Page 61 of Pursued By the Dragon Alien

Without hesitation, Razion’s head snapped up. “Lilas is in agreement, I’m with you.” He’d be shocked if she wasn’t. He’d bet hard credits that she’d never leave her Terians friends willingly.

Ellion, Takkian, and Cyprian looked surprised, but couldn’t hide the relief Razion saw in their expressions.

“But,” Razion went on, firmly, “I’mnotgiving up my ship, and I won’t force my crew into this if they don’t want to stay.” He glanced at each of them in turn. “We’ve lived by our own code for too long. I’ll give them the choice to walk away if they want.” His jaw tightened. “No more raiding for now, anyway.”

Takkian inclined his head. “That is fair.”

Cyprian sighed dramatically. “A shame. I was looking forward to an entertaining raid or two.”

Ellion ignored them both. “That is your right. Youandyour ship are welcome.”

“Thank you.” Razion rose and nodded, trying to ignore the fast beat of his heart that felt way too filled up, and far too big to fit in his chest. “I’m honored.”

“Then it is done.” He rose and offered his hand. “And the honor is ours, brother.”

Razion hesitated only for a breath before clasping it. Something foreign and warm twisted in his chest—not duty, not obligation.Belonging.

A second later, Takkian clapped a heavy hand on his shoulder. Cyprian grinned and tilted his head. “Welcome, brother.” Then his grin deepened with a teasing glint in his silver eyes. “Maybe we can squeeze in a raid or two, if Lilas is okay with it.”

“Maybe.” Razion bit back the grin threatening to break free. “About Lilas…”

Ellion lifted a brow. “Yes?”

Razion shifted toward the exit. “I’ve waited long enough to kiss my mate. I’m going to see her.”

“She’s on the third level, in guest suite 17-B,” Cyprian called out merrily as Razion moved toward the door. “Don’t forget to come up for air now and then,” Cyprian called after him, amusement lacing his tone.

Razion didn’t dignify that with a response. His legs moved fast, his pulse even faster. He had endured the meeting, answered all their questions, processed the impossible truth about his past—but now, finally, he was going to her.

To Lilas. His mate.

The corridors of the fortress ship were wide, lined with intricate metalwork and remnants of a history he had never known. He’d barely taken the time to absorb most of it, too focused on the singular goal that had driven him here in the first place. Finding his family had been unexpected. Learning the truth of his bloodline had been shocking.

But none of it compared to the ache in his chest, the raw need to see Lilas again with no barricades between them.

Each step brought him closer to the room she’d been given, and something primal inside him settled as he neared. She was close—within reach. And this time, there were no misunderstandings, no overheard conversations twisted by fear.

Razion pressed the panel outside her quarters, and the door slid open.

Lilas stood near the window.

The dim lights of the room cast a soft glow over her skin, highlighting the gold freckles on her forehead. Her fuchsia eyes turned toward him the second the door opened, her face carefully unreadable. But he saw the way her fingers twitched slightly, like she had been waiting for this moment just as much as he had.

Andfek, she was beautiful.

For a long moment, neither of them spoke. The tension stretched, thick and weighted. The air between them crackled with everything unsaid.

Then, finally—Lilas let out a heavy breath. “Took you long enough.”

Razion exhaled, stepping in and hitting the panel to close the door behind him. He stalked toward her, gaze locked on hers, seeing everything reflected back at him—relief, longing, hesitation, resolve.

He didn’t pause. Didn’t overthink.

He cupped her face and kissed her.

Lilas melted into him instantly. Her hands gripped his arms, her body pressed against his, soft and warm and right. His mouth moved over hers, desperate, claiming, pouring everything he couldn’t say into the kiss—his relief, his devotion, his love.

She gasped against his lips, her fingers curling into the fabric of his shirt as if anchoring herself. He wrapped his arms around her, lifting her slightly off the ground, deepening the kiss until nothing else in the universe existed but them.

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