Dominic's been distant, preferring to keep to our old dwelling. We can't go back to the underground folks, not with the humanoids policing the area.

Going to him two days later, in the evening, he's short with me. "What's your problem?"

"You."

"Okay, someone's in a mood."

"Who's in what?" It's Joy, coming out of the kitchen area. I don't even know why I'm upset, we never had an exclusivity agreement.

"Are you two a thing now?"

"Why would our relationship concern you, aren't you with the alien?"

"Now see... I wasn't talking to you."

"Alright, let's bring it down a notch... Joy if you could give us a moment."

"Yeah, I'll see you tonight." She says, kissing him on the cheek.

I think not... not in here she won't.

"Look if you're acting out, because you're jealous, I understand. But, I didn't ask you to come here, you followed me..."

"You can't be serious, I followed you for a reason. But I think, that I was being hasty and stupid. I think that maybe we should part ways."

"What, no..."

"You're so full of it, and selfish."

"Oh I'm selfish... you're blaming me, because you made the decision to come here."

"Do you not get it, or do you just not want to get it?"

"Get what?"

"Dude..."

"Don't call me a dude."

"Would you prefer, that I called you a bitch?"

Responding with a light humorless chuckle, I throw everything that's within reach at him.

"You're crazy!" Dodging the whatnots, vase, and candles, he manages to stop me from getting to anything else.

Pulling me into him, and twisting me, so that he's behind me. My arms pinned, I struggle to break free of his hold.

"If you don't let me go..."

"What, you'll scream? Go ahead, call for him... I have something for him, when he comes."

"What are you talking about?"

"Like, I'm going to tell you." He states, releasing me.

"Dom, don't do anything stupid."

"Like coming here for you? Don't worry, I won't do anything nowhere near as stupid as that."

"Where is all of this coming from, I don't understand...."

"Well understand this, you choose him, or you choose me, there's no in between."

I feel bad, I care for and want the both of them, why can't I have them both?

"I hate to say this, but you're acting like a whore." (Courtesy of a reader)

"What?" I'm appalled.

"You're flip flopping between the both of them, and lusting after Dominic." (Courtesy of a reader)

Giselle's a hater... "FYI, I'm not lusting anymore, I've had a taste of the goods and can get it anytime that I want it."

"You and Joy both..."

Now if she wasn't "family", there would have been an exchange of a few not so nice words.

Tensions are high, and folks are on edge, about the ceremonial battle. Our fates lie in the hands of Vata, literally...

It doesn't help, that Aduih's being held hostage again, if Vata fails, the current leader will put an end to his father's line for good. No more claims from this family.

She must be a nervous wreck, as not only is her mate being held captive, and his life threatened, but the offending leader wants her as one of his wives.

Here I am rattling on about being greedy, without a care for her feelings and what she's going through. Her careless words stem from my lack of consideration.

Maybe Dominic's right, maybe I am selfish.

"I'm sorry, you have alot on your mind, I shouldn't be heaping my insignificant problems on you, when you're going through so much."

"It's okay."

"You always say that, even when it's not true. It's okay, to not be okay."

What I didn't expect, was a barrel full of tears, and a snot bubble. I was trying to be empathic, and ended up in a tight embrace, unsure of what to do.

Inwardly cringing, I hug her back, trying to soothe her. Next time, I'll stick with being selfish, that works for me.