Epilogue

Epilogue

R

achel, 3 months later

“The CEO was taken away

in handcuffs.” Warden Egara’s voice came through the comm while footage of the man being arrested appeared on our screen. Walking beside him, head low with shame, was the president of the company. The same woman whose office I’d called, demanding action. The one I’d trusted to do the right thing.

We stood in the command center with a connection to the Brides Processing Center on Earth. While I was well and truly claimed—I felt owned, conquered,

claimed

in so many places—but I still needed this closure at home.

No. Earth wasn’t home any longer. Home was where Maxim and Ryston were. Home was The Colony.

“John shared the evidence you collected with the right people, people who weren’t being paid off. He leaked it to the web and multiple news organizations. I know a lot of people died, Rachel, but thanks to you and John, others will now be saved. That poison pill is officially off the market. And, hopefully, the next time the people in charge will choose to do what’s right.”

I felt satisfaction, vindication even, at the warden’s words. I’d been right. The truth had come out, but at a great cost.

“What of our mate’s name? Her honor?” Maxim asked.

“She has been cleared of all charges, her record expunged.”

Ryston pulled me into his arms and I reveled in the hold. My mates were just as pleased as I, if not more, for my good name to be returned to me. Honor was crucial to them.

“The truth is being spread. In fact, it is going viral—if you’ll excuse the pun.” The warden smiled and I couldn’t help but laugh.

“You are happy, Rachel?” she asked. I saw a hint of wistfulness in her eyes. I knew she’d been mated to two Prillon warriors, just as I had. But mine were alive and one was holding me close.

Maxim came over and kissed the top of my head, sensing my sadness for the other woman.

“I am. You were right. Being mated to Prillon warriors is…the best.”

“I am pleased, and so is the Interstellar Brides Program.”

I knew she tacked the last on to sound more official, but I knew she was happy for me on a very personal level. Happy, and sad, too. I couldn’t imagine the hell of losing both of my mates as she had.

“Has Prime Nial contacted you Warden?” Maxim asked.

“Yes, Governor. The processing ban has been lifted. Colony warriors who have been processed have been added back into the database effective immediately.”

“Excellent.” Maxim grinned, and he never grinned. The sight made my irrationally happy. He cared deeply for the warriors banished to this planet, and now, so did I.

“Thank you, Warden. Send me some girlfriends, please,” I added.

“Of course, Rachel. I wish you all every happiness.” Warden Egara nodded at us with a smile and the comm went black.

“You are vindicated, mate.” Ryston’s whisper wiped away months of stress and worry like a cool refreshing breeze. I felt cleaner, somehow. Renewed. Hopeful. Optimistic. All things I’d thought lost to me forever.

“Governor.” A voice came through Maxim’s comm unit.

“Speak.”

“You have a visitor in the transport room.”

I glanced up at Maxim, saw on his face that he wasn’t expecting anyone. Sensed it too. God, it was going to take time to adjust to the power of the collars.

“Let’s go see,” I told him.

He led me through the maze of corridors to the transport room. When the door slid open, he saw the woman standing there, but didn’t enter. The door was about to close, but I stepped through it. I took his hand, tugged. Ryston was right behind.

The collar helped me now. I felt so much. Love, anger, betrayal, frustration, coldness, joy. It was overwhelming.

“Mother,” Maxim said.

This woman was Maxim’s mother? Yes, now that I looked closely, I recognized her from her call to our suite. She looked quite like her son.

Her eyes were on Maxim momentarily, but rested on me. I felt her scrutiny. I didn’t need the collar for that. I was the female her son mated and surely she would be critical.

“What are you doing here?” he asked, pulling me into his side. He wouldn’t have me harmed or intimidated, not even by his own mother. Love flooded me, love for this strong, protective warrior, and I made sure he felt it like a blast of heat through our collars.

“You were right, when we spoke last. Your life is here. I did not wish you to remain on The Colony simply because you were banished. The moment the decree changed that, I wanted you home. But I realized your home is here now.”

Maxim pulled me in closer. “My home is

here

with Rachel. And Ryston.”

She glanced at Ryston over my shoulder. He came and put his hand at the curve of my neck.

“Yes. It is. What I’ve heard of The Colony, your base in particular, you are a very good leader.”

“Thank you.”

His words were monotone, but I felt his relief, a slight thaw in Maxim’s demeanor.

“I also realized the transport center works both ways. You can return to Prillon Prime, but I can come here. I wanted to meet your mate, and soon, your children.”

When Maxim didn’t speak, I saw a vulnerability in her eyes.

“Is that all right?”

“Yes, Mother. That would be perfect.”

She smiled then and I saw how lovely she was. She wasn’t cold, she’d been hurt by the Hive as only a mother of a veteran could. Combined with the banishment, things had been harsh for them. They had a chance now to be a family again. All of us.

I felt Ryston’s grip on my neck tighten, a hint of jealousy flaring bright and hot.

“I did not come alone,” she added. Turning her head, she looked to the corner where another Prillon female stood.

Ryston’s hand dropped from me and I felt his panic.

I swung about to look at the female full-on, placing myself between her and my second mate. Whoever she was, she’d hurt Ryston. Deeply.

He cleared his throat. “Mother.”

Oh god. This was the woman who’d abandoned him. Given up on him.

Tears streamed down her face.

“Look at you,” she whispered, taking a step toward him and holding out a hand.

I stepped away and Maxim pulled me back into his side, leaving Ryston to face his mother on his own. We were nearby, but this was a confrontation they had to do on their own. No matter the outcome, Maxim and I would be waiting.

“So big, so brave.” She cleared her throat, looked at the floor. “I’m sorry.”

I felt the tear in Ryston’s wall around that part of his heart. It ached and throbbed, and I clung to Maxim.

“I have no excuse. None. Maxim’s mother came to me. She practically beat me on the head to see sense. I should have had it on my own, but sometimes we need help from others.”

“Yes. I found that with Rachel,” Ryston said, his voice almost rusty sounding.

“I do not wish to remain on Prillon Prime, but with you, my son.”

“What?” he asked, stunned. “What about Father?”

Her eyes met his, the same pale color. “He will come, too, but I…I needed to see you. To know if I would be rejected or not.”

“We are the rejected ones here on The Colony. We would never do that to others,” Ryston countered.

“If you will have me, us, then we will come. My family is with you. Wherever you are. If there is room?”

I ached for the woman, for Ryston. Circumstance tore them apart. Just as the cruel accusations on Earth destroyed my life. And yet that ruin brought about my life here. Joy. Mates. Love. It could be the same for them as well.

“Yes. There’s room. For Father as well. For everyone.”

They closed the distance and Ryston took his mother’s small form into his tight embrace.

Yes, there was enough room for all of us. A family, lives intertwined. Different than I’d imagined, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.