Page 117 of Zayrik

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Don’t make his mistakes.

Gabby elbowed him.

But her eyes said she agreed.

I smiled, just a little.

I hadn’t realized how much I’d missed this.

The rhythm. The teasing. Them.

Family I’d chosen. Family who’d chosen me.

I hoped Nyla might want to stay.

Even for a while.

Might want to be part of this.

Part of us.

Gabby’s voice dropped soft. “I understand she’s healing. Seems strong. Like the kind who fights to stay.”

Because she recognized that strength. She knew what it meant to choose a warrior.

I nodded again. Didn’t trust myself to speak.

Couldn’t say how much I needed her to be right.

How much I needed Nyla to choose this.

Choose us.

Raxor studied me, arms folded.

“Never thought you’d settle down. Let alone find your fated mate,” he said simply.

Not judgmental. Just... certain.

“I didn’t either,” I whispered, my gaze lingering on Nyla before returning to my friends.

Gabby glanced between us, something warm in her eyes.

“So. What now?” asked Raxor.

I didn’t look at him. “What do you mean?”

But I knew.

Had known since I felt our bond form.

Since I tore apart a station to get her back.

Gabby said nothing. Just watched. Waiting.

Understanding in her eyes.

Because she’d been the reason Raxor had faced the same choice.

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