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I reach into the bag and take out the bag of oranges they brought, lifting one and smelling it. I better eat it soon, before it rots.

I put it back, next to the dried meat and calorie bars, and smooth the dress over my body. It shimmers to life, rippling like water, alive. “I…I need you to keep me safe,” I say, letting my voice waver, practicing the pitch. “Please, I’m scared,” I whimper, finding the tone, as my mind goes cold.

This is what they see in me.

They could not save their Fated Mate.

They see me like everyone else, a scared, stupid girl, someone who can’t take care of themselves.

They are wracked with guilt for letting their Fated Mate die, and they’ve transferred the feelings to me. I’m a way for them to cast away their sins, as if saving my father and keeping me protected will wash away what they did.

They want a scared, helpless creature to protect, and they’ll get it.

Booted footsteps. I didn’t even hear them scale the wall. I walk out barefoot into the cave, and the three men are standing at the edge. They are wearing the battle-robes of their species, the left side of their chest bared and showing their brands. Bolden has a dark, purple bruise on his shoulder. The three of them have stubble on their jaws. They came straight here from their patrol.

The three of them are covered in dust and dirt. I get an image of my father calling me right after his stint in the mines was over, not even taking a moment to shower before wanting to talk to me. The three men look like barbarians while I am preened and decorated for them.

“Did you find him?” My voice quavers.

“No,” says Krazak, not wasting any time with false hope. “We searched the mining camp he disappeared in. No sign of anyone—but no dead bodies either, and we found dead Scorp. They could be alive. We’ll search against tomorrow, and the next day. We will not stop until we find him.”

“Thank you,” I say, and I rush to him, to his towering presence, and wrap my arms around his chest and squeeze. He stiffens, not wanting to hug me back. I look up at him. “What’s wrong?”

“I’m covered in dirt. I don’t want to get it on you,” he says, stepping back away from me, and I get the strange feeling he’s not talking about the dirt and grime on his body. There’s a pain in his eyes.

He doesn’t want to corrupt me, to infect me with his brokenness.

“I don’t care.”

“We can’t spend the night anyways. We’re due back soon. We’ve been faking our patrol logs—and we’ve got suspicion on us.”

“I have to sleep here alone?” I say, letting my fear of Scorp fill my voice, trying to imagine the huge creatures crawling up the cliff face and getting past the turret sentry. I let myself be scared, so that he has someone to protect.

“You’re safe here,” says Khra, stepping in, trying not to look at me, but he can’t help it. He clears his throat as his gaze locks in on me, staring at the curves of my body, the way the necklace nestles between my breasts, the low cleavage of the dress. My nipples harden as the dress comes to life, teasing the sensitive buds with a thousand tiny little fingers stroking me, the dress designed to keep harem women in a constant state of lust to sate the endless desires of their owners. “I brought some things, so that you won’t be bored. We couldn’t get time to visit the market, so it’s some of my things.” He has a satchel, which he opens, handing it to me, his movements rigid.

I look inside. A sketchbook, pens, paints. So that is what he thinks of me. That I’ll be willing away the time, pining for them while they—

My thoughts end abruptly as I see something glimmering at the bottom of the satchel. I snatch it out.

My smartwatch.

“We’re trusting you, Lola. With that, you can end our lives. One signal and you’ll have the army come for us.”

“Why are you giving this to me?”

“Books may bore you,” he says. “With that you have access to whatever entertainment you wish, news of the universe. You’re connected.”

I pause. His answer is incomplete. He’s giving me the smartwatch as a gesture of good faith, of trust. “Thank you.”

“We’ll be back as soon as we can. We have our 48-hour leave in two days. There’s one last cave system for us to search—it’ll take us a day, but we should be able to come the day after.”

“I’d like that,” I answer, giving him the best smile I can muster, trying not to think that the day spent together will be one of sorrow if they can’t find my father.

Krazak and Bolden are staring at me, their muscles tense. Krazak slowly licks his lips as his eyes run down the front of my dress until they’re locked between my legs. He’s obsessed with me. I can feel it. I can feel his need, and it excites me, the pleasure dress molding itself between my legs, pressing against my slit, teasing the entrance, and I walk to him, staring up at the huge beast of a man.

I reach my hand out and stroke the bare side of his chest, feeling the ridge of the scar where I tended to his wound. He heals fast, even without a med-bay. I slide my finger over a spot of dust, cleaning the grime of the mine shaft. “Let me thank you,” I say.

He stiffens, but his cock surges up. “Don’t worry, Krazak, it’s not a trade,” I say, as the pleasure dress shimmers, sending waves of need through me, gently massaging my pussy. I’m tingling between my legs, feeling so empty without the brute beast inside of me.