It’s only now I remember that I’ve changed back to me, the real, human me, that this voice is also me.
I’m a man she has never seen before.
She hasn’t pushed me away. That’s something, right?
Another low chuckle. “Well, that’s one for the history books. Hang tight, Commander. We’re mobilizing a team to board.”
Esme
I’m in shock. Which is impressive when I consider how many other shocks I’ve experienced during the last twenty-four hours.
He’s a commander.
Like an actual commander…
Who can turn into a beast.
Does the government know?
“Is this the real you?” I blurt. I probably look a little starry-eyed. But really, who could blame me? He looks somewhat like the alpha I first met, only a more refined version. There is a distinctly regal aspect to his bearing, and he is so handsome that he almost looks unreal.
His eyes though, gray with flashes of red, belong to his wolven beast.
He looks away, swipes a hand down his face like he’s testing it. “Um… I guess so,” he mutters.
His eyes are shifty, like he’s afraid to look at me. He must get a lot of women going swoony over him. Probably doesn’t want me to get all clingy now this is over… almost over.
I jump as the screech of metal against metal cuts through the blaring alarm—I’m still amazed I fell asleep… Blacked out then fell asleep, I amend. Nope, not making eye contact with the gruesome scene on the other side of the room. The memories of it happening are plenty enough fodder for my nightmares.
A loud thunk and a boom follows—they have breached the ship.
The alarm suddenly cuts. The lighting in the room goes out, bringing a surge of panic before emergency lighting flickers on. My ears continue to ring—my tension rockets.
“It’s alright,” he says, squeezing his fingers over mine.
We wait. I stare at the patch of floor before me, which is miraculously clear of blood.
After what feels like an eternity, but is probably only five minutes, the elevator doors spring open and soldiers in tactical gear, armed with weapons, surge into the room.
“Commander Thorne!” A soldier approaches, snapping out a salute as he and his team surge into the room. “Good to see you, sir.”
“Clear!” another soldier calls. “Looks like a weapons malfunction.”
No, they are all in pieces… It’s too much. My legs cut out.
He’s right there catching me before I hit the ground, sweeping me into his arms. And so help me, I cling to him like it might be the last time I do.
It probably isa little voice inside me cautions.
“We’ve got healers on the support vessel,” the soldier says. “We can take her directly there.”
“I’ve got her,” Zeb snaps. “As you were, captain.”
He carries me all the way out, past a line of prisoners in shackles, onto the support ship and into the medical room where a healer is on hand. I barely see any of it. I can feel him slipping away even as he’s still touching me.
The healer leans in, and his lips close over mine. Light—bright and pure—explodes behind my eyes. I kiss him back, lost in the euphoria as the rush of his healing cuts me loose of all the pain and worry.
He lifts his head and clears his throat, before dashing off… probably to a real emergency, I surmise.
