Page 105 of Grulen

Ava’s red curls bounced as she rejected that plan.

“Karid was self-destructing and needed immediate help to keep from hurting himself.Grulen is just being obtuse and not seeing the trauma’s effects on him fully.He believes he’s dealt with it.”

“So what do we do?”Kara propped her chin on her fist.

“Morgan goes to Phoenix House and lives her best life without him.It’s somewhere she wants to be and when he comes around, he’ll have to take that into account.”Ava gave the others an evil grin.“I think we utilize our mates for the rest of it.”

“How so?”Talia leaned forward.

“We visit the stubborn male and act all lovey-dovey with our mates, not-so-subtly reminding him he could’ve had the same thing with Morgan.And we convince our mates to slap some sense into him in their own unique ways.Do you think any of our mates would choose to let us go now even though they know they would experience pain if something happened to us?”

A chorus of no’s filled the room.

“Exactly.Their reasons for loving us despite the unknowns are their own and only they can express it.I believe it would be more effective if the males share versus us females.”

“So I do nothing?”Morgan glanced at each of the women who wore satisfied expressions.

“Just do what you would do without him.Let us take care of the rest.”Rachel stabbed a piece of fruit with one of her knives.Where the hell did she pull that from?I never saw it.

“Damn, I’m so glad I ended up with you as my friends,” said Emmy.“We always have each other’s backs.”

“Yeah, you were a tough nut to crack, but we figured you out.”Natasha tossed a piece of cheese at the Australian.

Morgan’s shoulders relaxed and she realized her head no longer hurt.Even if Grulen never changed his mind, she could get through this.I can’t regret loving him.He gave me back my sexuality and reminded me there’s more to life than surviving.

“Thank you, all.I actually do feel better than I did an hour ago.”

“Any time, Morgan.You’re one of us now and we take care of our own.”Talia grinned.“Even if you don’t want us to.”

Morgan laughed along with others.Kara was right.I needed this and I needed them.

Chapter 29

Thesilenceinthecabin deafened Grulen.Morgan left not long after their discussion without a word.Wrapped up in his own misery, he didn’t even realize until later.He searched for her and attempted to comm her without success.Finally, he noticed all her belongings disappeared from her room.He stalked outside to find the guards.

Stony-faced, Yanz informed him she departed hours prior.When Grulen asked where she went, both males shrugged.I guess I know where their loyalties lie.

He couldn’t blame them.He would react the same way to someone causing her pain.Only this time, it was him.Even though he didn’t plan to go after her, he didn’t like not knowing where she was or if she was safe.Being unaware of her whereabouts ate at him.

He spent the remainder of the day punching a heavy bag in the training area, then he swung an axe splitting firewood.The burn of his muscles felt like penance, but his mood did not improve.Kragen’s eyes flashed when he asked if either guard would spar with him, but both declined.I think he wanted to beat me.I wish he would.

For evening meal, he programmed the synthesizer.Lost in the memories of Morgan teaching him how to do so on theFortitude, the food became cold, and he had to reheat it.Although there was nothing wrong with the stew, it tasted like dust in his mouth.At first he thought Morgan’s training as an educator was the reason she was able to instruct him when so many others had failed.But then he realized that his memory of his sister Fliva trying to teach him interfered.It was if something in him believed if he learned how to do it, he dishonored her memory.Without his subconscious creating difficulties, he easily gained the skill.Strange how the brain works.

The sanitary facility seemed to emit soft echoes of their grunts and moans as they took pleasure in each other’s bodies, haunting him.Before I didn’t have enough memories.Now I have too many.

Later, he tossed and turned in his bed which retained the scent of them combined.The long night saw him drifting into sleep only to wake abruptly later when his arms felt empty.He groaned the fourth time it happened.I miss her.Her company, her warmth, her laughter.

The morning found him sitting in a chair outside staring blindly at the trees as the sun rose.Even out here, he swore he smelled her on the breeze.His comm chimed several times before he blinked rapidly and answered it.

“Jevax.”

“Son, good morn.Healer Rivezt informed me your memories returned.I hoped we could visit Nestune today.”I’m not sure I want to, but I do want to see my father.

“I’m available.”

“Good.I’ll be there soon.”

Disconnecting his comm, he rose from his seat and headed inside to change.His stomach protested at the thought of eating.Maybe food will appeal later.

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