40

Kael's grip on the steering wheel was tense, his knuckles white against the black leather. His arm around me felt like a shield, protective and strong.

He broke the silence, his voice low and determined. "I'm going to try to control myself now. I don't have a choice." There was a brief pause when he seemed to wipe away a tear with his shoulder. "I can't keep acting so damn childish when it comes to you."

I leaned closer, feeling the tension in his body. Gently, I kissed his cheek. "I don't think you've been acting childish, Kael. I think you're struggling with jealousy, which is 100% natural. But you know as well as I do that monogamy is a human thing, and because you three are special, human norms don't apply."

Kael tensed at my words, a reaction that didn't go unnoticed. "Three?" he echoed.

I laughed softly, correcting myself. "Two... you two," I said, trying to calm him. He smiled, just a little, to my relief.

"Why does it bother you, really? Tell me the real, deep, root cause rea