For a brief moment, he wondered if perhaps this human was worth far more than he’d ever expected.
5
Sylas
Sylas released the strand of golden hair, letting it slip through his claws. The scent lingered—sweet, intoxicating, impossible to ignore. His chest rumbled with satisfaction he didn’t bother suppressing.
Mine.
The thought settled into his bones with certainty. This human, with her defiant chin and Frosted Tears perfume, belonged to him. Not because she’d been delivered to his throne room in chains. Not because she’d crashed on his planet.
Because Lux herself had marked her for him.
He stepped back, creating space between them while his mind worked through logistics. The scent made him want to act—claim her immediately, drag her to his chambers, ensure no other male could eventhinkabout touching what was his.
But he was Alpha King. Control defined him. Distinguished him from the feral creatures in the pits, from The Fallen who’d lost themselves to Moon Tear madness.
He would claim her properly. Publicly. In a way that left no room for challenge.
“What are your skills, Elsa?” His voice came out rougher than intended, still affected by her proximity. He cleared his throat, forcing authority back into his tone. “What job did you have aboard your vessel?”
Elsa’s lips twitched—bitter amusement flickering across her features. She looked away for a moment, gaze distant. “I was told I make a mean tea.” A sigh escaped her. “Though I preferred crafting bubble tea—playful and fun. But that skill is completely useless on this planet.”
Her attention shifted to the high windows, to the alien sky beyond. “I was the navigator. My job was to keep theStardanceron route, following its itinerary.”
Navigator.
Sylas’s interest sharpened like a claw finding its point. Not a passenger. Not some decorative civilian. Anavigator. Someone who understood star charts, trajectory calculations, the mathematics of void travel.
Potentially valuable after all.
He followed her gaze to the windows, then back to her face. “A navigator.” The word rolled off his tongue, testing it. “Then you must not be a very good one, considering you’ve landed in my territory.”
Her head snapped toward him, fury blazing in those blue eyes. The transformation was immediate—from distant contemplation to white-hot anger that made her scent spike, growing richer.
“My directions were correct.” The words came out sharp, clipped. Each syllable a small act of defiance. “It wasn’t me who led us off course. It was my captain—my foolish, arrogant captain.”
She trembled now, but not from fear. Rage vibrated through her frame, barely contained.
“He wanted to push the limits. Go down in history as the first pleasure ship to leave the sol system.” Her voice cracked but she pressed on. “Itoldhim it was a mistake. He didn’t listen. He locked me out of the bridge, took away my access card, forced me to act like a civilian.”
Her bound hands clenched into fists. “I had to sit through that damn wedding while they tore through the charts I’d prepared, disregarding every warning. Every single one.”
The fire in her eyes captivated him. This wasn’t the broken sobbing of Mia. This was fury—righteous, burning,alive. Her scent shifted with her anger, becoming headier, warmer. Like nightblooms opening under moonlight.
Sylas inhaled subtly, savoring it.
Behind him, Ryxin stepped forward. His brother’s growl reverberated through the chamber, protective and commanding. “Watch your tone. You are speaking to the Alpha King, and you will show respect.”
Mia let out a sharp, panicked screech, stumbling backward. But Elsa held her ground, jaw set despite the new threat.
“Enough.” Sylas raised one clawed hand, stepping between Ryxin and the golden female. Shielding her from his brother’s wrath. “I am perfectly capable of speaking with her without your help.”
Ryxin hesitated, frown deepening. “But she—”
Sylas turned, hackles rising, every line of his body issuing challenge. His brother was strong, honorable, deadly. But he wasnotAlpha King.
The reminder hung unspoken in the air between them.