Epilogue
Three months later
Ryon
“...and the three law-deciders reached a unanimous verdict in a record-breaking two minutes. Oriel has been found guilty on all charges. Fresh evidence from an anonymous beta informer has also revealed Oriel was responsible for orchestrating the attack on the Emperor and King Lachlan last year, framing a fellow Grand Vizier in the process and proving this man will stop at nothing in the pursuit of his own agenda. Sentencing will take place tomorrow. On hearing the verdict, the disgraced former Grand Vizier Oriel collapsed in the dock. Now we go directly to the Emperor for a statement...”
I turned the news off. I’d only just gotten back to our temporary accommodation on the ship, after a big meeting with Urgoth’s boss, Gage.
“He’s going away for alongtime,” I said.
“Nah.” Natasha shook her head. “He’ll last a few weeks then they’ll do him in and make it look like an accident or a suicide. At least, that’s what would happen on Earth.”
Wow. Brutal planet.
“They wouldn’t let a convict escape justice, here.”
“I’m glad you didn’t have to go to jail,” she whispered, running her hand over the slight bump of her belly. I smiled as I drank in her softening figure. Now she was pregnant, it was obvious she was an omega, not a beta. They carried differently. Their bodies changed differently. Already, her breasts were swelling ready to feed our child and her hips were widening ready for birth.
“Anyway, sit down, I have big news.”
She made a semi-sarcasticoooohexpression with her face then she sat down, eyes twinkling. I hadn’t told her anything about work lately because I didn’t want to disappoint her if things hadn’t turned out the way I’d hoped.
“I had a meeting with Gage today—she was Urgoth’s boss, before he went to jail.”
“A meeting? Oh, no, are they sending you undercover again?”
I shook my head. “I applied for a permanent position as a handler. It means I’ll be based on a ship, just like this one, working as part of a support network for undercover operatives. The money is very good. And we’ll have a permanent home for our family.”
“What’s the downside?”
“The hours can be erratic and may involve some late nights, depending on what my operatives are doing and what they need from me.”
“But you’ll be on the same ship as me, aye? So, even if you’re working until three in the morning, I’ll know where you are, and that you’re safe?”
“Absolutely. The only time I’d need to go to the planet surface would be as part of a retrieval team.”
She smiled. “This all sounds too good to be true. Did you get it, or is this pie in the sky?”
“She’s offered it to me, just now, yes. She wants me to start right away.”
“That’s perfect. We’re bonded, and our baby is on the way, and now you’ve got a job that means you can see us regularly.”
“So, you think I should accept?” I teased her.
“Youdidn’t? That was pure dolly! Get back out there and tell her you’ll do it! G’won!” Like an indignant small furry animal, Natasha got to her feet and tried to push me to the door. It was like watching a child trying to flip a house over. I chuckled and took both of her wrists in one hand.
“Do I need to remind you who is taller out of the two of us?” I asked.
She kept trying to push me. Now her hands were caught, she used her head. I picked her up by her wrists and gave her bottom a playful swat with my other hand. She squeaked.
“Will you behave?” I offered her the choice. There was always a choice.
“Nope! Never!”
I sighed in mock-disappointment. “Then I’ll just have to come back and punish you—after I’ve accepted that job offer.”
She stuck her tongue out. I raised a brow and left. After everything we’d been through, it was difficult to believe that things were finally going right. I decided it was best not to question any of it.
The End