Concern flew into Kate’s eyes.“You were taken too?How long were you there for?”
“I—I don’t know,” Beks said, overwhelmed, not knowing where to start.It felt like they had a million things to talk about, to discuss, and Beks was having a hard time focusing on any one thing.
Kate seemed to feel the same way because she said, with more calmness than Beks could ever possess, “We’ll get there.We have time.”Kate’s eyes softened.“I’m just sohappyyou’re here.I can’t believe it,” she whispered and then her eyes looked over her shoulder.“Thank you, Lihvan.For keeping her safe.”
Beks turned to her alien and saw that both Luxirians had come to understand what was going on.Lihvan’s gaze burned into her, something in his eyes that she couldn’t read.
“You are most welcome, Kat,” Lihvan replied.
Kat?
Beks shook her head.They’d known each other, this entire time.And Beks hadn’t even realized it.
Lihvan approached Beks and looked between the two women.Regret shone in his features when he said, “I am sorry, female.I did not realize this was the friend you talked about.I could have saved you much grief if only you had known she was well.”
Beks reached up and laid a palm on his bare chest, feeling his warmth and the pounding of his heart.“You didn’t know,” she said softly.“All that matters is that I know now.”
Kate was studying their interaction, understanding dawning in her gaze.Beks had seen that expression a lot, considering Kate knew her better than anyone.
Vaxa’an stepped forward, putting his arm around Kate.“I am most honored to finally meet the female that myluxivaspeaks of so often,” he said down to her, inclining his head.“You are her family and thus mine as well.”
Beks gave him a soft smile and looked at the pair of them.Her best friend was radiant.So happy that it was almost blinding.
“Thank you,” she said to the Prime Leader.Not only for his words, but for keeping her best friend safe.Even though the words went unspoken, Vaxa’an seemed intelligent enough and he nodded in understanding.
“Let’s go inside,” Kate suggested, looping her arm with Beks’.“We have so much to talk about,” she said, casting a knowing look at Lihvan.“Don’t we?”
“We do,” Beks whispered.
NINETEEN
Beks should’ve known how deep she was in with Lihvan when it washardleaving him just to have some girl chat with Kate.
Like, seriously.It gutted her.
There was no possible way that she’d be able to walk away from him, knowing she’d never see him again.Impossible.And perhaps it was puppy love, but she just knew that there was something deeper going on, beneath the surface, that told her the two of them were thereal deal.
Just looking at how glowy her best friend was whenever she looked at her mate, Vaxa’an…thatwas what she felt inside.It didn’t make sense, it was ridiculous, but that was love.
It was messy and glorious and it made her feel like her heart was outside her body, vulnerable.
“Oh boy,” Kate whispered, leading Beks into what she assumed was her and Vaxa’an’s bedroom.There was a lounge area, set into the ground, with cushions surrounding a fire pit.Beks watched as her very pregnant best friend lowered herself against the cushions and patted the spot next to her.“You have that look on your face.”
“I’m still trying to wrap my head around how you’re here,” Beks whispered, sinking down onto the cushions.They were soft and plush and she instantly relaxed.She reached out to grasp Kate’s hands and held them.“I’mso, sohappy that you’re okay.I—I thought the worst.I really did.”
Kate’s face softened.“How were you captured?”
Beks laughed, racking her brain.It had seemed likeagesago when it had happened, but she told Kate, “I was in your apartment, actually.I was cleaning it out because your landlord contacted me, saying I had a week to pack up your stuff.The bastard.”
Kate chuckled, shaking her head.“He was a dick, wasn’t he?”
“Anyways, I was taking a trash bag out to the bins and it was dark and cold.I remember being in my pajama shorts and wishing I’d brought my sweater…” she sighed.“And that was the last thing I remember.I woke up in a cage, with these other women.I was naked.I thought I’d been kidnapped and drugged bysex traffickersor something.Until I actually saw who our captors were.”
“The lizard aliens?” Kate asked quietly.
“Yeah,” Beks said, nodding, squeezing Kate’s fingers.
“Did you see the fights?In the Pit?”
