Page 67 of Pet: Genesis

“Yes. Every conversation is a battle to get her to stay onXyrannis.”

Another general speaks up. “Why are you so insistent on having her stay? Isn’t now the perfect time to bring her in? You know she can help you land a devastating blow.”

I shake my head.

“Xion would kill everyone. That would be her devastating blow. Then all our work here would be pointless. If she finds out about Ezra, she will definitely be difficult to reason with. We must find him first, then we can bring her in,” I say.

My sister’s name is feared throughout the galaxies, along with my own. I never thought she would fall in love and sacrifice taking on new worlds for the sake of a man. Years ago, a group of humans crash-landed on our planet as a result of their ship being caught in a star storm that catapulted them across the galaxy. I warned her against it, but she fell for one of them, even after his people’s betrayal.

“But wouldn’t it just be easier to kill them all?”

I shake my head.

“No. They play a part in this planet’s continued success as well as the growth of our empire.”

I release a deep sigh, rubbing my temples. I have little tolerance for incompetence. The moment I discover this resistance’s location, I will wipe them out just like I did with that waste Iris called home.

Now, Zaya speaks up.

“Don’t stress too hard on it. There’s a traitor among us, is all.”

The thought of a traitor fills me with rage. The same rage I felt when I discovered Iris’s betrayal of kissing that boy. Even now, I want to snap her neck for doing something so wretched. I almost did. I told Zaya I didn’t want them near one another, but she believed that fear alone was enough to control her pet. She was wrong. Iris is a shining example of that. Iris is a dangerous human.

“Where were the last consecutive attacks with heavy casualties?” I ask, trying to change the subject.

Alistar stands, using his hand to swipe the screen and reveal a new location on the map showing me marked attacks. I scoffin disgust. I take back what I said. Humans aren’t smart. They attack in patterns instead of at random. They are impatient. I can anticipate the next attack just by looking at their pattern.

“I’ll travel to this rural settlement. Have the transportation ships and a handful of Leviathan on standby,” I say.

“Why?” Zaya asks.

“It’s the next attack. And I’m going to be there when it happens,” I say.

I note that I know this area. I’ve been studying it since I began looking into Iris’s family. I can’t help but smile as a new strategy forms.

“I will wipe whoever stands against me out, leaving one for information. Alert Iriel of my arrival,” I say.

I don’t wait for rebuttals or responses as I make my way to the door. It’s time to take things into my own hands.

I head to the launch bay where my waiting ship resides. I make my way inside, silently greeting the crew as we slowly begin our ascent to my next location. As I pass the loading bay, I sense my newest inhibitor. She follows obediently behind me as I approach my seat that overlooks the city.

My eyes shift to Iris. She’s standing next to me, her hair swept up into a small bun, giving me the perfect view of her nape. The small chip that resides there provides me access to her nervous system without having to look into her eyes. I take in the inhibitor that keeps her brain docile, attached to her temple. The warm hue of green that I enjoy seeing is barely visible from the dilated state of her pupils. I laugh softly, brushing my hand over her cheek.

“I do wonder what hell you are encountering inside that head of yours,” I say aloud. She doesn’t move. Doesn’t respond. I look away from her, taking in the city as we leave. She would love this view. I suck in a breath of irritation as my cock stirs in my pants. I’ve never wanted someone in the way I want Iris. I’ve also never wanted to break someone as much as her. The desire to control her is overtaking my mind. She’s becoming an obsession. I want to be the reason she loses that spark. I want to control everything about her. Not in this way, though.

This victory feels tainted.

I take in her soft features. I may never see that spark again. At this point, I don’t know if I’ll ever give her freedom again. For now, she shall remain at my side like the rest of her kind, mindless in their quest to serve their conqueror.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Iris

There’s a constant rushing through my ears, like water. It holds me down as I watch my life move before my eyes. But I can’t interact. I can’t feel. I can only sit here, suffocating. My muscles are exhausted from working, yet I haven’t moved.

I have no sense of space, time, or existence. I just... am.

“Iris.” My name mingles with the gentle breeze surrounding me. I love hearing the sound of my name. It’s guiding me away from this darkness. I want to hear it again. Ineedto get outof here.

---