Page 30 of Taken By the Aurelian Warriors

This is why my father paid so much and worked so hard to keep me hidden. I’ve always been his only weakness – the only thing he loves more than his mining business.

I know my father will take the deal. I’m his only child, and though it will pain him, he’ll make the trade in a second. He’d probably give the Aurelians the mine for free, as long as they promised not to hurt me.

I’m terrified – but my anger pulses up inside of me. It’s so fiery, I can’t push it down.

“You fucking animal! You killed Gerard!”

The image of our beloved old guard, lying limp on the ground, flashes before my eyes. Gerard’s lifeless body looked so helpless. The image of it is burned into my mind. The strong, powerful man I grew up with – slain by the ruthless bastards who now hold me captive.

The Aurelians eyes narrow.

“No. We did not.”

I blink.

“He merely took a tranquilizer to the neck,” the Aurelian continues. “Your guard will be awake this time tomorrow – which is more than he deserves, for failing to protect you.”

“Protect me from you, you bastard!” I snarl.

The Aurelian’s eyes narrow.

“Watch your tone. I won’t tolerate disrespect.”

I don’t care to test that statement. While I still present anger to my Aurelian kidnapper, in truth it’s relief that’s pouring through me.

Gerard is alive! Thank the Gods, Gerard is alive.

This marble-skinned, towering bastard put me through the worst grief of my life in thinking they’d murdered Gerard. I hadn’t felt pain like that since my mother passed.

I glare at my kidnapper, wishing I had a knife so I could do more than just shoot daggers with my glare.

But the second I know Gerard is safe, something else happens – something I don’t understand.

Something that makes me feel a new kind of guilt.

My body is betraying me.

These Aurelians might be kidnappers – but they’re not murderers, and instantly that changes my opinion of them. Now I’m not filled with hatred and anger, I’m ashamed to admit that there’s something about the way I was being manhandled – being so helpless in the captivity of these huge, achingly handsome warriors – that my body is responding in ways I can’t control.

My heart is pounding. My breath is ragged. Butterflies churn in my stomach, and I can feel my pulse between my thighs

As much as I hate it, Iachefor something I don’t understand – something I hate that I want.

…it is believed that the Bond draws out the deepest desires of the affected parties…

The line from my most-read book resounds in my mind. I fear there are dark things lurking in the recesses of my own mind – and I’m defenseless against them while in the captivity of these alien warriors.

I hate that the glare of the leader of the Aurelians is making me feel like this – drawing these desires out in me.

“Fuck you.”

I don’t mean them – but the words of defiance give me a sense of control.

The Aurelian’s neck twitches – and then heblursin front of me…

I don’t know how he moves so fast, but one second the Aurelian is merely staring me down – and the next, he’s somehow crossed the room and scooped me up. I scream in protest as the towering warrior throws me over his shoulder. Before I can utter another word of protest, his hand comes crashing down across my ass – landing with a crack like a gunshot.

My ass is covered only by my thin sleeping gown – and I instantly gasp out in shock and shame.

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