This different, wild, fascinating being… He has more empathy, more humanity, than some people in our own community. I fell for him—no matter where he came from. No matter that he hunts to eat. I could live with that.
For him, I would’ve left my people. I would’ve joined his so-called Confederation. But now, I have to survive… without him.
And that feels impossible.
Every breath hurts.
Every heartbeat is a silent cry.
All my senses betray me, screaming just how deeply I need him.
The feel of his soft fur beneath my fingertips…
The warm, musky scent of his silky hair…
The soothing sound of his purrs…
The image of his enormous golden eyes…
The taste of that rough tongue against mine…
Everything reminds me of him.
Everything reminds me he’s gone.
My knees give out, and I slide to the cold floor of this tiny cell. I curl up, eyes shut tight, letting the crushing weight of grief smother me.
I sob. I shiver.
And I cry for my lost love.
I must have dozed off, worn out by grief, because I jolt awake as a harsh white light suddenly floods the room.
A dark-haired man walks in and watches me with his hands clasped behind his back.
“Well, you’re awake. Good,” he says, with a smug smile tugging at the corners of his lips. “I hope you’re comfortable.”
What? Is he serious?
I’m locked in a cell so small I can’t even stand up!
Who the hell is this guy?
“Oh, forgive me,” he adds, as if I’d spoken out loud. “I forgot to introduce myself. I’m Do-yun. I heard you were hoping to meet me?” he adds smoothly, sitting down on a chair next to the door with the elegance of someone used to being in control.
Meet him? Sure, I’d wanted to—back when I thought he might help us. But now?
Now it’s pretty clear he’s playing a central role in this whole takeover.
I don’t answer. I just glare at him in disgust, curling up in the farthest corner of my cell.
“I see,” he comments, unfazed. “You’ve decided to sulk. That’s fine, I’m not in a hurry. You’ll be staying here for a while. Marjorie’s told me a lot about you. She was quite insistent that I keep you alive—for her. Seems she has… unfinished business with you. She should be here in a day or two. Maybe three. So go ahead and dry those pretty eyes and save your energy. Don’t worry—Marjorie won’t be allowed to kill you. Our… uh… collaborator from another planet was very clear about that. A dead body’s worth nothing. But a young, healthy one? That’s got some value on the market.”
He smiles wider.
“Although I might have other plans for you.”
“I don’t understand,” I finally whisper. “Why are you doing this?”
