Page 11 of Keeping Freya
When O’Rec met his mate, she was serving the Sternotheri. They sent her with him, hoping she would betray him and expose our race to our enemies. Marra chose O’Rec, which led to their capture, and our entire fleet came out on a rescue mission.
The Sternotheri destroyed their base, killing almost everybody on board, everybody but their High Commander. He took the coward’s way out; he hid his ship among the debris, making his way out when we turned our backs. He killed six warriors when he destroyed two of our ships and dozens of his people.
Since that day, there has been a hole in my heart, one that can only be filled by revenge. The High Commander is a monster, and he must be stopped.
O’Rec grasps my shoulder, the touch bringing me back to the present.
“We are needed at the command, the females want to talk about what to do next.”
CHAPTER 6
Freya
The girls are gathered around the big table. Brittney and Crystal are having an animated discussion with Lauren. The sounds of their laughter echo through the air, and I feel a sting in my chest. The arrival of the Arracate and their mates lifted a weight off their shoulders. They take comfort in the knowledge that somebody is taking care of them, that they’ll have a future of some sort.
It hurts at some stupid level. I thought I was taking care of them as their unofficial leader, was I not enough?
I look at Anna, Jodie, and Daphne; their conversation with Mara is much more serious. Mara is telling them about Novarron, the people, and the safety the planet will give them. They all seem to have forgotten about Earth. They trust these aliens so easily, accepting their help without even wondering what they want in return. I think back on what T’Rak said—that they are different. Well, first, I have to see it before I believe it.
I feel the anger rising inside me; these Arracate come inand sweep us off our feet, taking care of us. The one who’s calling me his mate is the worst. I mean, I caught him with his hand in his pants, and he didn’t even try to hide it!
I huff out a frustrated breath as I push myself from the side of the wall, just as the males enter the Command center. Silently, I back down. I have an ace up my sleeve, and am not afraid to use it.
O’Rec clears his throat before moving to stand behind Mara. “The repairs are pretty much done, the system has been rerouted to our signatures, so it seems like we are ready to leave.”
“Awesome,” Crys exclaims. “I am looking forward to seeing Novarron.”
“Novarron is so beautiful!” Lauren starts. “We went there a couple of weeks ago, everything is so peaceful there and…”
“Wait a minute,” I interrupt her, but I don’t move from my spot at the wall. “I know we talked about going to Novarron, we took a vote, and you all want to go there. But I never said I was going to join you. I’m not ready to give up on going home.”
“I’m not giving up,” Daphne pipes up.
“We’re not!” Anna exclaims. “We just…” She looks at Daphne for reassurance, continuing after a little nod. “You’re so strong, Freya, you kick ass at being all shoot-first-ask-questions-later. But we… We are not like that. I’m scared, Daphne is scared. I want to go home, but I’m also overwhelmed and scared shitless. If there’s a safe place I can wait out the storm, I want to take shelter.” She looks up at me, her big brown eyes filled with unshed tears.
“If there’s a way to go home, we’ll wait. If we get the chance to be happy here in the meantime, we want to take it. It doesn’t mean we’re giving up, but it also doesn’t mean we’re going to let it take over our lives. Haven’t we been through enough?”
Sadness bubbles up inside me, but I quickly shove it down. “I understand, truly I do. But I don’t see why I need to come.”
“It is not safe out here for a lone female,” T’Rak growls. He gives me a stern look as if he’s saying, ‘and that’s that,’ before he turns toward the other women and his crew.
“We cannot tow this ship to Novarron; it will leave a trace. We will stash it at the first meteor belt we encounter. Then, we take our ship towards the planet.”
His last words are solely for his crew. “We will hunt for the High Commander after the females are safe.”
“So, when are you going to look for Earth?” I can’t help myself, but I need to know!
He gives me a deadpan look, having me raise an eyebrow.
“After we find the High Commander and take him down.”
“How will you get to him, you don’t even know where he is.”
A low growl rumbles in his throat. “We will find him, it may take some time, but we will find him. He will not escape his justice.”
I study my nails, then look him straight in the eye. “Or you can take me with you.”
“Why should we do that?!” he huffs.
