Page 21 of Alien Boss. Human Pet

“Then I’ll fight back,” she says, her gaze unwavering. “I’m not helpless, Raekon. And I’m not scared.”

“You should be,” I growl, my chest tightening. “Because I am.”

The admission slips out before I can stop it, and her expression softens. She steps closer, her hand brushing my arm. “I know you’re worried. But I can do this. Trust me.”

I exhale sharply, my scales prickling. “Fine. I won’t stop you.”

Her eyes widen. “Really?”

“Really.” I lean down, catching her lips in a kiss that’s equal parts possessive and desperate. She melts into me for a moment, her hands curling against my chest. Then I pull away, turning on my heel before she can see the storm in my eyes.

“Raekon?” she calls after me.

I don’t answer. Let her think I’m walking away in defeat. Let her think I’ve finally accepted her decision. Because I haven’t. If she’s going to dive into Malkus’s mind, she’ll find nothing but a smoking ruin when she gets there—because I’m going to kill the bastard first.

CHAPTER 11

WILLOW

Ispin on my heel the moment Raekon storms off, but by the time I reach the corridor, he’s already gone. The hallways of Veritas Base Alpha are a labyrinth of glass walls and glowing panels, and I have no idea which way he went. My heart pounds in my chest as I fumble for my compad, my fingers trembling as I pull it from my pocket.

“Captain Pyke,” I say the moment the call connects, my voice shaky but urgent. “I think Raekon’s about to do something stupid.”

Pyke’s deep, gravelly voice comes through, calm but tinged with tension. “Where are you, Willow?”

“I’m… I’m lost.” I glance around, helpless. “I don’t know where Raekon went, but he’s got a laser blaster, and he’s furious. I think he’s going to kill Malkus.”

“Stay where you are.” Pyke’s tone shifts, commanding now. “I’ll have the base guide you to the psycho-dive lab. Don’t try to stop Raekon yourself, understood?”

“Understood.” I nod, even though he can’t see me. The call ends, and a moment later, a soft chime echoes through the corridor. Holographic arrows appear on the floor, glowing afaint blue. I don’t hesitate. I take off at a run, following the arrows as they twist and turn through the maze-like base.

My lungs burn, and my side aches like someone’s driven a knife into it, but I don’t slow down. The arrows lead me deeper into the base, past startled Vakutan who step aside as I barrel past them. Finally, I burst into the psycho-dive lab, skidding to a halt just inside the doorway.

The scene before me is chaos. Raekon stands in the center of the room, his laser blaster aimed squarely at the cryo tank holding Malkus. Pyke and Winn are on either side of him, their voices raised as they try to reason with him.

“Raekon, think about what you’re doing!” Pyke’s voice booms, his red scales flushed darker with frustration. “You’ll destroy any chance we have of stopping the Grolgath!”

“He’s a monster!” Raekon snarls, his golden scales gleaming under the harsh lab lights. “Letting Willow dive into his mind is suicide. I won’t allow it!”

“And what if she’s stronger than you think?” Winn interjects, his cybernetic eye whirring as he adjusts its focus. “What if she’s the key we’ve been waiting for?”

Raekon’s grip on the blaster tightens, his knuckles white against the golden scales. “I said no.”

I don’t wait for them to notice me. My eyes land on the chair beside the cryo tank, the one Winn must have set up for the psycho-dive. The skullcap with its web of electrodes sits on the seat, waiting. I move quietly, slipping past the arguing Vakutan and sliding into the chair. My hands are shaking as I fit the skullcap onto my head, the electrodes cold against my scalp.

“Willow, don’t!” Winn’s sharp cry cuts through the room as he spots me. “The failsafes aren’t active yet! You’re not ready!”

“Turn it on,” I say, my voice steady despite the fear clawing at my chest. “I’m doing this.”

“Willow, stop!” Raekon’s roar is filled with desperation, but I don’t look at him. My fingers hover over the control panel on the armrest.

“I’m sorry, Raekon,” I whisper, and I press the button.

The machine hums to life, the sound low and resonant, like a plucked bass string. The electrodes buzz against my skin, and suddenly, the world around me dissolves. The lab, the Vakutan, the cryo tank—it all fades away, replaced by a swirling void of color and sound. I feel myself being pulled, like a leaf caught in a whirlpool, and then I’m falling, tumbling, diving into the darkness.

“Willow!” Raekon’s voice echoes in the distance, but it’s too late.

I’m in.

---