Page 29 of Revealed

And honestly, I didn't want him to think I wasthatkind of girl. The kind who has a wild fling with a stranger and then stalks him. Even though Bryce probably wouldn’t judge me for going after Maxxon, I didn’t know what the rest of the town would think.

"Allie?" Bryce's voice pulled me from my thoughts. "Are you okay? You look a million miles away."

I forced a smile. "Just nervous about the trip, I guess. All those jumps through space... it's a lot to take in."

Bryce nodded sympathetically. "I can't even imagine. And then to be matched with a Drexian after you just got rescued by one. Are you sure you're ready for that?"

My stomach churned at the thought, but I reminded myself that once I found Maxxon, everything would be okay.

"I'm as ready as I'll ever be.” I glanced at the clock and felt a jolt of panic. "Oh shoot, I need to go. My Lyft will be here any minute."

Bryce set Dinah down and pulled me into a tight hug. I could feel him trembling slightly, and I squeezed him back just as hard.

"I'm going to miss you so much," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion.

"I'll miss you too, but I’ll be back soon.” I relaxed into his embrace. “And thank you for taking care of Dinah and Drex.”

He pulled back and gave me a watery smile. “Of course. And if the Drexian they pick for you gives you any trouble, you just let me know. I'll hop on the next spaceship and give him a piece of my mind."

I laughed, the sound a bit strangled, then I knelt down next to Drex, burying my face in his soft fur. "Be a good boy," I murmured, scratching behind his ears. "I'll be back before you know it."

Then, in a whisper so low that Bryce couldn't hear, I added, "And I'll bring Maxxon back with me. I promise."

With one last pat, I stood up and grabbed my suitcase. I took a deep breath, looking around my bedroom one last time. The familiar posters on the walls, the collection of seashells on my dresser, the photo of Bryce and me at last year's Pride parade. I told myself I would see it all soon.

Doubts began to creep into my mind as I walked to the front door. What if I couldn't find Maxxon? What if he didn't want me? What if this whole crazy plan blew up in my face?

Nope. There was no room for doubt now. I'd made my decision, and there was no going back.

Bryce held open the door for me. “Go show those aliens what Earth girls are made of, sweetie.”

I laughed, grateful for his attempt at lightening the mood. Like the drama queen she was, Dinah waited until the last moment tosashay from beneath the couch and rub against my leg. I picked her up and buried my face in her belly, ignoring her wriggling attempts to get free. She finally nuzzled my chin and purred before leaping down to the floor and flouncing away.

“That girl stays on brand,” Bryce said under his breath with a laugh. Then he waved me off as he choked back tears and watched me walk from the building to the waiting car.

As the driver loaded my suitcase into the trunk, I turned to look back at my building. My home for the past few years, the place where I’d returned to build a real life. Was I really leaving it all behind? And for a guy? I almost snatched my suitcase from the trunk and bolted back to my apartment.

But then I thought of Maxxon. The way he'd looked at me, the electricity I'd felt when we touched. It had been more than just a fling, more than just physical attraction. There had been a connection there, something deep and real.

I climbed into the cab, giving the driver the address of the Drexian recruitment center. As we pulled away from the curb, I watched my building recede in the rearview mirror.

"Please," I whispered, not sure who I was pleading to, but hoping they were listening. "Please let me be right about this."

Chapter

Twenty-One

Maxxon

Istood in the bustling hangar bay, my pulse quickening with each passing moment. The air was thick with the acrid smell of scorched metal and engine fuel, a familiar scent that usually brought me comfort but now only added to my mounting anxiety. Around me, a cacophony of sounds echoed off the high ceiling—the clang of tools against black, hull plating, the hiss of welding torches, and the constant chatter of mechanics and crew members.

Fighters damaged in the recent Earth battle were being repaired, their ebony hulls marred by plasma burns and scorched by lasers, while pilots in dark flight suits boarded cockpits and checked instruments. I watched a transport arrive, bringing the first batch of volunteer tributes to the station.

No longer would Drexian mates arrive with me and be taken for debriefing. No longer would they need to have our existence explained. No longer would there be women who rejected theentire idea. As much as I would miss my job, the change was not all bad.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves as I spotted Dorn’s bride waiting for the women from Earth to disembark. I’d been told I could find her here, and I wasted no time striding to her.

“Excuse me.” I cleared my throat when I was standing in front of her.

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