Page 22 of Rogue Starfighter

“You asked for honesty.”

The general almost smiled again. Priya took a deep breath. “Okay. I’m in.” My body reacted as if she had accepted me rather than the war. My heart pounded. My cock hardened. The bond flared between us, hot and satisfied. She had chosen to stand at my side and fly straight into danger. She was magnificent. Beautiful. Courageous.

Mine.

I clenched my jaw and reminded myself she had chosen the mission. Nothing more.

“Priya!” A human female ran across the bay.

Priya turned. Her eyes widened. “Jamie Miller?”

Jamie crashed into her and wrapped both arms around her. Priya hugged her back, laughing.

“You’re alive,” Priya said. “Holy crap, you’re actually alive. They both told me you were, but I didn't believe it.”

“Last time I checked.” Jamie pulled back and inspected her. “You’re Priya. Scout. Air traffic controller. Flies like a complete lunatic when she finally stops overthinking.”

Priya blinked. “You’ve been watching me?”

“All of us have. Mia has spreadsheets. Lily brings snacks. We watch you, Gina, and Alisha like our favorite show.”

“That’s not creepy at all.”

“It gets worse. We place bets.”

Alexius approached at a more reasonable pace. “Welcome, Starfighter Anand.” He smiled at Priya. I disliked him immediately. I had known Alexius for years. That did not matter. Priya glanced between them. “So, the whole alien-mate conspiracy was true?”

“Yep.” Jamie grinned. “Sexy alien. Real war. Permanent bond. Universal translator. The whole thing.”

Priya looked at me. “Permanent bond. Interesting.”

I would have preferred another attack by airport security to the calculating look in her gaze.

Jamie caught the exchange and laughed. “He hasn’t explained that part yet, has he?”

“He tried to call us field partners.”

“Oh, that’s adorable.”

“Starfighter Miller,” I warned.

“Relax, Vesh. I’m not going to ruin all your fun.” Her grin said the opposite. “I’ll let Priya torture the truth out of you all by herself.”

Priya’s gaze dropped over my body. Slowly. My cock grew harder.

“Sounds like a plan,” she said.

Jamie turned back to her. “Where are Gina and Alisha?”

“Still on Earth. Gina is close to finishing. Alisha is probably pretending she isn’t.”

“They’ll get here,” Jamie said. “Mia and Lily did. It felt like forever while I waited, but they came. Your friends will, too.”

Some of the tension left Priya’s shoulders. “You really believe that?”

“Absolutely. Earth girls travel in packs. The universe will figure it out.”

“I hope you’re right.”