Page 45 of The Hive

There were clothes laid out on tufted velvet couches, but Grey nudged me toward the bathing room in all its sparkling golden glory. You’d think it would be ostentatious, but it was tastefully done with warm lighting that complemented the sophisticated style.

After I showered, I felt much better. I missed the scent of my guys, but I felt more myself and less a mindless slave to hormones. Grey was nowhere to be found, so, after sifting through the clothes that were left out, I pulled on a wispy black dress that had some stretch. It wasn’t quite my size, but I could make it work.

The halls were quiet and dim when I peeked out of the room. Thick carpet cushioned my bare feet as I ventured into the corridor, listening for voices, but all I heard was the soft hum of the engines.

As I explored the area, I found several other living quarters, each more extravagant than the last, all decorated in rich blacks and decadent golds. But none of my men. I continued on toward the front of the ship and through the common room I remembered. Ghost had branched off of this hall when we had first arrived, and I headed for the corridor he had gone down.

The floor changed from deep carpet to bare metal that was cool on my bare feet. I passed a set of steel-rung stairs and found my way to the cockpit where Ghost lounged, his back to the open door. I sneaked toward him, smiling, hoping to catch him off guard. Just as I was about to pounce, he swung around and swept me into his lap, surprising a squeal that rapidly turned into a giggle from me.

“You’re cute when you’re trying to be sneaky, but I could see your reflection in the glass.” He motioned to the panoramic expanse of deep space before us and, sure enough, at just the right angle, a clear view of the entire hallway was visible.

“You could have warned me.” I nuzzled against his neck.

He chuckled, holding me closer. “Now, where is the fun in that?”

In the commotion, his hand had sneaked under the flowing length of my skirt and his fingers traced lazy patterns along my thigh.

“Are you angry with me?” I tried to keep the distress from my voice, but it crept in. I wanted to be strong, but these men were the only thing I had to hold on to in this new life. Without them, I was alone in a hostile star system that I knew very little about. The Hive was a distraction from anything beyond its walls. But now, I was free of that prison, and the vastness of space was overwhelming. I had good reason to be scared.

He rested his chin on the top of my head as we both looked out into the infinite depth of the galaxy. “I don’t think I could ever be truly angry with you. Frustrated, maybe. Hurt, definitely. You decided without thinking about the consequences, without considering the rest of us. It hurt me to see your mark on him and not have one of my own. I already know how I feel about you. I’ve seen your selflessness and perseverance. There is so much inside you just waiting to unfurl, like a nebula forming new stars.”

His breath ruffled my hair as I tipped my head back to look up at him. The softly spoken words were knives to my heart. I never meant to hurt him, or anyone. In fact, I was starting to care about them all very much. But I didn’t know how to express that. It made me feel vulnerable and scared, so instead, I said, “It was instinct. I don’t regret it, but you’re right, I should have talked to the rest of you. I don’t know how to do any of this.”

He leaned in and captured my lips, nibbling on them until I let him in. His kiss was playful and sweet, with an edge of seriousness that he hid so well. I wanted to stay like this forever, but all too soon, he pulled away.

“I know. I understand. But I don’t know if Lex and Valyx will agree. We should head down and go over the plan.” He squeezed my thigh reassuringly and nudged me off his lap before slipping his fingers between mine.

My nerves were getting the better of me. I fidgeted as he led me back through the passage and down the set of bare metal steps. Voices echoed off the unadorned walls, growing louder with every step.

The bellow of Lex’s rage shook me to the core. “How dare you?”

I glanced at Ghost, nervous about what we were walking in on. He shrugged and pushed open the heavy steel door. I could see Grey pinned up against the wall by a snarling Lex.

My heart leapt in my throat and I lunged forward, but Ghost lifted me off my feet and held me to his chest.

“Let them sort through it, princess. They need to figure this out.”

I squirmed, but Ghost’s hold was like iron bands, locking me in place. Once I’d quieted, he set me down, but his arms were still crossed over my chest. Out of some petty brattiness, I kicked back, aiming for his shin, but he easily dodged and chuckled against my hair, tsking me.

From across the room, a shirtless Shadow narrowed his eyes at my tantrum before turning his attention to Lex.

Chapter Forty-Four

Alexi

Grey held his own, even as I backed him against the wall. He didn’t flinch or cower when I growled in his face. His lack of fear infuriated me. My temper raged to a boiling point, and I threw my head back and roared. It took every shred of restraint I had in me not to rip him into pieces.

“You saw what happens when someone gets between me and my omega. Do you have a death wish?” I asked, heaving with tightly leashed fury.

“I did see, but she isn’t yours. She’s not an object to possess. We all agreed to let her make these decisions, and this was what she decided,” Grey said with an even tone. He wasn’t patronizing, just stating logic.

He was right, and I hated it. “I know!” I shouted, and spun away before whipping back around and punching the wall next to his head. Bones crunched under the pressure, but Grey stood stoic and unflinching.

“If you were going to kill me, or hurt me, you already would have. You’re a good man and you aren’t stupid. This isn’t the ending you had imagined, but you can still get what you want.” Grey’s eyes drifted over to my girl standing in Ghost’s arms.

When she tried to move, Ghost let her slide away and she came to us. I clenched my throbbing fist as Grey reached out to her, tucking a strand of golden hair behind her ear. How was he so unaffected in the face of my anger? He knew better than anyone what I was capable of. He’d witnessed it firsthand. Blood-soaked walls and piles of bodies flashed through my mind. But he had a hand in the carnage too, lest I forget.

Saphyra moved between us, blocking me from him as if she could stop me. The absurdity made me want to smile. She was too brave for her own good.

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