Page 59 of Queen Isabella

“I lost him in the smoke,” Bellator violently coughed as he touched down in the basket, completely covered in ash.

“Oh, no!” Isa’s panicked gaze swung toward the volcano.

“Galis!” Rego bellowed.

His agony was echoed by a cry overhead from Gregis, followed by more cries from the other Vorto flying above.

“Galis?!” Phara gasped, just learning the news himself, and he spun to look at the volcano.

Except, no amount of watching made Galis appear.

“I’m so sorry,” Isa sobbed as she hugged Phara and Rego. Without her people’s evil scheming, none of this would’ve happened.

“I’m sorry, I tried to go after him, but the smoke was too much,” Bellator lamented as he joined in the hug.

“You did your best.” She latched onto the big teddy bear.

Tears streamed down her cheeks. They’d lost their goofy Galis.

Rego fluxed, changing into ascreo, and shot out of the basket, streaking toward the volcano. Her heart shattered, her tears flowing faster at his refusal to accept Galis was gone. She squeezed Phara’s hand, hating how forlornly he stared as Rego disappeared into the smoke billowing out of the volcano. She could tell he would go help if he was in any shape to.

Isa’s eyes widened when two hawks emerged from the hazy cloud hanging over the mountain.

“He found him!” Phara whooped in joy.

Everyone in the basket crowded around the edge, staring out at the miraculous sight. Their excited shouts were echoed by two-dozen bird cries.

“Oh, Galis!” Isa cried tears of relief, her hands anxiously fluttering as she tracked their progress back.

When they neared, she noticed the hawk in the rear had a hold on the other’s tail feathers, while they flew in tandem.

“The smoke blinded him. He got turned around,” Rego explained. “Clear a path.” He aimed for the carrier.

Bellator pulled her into his arms and tugged her to one side.

“I’ve got you.” Phara grabbed Galis the moment the pair cleared the edge of the giant basket.

Galis’ singed and soot-covered wings instantly wrapped around Phara, then turned into arms that hugged the alpha tight.

“I thought I lost you.” Phara’s voice was tremulous and filled with emotion.

Her silly Galis was back. Miraculously, they destroyed the chemical weapon and everyone made it out of danger. Maybe God, Inana, or whatever hand of fate that was directing things didn’t hate her after all.

“Thank you! Thank you!” Isa sobbed in relief.

Chapter 16

Welcome Home?

Isabella

Isa was grateful to be back as the produce carrier landed at the base of the mountainside planting fields. They’d flown all night and most of the day again, and were finally back. Actually, they still had a hike up the mountain to the hive, but they were home. The farmers from her hive who were tending the alien cauliflower stopped what they were doing and came running to help and welcome them back.

“Thank you.” She nodded to Rego as he picked her up and handed her to Invicta outside the basket. She smiled appreciatively at the legionnaire beta as he set her on the ground.

“It is such a relief to see you have returned safely, my queen,” one of the omega farmers said to her, as they surrounded the landing party.

“It really is a relief to be home.” She took the omega’s hand and pulled him in for a hug.

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