I sank down onto a bench, the weight of the day catching up with me all at once, pressing down on my shoulders, making my limbs heavy. The hard, cold surface beneath me contrasted with Marz’s solid heat as he settled on one side.
“You are never alone, mate.” His hand brushed against mine, the touch like a spark of electricity, sending a shiver down my spine. I didn’t wonder how he knew what I was feeling. Our conversation in the cave had been more than just words. It had been a bridge, a moment that connected us in a way I hadn't expected, given me a glimpse into the heart of a warrior who always seemed so unyielding. I felt it now, that same connection, an invisible thread pulling me toward him.
“We are here. We are yours.” Vance sat on my other side, his arm brushing against mine as he settled in, the strength of his body a comforting reminder that he was alive. His familiar scent grounded me in the present. I shoved aside the terror I’d felt when he flew the shuttle into the center of the storm. I had watched, my heart lodged in my throat, as his ship disappeared into that swirling chaos, the roar of the wind and the crackle of energy drowning out the sound of my own desperate breaths. I’d feared I might never see him again, that he would be swallowed up by the fury of the storm, that I’d be left with nothing but regrets and unspoken feelings.
Marz’s hand found mine, our fingers interlocked, his skin rough and warm. I squeezed back, but my gaze wandered to Vance, whose alien eyes flickered with a thousand unspokensecrets. His hand covered mine where I rested my palm over my knee, unyielding strength in his grip. I opened myself to my mates, sent them comfort and gratitude and love. I fucking let it fly, my feelings for them so strong my heart physically hurt. My eyes burned. I’d been scared today, more than I would ever admit. Scared I would lose them both. Scared going with them had been a stupid mistake. Scared Marz would get himself killed carrying me because I wasn’t fast enough. Terrified Vance would get himself killed trying to fly though the lightning and screaming winds to get back to us.
To me. I knew neither of them feared their own deaths, they were only worried about me. Risked their lives, for me.
As more candles were lit, the shadows around us softened, the dim emergency lighting mixing with the golden flicker of the small flames. The atmosphere shifted from one of unease to one of quiet resilience. The warmth from Vance on one side, Marz on the other, seeped into me.
I glanced at the candles and took a breath. "I’d like to sing something," I said quietly, my voice carrying through the room despite its softness. "It’s… a Christmas carol. It was always my favorite back on Earth."
There was a murmur of agreement from the ladies. I could feel the curious stares from the males, but no one objected. I closed my eyes and began to sing, the melody flowing from my lips like a memory come to life.
Silent night, holy night…
My voice wavered at first, but the sound filled the space, wrapping around us, reaching out to each person gathered here. Kristin’s voice joined mine, soft and clear. The sweet notes filled the air, mingling with the crackle of the candles and the distant howl of the storm outside. The taste of nostalgia hung heavy on my tongue, each word carrying a little bit of the warmth of home.
Mikki began to sing. Then Angela. Caroline. Larkspur and Lavender, the two sisters’ voices harmonizing perfectly. Soon we were all singing together, the words lifting into the air like a prayer. The candles seemed to burn brighter as the melody filled the garden, their flames dancing in time to the music, casting a flickering warmth that seeped into my bones. The soft brush of the garlands overhead rustled gently. I knew it was probably my imagination, but the tree’s glowing orbs seemed to pulse a little brighter, as if responding to the life we breathed into the room.
The song came to an end, the last note lingering in the air as if reluctant to fade away. I opened my eyes to find Marz watching me, a look of awe softening the harsh lines of his face. His thumb gently brushed over my knuckles, a tender, unspoken promise in his gaze. Vance’s hand tightened on mine, warm and steady, his eyes reflecting the light of the candles. I glanced from one to the other, a strange, beautiful sensation swelling inside me. I could feel the faint tremor of Marz’s breath against my cheek, the warmth of Vance’s body pressed close beside me.
I loved my mates—both of them. And in this place, this new life that I had never imagined for myself, maybe, just maybe, I could find my very own happily-ever-after. Whether I deserved it or not.
Kristin started the next song, and the ladies joined in, smiles on all our faces.
On the firstday of Christmas, my true love gave to me…
The storm outsideseemed to grow louder, as if protesting our small celebration. A gust rattled the dome ceiling, reminded us of the danger just beyond. But in this moment, surrounded by the warmth of new friends, the light of the candles, and thetouch of my mates, hope burned inside me with the brightness of a thousand suns.
As the last note of our song faded into the air, the sound of footsteps approached from the darkened corridor. I glanced over and saw Governor Rone striding into the garden area, his tall, commanding figure somehow still looking composed despite the strain of keeping the base running during the storm. His features, chiseled and angular, reflected the faint candlelight. His gaze swept over the gathered group until they landed on me.
“Good news.” His voice echoed through the space and cut through the quiet murmurs. “The data collected today has given us our first real clue about the nature of these storms.” His gaze held mine, and I felt a rush of pride and relief wash over me. “Rowan, your readings detected some unusual metallic objects buried deep beneath the surface. We believe these objects could be remnants of ancient technology, possibly abandoned centuries ago by the Hive.”
“Centuries?” I wasn’t sure which warrior or Warlord had spoken as a murmur rippled through the room, the gravity of his words sinking in.
Rachel appeared at the governor’s side. Her brown hair fell in loose waves around her shoulders, and she reached up, taking his hand in hers. With a gentle touch, she pulled him fully into the garden and tugged on him until he sat beside her on one of the open benches. “Saving the planet will have to wait until tomorrow.” Her voice held a tone of calm but unwavering authority. “The storm is still raging. No one is going back out there until it passes.”
The Governor hesitated until little Max carried Ryan to them and plopped his baby brother in his father’s lap. Rachel grinned as Max plopped down next to them both. There would be no escape for him now. Based on the hint of resignation I saw inthe governor’s eyes, he realized his fate was sealed. “You’re right. There’s no sense rushing out into that madness again.”
Rachel’s face softened as she glanced at everyone, her gaze warm and reassuring. “We all need a little more time to recover.” She looked back at me, a twinkle of mischief in her eyes. “And besides, the night’s not over. We haven’t heard my favorite Christmas carol yet.”
With that, she began to sing, her voice rich and soulful as it filled the room. The melody soothed my spirits and the knot of tension in my chest slowly unraveled.
As Rachel’s voice faded, an unexpected sound followed—a deep, rumbling voice began to sing in a language I didn’t recognize. I turned to see an Atlan warlord in the back of the room, his massive frame dwarfing those around him. His voice was powerful and resonant, the strange alien melody vibrating through the air, wrapping around us with its haunting beauty. There was a rawness to his song, a yearning that spoke of battles fought and homes left behind.
One by one, other males in the room joined in, their voices blending in harmony with the Atlan’s song, weaving together in a way that resonated through the very walls of the base. Their songs were not Earth songs, not Christmas carols, but they held the same spirit of brotherhood and family, of hope in the face of darkness. I watched as Hunt and Tyran added their voices to the mix, their baritones complementing the deeper rumble of the Atlan’s song.
Beside me, Marz’s deep voice filled the air, his low timbre sending a shiver of warmth through me. I turned to look at him, and there was a quiet intensity in his gaze, the corners of his mouth tilted upward in a rare, tender smile. He sang softly at first, then louder, his voice resonating with a confidence that drew me in, made my heart thrum in time with the music. On my other side, Vance’s voice rose to meet Marz’s, his tone smoother,with a hint of that mischief I had come to love. The two of them together, their voices harmonizing with the others, created a warmth that cradled my heart in my chest, melted the last vestiges of fear I’d carried since Vance had disappeared into the heart of the storm.
My chest tightened with emotion as dozens of aliens serenaded all the women, their powerful voices wrapped around me like a blanket. I closed my eyes, allowed the music to wash over me.
When I opened my eyes, I found Vance watching me, his emotions guarded, his expression unreadable.
Marz’s thumb stroked absently over the back of my hand. When I turned to meet his gaze, the love there nearly took my breath away. He didn’t hold back, his devotion as endless and deep as an ocean. Fuck me, I was more than happy to drown in it.
As the song ended, my eyes ached, burned with unshed tears. My emotional overload wasn’t just because of the beauty of the music, or the warmth of the males’ voices as they sang for us; it was the feeling of belonging, of knowing that no matter what happened, for once in my life, I wouldn’t have to face it alone.
