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My mind reels as he continues:

“All the bloodshed my triad has been through – our years of service to the Empire, and our career with Law Enforcement. It’s all been fate – drawing us to this moment foronepurpose, and one purposeonly.” His eyes widen. “To findyou.”

Gods! That’s a big responsibility.

I didn’taskto be theraison d’êtrefor these three towering aliens. I didn’taskto be their ‘purpose’…

…and I sure as hell don’towethem anything!

“You didn’t answer my question,” I snap.

Daccia breathes in deeply. “The Bond will continue to grow, Allie. It will continue to fill you with the urge to be with us, until you’re finally pregnant with one of our sons.”

I gulp.

Now,that’sbad news. Bad news…

…and yet,goodnews.

The bad news is that – as pissed as I am with these three gorgeous aliens – I can’t deny my attraction to them. I can’t pretend that I don’t want Daccia to reach across the bed right now – to throw me down across the sheets and justfuck me– deep, and hard, and relentlessly.

I might still be sore – but even now Iwanthim. At some instinctual level – one that’s being magnified to some incredible extreme – Icravehim.

Gods! It’s been less than hour since these Aurelian warriors claimed me – driving me to the most intense orgasms of my life – and already I want them again. This Bond – it’s like talking a hit of the most potent drug in creation. Fuck, I’m already in withdrawal from it – and that’s evenwithoutthe Bond urging me forward.

But thereisgood news.

The good news is that I’m not pregnant. That much I know, from what Daccia was telling me.

If Iwaspregnant – if one of those gorgeous, well-hung bastards had knocked me up earlier – I’d already feel it. I’d already have some Gods-damnedreliefby now.

Daccia sees the torment on my face, and he feels it through our Bond.

“Allie,” he murmurs. “Sit down. There’s still so much for you to learn.”

I nod. “Maybe that’s a good idea…” Then, my cheeks redden. “But, ahem… maybenoton the bed.” I’m shocked at how hot my cheeks feel.

Gods - I’ve dealt with cringy, predatory men for the last few years while I survived on that crime-ridden planet these Aurelians took me from. After all their clumsy advances and crude propositions, I didn’t think I’d ever blush again. I didn’t think there was a single man in this universe who could make me feel that innocent, giggling feeling of embarrassment again. I’m so used to shame, self-loathing, disgust...

Gods! These damned aliens are making me feel like an innocent girl again!

“Come with me,” Daccia says – and it’s a suggestion, not an order.

I feel the calm reassurance through our Bond, so I follow the Aurelian out of the bedroom. He leads me down the corridor, to a chamber I assume is the mess hall.

Daccia is playing it cool – trying to reassure me by controlling that seething, bubbling lust beneath his marble exterior.

I don’t have that power. Even as he walks in front of me, I can’t help but focus on the great view of his taut buns. I’d never really thought of men’s backsides as attractive before – not until I had Daccia’s pert ass in front of me, looking like you could bounce a credit-token off it.

But his body isn’t a distraction.

In my mind, I’m already thinking over the schematics of the ship I’m in. This is a prisoner transport-outfitted Reaver, much larger than the standard warships of the Aurelian Empire.

I’ve researched the designs of the various ships, always anticipating one day being a reluctant passenger aboard one. I know the difference sizes, weapons, and capabilities of all the major ships that the Aurelian Empire employs – especially those of their Law Enforcement agents.

As I’d quoted Sun Tzu saying earlier – you need toknowyour enemy if you want to conquer them. If you have any intention of surviving out here in the cold, cruel universe – while you’re being hounded at all sides by people whowantyou.

People who want your body. Your credits.