Page 199 of Galaxy Games Four-Book Box Set (Galaxy Games)

199

Can’t Go Home Again

A ’Dar

It doesn’t take long for the three of us males to realize we’re all in machta and have claimed our mates. No one has been in machta on Xenon for decades. None of us understands the finer points of how this is going to affect either us or our females. And this is a new species Xenons have never interacted with before. We don’t know how that will play into the equation.

The magnetic pull we feel to them, and their mutual need for us, is obvious. As is the almost animalistic need to protect them.

“Come.” I motion the three females to join us. After introductions, I say, “We need to plan.”

Within moments, each female is tucked against her male. As dire as our circumstances are, for just a moment I find joy that we’ve each found a mate, something I’d only dreamed about but never believed could be within my reach.

“That you females have triggered machta in each of us so quickly and so powerfully is a serious consideration,” I say. “From my understanding, it didn’t work like this on Xenon. Whether this is a factor of your species, or our lengthy time in stasis, we can’t be sure you won’t trigger machta in every other Xenon on board.”

My friends nod in agreement as they clutch their females tighter.

“On Xenon. Matings were between one male and one female. Forever. Machta didn’t occur between strangers. But machta with you humans is happening in ways we can’t predict. For this reason, we cannot afford to release any more Xenons from stasis. If they awaken, smell your pheromones, and go directly into machta, it might be more dangerous than the forty pirates Jahzara Zedd is about to release from their pods.”

Everyone in the room seems to absorb the information at different speeds, then they all nod.

I walk into my weapon’s closet and check my laser. It’s fully charged, but just as I suspected, I can’t power it on. I look over at my comrades. They shake their heads, indicating their weapons aren’t functional either.

“Our laser weapons won’t work because of the pulse the pirates used to sabotage the ship. We do have blades, though.” I spear Maya’s two friends with my gaze. “It is good you are taller and stronger now. We will all need to fight if we’re to get off this planet.”

“Off this planet?” Emily says, the fur on her browridges rising high. “We just want to escape with our lives and find a way back home!”

We have serious planning to do, but I must explore this. Although I’m asking Emily, I look at Maya as I ask, “You wish to return to your homes? You do not enjoy running water? Lights that turn on with just a word from your lips? Transportation you don’t need to feed and water? Other comforts? There is so much we can provide for you if you come with us to Xenon.”

“What?” all three females ask at once.

“Running water?” Maya asks.

“Electric lights?” Emily scoffs.

“Are you talking about getting around on horseback ?” Anna mocks.

It slowly dawns on me that the pictures of their homeland I saw when doing recon on their species, them riding four-leggeds across the plains and sleeping in primitive shelters, is probably not the world they grew up in. It has been almost two thousand years. What I saw when we researched their planet is now ancient history to these females.

My guts tighten into a knot when I realize my mate might not want to leave this planet with me. Just contemplating it makes my knees weaken and my guts tie in a knot.

Maya looks at Emily. “You want to go home? Surely you’ve looked at yourself in the mirror. You’re half a foot taller. Your eyes are glowing yellow. Do you really think you can just waltz back into your old life, kiss your family hello, and return to your old job? How are you going to explain your fangs for fuck’s sake?”

Emily’s hand flies to cover her mouth as she moans in despair, then she snaps back, “Orthodontia and colored contact lenses.”

“Okay then, what about the extra six inches of height or the compelling new urge to drink blood ?”

“Fuck.” Emily sounds so dejected.

“Job number one is living through the day,” Maya says. Her back is straight, her chin up proudly. “If we do that, I’m not sure we have a lot of choices, but returning to our old life is not one of them.”

My mate is strong. Her will is iron. Her circumstances have changed in the blink of an eye, but she accepts them and looks for the best.

I tuck her next to me even tighter. It’s only now I realize that although she’s showing her firm resolve to everyone in the cabin, her body is trembling.