Page 19 of Warrin
“A human ship is hailing us,” he said.“They are approaching our location.I must answer soon, and I would prefer to do it from the bridge.”He didn’t admit to Elora that it would be easier to deploy weapons from the pilot’s seat, but it was the reason he didn’t want to answer from his wrist comm or the video comm in his quarters.
“Can I come with you?”she asked, standing up.“Please?”
He started to sayno, only to hesitate when a crestfallen look entered her eyes.His instincts were to coddle her.He wanted to take care of any threats they faced on his own, without her ever learning of the true scope of the danger.But perhaps that wasn’t a healthy way to protect his female—with secrets causing cracks between them, threatening to dismantle the trust he was trying to build with her.
“Yes,” he said at last, holding out his hand.“Come with me.”
Chapter11
Elora settledinto the co-pilot’s seat, her gaze fixed on the main viewscreen that kept flashing blue.Warrin dropped into the pilot’s chair and tapped a few buttons on the console.A moment later, the image of an elderly human male filled the screen.His face was hard and lined, his military uniform immaculate.
Oh, God.Who was he?What did he want?
Worry coiled in Elora’s stomach, but she forced herself to remain composed.She was grateful Warrin had allowed her to come—she wasn’t about to ruin that by trembling like a leaf.Straightening her spine, she folded her hands neatly in her lap, trying to project an aura of calm, as though she sat in front of uniformed officers every day.
“Who are you, and what do you want?”Warrin’s voice cut through the silence—deep, controlled, and edged with command.The sound sent a shiver down her back.He’d only ever spoken to her with warmth, and hearing that cold, authoritative tone was startling… and, in some strange way, thrilling.
“I’m General Swanson, and I’m looking for Elora Morningstar.Is that her seated beside you?”
Elora went cold all over.What the hell did a general want with her?Though there was a warrant out for her arrest, she hadn’t anticipated anyone actually trying to track her down.But a general?As far as she knew, the U.S.military didn’t get involved in tracking down fugitives.
Warrin showed his teeth and growled.“What do you want with my mate?Answer very carefully.I’ve deployed an armed drone, and it is already in position and ready to destroy your hovercraft.Yes, it can get past your shields.Easily.”
Elora glanced at the console.Warrin wasn’t looking down, but his fingers were moving over the surface.He’d launched an armed drone, and she hadn’t even realized it.
“I didn’t embezzle those funds,” she blurted, lifting her chin.“Yes, the bank account was in my name, but I swear I never opened it, and I sure as hell didn’t steal any money from Oakdale.Someone is setting me up.”Tobias, she realized.At first, she hadn’t wanted to admit to herself that he could be so devious.She hadn’t wanted to admit that his betrayal had started long before he’d cheated on her—even long before he’d asked her to marry him.About a year ago, he’d opened a bank account in her name, and he’d stolen funds and had them deposited into the account.But to what end?It didn’t quite make sense.
“I know you didn’t embezzle the funds, Ms.Morningstar.Tobias McCallister was just arrested for treason and providing material support to the enemy—among other charges.Since he was arrested in a war zone and he stands accused of helping the rebels, he will soon face a military tribunal.”The general cleared his throat.“I tracked you down at the request of my sister, Pamela Jenkins.She was very concerned that you were in danger—she said she’d witnessed you leaving town several days ago after the local news ran a story about your suspected embezzlement.”
“Pamela.Of course, of course.It all makes sense now.”Elora sat up taller and exchanged a look with Warrin.He appeared ready to commit murder.She returned her gaze to the viewscreen, and she suddenly saw the general’s resemblance to Pamela—the former coworker and friend who’d sent her the screenshot of the breaking news story about her supposed embezzlement.
One corner of the general’s mouth quirked.“My sister was adamant that I find you—no small feat either, given the highly advanced technology that Vaxxlians possess.Needless to say, the warrant for your arrest has been canceled.It’s safe for you to return to your old life in Oakdale, if you so choose.I would be happy to escort you there myself.You don’t have to mate with a Vaxxlian just to avoid arrest and imprisonment.Even if you’ve already consummated the union, legally this male cannot remove you from Earth against your will.On Earth, human law supersedes Vaxxlian customs.”
Elora didn’t know what to say.She remained quiet for a few seconds, letting General Swanson’s words sink in.A heavy burden had lifted from her shoulders.She was no longer a fugitive, and she had no doubt the newspaper in Oakdale would cover Tobias’s arrest and upcoming trial.Her reputation would no longer be in tatters.Fully vindicated, she could probably return to Oakdale and reclaim her old job, if she wanted to.
She was shocked by Tobias’s involvement with the rebels.He’d never given her any indication that he sympathized with them, and she couldn’t help but wonder if his lover—whoever she was—was also involved in the rebellion.He’d spent a full year stealing money from the town and passing it along to the rebels.It hadn’t been a spur-of-the-moment thing, but a carefully planned action.Had he been planning to jilt her at the altar all along?
She glanced at Warrin.He was clutching the armrests of his chair so hard his knuckles had gone white.They hadn’t mated yet.And she could change her mind and stay on Earth, whether she returned to Oakdale or found a way to reach her family in California.But was that what she really wanted?
“Elora is my mate,” Warrin said.“She belongswith me—where she will be safest.Earth is a dangerous place, and she almost died during an air raid in one of your towns.If you cannot protect the regular citizens of your country, you are a pathetic excuse for an army.I suggest you leave the area now before the drone releases a scorching torrent of firepower upon your vessel.”
“Wait!”Elora lifted her hand briefly, hoping to mediate peace between Warrin and the general.Though initially frightened by his appearance on the viewscreen, she now appreciated General Swanson’s efforts to track her down.Had he not bothered, she might’ve never learned the truth about Tobias.She might’ve never discovered that she’d been cleared of all wrongdoing.
Warrin tensed and angled his body toward her.His jaw tightened, and his nostrils flared.He fixed an intense look on her—but his eyes also flickered with uncertainty.
“I-I just want to ask the general a few questions,” she told him, her throat burning as she thought about how her life might unfold if she remained on Earth.The prospect of parting ways with Warrin, even though they weren’t yet mated, sent a pang of grief through her chest.But was it real?Or was she simply smitten with him, exhilarated by the thrill of something new?
“Are you thinking about staying on Earth?”he asked with a growl.
“Yes,” she admitted, unable to lie to his face.She was thinking about it… but that didn’t mean she’d reached a decision yet.
Warrin’s eyes widened, and the flicker of uncertainty morphed into a look of utter shock and betrayal.He was staring at her as though she’d just ripped out his heart.
“You signed up for VAMOB,” he said.“You agreed to mate with me and come to New Vaxx.You are mine.”
“Don’t talk to me like I’m your property,” she said, her tone coming out harsher than she intended.
Warrin rose to his feet with a snarl.He walked to the back of the bridge, though he didn’t exit into the corridor.Instead, he folded his arms across his chest and glared at the general on the viewscreen.He didn’t look at her, and the avoidance hurt.
