I press my hand against the button to open the set of doors across the hallway. The room inside is the mirror image of Sawoot’s. The huge bed is going to swallow me up.
It’s good that this room is a mirror image of the one opposite, since it means Theme was right about the layout of the ship. Even though I could tell at first glance he wasn’t the bravest of men, I knew there was a reason I’d picked Theme to join my crew. Now, he’s going to be our key off this ship.
I shut the door behind me, sealing Garrick and his two battle brothers in the corridor outside.
As I step into the room, I rub my aching backside. Whatever lotion or ointment Aelon rubbed onto my ass, it’s helped with the heat of that vicious spanking – but my butt still aches relentlessly.
It’s especially bad against the roughness of my combat pants – the ones that I’d pulled back on after Aelon tended to me. Now I’m alone, I gratefully pull my pants off, stripping to my underwear. I breathe a deep sigh of relief. My ass still hurts, but it’s better than it was.
Then, suddenly, there’s a knock at the door.
I have the feeling Captain Aelon would just barge in without asking – so whoever is outside, they clearly have more respect than the captain of The Instigator.
“Who is it?” I call out.
“Iunia.”
The voice that comes from the other side of the door is deep and resonant.
My heart skips a beat. If I let Iunia in, I should pull my pants back on – but I just can’t deal with the discomfort of my throbbing ass.
Then again, if I don’t – I’ll be wearing nothing more than panties in the presence of an alien who may be mated to me; and just as vulnerable to the mating frenzy as Vinicus and Aelon were.
But I suppose I was wearing less than my panties during that humiliating spanking – much less, in fact – and right now even the thought of pulling on more than panties is more than I can stand.
“Okay, come in,” I call out, not sure of my response – not even certain if I want to see anyone right now.
The doors hiss open, and the brutish Aurelian enters.
I study him as he lumbers in. Iunia is handsome in his own, rough way – especially when you don’t put him up next to that pretty boy Aelon.
Iunia’s face is largely unmarked – except for a thin scar beneath his eye. That’s nothing compared to the litany of wounds that crisscross his biceps, however – and you can see those clearly, because he’s changed into workout clothes since I saw him last. Iunia now wears a tight t-shirt and thin shorts that barely contain his tree trunk legs. I can’t help but also notice his thick bulge – clearly defined by the tight fabric of his shorts.
Oh, Gods – he’s as impossibly big as the other two!
I force my gaze upward - where I receive an eyeful of biceps and a huge, powerful chest that’s straining the material of his t-shirt.
In short? He’s hot – and if I am Aelon’s Fated Mate, it means Iunia comes with him…
A package deal!
Speaking of packages – what was it Sawoot said? Over a foot long. She must have been exaggerating.
I don’t care about size. It’s just the way it makes me feel. Knowing how fucking huge he is makes me feel small and vulnerable in a way I don’t understand.
I shake my head, trying to rid myself of these conflicting urges. He’s just so much bigger than me. I’m used to being in charge, but when I’m alone in a room with a brute like him, all my instincts are getting twisted up. I get a weird angst like I don’t know where I stand and what I want.
“What do you want?” I snap.
It takes more effort than I have to keep my voice even that civil. Aelon would have berated me instantly for using such an insubordinate tone of voice on his ship – but my patience is wearing thin.
“No man is promised tomorrow,” Iunia states coldly. “Especially not when they fight in the Scorp nests each day. That’s why I need to see you now.”
His words are simple – they always are. That’s why I can’t transfer all the anger I feel towards Captain Aelon to his battle-brother.
I step forward and demand: “You came alone?”
“I did.”
The doors hiss closed behind Iunia, and suddenly I’m alone with the alien warrior.
The big man walks forward, and I feel very small indeed beneath his towering shadow.
I suddenly realize I’m an idiot for letting him in. I’m wearing only my black panties and t-shirt – the thin cotton and a few feet of empty space is all that’s between him and me.
I’ve already seen what happens when the mating frenzy boiled up in Aelon and Vinicus. I have no idea to play that game of chance with Iunia, too.
I crawl back onto the couch, clutching a pillow to cover my near-nakedness. Iunia stops, as if sensing my discomfort. His implacable eyes stare at me, though – the hunger in them growing.
“What do you want from me?” I repeat.
I know exactly what he wants, though. I knew it from the moment he knocked at the door.
“If you are my Fated Mate, I need to know.”
But there’s only one way of knowing – and he knows I’m aware of that.
As if on cue, Iunia’s cock surges against the fabric of his black shorts. I can’t help but stare at the thickening snake. It’s big – too big.
“I know you ache for us,” Iunia states plainly. “You try to hide it, but I can taste your need. You smell right, Tasha. Not only that, but you’re brave. You’re capable. The Gods would
