Page 100 of Guardian's Destiny

Silence ensued as all eyes moved to me.

"I understand all of you have always worked independently and are not used to working as a team." I stared each one down. "That needs to change, right fucking now!"

Small mumbled words of agreement reached me.

"Since none of you will listen to the other, I will assume command."

Deathly silence followed. "I won't tell you what to do. We will make decisions together, but when it comes to actual battle or mission, youwillfollow my orders."

"You're so hot," Vraax whispered in my ear, and I jabbed my elbow into his side. This was not helping.

I glared at the Space Guardians. "Any objections?"

"That is actually a good idea," Raasla supported me, to my surprise. He was a man of few words. The others seemed to respect him too, as they nodded their agreement.

"I will not tolerate any second-guessing, especially not during a mission," I made clear, keeping my voice icy.

"Clear," again, it was Raasla supporting me.

I glared at Vraax, who grinned, "You know I'll always follow your commands, Commander."

I sighed and looked at Noodar, who seemed to think that, as the oldest, he should be in charge. "You've got my support, little human."

"Call me that again, and I'll take you down, old man." I grinned at him to take some of the sting out of my words. He laughed good naturedly, assuring me of his compliance.

"Tharaax?" I asked.

"I'm in."

"Zaarek?"

"You're the boss."

I didn't need his approval, but I wanted to include him because I had plans for him. "Tucker?"

"You've always been my Commander."

Vraax grunted beside me but kept thankfully quiet.

"Good. Now, fill me in on how Hannah convinced more Space Guardians to join us." I retook my seat and settled in for a long day of discussion.

I was right, too. It was hours before Vraax and I were finally on our way to our quarters.

"Does that mean I need to salute you?" Vraax teased.

I hoped we didn't have a problem. I hadn't planned for this to happen, but it did, and it felt like a natural progression of things. None of the Space Guardians would have accepted one of them as their leader, not for long, not when it counted. They needed an outsider for that.

I stopped and turned to Vraax. "Are you okay with this, or are we going to have a problem?"

"Nothing is going to turn me on more than giving you orgasms at night and saluting you in the morning," he said with a smirk.

"Oh, fuck, Vraax," I cursed.

He backed me against the wall. "No, seriously, Sloane, it's frygging sexy."

"You will follow my orders?" I made sure.

"Always," he nibbled on my ear. "As long as you don't order me to stop. I don't think I could do that."

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