"First, the official business. Declan Hewes has been confirmed dead by Asad Intelligence. His body was recovered from the warehouse district in Fange City, along with the bodies of six Trogvyk mercenaries. The cause of death was... dramatic."
"Persico didn't do things halfway," Ahrick said quietly.
"No, he didn't." Ako's expression shifted—something that might have been approval. "Persico's report has been filed and classified. His cover remains intact. As far as the official report on Declan Hewes, his death came at the hands of a Vaktairewarrior defending his mate. No names were assigned in the report."
I felt the weight of those words settle over me. No names. The Alliance was protecting us—shielding us from whatever political fallout might come from killing a man with Hewes's connections, however corrupt they'd been.
"You're covering for us," I said slowly.
Ako's gaze met mine, steady and unflinching. "We're ensuring that the truth doesn't become a weapon against you. Hewes had allies—people who benefited from his operations, who looked the other way or actively participated. Some of them are powerful. Some of them would very much like to see you both held accountable for his death, not because they care about justice, but because they want to protect their own interests."
I understood then. The Alliance wasn't just protecting us—they were protecting themselves from the political quagmire that would come from exposing how deep Hewes's corruption had run, how many people had been complicit, how long it had gone unnoticed.
It was pragmatic. Maybe even cynical.
But it also meant we were free.
"And the warning he gave us?" I asked. "About greater threats?"
"We'll get to that." Ako's gaze settled on me. "But first, Merrilee, I need to ask. What do you want to do now?"
I blinked. "I'm sorry?"
"You were taken from Earth against your will. Forced into slavery, then coerced into working for Hewes under threat to your family." His voice was grave. Sincere. "We can't undo what happened. The Prime's promise stands. If you want to return to Earth, we'll arrange it. Full transport, resettlement assistance, whatever you need to rebuild your life there."
The offer hung in the air.
Return to Earth.
Go home.
See the ranch again, the wide Texas sky, the land my family had worked for generations.
I felt Ahrick's hand tighten on mine. Felt the sudden spike of emotion through the bond—not fear, exactly, but something close to it. The knowledge that I might choose a life that didn't include him.
But beneath that fear was something else. Something that made my chest ache.
Acceptance.
He would let me go. If I asked, if I wanted it, Ahrick would put me on that transport himself. Would watch me leave even though it would destroy him. Even though the bond between us would stretch across light-years, an open wound that would never heal.
This male, this warrior who had killed for me, bled for me, who had stood between me and death more times than I could count—he would let me walk away. Would endure a lifetime of agony if it meant I could have the life I wanted.
That was what love looked like.
I looked at Duke Ako and didn't hesitate.
"No. Thank you, but no. I don't want to go back to Earth."
"You're certain?"
"Completely." I glanced at Ahrick, then back to Ako. "My life is here now. With my mate. I'm not going anywhere."
Ako's expression softened. "I had hoped you'd say that. But I needed to offer."
"I understand. And I appreciate it." I took a breath. "But there is something I'd like to ask."
"Name it."
