Page 13 of The Thren's Fated

“I can take whatever pleases me, and no one can do anything to stop me.”

The answer sent ice through her veins.

Her skirt was riding up uncomfortably, and she tried to pull it down without making it obvious. Screl noticed her movements and brushed one of his tentacles across her legs, a jolt of lightning shooting straight through her.

“Of course you can,” Lena said finally, hand clasped on the edge of her skirt, trying to ignore the appendage that was writhing back and forth against her bare skin just as it had done last night.

Last night when she’d let him pleasure her while on the dancefloor.

“Come with me. I have a ship. I will not be on the station long.”

Screl cocked his head slightly, as if waiting for an answer.

Go with him? Was this guy serious?

“Oh… I would love to see your ship, but I can’t leave work,” she sputtered.

Of course, he wanted to show off his fancy ship. Probably got it from his daddy, the wealthy Thren sovereign. There’s no way she’d be getting on any ship with him.

“I wish you would come with me, Lena. We could enjoy each other’s company like we should have enjoyed it last night.”

His words were playful, but he sounded serious.

Come with him? Did he mean, like, actually leaving Henios permanently? She had assumed this was a poor attempt at getting her into his bed—or whatever Threns slept in—like he’d done last night.

Panic clawed at her chest, and she tried to stand, struggling against his grasp. He held her still for a long moment before releasing her.

“Commander Screl. Your invitation is very kind, but I can’t leave the station. I enjoy it here. If you need more service, I can help you. Otherwise, I will leave you to your drink.”

He made a humming sound, then stood up, following her. He was so tall that she had to strain her neck to look up at him, and he grabbed her hips, tangling his tentacles into her hair once more.

Lena sighed deeply, a strange calm enveloping her. This man was threatening her, wasn’t he? Why was she okay with this?

“Come with me, Lena. I will take care of you.”

Every time he said her name, she felt a twinge of pleasure. This wasn’t right. She needed to get out of here. Now.

“This is entirely inappropriate,” she breathed, even as she herself didn’t fully believe what she’d said.

His words and actions were arrogant, sure, but she didn’t dislike it, didn’t want him to stop. The tentacles were oddly sensual, the way they swirled around her body and caressed her, making her feel safe and comforted.

Surely, she was safe with the prince of a powerful planet.

He’s toying with you. He’ll fuck you and leave you like everyone else. He has a perversion for humans, just like Ochin and Adrax said.

Lena shuddered and tried to push him away, though that only made him tighten his grip.

“Do you want me to stop?” Screl asked, those glowing blue eyes staring down into hers.

“Yes…” she said, desperate to get away, yet dreading losing contact with him.

There was another humming noise, and he released her, forcing her to stumble back a few steps.

“I will return with another round,” Lena said, then quickly left the enclosed area.

She couldn’t breathe, stifled by whatever weird tension was going on between them and eager for air.

What the hell was he doing to her?