The Commander’s Lifemate (A Delta Blue Novel): Delta Blue, #1

By Lyssa EmBee

When Matebonds Go Awry
In a universe where matebonds exist but where one is least expected, Ava sets out from earth to find her future. A chance meeting on the space station Delta Blue disrupts all her best laid plans.

Victor, fleet commander for the Zilantan armada, has always known he'd find his lifemate. He just wasn't expecting it to happen right now, on Delta Blue, in the middle of an urgent visit to the station.

Matebonds, you think they will go one way, but they really end up going another. Will true love win out? Will Ava find happiness with the man she was never searching for, but who is supposedly her perfect match?

The Commander's Lifemate is a standalone love story, sparked by a chance meeting on Delta Blue.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Biabe Publishing
• Release date: Dec 19, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393125419

Book preview

Chapter One

Ava stared out the tiny shuttle window at her fast approaching home for the foreseeable future: Delta Blue. It was larger than she’d thought it would be. She tucked a lock of chestnut hair back behind her ear and smoothed out her green, knee-length skirt against her toned legs feeling sure of herself. The sight of the station reassured her. There would be safety here amongst the vast emptiness of space and a chance to flourish and grow.

Silhouetted against a starfish nebula, the station was made up of a series of layered, cubist-type structures in matte black, which were encompassed by enormous, moving, iridescent concentric rinds. Blue safety lights, beacons, and backlit windows interspersed the darkened structure giving Ava an idea of scale. The station was enormous, larger than the island of Manhattan, perhaps even the five boroughs combined.

The canned air of the shuttle made her feel slightly queasy. The row chair she was belted to was uncomfortable. She shimmied closer to the window, peering out. She clutched her carry-case to her chest as they sped past one of the rinds. It whizzed past them, too close for comfort. Actually, they’d zoomed past each other, both the protective band and the small shuttle on the move. With several more layers to pass before the shuttle docked, she took a deep breath, leaned back into her seat, and closed her eyes.

A soft hand patted her on the arm, Don’t worry. I studied everything about this station before I left earth. We won’t hit the bands. This type of base is a mainstay of the alliance. The pilots have flown these routes so many times that even if the autopilot failed, they’d be able to dock safely while blindfolded, even in the middle of a gunfight.

The thought of a gunfight didn’t make Ava feel any better. In fact, the thought of fights in space increased her nausea. This section of the quadrant was at peace; she knew because she’d checked before she’d considered moving out here in the first place. Ava cracked an eye open to look at her seatmate. Daphne was smiling; an excited glitter lit her green eyes. Ava huffed in a breath and replied, Even so, I’ll feel better once we’ve docked.

The curly redhead smiled again and then leaned across Ava to get a better view out the window. Daphne’s voice was wistful, It’s amazing! Even better than I thought it would be.

It is, isn’t it? Ava replied, a smile found its way to her face after all.

I’m so excited, Daphne gave her a quiet squee, careful not to disturb the other shuttle passengers. She tugged on Ava’s sleeve excitedly. I can’t wait to meet him. I know he’s here. I can feel it. I’ve known it for a couple of years now, I just needed to get here and now I am. The rest of my life will be complete bliss. I just know it.

You’ll write to me? Keep in touch after you find him? Ava asked. Surprised at how attached she’d become to this new friend she’d found on the trip out to Delta Blue.

Definitely. Daphne paused, then leaned back to study her. You’re sure you haven’t felt the calling too?

Ava looked away, then back. Then shook her head. No, she didn’t feel called. Whatever that felt like. It had been five hundred years since the Zilantans had first made contact. Warning them of an encroaching alien race and then inviting them into their alliance.

A peaceful, warrior race of humanoid-like people, the Zilantans had cut a deal. They’d provide protection, technology, and trade with the rest of the quadrant if Earth would be a peaceable neighbor, and if its residents would answer the lifemate bond if it called.

Even though lifemating with the Zilantans was rare, it had been drummed into her since birth: if you find your mate, acquiesce. It wasn’t such a bad trade when you considered all that Earth had gained.

No, I haven’t been called, said Ava. Unless you count the lure of space. I was intrigued. No one in my family has left Earth in generations, I figured it was time one of us ventured out and reported back.

Sure, a lure. Call it whatever you want. Daphne grinned at her. Maybe you were called just the same.

Ava smiled softly, then said, What are you going to do until you meet him?

Oh, I’m going to meet him right off. No need to worry about anything. Daphne said matter-of-factly.

But what if you don’t? Ava’s eyes widened. Goodness, hadn’t Daphne made any arrangements? Her mind flew through all the tedious and protracted logistics it had taken to line up studio space in the art district and then find reasonable accommodations that wouldn’t break her bank. It had been painful, and she almost hadn’t made the journey when she’d encountered some hurdles.

Negative thoughts are toxic. I can’t even go there. He’s here, I feel it deep down. I can’t explain it to you. It’s a feeling of surety, of peacefulness rooted deep down inside me. Daphne’s voice had risen, her voice strong. The surety ebbed off her in a light aura. How can I explain?

Daphne sat back, tapped her hands against the armrest, then shot forward again. Before, like three years ago, I was an anxious wreck. Always on the move, always searching. Something driving me on to the next thing. Jobs, cities, countries. I was never content, couldn’t find the right place to settle. Then one day I was out with friends and one of them talked about how their aunt’s cousin’s youngest son had just gone off planet for a short to trip to go cave diving and had met their lifemate. And zing! Everything snapped into place for a brief moment, everything made sense, I knew, just knew that I had a lifemate out there. That I was one of the ones.

You’re sure? Ava asked.

Her nod was sharp, sure, matter of fact. Yes, absolutely.

In the grand scheme of things, twenty billion earthlings, multiplied by hundreds of other planets, the odds of one of us being matched is pretty slim.

I know. Daphne briefly closed her eyes, a blissful smile sliding across her face.

But what if he’s not here? What if you don’t meet him straight off? Ava twisted the clasp on her carry-case back and forth, nervous about her new friend.

He’s here. I figured it out. The glint in Daphne’s eyes didn’t look crazy, but her words sure were.

Not wanting to offend, but wanting to possibly help a little, Ava opened her case, plucked a small notepad out of it, then jotted down an address and a door code. She tore off the slip of paper and handed it over to Daphne, Here, as a backup. It’s where I’m staying. Maybe you’ll meet him tomorrow and will need a place to stay tonight.

I won’t need it, but thanks just the same. Daphne slipped the paper into her pants pocket. "It took me two years to narrow it down, but I methodically went through the quadrant, trying to narrow down which place felt right. Delta Blue was it. It’s the place that I kept coming back to through all my searches.

It only took me a year to save enough money to get off-planet, but narrowing down where I was supposed to go was hard. Other places might have worked, some planets felt better than others. I think my lifemate travels a lot for his work. But Delta Blue felt solid, like a sure peace that won’t go away. He’s here, I know it. I already said my goodbyes to family and friends, I’m not going back. The look on Daphne’s face was certain; assured in a way that lent confidence to Ava, who still had her doubts.

Well, just in case he’s out traveling, you can stay with me. My place is paid for six months in advance. And I have money in the bank to pay for another eighteen more while business picks up at my art studio. Ava smiled.

The shuttle tilted left, banking to make a tight turn toward the docking station. Something hissed, gravity pulled at her, then lessened. A clank, then a thud, followed by a depressurization that made her ears pop. People stood, gathering their belongings.

Daphne turned to her with a giant smile on her face, her eyes lit with excitement. Butterflies took off in Ana’s stomach. A quiet excitement of her own running through her.

They’d arrived.

Chapter Two

Ava leaned against a cool, white, curving balustrade fitted with glass panels and peered up and then down at the most gorgeous atrium she’d ever seen. It was seven stories tall, open and airy. Sleek lines and polished stone flooring, the design elements struck that elusive chord of uncluttered welcome with modernity. Shoppes ringed the edges on each level and delicate bridges spanned the gap from either side to provide egress. Exotic tropical plants hung in baskets. Climbing vines wound themselves around impressive garden structures adding lush foliage and the scent of green growth.

The sound of falling water roared in the distance, not overwhelming, but calming. After weeks on an overly dry ship, where her skin itched constantly, it was nice to find that the humidity levels at her new home were at perfect levels.

She leaned over the balustrade a bit, trying to catch sight of the water, then leaned back when whatever was making that rushing sound remained out of sight. There was a fresh cleanness to the air that struck a peaceful chord within her, and she breathed it in deep, happy that she was here.

Smiling broadly, she decided that she was going to like it here.

She and Daphne had stopped at a sidewalk café for a cup of tea—and something light to eat—before branching out on their own. Ava had given Daphne a quick hug for luck, then reminded her to stop