Page 30

Grace

OVER THE FOLLOWING week, Trex and I settled into a routine. I was more than willing to comply with his request to stay in his quarters rather than sleep anywhere else.

The nights we shared were a whirlwind of pleasure. Our sexy adventures would go on and on for hours, leaving us breathless and wanting more.

Sometimes, he would luxuriate in the moment, teasing me with deliberate kisses and seductive touches before we became one.

Our burning desire sometimes made waiting impossible, and he would ravish me with unrestrained fervor. Trex made me feel alive and passionate. I also became better at picking up on his feelings, and that strengthened our bond.

Occasionally, I would catch snippets of his thoughts, but he seemed determined to keep them to himself, so I respected his privacy.

Each day he would go to the bridge while I trained with Rekna in the Medi-bay. The friendly medic instructed me on Alaran history, their medical technology, and their advanced healing techniques.

I enjoyed every moment of his teachings, excited for the day when I could be a medic on the ship.

Rekna was clearly happy with how eager I was to learn, and he praised my progress. I was thrilled at the thought of using my nursing skills in outer space.

One morning as we woke up and were chatting in bed, with me snuggled in Trex’s arms we were interrupted by a communication from the command center.

“Attention, Captain, please come to the bridge.”

Trex responded as he sat up. “I’ll be there soon.”

I shrugged, biting my lip, still feeling all tingly from his kisses and touch.

I tried to hide my disappointment. “Duty calls,” I said softly.

He finished dressing and turned to look at me. “Would you like to see the command center’s bridge?”

“Are you sure?”

His lopsided grin made it clear that I didn’t need to ask. After smoothing down my hair, I quickly got dressed.

UPON THE DOORS OPENING , Trex gestured for me to go ahead of him.

I was taken aback by the bridge’s size when I entered the command center.

The entire room was a flurry of activity.

A series of holo-screens, and smooth colorful surfaces where the warriors’ hands slid over them were on two of the walls.

A dozen warriors, all similar to Trex stood or sat at various consoles. The warriors and pilot I had seen in the shuttle were among them.

A few warriors glanced at me, nodded once, then returned to their tasks.

I recognized the warrior that approached us as Commander Krin. His cropped brown hair made his pointed ears stand out. His resemblance to Trex in skin color and size was very striking. But he couldn’t compare to my Trex, my delicious mate.

Krin furrowed his brow, and he glanced at me before refocusing on Trex. A silent communication seemed to pass between them.

I glanced up at Trex and saw a stern expression that clearly said, Don’t dare question me for bringing her here.

He addressed Trex directly, speaking aloud. “Would you prefer to go to the briefing room?”

His eyes briefly met mine again before he shifted his focus back to Trex. Krin’s reluctance to speak in front of me was apparent.

I gave Trex’s hand a firm squeeze. “I can go...” I began.

Trex’s annoyed growl filled the air as he clung to my hand. “Speak freely, Krin,” he demanded.

The Commander cleared his throat. “It’s about the King.”

Trex’s face lost all color, and he tightened his grasp on my hand. I watched him press his lips together while a muscle in his jaw ticked.

A flicker of concern passed over his face, only to be replaced by a newfound resolve. Krin and Trex exchanged a deep, silent glance, understanding their telepathic connection had resumed.

“I will take it in my briefing room,” he declared, pointing toward a closed door to our left. He let go of my hand and rested it on my shoulder. “One of the warriors will escort you back to your quarters with the other females.”

I barely nodded as he forced a tight smile, which I tried to return, but it faltered. My quarters? What happened to staying with Trex?

The sudden shift in Trex’s tone and manner caught me off guard and left me stunned and to be honest, a little hurt.

He didn’t wait for my response before turning and walking away without a backwards glance.

One of the other warriors stepped forward and motioned for me to follow him. I briefly hesitated. Worry and frustration hit me suddenly, but they weren’t my feelings. I continued to sense Trex’s emotions, even at this moment.

Filled with disappointment that he didn’t feel he could trust me with whatever was happening, I walked back to my quarters.

What in God’s name just happened?