Alone in the Zeta quadrant, I made one reckless choice. Now I’m pregnant, trapped on a pirate ship, and my only ally is a gruff, brooding cook with a dark past. Ruby As a lone human in the Zeta quadrant, my life revolves around survival. It’s isolating, and in a moment of weakness, I give in to my deepest desire—to have a child. Now, pregnant and more vulnerable than ever, everything is twice as terrifying. When I discover smuggled drugs aboard my ship, I’m furious. When pirates arrive to steal everything of value, I’m horrified. Desperate to survive, I strike a deal with the devil—and become a ‘guest’ aboard their ship. The only solace? A gruff voice that speaks to me during my midnight snack runs to the mess hall. A soul as lonely as mine. Brace Rage is my constant companion, a force so dangerous I keep myself locked away in the galley, focusing only on making food. If I let go, I’d be on a path of vengeance, leaving nothing but death and destruction in my wake. Then she appears in the dead of night. Pregnant, hungry, and despite everything, still smiling. She’s my light in the darkness, my heart. For her, I want to be better. For her smiles, I’ll leash the fury inside me, channel it, and destroy anyone who dares to threaten her unborn child. For my Ruby, I’d do anything—even face the past I swore to bury and endure the revulsion of revealing what I truly am. This is a standalone novel and the fifth book in the Monster Mercenary Mates series. This sci-fi monster romance features a grumpy alien hermit chef, a brave pregnant human captain, and a steamy HEA.