technology and enhancements. Helion had met us when we arrived—completely unscathed from the attack—to collect the Nexus unit’s two parts, the body and separated head. I’d been so glad to be back on Coalition turf that I hadn’t paid him any attention. We’d all gone to medical, been examined and released. The two rescued Atlan Warlords and the Prillon warrior would have their integrations analyzed, but were eventually headed for The Colony and a second chance. Var would spend a few days on the Karter to recuperate before being assigned a new mission. As for Niklas and myself, we’d only taken time to eat, shower and don fresh clothes before going to the transport room to be sent directly to The Colony.
No, not to The Colony. To Lucy. Our mate.
In the blink of an eye, we arrived, eagerly going down the steps to the governor. He slapped me on the shoulder and gave us both a broad smile. “It is good to see you both.”
“Governor,” Niklas began but was cut off.
“Do not fear, your mate is nearby,” Governor Maxim assured us.
I was not as schooled at hiding my emotions like Niklas. “Where is she? Why is she not here?”
“She does not know of your arrival.” He frowned for a moment. “Or that you’re alive.”
“That is cruel,” Niklas replied.
“I assure you, it was far from that. I heard of your survival and that of the others. And the rescue of a few who will make The Colony their new home. As for Lucy, I didn’t wish to falsely inflate any hopes she might have if the comms I’d received were wrong or if, hell, you somehow got sucked out a waste chute.”
I stared at the governor with wide eyes. Waste chute?
He sighed. “Never mind.”
Niklas inspected Governor Maxim like he'd lost his mind. “You were afraid we would not come for her.”
Maxim sighed. “I could not risk breaking her heart again. She has been… struggling… since the news of the explosion.”
“I placed my collar around her neck, Governor. She is mine. I demand to see her. Now.” The idea of her suffering was causing Niklas immense pain. My reaction was more along the lines of rage that this Prillon ass would dare deny our mate the comfort we could provide, and disgust at his lack of faith in fellow warriors.
“Lucy is ours. We will fight every fucking integrated bastard on this planet if you try to keep her from us.” I meant every word. The potent effect of Niklas’s pain mixed with my rage and disgust was making us both a bit… unstable. We needed our mate.
Apparently that was the kind of reaction Governor Maxim Rone appreciated and understood. With a chuckle, he put his hands up in surrender and turned to the transport tech. “Where is Lucy Vandermark?”
The tech ran his fingers over the controls, looked to the governor. “Main cafeteria.”
The governor murmured his thanks. “Follow me.”
The governor led us down a labyrinth of corridors. He was walking too slowly, but even though I wasn’t the diplomat, I knew not to yell at him to move faster. The scent of food hit me before we arrived, and I knew—hoped—this was the right place. That our mate would be behind the door we were approaching.
I glanced at Niklas. I didn’t have to see the tense line of his shoulders to know he was as worried as I. The collars shared all his concerns with me. The last time we’d been with Lucy, she’d accepted the collar about her neck, but not our claim. Did she still feel the same way? Had she decided she didn’t want the collar any longer? Hell, had she removed it?
It was right then when I realized something, grabbed Niklas’s arm. He looked my way. “I don’t feel her.”
His eyes widened as he paused. “You’re right. Governor, has Lucy removed her collar?”
The governor rubbed his chin. “No. It is still black about her neck. You don’t feel her emotions?”
We shook our heads.
He tipped his, moved to stand so the doors sensed him and opened. “Then go find out why.”
I took a deep breath, resigned to whatever came next. We’d survived four days behind enemy territory. I’d done so with the motivation to get back to Lucy to tell her how I felt, how Niklas and I wanted to claim her. We’d take all the time she needed, but we would not be giving her up. We knew what life was like without her, and that was not a