Bricus sank into his chair, feeling lost and empty. He stared blankly over the control panel and out into space. There were so many times in his life where he felt… not good enough. But he’d never felt this bad before.
Completely worthless.
With the nectar swirling through his body, and his blood pumping too fast, his handle on his control was far too weak. I want to go back in there, and… what? He leaned back in the chair and rubbed his face, trying to push away the hurt. But the aching deep in his chest remained.
Mara had said the only way he could get a mate was to buy one.
Was she right?
A hundred faces of beautiful Iceilus women flashed through his mind. All of them were willing to accept a bond with only two males, with just his bond-brothers, as long as he wasn’t involved.
His brothers had refused the women without hesitation. They had never once made him believe that they wanted their connection with Bricus destroyed. But they’d also never looked at a female the way they looked at Mara. He desperately wanted to rid himself of the human and chase down the only female who would accept their bond. But now? He was afraid. If he did this… would it be the final straw for his brothers? Would they choose the beautiful human over him?
If she wanted you, what would you sacrifice to have her?
That was the root of it all. It wasn’t just his brothers who wanted Mara for their own. Somewhere deep inside he’d realized that perhaps he wanted her too. But like every female before her, she seemed eager to form a connection to his brothers. And just as eager to keep her distance from him.
Not that I blame her.
Bricus leaned forward and placed his hands in his face. Mara was beautiful, in a strange exotic way. With her long dark hair and her eyes the rich green of desire, she was stunning to behold. But her warm body full of soft curves? And the way her smile made his heart race? She was a goddess.
This human may be the one to finally take my brothers from me.
His entire body stiffened. Drustan and Aedan would never do such a thing. They had been overwhelmed by her when they first stumbled upon her. They’d lost all sense when they allowed her to make them come. If they’d been in their right mind, they never would have done something to weaken the bond between them and him.
Rising suddenly, he made a decision. He would return to their bedroom. He would apologize to Mara, and he would present the idea his brothers longed for. Instead of bringing her to the research facility orbiting Earth, he would ask her if she wished to stay with them.
To become their mate.
His steps felt light as he left the control room and hurried down the hall. He imagined the look on his brothers’ faces when he let his guard down and showed this woman that he cared for her. After all the dangerous things he’d done in his life, he had never done something that frightened him so badly.
What if she rejects me?
His steps faltered. If she wasn’t ready to commit to him, after all his stubbornness and anger, he would understand. But he would show her why he was worthy of her love.
Continuing to the door of their bedroom, he hit the red button and the doors slid open. The main lights had been turned off, but golden ones glowed around the room, perfectly highlighting the scene before him.
Mara was straddling Drustan, He kissed her with abandon, while Aedan had positioned himself behind her, his cock hovering above her ass, preparing to thrust inside.
Drustan’s eyes opened, locking with Bricus’ gaze. He broke the kiss and said something that might have been his name. Aedan and Mara turned to look at him.
Bricus stumbled back. All he could hear was his harsh breathing in his ears. As the door shut, his heart gave a painful squeeze. Apparently, his brothers had made their decision. Bonding with Mara was more important than keeping their bond with him.
They had made the choice to be together already.
Just without him.
It was the single most painful moment of his life.