For real this time.
The betrayal I’d felt when he left me behind on Marox paled in comparison to the purefurycoursing through my veins.
I knew a lot of what I was projecting was my own family baggage getting stirred up again, but it wasn’t unfounded. Ziggyknew.He knew how I’d been treated by my parents—like I was expendable—and, until now, he had always done his best to make sure I feltworthy.
Was it all just an act?
Despite how dismissed they were in the past, my powerswereuseful, and now, I couldn’t help but wonder if that was one of the main reasons he’d kept me around for so long.
Don’t spiral, Micah.
What Would Space Daddy Do?
Focus on the mission.
While the thought of never seeing Pedro again made me want to cry, I knew the safest place for the Trol would be among their own kind—away from anyone who only wanted tousethem for what they could provide.
“You and I are more alike than I realized, huh?” I chuckled humorlessly, wishing the translator device allowed me to better communicate with my furbaby.
Pedro chittered in a way that made it seem like they understood before cuddling closer in the sleeping pod.
The sleeping pod I banished Ziggy from last night…
As extra as I was, I never thought I’d be one ofthosequeens who kicked their partner out of the house and threw their clothes on the lawn. Even though Ihadkind of locked Ziggy out, I’d still spent the night cuddled up with his gray sweatpants instead of tossing them on the gangway.
I’m so fucking weak for this emotionally constipated alien.
I’d lowered the shields surrounding the bedroom at some point, mostly because it took a lot of energy to maintain, but also just in case Ziggy felt inspired to show up with a midnight grovel-slash-official marriage proposal.
That didn’t happen, and I woke up this morning choosing to be big mad about it instead of acknowledgingI’dbeen the one to tell that dumbass consent king I needed space.
Whatever.
I’m still pissed.
It wasn’t only that he’d overreacted with Leeloo—effectively shutting down my space wizard lessons—but because I was starting to suspect my man was hiding more from me than just his desire to get mpregged.
I don’t want to think about what it may be…
My negative thoughts were cut short when Ziggy’s phone buzzed on the nightstand—right where he’d left it the entire time we were on Ekistron. I didn’t make a habit of snooping, and he rarely used his phone to communicate with anyone anyway, but my curiosity got the better of me.
I deserve a little treat.
What I found were a series of texts from Gabe, all from the past 48 hours, all consisting of ridiculous cat memes and videos.
Okay, but this is adorable.
I knew the psychic supe sent cat content to Balty whenever he felt his older brother’s anxiety spike, but I’d always assumed this had something to do with their unique brotherly connection.
Wait a minute…
Grabbingmyphone, I tapped Gabe’s name in my favorite contacts, smiling wide when he picked up on the first ring.
“Hey, cutie,” he purred into the line, making my toes curl. “What's up?”
“Hi,” I replied before clearing my throat. “Weird question, but… Were you keeping tabs on us the past few days?“
“Yeah,” he murmured apologetically. “I’m sorry, dude. I just… I got worried after our family video call and just wanted to make sure you guys weren’t in danger.”
