Page 4 of Fated to the Drakarn Commander (Drakarn Mates 4)

"Which is why I need you," Vega pressed. "Your eyes. Together?—"

"Together we end up trophies on their walls," Hawk snapped. "And do you really think anyone from Scalvaris would try and rescue us?"

I stalked closer, downwind, shadows clinging to me until I could see them. Vega was rigid as a blade. Hawk had her arms crossed, immovable.

"If there's a chance …," Vega started.

"There isn't." Hawk's word was final, yet something softer underlay it. "Not like this."

"Then come with me. Scout first. Terra doesn't need to know."

The thought of Hawk—her—in Ignarath claws … visions ripped through me. Broken on rocks. Blood staining the dust. Captured. A growl tore low and vicious in my throat, and I struggled to contain it.

"No one is going anywhere." I stepped from the shadows.

They whirled, Hawk’s hand blurring toward her hip, Vega dropping into a defensive crouch. Futile. Almost amusing.

"How long have you been eavesdropping?" Hawk demanded, eyes narrowed, chips of ice in the heat.

"Long enough." I advanced, wings flaring just enough to cast them in shadow, to intimidate. "Your mission is over."

Vega’s chin lifted. "Wasn't asking permission."

"Obviously." I flashed my fangs. "A stunning display of suicidal stupidity."

"Our people?—"

"Aredeadif they are in Ignarath lands," I cut her off, closing the distance until my shadow consumed her.

She didn't flinch. Admirable idiocy.

"They don't take prisoners. They take pieces. It's a miracle your friend Reika made it out of there."

"We handle ourselves," Vega countered.

"Can you?" My gaze locked onto Hawk, the burning in my chest intensifying, almost like being stabbed. "Doyouthink you can survive what waits out there?"

Calculation flickered in her eyes. Not fear. Awareness. She shrugged. "The ten of us made it here. But if more people crashed on the planet … we don't know. We owe it to them to try and find out."

That unflinching loyalty struck something deep, a shard of memory—my brother Thrakas, broken, blood on my claws, the weight of failure choking me still.

"Risking everything for ghosts?" I growled, stepping closer to her, drawn by an invisible chain.

"For our people." Her gaze was unwavering. "Wouldn't you?"

The question hit like a physical blow. Yes. I had. And it had cost everything, changed nothing.

Before the words could tear free, a sharp whistle ripped the air.

Alarm.

Instinct slammed down as threat assessment overrode everything.

"Get back to camp," I ordered, the command absolute. "Now."

Vega hesitated, defiance still etched on her face, but Hawk tugged on her arm with a low murmur of, "Later."

I let them pass, my eyes tracking Hawk. The coiled tension in her shoulders, the contained power in her stride. Every line of her screamed strength, resilience, and called to something ancient and savage within me.

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