Chapter 3

“Tell Commander Sousou I’m available.”

“Affirmative, Captain.”

Not more than a moment later, the chime sounded. With two quick taps on the screen of my desk, I set it into privacy mode and the screens dimmed. Another tap and the door slid open.

Sousou stood there in his civilian clothes. It was strange to see him out of the standard Ssarften Military uniform, with its harsh lines and stiff jacket. He looked far more comfortable in the linen pants and sleeveless, open-necked tunic. The tans and browns of his outfit blended seamlessly with his golden brown, lightly furred skin. Sousou held himself with all the straight posture I’d come to expect, but his tail was twitching in a way it normally didn’t. Every few seconds, I could see the tip of his brown-tufted tail appearing from behind his knee.

That’s when I realized I was staring at his breathtaking beauty. Which I shouldn’t be doing.

“Come in, Commander.”