The Alien’s Claim by Zoey Draven

Chapter Fifty-Two

One week later…

* * *

Erin had never knownthe docking bay existed, but it was accessible only by hovercraft and was hidden within the mountain to the right of the command center.

There was a small group gathered to see Bianca off. The Luxirian spaceship was fueled by one of the most powerful Luxirian crystals in existence and there was an armed escort, not to mention at least twenty warriors that would be accompanying her on her journey. They were already onboard, but Bianca was lingering as they said their goodbyes.

The males hung back. Jaxor, Vaxa’an, Lihvan, Rixavox, Vikan, Kirov, and Cruxan were all on the outskirts of the docking bay, giving the women time to say goodbye.

Bianca’s eyes were glimmering in the bright morning sun. She was nervous, but excited, sad but joyful. This was the moment she’d been waiting for all these long months: to return home.

“This is harder than I thought it’d be,” she confessed to the seven women, standing in a small, semi-circle around her. They were lingering at the base of the ramp leading up to the massive spaceship.

Erin avoided looking towards the north of the docking bay since she saw the Jetutian spaceship on her periphery. It was under command of the Luxirians now and, thankfully, it wouldn’t be the vessel Bianca was returning home on. The Luxirian spaceship was smaller and its design was sleeker.

Kate pressed a kiss to Bianca’s cheeks, whispering something in her ear. All the women did the same in fact, but over the course of the last week—after Jaxor’s trial had concluded, after Vaxa’an had finally been able to make a formal announcement to the people of Luxiria about a potential treatment, about the Mevirax, about Jaxor’an, and after the nerves and fear surrounding the trial had begun to die down—they had all been saying goodbye in their own way. The last week had been a long goodbye.

But Bianca was right. It was harder than Erin thought it’d be. It was emotionally difficult for them all. Because Bianca was returning to Earth…and they wouldn’t be. They’d chosen not to. They’d chosen a future on Luxiria with the males they loved instead.

All of them were mourning their old lives as they said goodbye. Their families, their friends, their homes. It was bittersweet, all while knowing their fated mates were behind them, just a few steps away.

Erin was the last to step forward and Bianca looked at her with shining eyes. Erin gave her a wobbly smile and wrapped her in a tight hug.

“Take care all right?” she whispered. “I’ll miss you. We all will.”

She could feel Bianca’s heart pounding in her chest as she sniffled. They’d all become like sisters. Saying goodbye to her was like losing a family member all over again. But Erin knew that this was what Bianca wanted, above all else.

Erin was loathe to pull away. Eventually they had to. Bianca kissed her cheek and said, “You’ll make a great mother, Erin.”

Erin’s tears finally spilled over at that small, meaningful comment.

“Thank you,” she whispered, squeezing her friend’s hand before stepping away.

To them all, Bianca said, “It might take time to go see all your families once I get back, but I promise that I will.”

Bianca had offered to do it. To travel to all of their homes, to speak with their families about what happened.

It wouldn’t be easy.

Erin thought about how her family would react if a total stranger came to their door and claimed that Erin wasn’t missing, but instead had been abducted by aliens, had been rescued by another race of aliens, and had chosen to live with her fated mate on his home planet of Luxiria.

It was far-fetched and frankly crazy but it was all true. All of them had written extensive letters to family and friends, which would hopefully make Bianca’s task a little easier.

But Erin hoped that the truth would bring their families peace and acceptance about what had happened, so they wouldn’t always wonder, so they knew that they were safe and happy and loved, though far, far away.

“You’re sure you don’t want to stay?” Lainey joked, trying to lighten the mood, though her voice was scratchy and her eyes were glassy as she said it. “Last chance.”

Bianca laughed. She looked around the semi-circle at all of them, her affection apparent in her eyes.

“I have a fated mate of my own back on Earth,” she told them. Her husband, Daniel, who she loved dearly. “And a beautiful daughter that I can’t wait to see.”

Cecelia sniffed.

“They are my home,” Bianca said softly. “And your home…well, they are standing right behind you. My place isn’t here, but yours is.”

Erin looked over her shoulder at Jaxor, who was standing next to Vaxa’an. Those piercing blue eyes were on her. His concern, his love was right there. While Luxirians weren’t quick to show their emotion, Erin read Jaxor’s like he wore his heart on his sleeve. But he only wore it on his sleeve for her.

Bianca began walking up the ramp. At the top she turned around. Erin thought she looked beautiful in her flowing lilac dress. Her cheeks were flushed with excitement.

“I love you all,” Bianca called down.

“Bye, Bianca,” Erin whispered, lifting her hand in a flutter of a wave.

Bianca gave them all one last, lingering smile and then she rounded the corner of the spaceship. The ramp began to retract silently.

The women looked at one another. They were all red faces and shining eyes. It was bittersweet indeed, but Erin realized that, though they might have lost Bianca, they still had each other. And the things they’d experienced together, shared together, would bind them to one another forever.

Erin blew out a small breath and she heard the spaceship began to power on, the sound like a roar in comparison with the noise of the hovercrafts.

The women retreated back towards their mates, whom led them outside as the docking bay ceiling began to peel back, revealing a bright morning sky.

Jaxor took her hand and she squeezed it.

And all of them watched in silence as the spaceship launched from the docking bay. Erin had to shield her face from the gusts of wind it created in its wake, pressing her face into Jaxor’s chest, as the whole mountain seemed to rumble and vibrate beneath them.

A moment later the winds stopped. The mountain stilled. There was only quietness and the beating of Jaxor’s heart beneath her cheek.

When Erin looked above the docking bay, the spaceship was gone. All she saw was a brief twinkling in the sky before a passing cloud erased it from view.

Jaxor cupped the back of her neck, lowering his forehead down to hers.

Erin closed her eyes, a swell of emotion pushing at her chest. Her mate knew what that moment had meant. Because it wasn’t only saying goodbye to Bianca. It was a final goodbye to her old life.

Without saying anything at all, he comforted her in a perfect way.

Erin didn’t know how long they stood there, but when they pulled away she realized that, though it may be a goodbye, she had a fated mate who loved her, a baby on the way, friends she loved like family, and endless possibilities for their future.

That day was a day for celebration, not tears.

When she turned, all of the women and their mates remained on the terrace of the docking bay where their hovercrafts were parked. They all looked around at one another, understanding passing between them.

Erin smiled. She looked back at the sky, a clear beautiful sky. She thought of Bianca, already starting the long journey back home, and thought about how happy she was for her.

“Let’s go back to the Golden City,” Erin said to her mate. “You promised you’d show me the marketplace today.”

“Tev, I did,” Jaxor murmured, his gaze softened.

She pressed a kiss to his lips.

“I’ll drive,” she said.

Then she pulled him towards the hovercraft.