Amber

"Ryrik!" I called out with a jump as I woke up.

I sat up panting. The last thing I remembered was his teeth sinking into me in the heat of passion and a blinding pain. The rest was a fuzzy blur until it all went black.

But by then, the pain was gone. And so was Ryrik. I was alone in bed.

"Ryrik?" I called out again.

No response.

I crawled off the mattress. For a moment, all my muscles felt sore, but that soon faded. And instinctively, I felt they were stronger than ever. The simple act of propping myself up on the bed was easier than ever.

"Right," I mumbled to myself.

Ryrik said this would happen. Though I suppose part of me expected it to be an exaggeration. I really was stronger. And if that part was true then…

I looked around the room and quickly discovered another change to my body. My eyesight was sharper than ever before. I never thought I needed glasses, but in this new condition, I could never imagine going back.

Details were sharper. I saw every subtle wrinkle in the blankets. Colors were brighter. The fabric of the dresses hanging in the closet were more vibrant than I ever imagined. It was like I was in a whole new world. I couldn't wait to explore Thodos III with this new vision.

Then my eyes landed on the full-sized mirror in the corner of the room. There was another change Ryrik promised me. And I wanted to see… I leaped out of the bed at a shocking speed and moved across the room to the mirror even faster.

"Oh my." I gasped as I stood in front of the mirror nude.

Across my entire body, I found a new beautiful mark. Dark green tracery, exactly the same as Ryrik's, wrapped around my form. It curled around my chest, ran down my arms, and accented the curve of my neck.

I spun around in the mirror, checking every inch of my skin to see how I'd changed. I loved it. Every fiber of my being loved it, and I couldn't wait to see how it'd look next to Ryrik's own.

And it seemed like I wouldn't have to wait long for that. My ears perked up. My sense of hearing also seemed to have improved greatly. I heard Ryrik walking up towards the bedroom.

Each foot fall. Every exhale of his breath. His fingertips simply touching the doorknob. I heard it all with perfect clarity.

"You're awake," he exclaimed as he swung the door open.

I quickly spun around and dashed towards him. I leaped into the air and landed in his arms. Ryrik easily caught me, holding me close, and planted a kiss on me.

"You have no idea," I said as I pulled away from the kiss. "I've never felt so incredible."

"I knew you would," he said with a grin.

"How about…" I tilted my head to the bed. "We see what else this new body can do?"

"Oh!" Ryrik licked his lips. "I'd love to, and believe me, we will. But I have some business to take care of before tonight's celebrations. And Isa just called and asked to meet with you."

"Really? Did she say what about?" Draven had pulled some strings to get Isa a nice apartment out of the Underground, so I was confident she was doing fine. Still, I hoped she was calling to tell me how great everything was going for her these days rather than with bad news.

"I'm sure she wants to see your new body, too." Ryrik teased.

About a half hour later, I was dressed and seated in a café on the ground floor of the Black Star.

"Look at you!" Isa exclaimed as she entered the café. "Look at you!"

"Yeah?" I asked as I stood up to hug her. "Do I look good? Do you like it?"

"You look absolutely gorgeous! Did you get taller, too?"

"I don't think so." I ran my hands down the front of my dress, trying to estimate if the hem hung shorter now. "I'm pretty sure that's not one of the changes."

"Are you sure?" she asked. "Well, everything about you now is just so… Wow, Amber. Flex for me!"

I flexed my arms, and Isa's eyes went wide.

"And those marks on your body," she continued. "And I already thought you couldn't get any more beautiful. You look incredible."

"I feel incredible."

"So, he's the real deal, Amber? This is it?"

"Yes," I said with a smile. "He is the real deal. I couldn't be any happier. Ryrik is the best thing that's ever happened to me. And I can just tell my life is only going to get better."

"Well, that's good. Because I don't think the bite is reversible."

We both laughed.

"How about you?" I asked. "How are you enjoying your freedom on Thodos III?"

"Oh, I've managed to have my fun," she said, waggling her eyebrows. Isa then looked over at a group of men at a nearby table. She raised an eyebrow suggestively, and they practically drooled as they all tried to compete for her attention.

"So, settling down is not in your plans?"

"Fuck, no."

It was nothing short of amazing. We were there, together, free and happy. We could have spent all morning in that café, simply talking and reveling in our new lives and freedoms. Neither of us ever expected to make it here at all, let alone together. We were finally living a good life.

Draven, Ryrik, and the other Vinduthi had truly staked their claim on Thodos III. They were now, undisputedly, at the top of the food chain in the space station. And this party would let everyone else on the station know that fact.

But that wasn't the only reason. Conii had caused a lot of issues with the Black Star's guests and clients in her final scheme. This was set to be an apology to all of the high rollers for the trouble.

But Isa and I were just going to have some fun.

It was already in full swing when we arrived. The lounge was packed with aliens of all kinds wearing the fanciest attires and drinking outrageous amounts of alcohol. It seemed the apology was working.

I found Ryrik by the bar with a Zequinid's insectoid arms draped around his shoulders. Ryrik looked at me, the corner of his mouth lifted in a half-smile as he handed the Zequinid another drink.

"I'm sorry I yelled at you," the Zequinid slurred as he took the drink. "I was just so… That Conii, I don't even know how she found out about my money!"

"Well, the point is, she's gone now," Ryrik responded. "Now if you'll excuse me…"

"Of course," the Zequinid responded before chugging his drink.

Ryrik then stepped away to join me. A warmth grew in my stomach. Even surrounded by all these important people, Ryrik's focus and attention was still firmly on me. It was a feeling like no other.

Just as he reached me, a slow, waltz-like song started to play.

"May I have this dance?"

"You may," I said, unable to hide the huge smile on my face.

Ryrik took my hand and led me to the dance floor. He placed his other hand on my hip. I put my other one on his shoulder, and we began to dance. He held me close as we swayed.

"This is quite the party," I said. "Do you hold events like this often?"

"Not of this size," Ryrik said. "But don't worry. We'll have plenty of chances to dance together."

"I was wondering that. But I was asking because… You're giving a lot of drinks away for free."

"Oh." Ryrik pulled me to him, whispering hot words into my ear. "They'll all be gambling away twice what they drank before they sober up. Then they'll keep coming back here for more. We're probably about to have our best quarter ever. And as my mate, you'll see that benefit, too."

Ryrik then spun me away and spun me back to him. He then held me even closer to his body.

"I love you, Ryrik."

"I love you, too."

I placed my head on his chest and looked around the room as we danced. It really was a lovely place to be. I saw everyone having a great time now that the danger was over.

Nearby, Draven and his mate, Elara, were also dancing together. Laux and his mate, Lila, were by the bar, schmoozing with some high rollers. Alkard and his inner circle held court as well. Sakkar and Alyssa handed out drinks together. Jalik and Serena were in a big group of guests laughing. Thelev and Claire were just arriving with even more guests in tow behind them.

In the midst of the party, everyone was working but still having fun together. It just went to show how good these pairs of mates were. They could work together so well without it feeling like work at all. I just hoped I could do the same for Ryrik.

"Conii was the absolute worst," I heard someone say nearby. I turned my head to see it was Banek, who was dancing with Isa. "She tried to steal from me! What did she do to you?"

"Oh…" Isa glanced at me and winked before she looked back at Banek with big, flirty eyes. "About the same."

"I'm just glad Conii is gone for good. Don't have to deal with her anymore!" Banek said, drunkenly slurring his words as his hands slowly crept down Isa's back.

"It's nice to see Isa so happy and mingling well," Ryrik mused.

"Yeah," I rolled my eyes. "‘Mingling.' Let's call it that."

As the song ended, Ryrik led me off the dance floor and onto a balcony overlooking the shimmering lights of Thodos III. The cool night air was a welcome respite from the lively party inside. Ryrik wrapped his arms around me from behind, pulling me close to his chest and I leaned into his embrace, feeling the warmth of his body against mine.

"This view is breathtaking," I whispered, gazing out at the twinkling lights below.

"Not as breathtaking as you," Ryrik murmured, pressing a gentle kiss to my temple. "I never thought I could be this happy, but with you by my side, I feel complete."

Tears of joy welled up in my eyes as I listened to his heartfelt words. "I love you so much, Ryrik. I want to spend the rest of my life with you, building a future together."

"I love you, too, more than words can express," Ryrik said, his voice thick with emotion. "You are my everything, and I promise to cherish and love you forever."

He leaned in, capturing my lips in a tender, passionate kiss. I melted into his embrace, pouring all my love and devotion into my touch. When we finally parted, breathless and flushed, Ryrik took my hand and led me back inside.

As we re-entered the lounge, the music shifted to a slow, romantic melody. Ryrik pulled me close, swaying gently to the music. I rested my head on his chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart.

"I never thought I"d find happiness like this," I whispered, looking up at him. "You"ve changed my life in ways I never could have imagined."

Ryrik smiled down at me, his eyes shining with love. "You"ve changed mine, too. I was so focused on my work, on building a future for my brothers, that I forgot what it was like to truly live. But you"ve shown me that there"s so much more to life than just success and power."

We continued to dance, lost in each other"s arms, oblivious to the world around us. As the song came to an end, Ryrik led me to a quiet corner of the lounge, where a small table had been set up with a bottle of champagne and two glasses.

"To us," Ryrik said, raising his glass in a toast. "To a future filled with love, happiness, and endless adventures together."

"To us," I echoed, clinking my glass against his. We sipped the bubbly liquid, savoring the moment and the promise of a beautiful future together.

As the night wore on, guests filtered out, leaving only our closest friends and family. We gathered together, sharing stories and laughter, basking in the joy of each other"s company.

Ryrik pulled me aside, taking my hands in his. "I have a surprise for you," he said, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"What is it?" I asked, curiosity piqued.

"You"ll see," he grinned, leading me out of the lounge and towards the elevators.

We rode up to the top floor to Ryrik's apartment. As we stepped inside, I gasped in surprise. The entire space had been transformed, filled with flickering candles and soft rose petals scattered across the floor.

"Ryrik, this is beautiful," I breathed.

"I wanted to create a special moment, just for us," Ryrik said, pulling me into his arms. "A moment to celebrate our love and the beginning of our life together."

He led me to the bedroom, where a trail of rose petals led to the bed. We tumbled onto the soft sheets, lost in each other"s embrace. As we made love, our bodies and souls intertwined, I knew that I had found my forever home in Ryrik"s arms.

In the afterglow of our passion, we lay tangled together, whispering sweet nothings and promises of a future filled with love and happiness. I knew that no matter what challenges lay ahead, we would face them together, united in our love for each other.

As I drifted off to sleep, secure in Ryrik"s embrace, I knew that I had finally found the missing piece of my heart. With Ryrik by my side, I was ready to embark on the greatest adventure of all - a lifetime of love and happiness, together as one.

We would make our own future, our own fortune.

Forever.

* * *