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They could try, but they’d fail. Ash would live. And so would she.

Georgia continued along the corridor, the banty on her shoulder. He hadn’t retracted his claws since they’d gotten inside and seemed poised to launch another attack.

She was glad to have her furry buddy by her side. She didn’t feel so alone. And she never felt alone when Ash was around. Georgia had just realized how much he meant to her, and now there was a very real chance he could die, and she’d lose him forever.

She gritted her teeth and pushed on.

The banty leaped off her shoulder and bounded ahead. She raced after him. He stopped outside an entrance and looked up at her as if trying to tell her something.

“Is Ash in here?” she whispered. “You’d better not be about to lead me to some tasty snack you’ve sniffed out.”

The banty leaped back on her shoulder and chirped in her ear.

Georgia’s breath quickened as Ash’s woozy voice drifted out toward her.

“Good boy.” She tickled the banty’s head as she headed toward the sound.

“Restrain him. We don’t want him getting loose when he wakes,” a terse male voice said. “You’re lucky he’s not dead. How much sedative did you pump into him?”

“He wouldn’t have come any other way. These Apexians can survive almost anything.”

“Almost. But they won’t be able to for much longer. Strap him down. We’ll come back and take the samples we need in half an hour. We have to get the rest of the equipment packed up. And make sure the others have loaded up the ship. I need to go get rid of the animals.” That was the voice of the Siblet who’d been barking orders when she was trapped in the cave.

Georgia scowled. They weren’t touching those white tails. She’d rescue them, along with Ash.

She backed up and slid into the shadows. A moment later, two Siblet marched past. They were followed by a single Siblet with a red stripe down one arm of his uniform.

Georgia snuck out behind him. She glanced at the banty. His eyes were bright with excitement.

The banty jumped on the Siblet’s head, tearing at his eyes, while Georgia swept him off his feet and slammed her elbow into his gut.

He dropped his weapon, and she used the thick, blunt end to knock him out then dragged him out of sight and raced back to the room Ash was in.

It was empty, apart from her alien lover. He was shackled to a chair, his head slumped down so his chin rested against his chest.

She ran over and kneeled in front of him, resting her hands on his knees. “Hey, you still with me? We need to get out of here.”

He groaned but didn’t lift his head.

Her throat tightened. “Ash! It’s Georgia. We’re in trouble. We need to move.” She untied the restraints around his arms and legs.

“Georgia?” His voice was slurred.

“Yes, it’s me. I’m here to rescue your fine butt, but I’ll need a hand to get you out of here.” She lifted his head and tapped his cheek. “I can’t do this alone. I need you.”

“I need you, too,” he muttered. “I always have.”

“Now’s not the time to get all smooshy on me,” she said. “We have to find a way out of these caves before the Siblet figure out what’s going on. Can you stand?”

He lifted his head, his eyes taking a few seconds to focus. A slow, lopsided smile spread across his face. “I knew you’d come for me, even though you shouldn’t have risked it.”

“You’re always telling me we’re partners and we look out for each other. It cuts both ways. And you seem to forget, you’re not the only alpha in this relationship.”

His smile widened. “We’ll always be butting heads.”

“I kind of like that. Do you think you can walk?”

“I’ll make myself.” Ash reached over and cupped her cheek in his hand. “Georgia, you’re incredible. I’m so completely in love with you.”