Setting Fire to the Stars (mxm)

Chapter 17: Starblessed [M]

**Trigger Warning: Please note that this chapter contains mature themes that may be inappropriate for young readers including forced drug use, profanity, mentions of death, physical abuse, blood, non-consensual touching, and elements of sexual assault. Ages 18+ Reader discretion is advised.**

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Lauren
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"I am the Supreme Emperor of the Lyriassian Empire, Adamas Son'Raul. Your mate."

The words rang in my ears as I stood frozen in front of the alien before me. His bony fingers, so pale they resembled decaying flesh, remained hooked under my chin as he forcibly raised my face to meet his steely purple eyes.

Anger burned like a fire in my chest, the heat simmered the blood in my veins. How dare he? He invaded my planet, killed thousands of my people, had me kidnapped, and then proclaimed that I'm his mate? Did he just expect me to go along with his bullshit thinking?

I think the hell not.

Summoning my courage, I swatted his disgusting hand away from my face. "Why does everyone keep telling me that?" I snapped, glaring as I stepped away from him. "Look, I don't know what kind of drugs you people are on, but I am not your mate. I don't even know you!"

Emperor Asshole appeared taken aback by my actions. After the initial shock wore off, his lavender eyes sharpened and he stepped forward, boxing me in against the wall with his tall body. Cowering against the pink surface, my gaze dropped to the gold brooch pinned onto his black suit. It was similar to the one Synth had worn, though this one was far superior in design. Vaguely, I wondered if it could be used to gain my freedom.

"It's very simple. You are what you were always meant to be," he mused, a pale hand lifting to trail the back of his fingers lightly down my cheek. "Mine."

I tried to mask my trembling as I lifted my chin defiantly. The last thing I wanted was to let him know that I was afraid of him. Showing any signs of weakness would only give this creep more satisfaction and more control.

Keep calm, Lauren. Don't let him get to you.

The first thing I had to do was find a way to get my hands on that pin. After that, I would make him regret ever laying a finger on me. "Don't call me that," I spat, swatting his hand away and shuffling back a step. "I am not your fucking mate."

He caught my wrist, his expression holding none of the amusement it had before. "While I do find your fiery attitude amusing, you would do well not to test me, love," he chided, dipping his head to trail his lips over the side of my neck. "Make no mistake. You are my second heart, and I will have you. Your body, your heart, and your soul. It is my right as your mate."

I couldn't suppress the wave of disgust that rushed over me as his chilling touch. Jerking from under his grasp, I skittered away and attempted to make a break for the door, but a firm hand held me in place. "Let go of me!"

The crack of my hand meeting his cheek resonated through the large chamber, followed by an eerie silence. My palm stung from the slap and I held me breath as my my entire body thrummed with fear. When Emperor's eyes slowly centered on me, a cold shiver crept down my back as a darkness that passed over his face, his lilac eyes simmering with thinly veiled anger.