Chapter 19

He couldn't stop looking at her.

She glowed. Her smile, like the sun, warmed him to his core. The heat was gone, yes, but she made him burn just the same.

They walked back to the mountain, hand in hand (something humans did with their mates, she said) as the sun began to set, the storm now past them. She wore his coat which covered her well enough, her suit wrapped around her waist was still tattered, but the coat went past her knees, keeping her unexposed.

As they had waited in the cave for the storm's passing and he'd held her in his arms, he let her know every promise he made would be fulfilled.

"When we go back," he said. "And we've cleaned and dressed. I will show you everything."

She rested her head against his chest, looking up at him. "Even though I lost? You'll still tell me?"

"I wouldn't hide anything from you, especially now."

"I was so sure it was a ship. But it's not, is it?" She frowned up at him. "Please, Draka, tell me it isn't really a weapon." He saw the hurt in her eyes, an almost look of betrayal.

"I can't lie to you," he said. "In a way, it is. But it will be what frees us all."

Her mouth twisted. "You're going to use it on the guards and the entry station?"

"Not just that, but yes. Then when everything is done and we are on one of their ships, I'll be sure that it is destroyed. It only has its purpose here and nowhere else. After…I don't plan on making another."

"What is it exactly?"

He thought about it, then said, "You saw the mural in the Antiom, remember?"

"Yes," she said.

"The pictures of beasts. Of…giants. Let's just say it's something like that."

"Cryptic, but okay."

He chuckled. "You'll see. I promise."

"And you'll take all of us off here?"

"If all goes to plan, there will be a ship for you, me, and for those of the pack. The others will have to fight with what is left. Hopefully they will come to a deal and help one another out."

"When?" she asked. "How long? If you need more fuel…"

"We shall see," he said. "But not long. A couple of adjustments then some tests and we should be ready."

She shook her head, as if it still seemed so impossible to her. "How did you keep it hidden for so long? The guards, the drones…one of the other inmates. None got wind of it at all?"

"We made it seem like we were doing what every other pack was doing, scrapping for parts to trade. The drones only look for those trying to get out of work, and the guards…they just make sure people stay in line while working. This place is a prison, but they've grown too at ease caring about the supply of water going off world and less about prisoners starting riots or takeovers. They've had their system for so long they think it's foolproof." He shrugged. "Also, it helps to tip the guards to keep away from the base. They get a fresh supply of viluum or brim or whatever else they want, and they stay away."

"And the pack? No one has betrayed your secret?"

"Only a few of the members really know," he answered honestly. "Ones I could either truly trust or know they would die if they got abducted before giving the secret away."

"Freys and Kreed," she said. "They were working on it too, weren't they?"

"Yes, they were."

She let out a slow breath. "You would have told me, wouldn't you? If I had asked?"

"In time, yes, I would have."

"I was so sure I knew until Timothy told me what he saw."

His arm around her tightened. "What did he see?"

"Just the room and a few parts. He had his theories. That's when I got suspicious." She glanced up at him again, her mouth set in a hard line. "He was only curious. He saw by accident. But I'll talk to him to make sure he knows not to say anything." She gripped his forearm gently. "Will you let him stay?"

He blew out a breath. "I'll let him. But he will be monitored more closely. And he won't be allowed out of the base until the giant is let loose."

"You're really going to burn this place to free us?" she whispered, still in disbelief.

"Not everything, just a path to the entry point."

She closed her eyes. "Good. And for a minute I worried you might burn the whole world down."

"Only one reason I'd do that." He pressed his mouth to her forehead. "And that's if someone takes you from me."

And he meant it too, even now as he watched her while they walked back to the base. The sky was beginning to darken again now that the sun was setting. But she was still glowing. His mate. For many days, once he had her, he'd let that sink in, that she was his. Even as Oza, he'd felt that pull.

Ria and Oza, she was his companion, and as they walked silently hand in hand, he'd never felt so happy in his life.

When they saw the edge of the waterfall, it started to snow again but nothing compared to the storm. It was then he noticed a group of his pack lingering by the stream, around a cluster of rocks. He grew tense, bringing Ria close to him as they approached. He hadn't told any of them to stay out waiting for him.

They turned as they noticed him, their faces hard-set, eyes alert. Freys was there, as was Targus, Zira, the ashora who had warned him of Margrul's attack at the tower, and his siblings Meerz, Ashar, and Kenra. Among them he also saw Rods and Bara, kyrwori guards. Some of his best fighters.

Something was amiss.

They'd been in a tight circle but parted as he and his mate closed the distance. Between them he saw a silderhyde and a small ashora, both bruised and bleeding.

"Who are they?" Draka asked.

"Intruders. Caught them while you were gone," explained Freys.

"Trying to get into the base?"

"Not sure," Freys said. "They claim they were following you when we found them wandering." He turned his eyes to Ria.

Draka squeezed Ria's hand gently as fiery rage overtook him. He turned a frigid glare toward the pair. "Too bad I didn't spot them first."

They cowered, as they should. If he hadn't been so focused on his target, he would have cut them down as soon as he saw them.

"We kept them alive because they claim there are others," said Zira. "They say they came with a group who are waiting out not far from here, somewhere in the territory. Targus was the one who spotted them first."

He let go of Ria's hand to crouch down beside the pair, tilting his head at them. "Who sent you into my borders?"

The silderhyde spoke first. "Our pack leader, Leer."

"And why would he have you come here?" he said softly.

The silderhyde glanced at his partner, the small bluish ashora. "He made a deal with Margrul."

Draka smirked. "Of course he did. You thought you could ambush us while outside the base. Now, because of his arrogance, I get to hunt again instead." He rose and turned back to his mate. He brushed a lock of her hair from her face, then started to unhook his blade from her belt.

She looked up at him wide-eyed. "You're going after them?"

"It would be one thing if they threatened the pack or just me. But they threaten you. They'll find out why none should make a deal with Margrul or think to steal you from me." He paused, seeing her concern. "They should pay."

She lowered her head to glance at his hands on her waist, then she returned her gaze to him, looking back up through her lashes. "Then find them and make sure they don't come back."

He locked eyes with hers, seeing the fierce fire growing there. Oh, how he loved that look.

He fixed her with a wicked grin as he slipped the blade from its sheath and gripped it tight. "I won't be long." He brought his mouth down on hers, kissing her firmly, hungrily, knowing when he was through with coating the land in blood he would come back to her and wrap himself in her warmth.

He broke from her and turned back to Freys. "Take her back up. Secure the base. I'll return before the moons are at their peak."

Freys didn't argue though he looked like he wanted to, wishing to join in the hunt. But Draka needed someone he could trust to protect Ria and their haven while he was gone. Freys understood this and so he beckoned Ria to follow.

As Ria moved to step away from him, Draka wrapped an arm across her, pressing his mouth to her ear. "I will see you soon."

She squeezed his arm and he let her go.

"I'll go with them and help," Targus said, stepping over to Freys.

Draka didn't protest. The others would be more than enough for the hunt. He gestured for the group to bring the silderhyde and the small ashora with them, then they started to move out.

Let this be done quickly and for good.