Two Days Later:
The third dawn after the bonding broke gray and restless over Tidehome.
Alex woke to the familiar sensation of being flanked by mates—Naga coiled protectively to his left, Zale's cooler presence to his right where the mer-prince maintained contact even in sleep, one hand resting on Alex's hip.
The mate marks burned with triple warmth now.
The serpent on his left wrist—Naga's five stars blazing emerald.
The lion on the back of his right shoulder—Leo's five stars pulsing gold even in absence.
And the new mark on his left thigh—a stylized wave crowned with three stars, Zale's mark, glowing with nascent three stars that Mira promised would strengthen to four or five as the bond matured.
Three mates.
It still felt surreal.
[MORNING STATUS CHECK:
Host vitals: Stable but strained
Cubs: All six active, demanding
Energy levels: Better than two days ago but still declining
Mate bond strength: Naga (5★), Leo (5★ distant), Zale (3★ strengthening)
