Page 9 of Alien Boss. Human Pet

“She’s stronger than she looks,” I counter, leaning against the edge of his desk. “She’s got fire underneath all that fear. I saw it in the garage, and I saw it when she stood up to her boss. We need people like her.”

Pyke sighs again, rubbing a hand over his face. “Fine. But next time, try not to terrify her into compliance. She’s not one of your soldiers, Raekon. She’s a human, and a scared one at that.”

I nod, though I can’t help the slight smirk tugging at the corner of my mouth. “I’ll keep that in mind, Captain.”

Pyke shifts in his seat, his crimson scales catching the light from the holograms floating above his desk. He folds his arms across his chest, his golden eyes locking onto mine with that knowing look that always makes me feel like he’s reading my thoughts. It’s infuriating.

“You’re responsible for mentoring Willow,” he says, his voice firm but not unkind. “Bring her up to speed. Turn her into a Veritas asset. But Raekon…” He leans forward, his tone dropping into something more serious. “Don’t push her too far. She’s not a Vakutan warrior. She’s fragile. Remember that.”

“I’m not going to break her,” I say. The last thing I want is to drive her away. She’s too… fascinating for that.

Pyke arches a brow ridge, clearly unconvinced. “Can’t believe you never noticed her before. She’s been at Keong Industries for what, six months?”

“No one notices her,” I mutter, though that’s not entirely true. I didn’t notice her until today, and now I can’t stop. Her hair, that fiery red, is burned into my mind. Her green eyes, wide and nervous, yet sharp with intelligence. How did I miss her? “She’s extraordinary.”

Pyke’s expression shifts, and I don’t like the look in his eyes. It’s that same knowing smirk he gets whenever he thinks he’s caught me in a lie. “Are you sure you’re thinking with your head and not another body part?”

My scales bristle, and I straighten up, my voice coming out sharper than I intend. “I have not slept with Ms. Christian, and I never announced any intention to do so.”

Pyke chuckles. “I meant yourheart, brain trust. But now I’m really concerned.”

I glare at him, my jaw tightening. “I’m fine. I can handle this.”

“Can you?” Pyke’s tone is light, but there’s an edge to it. “Raekon, I trust you to take out an enemy encampment. I trust you to generate a windfall off the sale of a tech startup. But trust you not to break one of your toys? I’m not sure I’m comfortable with that idea.”

I clench my fists, my scales rippling with irritation. “I’m not going to break her. I’ll take the very best care of her.”

Pyke studies me for a long moment, his gaze piercing. Finally, he lets out a sigh and waves a hand dismissively. “That’ll have to be good enough for now. Go collect your charge.”

I nod sharply and turn on my heel, striding out of the office before Pyke can say anything else to rile me up. The door slidesshut behind me, and I take a moment to compose myself. My thoughts keep circling back to Willow, her scent, her fear, her quiet strength. Pyke’s not wrong—she’s fragile. But she’s also stronger than she looks, stronger than she knows. And I’ll make sure she realizes it.

I head toward the commissary, my footsteps echoing in the corridor. This is going to be interesting.

CHAPTER 5

WILLOW

I’m in Raekon’s office, but it’s different—larger, darker, the air thick with the scent of leather and something metallic. I’m naked, my skin prickling under the cold, sterile light pouring from the ceiling. A leather collar hugs my neck, smooth and unyielding, and the leash attached to it dangles in Raekon’s scaled hand. He’s towering over me, his red eyes glowing like embers, and there’s thatbulgein his trousers. I can’t stop staring at it, even as my face burns.

“You must grow acclimated to the fact you’re my sex slave now, Ms. Christian,” Dream Raekon says in an almost casual way.

“B-but I don’t know anything about being a sex slave,” I stammer. My voice sounds small, tinny, like it’s coming from someone else.

He smirks, sharp teeth glinting. “I’ll train you. I’m sure you’ll be a natural.” His free hand moves to his fly, and my blood rushes through my body like quicksilver. “Now, for your first lesson.”

The zipper slides down with a metallic snick, and my heart is pounding so hard I’m half-convinced it’s going to crack my ribs. My clit throbs, a pulse of heat radiating outward, and I feelmyself getting wet despite the fear clawing at my throat. I don’t want to look, but I can’t look away. He’s fishing it out now, his hand moving deliberately, and I’m frozen, caught between terror and something far more dangerous.

“Keep your eyes on me,” he commands, his voice cutting through the haze in my mind. I obey, dragging my gaze upward to meet his. His smirk deepens, and there’s a glint of approval in those red eyes. “Good girl.”

The word sends a throb through my core, and I feel my thighs clench involuntarily. He’s pulling it out now, and I can’t help it—my eyes flick downward just as it comes into view.

My heart is pounding, my skin damp with sweat, and my throat is dry as I bolt upright in bed. The alarm on my phone is blaring—some obnoxious pop song I set months ago and never bothered to change. I fumble for it, nearly knocking it off the nightstand. The screen lights up my dark room, and for a split second, I’m disoriented.Where am I? Who am I? What the hell was that dream?

I silence the alarm and slump back into my pillow, staring at the ceiling. My pulse is still racing, and I can’t tell if it’s from the abrupt awakening or the lingering…intensityof the dream. My cheeks burn as I replay the details. Raekon. The collar. Thatlookin his eyes. And then…my phone. Myphone.I groan and bury my face in my hands.

“What iswrongwith me?” I mutter into the darkness. My voice is hoarse, like I’ve been screaming in my sleep. Maybe I was. My neighbor probably thinks I’m being murdered over here.

I flop onto my side, tugging the blanket up to my chin. The room feels too quiet now, the silence pressing in on me. I can still feel the phantom weight of that collar, the way his voice had wrapped around me like a vice.Good girl.I shiver, and it’s not entirely unpleasant.

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