Page 3 of Rescuing Mara (Warriors of Arracate #2)
CHAPTER 3
O’Rec
T he plan is simple but brilliant. I believe it might just work. We will start at Centauri IV and work out more details once we have taken off. That space station is the last place we went to before L’Ren was taken by the Sternotheri and we have an idea who betrayed us. Public confrontation is not our usual style, but we need to be seen in order for our plan to work. After that, we will take off for Centauri VI, where I will somehow put myself up as bait. For now, the plan is to lure the Sternotheri to us and find a way to make them share the location of Ananta with us.
We do not know what to do after that, but we will form a plan when we know which obstacles we face. I feel confident this is going to work. The only thing that is missing is D’Var.
It seems the stars are on my side, because he chooses that moment to check in with us. He spent the last few days locked up in his room with his mate, reconciling. I am happy for him, but I am also very glad that he tells us he is coming out to see how he can help me find mine.
I am sitting behind my screens. T’Rak is in his captain’s chair when D’Var and L’Ren walk in.
“Hi,” she says shyly.
I grunt. “We need to get to my mate,” I begin - my friends nod. D’Var takes a seat, pulling L’Ren in his lap.
“We have no idea where she is nor where the Sternotheri are. We know she is close to Ananta, and I believe that they will guard her even more fiercely now that she knows what she means to me.” I pause.
“We need to draw the Sternotheri out, and we know they want me most. So, I am going to offer myself up on a platter for them. I need you both to have my back, so we can surprise the fuckers who go after me and find out Ananta’s location from them.”
“We will finalize the details of the plan during our trip, but we need to say goodbye and prepare to be leaving soon.”
“You are leaving?” L’Ren says loudly. We fall silent.
“Yes, I am leaving, and I am hoping I can count on D’Var as well. T’Rak will come, but I think we need all the help we can get.” D’Var nods and then looks at his mate.
“What do you think? Are you ready to accompany us on a mission through space?”
I perk up. That is a great idea. “My mate is human. I believe it would help her if you were there.”
L’Ren looks at D’Var, and they have a private conversation, which I tune out. I cannot bear their love declarations. Not now, when my mate is out in the universe without me knowing exactly where.
L’Ren turns around, smiling grimly at me. “We are in, what do you need?”
I let out a huge breath, and I smile back at her.
“We will leave in the morning. We cannot tell anybody what our mission is.” I look sharply at D’Var.
A sudden grin appears on my face. “Not even your mother.”
“My mother is the most trustworthy person in the universe,” he says, doing his best to keep a straight face.
I arch my eyebrows at his statement. Kepti is amazing, but she is also a gossip when it comes to mates.
“Be sure to say your goodbyes and be ready.”
D’Var gives me a curt nod. “I promised you we would find your mate, my friend. And that is what we shall do.”
* * *
I do not get much sleep that night. I toss and turn, and in the end, I give up, making my way towards the mess hall. The ship is silent. My crew is fast asleep as I enter through the sliding doors. I let my hand glide across the wall, a wall D’Var put up with his bare hands to please his mate. My chest aches. The bond between a Warrior and his Zarra is the purest thing there is in the universe. It’s a pull between two souls which are meant to be together. We Arracate believe that it is written in the stars.
We take the mate bond seriously. I ache deep inside for having to leave my mate, my Zarra, behind. There was no other choice at that moment, but the decision is slowly killing me. I should be with her, taking care of her, nurturing the bond, and being able to touch her.
I slump down in one of the chairs and let my head hang for a moment. There is no one here to witness my despair. I am the Lost prince of Arracate. It is a fitting name because I am indeed lost. I have been ever since the destruction of our planet by the Sternotheri when the weight of the survival of our species came down on my shoulders in an instant. I was not ready then, and I am not ready now. I may have been brought up to be a prince, but not the prince of a broken race.
Not when I’m shattered within. I’ve endured so much loss - my family, the families of others, and even the loss of our planet. I heave a sigh, letting the grief wash over me. I have always been an empath, once my greatest strength, now my biggest weakness. I keep that buried and locked away to keep me going. But right now, I’m all alone, and I can just be. So, I let myself be weak, just for a moment.
A single tear slowly escapes my eye and marks my cheek, making me feel every single loss. I send a silent prayer into the night. Please let my Zarra be okay. I cannot lose her on top of everything else. I would not survive.
* * *
When my crewmates arrive at the Command Center in the early hours of the morning, I have already plotted a course to Centauri IV and am eager to depart. I am restless, and my stomach is tied in knots.
The computer alerts me to a visitor at the airlock. I check it out while my team eats their breakfast. I place my hand on the automatic lock, and the door slides away, revealing a perfectly put-together M’Ran.
“My prince,” he formally addresses me before he places a fist against his opposite shoulder and bows his head.
“I heard you were leaving.” Then he gives me a penetrating stare.
Sighing, I apologize. “I am sorry, M’Ran. I should have told you when we decided to leave this morning.” He nods, and his gaze softens.
“I worry about you, sir,” he begins. I let out a huff, which earns me another stern look. “You are not yourself. I am afraid you will walk headfirst into danger if you even catch the faintest smell of a Sternotheri.”
I smirk. He is not wrong. All my senses are on high alert, and I do not know if anybody can stop me when I see a Sterno. “I am not alone. I have my crew with me. They will look after me and help me bring my Zarra home.”
He arches his brow, still looking unimpressed. “Perhaps I should join you on this quest? To make sure you are well taken care of?”
“NO!” I almost shout, I cough and recover myself. “That will not be necessary.” I quickly think of a reason that will keep him from joining us on the ship.
“I need you here, M’Ran,” I say, my mind still churning. “I need you to take care of the Ring for me.” I clasp my hand on his shoulder. “There is nobody on the Ring I trust more than you. You always know exactly what is right for our people.”
I see my words are getting to him when he gives me a soft smile.
“Well, I do know everything about everyone here. That is true,” he begins, but then he gives me a thoughtful look, and I know I need to up my game.
“We can be in contact to have regular updates.” I blurt the words out in desperation. His whole face lights up, and I silently curse myself.
“That is an excellent idea, sir.” He beams and places his fist against his shoulder again in ceremony.
“Safe travels, my prince.” His voice is hoarse, and suddenly, my throat feels dry, and I cannot swallow.
“Thank you, my friend,” I croak as I step back and slap my palm against the lock, letting the sliding doors close.
I take a moment to gather myself before I walk back to command. T’Rak has already taken a seat in his chair, and D’Var and L’Ren are settled on the couch. I take my seat next to T’Rak and then link up with my crew.
“Everything is ready.” They both turn their attention to me.
“I have plotted a course that will take us to Centauri IV in approximately four days.” I say the words out loud, not wanting to exclude L’Ren from the conversation. D’Var nods, and T’Rak starts disconnecting our ship from the Ring. As we depart, the engine starts humming, and T’Rak steers the ship into space.
“Let us get your mate.”