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Kit’s eyes narrow. “Yes.”

He takes a deep breath.

“We left the Empire for a reason, Captain Aelon. Fuck their oppressive laws that restrain us! We’remen. We’reAurelians! We take what is ours – and she belongs tous!”

There’s a rumble of agreement from some of my crew watching this scene unfold – but they’re quickly shut down by the others.

NotallAurelians are happy with the direction the Aurelian Empire has been heading in. Some of our kind yearn for the old days – during which Aurelian triads swept the universe and grabbed up human women wherever they found them; forcing them to join their harems.

There are some within my very own crew who’d turn Rogue if the reward was good enough.

My entire crew is watching me. Everyone heard the news and gathered to see what I’d do.

It’s one of my most trusted triads standing before me. This moment will define the rest of my captaincy – and make or break the loyalty and resolve of my crew.

I understand Kit, too – even though I hate what he’s guilty of. I’ve nearly lost control with Tasha myself – back when I was spanking her, and afterward in my bedchamber. Every time I’m with her, I’ve felt the same mating frenzy threaten to overwhelm me – just as it must have overwhelmed Kit and his triad. I was only lucky because Tasha seemed as into it as me – and, if she hadn’t been, we’d been spared from crossing that line by the frantic pounding on my door.

I respect this man for our past.

I sympathize with what he did.

But I can’t stand for it.

Vinicus and Iunia stand behind me. They’re cold shadows that will do whatever I say, no questions asked.

I stare at Kit, and I growl: “We donotrape.”

Kit snorts.

“You stay that with your cock till at half-mast,Captain. You’re the one who forbid women on this ship – yet you takeyourwoman back to your chambers the moment she’s got all squirmy and wet in front of us all. You’ll take her all for yourself, but don’t let us taste the other one?” Kit scoffs at me. “You’re a hypocrite, Captain! That human wench has made you soft!”

His words hurt. A man who I respected is calling me out in front of my entire crew.

However, I let him speak.

“She’s a fucking criminal, Aelon,” Kit roars. “You’re putting a target on all of our backs by sheltering her.” He shakes his head. “I mean, you were never one for half measures – so why not now? Byyouractions, we’re all Rogue now – so if you’re willing to ignore one set of the Empire’s rules, why notallof them?”

My crew is whispering to one another, dissenting voices rising and falling amid the crowd.

I narrow my eyes. Mutiny is always on the table with a crew of men like this. None of them rejoined the Aurelian Army after they’d served their allotted hundred years of service – because none of them likes rules or laws.

Anton, the second in Kit’s triad, tries to get to his feet. He jumps up in a display of athleticism, not needing his hands to stand. “If we’re going to be Rogue Aurelians for the sake of protecting your wench, then why not betrulyRogue? Women aremeantfor the taking, Aelon – so let’s take!”

The murmurs from the crowd are getting louder. I hold up my hands until they calm.

“Kit,” I say coldly, “your triad is found guilty of attempted rape. The sentence is death.”

The crowd suddenly falls silent.Deadsilent.

No word is said. Every man in my crew holds his breath.

Kit opens his mouth, then closes it. He wasn’t expecting this.

After a stunned moment, his eyes narrow. His voice is a whisper as he sneers:

“We’ve fought together for four-hundred years, Aelon. I saved your life, remember? You’d throw that all away? For agirl?”

My voice is like ice: “The sentence is passed.”