Conquering Their Mate: A Dark Sci-Fi Reverse Harem Romance Read online

  “Please,” she whispered.

  “As long as you follow our rules and accept our ways, you will be taken care of, Fiona. You need to remember, you have no rights in accordance with our laws.” I glanced over my shoulder, eyeing her expression of utter hatred. “But I will provide an oath that I will do everything in my power to protect you.” I didn’t wait for her answer or for any additional comments made by Kalek. I had a mission to complete.

  I stormed down the hallway, stepping over the rubble, scanning the floor as I made my way to the stairs. I sensed there’d been significant deaths, even though only a small fraction could be attributed to our attack, the remainder from subsequent panic. Either way, the Cenzans would be blamed for the massacre, the human leaders recoiling only long enough to strengthen their armies. We’d been prepared since long before our arrival for a hostile takeover; however, this blasphemous act would indeed eradicate any chance at sustaining peace.

  There was no doubt I’d be called before the Imperials, punished for my haste. I had no fear of what they would do to me, nor did I care. It was past time to take control. The various rooms were easy to check, any surviving impediments I simply blasted through, scouring the area within seconds. I made my way back to what had been a locked-down floor.

  Steam mixed with smoke as well as various drugs kept on the floor, creating a caustic atmosphere. I had no issue breathing the substance, but the acrid gas was poisonous. I simply needed confirmation that Captain Hicks was dead, nothing more. This would at least be a factor in my impending judicial process.

  After combing through the debris, refining my search, I discovered that he’d escaped somehow. I’d been right after all. The invitation had been nothing more than a ploy, luring my ship and my men closer. Tipping my head back, I roared, the enraged sound booming throughout the entire building. My men would hear the cry of battle. I would hunt Captain Hicks through time and space if necessary and when I found him, his death would be his only salvation.

  There was no time to waste. The vibrations I felt coming from the exterior meant an army of human soldiers was close, taking position. They had no understanding of what they were dealing with. Soon, they would learn the ultimate power of the Cenzans.

  I made my way to the drop point of the portal, my thoughts drifting back to Fiona. My keen instinct had certainly wrapped around the fact the lovely female and the captain had been lovers, the aura surrounding him like a feral beast, keeping its prey close. I’d read her thoughts, if only briefly and her connection with the man was strong as well as distasteful, at least in my mind. Her reaction to him had been guarded, yet her feminine fragrance remained strong. She was also very fertile. Perhaps she knew more about the planned attack than she was willing to admit.

  The Imperials wouldn’t allow her to go without interrogation and their own form of punishment. The thought riled the fuck out of me.

  As the first human soldiers made their way in through the various doors, I stepped onto the portal. The nanosecond it took to shift my body into molecules and transport me to my ship had allowed the humans to take their first shot in my direction. Weapons of that nature had no effect on my kind. In fact, there was little the Earthlings could do to cause death. That’s the single reason the poison had taken us by surprise.

  There was much work to do.

  I made my way to the bridge, nodding to the second lieutenants, all manning their stations. I could tell instantly that they were concerned about my decision, but they would keep quiet for fear of facing my wrath. “Prepare for departure.”

  “Subspace or atmosphere?” Kalek stood at the helm, waiting for my command. He seemed tense, his anger showing but I also gathered something else. He was very attracted to the female, his hunger evident by his stature, as well as his full groin. He was turned on, his desire to fuck her as strong as mine.

  “Neither. We hover just outside the atmosphere. You and I both know there will be new orders coming.” I didn’t bother sitting. I’d spend little time here, turning over the basic operation to a far more qualified flyer. Kalek had spent the majority of his life flying warships, while I’d grown up in a far different arena. Snickering, I gave the command, filling my lungs with air the moment we were out of harm’s way. “Did you secure Braga?”

  “Yes, he’s in the medical facility, his condition is stable, but the doctor isn’t hopeful of a vaccine of any kind. They should all die for what they’ve done.” Kalek kept his voice low yet he struggled with the words, his anger significant.

  “We can only hope the female can cure him.”

  “And if she can’t?”

  I gave him a single look, waiting until the ship was in position before heading toward the door. This was my second in command’s challenge, not my best friend’s question of concern. I was their leader. I’d fought for the task of bringing the dozens of ships to Earth, the only planet that seemed suitable in any capacity to provide what our dying planet required. There’d been much opposition to my selection among the ranks, my enemies equaling my friends and those who respected my lineage. “Then more humans will die before we begin our takeover.”

  “And her fate?”

  “I meant what I said. She belongs to us. She will be interrogated as necessary, but I will make the decisions.”

  Kalek hesitated.

  “Is that clear, soldier or do you need a lesson in protocol?” I heard the edge in my voice, the hissing sounds made by the various lieutenants. Everyone was waiting to see what I would do, how I would handle what had occurred.

  “Yes, sir. Very clear, sir.” Kalek saluted, giving me a blank expression, adding zero signs of respect.

  Everyone was anxious, longing for a return trip home. Few understood the ramifications of our lack of success during this mission. While I hadn’t been privy to the conversations held between the king and the Imperials, I suspected hundreds, if not thousands of our people would be brought to Earth at some point. And I suspected why, although my father had refused to confirm or deny. His lack of addressing our people had led to speculations, including a world war with our arch enemy, the Sanzarkans. Some believed I was directed to develop and secure a coalition with our planet, a way for our people to coexist with humans, but the truth was far from it.

  I was here for one thing only, full control over Earth.

  The holding cells were located in one of the most secure areas on the ship. Guarded at all times, any prisoner who attempted to escape was dealt with harshly. What few we currently housed had given us a wealth of information. Their fates were in the hands of the Imperials. We would meet with a Comstar ship at some point, transferring the humans into their hands. There would be a call to take Fiona as well. That would not happen as long as I was captain of this ship.

  Fiona had been secured alone and away from the others, the few men and women captured during one of first weeks of arrival. Hunkering in the corner, she had her head in her hands as her body rocked. There was no sound, no pathetic attempts at drawing attention from sobbing, or begging for mercy. She simply sat quietly, waiting for my authority. The scanner cut the invisible barrier, allowing me inside and she didn’t bother looking up.

  I studied her for a few seconds, enjoying the view. She’d managed to mask her emotions, an excellent technique. Either she’d been trained by her military or she’d experienced some form of incarceration. I would enjoy determining which. “Come to me.”

  “Fuck you.”

  The abhorrent words were no surprise. “You will learn that when I give you a direct order, you will follow it immediately and without question.” She didn’t react in any manner. At some point my patience would wear thin, but for now, my condition was much like Kalek’s, my cocks aching, creating a wave of sheer anguish along with burning need. I would fuck her soon, but she would need to learn a certain level of obedience as well as respect. “Come. Here.”

  Snapping her head in my direction, her eyes were full of venom. “I said. Fuck. You.”

  Fio
na gasped when I easily lifted her off her feet, one hand wrapped around her hair, the other around her neck. Pinning her to the wall, I kept my grip tight, cutting into her air supply. “I am your master. You are my slave. There is no redemption, no scheming you can do to try to escape. You need to learn that I have absolute authority over you or you will be punished hard and often. That begins today.”

  She slapped at my hand, digging her nails into my skin. Blinking, she took shallow breaths, her tongue licking around her mouth. Every move she made held a powerful draw. I tossed her over my shoulder, issuing several guttural noises as I walked toward the punishment room. Every guard on detail was more than curious as to what I’d do. At this point, the few females left in the prison cells were older, merely used as specimens and nothing more. This woman was wholly different, and the entire crew could sense my extreme attraction. They knew my tastes, legendary on our home planet.

  And she was everything I craved.

  I eased her down and the second I did, she bolted, slamming into the energy field. The shock was enough to pummel her back, but she regained her footing quickly, rubbing her hands and backing away.

  “What is your involvement with Captain Hicks?” The question was simple enough, but I could tell she had no desire to answer.

  “He’s a government asshole,” she quipped, obviously pleased with her answer given her smug smile.

  I crowded her space, allowing her to see a snippet of a prison on another planet, the dire conditions.

  Fiona blinked, her mouth going slack. “He’s nothing to me and if you’re asking if I had any knowledge of your officer’s poisoning, the answer is no.”

  “But you were lovers.” She seemed taken aback by my statement. I enjoyed hearing the slight growl erupting from her throat.

  “We’ve been over for almost two years. Even if we were still involved, he wouldn’t dare risk telling me anything. I’m not trusted…” Her words died off and she snapped her mouth closed.

  “What does that mean?”

  “Nothing.”

  I could tell she was speaking the truth, but I pressed again, cognizant that Kalek could be listening. “What was Captain Hicks working on?” I inched even closer, tilting my head back and forth as I studied her. Both cocks were rock hard, pushing in an uncomfortable fashion against my formal uniform. I could smell her arousal, hear the swift beating of her heart.

  She stood to her full height, glaring me in the eyes. “I am not privy to any aspect of what Captain Hicks or the government of the United States is working on in any manner, especially when it comes to our planet being invaded by assholes.”

  The words were meant to rile me and while they did, she had no true understanding of my level of hunger. I would obtain nothing else from her at this time. She needed to learn respect, or I would have no recourse but to turn her over to the Federation. “Remove your clothes.”

  “I will do no such thing.” She did her best to sidestep me.

  “When I give you a command, you will follow without question. Remove. Your. Clothes.”

  “And I said, no.”

  My God, the woman had gall. I hadn’t encountered anything of this nature on Earth up to this point. “Then I will remove them for you.” I wasted no time advancing, jerking at her blouse, my thick fingers wrapping around both sides, ready to shred the material.

  “No. No!” Fiona hissed, her face filled with horror.

  I loomed over her. “Will you follow my orders? There won’t be another chance.”

  “Fine. I’ll do it.”

  “Very well but be hasty,” I hissed and stepped back, rubbing my eyes. She was frustrating in a way I had no ability to deal with. While my soldiers might question my directives, they almost never did so in an oratory fashion, and certainly not with blatant disregard for my command. I cursed under my breath.

  She eyed the room, taking in the various implements used for inflicting pain and I could tell she was beginning to comprehend her situation. This was her temporary home. However, there would be no return to Earth. “What are you going to do to me?” Her arrogance remained, but her voice was breathy, as if beginning to accept her position. Although I doubted she could be broken so easily.

  “Your first punishment will be issued by my hand alone. Others will take over as necessary.”

  “You’re an asshole.”

  This time I chuckled, more than amused at her tenacity. “I have been called many horrific things on several distant planets. There is nothing you can say to me that will… Ah, yes, what you would call hurt my feelings.”

  “Prick. Bastard. Son of a bitch. Beast. Monster. How about those?” She shifted until a portion of her body was hidden from my view, redness creeping along her face and neck.

  I was so drawn to her, mesmerized by her long fingers as they continued to shake in an effort to pop the last two buttons. She had an exquisite body, rounded hips and full breasts, so unlike our women, or the majority of females I’d encountered in my galaxy-wide trips.

  Her head dropped as she slid the silky material over her shoulders, allowing it to drop to the floor. Her shoes were next then she hesitated, darting a glance in my direction. “I’ll be good. I won’t fight you any longer.”

  I could easily tell this was a tactic. I also sensed a hardness, as if she’d endured something similar at another time in her life. “I’m certain that you will continue to fight, Fiona. That is your temperament. However, you will learn with time or face the consequences. Continue undressing. After we are finished, you will be examined by our medical officer before beginning work on my officer.”

  “Aren’t you worried about his imminent death?”

  “He’s stable, placed in a subconscious state in order to keep his vitals on hold.” She was a scientist. She would know exactly what I was speaking of.

  Nodding, she sniffed and slowly shifted her arms behind her waist, fiddling with the button and zipper. “How was he poisoned?”

  “Perhaps that’s something that you can tell me.”

  This time she snorted. “I honestly had nothing to do with your friend or his condition. I’m not allowed to work with anything tangible in the organization.”

  Her words were laced with a hollow bitterness. “Another comment of that nature. Why is that?”

  Fiona shimmied her skirt to the floor. It was easy to tell how embarrassed she was as if I would never approve of her body. “I don’t have that classification or security clearance.”

  There was much more to this story and at some point, she would tell me. For now, I knew she wasn’t lying, at least about her clearance, which could mean she had nothing to do with the attack. “What kind of poison?”

  “I can’t tell that by touch alone. I’ll need a blood sample. I mean, if you have blood.” A nervous laugh popped from her mouth.

  “We bleed, Fiona. Our bodies can be damaged, only not by the usual methods performed by humans.”

  “But?”

  “I don’t understand.”

  “You hesitated,” she said, covering as much of her body with her hands as she turned to face me. “You’re afraid the poison will kill him.”

  “Yes.” My eyes roamed the length of her body and every carnal thought rushed to the surface. “The remainder, please.”

  “What? I…”

  “You will be given other attire after your examination. When you are punished, you will be completely devoid of clothing. Do you understand?”

  “I…”

  “Fiona. Do you understand?”

  She allowed a slow breath to escape before answering. “Yes.” This time, she closed her eyes as she slid one bra strap down her arm then the other. Every part of her was trembling when she reached behind her back, struggling to unfasten the clasp. She rolled her shoulders, tugging at the tight confines.

  My mouth watered at the sight of her erect, rose-colored nipples. They were large, a perfect complement to her full breasts. Think like a captain, not a monster. The jab wasn’t nea
rly enough to extinguish the demanding visions, such incredible imagery of fucking her in a savage manner. “To answer your question, I am deeply concerned that he will die. And if he does, that will mean total war to your planet.”

  “War?” No matter her state of undress, she took a step in my direction, the haughty attitude returning. “You’re going to annihilate our planet, execute everyone?”

  “Your planet will be saved. We need the resources. For the record, we had no intention of inciting violence, at least at first.” I was shocked that I was opening up to her in this or any manner. I could be court-martialed for less.

  “Of course you didn’t. You can here to enjoy the scenery. Now, you’ll simply murder every living man, woman, and child.” Fiona spit out the words, her eyes dancing. She shrank back, covering her breasts, her defiant expression remaining.

  “And what did your military do? They are responsible for plotting against us when all that we’ve offered is peace.”

  “Peace comes at a price, no doubt.”

  The way she riled me was unprecedented. Snarling, I began to pace the room, disgusted with my reaction, let alone her pointed accusations. “There is always a price for the concept of peace, Fiona. You are a scientist. You understand the real world as well as the possibilities of other lifeforms. Then again, you always have. You’ve had dreams of us your entire life, a knowledge only a small percentage of humans will ever have.”

  Her lower lip quivered. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

  “Don’t you?” I moved in stealth-like motions toward her, my upper lip curling, my balls swollen with semen.

  She took a step back, her head shaking in subtle movements. “No, I…”

  “Every night you went to your sleeping chambers lonely, desperately hungry for a Cenzan to enter your bed, for his cocks to slide into your body, taking you, using you. And even capturing you. You longed for a tongue to slither down your body to that sweet cunt of yours, lapping at your cream, driving you into an exotic world of pleasure. You also craved his firm hand, controlling you. Punishing you. Caging you.” Every step was calculated, inching closer. And closer. I was embroiled in my own yearning, breathing becoming difficult.