Page 81 of Evan and the Alpha

To my surprise, he doesn’t immediately hit the door close button. Instead, he leaves the hatch open and follows us down the hall. “I’ll make an exception,” he says as he trails us, “but I’ll have to get headquarters to clear it before your next appointment.”

He grabs my shoulder. “And,” he says sharply, “that’s just one more reason you shouldn’t be in this … whatever you wanna call it.”

“He’s my mate,” I offer as defense. I know it sounds weak to Scott. “He just wants to make sure I’m safe.”

“Sounds more like he’s a controlling, abusive—”

“Hi!” Min says brightly, waving to us. “I was wondering where you got to! You’re a little bit late, and I worried something maybe happened.”

“Nah,” I say, glancing at Scott.

“Just some trouble with the door,” Ge-Ro rumbles, glowering at Scott.

“Oh,” Min says, “the door! I know, I told maintenance it was a little sticky and one day it was gonna jam, but they didn’t listen to me—they wouldn’t, right?”

She takes my arm and guides me into the med bay. “But I knew it was gonna cause trouble. I hope you’re okay?”

“Just fine,” I reply. The door slides shut behind the three of us—Min, Ge-Ro, and me. Min guides me to the exam table. I’m not sure what to make of Scott. Did he just not want to come in and see his little brother getting poked and prodded for being pregnant? Or is he up to something shady, like Vince and Yafir think he will be?

I get my answer while I’m on the table. Min’s left the ultrasound on for me, so I can look at my baby, while she finishes up my bloodwork on the laser table on the opposite side of the med bay—the little, closed-off area known as The Lab.

I’m watching baby intently, enthralled by the way that they move when I slide my hand over my belly. Baby squirms and kicks a little, and it’s just … really cool.

I guess some people would think it’s weird, but whatever.

Ge-Ro’s standing off to the side, leaned against a wall. He’s got his eyes closed and his arms crossed. And we’re just kind of chilling there when the power flickers and the lights dim.

They come back up a second later, and I look at Ge-Ro, then seek out Min. She’s at the laser table, facing us, her eyes lifted. She looks shocked.“Min!” I shout, scrambling up from the exam table. Ge-Ro catches me as I tumble off, just as the ship starts to shake and rumble.

“What’s going on?” he asks over the roar.

We both look at Min, who comes dashing out of the lab. She shakes her head, a few loose strands of her hair flying. “I don’t know,” she says. “We weren’t scheduled to take off today.”

“We’re taking off?” I ask and she nods, her brows tenting.

“What is taking off?” Ge-Ro asks, glancing between the two of us.

“We’re leaving,” Min says.

“Lifting into the air to fly somewhere else,” I explain, and Ge-Ro frowns. I look at Min. “Nobody said anything to you about this? About where we’re going?”

She shakes her head again. “No, nothing.” She glances up.

“Attention all personnel,” an automated voice chimes over the PA system, “please prepare for lift off.”

“Maybe an emergency,” she says, her eyes finally meeting mine.

“We’re still aboard,” Ge-Ro protests.

I huff. “That’s intentional,” I mutter, and he gives me a sorrowful look. “Scott hassled us at the door—that’s why he didn’t want you on board.”

Ge-Ro’s shoulders slump. “I was hoping it would not be today.Or that they would not be so stupid as to take off with a kroakka on board.”

I look at Min, who still has confusion all over her face. “They’re kidnapping me,” I inform her flatly.

“Kidnapping,” she echoes.

I turn to Ge-Ro. “Give me my clothes. I’ve got a bone to pick with my bonehead brother.”