Page 20 of Starfighter’s Salvation

“It's forbidden. And she can't do anything until she beats the game.”

"Completes training," Vesh corrected.

Priya just raised one eyebrow and ignored her mate. “You know she was holding herself back, waiting for us."

Gina sighed. "I thought so, too. I sent her a text when the guys showed up. So now she knows."

"The guys?" Priya squinted in confusion and glanced from Gina to me.

"Dekker showed up first. But Corvan got there before we left," Gina clarified.

"So, you chose Corvan." Priya's tone held some kind of secret communication that only the two females seemed to understand.

“Duh. Just because I'm pissed off doesn't mean I'm stupid.”

What did that phrase mean, pissed off? And was she using it in reference to me?

“Don't take it personally,” Priya said. “He was panicking.”

Yes, they were definitely discussing me as if I were not standing right next to my mate. “I do not panic.”

Vesh appeared beside his mate almost without seeming to move at all. Scouts did that, and it was irritating.

“Priya speaks the truth,” he grinned at his mate like a male possessed. Like he'd never seen her before. Like he would never tire of looking at her. Fuck. He stared at her the way I wanted to stare at Gina.

“No one asked you, Vesh." I didn't know him well, but we'd crossed paths on missions. He was an honorable male and I respected him.

“Gina!” Priya caught her friend’s face between both hands. “Look at us. We did it! You’re finally here. You're a Starfighter.”

“So are you.”

They hugged again, and I watched Gina laugh into her friend’s shoulder, the sound of it doing more damage than any weapon Queen Raya's minions had ever thrown at me. She had been mine according to our laws since she chose me and began running the training simulations next to me. The mark on my neck had been telling me that for months. Watching her now, I wanted her to be mine in every other way — in flesh, in name, in the ordinary daylight hours that had nothing to do with duty or war. I wanted to put my hands on her hips, pull her away from Priya, and remind everyone in the bay which male she had chosen.

The thought was primitive. Possessive. Completely inappropriate. I kept my hands to myself.

“Where is General Aryk?” I knew our commanding officer and I could practically feel his impatience to get his claws into my female and send us both out on mission.

Vesh crossed his arms over his chest and the look he gave me was not unsympathetic. “Waiting for you both in the briefing room”

Of course he fucking was.

General Aryk began the briefing while introductions were still happening. The briefing table projected Xenon’s trench in amber light that reflected off every smooth surface. The room smelled of fate, regret and the bitter edge of war.

“Welcome to Velerion, Elite Starfighter Reyes. I regret the timing, but we can't wait for you to get settled. Forty hours ago, Titan Team Four escorted an engineering convoy through the Ferros Trench on Xenon. The convoy was attacked.”

A map appeared over the table. Gina stepped closer, and I tracked her movement the way I tracked threats — automatically, completely, physically and mentally unable to ignore her. How the fuck was I supposed to operate like this?

“How many are trapped down there?” Gina asked.

Aryk changed the image and pulled up a group roster of those sent on the mission. “Elite Starfighters Cassia and Brennix. Nine engineers and escorts. Their final transmission reported they were alive but had wounded, and that they had a defensible position inside Bunker Nine. Then jamming covered the trench.”

“Life signs?” I asked.

“None confirmed in the last forty hours.”

"Why did you all wait so long?" Gina looked horrified and angry. "Don't tell me you were waiting for me." The look she gave me at that possibility was full of fury.

Aryk looked at her. "Of course not. They are deep behind enemy lines, and we needed reconnaissance and a plan. Both things take time."