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Elias slumped against the wall. He’d lost. No one would claim him as their mate. It was too much of a risk to challenge the claim of a princess. He had no choice but to submit to the princess’s cruel punishment and become her next meal.

Chapter 19

Hayley had been walking for over an hour, pacing the corridors of Prodigy as anxiety coursed through her. Raymond couldn’t have made it any clearer. He wanted sex in exchange for his silence about her lying. She gritted her teeth, her nails digging into the palms of her hands. Hadn’t he ruined her life enough? He’d gotten what he wanted all those years ago and now was back to torment her again.

She shook her head and glared straight ahead as she continued to walk, not going in any particular direction but needing to burn off her nervous energy. She couldn’t go through with it. She couldn’t stand the thought of his hands touching her flesh or that mouth coming anywhere near hers. That smug smile on his face as he knew he was about to get what he desired.

Hayley shuddered and rubbed her belly as it cramped with nervous anxiety. If she didn’t do this, she’d lose everything, and that included her sister. If Raymond was spiteful enough to go to Diadora and tell her he lied about her time at college, that would be it. Diadora would fire her. She’d lose her salary, which would mean she had no money to send to Sally. Her treatment would end, and Sally would be dead within the month.

She groaned loudly, and a startled-looking Koob scuttled out of her way. Hayley was torn between two horrible options. If she said nothing and refused to sleep with Raymond, he would reveal her secret. Or she could go to Diadora and plead her case. If she came clean, it might make a difference. She could show Diadora what a fast learner she was and how well she’d been doing. If she could get Vegas or Nell on her side and fighting her corner, it might be enough.

Hayley grimaced. She was living in a dream if she thought that would happen. Diadora was not known for her generosity when it came to work. She would be furious that someone had pulled the wool over her eyes. There would be no mercy, and there would be no job.

Two Retar guards walked past her. Hayley turned her head as she caught the end of a sentence. They’d just mentioned Elias’s name.

She turned on her heel, her own concerns pushed to the back of her mind as she followed them.

“Princess Isolt wants this dealt with discreetly,” the tall, broad-shouldered guard on the left said.

“We can do it on the ship.”

Hayley followed far enough behind to ensure no one realized she was tailing the guards but made sure she could hear what they said.

“He’s just another sucker. I heard he escaped her the last time they were together.”

“Princess Isolt has never forgotten him. She often curses his name. Were you there when she discovered him in the docking bay? She was almost drooling with the possibility she’d finally get to sink her teeth into him.”

Hayley’s mouth dropped open. The Retar princess had plans to eat Elias. Surely, she wouldn’t be so vengeful after all this time. Hayley’s pulse raced as she continued after the guards.

“She’ll strap him to her bed, make sure he can’t move as she fucks him, and start eating him while she’s doing it. You know our beloved princess; she has particular tastes when it comes to her mates.”

The guard on the right shook his head. “Rather him than me. I don’t mind a bit of biting during sex, but she takes it to a whole new level.”

“You’d better watch what you say. You’re almost sounding treasonous.”

“The royals can do whatever gets them off. I know I’m never going to be a chosen mate. I’m glad of it. Any word on when she wants it to happen?”

“She’s been distracted by this new human mate she’s got her eye on. She’ll want her meal out of the way before she makes a move on him. I reckon it’ll all be over and done with within twenty-four hours.”

Hayley’s breath caught in her throat. The princess was going to kill Elias. She had to find him and stop this from happening.

She continued to follow the guards as their conversation shifted to another topic. They slowed when they reached a corridor that separated into two different directions.

“I’ll check on the ship. Make sure our prisoner is comfortable,” the tall guard said.

So, Elias was on board the Retar ship. Hayley continued after this guard after he’d separated from his companion. She increased the distance between them and tried to appear casual as she walked behind him, despite her head spinning. Somehow, Princess Isolt had gotten her claws into Elias and wanted revenge.

The guard entered the docking bay. Hayley lingered by the entrance. It was okay for anyone to go into the docking bay; the station guards by the door didn’t stop you. But if anyone asked what she was doing, she had no answer.

Hayley’s gaze went to the ship Raymond had arrived on. She could use that as an excuse. If anyone questioned her, she would say she was looking for Professor Grenville. Decision made, she hurried after the guard, checking around to make sure no one paid her any attention.

The two guards by the entrance were chatting to each other and appeared relaxed. One of them gave her a passing glance. She nodded at him and strode on her way as if she knew exactly where she needed to go.

At the last second, Hayley changed direction and headed to the Retar ship. The ramp was down. She took a deep breath and hurried up it as quietly as possible. When she was inside, she looked around for any sign of the guard or anybody else on board. It was quiet.

Hayley hurried along the corridor. She shook with nerves at the thought of being discovered. The first door she tried was locked but the second one was open. She checked the room was empty before hurrying inside and closing the door behind her. It looked like a small meeting room, with a table and chairs and a screen mounted on one wall.

She’d wait in here until the guard left the ship then she’d find Elias and make sure he was okay. After that, her brilliant plan ended. What was she even doing on board the ship? How did she think she could help Elias? All Hayley knew was that she couldn’t abandon him. She needed to warn him what was about to happen and find a way to stop it.