Page 21 of Bound to the Marak

Not anymore.

Twelve

He left her with a murmur in that strange, melodic language of his—a few soft syllables, low and resonant. She didn’t understand the words, but the tone was gentle. Like a goodbye… or a promise.

His hand had touched her cheek again, the warmth of it lingering even after he stepped back. Then came the tentacle—gliding slowly along her arm, curling once at her wrist like a ribbon of heat before slipping away.

Then he was gone.

The door to her quarters whispered shut behind him, and Leonie was left standing there, heart racing.

She let out a shaky laugh. She didn’t even know what she was laughing at. Herself, probably.

What the hell just happened?

She stumbled toward the low couch and sat down hard, letting her breath spill out in a whoosh. Her legs felt light, as though they weren’t fully hers. Her skin still tingled from his touch.

It hadn’t been threatening.

That was the strangest part.

He could’ve hurt her. Overpowered her in a second. And yet… he hadn’t.

He’d touched her like she wasprecious. Like she was something to be studied, yes—but also something to berevered. Admired.

And she hadn’t stopped him.

God, she hadn’twantedto.

Her fingers curled in her lap as heat rose to her cheeks again.

But the giddy haze was already starting to fade, replaced by a steady drumbeat of something colder, harder. Logic. Doubt.

Don’t be stupid, Leonie.

She was light-years from home. She didn’t even knowwhereshe was. What planet, what galaxy. She didn’t speak the language. Couldn’t read the symbols on the walls. Couldn’t ask questions, couldn’t understand answers.

He had brought her here. Taken her.

And yes, he was giving her soft beds and strange silken dresses and meals that looked like they belonged in a luxury interstellar restaurant—but that didn’t change what shewashere.

A possession.

An acquisition.

Maybe even a pet.

Her eyes drifted to the canopy above the bed. She’d never been so comfortable, and yet… never felt so trapped.

She hugged her knees to her chest and stared at the softly glowing walls.

Could she trust him?

She didn’tknowhim.

He’d shown her tenderness, yes—but that didn’t erase the memory of the collar, or the cage, or the terrifying alien who had first shocked her into obedience. She still didn’t know what hewantedfrom her.

Was this all just some long, elaborate courtship ritual before something darker began?

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