The corner of his mouth tipped up. “Now I can watch you come, see the pleasure in your eyes. Feel it when you grip my cock and pull me in so deep. Sense it through the collar. Watch it as it changes to copper.”
“Yes,” I breathed.
“So beautiful,” Ryston murmured. “So perfect.”
I looked over my shoulder at him and he leaned in for a kiss. His tongue delved in just as his cock thrust deep.
The sounds of our wet fucking filled the room. I didn’t hear the chanting, if there was any. I only heard my mates’ breathing, felt the thrusts of their hips, the stroking of their cocks.
Our need rose and swirled, circling higher and higher. Now I knew why Ryston was adamant that we come together. Our desire fed each other. It wouldn’t just be coming, it was claiming.
“Please. Now,” I begged.
Ryston stroked into me once, then twice. Held himself still.
Maxim thrust his hips up off the bed and impaled me.
I screamed. They groaned. The pleasure blinding.
Hands gripped me, centering me, holding me down as I felt their seed shoot into me, pulse after hot pulse, filling me deep. I felt the claim, sensed it. While I couldn’t see the collar, I knew the color changed. I felt changed. I heard, although not with words, but through the connection between us. “Mine. Mine.”
The pleasure was so great, I fell on Maxim’s chest and darkness descended.
Epilogue
Rachel, 3 months later
“The CEO was taken away in handcuffs.” Warden Egara’s voice came through the comm while footage of the man being arrested appeared on our screen. Walking beside him, head low with shame, was the president of the company. The same woman whose office I’d called, demanding action. The one I’d trusted to do the right thing.
We stood in the command center with a connection to the Brides Processing Center on Earth. While I was well and truly claimed—I felt owned, conquered, claimed in so many places—but I still needed this closure at home.
No. Earth wasn’t home any longer. Home was where Maxim and Ryston were. Home was the Colony.
“John shared the evidence you collected with the right people, people who weren’t being paid off. He leaked it to the web and multiple news organizations. I know a lot of people died, Rachel, but thanks to you and John, others will now be saved. That poison pill is officially off the market. And, hopefully, the next time the people in charge will choose to do what’s right.”
I felt satisfaction, vindication even, at the warden’s words. I’d been right. The truth had come out, but at a great cost.
“What of our mate’s name? Her honor?” Maxim asked.
“She has been cleared of all charges, her record expunged.”
Ryston pulled me into his arms and I reveled in the hold. My mates were just as pleased as I, if not more, for my good name to be returned to me. Honor was crucial to them.
“The truth is being spread. In fact, it is going viral—if you’ll excuse the pun.” The warden smiled and I couldn’t help but laugh.
“You are happy, Rachel?” she asked. I saw a hint of wistfulness in her eyes. I knew she’d been mated to two Prillon warriors, just as I had. But mine were alive and one was holding me close.
Maxim came over and kissed the top of my head, sensing my sadness for the other woman.
“I am. You were right. Being mated to Prillon warriors is…the best.”
“I am pleased, and so is the Interstellar Brides Program.”
I knew she tacked the last on to sound more official, but I knew she was happy for me on a very personal level. Happy, and sad, too. I couldn’t imagine the hell of losing both of my mates as she had.
“Has Prime Nial contacted you Warden?” Maxim asked.
“Yes, Governor. The processing ban has been lifted. Colony warriors who have been processed have been added back into the database effective immediately.”
“Excellent.” Maxim grinned, and he never grinned. The sight made my irrationally happy. He cared deeply for the warriors banished to this planet, and now, so did I.
“Thank you, Warden. Send me some girlfriends, please,” I added.
“Of course, Rachel. I wish you all every happiness.” Warden Egara nodded at us with a smile and the comm went black.
“You are vindicated, mate.” Ryston’s whisper wiped away months of stress and worry like a cool refreshing breeze. I felt cleaner, somehow. Renewed. Hopeful. Optimistic. All things I’d thought lost to me forever.
“Governor.” A voice came through Maxim’s comm unit.
“Speak.”
“You have a visitor in the transport room.”
I glanced up at Maxim, saw on his face that he wasn’t expecting anyone. Sensed it too. God, it was going to take time to adjust to the power of the collars.