by Lynnea Lee
Holden continued, saying, “You like their soups, especially the one that reminds you of potato and leek. It’s today’s special.”
That got her attention. Ryek gave her ass one last squeeze and pulled her pants back up. She sat up on the mat, taking the neatly wrapped package of food with her.
Angie loved this soup, the Natalia’s Special. The funny thing was, back on Earth, she didn’t particularly enjoy potato and leek. But that first taste, sitting at a booth at Yurgan’s, had been magical. The flavor was so similar to the Earth-style soup, it was uncanny. It brought her home immediately. She had cried like a baby until Natalia came and sat down next to her and hugged her.
Then the two had sat together, speaking in hushed tones about the life they had left behind and the people they missed, until Yurgan closed for the night. Both Angie and Natalia had been from the earliest Earth abductions, perhaps even the same one, though they would never be sure. Like Angie, Natalia had her own escape story. And now, both women were dedicated to helping every new human settler on Reka 5 feel at home.
This soup would always remind Angie of Earth. It was as close as she was probably going to get for the rest of her life.
She beamed at Holden. “Thanks. You know I love this soup. Ooh! And a pretzel. Is this mine too?”
“Yes, Trouble. That’s yours. You missed the pretzel Ryek bought you yesterday. I ate it.”
She had missed it. Because staying had been a bad idea, and it still was a bad idea, a horrible idea. Nothing had changed. Ryek was still Holden’s friend, and Holden still wasn’t her mate. What the hell was she doing? They had planned this obviously, and she felt as though she was walking right into the trap.
She ate silently, mulling over their situation, as the two males discussed their preparations for the imminent attack.
“I followed up with all the groups this morning, and they all have defense strategies for their portion of the wall.” Holden wolfed his roasted tepin down, bypassing the use of tongs, in favor of just holding the food wrapped up in the waxed paper.
Tepins were a fat—bordering on genetically obese—ground-dwelling bird that was a cinch to raise in captivity. A common food source all over the galaxy, tepins did horribly in the wild. Their reaction to danger was to hop away, slowly, or freeze. They also didn’t pose a danger as an invasive species because most did not survive long enough in the wild to mate and reproduce.
“Good. The missiles are prepped and ready. We will shoot down any shuttles that get too close. That will force the troops to land outside of our walls. They will have to regroup and attack. By then, we will know where they are coming from.”
“That’s good. I have faith in our ability to stop the Dominion. I sent out the notice to all our citizens regarding the bridges. When the alarm goes off, they all have one galactic hour to get to their defensive position before we seal the bridges. They will only open to provide reinforcements to the area or when the danger is over.”
“Compared to other colonies, Reka 5 is easy to defend against attacks because we are not sprawling.” Ryek tucked a braid that had come loose throughout the day behind his ear. “But we should consider building between the sections to join them in the future, rather than building out.”
Angie watched the two males as they talked about their preparations. Not just two males, but two friends, close friends, working to keep the colony they’d built alive. She wanted them both. And they encouraged her. But how could she come in between them?
She was adding more stress to their lives. As if an army from the Dominion wasn’t enough. A sudden feeling of shame flooded in.
She stared at her half-eaten soup, her appetite suddenly nowhere to be found.
A warm hand, Holden’s, rubbed her back. “Are you okay, Angie? Does our talk make you nervous?”
Another brawny arm wrapped around her waist, giving her a calming squeeze. “Do not worry. Our colony is strong. And no matter what happens, we will take care of you.”
And she knew they would, just as they had rescued her today.
But while she was worried about the fate of their colony, that wasn’t the main thing on her mind. Angie was worried that she was distracting them both from their work. They had both called her a distraction in the past.
They encouraged her to finish her soup. And when Holden tried to take a bite out of her pretzel, she snapped at him with her teeth. “Mine!” No one got between her and her pretzel; he knew that!
“Ferocious!” Ryek laughed at them as he cleaned the area up.
Holden took her home, to his place, of course. As she walked in, she saw a familiar bag on the couch.
“I packed some clothes for you. I still have your keys. You are staying here until the smoke clears. Ryek lives just above us.”
Holden’s handsome face looked tired; he looked ready to pass out. He turned and headed towards the bedroom, dragging his feet. By the time Angie followed him in, his uniform littered the floor, and he was already under the blankets, his eyes closed. He looked so vulnerable on the bed, just another person lost in a big universe, and Angie felt the need to hold him and comfort him.
She crawled in after him, suddenly wanting to forget their personal problems. His hair was still tied back at the nape with a leather thong, and it didn’t look comfortable. Untying the thong, she ran her fingers through his dark, silky strands until it was smooth and untangled. Then she cuddled in close and rubbed calming circles on his chest. He had always liked this, though it had been years since she had rubbed his chest.
He hummed at her. “That’s nice. Thank you.” He yawned a big, stretching yawn, his fangs extending a little out of their half-retracted position.
“Thank you for saving me today.”
“Anytime, Trouble.” A few more calming circles, and he was asleep.
Angie looked at his face—his familiar face. In repose, Holden looked so exposed. The stress of the looming Dominion threat etched frown lines onto his forehead, and she reached up to rub them away. The thought of never seeing Holden’s face again made a lump form in her chest.
Sure, she complained about their complicated situation and pretended she didn’t care. But who was she even kidding? She loved him and had never stopped. She wouldn't know what to do if she couldn’t see him again.
And Angie wouldn’t know what to do if the Dominion succeeded and took over Reka 5. Reka 5 was her home, her life, her people. Earth was just a memory now, and she was sure even her most vivid memories were only faded versions of what once was. But Reka 5 was real, and Reka 5 was here.
Reka 5 was Natalia with her pretzels and her soup, and Yurgan’s amberberry wine. Reka 5 was seeing Crox and Isabella at the Daily Dose. Reka 5 was eating lunch in the garden with Ulia as she gossiped. It was the yearly amberberry harvest, complete with coilbeast and dragus attacks. It was Holden, and it was Ryek. It was everything she loved.
Everyone in the Colony was doing their part, except for her. She didn’t even have a section of fence to protect. She’d just been following Ryek around as he did his work. Did they think she was useless? She was a decent shot, not exceptional, but much better now that she’d had some practice. She’d learn from two excellent teachers and warriors.
What if the Dominion came and won? She knew both Ryek and Holden would die fighting for their freedom. And she would as well. These next few days could possibly be their last. What the fuck did she think she was doing trying to avoid the two of them?
They should be enjoying whatever time they had together. Angie had been going about this all wrong. Instead of avoiding them, she should have been milking every last drop, enjoying every last minute she could with them. Her way forward became surprisingly clear. Angie was done running. If Ryek and Holden wanted her, they were going to get her. And they’d better be ready!
Chapter 10
As dawn filtered in through his window and woke him from his much-needed sleep, Holden roused from his slumber to find
Angie still in his arms. It had been years since he’d woken up next to her. She had made a point to sneak off every time they spent the night together. Of course, he had let her, pretending to be asleep as she snuck out. She made way too much noise to fool a Tallean, with their predator senses.
Holden ignored the sun for a while, squeezing his eyes shut and snuggling close behind the little female in his bed. She wiggled back into his warmth. Her little body fitted perfectly into his as if she were tailor-made for him. He willed himself back to sleep, not wishing to take on the stress of the day.
But the sun was relentless, and responsibility called incessantly, and Holden gave up on trying to fall back asleep. He gave her one last nuzzle on the side of her neck before stepping over her to use the facilities. Angie looked perfect in his bed. She should be there every morning.
As he walked out of the facilities, she handed him a cup of steaming hot nuri leaf tea. She used to make him either nuri leaf tea or a homemade joulka every morning when they were dating. He eyed the drink, not trusting it. What caused this sudden change in demeanor?
Sure, she had agreed to stay with them last night while bent over Ryek’s lap. But Holden hadn’t expected her to be compliant about it. He’d expected to wake up with her sneaking off again. He’d been ready to catch her at the door with a guilty look. What was going on?
“What’s this for?” He sniffed the drink suspiciously.
“You used to enjoy a cup before leaving for work.” She sat on the bed next to him, thigh to thigh, and sipped at her own cup. It was strangely domestic.
“I still do.” He took a sip and sighed as the liquid warmed his belly. “You didn’t sneak out.”
“I didn’t. I promised last night I wouldn’t.” She smiled as she spoke, but she looked and smelled sad.
“Come here. What’s wrong?” He gathered her into his arms. She fit there perfectly.
Angie didn’t speak for a while, just leaned against him, taking big breaths in and out. When she finally spoke, her voice was shaky and small. “I didn’t get much sleep last night. I’ve been thinking about the Dominion.” She worried at her lip, one side swollen from the constant attention. “What if they win? What if these are our last days together?”
With tender hands, he tilted her face. Her round eyes shone with unshed tears. Angie didn’t cry often. She preferred to take action when something was wrong. Angie fixed things rather than cry over them. He placed his cup of tea on the nightstand and drew her closer, resting his chin on the top of her head.
Angie was not weak and vulnerable, despite her small size and lack of innate weaponry. She was a go-getter, a risk-taker, and she had stopped at nothing to regain her freedom. She had made it to Reka 5, to him.
The upcoming attack by the Dominion must bother her more than she showed. She always put on a brave mask to show the world. Maybe yesterday’s ordeal with the corrupt sentry affected her more than she let on.
“Holden?” Her voice was small. “If it all ends soon? What is your last wish?”
“It will not be the end,” he assured her. It was too early for his life to end; he still hadn’t formed that coveted bond with her yet. And Holden knew in his heart that he would die her mate. There were no other alternatives. “You are too much trouble for that.”
“And if it does?” she insisted. “What is your last wish?”
Holden knew the answer. He had always known. It was the same wish that he had had for the past few years. “I wish that you were my mate.”
Angie broke into sobs, and Holden held her, not knowing what to do. Every sharply inhaled breath felt like a stab in his heart, and he clenched his jaws to stop his own tears from betraying him. Finally, her tears subsided.
“Can we pretend? Can we pretend we are mates again? Like we use to?” Her big round eyes peered up at him through dark blonde lashes. This wasn’t the troublemaker that terrorized his heart; this was the sweet female scared for the future, their future. Protectiveness surged through him. He gripped her face, leaning forward to rub their cheeks together.
“Yes, Trouble,” he whispered. “You know I never stopped pretending.”
And she was crying again.
Ryek took the stairs down to Holden’s apartment three at a time, eager to see their female. Holden had warned him earlier of Angie’s emotional state and her sudden change in demeanor. He hoped her abrupt acceptance of their love and affection extended to him.
Her pretty face greeted him at the door, eyes still puffy from crying earlier. Otherwise, she was her usual cheery self, dressed and ready to go with her blonde hair pulled back in a high ponytail. Ryek had always been able to recognize her from afar just by the way her ponytail bounced when she walked.
“Ready to help me prepare our colony?” he asked as they climbed into his four-wheeler.
“I am. But Ryek, why am I the only one without a job? As much as I enjoy following you around, I want to help keep the colony safe too. I don’t even have a stretch of fence to protect. I want to do my part.”
Ryek tapped on the steering panel as he drove. “You are doing your part. Tell me, if something happened to me, what is the code to order the ground to air missiles?”
She repeated the code. Angie had been there when they had armed the missiles, and he had made sure she heard the code several times.
“And the first day, at the fences. Do you remember the channel that monitors the hidden cameras?”
“Yes.” Her eyes lit with understanding.
“And where are we hiding the young and elderly?”
“Under the pubs, you mentioned it to Bax after we left the communications office.”
“Perfect. And today, we are checking up on things at both The Hideout and Last Stop Alley. Some of the colonists are worried, so as I talk to Yurgan and Holis, you could check up on the colonists bunking there. They are nervous; seeing you will calm them and give them hope. A friendly face always helps.”
Angie nodded slowly, finally realizing that aside from himself, she was one of the few who had the information needed to co-ordinate their people should harm befall him. She was silent for the rest of their trip.
While the young and able-bodied trained, the few elderly—not many lived at Reka 5, as a new colony was not a place many went to retire—and pregnant females took care of the children at the two local pubs. Both locations were built with shelters below ground. They headed over to the Hideout, the first stop of the afternoon.
Yurgan and Natalia met them at the door. The inside of the pub was nearly unrecognizable with all the little ones running around. Some of the children were human, and some were Tallean. All of them had too much energy. Luckily, they’d built the bar to withstand brawling Tallean males, so it should hold up to a bunch of rowdy children.
As Ryek spoke with Yurgan about protocols should the Dominion make it through the fences, Angie talked with Natalia. Yurgan and his mate were not young by any stretch, not by human or Tallean standards, but they seemed to have the situation under control. Ryek left satisfied that his people would be safe.
Their second stop was on the other side of the colony, at the Last Stop Alley. Holis had a smaller bunker and a smaller group to wrangle. But he didn’t have the soft touch of a female like Natalia to lubricate the interactions with his charges. His grumpy countenance also rubbed many of the colonists sheltering in his establishment the wrong way. Many of them refused to be “locked up in his basement” even though it was for their own safety.
“Let’s take a walk around the pub, Holis, and we can talk about your fortifications.”
Ryek’s real reason for leaving was so that Angie could work her magic with the colonists. Angie would speak with the elderly and the females gently, calming their fears and boosting their morale. The people of Reka 5 knew her as many of them met her when they’d first arrived. They trusted her, and it showed in the way she eased their concerns.
By the time Ryek and Holis returned
from the walk, the colonists were no longer resisting the orders to go underground when the Dominion struck. Before they left, an elderly Tallean female grabbed Angie’s arm. “Thank you, Angie. With you and your mate fighting for us, we know we are in good hands. Ryek is an exceptional male. Good job landing him.”
Angie didn’t correct her about him being her mate and instead just smiled and gave the old female a hug. A sense of pride filled Ryek’s chest, and he rubbed at it absentmindedly.
Ryek reached for her arm and guided her out of Last Stop Alley.
“You did well. Our people love you.”
“Your people. I just work at the housing office.”
“Our people,” Ryek repeated. “You heard the female; you are my mate.”
She turned serious, paused mid-step, and looked him in the eyes. “Is that your wish? If the Dominion comes and wipes us off the map, is that your last wish?”
She leaned into him, and he wrapped an arm around her as they resumed walking.
“Yes.” It was an easy answer. Ryek expected her to deny him.
But all she said was, “Okay, mate.”
Happiness and fulfillment flooded his heart at her words, even though he knew that for now, they were just pretending. He’d watched Holden pretend with her for years and never understood why he would put himself through the pain. Now he knew. This moment of hope, this promise of love, was an addiction he knew he would never be able to quit.
What Angie didn’t know was that her days of pretending would soon be over. The threads of the mating bond tickled at his chest, pulling them closer together. The seed had sprouted, and its roots curled around his heart this very moment; all it needed now was a chance to grow.
Chapter 11
Lettie’s elf-like features peered back at Angie from the screen of her personal portable computer. “The Defiant is on its way. We will take down as many Dominion ships and shuttles from space as we can to help you guys out. I’m so glad we’re coming to help. I can’t imagine sitting by as my friends get attacked!”
