Epilogue

Two years later “The little human requires sustenance,” said Swish as she jumped onto Remy’s lap. “Maya wanted me to tell you she’ll join you shortly.”

“Thanks, Swish.” He stroked the CAP’s ears as he stared out at the expanse of space in front of them. It was just the four of them on the ship—Swish, him, his Omega, and their two-month-old daughter. Briefly, he recalled how frightened Maya had been when she’d learned she was pregnant, but by the time their baby arrived, she’d seemed relatively calm about the idea of raising an Omega daughter.

He was still nervous as hell about the prospect, but he was determined they would protect little Neve and keep her safe. She wouldn’t have to grow up being suppressed. When it was time, she could decide if she wanted to take the suppressant, but he was determined she would grow up knowing who and what she was, so she wasn’t left in the same vulnerable position as Maya had been. Eve had likely done what she thought was best, but he didn’t agree with keeping Neve in the dark, and neither did Maya.

He waited for a few minutes until Maya appeared with Neve latched on. She sat down in the copilot’s seat of Eve’s Sacrifice. “Did you find the coordinates?”

“I did. That research you paid for really was worth it.” He made the concession grudgingly, since he’d protested at her spending such a large number of credits on what he’d considered dubious information from someone they had met in a trading market a few months before. The intel had turned out to be sound, and they would soon reach another sector full of shipwrecks from travelers who hadn’t paid enough attention to a local asteroid belt.

They hadn’t been back to Antares and might not for a while since it was so remote and away from civilization. He preferred to stay closer to easier areas to travel until Neve was older, so they had pursued the information she paid for, and he was big enough to admit he’d been wrong.

“It looks like it might be quite a haul, according to the sensors.” He tapped one lightly. “This sure is an upgrade from the Raven.” They had sold the Raven the night they sold all their other cargo, deciding they didn’t need two ships. His ship had been superior in some ways, but Maya’s had the better A.I. system, and he knew the ship alone was important due to its name and sentimental value, so he had given up the Raven without her having to ask.

Technically, they didn’t need to undertake another salvage operation, since they were comfortable for the time being, but neither liked to be idle, and they certainly couldn’t imagine settling down on one of the Coalition planets in a crowded colony. This was the life they loved, and they were determined to share it with Neve.

It also appealed to his paternal instincts, since it would be easier to keep her safe growing up in places like this, though he knew he couldn’t shelter her completely from the world. That was a problem to deal with in the future though. Right now, he just wanted to bask in the happiness he’d found with his Omega and their daughter.

He took her hand as the ship exited ionospace, coming to a slow halt before hovering. The ships around them promised to yield enough resources to be more than worth the money she’d paid for information, and she gave him a smug grin.

He returned her grin, without the smugness. “It is quite amazing. You were right, love.”

Maya nodded, clearly pleased. “This should keep us busy for quite a while.”

“No doubt, but I suggest we start tomorrow morning.” He feigned a yawn and stretched. “Is it about bedtime?” he asked with a lascivious leer that was only partially feigned. The idea of having her body underneath his revved him up just as it always did, though she wouldn’t enter estrus again until she was done breastfeeding. They could still have amazing sex when they weren’t caught in the throes of their biological imperatives.

She chuckled as she looked down at Neve, who was currently dripping milk from the side of her mouth as she dozed. “I think she agrees, and you know it’s always a good idea to sleep when the baby sleeps.”

“Sleep. Yes. Eventually.” With a throaty chuckle, he stood up and followed her from the cockpit. He paused to look back at Swish, who took his seat. “You have the ship, Swish?”

She nodded. “Everything is fine. I much prefer to stay here rather than overhear what you two humans do to each other.” With an uninterested flick of her tail, she turned her back on him, her gaze focused on the darkness of space before them, filled with the floating debris from the shipwrecks waiting to be salvaged. The ship was in good hands.

And Maya was in good hands as well. It was his duty to love and care for her, to cherish and protect her, and he’d spent every day of their life together so far living up to that. He intended to continue to do so, and as her hands enfolded his a short time later to take him to the bed after placing Neve in her crib, he soon remembered he was in good hands as well. Soft, sweet, feminine hands that could bring incomparable pleasure or sensual torture, and they were hands to which he gladly surrendered.

******

Don’t miss “Buying His Omega” and “Claiming His Omega” to complete the series.