Page 32

Grace

AFTER SHOWERING, I ran my fingers through my wet hair, feeling the strands slide through my fingertips without a comb or brush.

While getting dressed, my mind wandered to Trex just as it had since the moment I left him on the bridge.

A profound feeling of emptiness stirred within me, resulting in a tangible ache. Since I arrived on the ship, I had spent nearly every waking moment by his side. I’d grown to love his company and everything about him. Our relationship had escalated quickly, but I had no qualms with it.

What had me concerned was how easily he dismissed me when he heard from the King. I wondered if he was ashamed of me or maybe not allowed to date humans.

Okay, we were beyond dating...we were now a mated couple according to Trex. But it felt as if our bond had become clouded. And it frightened me.

At first, I questioned why his warrior took me to my old quarters that I shared with Olivia and Riley. When I’d been staying with Trex until now.

And I expected Trex to find me after he’d taken care of things on the bridge.

But he never came. It felt like days since I last saw him. I’d managed to doze off once or twice on my cot until deciding to have a shower to chase away the restlessness I felt.

The passage of time was hard to gauge when I was floating through space with no way to know.

At first, I felt upset and hurt. Now I just felt lost as a wave of uncertainty washed over me, leaving me feeling adrift.

Had any of it been real?

Did he change his mind about me ?

My time with Trex was etched into my memory, forever altering my life. We’d been so close, our hearts connected as we delved into discussions about our lives and dreams.

I’d been filled with an overwhelming joy, experiencing true happiness for the first time in my life.

My feelings for Trex had grown, and now I couldn’t fathom a life without him by my side.

From the very first glance, Trex’s presence had an electrifying effect on me, causing my heart to race.

This was no childish crush. I’d fallen in love with the big blue alien hunk.

Which was why this separation was so hard on me.

He’d spoken of our bond being a lifelong thing. But all it took was one communication from the King of Alara to alter everything between us.

What was I not seeing?

Did Trex have a secret he didn’t want me to know?

Looking in the mirror one more time, I reassured myself that there had to be a good reason for Trex not visiting me.

He was preoccupied, and I was overly sensitive.

I couldn’t allow my fear of abandonment to affect me this way. I reminded myself Trex wasn’t like other men.

Hell, he wasn’t a man...a human man at least.

He’d promised he wouldn’t abandon me and I believed him.

I JOINED RILEY AND Olivia in our shared bunk area.

“Ready to get something to eat?” Riley asked when she saw me.

“Yes. Let’s go.”

Olivia joined us and we approached the door.

A familiar buzzing sound interrupted. For a moment, butterflies filled my stomach, hoping it was Trex at last.

“Come in.” I faced the door only to be filled with disappointment when Orin entered and stood staring back at us.

His face was somber. “Were you heading somewhere?” he asked in a tone that showed surprise rather than annoyance.

“We are going to get something to eat. Why?” I asked, sensing something was wrong.

We’d been told we were allowed to leave the room now that Avery was no longer on the ship.

He cleared his throat, avoiding direct eye contact with any of us. “The Captain has asked me to pass on the message that we will arrive in Alara in two galactic hours.”

“Why isn’t he here telling us himself?” I complained not liking the slight whine in my voice.

He couldn’t even tell me to my face what was happening?

Riley put her hands on her hips. “Great. Can’t we eat while you fill us in?”

“This will only take a moment. I will be brief.” He pursed his lips before continuing. “When we arrive, you will be accompanying me to the palace. Everything you need will be provided for you and you will be safe there.”

He turned and walked back into the corridor without another word.

My brow creased at his abrupt departure.

That was brief alright.

“Orin! Wait,” I called out as the door closed behind him. I pressed the panel to open it and found Orin waiting at the door.

Happily, I tucked my still damp hair behind my ears, grateful that he hadn’t ignored me. Since Avery’s departure, he had been much more friendly, although his smile still needed improvement.

“When Trex and I were together, he got a message from the King. Does this have something to do with why we are going to Alara? Has something happened?” I asked.

Behind me, Riley stepped forward and thrust out her chin, interrupting. “Yeah, and why are we being taken to a palace?”

It seemed strange to me too, that Trex would take us to the palace on Alara, but I trusted he had a valid explanation.

I was still trying to comprehend why he took so much time to notify me about what was going on after sending me away from the bridge.

Orin closed his eyes for a moment, not eager to spill the beans.

Crossing my arms, I tapped my foot. “Well?”

Orin’s posture stiffened. “The Captain’s personal matters are private.”

Speechless, it took a moment for the words to sink in, and I felt my cheeks burning.

Orin frowned and looked down at the floor, looking like he wished he hadn’t said it.

I pressed my hand against my chest, forcing myself to stay calm. “Excuse me? Private?” My voice grew louder. “You’re taking us to your home world without giving any explanation?”

Olivia stood on my right, looking uncomfortable. While Riley squinted at Orin. His face was filled with remorse. “It’s urgent for Captain Trex to return home. If you want me to, I can speak with him to see if he wants me to give you more details?”

Folding my arms, I nodded and waited.

His gaze drifted away from us, becoming distant. Orin quickly glanced back at me after just a few seconds.

“What do you call that? I thought you were going to contact him?” Riley snapped.

“What did he say?” I asked.

“Huh?” Riley looked at me as if I’d lost my mind.

Orin’s eyes widened in surprise. “How do you-?”

“He mentioned that you guys have the ability to pick up emotions,” I said with a wry tone. “And that you communicate telepathically.”

Riley shook her head, causing her ponytail to sway. “Wait, they can do what?”

She made a huffing noise before bursting into laughter. “Oh. I get it now,” she nodded. “It makes sense why the warriors in the mess hall never seem to talk with each other.”

Her response made me grunt. Riley wasn’t bothered by much.

Olivia’s calm reaction to the news surprised me as well.

Orin made a noise to clear his throat. “I talked with the Captain.”

I audibly sighed and ran my hands through my hair. “And?” Getting this guy to talk is like pulling teeth.

Orin made direct eye contact with me. “Apologies...Captain Trex’Ul’s father, King Vark’Ul, has passed away.”

My jaw dropped . What?

Riley’s brows knitted together. “Excuse me, could you clarify?”

Shocked, I took a step back and shook my head. “Trex’s father is the King?” my voice was barely a whisper.

“Was...yes.” Orin said. “I will return for the three of you when we reach the planet.”

Without waiting, he turned and walked away.

I sat down on my bunk and brought my hands up to my face. My appetite was gone.

My head was spinning in a million different directions as negative thoughts raced through me.

It hurt me to know why he chose to stay away from me. Trex was a Prince that was going to be a King. That was the reason for his dismissal on the bridge.

I scratched my head as my mind raced.

But if that were true why did he allow me to get close to him? Allow me to fall in love with him?

He probably wouldn’t even be allowed to be with me because of his position.

I closed my eyes, shaking my head as the truth hit me. Did he hide his identity from me for this reason?

He had shared an elaborate story about star mates. I believed it with all my heart that it was the truth.

Maybe he just wanted to see what it was like to have sex with a human?

My face burned at the thought.

Hang on, my inner voice reminded me. The fact he kept his identity from me doesn’t invalidate everything else.

I need to trust my feelings.

Dropping my hands, I shook my head, then scolded myself.

Trex lost his father and I’m here wallowing in self-pity.

I just wished he’d come to me so I could have been there for him. Maybe he didn’t trust me enough to tell me?

My chest ached, wondering if we’d ever be together again.

I glanced at Riley and Olivia and I studied them without them noticing. They knew nothing about Alara. I shuddered, hugging myself.

If I told Olivia that there were no Alaran females left, it might scare her.

However, something told me Riley would take it in her stride now that she didn’t have Avery’s influence around her.

Tears filled my eyes.

Olivia interrupted my thoughts as I began to tremble.

“Are you okay?” she asked, reaching out to touch my shoulder.

“Not even a little,” I whispered.