Page 22 of Songbird (A Space Pearl’s Treat #1)

I stood on the dock, heart heavy, as I inspected my ship.

The metal was sleek and cool under my fingertips, and normally, the idea of taking off on a new adventure—a new mission—filled me with delight.

Now, the thought of leaving this place and possibly never returning caused pain like I’d never knew.

But it needed to be done. I’d spoken to my brother Siemba.

We both agreed that the mission to gather intel so the Bardaga could launch a rescue was the perfect fodder for my reputation.

It would grant me immediate access to the slave auctions and yield valuable information that would save many lives.

Still, I hesitated, unable to force myself up the lowered ramp and into the pilot’s seat.

Izzy.

My heart ached with a bittersweet agony.

Leaving Izzy felt like tearing out a part of myself, leaving me broken and bleeding.

She was my true mate, and being apart from her, for even the last hour, felt like going against the very laws of nature.

Our last touch, our last goodbye, was bittersweet.

I felt her trembling, heard the break in her voice, and saw the shimmer of wetness in her beautiful blue eyes. But she told me to go.

Maybe I was a fool to consider what happened between us anything more than the pretense it set out to be.

Yet, it never felt insincere to me, not once.

Every brush of our fingertips and every press of our lips together felt authentic and meaningful.

Nothing in my life had ever felt as perfect as being sheathed in her small, soft body and having her fall apart in my arms.

As I stood lost in memories, I glimpsed my reflection in the sleek metal on the starboard side of my ship.

The disguise I wore was all too familiar—a paunchy, a spoiled playboy.

Many times, the disguise had saved my life.

Now, every inch of it repulsed me. The carefully constructed facade that allowed me to blend in with the criminal and wealthy elite alike felt foreign and uncomfortable, like wearing someone else’s skin.

A sense of unease settled in my stomach as I stared at myself, the feeling hot and thick and growing with every breath until, unable to stand it a moment longer, I slammed my fist into the reflection.

My tail followed suit, smacking out an angry tenor against the side of the ship.

“Since when did denting one’s ship count as pre-flight maintenance?”

Praxxan sidled up beside me, arms crossed over his chest as he inspected the deep crease I’d put in the side of my ship. I wanted to punch him, too.

“What do you want, Praxxan? I’m about to take off.”

The only move my brother made was to shift his gaze to mine. “I would like the truth, little brother.”

“Truth, what truth?” I demanded, turning to glare at him. My hands clenched into fists at my side. I really wanted to punch him... or anybody.

“First off, we’ll start with why you punched your ship.” Praxxan leaned his back against said ship, eyeing me curiously. “Not the action of a male who truly wants to leave, in my opinion.”

I growled at him. “I have to leave. You heard Siemba. They need me to gather intel so the Bardaga can step in and break up the slave hold.”

“Yes, they need you,” Praxxan concurred, his mouth flipping into a sad smile. “Someone will always need you. But do you want to leave?”

I leaned against the side of my ship, the anger leaving me in a breath, replaced by resignation and heartache. “What choice do I have?”

“You always have a choice, little brother.”

Praxxan’s gaze locked with mine, holding just the slightest hint of mystery.

My breath left me with a heavy sigh. It was too late, but I wanted to know. “When you told Ambassador Mukhal about my tail, did you lie?”

“No.” Praxxan’s dark gaze softened. “But I keep wondering why you did.”

“I did not lie to Izzy... ever.” Every word I said to her had been the truth, except for our goodbye. I hadn’t wanted to say it. I didn’t want to leave.

“No,” Praxxan mused. “You just didn’t mention experiencing the one thing that signifies a true mating for Stranac males. Why?”

It was a question I’d asked myself a million times.

“I don’t know. At first, I thought my reputation might be an issue.

Izzy wasn’t looking for a mate. All she wanted was to be safe from Kayzon.

” I shrugged, content knowing that at least we’d accomplished that.

“After we grew closer, I wanted to tell her but didn’t know how to admit I’d been hiding it. ”

Praxxan’s large hand settled on my shoulder, giving a squeeze. “One thing I’ve learned about Earth women is they can be pretty forgiving.”

“What about Siemba?” I mulled, twisting the idea in my brain. “If I take Izzy as my mate, truly, it will destroy my cover as a playboy and my career as a spy.”

“Most likely.” Praxxan’s other hand came to rest atop my other shoulder. “But like me, Siemba loves you and wants nothing more than for you to be happy.” His gaze narrowed on mine. “Would it make you happy? To walk away and devote yourself to Izzy?”

“It has made me happy,” I admitted hoarsely. “Happier than I’ve ever been.”

“Then why did you let her go? Why were you willing to leave?” The incredulousness in my brother’s voice made me grimace.

“You saw Izzy when we planned our break-up . She did not seem that upset. She told me to leave.”

A loud snort boomed from Praxxan, echoing about the dock. “I worry mating has made your senses dull, brother. Did you not hear the female sobbing after she left our apartment?”

My heart jerked as though starting to beat again after a long respite. “Izzy was weeping?” After she left, I’d been too mired in my own breaking heart to notice anything else.

“Like her heart was splitting in two,” Praxxan said softly.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” I demanded.

“I just did.”

I felt my body twitch restlessly. The urge to move was overwhelming, but I couldn’t decide which way to go.

It was as if my every muscle was alive and pulsating with wild, untamed energy, ready to burst forth into motion.

I had no idea what to do first but settled on grabbing Praxxan and hauling him into a hug. “Thank you, brother.”

Praxxan chuckled, patting my back. “I happen to know that Izzy will rehearse for another hour. I’ll make an announcement and excuses for her lack of performance tonight as well as let Siemba know he’ll need to send another operative to Akruvara.”

I gave my brother one last squeeze before bolting from the dock.

My heart raced. The anticipation of seeing Izzy, of pulling her into my arms, and finally confessing what she meant to me, made my every nerve-ending sizzle.

Yet, as I entered Space Pearls , a sense of foreboding settled in the pit of my stomach.

The Bojovik security guard was noticeably absent from his post, and despite being near lunchtime, the normally busy restaurant was eerily quiet.

I slowed my pace, my steps growing silent as a sudden, familiar unease prickled up my spine.

Cautiously, I made my way backstage, keeping a watchful eye out, all the while, worry churned in my gut. Where was my mate?

I found the dressing room door locked. After a couple of knocks that went unanswered, the knot of dread spinning in my gut tripled in size.

I shoved my shoulder against the frame, causing it to splinter open, a chorus of frightened squeals coming from the females I found huddled inside.

My eyes scanned the room, quickly landing on the frightened but familiar faces of Lucy, Deema, Aqsa and three more females whose names I did not know.

But Izzy wasn’t among them, a fact that made my blood run cold.

Especially when I noticed the deep, oozing cut above Aqsa’s eye.

“Where is Izzy?” I barked, stepping forward to help the woozy Aqsa to her feet, my eyes scanning her injury. Her cut appeared deep, but not fatal.

“He took her,” Lucy grated, climbing to her feet and brushing the dust from her clothes.

“Who took her?” I demanded, growing murderous.

“Kerzak males. Three of them, though one was a half-breed.” Aqsa said weakly as I helped her into a chair.

“She was rehearsing when they came in. They knocked Hudo out and stuffed him behind the bar, then herded the rest of us in here.” Aqsa lifted a shaking hand to probe at her cut. “I tried to help her.”

A guttural, primal roar erupted from deep within me, an expression of the worry and rage that consumed me. My entire being shook with the force of it. The sound reverberated off the walls, filling the room with a powerful energy.

“What happened?” Praxxan burst into the room as if summoned by the sound.

“Kayzon took Izzy.” My voice sounded strange, feral.

“How long ago?” Praxxan’s gaze swept over the females, wincing as he saw Aqsa’s injury.

“Ten minutes, maybe?” Lucy guessed.

“I’ll alert the guard and close all the access points to the station,” my brother muttered before turning to me. His dark eyes found mine alert and vengeful. “Do you have her?”

I knew what he meant without asking.

I closed my eyes, a strange sense of calm settling over me as I centered myself, reaching deep inside to touch long-dormant primal instincts.

My Stranac heritage, passed down through generations, pulsed within me.

The wild side that my kind possessed, the fierce predator and skilled warrior I’d tamped down to aid my ruse as a spoiled playboy and function in polite society.

But now, I embraced it fully as a low growl ripped from deep in my chest. I sucked in a deep breath, and despite the swirling scents of females tinged with fear, I found sweetness and spice.

Izzy’s scent called to me like a beacon. My mate.

“I’ve got her,” I grunted.

I took off running toward my mate, knowing that once I found her, I would wrap her in my arms and never let her go again.

Save for the few minutes it would take me to kill Kayzon.