We settled into a quiet corner aboard Silver Lining, the soft hum of the ship wrapping around us like a shield against the harsh memories.
"Tara," I began, voice steady though heavy with the weight of years, "there's so much you don't know. When we were taken, Caylee and I stayed together because I was still in wolf form and she was human. They thought I was just her pet."
Her eyes widened, absorbing every word.
"Then… I was bought by De'rax. He needed a guard, someone he could trust. We became partners—partners in survival."
I paused, searching her face, seeing the questions she didn't voice.
"He found out I was a shifter—the truth I kept hidden, scared of what it would mean."
Tara's breath caught.
"Then Grib kidnapped us. His experiments… they were brutal. He changed De'rax, turning him into a shifter like me—both alien and wolf."
My fingers unconsciously rested on my belly.
"And now," I whispered, "I'm pregnant. With our pup. It's complicated—no one's sure how the gestation will go, but we're hopeful."
Tara's hand tightened around mine, eyes shining with a mix of awe and sorrow.
"You've been through so much."
I nodded, a small smile breaking through. "But we're still here. And now we have a chance to be free. Together."
She smiled back, a spark of hope lighting her eyes.
Caylee shifted slightly, her gaze steady as she spoke, her voice soft but clear.
"While you and De'rax were prisoners under Grib," she began, eyes flickering with a quiet warmth, "I wasn't alone the whole time."
Tara and I both turned to her, curiosity and surprise mingling.
"I met someone—a crew member from the resistance," Caylee continued, a faint smile touching her lips. "He was brave and kind, risking everything to help us survive."
I glanced at De'rax, who nodded, a knowing look in his eyes.
Caylee's smile grew, a small light in the shadows of our past. "I fell in love with him."
Tara's eyes softened, a smile spreading across her face. "That's… really wonderful."
I reached out, squeezing Caylee's hand. "We've all carried so much pain, but love—love like that—it's a reason to keep fighting."
De'rax added quietly, "It's hope. And hope is what brings us through."
The three of us shared a moment of warmth and connection—proof that even in the darkest times, light can grow.
I smiled softly, feeling a mix of happiness and familiarity settle in my chest.
"I'm happy for you, Caylee," I said, warmth in my voice. "But… I'm not surprised."
Her eyes flickered with amusement as she tilted her head slightly.
"Is it Ty'ris? De'rax's left-hand man?"
Caylee's smile deepened, a spark lighting her eyes.
"You know him well?"
I nodded. "We crossed paths before all this—he's loyal, strong. The kind of person you'd fall for."
She laughed quietly, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "Yeah, it's him."
Tara's eyebrows lifted in surprise. "He sounds like a good man."
"He is," De'rax said quietly from the doorway, a rare softness in his tone.
The room felt warmer somehow, the bonds between us growing stronger with every shared truth.
The quiet warmth of our conversation was gently interrupted as the door slid open. Ty'ris stepped inside—tall, confident, his eyes immediately finding Caylee's. There was a softness in his gaze, a silent reassurance that spoke volumes.
De'rax gave a nod of acknowledgment from where he stood nearby. "Ty'ris," he said, voice steady. "Come join us."
Ty'ris smiled, his expression calm but strong. He approached, settling beside Caylee with a gentle squeeze of her hand.
"It's good to see you all here, safe," he said quietly. His eyes briefly met mine, conveying unspoken support.
Caylee leaned into him, her smile brightening. "We've missed you."
Ty'ris glanced around at the gathered group, the weight of what lay ahead evident in his stance.
"We've got a lot of work to do," he said firmly. "But knowing we're together—that makes it easier."
The circle felt tighter, the bonds of trust and love growing stronger in the face of the challenges to come.