Page 50 of Xara and the Xenobeast

Her smile was like sunrise after endless night. “Ash,” she repeated, testing the sound. “It suits you.”

She settled back against his chest, her breathing growing slower and deeper as sleep began to claim her. The Graxlin pups remained undisturbed at the foot of the bed, their tiny bodies glowing softly in the darkness.

Ash held her close, marveling at the peace that had settled over him. The beast inside him was quiet, sated by their joining, calmed by her presence. For the first time in longer than he could remember, he felt whole.

As she drifted off to sleep in his arms, he allowed himself to imagine a future—one where he was more than a weapon, more than a monster. One where he had a name, a mate, a family.

One where he was finally, truly free.

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

Xara woke to the gentle chirping of the Graxlin pups and Ash’s absence from their bed. She stretched languidly, her body pleasantly sore from the previous night’s activities. The memory brought heat to her cheeks and a smile to her lips. She’d never imagined finding something so profound on this alien world—not just survival, but connection. Love.

Dot tumbled over to her, her tiny bioluminescent patches glowing a contented blue-green. She climbed onto her stomach and chirped demandingly.

“Hungry, are you?” She gently stroked her feathery tendrils. “Well, I suppose we’d better find some breakfast for all of you.”

The other two pups perked up at the mention of food. Trouble burrowed deeper into the nest of blankets with a disgruntled squeak, while Soldier bounced excitedly at the edge of the bed.

Xara dressed quickly in the clothes Ash had salvaged from the wreckage and modified for her. She’d grown accustomed to the alien fabrics, lighter and more durable than anything she’d worn on Earth.

“Come on, little ones. Let’s see what we can find.”

She scooped up Dot, who immediately nestled into the crook of her arm, while Soldier and Trouble followed at her heels as she made her way through the cave system that had become home.

The morning air was crisp as she stepped outside, the crimson foliage no longer sinister but beautiful in its alienness. She knew which plants were safe now, which fruits the pups preferred, which areas to avoid. The knowledge gave her confidence as she moved through the jungle’s edge, gathering the sweet, pulpy orbs that grew in clusters along the lower branches.

Soldier darted ahead, her tiny claws digging into the soft earth as she sniffed out fallen fruit. Trouble stayed closer, occasionally butting his head against Xara’s ankle when she stopped too long in one place.

“Patience,” she told him, but couldn’t help smiling at his grumpy chirp in response.

The basket she’d woven from flexible vines was half-full when she spotted something glinting in the undergrowth about twenty yards away. She paused, squinting against the dappled sunlight.

“What’s that?” she murmured, more to herself than the pups.

Curiosity drew her forward. As she approached, she realized it wasn’t part of the natural landscape. The object was metal, its surface unnaturally smooth and reflective among the organic textures of the jungle. About the size of her palm, it had a sleek, almost aerodynamic shape, with what looked like tiny sensors embedded along one edge.

Xara frowned, setting her basket down. The device looked... wrong. Not weathered or damaged like the technology scraps they’d found in the ruins. This was pristine. New.

“It hasn’t been here long,” she whispered, a chill running down her spine despite the morning warmth.

The pups sensed her unease. Dot squirmed in her arm while Soldier retreated to hide behind her legs. Trouble let out a low, warning chirp, his bioluminescent patches shifting to an anxious amber.

Xara hesitated, then carefully picked up the device, turning it over in her hand. There were no obvious buttons or interfaces, just the smooth metal surface and those tiny, ominous sensors. It was lightweight but solid, clearly designed for some purpose she couldn’t determine.

“We should show this to Ash,” she decided, tucking it into her pocket.

She gathered up her basket and the pups, suddenly eager to return to the safety of their cave. The jungle no longer felt welcoming but watchful, its shadows deeper, its sounds more threatening. She found herself hurrying, eyes scanning the trees for any sign of movement that didn’t belong.

Ash was just returning from his morning hunt when she reached the cave entrance, a large predator bird slung over one shoulder. His silver eyes brightened at the sight of her, but quickly narrowed when he caught her expression.

“I found something,” she said without preamble, setting down her basket and reaching into her pocket.

She held out the metal device. Ash went utterly still, the carcass slipping from his shoulder to the ground with a dull thud. The pups scattered at the sudden movement, chirping in alarm.

His reaction sent a jolt of fear through her. “What is it?”

He took the device from her hand, his movements careful, controlled. Too controlled. His silver eyes had gone cold, his posture rigid as he examined it, turning it over just as she had done.

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