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Zehn activated the communicator. “Reaper One, this is Command,” the officer stated, his voice crisp and authoritative. “Report status.”

“Command, this is Reaper One.”

Something that sounded close to a sigh of relief answered. “Your tracking beacon went offline three cycles ago. We’ve been attempting to reestablish contact.”

“I was strafed while entering an uncharted planet’s defense perimeter. During neutralization, communications were temporarily compromised.” Zehn’s voice remained steady, revealing none of the tumultuous events that had led us to this point—my rescue from the lab, our crash landing, the sentinel drones, the black site facility, encountering our fate mate and subsequent bonding.

The commander grunted, seemingly accepting this explanation. “We have a recon unit in your sector. Transmitting extraction coordinates now.” The console beside Zehn beeped as it received the data. “They will reach your position in approximately one rotation. Confirm you can hold position until extraction.”

“Confirmed, Command. Position is secure.” Then Zehn paused. “While here, I have shared unity and found my fate mates. The extraction team should know that they need to accomodate three of us.”

The commander drew in a sharp breath. “Are they safe?”

“Affirmative, Command. We are safe and prepared for extraction.”

“Acknowledged, Reaper One. Sending recon units double time. Command out.”

The comms channel crackled once more then silenced, leaving the three of us in sudden silence. I released the breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding, my arms still protectively wrapped around Everly. She leaned back against my chest, her warmth a comforting weight.

“So we’re getting picked up tomorrow?” she asked, looking between Zehn and me.

Zehn nodded, returning to the bed. “The Legion recon unit will extract us, take us somewhere safe. From there, we can decide our next steps.”

I should have felt relief. The thought of rescue, of safety, should have eased the tension that had been my constant companion since escaping the lab. Instead, a different anxiety twisted in my gut. What place would I have in the world beyond this facility?

Worse, what if they tried to separate us? The thought sent a spike of primal fear through me, strong enough that both Zehn and Everly turned to me, concern evident in their expressions and through our bond.

“Khaaz?” Everly’s voice was soft, her hand coming up to cup my scarred cheek. “What’s wrong?”

I struggled to find words for the fear clawing at my insides. “What happens...after?” I finally managed, my voice rough with emotion. “When we leave here?”

Understanding dawned in Zehn’s golden eyes. He moved closer, his larger body bracketing mine against Everly. “You’re worried about your place. About whether you’ll be accepted.”

It wasn’t a question, but I nodded anyway, unable to meet his gaze. Through our bond, I couldn’t hide the root of my fear—that this perfect belonging we’d found was temporary, that the outside world would tear us apart.

Zehn’s hand caught my chin, forcing me to look at him. “Listen to me, Khaaz. We are bonded now—all three of us. Nothing and no one can change that.”

“But I’m not—” I began, the words sticking in my throat.

“Not what? Not Rodinian enough? Did you not hear Command? The first thing he asked was if my fate mates were safe.” Zehn’s voice held a hint of a growl. “Rodinian society holds to very few absolute truths, but there are two that are sacredabove all else. First, fate mates are the closest thing we have to a religion. Second, never, go between a Rodinian and his mate.”

Everly’s fingers traced patterns on my chest, her touch soothing the agitation our bond had stirred in her. “He’s right, Khaaz. I’ve been reading the archives here—the Kridrin studied Rodinian culture extensively. The mate bond is the cornerstone of their society. It’s literally their only taboo to interfere with it.”

I knew this, all of this. That is why I wanted to protect Everly in the first place. Still, knowing in my mind was different from knowing it in truth.

His hand slid to the back of my neck, strong fingers kneading the tense muscles there. “In case you need reminding, I claimed you as thoroughly as I claimed Everly.”

Heat rushed through me at the memory—Zehn’s mouth on mine as we both moved inside Everly, the way he’d dominated me even as we shared her, the unspoken promise of more. Through our bond, I felt his desire rekindle at the memory, matched by Everly’s growing arousal as she sensed the direction of our thoughts.

“I expected only to keep you safe. I don’t know how to be this,” I admitted, gesturing vaguely at the three of us. “Whatever we are now.”

“None of us do,” Everly said, rising to her knees to face both of us. “We’re making it up as we go. But we’re making it up together.”

Her simple declaration settled something inside me. The fear didn’t vanish entirely—I doubted it ever would, given my past—but it receded, overshadowed by the certainty that no power in the universe could separate me from these two beings who had somehow become my whole world. I might not know what awaited us beyond this sanctuary, but I knew with bone-deep certainty that I would fight to the death to protect what we’d found.

“One more day,” Zehn said, breaking the moment as he rose from the bed. “We should prepare. The recon team will expect a report, and we need to decide what information to share about this facility.”

Everly nodded, her practical nature asserting itself. “I’ve been cataloging the archives. There’s information here that could be valuable to the Legion—especially about the Kridrin and their technology.”

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