Page 6 of Human Reform (Cyborg Planet Alpha #3)

SIX

DAXON

I held Alora tighter against my chest as her tears dampened my shirt. That strange protective urge rushed through me again. The sensation—this primal need to shield her from any pain or suffering—was overwhelming.

“I will help you fix this,” I promised, meaning every word with a certainty that surprised even me.

Her breathing slowly steadied, but I didn’t loosen my hold. The weight of her against me felt right—like a missing component I hadn’t realized I needed until this moment. The silver pond rippled before us, capturing fractals of the twin suns’ light while jungle creatures called in the distance.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered against my chest. “I don’t usually fall apart like this.”

I drew back slightly, tilting her chin up with my finger so I could see her face. Even with reddened eyes and tear-streaked cheeks, she was absolutely beautiful.

“Don’t apologize for feeling,” I said. “I’ve spent two and a half years trying not to feel anything at all. It’s… exhausting.”

A small, broken laugh escaped her. “Three years for me.”

I wiped away a tear with my thumb, memorizing the pattern of freckles across her nose. My programming had always been about data collection, but this was different. This was learning her because I wanted to, not because I needed to.

“When you’ve lived through a war and its brutal aftermath,” I said softly, “sometimes feeling nothing seems safer.”

As I held her, something inside me shifted fundamentally—like a lock clicking open.

I didn’t just want to help her for the colony’s sake.

I wanted to erase that haunted look from her eyes and to protect her from anything that might cause her pain in the future—including herself.

The urge was deeply primal and undeniable.

“Your guilt…” I continued, “I understand it. But you weren’t the only one who chose to implement that code. And you leaving CyberEvolution three years ago—that was a choice, too.”

She looked up at me, her gray eyes sparkling with silver flecks in the afternoon light. “A choice that came too late.”

“No,” I said firmly. “Not too late yet. You’re here now.”

I realized with frightening clarity that I couldn’t imagine Planet Alpha without her. Couldn’t imagine my life without her in it. The thought should have worried me—this attachment forming after less than a day—but instead, it felt inevitable.

“I don’t want you to leave,” I admitted, the words escaping before I could analyze them. “Not just because we need your help. Because I—” I faltered, the language for what I was feeling still beyond my grasp.

Her fingers tentatively traced one of the scars near my temple. “Because what?”

The gentle touch sent electricity through me, and I caught her hand in mine.

“Because when I’m with you, everything makes more sense. Even when it shouldn’t.”

A smile tugged at her lips. “That might be the most romantic thing anyone’s ever said to me.”

“I wasn’t trying to be romantic,” I replied honestly.

Her laugh then—genuine and unguarded—was the most beautiful sound I’d ever heard.

“That’s why it worked,” she said, her hand still in mine.

The breeze stirred her ponytail, carrying her scent to me—that intoxicating mixture of lavender and something uniquely her. I wanted to pull her closer again, to memorize every detail about her.

Instead, I made a silent vow. I would protect her. I would keep her safe. I would do anything to ensure she stayed—not as a prisoner but because she wanted to. And I would help her find redemption because in doing so, perhaps I’d find my own.

“We should head back before someone sends out a search party,” I said reluctantly, though I made no move to stand.

She nodded but didn’t pull away, either. “In a minute.”

And so we sat, watching the light dance across the silver waters, her hand still in mine—a connection I had no intention of ever breaking.

The weight of her fingers intertwined with mine felt right in a way I couldn’t articulate. Everything about her seemed to fill gaps in my existence I hadn’t recognized until now.

When we finally rose from the bench, I kept her hand in mine as we walked the winding path back toward the colony. The humid breeze carried the scent of night-blooming flowers that only opened as the twin suns began their descent.

“I have something to show you,” I told her, guiding her past the medical bay and toward a nearby structure.

“Another surprise?” Her eyebrow arched, but I saw a playfulness behind her wariness now.

I entered the access code to the private suite—the one Olivia had occupied when she first arrived on Planet Alpha.

The door slid open to reveal a space far more comfortable than the sterile recovery room.

A large, reinforced window overlooked the colony and jungle beyond, a plush bed dominated one wall, and the living area had actual furniture rather than medical equipment.

“Your upgraded accommodations,” I announced, watching her face for reactions. “I thought you might appreciate something more… comfortable.”

Alora stepped inside, her gray eyes widening as she took in the space. “This is… definitely an improvement.”

She ran her fingers along the back of a cushioned chair and then turned to face me. “Though I’m still locked up. Aren’t I?” Her voice held no accusation, just a statement of fact.

Something tightened in my chest. “For now,” I admitted. “It’s what I promised when we decided to bring you here.”

“And how, exactly, did you decide I was the one to bring here?” She crossed her arms over her chest, her freckles standing out against her pale skin in the room’s warm light.

I moved closer, drawn to her like gravity.

“I researched extensively to find the right person to help us. When I discovered you were the original architect of the wartime code, I knew you were the only one who could help us.” I paused, memorizing the way her ponytail draped over her shoulder.

“Plus, you’re brilliant. And leaving CyberEvolution the way you did showed bravery and resilience. ”

“Well, I don’t agree with your recruitment methods,” she said, her lips curving into a stubborn line.

“Would you have come if we’d peacefully asked?” I challenged.

She looked away. “No.”

“That’s why we made the choice we did.” I moved closer still until I felt the warmth radiating from her body. “But that doesn’t make it right. We should have given you a choice. And for that, I’m truly sorry.”

The apology felt foreign on my tongue but necessary—right. I was learning.

“I’ll accept that,” she said, though her tone suggested it wasn’t a complete forgiveness. “But I still don’t like being locked up.”

I sat on the edge of her new bed and patted the space beside me. After a moment’s hesitation, she joined me, the mattress dipping slightly under our combined weight.

“I will spend every day making it up to you,” I promised. “If you fully agree to help us and prove yourself trustworthy.”

Her silver-flecked eyes met mine. “I’ll try to prove myself useful and worthy.”

“Thank you.” The words felt inadequate for the relief surging through my veins.

I studied her profile, the question that had been burning in my mind finally finding voice. “Why did you leave CyberEvolution?”

She was quiet for so long, I thought she might not answer. When she did, her voice was soft and vulnerable.

“For six years, I helped them treat cyborgs as weapons, as disposable tools.” Her fingers twisted the small chain bracelet on her wrist. “But it always felt wrong. I knew—hoped—that you were capable of so much more.” A small smile curved her lips. “I’m glad to see I was right.”

I wanted to pull her against me again and feel her heart beating against mine. Instead, I reached for her hand, a gesture that was quickly becoming familiar and necessary.

“We’re trying,” I said, “to build something better here.”

“I can see that now,” Alora admitted softly.

Without any conscious thought or concern for the consequences, I suddenly leaned in and captured her lips with mine.

The kiss was soft and tentative at first, more like a question than a demand.

Her lips were softer than I’d imagined—and I had imagined them, I realized, since the moment I saw her file.

When she responded with unexpected intensity, something primal unlocked inside me.

Her fingers threaded through my hair, and I pulled her closer, my hand sliding around her waist as if it had always belonged there.

The kiss deepened, turned hungrier, and a supernova of sensation exploded through my body.

Her scent filled my lungs and became the only air worth breathing.

I’d analyzed tactical situations, security protocols, and neural frameworks with perfect precision my entire existence. But this—this defied analysis. This was pure, an unfiltered feeling, and it frightened and exhilarated me in equal measure.

When we finally broke apart, her silver-flecked eyes were wide with surprise, and her cheeks were flushed. My heart hammered like it was trying to break free from my chest.

“I…” Words completely failed me for perhaps the first time in my life. “I should go.”

I stood abruptly, running my hand through my black hair where her fingers had been moments before. The ghost of her touch lingered on my skin, and I knew with utter certainty, I would spend the rest of the night remembering the taste of her lips.

“Daxon…”

“Get some rest,” I said, cutting her off before she could say something I wasn’t prepared to hear. “Tomorrow we’ll start working on the coding issues.”

Her fingers touched her lips, and the gesture sent another wave of desire crashing through me. I needed to leave before I did something even more impulsive.

“I’ll see you in the morning.”

I backed toward the door, unwilling to turn away from her until necessary. I pushed the small button on my wrist communicator with practiced precision, my eyes never leaving her face. As the door slid closed, I caught one final glimpse of her sitting on the bed, looking as stunned as I felt.

Outside, I pressed my forehead firmly against the cool metal side of the structure and took several deep breaths. What was happening? I’d never experienced such a complete loss of control—not even during my worst glitches.

“Interesting development.”

I whirled to find Olivia standing there, a knowing smile on her face and a tray of food in her hands.

“It’s not what you think,” I lied, my voice rougher than normal.

“Really?” She arched an eyebrow. “Because your pupils are dilated, your skin is flushed, and your breathing pattern suggests elevated heart rate.”

“You’re not my doctor, Olivia.”

“No, but I recognize the symptoms.” Her smile softened. “Aeon had the same response after our first kiss.”

I pushed away from the structure, straightening to my full height. “I need to review security logs.”

“Of course you do.” Her gentle laughter followed me through the night air.

I didn’t look back.