Page 64 of Radakk's Mate

Shocked to my core, I glance at Radakk.It’s really her, he says through bond.I know it’s hard to believe, especially since she hasn’t aged, but I promise it’s her.

I can’t hold back my own tears. My mate moves away a few steps, and I sense he wishes to give us privacy but he’s hesitant to leave in case I need his support.Stay, I say through the bond.You’re my mate and I want you here. I want you to meet my mother.

My mom sniffles and wipes at her face. “Oh, how I wish I could hug you right now, Thalia. But I’ve been told we’ll see each other in about one year. I’m on a ship called theDrumonna, and it’s headed for Planet 58-Z. I regret that we’re so far away it’ll take a year, but I’ve also been told we can speak every day if we wish. I hope you’ll agree to that. We have a lot of catching up to do.”

“What happened to you?” I ask, praying the truth isn’t terrible.

She takes a deep breath and goes on to explain the details of the week she disappeared, starting with theJansonnabeing docked at an outpost. Apparently, she’d just started working for a diplomat who met with several aliens on the outpost to negotiate trade. While she was on the outpost, a Garllcossian male bumped into her, and she would later learn the alien planted a tracking device on her, a tracking device which made it easy for the Garllcossians to follow theJansonnaand beam her off the worldship a week later.

“What happened then?”

She sighs. “They didn’t hurt me, but they held me for ransom. They demanded one hundred thousand galactic credits for my return, but theJansonnacouldn’t afford it. And so, I was taken to a large room and put into a stasis chamber. There were other stasis chambers in the room, most of them occupied. Before I was forced into the chamber, a guard told me I would be kept there until someone paid my ransom. I never expected to wake up.”

I look at Radakk, and tears blur my vision. “You found her,” I say, awe filling me. “You found my mother and paid the ransom.”

He nods. “I also hired a group of mercenaries to bring her to Planet 58-Z. It’ll be a long journey, and I want to make sure she’s well protected.”

How did you find her?I ask through the bond.

I beat thefluxxout of Captain Warren and made him tell me everything he knew about your mother’s disappearance. After that, I hired the mercenaries to track her down. Please don’t be alarmed by the fact that they’re mercenaries. They will keep her safe. I promise.He sends me a wave of affection.

Thank you, Radakk. Thank you.

You’re welcome, my mate.

I turn to face my mother, who’s staring at me with wonder. I suppose I’m a shock to her as well. The last time she saw me, I was only four years old.

Radakk approaches, and I introduce him to my mother. She smiles and waves and tearfully thanks him for his help.

He places a kiss atop my head. “I will leave the two of you alone so you might catch up. If you need anything, my mate, just let me know.”I am here for you.

I love you, I murmur through the bond.

Affection sweeps through the tether that links our hearts. He smiles as he backs out of the room.And I love you.

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