Arilee

ARILEE

I sipped the cool, tangy drink and gazed out at the lush paradise before me. The patio overlooked a vibrant jungle, bursting with life in every shade of green imaginable. Massive ferns unfurled their fronds, reaching towards a sky painted in soft pastels. Strange, bell-shaped flowers hung from vines, their iridescent petals shimmering as they swayed in the warm breeze.

A flock of creatures that looked like a cross between butterflies and hummingbirds darted past, their gossamer wings catching the light. Their trilling song mixed with the constant background hum of unseen insects. The air itself felt alive, thick with moisture and the heady scent of exotic blooms.

This world was so different from the harsh desert planet where I'd fought for my life. My mind reeled as I took it all in, still hardly believing I was here.

Free.

Rokan's voice drew my attention back to the video screen where Davor's face flickered.

"It turns out Gorin was running his own little operation inside the Krelaxian camp," Davor explained. "His superiors weren't exactly heartbroken to see him go."

I leaned forward, curiosity piqued. What did this mean?

Davor continued, "And get this - Gorin never bothered registering 's papers. So I went ahead and purchased them from her previous owner."

The words hit me like a physical blow. I set my drink down with shaking hands, overwhelmed by a tidal wave of emotions.

"What?" I whispered.

All that time... all those years of abuse and degradation... Gorin had never truly owned me? The realization left me reeling. Anger, grief, and a bittersweet sense of vindication warred within me.

I wanted to laugh at the absurdity of it all. Or scream and rage at the unfairness. If only I'd known...

But I hadn't known. And now, finally, I was free.

Rokan's voice pulled me from my spiraling thoughts. "Register her as free, Davor."

"Already done," Davor replied. "Listen, everything's settled now. You two should come back to Caroma."

I tensed, not ready to return to that world of violence and scheming.

"I'll think about it," Rokan said, much to my relief. "For now, put me down for a leave of absence."

He switched off the screen and knelt beside my chair. "What do you want to do?"

I opened my mouth, then closed it again. What did I want? The question left me floundering.

"I... I don't know," I admitted softly. "I've spent so much of my life as a slave. I never really made plans for what I'd do if I was free."

The truth of it hit me anew. I'd been so focused on survival, on making it through each day, that I'd never dared to dream of a future beyond captivity.

Rokan's expression softened. "I'll make sure you can do whatever you want."

My heart swelled at his words, but doubt crept in. "What if... what if I want to leave?"

He turned his head away, but not before I caught a flash of pain in his eyes. "Then I'll make sure you're safe and provided for. And I'll let you go."

The finality in his voice struck me to my core. Suddenly, the vast possibilities of freedom felt overwhelming, even terrifying. But the thought of facing them without Rokan by my side...

"I don't want that," I said quickly, reaching for his hand. "I want to stay with you."

He looked back at me, hope dawning in his eyes.

"Can't I... can't I just be your mate?" I asked hesitantly. "Even without the claiming bite? I don't want to give you up, Rokan. I love you."

His fingers tightened around mine. I took a deep breath, gathering my courage to voice the rest.

"But I need time. Time to just be... me. With nothing on my skin, no one's mark. Give me one standard year?"

Rokan's free hand came up to cup my cheek. "I'll give you all the time in the universe," he murmured.

Tears pricked my eyes as I leaned into his touch. All the fears and doubts melted away as his lips met mine in a kiss that was tender and fierce all at once. It tasted of promise, of a future I'd never dared to imagine.

I flicked through the holos on the screen, each image a vibrant snapshot of the last six months. My lips curved into a smile as memories washed over me.

There we were on Lephyria, our hair whipping wildly in the planet's famous rainbow winds. Rokan's gray skin looked almost iridescent against the churning colors of the sky. I remembered how the air tasted sweet, like cotton candy.

Another holo showed us diving in the crystal caves of Thumin. The bioluminescent waters cast an ethereal glow on Rokan's face, his golden eyes glinting with childlike wonder. I could almost hear the soft chiming of the living crystals.

The next image transported me to the floating markets of Bunela City. Rokan towered over the merchant stalls, a look of intense concentration on his face as he haggled over some exotic fruit. I giggled, recalling how it had turned out to be far too sour for his Vinduthi taste buds.

I paused on an image of us at the Grand Arena of Xylos. Rokan's chest was puffed out with pride after his victory in the ceremonial combat tournament. His scarlet markings seemed to pulse with energy, matching the excitement in my eyes as I clung to his arm.

The last holo sent a flutter through my chest. It captured a quiet moment on the shores of Lake Zerity on Kalon. Rokan's usually stern features were soft as he looked at me, unaware of the camera. I remembered the peace I'd felt in that moment, the certainty that I was exactly where I belonged.

The door hissed open, and Rokan's familiar scent - a mix of leather and something distinctly him - filled the room. I turned, drinking in the sight of him. Even after six months, my breath still caught at his powerful presence.

"What's got you smiling like that?" he asked, his lips quirking up at the corners.

I gestured to the holo. "Just reliving some memories. Remember this one?"

Rokan fixated on the image, and a rare, full grin spread across his face. "Ah, Lake Zerity. Where I discovered my mate can't swim."

"Hey!" I protested, but couldn't help laughing. "I told you, I slipped on some algae."

"Of course," Rokan said, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "It had nothing to do with you being distracted by my, what did you call them? ‘Gloriously defined abs'?"

Heat rushed to my cheeks. "You weren't supposed to hear that," I mumbled.

Rokan chuckled, a deep, rumbling sound that never failed to send a quiver down my spine. He moved closer, his large hand cupping my cheek. "I hear everything, little one. Vinduthi hearing, remember?"

I nuzzled his hand, savoring the warmth of his skin against mine. But a knot of nervous energy tightened in my stomach. It was time.

"Rokan," I said, pulling away slightly. "We need to talk."

His hand dropped, and I saw a flicker of something - fear? - in his eyes before his face settled into its usual stoic mask. "What about?"

I clenched my fingers, steeling myself. "These past six months have been... incredible. But..."

Rokan's shoulders tensed, and he took a step back. "But you want to leave."

"What? No!" I reached for him, gripping his arms. "Rokan, no. That's not it at all."

Confusion replaced the guarded look in his eyes. "Then what?"

I swallowed hard, my heart pounding. "I want to be your mate. For real. I want the claiming bite."

Rokan went utterly still. "," he said, his voice low and intense. "Do you understand what you're asking? This is forever. There's no going back."

I nodded, not breaking eye contact. "I know. And I'm sure."

He cupped my face in both hands, his touch achingly gentle. "I need you to be certain. I don't want you to feel trapped, to lose your freedom-"

I stopped him from saying anything more, placing my hand over his. "Rokan, you've never made me feel trapped. You've shown me what true freedom is. Freedom to choose, to love, to be myself."

His eyes softened, and I saw the vulnerability there, the hope he was trying to hold back. "You're sure?"

In answer, I stretched up on my toes and pressed my lips to his. The kiss was soft at first, a gentle reassurance, but quickly deepened. Rokan's arms wrapped around me, pulling me flush against his body as a low growl rumbled in his chest.

When we finally broke apart, I looked up at him. "I've never been more sure of anything in my life," I said.

Rokan's eyes darkened with desire, and in one swift movement, he lifted me into his arms. I wrapped my legs around his waist as he carried me to the bed, his lips never leaving mine.

He laid me down gently, his powerful body covering mine. His hands roamed my skin, leaving trails of fire in their wake. I arched into his touch, desperate for more.

Slowly, reverently, we undressed each other. Rokan's eyes never left mine as he worshiped my body with his hands and mouth. Every touch, every kiss felt like a promise, a declaration of love more powerful than words.

As we joined together, I felt complete in a way I never had before. Rokan moved within me, his rhythm slow and deep, building a pleasure so intense it bordered on pain.

As we neared our peak, Rokan's lips brushed my ear. "Are you ready?" he asked, his voice rough with desire.

I nodded, tilting my head to expose my neck. "Yes," I breathed. "Make me yours, Rokan."

His teeth grazed my skin, every touch like electricity sparking in its wake. And then, as waves of ecstasy crashed over us both, he bit down.

A sudden dizziness swept over me. I tried to focus on Rokan's face, but my vision swam. His voice sounded distant, as if coming from underwater.

"? , what's wrong?"

I tried to reassure him, but my tongue felt thick and unresponsive. The room darkened at the edges, and I felt myself slipping away. The last thing I registered was Rokan's strong arms catching me as I fell into unconsciousness.

I awoke to a world transformed. Light streamed through the window, each beam a dazzling array of colors I'd never seen before. I blinked, struggling to process the heightened sensations bombarding me.

A rustle of movement caught my attention, and I turned to see Rokan sitting beside the bed. My heart skipped. He looked terrible - his normally immaculate hair was disheveled, dark circles shadowed his eyes, and his clothes were rumpled as if he'd been wearing them for days.

What had happened to him?

"Rokan?" My voice came out as a croak, my throat dry and scratchy.

His head snapped up. "," he breathed, relief evident in his voice. "You're awake."

I tried to sit up, but a wave of dizziness forced me back down. Rokan was at my side in an instant, his hand gently supporting my back.

"Easy," he murmured. "You've been unconscious for four days."

"Four days?" I yelped, shocked. No wonder he looked so haggard.

Rokan nodded, his expression grim. "If I had known the claiming bite would affect you so severely, I never would have done it. I'm sorry, . I should have researched more, should have-"

I cut him off, placing my hand on his cheek. The touch sent a jolt through me - every nerve ending hypersensitive. "Rokan, stop. This isn't your fault."

He leaned into my touch, his eyes closing briefly. When he opened them again, I saw a swirl of emotions there - guilt, relief, and something deeper that made my breath catch.

"How do you feel?" he asked, his voice careful.

I paused, taking stock of my body. Despite the lingering weakness, I felt... different. Alive in a way I'd never experienced before. "I feel... amazing," I said, wonderment creeping into my voice.

I looked around the room, marveling at how crisp and clear everything appeared. I could make out individual dust motes dancing in the sunbeams, hear the faint hum of the environmental controls that I'd never noticed before.

My gaze fell on my left arm, and I gasped. Swirling markings, identical to Rokan's, now adorned my skin from shoulder to wrist. I traced them with my fingertips, shivering at the heightened sensitivity.

"My mate," he murmured, as he kissed the tracery. "My ."

I smiled up at him, feeling the bond between us pulse with shared emotion. "Yours," I whispered. "Always."

Rokan leaned in to kiss me, eyes blazing with intensity, but I placed a hand on his chest, gently pushing him back. His brow furrowed.

"Wait," I said, my voice husky. "We could both use a shower first."

Without a whoop of joy, he scooped me up in his arms, cradling me against his chest. I let out a surprised yelp that quickly turned into laughter.

"Your wish is my command, mate," he growled playfully, carrying me towards the bathroom.

The smooth motion of his stride made me acutely aware of every point where our bodies touched.

As we entered the bathroom, the lights automatically flickered on. Rokan set me down gently, his hands lingering on my waist.

"You're still a bit wobbly," he said, concern evident in his voice. "Let me help you."

I nodded, suddenly shy as he undressed me. His touch was reverent, each brush of his fingers against my skin sending jolts through my body. When he finished, he stood back, his gaze roaming over me with such intensity that I felt my cheeks flush.

"Now I want more," I managed.

Rokan stood perfectly still as I removed his clothes, letting me explore his body at my own pace. I marveled at the play of muscles beneath his gray skin, the stark contrast of the scarlet markings that now adorned my arm as well.

Once we were both bare, Rokan activated the shower. A warm mist enveloped us, and I closed my eyes, savoring the sensation. When I opened them again, I found Rokan watching me, a soft smile on his face.

"What?" I asked, suddenly feeling oddly shy.

The smile only grew as he reached out to cup my cheek. "I just can't believe you're really mine."

The raw emotion in his voice made my heart swell. I leaned into his touch, turning my head to press a kiss to his palm. "I am. And you're mine."

Rokan pulled me close, wrapping his arms around me as the water cascaded over us. I rested my head against his chest, listening to the steady thrum of his heartbeat. We simply stood there, basking in each other's presence.

Finally, Rokan reached for a bottle of soap, squeezing some into his hand. "Let me wash you," he murmured.

I nodded, closing my eyes as his hands began to glide over my skin. He was thorough but gentle, his touch both soothing and arousing. When he reached my hair, massaging my scalp with strong fingers, I couldn't hold back a moan of pleasure.

"Feel good?" he asked, amusement coloring his tone.

I opened my eyes to find him smirking down at me. "You know it does," I retorted, sticking out my tongue.

Rokan's eyes darkened, and before I could react, he captured my mouth, devouring me. I melted into him, my arms wrapping around his neck as I pressed myself closer.

Later, much later, dizzy and breathless, I couldn't stop grinning. "My turn," I decided.

I took my time exploring Rokan's body, memorizing every dip and curve of muscle. He stood perfectly still under my ministrations, but I could feel the tension thrumming through him, see the way his jaw clenched as he fought to maintain control.

As I washed his back, my fingers tracing the line of his spine, Rokan suddenly spun around, pinning me against the shower wall. His golden eyes blazed with desire, and I felt an answering heat coil low in my belly.

"This isn't a game," he rumbled, his jaw clenching.

I smirked, running a finger along his arm. "Then why do I feel like I'm winning?"

With a groan, Rokan captured my lips again, his kiss hungry and demanding. I responded with equal fervor, my fingers tangling in his wet hair. The cool tile at my back contrasted sharply with the heat of his body pressed against mine, and I reveled in the dual sensation.

As Rokan's lips trailed down my neck, I tilted my head back, giving him better access. The water continued to pour over us, adding another layer of sensation to the experience.

"Rokan," I gasped as he nipped at a particularly sensitive spot. "I love you."

He pulled back slightly, and the vulnerability I saw in his eyes took my breath away. "And I love you, . More than I ever thought possible."

At that moment, I knew with absolute certainty that this was forever. The bond between us, both physical and emotional, was unbreakable. As Rokan's lips met mine once more, I surrendered myself completely to the love and passion we shared, secure in the knowledge that I had found my true freedom in his arms.

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Alien Devil's Gamble is the first book of the Black Star Mates spicy science fiction romance series on Thodos III. It can be read as a complete standalone.