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A little of his happiness died. The Apocalypse did feel like home. More so than the luxury he’d left behind when he’d started this adventure.

He’d been so naïve to think it would be easy to return to that life, to not be changed by everything he’d experienced as a warrior. Going back now felt wrong. He couldn’t do it. He couldn’t give up everything he’d gained. But if he didn’t, he’d destroy his parents’ trust.

Blaze leaned closer to the console. “We’ve got an incoming message.”

Eden pressed a light kiss to his lips then grabbed her clothes off the floor. “Tiavac has seen us coming. You’d better let them know who we are, so they don’t shoot us out of the sky and destroy our hard work.”

Blaze shrugged on his own clothes then opened the message.

“This is Jendar Mallick from the planet Tiavac. Identify yourself.”

He activated a comm link to Tiavac. “This is Blaze Floridian. We’ve got the Pecket ship and the animals, and we’re coming back. You must be picking us up on your scans.”

There was a delay as the message was sent, and he waited for someone from Tiavac to reply.

“Holy stars! Blaze! You made it. When you chased after the Pecket ship, I had you tagged as a dead guy.” Jendar’s tone was full of surprise.

“It takes a lot to kill me,” he said.

“And Eden?”

Eden grinned. “I’m right here.”

“Wow! It’s great to have you back,” Jendar said. “Any problems with the animals?”

“Most of them are stressed out, but they did okay,” Blaze said.

“I’m so relieved. And the Pecket? Is that the ship they came in on?”

“It is. They’re all restrained or dead. They won’t be a problem. How’s everything down there?” he asked.

“It’s a mess, but we’ll clean things up. The power’s back on, and we’re using a back-up comm system. We had a few casualties, but it could have been a lot worse.”

“Good to hear it. We’ll see you in the docking bay in thirty minutes.” Blaze checked the auto pilot then turned to Eden. She was checking on Nipper, who was sleeping. “Is he good?”

“Yeah, he’ll be fine. And we’re definitely keeping him now.”

Blaze grinned. “Our first child. I never thought it would come with fur and fangs.”

Eden’s eyebrows shot up then she laughed. “Neither did I. I’d better go check on the rest of the animals. Are you okay here?”

“Sure.” A thrill sparked down his spine as she kissed him before heading out of the cockpit. He was such a lucky son of an alien.

Thirty minutes later, they were passing through the docking entrance on Tiavac.

As they docked, Eden let out a whoop and turned to Blaze. She leaned forward and pressed another kiss to his mouth. “We deserve a vacation after this. You are so taking me to that waterfall.”

“It’s a date.” Joy sailed through him to see Eden so happy.

He’d deal with the fallout from this later. Right now, all he wanted was to spend time with Eden.

Blaze caught hold of her and kissed her.

She laughed and struggled in his arms. “Enough ravaging. Before we play, we must work.”

He growled and nuzzled her neck.

“Let’s go sort out these animals and get them to their forever home. Then you can get me naked again.”