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Trex

IN MY ROOM AT THE COMMAND center, I paced with a mix of frustration and exhaustion. Since discovering my father’s demise three rotations ago, my schedule had been consumed by meetings with the royal advisors and Protectorate council. I hadn’t eaten or rested.

In addition, I’d planned to bring in more ships to cover the gap in the Chetok’s patrolled sector. But it still wouldn’t be enough. We required additional ships and more allies willing to fight with the Protectorate.

The King’s death had come at the worst possible time.

When our resources were already stretched thin and the Krilex were getting bolder.

The decision was made to have my most trusted warriors accompany me to the palace.

Together, we would uncover the truth behind my father’s murder.

It had to be someone from within the palace - someone who had access to my father.

Upon our arrival, all staff would undergo questioning. All individuals would be considered as suspects.

I felt weighed down by the burden of the task ahead.

Returning to Alara meant embracing my destiny as both the rightful King and the avenger of my father’s untimely death. My thoughts turned to what I would find when we landed. I wasn’t sure I was ready to be a ruler, but had little choice as the only heir.

Would I be expected to remain on the planet at all times?

My heart ached with guilt as I thought of Grace. Looking back, I should have disclosed the whole truth to her before now. But as time slipped away while I dealt with ships matters, I’d been unable to find the time to speak with her.

I was forced to set aside all other matters until we reached our destination, Alara.

Lost in my thoughts, I stood still, my eyes fixated on nothingness, contemplating what awaited me upon my return and the potential threats that lurked within the palace.

The last thing I wanted was for our enemy to use Grace as leverage against me, or for her to be hurt because of me.

She was my K’sha, but it wasn’t safe for anyone back on Alara to know that. Not yet. In order to protect her, I had to keep her close and under guard at the palace.

I couldn’t bear the thought of anything happening to Grace. The idea of losing her made my heart ache and my chest tighten, leading to an angry growl escaping my throat.

Before we arrived on the planet, I had to clear the air between us.

MY HEART POUNDED IN my chest as I stood outside Grace’s door.

Now that she was aware of my identity as Alara’s Prince and future King, how would she react to me?

Would she want to remain with me?

She’d mentioned several times that she wanted to travel the galaxy.

I wish I had gone to her earlier and explained everything. The shame and worry of her perception weighed on me after leaving things as I did. Soon we would be arriving at Alara, and I couldn’t let things remain as they were any longer.

Despite my initial hesitance, I pressed the wall panel by her door. She had a right to know everything.

Riley’s face greeted me as the door slid open several moments later. She scowled, then shook her head and motioned for me to enter.

I surveyed the room. “Can you tell me where Grace is? I must speak with her.”

Riley placed her hands on her hips. “You’re a little late for that,” she scolded.

“Is she here?” I insisted, ignoring her ire.

Riley folded her arms. “She went for a walk.”

“Where can I find her?” I urged, trying to curb my frustration with the situation I found myself in.

Riley shrugged. “Check the observation lounge. She said she likes it there.”

My chest ached with guilt knowing why she was fond of the lounge. It was where our first kiss happened and where we’d spent hours stargazing and talking when we weren’t in my quarters.

I hurried to the lounge and found Grace by a window, absorbed in the view. I came to a stop and observed her for a moment until I heard her sniffling. My heart twisted and dropped into my stomach. I walked toward her. “Grace?”

My jaw dropped in shock when she turned and I saw her swollen red eyes and nose. “What happened?” I quickly moved towards her, stopping before pulling her into a hug but getting close.

“What do you mean? I’ve been crying. What do you think I’ve been doing?” She snarked, and her mouth twisted.

Just as I was about to caress her cheek, her despondent gaze gave me pause. She had the right to be upset, but it appeared there was more to the situation.

I could sense the pain radiating from her, as if her heart had been broken into a million pieces, and I was the cause.

“Grace, I’m sorry...”

Her eyes, filled with pain, locked onto mine, cutting off my apology.

“Why did you have Orin tell me about your father’s passing? Why didn’t you tell me?” She rubbed her hands down her sides, then balled them into fists.

Her voice trembled as she continued, “I never thought you would do something like that to me. You abandoned me, like everyone else I’ve ever loved.” She turned away, muttering sadly. “Because of you, I’ve spent days with my head filled with all sorts of messed up thoughts.

A lump formed in my throat, and I forced myself to swallow it down.

Loved? Does she not care about me anymore?

My lips curved downward and my shoulders sagged.

Grace was correct. It should have been me who told her.

Sending Orin was a mistake. It was my fault that I pushed her away. I need to rectify this.

With a gentle touch to her arm, I turned her to face me.

“Grace, I will never abandon you. You are the center of my universe and you are everything I could have ever wanted in a mate. I promise not to abandon you.” With a frown, I continued.

“So much has happened since the initial message from the royal advisors. I needed time to sort through things before I explained-”

Her arms were folded and frown lines appeared at the corners of her mouth.

“That’s the other thing,” she snapped. “Why didn’t you tell me you are the Prince of Alara? Don’t you think I should have known that?” Her voice was tight, as if she was struggling not to cry.

I held her and felt her tense up, but I knew she was more wounded than angry. “You deserved better.”

She hugged me tightly and buried her head in my chest. I provided solace by rubbing her back in calming circles while she quietly wept.

“I’m sorry for the pain I caused you, Grace.

It was never my plan.” With each stroke of my hand through her hair, her sobs grew quieter.

I could feel the vibrations of her voice, but it was muffled against my chest. “I’m sorry about your father,” she said with a sympathetic tone.

When she stepped back and looked up at me, my heart ached knowing the hurt I’d caused her.

But I still needed to explain why I’d done what I did.“Because of who I am, I keep my identity a secret when on away missions. It is for the safety of the Empire, since I am the only heir to the throne now. By not telling you, I thought I was protecting you.”

Now that I said it out loud I realized how foolish it sounded. Not telling her was a mistake, despite my reasoning behind it.

She wrung her hands together, looking insecure. “Trex, you should have trusted me. As your mate, don’t you think I deserved to know the truth?”

I stroked her head. “I do trust you and have been truthful about everything. Except this.”

I frowned, hesitating to confess the real reason, but didn’t want to keep anything else from her. She deserved to know the truth.

Leaning back, I looked down at Grace. “The thing is, I wasn’t sure you would want to be with me if you knew who I was.”

Grace shook her head, releasing a sad groan. “Oh Trex, how can you think that, after everything we talked about?” Her voice was soft and filled with compassion.

I grimaced and shrugged.

She put her hand on my chest. “What matters is how you treat me. Who you are is not important.” Her hand sent warmth through my skin and caused my mating marks to heat up. “No matter your title - Prince, King, or Captain - my feelings for you won’t change.”

Grace’s words were a balm that knitted my broken pieces back together. The gods chose well when they made her for me.

With a croaked voice, she added. “It seems we have to have an extended conversation. There should be no more secrets between us.”

A grin spread across my face as I touched her cheek with my thumb. “I’m aware that there have been many changes for you in a short period. There is nothing more I am keeping from you.”

I placed both hands to her cheeks. “Allow me to clarify that my feelings for you haven’t changed. They have become even stronger. I still hope you’ll accept me as your K’sha. I desire to be with you.”

She tilted her head and eyed me, flicking both brows toward her hairline. “As a Prince, don’t you have to marry a Princess or something?” She tilted her head back and forth. “I mean, you are going to be a King soon.”

Was she joking, or did she really doubt my intentions?

It was my job to reassure her and I would do anything in my power to make her feel safe and secure.

I smoothed some hair off her cheek. “My family, The Uls, is the only royal family in the Alaran system. Even if there were other females, you are the only one I desire. You are my Queen.” I held her to me and kissed the top of her head.

We stayed in that position, embracing each other for a long time, hearing the rhythm of our hearts and breaths.

We were fated mates destined to be together for eternity.

There is no one else I want more in the entire universe.

“I feel the same,” she murmured, her head against my chest.

I leaned back to peer down at her. “You heard that?”

She grinned. “I think our telepathic link is getting stronger. But I only hear you when you aren’t guarding your thoughts.” Her cheeks flushed.

To prove her point, I heard her melodic voice in my mind. ‘ I love you, Trex.’

Squeezing her, I repeated the words back to her in my mind . ‘I love you too, Grace.’

“We are approaching Alara,” the communication echoed throughout the ship.

“Already?” said Grace, looking up at me.

I planted a kiss on her lips and grinned. “I’ll be heading to the bridge soon. Before I leave, there are a few important things I need to tell you. Let me clarify what lies ahead once we reach the palace.”