Page 14 of The Hunter

Ahmya nodded with a smile. “Yep. You’re officially our doctor. Own that title.”

His brown eyes crinkled at the corners as he grinned. “Doctor Diego it is, then.” He rose, filled the cup with water, and placed it on the table next to Lacey’s pallet. “And as your doctor, I am ordering you to rest and stay hydrated.”

Lacey saluted him. “Yes, sir.”

Ahmya placed a hand on Lacey’s arm, her mirth fading into solemnity. “Promise me that you’ll tell us the next time you’re hurting this badly. And if you need to be alone, at least let one of us know so someone can stand guard or something. Don’t put yourself in danger. We don’t want to lose you.”

Her words, combined with her earnest expression, were like a sucker punch to Lacey’s gut.

Throughout her life, Lacey had never had anyone to depend upon. She was used to taking care of herself, fending for herself, keeping to herself. Knowing that there were so many people now who cared about her, who worried about her, only added to her suffering. Just looking into Ahmya’s soulful eyes almost made Lacey want to cry and beg for forgiveness.

God, how did Rekosh stand it? It was no wonder Ahmya had that vrix eating from the palm of her hand.

“I promise,” Lacey vowed.

A smile brightened Ahmya’s face. “Good.”

If I’d had friends like these back on Earth, I might never have left.

And then she never would have met Telok…

Lacey, don’t you dare think about him.

Pushing aside her thoughts of that big spidery jerk, Lacey settled a hand atop Ahmya’s and smiled. “I’m sorry I missed out on your and Callie’s big announcement. Congratulations to you both. I can’t believe you’re going to be giving birth around the same time.”

Ahmya pressed her other hand to her belly. “It’s strange knowing that I’m growing a baby in here but not being able to feel it. At least not yet. Oh, but Lacey, I’m so excited! A little scared too, but don’t tell Rekosh that. He’s already freaking out.”

“I’ll be doing everything I can to make sure it all goes as smoothly and safely as possible,” Diego said.

“I know you will. But I also know there are never any guarantees when it comes to giving birth.”

Lacey’s heart clenched, and she squeezed Ahmya’s hand. “You and Callie will be fine.”

She didn’t even want to consider the possibility of losing either of them.

Ahmya’s smile softened. “We will be. And I can’t wait to start a family with Rekosh.”

Family.

Before now, Lacey hadn’t had much of a concept of one. Her own family had been shit—a mother who’d checked out on her responsibilities but always made sure to remind Lacey how much she regretted having her, an alcoholic father who spent his time gambling when he wasn’t arguing with his wife. When they’d divorced, her mother had run off, remarried, and obtained the picture-perfect family she’d always wanted, existing in Lacey’s life as nothing but a bad memory. Without his wife around to abuse, Lacey’s father had turned his verbal assaults toward her.

Nothing like a father calling his daughter piggy or fat ass every time he saw her.

That had been why Lacey had found things to do to keep her away from home as much as possible. It was also why she’d done everything she could to join the Homeworld Initiative, jumping at the chance to leave Earth…because fuck that place.

And one of the non-negotiable requirements for acceptance into the program for all female candidates had been the ability—and willingness—to give birth. Lacey had never really thought about having children before then. She didn’t know what kind of mother she would’ve been, and it wasn’t like her mom had been a glowing example.

Now, with the Somnium having crashed and the survivors left stranded on this planet with the vrix, there was no colony, no Homeworld Initiative. All those obligations were gone. Lacey didn’t have to become a breeder and pop out kids to help establish humanity’s foothold on Xolea. But she’d be one hell of an aunt to her friends’ babies. She already adored spending time with Akalahn, as crazy as that little vrix could be.

Everyone was creating a life here despite the circumstances. Everyone was happy.

So why did Lacey feel like there was a gaping hole in her heart?

Telok’s green eyes blazed in her memory. She could almost feel him braced over her again, could almost feel the tickle of his dangling hair brushing her shoulders, could almost feel his breath hot on her lips.

You are my tribe. You are my family. You are⁠—

She was…what? What had he been about to say? Because the way he’d cut off those words, the gravel that had been in his voice, the possessive fire that had been in his eyes…