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I jump past him, opening the door.

As I stand in the doorway, I take one last look back at the groaning, barely-conscious Aurelian. He forces his head up weakly, his gaze unable to focus on mine.

“I… I love you,” he gasps out – and as he does, I slam shut the door – unable to look at the face I’d just betrayed so horribly.

As the door slams shut, I realize I’ve also shut the door to any kind of future with those three gorgeous, devoted alien men.

I take the elevator to the landing bay and walk straight up to the concierge’s desk.

“I need a shuttle.Now.”

“Of course,” the concierge nods. “In fact, there’s one available just outside. Did you forget your mask? Here, we have extras for our esteemed guests.”

I smile and take the breathing mask he offers. I can’t believe I forget such an important detail in the heat of my escape. The mask is a simple affair – fitted with a small filter that covers the mouth, providing necessary protection against the acrid smoke of this industrial planet.

I glance down at the bag I’m carrying, laden with the two Orbs.

Gods… I’mrich. For the first time in my life, I’mrich.

But I also don’t have any weapons any longer – except for my fists and Kitos’ stolen Orb-Weapon, although that I only intend to see.

I still have my fists, though. The Bond has made me infinitely more powerful. I’m now stronger than most human men –more than a match for anybody foolish enough to try and take advantage of me.

Through the Bond, I can feel the Aurelians desperately struggling to latch onto my aura. I fight it off – muting them from my mind.

I don’t need the Aurelians any longer. My muscles are now much stronger than those of an average man. I was already in good physical shape. Thanks to the hardships of my life, I already know how to fight – and now I’ll have the strength of a man, while still resembling a ‘weak’ and helpless woman.

I’ll take those fuckers by surprise.

The doors of the hotel open and I step through them – out into the wild world beyond.

I’m finallyfree.

I’m not safe.

I’m notanything.

I’m just free.

But at what cost?

I betrayed those three devoted Aurelians. I stole from them.

But I had to. Now, at least, I can live my life on my own terms. I’ll finally have the resources to launch an investigation into my sister’s disappearance. Iwillfind her - or, at the very least, I’ll find out what happened to her… Who took her…

When I do, I’ll take his balls from him.

I truly believe that triad of Aurelians only wanted me tobelievethey were obsessed with finding my little sister. I don’t think they were really focused on it. They just needed me to believe so I’d truth them. So I’d fall deeper for them – mating with them the one or two more times needed for the Bond to take full effect.

For our connection to be so strong that I couldn’t make my own choices any longer.

But now, my body is free – and so is my mind.

A sleek black shuttle is waiting in front of the hotel. The door opens and I get in, sliding across the sleek, fake leather seats. The door of the shuttle closes and the air vents power on. The acrid smoke and smog from outside is quickly replaced by cold, fresh air.

That lets me peel off my mask and breath clearly.

The chauffeur turns to face me through the partition window.