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I swallow as they pass me. Suddenly, I feel small indeed. You never realize just how damnbigthey are until you’re up close. It triggers something in me. Something primordial, instincts from humanity’s youth when we faced massive predators that could rip you in half with their claws.

An instinct to seek out their protection. A deep craving for a triad of the huge beasts to keep me safe, no matter what I have to sacrifice to get it. To finally let myself be vulnerable, knowing I’m protected.

I force that out of my mind. I’m not going to let myself be attracted to these arrogant bastards.

Huge, strong, and confident, the Aurelians stride past our crew without a thought of danger. I’ve always been drawn to them and their promise of safety…

Safety at the cost of your freedom.

If you want to give up your autonomy for a life of being fucked senseless by three massive, powerful alien warriors, spanked and punished for the slightest insolence…go right ahead.

Many women do. Many flock to their harems, and not just for the safety it offers. Some crave the harsh discipline of the species.

That life is not for me. I’ve thought about it. Of course, who hasn’t? Sometimes, in the dark of night, I can’t stop thinking about having three huge warriors intent on me, focused in on me and me alone. Rippling muscles. Roaming tongues. Hands spreading my legs…

But if you’re not their Mate-Bond, you’re just another toy to them.

That broke my friend’s heart. Nami was a sweetheart. She loved three alien men who were not worthy of love.

The Orb-Swords dangling from the Aurelian’s waists should be enough to stop anyone from going near them. I don’t care who you are. Orbs are terrifying. When they activate with a chilling, malicious hum, you canfeelthe bloodlust pulsing from them.

They’re alive. I hate Orbs, and if they weren’t worth a fortune, I wouldn’t have gone along with the heist.

The clunk of the Aurelian boots come fromourship and I feel naked. I hate seeing anyone other than the crew entering theWayward Scythe. I’ve grown protective of our little vessel.

“They’re under a floor panel,” says Tasha, giving up the secret location of our stash. I feel Chris shifting in anger behind me, but she had no choice. It was either that or have them tear apart our ship.

And we’re going to need our ship if we are getting off this warship.

When. When we get off. Think positive. Don’t give up.

The Aurelian captain smiles menacingly. “How very…cooperativeof you.”

The seconds tick by. Each clunk and thud makes Tasha and me wince. After what feels like an eternity, the two alien warriors come out holding massive Orbs. “We got them, Captain Aelon. There are twenty-five in total.”

I can barely look at the Orbs. They seem to bend reality, black holes of nothingness, yet blue and blazing at the same time. They are a contradiction my senses were not built for. Another pair of Aurelians enter the loading bay, and one by one, Orbs are taken out of our ship.

This was going to be our fortune. As first mate, I was entitled to a thirty percent cut. It was going to make me rich for the rest of my life.

I only agreed to a job with Orbs because it was going to be my last one.

You can only survive in Wild Space for so long. Even under a quick-witted captain and a crew that isn’t afraid to get scrappy.

Sooner or later, your number is called. I planned to get the hell out and disappear before that.

Too late.

Captain Aelon grins as he takes our ill-gotten gains. That cocky bastard. “Twenty-five Orbs,” Aelon counts them as they’re carried past. “Impressive—but I think that’s short. The official report says you stole one more.” He leans in, intimidating Tasha with his size. “Where is it?”

The last three words come out in a low growl. He’s not playing.

“I put the last one under my bed,” replies Tasha, and the Aurelian laughs. He nods, and his two soldiers head back in, returning with the last, hidden Orb. The cocky bastard wags a finger at Tasha.

“Naughty, naughty. Trying to hide secrets from me? That’snota good start to our relationship.”

I’m starting to wish I let Chris take the pistol. I’m wishing I grabbed one myself. It might be worth it to rip a couple holes in the arrogant captain’s chest.

“There’ll be nothing else hidden from me while you’re on my ship, understood?”