Page 46 of Rescuing Mara

Her words hang heavy in the air. She told me before during our first mating, but her mind was clouded with pleasure then.

“You… You love me?” I stammer.

“Yes, you silly male. I love you. I told you so! I loved you even before I told you because I was too scared to say the words out loud. Because loving you means letting go of everything I know, letting go of everything I have learned to be true for my whole life. Letting go means facing that my life sucked until I met you and that I was lied to for, well, my entire fucking life.”

She takes a deep breath, nervously fumbling with her hands before she puts one of them in her pocket. Just as she wants to tell me what is bothering her, she jerks her head up. Shock is written all over her face.

“O’Rec,” she whispers. “The button, my button, it’s gone!”

I frown. “Your… button?”

“Yes! My lucky button!” She panics, then calms down again. “It must be in the bedroom. I must have accidentally left it in my dirty trousers. I will get it, and I’ll be right back!”

She rushes away, leaving me baffled. There is definitely more to that little button than just a lucky button. I look at the countdown. Marra should be back soon to strap in. I cannot leave my post right now to check on her. Cursing under my breath, I walk towards the hallway.

“Marra?” I yell, but there is no reply. The winds start howling again, so I rush back to my post. I need to shut the ship down, stay put, and count. Marra does not return, and I feel anxious. My heart rate is rising, and the bond is protesting fiercely. I hold on, though. I know my duty to the ship and is also to keep her safe. I close my eyes and reach for my calm. The clash hits, and I start counting. I smash the reboot at 125, jump, and sprint to our chambers.

“Marra! Marra!” I frantically yell for my mate, hating that we have not yet established our mental link. I know something is blocking our link from completing, and I wonder if that has something to do with her button.

The lights come on just as I reach our chambers. It takes me a moment to locate my mate, but when I do, my heart stops. Her feet protrude from behind the bed, and I rush over.

“Marra!” I shout as I reach her limp body. I quickly turn her over to her back, and she moans softly. Thank the stars. She is still alive. There is a small gash on her forehead, and I lift her on the bed.

“O’Rec?” she whimpers, and I kiss her hand.

“You scared me, Marra. Are you alright?”

She starts crying. “I can’t find the button, and I can’t lose it. What if something happens? Bad things will happen if I cannot find it, O’Rec!”

Pushing herself up into a seated position, she looks ready to bolt. I quickly kneel before her, grabbing her waist with both my hands.

“Marra, calm yourself.” I place my forehead against hers and move my hands to cradle her face. “Whatever it is, we can take it. We can find a solution.”

She stays quiet - too quiet. I sit back to give her room to open up. I want her to open up to me. I need her to open up to me.

“It is not just a button, is it?” I see shame flashing over her. Her neck reddens at my words, and the color creeps up her cheeks. She bites her lip and shakes her head.

“Ananta…” she begins, but we are once again interrupted. This time, L’Ren calls out for us.

I take Marra’s hands. “Everything is fixable.” I promise her before I stand up and pull her with me. “Everything.”

With her hand firmly tucked into mine, we walk to Command. L’Ren stands near the security station, something lying in the palm of her hand.

“I think I found something, something bad…” She opens her hand, and there, in the palm of her hand, lies the button. It no longer looks like a button, though, because a little green light blinks from the center. “I found some buttons lying around and figured it was debris. But one of them looked weird, and when I examined it, I could push it, and it started blinking. It can’t be a transmitter, can it?

Marra gasps, her face turning ashen. “I am so sorry,” she whispers.

L’Ren looks shocked, but her shock quickly turns into anger. “WHAT DID YOU DO!” She shouts. “Did you bring a transmitter to sell us out to the fucking Sternotheri?”

From the look on her face, I knew that was precisely what had happened and I take a deep, deep breath, searching for my Warrior Calm. I had promised my mate I would not be angry with her, but in my worst nightmares, I could never have expected this.

* * *

Mara

No,no, no, no, no… My breathing comes out in harsh pants. I cannot believe this is happening.

“I didn’t mean to…” I begin, but Lauren interrupts me.

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