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Brennan storms out of the room.

I’ve seen him cut down a Scorp Queen that towered three times his height, and he’d stayed cold and aloof throughout the fight. I’ve seen him barely react when he piloted us out of the blast zone of a Toad missile by mere inches. I’ve seen him keep his calm in almost every situation – until today.

I don’t need to see the tent in Brennan’s pants to know how badly this woman is affecting him. His aura is a raging torrent of need – barely held back.

I ache for her, too – but I’m scared I’ll lose the last shreds of my honor if I go near her.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but all three of our minds have been clouded ever since we saw her. Carani’s daughter highlights the glaring flaw in our plan.

“We can’t stay here.”

“Why?” Brennan turns to me, his jaw clenched. Otho is pacing like a caged animal. Pent up need wells within his aura – and, by the Gods, I feel it too.

The presence of this woman has turned us each into a volcano on the brink of eruption. I’ve had women before – I’ve felt the mating rage well up in me…

…but no woman has ever had an effect on me like this one does. I don’t even know her name, and she’s ruined me.

Just one taste of her scent is more satisfying than seeding any of the other women I’ve ever been with. She eclipses them all, instantly.

Could she be the one? Could she truly be our Fated Mate?

I almost can’t bear to think such a thing. Every Aurelian hopes for it – prays for it, fights for it, and lives for it. Every Aurelian would do anything for their Fated Mate – once they find her.

But few ever find their Fated Mates. In a universe of billions, the chance of encountering that one, unique woman who can bear us sons…

Statistically, it’s an anomaly…

…but it has happened. First Queen Jasmine, and then others.

Carani’s daughtercouldbe our Fated Mate – and that’s why we broke the laws of our Empire and kidnapped her.

None of us want to admit it, though. It’s easier to hide behind the veil of respectability – the plausible deniability that we’re not kidnapping a human woman, but securing those Orb-Materials. After all, our orders were “by all means necessary.”

Kidnapping is an “all means necessary” that has a long history on Marn.

But what we’ve done can’t be undone – and it will not be without consequence.

“We’re the only Aurelians on the planet,” I warn my battle-brothers. “Mr. Carani knows it was Aurelians who took his daughter, and it won’t take him long to find out where we’re staying.”

We’d hardly made a secret of it.

“So? What can he do about it?”

“He could send an army of mercenaries,” I warn. “Now that he knows I can disable his Sentinels remotely, he’ll use trained killers. He can afford them, after all.”

Otho turns from his pacing, his lips curled back and showing the white of his teeth.

“You’re ahead of yourself, Lazar. The guard didn’t even see us before we sedated him. Carani doesn’t know Aurelians took his daughter. Any family on Marn could have kidnapped her.”

Brennan clenches his fist. Otho might be holding out, but I know I’ve convinced him.

The truth is: Our brains have all been clouded by that woman. We’re acting rashly.

“Gods be damned,” Brennan shakes his head. “Even if Mr. Carani doesn’t figure it out, Gerard will. I know a good soldier when I see one. He suspected us even before we planned this kidnapping. He’ll point Mr. Carani right to us. We need a new location –now.”

I nod.

“Exactly. We can send drones from the Reaver to scout. In the meantime, we need supplies. The girl will need clothes.”