Page 47 of Saving Lauren

D’Var gets on his knees before me, cradling me against his chest. He kisses the top of my head, whispering; “I am sorry, L’Ren. But I have to do this. I promise I will come back to you; I will always come back to you.” And with those words, he lets go and walks away. My heart shattering in a thousand pieces.

CHAPTER 25

D’Var

Walking away from L’Ren is the hardest thing I have ever done in my entire life. But I know it must be done. I know she does not understand. I know I might have damaged our bond beyond repair, but I also know that not going after Yalix would have destroyed me eventually.

I step out of the clearing where T’Rak and O’Rec are waiting for me. They are both looking at me with sympathy. I clasp T’Rak’s hand, he nods at me.

“I will protect her with my life, my friend,” he tells me.

O’Rec is not that formal, he clasps me on the back before putting his arm around me, guiding me away from the heartbreaking cries of my mate and the anguish tearing at our bond.

We walk towards Kepti who still sits on the bench. When she sees us approaching, she rushes towards me pulling me into her arms, giving me the motherly comfort she doles out so easily.

“I love you, my son. I still think you are making a mistake, but I also understand.” I hold onto her for a moment. When we break apart, I look at her.

“Please take care of my mate for me. Please help her understand.” She nods and I continue.

“I will be back as soon as I can. I promise. O’Rec and I are taking a stealth cruiser, so we will be in and out. I promise I will be careful. I want him dead, but I also want to come home to my mate.”

Tears shine in my mother’s eyes as she nods.

“Go,” she whispers. We turn to leave.

CHAPTER 26

D’Var

The cruiser O’Rec has arranged for us, is situated in one of the southern docking bays. We don’t speak a word while we are preparing for takeoff. It’s a small vessel, with only enough space for two Warriors. There is a small command center, lavatory, sleeping quarters with a bunk bed and a small cargo bay. It is not a ship designed for comfort, but for clandestine missions.

My mood is dark, so I do not appreciate the ship's exceptional controls and technology. O’Rec plots a course to the Caudata Moon. The bond is aching, pulsing, hurting and the further we get from the Ring, from L’Ren, the worse it gets.

“You have to let go, my friend.” O’Rec’s voice is shaking me back to the now.

“Let go?” I huff, “that is easy for you to say.” O’Rec shrugs.

“I know it is not an easy thing to do, but you are on this journey with a purpose.

Despite how much it hurts, it needs to be done. You know this. It is either sacrifice now or be in trouble later. You need to find a place for your guilt.”

I stay silent. O’Rec is very observant. He knows a lot, he always seems to know the right thing to say.

“I do not want to leave her, but I cannot leave Yalix alive. I have to make sure he will never come for her. I do not believe that he will ever give up on L’Ren.”

O’Rec nods. “I think you are right. I think this is the right thing to do to keep your mate safe. I also know it pains you beyond reason, and that is something we cannot have. You need to have a clear mind. You need to be focused on the task. If we want to kill Yalix, we have to be smart.”

O’Rec is right. I cannot defeat Yalix when guilt is on my mind and the anguished cries of my mate haunt my thoughts. I need to find my calm within, need to let go of the guilt and save the thoughts of her cries for later, to act as fuel in battle.

I breathe in a cleansing breath. And another one. Just as long as it takes to find my calm.

“Good.” O’Rec looks at me, I see the same calm I feel, mirrored in his eyes. He spins his chair and touches a couple of buttons.

“Here is my plan.” He pulls up a map. “This is Wrixal, the moon we believe is Yalix’s residence. It will take us approximately 4 days.”

I arch an eyebrow. “That fast?”

O’Rec nods, smiling broadly. “This is a high-speed stealth cruiser my friend, I know you are not in a mood to notice and enjoy all the beauty it has to offer, but I am certainly looking.” I shake my head at his enthusiasm.

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