3013: Targeted (20 page)
***
EPILOGUE
Several weeks later
Hawke felt a strange sense of deja-vu as the three of them were once again standing in outside a docking bay door. This time they were gathered to say goodbye to Mek and his family, who were on their way to meet up with the
Mex Riga
and start their new life.
There were a lot of rib-cracking hugs and a few quickly dashed tears as they saw everyone onboard the
Talon
. Jenza was the last one to board, and the only one who cried openly as she threw her arms around each of them in turn.
“You can come back and visit, you know. Sonja knows the way here,” T’karra told her.
“I know. And it’s going to be fun. I’m going to visit so many stations and planets and see so many new things, but I’m going to miss you, cousin.”
“And I will miss you the most out of all your crazy family. But don’t tell them I said that,” T’karra said, making Jenza laugh.
“Promise me you’ll tell me if anything exciting happens. Like if, say…someone was pregnant.” She blushed and grinned at T’karra.
“Jenza Ryvern, you did not just say that! Get your ass on that ship, brat, before I take a bite out of you. I just got mated, for star’s sake!”
“And we’re still getting used to having fangs and claws, thank you,” Hawke added. His conversion had taken place a week ago, and he was still learning to manage his new abilities. Not to mention the fact that everyone was trying to come to terms with the fact their commanders had changed species. It was a time of adjustment for all of them.
Jenza waved to them all and then stepped on board, the doors closing behind her.
“They’ll be happier on the
Mex Riga
,” T’karra said as the corridor fell to silence. The three of them were the only ones to see them off. The rest of the pack had said their goodbyes in private over the last few days. The banishment hadn’t been easy for any of them, but had been necessary.
“They’re going to be fine.” Brandt agreed, slipping an arm around T’karra’s waist.
“And so are we,” Hawke added.
T’karra laughed and leaned into Brandt. They were going to be better than fine. Brandt and Hawke had spent a long and very loud hour talking to High Commander Jax Spartan a few days ago, and the orders were now official. Her mates would be permanently assigned as the commanders of Alpha Station: X2. They were supposed to keep a low profile and try not to draw too much attention to the fact they were no longer the “same fucking species as the rest of the Alliance.”
That wasn’t going to be an easy order to follow, considering that both of them were now over seven feet tall and sported fangs. Hawke’s blue eye had the same dark ring around the outside as Brandt’s, but his brown eye had turned completely black. Her mates were still learning to control their inner beast, and there were a few new dents in the walls of the office, but years of Alliance discipline made it easier for them than she’d expected.
She touched Brandt’s wrist, rubbing her finger over the mating scar she’d given him, and he dropped his mouth to the mating mark she now carried on her neck.
“What do you say to the three of us heading over to the Black Hole for a drink?” she asked.
Hawke chuckled. “You just want to show off that beautiful new tattoo.”
“Maybe. You know, my brothers haven’t seen it yet,” she said with a laugh, brushing her braids back from her neck so both her mating marks were clearly visible, along with the tattoo she’d had done just that morning. It wasn’t a traditional claiming mark, which would have been made of her mates’ initials. Instead, she’d chosen something more personal. Two
tikta
flowers now covered the top of her shoulder, a permanent reminder of their mating night and the promises they’d made to each other.
“Then by all means, let’s show them. Danor hasn’t growled at me in days.” Brandt turned her in his arms and kissed her thoroughly before letting Hawke steal her away to do the same. She moved between them with a bounce in her step and a joy she’d never dreamed of overflowing her heart. She’d always believed being mated would cost her everything she valued in life. Instead, she had more than she could have ever imagined.
T’karra took her mates by the hand and headed toward the Black Hole. For most of her life, it had been her sanctuary. Now, that title belonged to the men who walked beside her.
***
THE END
Susan lives out on the Canadian west coast surrounded by open water, dear family and good friends. She’s jumped out of perfectly good airplanes on purpose and accidently swum with sharks on the Great Barrier Reef.
She’s worked for local law enforcement, been a freelance wordsmith and bakes what she claims are the world’s best double-chocolate & caramel brownies. She’s passionately in love with the written word (and a few of her more hunky creations.) Writing is her joy, her escape from reality and the only way she knows of to quiet the nagging harridan of a muse the universe assigned to her.
Susan loves to hear from her readers. You can contact her at
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For all titles by Susan Hayes, please visit
3013: THE SERIES
http://3013theseries.blogspot.com
The 3013 Series
3013: MATED by Laurie Roma
3013: RENEGADE by Susan Hayes
3013: CLAIMED by Laurie Roma
3013: STOWAWAY by Susan Hayes
3013: SALVATION by Laurie Roma
3013: MENDED – Kali Argent
3013: TARGETED – Susan Hayes