.”
    Mer let his tears fall as he watched them leave, covering the mouth of the cave with