by Jaylee Davis
She stirred beside him and she covered his hand with hers. The comforting touch helped bolster his control.
“I have to go home, Kord. It’s the only thing that makes sense.”
Automatically, he shook his head, but her words cut him deep.
“Listen to her.” Morshant cut in. “She’s right. Once the Alliance has a treaty with Earth, you’ll be able to see her again. It’s only a matter of time.”
“Time?” Kord snarled and leaned forward. He slammed his fist on the table. “We shouldn’t have to leave our mates anymore. The high council has decreed that mated Phase warriors can never be ordered to part with their mates.”
“That’s only when they’re on Pella,” the general countered. “You aren’t there yet!”
Kord growled. “We’ve fought for this right. Many of our brothers have died to make this possible. Now you take it away?”
“Calm,” Thoren urged. “Fighting won’t help you or your mate.”
His partner’s reasoning helped him settle down. Kord sat back, but the tension in the room remained high. Captain Bane deactivated the viewer and the damning video of Kord carrying his mate out of the bar disappeared.
“We all understand the reason why she lied about her name. Her father is not only an important political figure. He’s the committee chairman for the NWG’s bureau of alien affairs.”
“I always thought that was about immigrants who crossed country borders without legal documentation,” Pam said.
The captain looked at her and smiled kindly. “Perhaps that was the position before the Alliance made contact with your government. Right now, your father controls the most influential group of humans on your world. They advise the NWG and can recommend joining or refusing the Alliance’s petition.” Bane shifted his attention to Kord. “Commandant Tram insists that if she isn’t returned safely along with all the other captives, there’s no chance for the Alliance, which in turn, ends our very reason for being here. If Earth rejects them, her world returns to quarantine status.”
Thoren snorted derisively. “How did that work for them before? Slavers targeted the planet. They’ll return in force. Earth has no choice.”
“Agreed,” Bane said. “But how long will it take for them to realize it? We don’t have years to wait.”
“This is pointless,” General Jernick snapped. “The only reason we allowed her to stay this long was to make sure Kord didn’t succumb to the rage. He’s mated. I don’t have to execute a warrior, and she can leave the ship. It’s best for all.”
“Not for me or her!” Kord’s control shattered. He released Pam, shoved away from the table and stood. Her gentle touch on his arm distracted him and he glanced down. His mate’s fearful expression ignited his protective instincts. “I won’t let them take you. You’ll suffer if we’re apart.”
“I can’t stay.”
Garrow held up a metal container. “One of these tablets a day will ease the withdrawal symptoms.” He passed it to Morshant.
Pam tugged on his hand. “You know it’s best if I go. Captain Bane is right. Earth needs to join the Alliance as soon as possible. Maybe if I tell my father about your people, he’ll push things along. Please don’t fight,” she pleaded. “I don’t want anyone hurt because of me. Once things are settled we can see each other again.”
His violent impulses dissipated at the sight of her tear-filled eyes and trembling lips. He knew he had no choice, especially when he heard the sound of weapons charging. Kord glanced around. Twelve stunners were trained on him.
“I’ll accompany her to the Alliance star cruiser.” Kord directed his statement to the captain.
Bane shook his head. “No. You’re too unstable. Morshant will go with her.”
Kord snarled, and said, “He can’t protect her, and I don’t trust the Alliance to keep their word.”
“They’re not our enemies anymore. We work together,” the captain said. “There’s no other choice, Kord. Stand down or spend the rest of this mission in the cage, along with Draven and Flyn.”
“Called away?” He glared at Morshant.
“I didn’t know, Kord.”
Thoren calmly rose to his feet. “I’ll go with her,” he said and looked at Kord. “We’re partners. It’s my duty to protect her.”
“Then it’s settled,” the captain said. “I’ll inform Tram that she’ll be arriving shortly. He wants to make sure all the captives are returned to Earth at the same time. A shuttle is standing by to take her.” He looked at Pam. “Go with Thoren and Morshant, now. They’ll take you to the landing bay.”
Kord made an instinctive move to grab her. Six stunner barrels jabbed into his back, bringing him to an abrupt halt. Their intention was unmistakable. They’d shoot him if he tried to stop her.
He desperately wanted to hold her one last time, but he’d never let go if he did. She reached out and stroked his upper arm before she walked away. Her touch had felt cold against his skin, and he knew without taking in her scent that she was frightened.
The fact that she didn’t even fight to stay with him sliced deep into his heart. He loved her, and he’d come to believe she loved him too. Their time together had been like nothing he’d ever experienced before. There was passion, confrontation and laughter. How could she go so meekly? He had to finally accept reality. She didn’t want him. At that moment, his misery was the only thing keeping him from attacking the guards.
“Sit, Kord. Don’t make trouble. Once this is over, you and the other warriors will be free to return to duty.”
Kord obeyed the general’s order without comment. Outwardly, he managed to appear calm, but he seethed on the inside. I will find her, somehow, someway.
* * * *
Pam trailed after Thoren and Morshant as they exited. Once outside, Kord’s partner shoved the other male ahead as he slowed for her to catch up. She walked in silence. There wasn’t anything else to say, and she was relieved that the two men didn’t seem to want to talk to her.
Enough had been said in the conference room to assure her that she’d made the right decision. She couldn’t stay, and she tried to convince herself that she wanted to leave. Her family waited for her. They’d expect her to arrive on Earth with the other abductees.
Pam had to hurry along the corridor to keep up with the two males. She didn’t have the heart to take in much of the scenery along the way. It didn’t matter. She was going home—never to return.
With each step, she realized they took her away from Kord, away from something she’d thought she’d wanted to escape. Somehow, the idea didn’t seem appealing to her at all anymore, especially since she couldn’t get her last glimpse of him out of her mind. His expression haunted her. He’d looked defeated and broken, as if he’d lost a part of himself when she’d walked away. The image wouldn’t fade, and she feared it never would.
She lagged behind without realizing. After a few more strides, she came to a full stop. Thoren turned to look back at her.
“Is something wrong?”
“I-I don’t know,” Pam said.
“Hurry,” Morshant urged. He waited near the end of the hall. “The shuttle is waiting for us.”
“Let it wait,” Thoren said with a snarl. To Pam, he softly whispered, “Would you feel safer if I carried you? Kord’s claiming scent is irritating, but I can tolerate it until we reach the shuttle. Trust me. I won’t let anyone harm you.”
“No,” she gasped and shook her head. “I can walk.” It suddenly dawned on her that there was only one man’s arms she wanted around her, and it wasn’t Thoren’s. “I need to think. Just give me a second, okay?”
The giant warrior looked puzzled, but he didn’t rush her. It gave her time to feel the full impact of what was happening. She had to go, but a part of her wanted to run back to Kord and tell him she’d never leave him. Deep down, she realized she was doing something her heart knew was wrong. It wasn’t practical or remotely logical, but it was how she felt. For the first time in her life,
her need to please her parents didn’t factor into what she truly desired. In fact, all she really wanted was Kord, but the cold hard facts couldn’t be ignored.
I can’t stay here with him, and his people are practically throwing me off their ship. They want me gone. The Alliance must return me to Earth. Kord doesn’t want me to leave, but I can’t stay with him.
“I won’t leave him,” she muttered aloud. The words sprang from a place deep within her very soul. She didn’t question them. Mine.
Thoren gently touched her shoulder, breaking her concentration. “Tell me what troubles you,” he said.
In desperation, Pam looked at him. “I can’t leave without Kord,” she told him. “He’s mine! I won’t go unless he goes with me.”
Thoren’s brows lifted in surprise and then he shocked her by saying, “I’m here to help you.”
Morshant rushed back to them in a huff. “This is crazy. You can’t take Kord.”
Thoren snarled and rounded on the male. “If she wants him, you’ll help her take him.”
“He’s my mate,” Pam said. Suddenly, the full meaning hit her like a bolt from the blue. “Don’t you understand?” She grinned. “He has to come with me!”
Thoren nodded.
“You two have lost your minds,” Morshant said. He glared at Thoren. “Tell her she has to go. We all agreed. It’s the only way.”
The warrior scowled. To Pam’s surprise, he shoved Morshant against the wall and removed something from the shocked male’s belt. He kept him pinned there while he showed it to her.
“A hand stunner. Not as powerful as the larger ones the guards carry, but it might be useful.”
“Let me go!” Morshant demanded. “I can help.”
“About time,” Thoren snapped before releasing him. “What’s the plan?”
The smaller Tauran took a second to straighten his rumpled uniform before he smiled slyly. “We find a way to get Kord on that shuttle,” he stated.
“Brilliant strategy so far.” Thoren sneered.
Morshant rolled his eyes and sighed. “First, we’ll have to get to the shuttle, then contact the captain,” he explained. “With enough persuasion, he’ll release Kord.”
Pam grabbed the stunner from Thoren, and said, “I’ve got an idea. You two just play along, okay?”
She pointed the gun at them and they backed away. Thoren’s expression was priceless. From the look on his face, she could tell the warrior truly believed she intended to shoot them. On the other hand, Morshant’s knowing smile led her to believe he’d guessed her plan.
Pam motioned to the end of the hall. “Shall we go?”
“Uh, before we do that.” Morshant stalled and pointed to the gun. “You might want to let me deactivate the safety feature, just in case you need to shoot one of us to prove you’re really serious.” He jerked his thumb toward Thoren and gave her a wink.
The warrior grabbed him by the throat and squeezed. “Now, give it to him. If he’s lying, I’ll break his neck.”
She quickly handed over the weapon before Thoren choked the other man into unconsciousness.
Once the gun was returned, she said, “I don’t think that was necessary.”
“Certainly not,” Morshant croaked. “Trust me. I want to help.”
“Then move!” Thoren shoved him down the hallway.
Pam had to run to keep up with them.
* * * *
Kord sprang to his feet the second the picture swirled to life on the view screen. Twelve guns followed his every move, but he didn’t care. All that mattered was the image of his mate. She stood on a loading ramp close to the shuttle’s entrance. It took a moment for his mind to believe what his eyes were actually seeing. He ignored Captain Bane’s harsh curse.
Pam held a stunner to Morshant’s head while Thoren restrained him.
“Send Kord to the shuttle! His mate has refused to leave him behind,” the warrior demanded.
General Jernick slammed his fist on the table, and ordered, “Release Lt. Morshant and put her on that shuttle or I’ll shoot Kord, and it won’t be with a stunner!”
“Not a good solution,” Pam yelled. She backed away from both men. Then, in a shocking move, she aimed the weapon at herself, right beneath her jaw. “I hear this is fatal if fired at this range.”
Thoren’s anxious whisper came over the speaker. “Don’t do that, little one. This is not how we planned.”
Kord jerked around to glare at the captain. “That weapon is armed. Let me go to her before she kills…”
Pam’s next demand silenced him. “If you don’t send him right now, you’ll be sending me home in a bag!”
Kord growled at the sight of her finger poised over the trigger. He had to stop her before she accidentally shot herself. If it weren’t for the guards and their weapons, he would’ve already left.
“Captain!” Urgency drove him.
Bane grimaced. He gave Kord a defeated nod, then answered, “He’s on his way.”
As Kord dashed for the door, the general called after him. “Your brothers are counting on you. Don’t let them down!”
Kord raced along the corridor, shoving unwary Taurans out of his way as he headed for the shuttle bay. The only thought racing through his mind was that his mate wanted him! He didn’t know what awaited him, but he’d face it for her.
He burst into the enormous room and ran straight for a group of spacers and soldiers gathered around one of the shuttles.
“Move!” He roared for added emphasis, and the crowd parted.
He stormed the ramp and came to a sliding halt the second he saw his lovely mate aim the stun gun at him.
“Pam, don’t…”
“Get inside…” She looked puzzled, then glanced down at where she’d pointed the weapon. “Oh!” She frowned before she quickly turned the stunner back on herself. “Hurry so we can leave,” she urged.
Kord gave his partner an uncertain look, but didn’t hesitate to rush into the ship. He heard her footsteps following close behind him while Thoren and Morshant brought up the rear. Once inside, the lieutenant scrambled past them and rushed to the cockpit.
“Take off and alert Commandant Tram that we’re on our way,” Morshant ordered before turning around.
Kord caught his mate as she jumped into his arms. He lifted her so he could look her straight in the eyes. “Never aim a weapon at yourself,” he scolded.
“You’re going to lecture me? Now? After we went to the trouble to take you—”
Kord crushed her to him and kissed her soundly. He didn’t care if anyone watched, and she didn’t seem to mind either. She wrapped her legs around his waist and clung to him. After a long moment, they broke away to catch their breath.
“You’re mine, Kord. I love you,” she panted. “I think I know how we can be together, always, if you’ll stay with me.”
“I’ll never leave you.” Kord didn’t care what she had in mind as long as they could be together. Pella could wait. She was his life now. “Wherever you are is where I want to be.” It was a vow he sealed with another long kiss.
Chapter Thirteen
Pam spent the first few minutes of the trip sitting on Kord’s lap, enjoying the protection of his arms. He held her close while she outlined her plan. It was actually simple, but there were two possible outcomes. The one she hoped for would allow them to live on Earth. The other might force them to stay on one of the Alliance ships, but at least they’d be together.
A commotion coming from the front of the cramped interior caught their attention. Thoren, followed by Morshant, rushed forward. Before they reached the cockpit door, it swung open and the pilot stumbled out. He grabbed the warrior for support and Thoren reached around to help him. At that moment, the unthinkable happened.
The pilot drew a hand weapon, jammed it into the warrior’s gut and fired. The sound reminded Pam of the weapons she’d heard in Key West. To her horror, Thoren stiffened, then dropped to the deck, motionless.
With a roar
, Kord lurched to his feet. He shoved her behind him as he rushed the pilot. The weapon fired again, making the same awful sound. Kord staggered backward and then fell to the floor, taking her with him. She landed flat on her back with him on top her.
Pam struggled to move, but Kord pinned her down. The weight of his head and shoulders pressing on her chest and abdomen made it hard to breath, and she couldn’t move her hips or her left leg. Only her right one, shoulders, arms and head were free. She heard voices and shifted her upper body just enough to locate the source. What she saw spiked her fear to an all-time high.
The pilot pointed his weapon at Morshant, who had his hands up, arms spread wide. They stood a few steps away from her and argued. She could see them clearly, and from her vantage point, it didn’t look good. The armed male seemed intensely agitated, but he held the stun gun steady. Stun gun?
Yes! She’d never returned Morshant’s stunner to him. She’d slipped it into the right front pocket of her trousers before jumping into Kord’s arms. If she could only grab it…
Pam reached down her thigh. Her fingertips barely skimmed the top of the pocket. The weight of the weapon resting on her thigh let her know she was close. She paused to see if the pilot had noticed her movements. It seemed he was too busy concentrating his threats on Morshant to worry about her.
“I’ll enjoy slitting your throat even more,” the male said. “Warriors should be exterminated like vermin, but you’re worse than them. You want to help these beasts find mates to breed with. The empire doesn’t need your kind either.”
“Think about what you’re doing, Dillen. This isn’t like you.” Morshant kept his attention focused on the pilot.
“How would you know what I’m like? You and the captain are too busy plotting with the general to pay any attention to the crew. I was chosen for this mission before we ever left Pella. The reformers have faith in me.”