Page 74 of Salvation for the Alien Mercenary

"Then what?"

"I don't want her to worry," he said, not meeting the blank faceplate. "Not when we don't even know what this means yet."

The truth was more selfish. He didn't want Mira to look at him differently. To see him as a monster, something not human. She had accepted his Latharian heritage with surprising ease, but this… him being part something from another universe entirely. That might be too much. He couldn't bear seeing disgust in her eyes when she looked at him.

"She cares for you," Jex said. "That won't change because of your DNA."

"You don't know that."

Jex shrugged. "I'll keep your secret for now. But remember, secrets have consequences."

Guilt mingled with relief as he nodded. "Keep working with K’ell. The faster we understand this, the sooner we control it."

"And if we can't control it?"

He had no answer for that. The possibility that nothing of himself might remain haunted him.

"We'll cross that bridge when necessary."

At the doorway, Jex spoke again. "Expect more changes… physical and psychological. Territorial behaviors. Protective urges."

He paused. "I'm still me."

"For now. But monitor your psychological changes, especially around Mira."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"You know. I've watched how you position yourself between her and threats. Your possessiveness when others approach."

"I care about her." The words were almost a growl.

"There's protection, then there's possession. Choose carefully."

Jex wasn't wrong. Davis felt the shift inside himself… the need to keep Mira safe had darkened into something primitive. The urge to claim her, mark her ashisgrew stronger each day.

How could he face her with this secret between them? Yet watching her pull away in horror seemed unbearable.

"I'll be careful."

The weight of secrecy pressed against his chest as he returned to their quarters. They'd never been just a man and woman enjoying quiet evenings together. With each passing day, they moved further from that simple truth into something unknown, something dangerous.

The most terrifying part? Some dark, primal piece of him craved what he was becoming.

* * *

Mira balancedthe food tray against her hip, navigating the narrow corridors of theLady's Dream. Protein bars tumbled against dried fruit packets. Two mugs of something pretending to be hot chocolate sloshed dangerously close to the rim. Her mind wandered to Davis, waiting in their quarters, the film just an excuse.

Her comm unit vibrated against her wrist.

Jex needs me for a few. Back soon. Don't start the film without me.

A smile tugged at her lips. She knew what would happen when he returned. The film would play in the background while his hands found her skin, tracing patterns down her neck and shoulders until nothing existed but his touch. The thought sent warmth spreading through her, settling low in her belly.

As she approached engineering, voices filtered through the partially open door. Davis and Jex, their tones serious. She slowed, not wanting to interrupt.

"Keep it that way," Davis growled, his voice deeper than usual. "Especially from Mira."

Cold washed through her veins, freezing her midstep.