Page 114 of Zayrik

Not when every second mattered.

I lifted her into my arms. One beneath her legs. One against her back.

Cradling her like something precious.

Like everything that mattered in the galaxy.

Even weak, Zep didn’t let go. Tiny claws still tangled in her jacket.

Protecting her even now.

Even broken.

I stood.

Turned.

Through our bond, I felt her life force flutter, weak but present.

Hold on, Nyla. Just hold on.

The alarms were still screaming.

The station was coming apart.

Chaos and destruction in our wake.

But this?

This part of the nightmare?

This was over.

I ran.

Not a warrior.

A mate.

A hybrid Alaran male who’d found his other half... and would never let her go.

The corridors blurred.

Every footstep was another heartbeat I refused to let her lose.

Every breath a prayer to gods I’d never believed in.

Save her. Let me keep her. Let me have time.

34

Zayrik

I SAT IN THE CHAIRbeside the bed, hands resting on my knees, eyes locked on her.

Watching every breath.

Feeling every flutter of life through our bond.

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