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Erica, Battleship Karter, Shuttle Dock 4
Kaed’s hand was in mine as he led me toward the shuttle that would take us to safety. A group of civilians and non-essential personnel would be joining us. His touch was different, his bearing, even the way he walked. He was in commander mode, the part of him his people needed right now. I understood the difference.
And now I understood part of the reason my mate had tried to deny me his collar.
He had a stone-cold exterior with molten lava on the inside. Makaed Karter was a silent storm, his emotions more powerful than I ever could have imagined. Pride in his people. Honor and humility at being trusted to lead them. Fear that he would let them down. Self-loathing for what he perceived as his own weakness, at his need for something to have fo
