I sat up taller, smoothing my hands along my thighs. My pointy ears perked.
“Be sure to speak with Riley,” he stated.
My brows shot up. His suggestion sounded like more than friendly advice.
Did he know how hard it was for me to leave the enticing female behind?
I knew he was aware I thought she might be my K’sha, since my markings appeared to activate around her.
He had even reminded me to follow my own advice I had given him when he met Grace.
I recalled when he repeated my own words back to me.If she is truly your K’sha, there won’t be any issues. You should speak with her.
As a telepathic race, it would have been easy enough for him to hear my thoughts. It wasn’t like I was hiding my feelings for Riley. Though, I was certain that the brave beauty remained blissfully unaware of how she consumed my every thought.
With each breath I took, my posture grew more rigid, haunted by the recollection of our fleeting and unsuccessful encounters.
Departing Alara without catching one last glimpse of Riley was never part of my plan. Even if it meant another awkward interaction.
“I had planned to speak to her one last time,” I stated hoarsely before clearing my throat. I knew I could be gone for six cycles or more before returning to Alara.
The thought of not seeing Riley for such a long period filled me with dread. It caused a physical ache in my chest.
Trex’s face filled with empathy. “Riley claims she wants to be dropped at a human colony.”
A heavy weight settled in my stomach. “She wants to leave Alara to join a colony?” I repeated, shocked. My brows curved downwards. “Why?”
The idea of being separated from her for half atenriwas already overwhelming. The thought ofneverseeing Riley again caused me such intense physical pain it twisted my stomach into knots.
My dismay was evident as I ran a hand through my hair, shaking my head. “I won’t drop her off at a human colony. Don’t ask that of me, please.”
Trex frowned, and his eyes filled with understanding. “I would not ask you to do that. But I wanted you to know that she says she wants to leave Alara.”
“If you are suggesting I ask her to remain on the Chetok, you know I cannot do that even if I want to. It would be wrong to ask that of her,” I insisted.
Trex pressed his lips, then spoke firmly. “She has already asked to go with you. Though she claims she wants to go to a colony, I believe she wants to remain on the Chetok.”
I swallowed hard. Did she realize what she was asking? Or just how dangerous it was out there? What if she was taken, or hurt?
How can Trex condone me taking her with me?
My voice wavered with uncertainty. “It is unsafe. It is not like I can make her part of the ship’s crew. We both know females cannot be part of the Protectorate forces.”
Trex’s smile grew wider, but I found it irritating rather than reassuring. “The rules can be changed, if you can find something for her skill set that works. That is, if she truly doesn’t want to go to a human colony after all.”
What he was suggesting was way too risky.
My voice was strained. “But...”
What could I say. Wasn’t this what I wanted? To have her with me on the Chetok?
Trex’s grin remained constant, almost cocky. “Riley was a soldier before she was abducted. You should speak with her about what she wishes to do moving forward.”
“Yes, but how can...” I objected.
Trex lifted his palm, halting me mid-sentence. “Has she told you anything about her skills or what she used to do in the Sol system?”
“No.”Why would she?
