Page 26 of Galactic Sentinels, Vol. 1 (Chronicles of Pherebos #1)

She felt trapped. As a woman, her path had been carved in stone from the moment she was born. She was expected to follow the same routine as every other woman on the atoll—settle down with a guy she didn’t even like, just because her father had chosen him. But she wanted something different.

I understood her, because I was in the same situation.

Even though I was young, I had been the chief of our atoll. I was responsible for everyone there. And for a long time, I’d been craving something different. But I couldn’t make it happen. No one else was physically strong or mentally ready to take on the weight of leadership.

Still, as long as it was just the three of us—Taranis, Silmarwen, and me—we felt like we could handle anything.

But the Flots had other plans .

During that quiet morning paddle, when it was just the two of them talking, Coalition smugglers struck.

They kidnapped them. Taranis didn’t survive.

Silmarwen was rescued by the Erians. She found her Dedicated Soul among them, which was a blessing.

Now she lives happily with Rymm on Eris.

It’s a beautiful place, but I still feel like a stranger there.

Silmarwen is the last living thread that ties me to where I came from. But she found her place. Just like I had to find mine.

So I made a choice. I joined the Confederation, hoping that path would lead me somewhere meaningful.

That’s how I ended up offering my services to Akifumi—without knowing he’d carve out such a unique role for me. I’ve never regretted that decision.

But now, there’s Ileana.

“I noticed you avoided talking about this young woman,” my mentor says.

“You're being sarcastic, but I get it.”

One thing about Akifumi—he never loses his footing. He always digs until he gets to the truth. So I decide to tell him everything about my beautiful Human.

“You think I’ve got some kind of protector complex? You’d be wrong. As you’ve probably guessed, she’s my partner now. But here’s what you don’t know—there’s more to her than meets the eye. She’s mine, and I’m not ashamed to say it. She’s my Dedicated Soul. ”

“Is she your soul mate? Are you familiar with the concept of soul mates?”

“Yes, I am. And before you ask—yes. I know it without a doubt. She’s my Dedicated Soul.”

“Well, congrats, my friend. That kind of bond is rare. I’m happy for you. If anyone deserves it, it’s you. You’ve been living like a loner for too long—and you’re still so young!”

“That’s one thing I’m not so sure about. I didn’t do right by my people when they needed me. They’re all gone. But I’m still here. I don’t think I deserve this second chance—not really.”

“But that’s not the point. Ileana was in a bad place, and by some miracle, I was there at the right time to help her.”

“So yeah, maybe I don’t think I deserve this happiness. But now that I’ve had a taste of it, I’m not letting it go. I’ve found my Dedicated Soul, and I’ve claimed her. She’s mine.”

“So, tell me about her,” Akifumi asks gently.

“She’s kind and loyal. Smart and stubborn. She’s sweet and tender, but she doesn’t let that make her weak. She’s...”

I pause, catching the teasing glint in my mentor’s eyes and the affectionate smile tugging at his lips.

"Well," he says, "I can see you’re already doing great.”

He’s right. I have to admit it. Beyond her looks—which, yeah, I find incredibly attractive—Ileana has won my heart in more ways than one .

She stayed loyal to her sister, gave up her own life to care for her, when most people would’ve walked away. And that bastard Henri took advantage of that loyalty, demanding total submission. I seriously considered ending him—making him suffer the way he made her suffer.

But what really gets me is Ileana’s strength. Her optimism. After everything she’s been through, she still wants to help people. She wants to use her medical knowledge to fight disease, to make a difference. She can’t do anything for her sister right now, but she’s turned that pain into purpose.

Akifumi’s right. I’m in love with her. Deeply. And it’s not just because we’re soulmates. I love her because she’s perfect for me. That’s what makes her my soul mate—not some mystical force. Just... her.

Wingo bounds over to us, hopping across the grass like he’s on a mission.

“To what do we owe this longing look?” he asks, grinning. "Is it the boss who’s got you all worked up? Have I misjudged your attachment to him?”

I blink, caught completely off guard. I didn’t see that coming.

His little trunk twitches with mischief.

“Well, you’re back!" I shoot back. "Done traumatizing the local wildlife?”

“Nice deflection! Still thinking about our beautiful friend, huh?”

“So, Wingo, was your walk fruitful?” Akifumi asks.

“Gnuffgnuff!” Wingo replies .

“Rohh, Wingo, you make it sound like a tragedy! Where are your manners? Why don’t you talk to him like you do with Ileana and me?”

Akifumi looks at him, puzzled. In all the time we’ve been around him, Wingo’s never given him anything but the basic gnuffgnuff. I’ve always had to translate.

“Is he mentally communicating with Ileana?” Akifumi asks.

“Gnuffgnuff!”

“Well, I’ll try not to take offense at this privilege you’re denying me,” my mentor says dryly.

Ouch. That sounds like a diplomatic incident in the making. Especially since there’s no logical reason for Wingo to limit his telepathy to just Ileana and me.

I look at him, but he’s staring at me, eyes wide.

“What’s up? What’s going on? Did I grow a second belly button or something?” I ask, half-joking.

“Nah, no second belly button in sight. Or a second trunk, for that matter.”

“Then what is it? Why are you staring at me like that?”

“Your link! How interesting! It’s fading…”

That doesn’t make any sense. Why would my link—

“It’s gone!”Wingo blurts out.“Your link has disappeared. Ileana’s gone!”